The European Approach was adopted by EHEA ministers in 2015. As a political commitment made in the Bologna Process, and not a legally binding agreement or treaty, it requires implementation at the national level. Depending on the country, legislative changes at different levels may thus be required to make the European Approach effectively available to higher education institutions.
The map below shows the EHEA countries in which the European Approach can be used by some or all higher education institutions. Please consult the information on each country for specific requirements, conditions or restrictions.
Please note that the map only shows those higher education systems in which institutions have a right to use the European Approach at their own choice, and this is laid down in official documentation. In some cases, institutions might also be able to use the European Approach on the basis of an individual, case-by-case agreement with their government or national quality assurance agency. Such arrangements are beyond the scope of this map.
Malta has been a Governmental Member of EQAR since 2008.
Focus of external quality assurance
Institutional audit All institutions, including self-accrediting ones, have to be reviewed and audited periodically by NCFHE as part of the External Quality Assurance process as defined by NCFHE.
Programme accreditation Education institutions (whether national, international, public or private) must have their programme audits approved by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE). By exception, public institutions that have a 'self-accrediting status' established by NCFHE do not need to submit programmes for accreditation if these fall within the scope of the Malta Qualification Framework (MQF) level of their self-accrediting status. They would need to do so if they intend to provide programmes that exceed the MQF level of their self-accrediting status.
Can higher education institutions choose a suitable EQAR-registered agency?
Yes, under certain conditions:
Eligibility requirements for foreign agencies: Prior approval by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) is required for suitability, language proficiency, capacity and experience. The audit process and the terms of reference must be reviewed and approved by NCFHE before the audit process begins.
Conditions for the agencies’ work (e.g. criteria to be used): The external quality assurance agency has to follow the accreditation criteria set out in the national legislation governing further and higher education and, therefore, also all relevant regulations and communications issued by NCFHE.
Recognition of reviews carried out by foreign agencies: The final decision is taken by the NCFHE on the result of the accreditation procedure.
Self-accrediting public higher education institutions in Malta can employ the European Approach for the Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes i.e. the University of Malta; the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology; and the Institute for Tourism Studies.
European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes available to all higher education institutions (either through recognition of single external quality assurance procedure for programmes or by virtue of HEIs being self-accrediting)
European Approach available to some higher education institutions or only under specific conditions
European Approach not available to higher education institutions in the country
1 All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, on this site shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
