Activity quality

Department of Quality Assurance

Education and Study Act provides that educational (artistic) activity and study quality is ensured through applied science and educational institutions internal quality assurance systems, external study program assessment and accreditation, external applied science activity evaluation and external applied science and studies institution assessment and(or) accreditation.

Study program assessment and accreditation

Applied science and Higher Education Law stipulates that higher education school can carry out only accredited degree programs that are accredited for a maximum period of 6 years. Study programs are accredited based on the findings of the external evaluation (with the exception of the intended study programs, which can be accredited without external evaluation procedures). This means that in 6 years all higher education programs will be evaluated and accredited.

The external evaluation of higher education schools can be performed by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) or another higher education quality evaluation agency, part of the European Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency register.

Based on the order of the minister of the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science, approved by the external evaluation and accreditation of study programs procedure description, executed educational programs are evaluated by 6 evaluative areas – program objectives and expected results of the studies, program structure, personnel, material resources, the study process and its evaluation, program management. Each of the assessed areas are scored in a four-point scale. In view of the assessment of each area and the total score, assessed programs are accredited by external evaluation and accreditation of study programs procedure description.

External assessment of institution activity

To improve higher education school activity quality and implement accountability, the Ministry of Education initiates external evaluation of their activities every 6 years. This assessment is organized by the Centre for Study Quality Assessment (SKVC). Evaluation objectives: 1) create theories to improve higher education school activities, 2) promote its’ quality culture, 3) inform the public about the performance quality of a higher education schools activity, 4) provide recommendations for the development of a higher education school activity.

While conducting the external evaluation, the Republic of Lithuania Applied science and Education Law, Higher Education School real stock assessment methodology approved by the Minister of Education and the Higher Education School performance assessment methodology coordinated with the Ministry of Education and approved by the Centre for Study Quality Assessment are used as guidance.