Initial and re-assessment of study programme groups
Initial assessment is carried out by the Estonian Quality Agency for Education (HAKA) if a higher education institution has submitted an application to the Ministry of Education and Research for the right to provide instruction in a study programme group and level of higher education. A higher education institution has to apply for the right to organise studies separately at each level of higher education, i.e., bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, doctoral studies, integrated bachelor’s and master’s studies, and professional higher education. A professional higher education institution has to apply for the right to organise studies at the master level for every study programme separately.
If an institution is granted the right to organise studies in a study programme group for a fixed term (i.e. three years), HAKA organises re-assessment before the end of the term, if the institution has submitted an application to the Ministry of Education and Research.
When an institution applies for the right to provide instruction, it will be ascertained whether the quality of instruction meets the requirements laid down for the relevant cycle of higher education, and whether resources and sustainability are adequate for the provision of instruction.
HAKA conducts initial assessment and re-assessment in six assessment areas. In the case of an initial assessment of a new higher education institution, additional cirteria will be included:
- Study programme
- Learning and teaching
- Organisation of studies
- Academic staff
- Learning and teaching environment
- Financial resources
- Additional criteria for a new higher education institution
Based on the analyses, the expert panel will determine for each assessment area, whether it
- conforms to the required standard,
- partially conforms to the required standard,
- does not conform to the required standard.
Based on the assessment report, HAKA Quality Assessment Council for Higher Education makes a proposal to the Minister of Education and Research, whether to grant the higher education institution the right to organise studies in the relevant study programme group and level of higher education for 1) unspecified term, 2) for one to three years, or 3) not to grant the right.
Initial and re-assessment is carried out in accordance with the document Guidelines for initial assessment and re-assessment in higher education which can be found here.
If foreign experts are involved in assessing an application, the HAKA informs the institution of higher education of the need to submit the documents in English.
The applicant bears the cost of expert assessment. The fees for expert assessment and the calculation of the expenses forming their basis are established in the regulation of the chairman of the management board of the Education and Youth Board. As of 22.09.2020, the base rate is €8702.
Submission of data for initial and re-assessment
An application for the initial and re-assessment of a study programme group must be submitted via the Estonian Education Information System (http://www.ehis.ee) at least nine months before the start of an academic year.