Institutional Evaluation of Doctoral Programs

ANECA has developed a specific model for the institutional accreditation of doctoral schools, in line with REACU guidelines and enriched by contributions from universities in the so-called “ANECA Territory.”

This model, aligned with current regulations (Royal Decree 640/2021 and Royal Decree 822/2021) and with the standards of the European Higher Education Area, aims to ensure a rigorous assessment of the functioning of the Schools, their Internal Quality Assurance System (SIGC), and the quality of the doctoral programs they manage.

The evaluation process has the following objectives:

  • Verify compliance with the criteria for the initial certification, monitoring, and renewal of the EDs’ Quality Management System (QMS), an essential step for institutional accreditation.
  • Determine the initial institutional accreditation of the ED, as well as its monitoring and renewal processes.
  • Ensure the quality of doctoral programs offered at institutionally accredited universities, including procedures for the verification, modification, monitoring, and renewal of degrees.
  • Verify the consistency between the results obtained by the doctoral program and the objectives and research areas outlined in its founding document, regulations, and research plans.

Through this program, ANECA provides universities with a transparent, structured, and quality-oriented process, thereby supporting the relevance and impact of doctoral schools within the Spanish university system.

ANECA has set up the following email address to initiate this process: aied@aneca.es

Guidance Document for the Accreditation of Doctoral Programs

This guide covers key aspects of the evaluation process for the certification of doctoral programs, as well as the tasks that doctoral programs must complete during the self-evaluation process.

View the document at this link.

Periodicidad y alcance

El proceso de evaluación se inicia a solicitud de la universidad interesada y tiene carácter periódico. Las Escuelas de Doctorado deben formalizar su petición mediante comunicación a ANECA a través de de la cuenta de correo electrónico habilitada (doctorado@aneca.es).

Stages of the assessment process

In the case of doctoral schools, ANECA has designed a specific evaluation model tailored to the objectives and unique characteristics of a doctoral school, so that this model can be used for the certification of the Quality Assurance System as well as for future renewals of the institutional accreditation of doctoral schools.

  • Assessment

    SIGC Certification

    The AUDIT assessment is a prerequisite for institutional accreditation.

    • Self-assessment: In accordance with the criteria and guidelines set forth in the support guide.
    • External assessment: External evaluation and analysis of the functioning of the SGIC.
    • Final assessment: Issuance of a technical assessment report.

  • Initial accreditation

    Requirements

    • Certification of the implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS) designed in accordance with the ANECA model.
    • 50% of doctoral programs have received a positive accreditation renewal.

    Initial accreditation is granted by the Council of Universities.

  • Follow-up

    ANECA-University Agreement

    • The institution’s SGIC implementation documents will be reviewed.
    • Comments from previous institutional accreditation reports will be taken into account.

    The result will be a follow-up report issued by ANECA.

  • Renovation

    Every 6 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.

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.

Registry of Certified Doctoral Schools

The following link provides access to the register of universities or centers that have obtained an institutional accreditation certificate for Doctoral Schools.

Download Documento Access to reports