Registry of International Accreditation Organizations

About the Organization

A3ES is an independent organization established in Portugal to ensure quality in higher education. A3ES operates in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

A3ES is independent in making its decisions; however, it operates within the framework of the general requirements established by the state. The Board of Directors has full authority to develop and approve guidelines for the evaluation of institutions and educational programs, appoint expert panels, and take final decisions on individual accreditation procedures.

A3ES is not financed by the state (except for the initial endowment contribution). Its revenues are generated through services provided to higher education institutions.

The functions of A3ES include: ensuring quality in higher education; evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and their degree-awarding educational programs; and supporting Portugal’s integration into the European system for quality assurance in higher education.

Current procedures include mandatory ex-ante accreditation for all degree-awarding educational programs, as well as subsequent (ex-post) evaluation and accreditation. They also include a voluntary institutional audit program aimed at certifying internal quality assurance systems within higher education institutions.

Following completion of the first five-year cycle of evaluation/accreditation, an institutional evaluation process covering all higher education institutions is conducted.

Within the Agency, there is a research unit responsible for preparing information and analyses on Portugal’s higher education system and for conducting academic research in the field of quality assurance. A3ES is the only agency in Portugal authorized to accredit higher education institutions and educational programs.

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