Accreditation of centres (Faculties/Schools)


The Institutional Accreditation of University Centres is a process through which the centres can achieve the renewal of the accreditation of the degrees they offer, through the certification of the implementation of their Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS), according to what is stablished in the Royal Decree 822/2021.

This Institutional Accreditation is carried out by the Council of Universities, on the basis of the evaluation reports drawn up by a quality agency registered in EQAR. ANECA carries out this evaluation through the programme of Institutional Accreditation of University Centres (AICU).

Through the Institutional Accreditation procedure, ANECA evaluates applications for institutional accreditation of university centres. Royal Decree 420/2015, of 29 May, established the institutional accreditation of centres as an alternative to the accreditation model for official university bachelor's and master's degrees. The publication of Royal Decree 640/2021 reinforces the role of institutional accreditation, extending it to doctoral programmes.

Institutional Accreditation Cycle for Higher Education Institutions

To carry out its evaluation work, ANECA leverages the synergies between degree accreditation (which ANECA conducts through the ACREDITA program) and the certification process for the implementation of internal quality assurance systems. ANECA certifies the implementation of these systems through the AUDIT program. 

Regarding the institutional accreditation of doctoral schools, ANECA has developed a specific evaluation procedure for this type of institution. Information on the evaluation of these schools can be found by clicking HERE.

  • Initial accreditation

    Requirements

    1. Certification of implementation of the international AUDIT standard.

    2. 50% of programs with successful accreditation renewal: 

    • 50% of bachelor’s degree programs
    • 50% of master’s degree programs
    • 50% of doctoral programs

  • Follow-up

    ANECA-University Agreement

    • The institution’s IACS documents are reviewed.
      The observations from previous institutional accreditation reports will be taken into account.

  • Accreditation renovation

    Every six years

    • Site visit.
    • Specific documents and evidence.
    • Review of the Quality Assurance System.
    • Review of official degree programs.
    • Previous evaluation reports on the institution and its degree programs.

An initial institutional accreditation phase is established, with renewal of said accreditation required within six years. This accreditation renewal will be cyclical, occurring every six years. ANECA may agree with the university to monitor the institutional accreditation of institutionally accredited centers.

To carry out the evaluation work, ANECA takes advantage of the synergies between the accreditation of degrees (which ANECA carries out through the ACREDITA program) and the certification process for the implementation of internal quality assurance systems. ANECA certifies the implementation of these systems through the AUDIT program. In the case of Doctoral Schools, ANECA has designed a specific evaluation model to ensure that it is effective for the purpose and specific characteristics of a Doctoral School, so that this model can be used for the certification of the Quality Assurance System and also for future renewals of the institutional accreditation of Doctoral Schools.

Supporting documents and tools

The program documentation is currently being updated to comply with the provisions of Royal Decree 905/2025, dated October 7, which amends Royal Decree 640/2021, dated July 27, on the creation, recognition, and authorization of universities and university centers, and the institutional accreditation of university centers; Royal Decree 1509/2008, of September 12, regulating the Registry of Universities, Institutions, and Degrees; Royal Decree 1002/2010, of August 5, on the issuance of official university degrees; and Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, establishing the organization of university education and the procedure for ensuring its quality.

Supporting documents and tools

  • Framework Document, Institutional Accreditation of University Centers and Certification of the Internal Quality Assurance System. This document shows and explains the different phases of the Institutional Accreditation of Centers (initial, follow-up and renewal of institutional accreditation).
  • Guide for the preparation and presentation of applications for Initial Institutional Accreditation of University Centres. This guide is adapted to the provisions of Royal Decree 640/2021 and presents the procedure and aspects to be taken into account in applications for Initial Institutional Accreditation of University Centres.
  • Form for the submission of the Initial Institutional Accreditation.  ANECA provides this form, so that universities can submit applications for Initial Institutional Accreditation in the application of the Council of Universities.
  • Template for the presentation of the Self-evaluation Report for the Renewal of Institutional Accreditation. This template is provided for university centers to submit their applications for renewal of institutional accreditation.
  • Royal Decree 640/2021, of 27 July, on the creation, recognition and authorisation of universities and university centres, and institutional accreditation of university centres.
  • Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, establishing the organization of university education and the procedure for quality assurance.
  • Resolution of 3 March 2022, of the General Secretariat of Universities, which establishes the instruction on the institutional accreditation procedure for centres in public and private institutions, as well as the Protocol for the certification of internal quality assurance, and the Protocol for the university centres institutional accreditation renewal assessment procedure, as approved by the General Conference for University Policies.
  • Agreement of the Spanish Network of University Quality Agencies (REACU) on the procedure for assessing the cases of degrees taught in several centres within the framework of the institutional accreditation protocols of university centres.

Evaluation reports

Through the lists on this page it is possible to access the evaluation reports of the centres that have obtained institutional accreditation. The information available for each centre is as follows:

  • Name of the Centre and Evaluation Report for institutional accreditation prepared by ANECA.
  • Centre code in the Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees.
  • Period of validity of institutional accreditation
Institutional accreditation reports

Process general guidelines

Institutional accreditation consists of several distinct phases:

  • Initial institutional accreditation.
  • Institutional accreditation follow-up (to be agreed between ANECA and the university).
  • Renewal of institutional accreditation (within 6 years from the initial institutional accreditation or from the last institutional accreditation renewal).