Institutional accreditation 2024: AU takes the first steps
Aarhus University has submitted its institutional report to the Danish Accreditation Institution. This is the first step towards a renewal of AU’s positive institutional accreditation in 2024.
The Danish Accreditation Institution performs periodic assessments of all Danish institutions of higher education to monitor that they are working systematically and continuously to ensure the quality and relevance of their degree programmes. AU's positive accreditation from 2018 expires in November 2024, and so AU has now begun the work of applying for a renewal.
As the first step in the process, AU has submitted a document, the institutional report, which contains a description of the university's quality assurance system and a self-assessment of quality assurance at all organisational levels.
The report is the result of a collaboration between the Committee on Education and AU Student Administration and Services, as well as relevant participants from the faculties, in a process spearheaded by Pro-rector Berit Eika.
What happens next?
Next, the expert panel that will submit the final recommendation regarding renewal to the Accreditation Council will visit AU in December. The panel will meet with management, staff and students across the faculties, and will return in the spring 2024, when the panel will take a closer look at selected degree programmes. The final decision is expected in September 2024.
Possible outcomes of the accreditation process:
- Positive institutional accreditation: AU may offer new degree programmes and courses provided that they have been through the prequalification process.
- Conditional institutional accreditation: AU must follow up on problems identified by the panel within a given timeframe, and all new degree programmes and courses must be accredited before they are offered.
- Rejection of application: AU may not offer new degree programmes and courses, and existing degree programmes must be re-accredited according to a rota.
Need more information?
- Read more about educational quality assurance processes at kvalitet.au.dk (in Danish only)
- Read more about accreditation on the Danish Accreditation Institution website
- For a copy of the institutional report, please contact Astrid Marie Gad Knudsen (Educational Development and Analysis)