International Quality Reviews with an EQAR-Registered Agency

Abstract

The present study provides a first analysis of higher education institutions’ experience with a crossborder quality review (evaluation/audit/accreditation, at programme or institutional level). The paper, based on the results of 13 case-study interviews, paints a comparative picture of the rationale as well as of the benefits and challenges experienced by higher education institutions that had their external quality assessment carried out by a quality assurance agency from another country. The study explores whether these reviews are embedded in the internationalisation strategy of the institution, how they contribute to the organisation’s quality culture and the role, played by the national legislative framework as inhibiting or facilitating factors for such reviews. The paper complements these case studies with a macro level analysis on the national openness of European Higher Education Area (EHEA) countries to quality assurance agencies working across borders, based on substantial compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG) attested by its listing in the European Quality Assurance Register for higher education (EQAR). The macro level analysis looks at the commitment taken by EHEA Ministers to “allow EQAR-registered agencies to perform their activities across the EHEA, while complying with national requirements”.