{"id":18371,"date":"2026-07-14T13:37:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T12:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaq.ch\/?page_id=18371"},"modified":"2026-07-15T12:49:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T11:49:36","slug":"institutional-accreditation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aaq.ch\/en\/accreditation\/institutional-accreditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Institutional accreditation"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1784116171649{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}\"]\n

Institutional accreditation<\/h4>\n

The institutional accreditation procedure inspects the internal quality assurance system in a Higher Education Institution.<\/p>\n

Since the introduction of the HEdA, institutional accreditation has been a requirement for the right to use a specific designation in Switzerland \u2013 institutional accreditation is therefore mandatory for any institution wishing to call itself a \"University\", \"University of Applied Sciences\" or \"University of Teacher Education\". The criteria are defined in Article 30 HEdA.<\/p>\n

The AAQ conducts institutional accreditation procedures in Switzerland. The decision-making body is the Swiss Accreditation Council<\/a>. It awards the accredited HEI a quality seal.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Contact \/ Format manager:
\n<\/strong>Petra Lauk Kwasnitza
\npetra.lauk@aaq.ch<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=\".vc_custom_1783349373627{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_separator color=\"custom\" align=\"align_left\" style=\"dotted\" border_width=\"3\" accent_color=\"#5b6770\"][vc_custom_heading text=\"FAQ\" font_container=\"tag:h5|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%235b6770\" use_theme_fonts=\"yes\"][vc_tta_tabs section_title_tag=\"h6\" style=\"flat\" shape=\"square\" color=\"juicy-pink\" active_section=\"8\" no_fill_content_area=\"true\"][vc_tta_section title=\"General\" tab_id=\"faq1\"][vc_toggle title=\"Must every HEI in Switzerland be accredited?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628576450-ffa47a8a-de75\"]An HEI in Switzerland must be accredited in accordance with HEdA if it wants to use the name \u2018university\u2019, \u2018university of applied sciences\u2019 or \u2018university of teacher education\u2019 in a national language or in another language. This also applies to derived versions of the name.<\/p>\n

The terms \u2018higher education institute\u2019, \u2018business school\u2019 or other such terms are not protected.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can an HEI or institute that only teaches or conducts only research be accredited?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627769709-79a3c97c-22ff\"]No. The Higher Education Act (HEdA) calls for the uniting of research and teaching in HEIs.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can part of an HEI, such as an affiliated university, an institute, faculty or research institution, become accredited?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628199831-1429773e-ca56\"]No, the Higher Education Act (HEdA) permits no accreditation for affiliated entities. An HEI that wishes to be institutionally accredited must belong to a category defined by HEdA, such as a university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education or an institute; other formats cannot be accredited.<\/p>\n

For other institutions or entities, the AAQ offers evaluations<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can an HEI be accredited if it is established outside Switzerland?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628201000-968bfa47-b948\"]According to the Higher Education Act (HEdA), the HEI must be a legal entity in Switzerland and possess infrastructure in Switzerland.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Does accreditation imply that the HEI\u2019s programmes are also accredited?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628398068-be92d738-64b2\"]In Switzerland, no compulsory programme accreditation exists. In the context of its institutional accreditation, the HEI demonstrates that its quality assurance system extends to all areas, including of course its study programmes. However, these are not formally programme-accredited.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can or must an HEI also carry out a programme accreditation?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627809943-66f05e53-83a3\"]Programme accreditations are voluntary and possible according to HEdA, but only for institutions that are already institutionally accredited. If that is not the case, evaluation is an option.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"If an HEI is not accredited, can it still award diplomas?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628395636-0476fae6-e4df\"]In principle it can, but it must observe the legal requirements of its canton. The federal government does not regulate the awarding of titles. Moreover, the right of an HEI to award a title is not tied to accreditation.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"How can I find out if an HEI is accredited in Switzerland?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628396909-6d1b8cd9-5d9b\"]The Swiss Accreditation Council holds a list of accredited HEIs. A list of accredited and recognised HEIs can also be found at swissuniversities.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Is it compulsory for all HEIs to undertake institutional accreditation with the AAQ?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627811416-d3d49b2e-82b4\"]No, the Swiss Accreditation Council maintains a list of approved agencies.[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=\"Implementation\" tab_id=\"faq-2\"][vc_toggle title=\"Our higher education institution (HEI) wishes to become institutionally accredited. How do we proceed?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628578205-345549d4-7996\"]The competent body for admission to the procedure is the Swiss Accreditation Council. The admission form and a template for documentary evidence of how your institution meets the admission criteria (Art. 4, para 1, Accreditation Ordinance, Higher Education Act (HEdA)) can be downloaded from the website of the Accreditation Council. Please contact its office for information[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"What is the duration of the accreditation process?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627812002-50a04596-a5f7\"]The procedure for institutional accreditation, from the opening of proceedings to the decision of the Swiss Accreditation Council, lasts about two years.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"How long does the accreditation last?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627831273-4ccbb8c6-1f71\"]Initial accreditation: 5 years<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reaccreditation: 8 years<\/strong>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"What is the cost of institutional accreditation?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628004990-0abcefb3-9b24\"]The costs associated with the accreditation procedure are regulated in the SAC Fees
\nOrdinance (FeeO-SAC).<\/p>\n

Initial accreditation: CHF 59\u2019000 (excluding VAT)<\/p>\n

The fee is calculated for a procedure comprising a one-day preliminary visit and a two-and-a-half-day site visit conducted by a panel of five experts. It consists of a flat fee of CHF 32,000 covering direct costs (experts\u2019 fees, travel expenses, and accommodation) and a flat fee of CHF 27,000 covering indirect costs (AAQ\u2019s administrative and operational expenses).<\/p>\n

Reaccreditation:<\/b> CHF 53,000 (excluding VAT)<\/p>\n

The fee for reaccreditation is lower because the site visit is reduced to two days (instead of two and a half days for the initial accreditation).<\/p>\n

Where applicable, the verification of compliance with the requirements will be billed separately.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"In which languages can a procedure be undertaken?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627810764-3352c1be-7dfd\"]The AAQ carries out institutional accreditation procedures in German, French, Italian and English. The language of the procedure is uniform and is established at the beginning of the process.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can an HEI seek advice from the AAQ on preparation for institutional accreditation?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628199592-8c8b1b29-58ce\"]\n

The AAQ provides information on the institutional accreditation procedure and, where necessary, holds individual meetings to discuss the procedure. However, it does not provide consultancy services.<\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"What are the roles of the parties involved in the procedure?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]\n

The Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC)<\/b><\/span> admits higher education institutions to the institutional accreditation procedure and mandates the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ)<\/span> or another recognised agency to conduct the procedure. As the supervisory body of the AAQ, the SAC receives the long list of potential experts for comment. At the end of the procedure, the SAC takes the accreditation decision and communicates it directly to the higher education institution. The SAC also maintains a list of accredited higher education institutions on its website.<\/p>\n

The higher education institution<\/strong> submits its application for institutional accreditation to the SAC. It prepares the self-evaluation report and makes all relevant documentation and information required for the assessment of the quality standards available to the expert panel. It provides the facilities for the visits and invites its internal stakeholders to participate in the interviews. The higher education institution is given the opportunity to comment on both the expert panel\u2019s report and the AAQ\u2019s accreditation proposal. Following the accreditation decision, it informs the SAC of any substantial changes affecting compliance with the quality standards (Ordinance to the HEdA, Art. 17).<\/p>\n

Based on the higher education institution\u2019s self-evaluation report and the visits, the group of experts<\/strong> assesses compliance with the quality standards. The experts participate in the preliminary visit and the site visit, conduct interviews with the institution\u2019s stakeholders as critical friends<\/i><\/span>, and prepare the expert panel\u2019s report, which also includes a recommendation regarding accreditation.<\/p>\n

The AAQ<\/strong> conducts the institutional accreditation procedure. It supports the higher education institution throughout the accreditation process, appoints the expert panel, and assists it in carrying out its mandate. Based on the institution\u2019s self-evaluation report and the results of the external review, in particular the expert panel\u2019s report, the AAQ prepares an accreditation proposal for submission to the SAC. The AAQ also publishes the accreditation report on its website.<\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Can the visits take place online or in hybrid form?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]\n

Both visits are conducted in person, i.e. on site. Hybrid formats are generally not envisaged. Exceptions may be made in justified individual cases, for example if key participants become unavailable at short notice.<\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Are there specific quality standards for different types of higher education institutions?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628199099-8d49cc9e-cf60\"]\n

No. The same quality standards apply to all higher education institutions. However, the assessment takes account of each institution\u2019s specific profile. This is ensured through the appointment of an expert panel whose expertise is matched to the institution\u2019s profile.<\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Are all reports published?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628004763-e4c46cde-399c\"]\n

Yes. The AAQ publishes on its website all reports that lead to an accreditation decision.<\/p>\n[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=\"Context\" tab_id=\"faq-3\"][vc_toggle title=\"What is the difference between institutional accreditation, system accreditation and quality audit?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628199346-924834af-78b2\"]The various forms and methods of quality assurance procedures are based on the relevant legal requirements of the different countries.<\/p>\n

System accreditation is a procedure performed exclusively in Germany. It certifies a quality assurance system for a higher education institution that extends over parts of the HEI (study and teaching). In Germany, an HEI chooses between system accreditation and programme accreditation.<\/p>\n

A quality audit is a procedure that is carried out according to the Austrian HS-QSG (Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education). The AAQ carries out such procedures in Austria.<\/p>\n

Quality audits in Switzerland were carried out between 2001 and 2014 at the universities and in both Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in three cycles; they were superseded by institutional accreditation with the introduction of HFKG in 2015.<\/p>\n

In addition, the AAQ offers evaluations of institutions and study programmes; e.g. postgraduate master\u2019s course. Evaluations are not tied to a legally valid decision.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"What is the value of institutional accreditation nationally and internationally?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628004426-03cd9769-a189\"]Institutional accreditation guarantees that the HEI in question has a quality assurance system in place and meets defined quality standards. It is a confirmation of compliance with specified standards (HFKG in Switzerland; ESG (European Standards and Guidelines) in Europe) both nationally and internationally.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"How does it compare with other important national and international accreditations?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509628004200-63eef6ea-1445\"]Institutional accreditation is the only national accreditation that covers an entire HEI. There are also optional programme accreditations (for HEIs that are already institutionally accredited), or programme accreditations offered by individual agencies and which are mostly subject-specific.<\/p>\n

There is no other accreditation similar to this internationally. Institutional accreditation in Switzerland examines standards that apply to all areas of an HEI (i.e. not only teaching) and is therefore of high value.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"What is the value of the institutional accreditation for graduates of an HEI in terms of acceptance in the professional world and admission to other HEIs nationally and internationally?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627832342-59f29d21-6cf4\"]The accreditation has no direct connection to the awarding of diplomas.<\/p>\n

Admission to other HEIs depends on their local guidelines. In principle, the provisions of the Lisbon Convention that govern academic mobility apply.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"I wish to study at an institution that is not institutionally accredited. Should I assume that its quality is bad?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\" el_id=\"1509627831746-412991e4-dac4\"]No, that assumption cannot be made.[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=\"Reaccreditation\" tab_id=\"faq-4\"][vc_toggle title=\"May parts of the self-evaluation report from the first cycle be adopted\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]AAQ assumes that the higher education institutions start with the analysis from the first
\naccreditation for the reaccreditation. Of course, it is legitimate to reuse the self-evaluation report
\nfrom that time as a basis, which is also possible with the new report format.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Do the recommendations from the initial accreditation have to be implemented?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]The recommendations are inputs from the experts that can, but do not have to, be implemented
\nby the higher education institutions. AAQ recommends that when presenting the effectiveness
\nof the initial accreditation in the self-evaluation, the recommendations should also be addressed
\n(depending on the type and number of recommendations, also by way of example)[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"If a higher education institution has fulfilled the requirements from the initial accreditation, are requirements possible at all during re-accreditation?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]Overall, it can be assumed that fewer conditions will be imposed in the second cycle, but they
\nare still possible: the experts have leeway in interpreting the standards. Moreover, the duration
\nof 7 years should not be underestimated: The demands on the QM system are likely to have
\nchanged during this time, as are the higher education institutions themselves.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=\"Are the experts for re-accreditation the same as for the first accreditation?\" custom_font_container=\"tag:h6|text_align:left\" custom_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" use_custom_heading=\"true\"]The appointment of experts works according to the same principle (profile discussion, longlist)
\nas in the first accreditation. The higher education institution therefore has the opportunity to
\ncomment on this. It can be an advantage if one person from the expert group was already
\npresent at the initial accreditation, but this is not mandatory.[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][vc_separator color=\"custom\" align=\"align_left\" style=\"dotted\" border_width=\"3\" accent_color=\"#5b6770\" css=\".vc_custom_1783349415077{padding-top: 30px !important;}\"][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=\".vc_custom_1445790459633{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_cta h2=\"News\" h2_font_container=\"tag:h5|font_size:20px|text_align:left|color:%235b6770\" h2_use_theme_fonts=\"yes\" h4=\"Amendment to the HEdA Accreditation Ordinance\" add_button=\"bottom\" btn_title=\"Learn more: Information webinars\" btn_shape=\"round\" btn_color=\"juicy-pink\" btn_i_icon_fontawesome=\"fas fa-angle-right\" use_custom_fonts_h2=\"true\" btn_add_icon=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1784033773899{background-color: #ecf0f1 !important;}\" btn_link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Faaq.ch%2Fen%2Fimplementation-of-the-2026-accreditation-ordinance-information-webinars|target:_blank\"]At its meeting on 22 May 2026, the Higher Education Council adopted amendments to the HEdA Accreditation Ordinance<\/a>, which will enter into force on 15 July 2026. The main changes concern the accreditation standards, the period of validity of accreditation, the applicable time limits, and the application of the revised Ordinance to ongoing and future accreditation procedures.<\/p>\n

The following applies to both initial accreditation and reaccreditation procedures:<\/p>\n