aaq – swiss agency of accreditation and quality assurance

The AAQ

The Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance safeguards and promotes the quality of teaching and research at universities in Switzerland. It is independent, uses internationally recognised methods and is able to draw upon the knowledge and experience of leading experts. The AAQ develops guidelines and quality standards, conducts accreditation and evaluation procedures, and works at an international level. It perceives its role as an external partner for quality assurance and development, and provides a range of supporting services. The AAQ is under the authority of the Swiss Accreditation Council.

Quality Assurance

The concept of a quality assurance system refers to all the procedures and practices for documenting and improving the quality of the activities. It requires a complete, coherent and dynamic set of rules, mechanisms and processes designed to: the achievement of objectives by implementing selected strategies; the implementation of actions arising from the objectives and strategies, and their evaluation; the introduction of corrective mechanisms, if necessary; and the continuous improvement of the activities and adaptation to changes in its environment. The resources deployed for the quality assurance system are proportional to the goals sought.

NEWS

Implementation of the 2026 Accreditation Ordinance: Information webinars

Do you have questions about the implementation of the amended Accreditation Ordinance? The AAQ and the SAC Secretariat are offering two webinars to present the main changes and answer your questions (DE/FR/EN).

Amendment to the HEdA Accreditation Ordinance

At its meeting on 22 May 2026, the Higher Education Council adopted amendments to the HEdA Accreditation Ordinance, 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.

AAQ DAY 2025 : Highlights

On 3 December 2025, Swiss and international higher education stakeholders gathered at the Kursaal in Bern for the AAQ Day 2025 to discuss a question that was as simple as it was provocative: Does the future still need quality assurance?

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