Aarhus BSS still AACSB accredited - process extended by one year

AACSB has just informed Aarhus BSS that the accreditation process has been extended until spring 2020. Aarhus BSS needs to document and further systematise the process for following up on the learning goals of the degree programmes. This means that Aarhus BSS continues to hold the international AACSB accreditation, but that AACSB will re-evaluate the school next spring before deciding whether to extend the accreditation.

Aarhus BSS hold the three international accreditations AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

In spring 2019, Aarhus BSS welcomed the AACSB accreditation panel who met with approx. 40 representatives from the school’s management, students, staff and partners.

Aarhus BSS has now received the official response following the visit, and the panel is largely positive towards the many initiatives launched at the school since the last visit in 2013. Among other things, the panel commends the school for the extensive work that is already being carried out to ensure the quality of the degree programmes, including the school’s degree programme quality assurance processes.

However for the accreditation to be extended, AACSB requires a more systematic implementation of the assurance of learning framework at degree programme level - and thus a consolidation of this particular part of the quality assurance system. This means that Aarhus BSS is required to submit documentation for how the school has developed a more systematic process for evaluating the extent to which students meet the goals and objectives of the programmes.

Since the visit in March and in dialogue with AACSB, Aarhus BSS has developed a model for how the school can supplement the existing quality assurance processes with data that directly addresses the achievement of learning goals at degree programme level. The aim is to further strengthen the dialogue and follow-up on the degree programmes’ learning goals that are already taking place at several organisational levels.

As a first step, the model was tested in a pilot project on the MSc in Economics and Business Administration Master's theses in the 2019 summer exam. Data from this project is now being collected and will be discussed in the Board of Studies for Economics and Business Administration this autumn. Based on the experiences gained in the pilot project, the extended quality assurance will subsequently be integrated into all degree programmes as part of the existing quality assurance processes. In future, data on the extent to which students achieve the programme learning goals will supplement the data already included in the well-established quality assurance system at Aarhus BSS.

If AACSB finds that the submitted documentation demonstrates that the school has resolved the issue, they will extend the AACSB accreditation until 2024 when the next accreditation visit takes place. Thus, the extended accreditation process does not affect the school’s current accreditation status, and Aarhus BSS continues to be AACSB accredited.

For more information, please contact:

Dean Thomas Pallesen
Email: pallesen@au.dk
Mobile: 20373932

Vice-dean for education
Per Andersen
Email: perandersen@au.dk
Tel: +4587165745


What you need to know about accreditations

  • AACSB stands for Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
  • The accreditation is awarded for five years at a time, and the school has been AACSB accredited since 2013.
  • Aarhus BSS has secured the following recognised international accreditations: AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.
  • AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS are the leading international quality systems for assessing, improving and accrediting institutions of higher education within the field of management and business administration.
  • The accreditations indicate that the institution has found a sound balance between high academic quality and professional relevance through a close collaboration with the national and international business communities.
  • They are vital for the institution’s ability to maintain and strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive sector. They contribute to the institution’s brand and ability to attract the right students, researchers and business partners.
  • The accreditations are renewed every three or five years. This ensures that the institution continually works to develop itself and to improve the quality of all its activities.