The aims of quality assurance are defined for individual processes and as part of mission statements and / or responsibilities of the institutions concerned. There is no single official document setting out overall aims of the quality assurance system.

External quality assurance

The following external quality assurance processes are currently in place:

• initial institutional evaluation / accreditation: assessment of applications and entry of new non-public institutions into the Register of Non-Public Higher Education Institutions;
• institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation: assessment of applications for the renewal of registration and extension of the validity period of registration for non-public institutions;
• initial programme evaluation / accreditation:
  • assessment of applications for, and the granting of, permits to establish first-, second- and long-cycle programmes in any field of study: for new non-public institutions and existing public and non-public institutions which do not meet the statutory requirements to establish a programme in a given field of study as part of their autonomy (see also Chapter 7);
  • additionally, evaluation / accreditation for the establishment of programmes in the fields of Nursing and Midwifery;
• periodic programme evaluation / accreditation:
  • evaluation / accreditation of ongoing first-, second- and long-cycle programmes in all fields of study;
  • additionally, evaluation / accreditation of ongoing programmes in the fields of Nursing and Midwifery.

All of the four processes are mandatory.  They can also be defined as accreditation processes (though the term is not used in the legislation) as they end with a formal decision which has legal consequences, determining whether or not a non-public higher education institution (HEI) can be established or continue to operate or a programme in a public or non-public HEI can be established or continue to be delivered.

The legislation also provides for two new processes which will be put in place in the coming years:

• complex evaluation focusing on internal quality assurance which will not be mandatory and will be conducted at the request of a higher education institution; and
• mandatory evaluation of the quality of education at a doctoral school / evaluation of doctoral training (which corresponds to a third-cycle programme / studies).

As part of initial institutional and programme evaluation / accreditation, applications for entry of non-public higher education institutions (HEIs) into the Register and for permits to establish programmes are assessed by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PAC), and the Minister of Education and Science issues registration decisions and grants permits. The Minister also consults PAC to renew registration of non-public HEIs as part of institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation. This kind of licensing where HEIs should meet specific standards has, by definition, a supervisory function. However, it is worth noting that the focus in the assessment of applications by PAC has recently shifted from formal and legal compliance aspects to the quality of proposed programmes (see ‘Reforms in the last decade’ below).

Periodic programme evaluation / accreditation in all fields of study, which is the responsibility of PAC, aims to combine supervisory and advisory functions. On the one hand, such evaluation / accreditation is required for ongoing programmes. PAC evaluations cover both quality aspects and compliance with the legislation. A negative decision issued by PAC leads to the abolishment of the programme concerned (where established by an HEI which met the statutory requirements and, thus, was not required to obtain a permit from the Minister) or may lead to the withdrawal of a permit by the Minister (where a permit was needed to establish the programme). On the other hand, in line with the legislation and its own mission statement, PAC places emphasis on quality enhancement in its evaluation processes. Furthermore, while its decisions are ‘yes’/’no’-type accreditation decisions, PAC may award certificates for outstanding quality of education. They are awarded where a given programme has received a positive decision for the full validity period of accreditation, and the outcome is supported by examples of good practice in quality of education or regular achievements of students and graduates (see also the Chapter ‘Approaches and methods of quality assurance’.

New and ongoing programmes in two medical fields, Nursing and Midwifery, undergo additional initial and periodic evaluation / accreditation. Evaluations are conducted by the National Accreditation Council for Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (NACSN&M) (Krajowa Rada Akredytacyjna Szkół Pielęgniarek i Położnych), and accreditation is granted by the Minister of Health. This process has a supervisory function: evaluation covers compliance with standards laid down in the national legislation and leads to a proposal submitted to the Minister to grant, withdraw or refuse accreditation. Where accreditation is refused, the HEI concerned is not authorised to establish a programme and enrol students, and withdrawal results in ceasing student enrolment until accreditation is re-granted.

At the request of an HEI, a complex evaluation, focusing on the effectiveness of internal quality assurance in all areas where the institution provides degree programmes, will be caried out by PAC. An application / request can be submitted by an HEI where all programme evaluations have ended with a positive outcome or where a previous complex evaluation ended with a positive outcome. If a complex evaluation ends with a positive outcome, PAC will not conduct periodic programme evaluations in the fields of study assigned to the disciplines within areas where the quality of education is particularly high, as demonstrated by completed programme evaluations. On an exceptional basis, PAC will conduct periodic programme evaluations in such cases only when it is instructed to do so by the Minister of Education and Science. In case PAC refuses to take a positive decision, the institution concerned will be eligible to re-apply for a complex evaluation after a period laid down by law, unless PAC sets a shorter timeframe.

An evaluation of the quality of education in a doctoral school will be conducted by the Research Evaluation Committee. It will be a ‘yes/no’ accreditation-type process, although the term ‘accreditation’ is not used in the legislation. Where an evaluation ends with a positive outcome, doctoral training will be subject to re-evaluation within the timeframe set by law. In the case of a negative outcome, the HEI (or another research institution) will no longer be authorised to operate the doctoral school concerned.

Evaluations conducted by so-called peer accreditation commissions (see the introductory section to Chapter 11) have an exclusively advisory role, supporting HEIs in the development of quality culture and quality improvement. The commissions, which focus on specific types of HEIs or fields of study, do not operate on the basis of national legislation. They carry out evaluations based on applications submitted voluntarily by HEIs, and their accreditation decisions do not entail any legal consequences. In the last decades, most of the commissions have suspended or curtailed their activity in view of mandatory accreditation by PAC. Thus, they are not included in the next sections. More details can be found on the websites of the commissions which are still active:

• Foundation for the Promotion and Accreditation of Economic Education
• Accreditation Commission of Universities of Technology
• University Commission on the Quality of Education in the Field of Medicine (in Polish only)
• Accreditation Commission of Agricultural Universities (in Polish only)

Internal quality assurance

HEIs are required by law to ensure high quality of education, but the legislation does not lay down arrangements for internal quality assurance, except for general principles for study programmes and teacher appraisal. Detailed arrangements are laid down by HEIs in their internal regulations. Internal quality assurance is taken into account by PAC and NACSN&M in their external evaluations.

Reforms in the last decade

A quality assurance system for the entire higher education sector was set up by the legislation adopted in 2001 which introduced uniform and mandatory arrangements for all types of HEIs and fields of study and established the State Accreditation Committee (currently, the Polish Accreditation Committee, PAC) in 2002. Reforms in the last decade have involved, in particular, strengthening quality assurance measures; shifting gradually the focus of external quality assurance from compliance with the legislation to quality improvement; placing a stronger emphasis on internal quality assurance; and simplifying criteria and procedures for external quality assurance. Amendments to the legislation have also provided the basis for awarding additional State-budget grants to HEIs for quality assurance activities.

Quality assurance arrangements were strengthened by amendments to the legislation which came into force in 2011. Greater emphasis was placed on internal quality assurance in line with the principle underlying the European Higher Education Area that HEIs take primary responsibility for the quality of education. Internal quality assurance also became a major criterion in external evaluations conducted by PAC. At the same time, the responsibilities of PAC were extended to include periodic institutional evaluation (for organisational units in both public and non-public HEIs rather than entire institutions) which also covered third-cycle / doctoral programmes, as compared to programme evaluations conducted only for first-, second- and long-cycle programmes. The amended legislation also linked, for the first time, the quality of education to funding insofar as the minister responsible for higher education awarded additional funding to HEIs which received an outstanding quality rating as an outcome of a PAC programme evaluation. Grants were also available to HEIs on a competitive basis for improvement of internal quality assurance.

Amendments to the legislation adopted in 2016 aimed at reducing bureaucracy in education and quality assurance, and shifting further the focus in PAC evaluations towards quality enhancement. Institutional evaluation was abolished. PAC developed new and simplified criteria for programme evaluation. Programme evaluation still covers both qualitative aspects and formal aspects or compliance with the requirements laid down by law. However, the two elements are more clearly separated; PAC places greater emphasis on the quality of education, and a site visit undertaken as part of an evaluation focuses on qualitative aspects. PAC takes a similar approach in the assessment of applications for permits to establish new programmes.

Despite changes between 2011 and 2015, higher education still suffered from bureaucratic burdens (requirements for the establishment and provision of programmes, and accreditation procedures); unsatisfactory quality of education and its limited relevance to the socio-economic needs; low effectiveness of doctoral training; and low status of the teaching path of an academic career as compared to the research path. In response to these and other issues, not related directly to quality assurance, and based on proposals submitted by the academic community, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education drafted and the Parliament enacted new legislation on higher education and science.

The current system, based on the Law on Higher Education and Science of 2018, still comprises initial institutional evaluation / accreditation and re-evaluation / re-accreditation for non-public HEIs, and initial and periodic programme evaluation / accreditation for public and non-public HEIs. The Law also provides for the introduction of two new processes, non-mandatory complex evaluation and mandatory evaluation of the quality of education at doctoral schools (or evaluation of doctoral training).

Complex evaluation will be put in place based on the provisions of the 2018 Law which entered into force on 1 October 2020. As mentioned earlier, it will focus on the effectiveness of quality assurance measures taken by an HEI in all areas where it provides programmes. Evaluation will be conducted by PAC at the request of an HEI which has received only positive programme evaluation decisions (see above) or a positive decision in a previous overall evaluation.

Doctoral schools (which have replaced the previously existing framework for doctoral training) have operated since 1 October 2019. Pursuant to the Law, the first evaluation of the quality of education at a doctoral school can take place at least 5 years after the date when a given school started to provide education or earlier at the request of the Minister of Education and Science. Evaluation will be conducted by the Research Evaluation Committee (REC). REC will also take final decisions.

Pursuant to the legislation currently in force, the Minister of Education and Science awards, on a competitive basis, additional funding to HEIs, for example, under two programmes which are directly or indirectly related to the quality of education. As part of ‘The Teaching Excellence Initiative’ (Dydaktyczna inicjatywa doskonałości), public non-university HEIs may receive a grant to improve the quality of education, based on positive evaluation decisions issued by PAC in 6 years preceding the Call and on findings from student and graduate career tracking. The overall aim of ‘The Excellence Initiative: Research Institution’ (Inicjatywa doskonałości – uczelnia badawcza) is to enhance international standing of HEIs. Public and non-public university-type HEIs may be awarded a grant for improving the quality of research through, for example, enhanced international cooperation, and the quality of education, in particular, in priority research areas; putting in place arrangements for staff development and improvement of institutional management. In addition to the criteria concerning the quality of research, only HEIs which operate a doctoral school and have not received a negative programme evaluation decision from PAC are eligible to apply.

Responsible bodies

Bodies responsible for external quality assurance

Currently, the bodies responsible for external quality assurance are the Minister of Education and Science and the Polish Accreditation Committee (PAC), and the Minister of Health and the National Accreditation Council for Schools of Nursing and Midwifery. Two new processes, complex evaluation and evaluation of the quality of education at a doctoral school, which will be put in place in the coming years, are the responsibility of PAC and the Research Evaluation Committee (REC) respectively.

Minister of Education and Science

As part of their main powers, the :

• lays down, by regulation, general criteria for programme evaluation, and for complex evaluation and evaluation of the quality of education at doctoral schools – the two processes that are not yet in place (see ‘Reforms in the last decade’ above);
• takes decisions on entry of new non-public HEIs into the Register for an initial period of 6 years, after consultation with PAC (initial institutional evaluation / accreditation);
• takes decisions to renew the registration of non-public HEIs for an indefinite time, after consultation with PAC, or to refuse renewal in the cases where PAC has issued a negative accreditation decision for at least half of the programmes provided by a given HEI and in other cases specified by law (institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation);
• grants to public and non-public HEIs permits to establish first-, second- and long-cycle programmes (where an HEI does not meet the statutory requirements to establish a programme in a given field of study as part of its autonomy) after consultation with PAC, and after consultation with the Minister of Health (for the fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy) or accreditation granted by the Minister of Health (for the fields of Nursing and Midwifery) (initial programme evaluation / accreditation);
• withdraws permits to establish programmes where PAC has issued a negative programme accreditation decision and in other cases specified by law (periodic programme evaluation / accreditation);
• may instruct PAC to conduct a programme evaluation which is not included in its regular evaluation schedule (periodic programme evaluation accreditation);
• may instruct REC to conduct an evaluation of the quality of education at a doctoral school which is not included in its regular evaluation schedule (when the evaluation process is put in place) (a kind of periodic programme evaluation / accreditation, though the 2018 legislation has replaced third-cycle programmes with ‘training of doctoral students’, provided by a doctoral school);
• appoints members of PAC and REC from among candidates put forward by institutions and organisations identified in the legislation.

Polish Accreditation Committee

The Polish Accreditation Committee (PAC) was established (as the State Accreditation Committee) by the national legislation in 2002, It is the only statutory body responsible for mandatory external evaluation in all fields of study and all HEIs.

As part of Its main responsibilities, PAC:

• gives opinions to the Minister of Education and Science on applications for entry of non-public HEIs into the Register (an advisory function in initial institutional evaluation / accreditation);
• gives opinions to the Minister of Education and Science on applications for the renewal of registration for non-public HEIs (an advisory function in institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation);
• gives opinions to the Minister of Education and Science on applications from public and non-public HEIs for permits to establish first-, second- and long-cycle programmes (where an HEI does not meet the statutory requirements to establish autonomously a programme in a given field of study) (an advisory function in initial programme evaluation / accreditation);
• conducts periodic evaluations of first-, second- and long-cycle programmes and takes related accreditation decisions (a decision-making role in periodic programme evaluation / accreditation); where PAC takes a negative decision, an HEI ceases to provide the programme concerned in case it was autonomously established by an HEI and, thus, a permit from the Minister was not required; in other cases, the Minister may withdraw a permit for the establishment of the programme;
• will conduct complex evaluations (a process that is not yet in place; see ‘Reforms in the last decade’ above).

As part of programme evaluations, and complex evaluations in the future, PAC may issue a decision based on an evaluation or accreditation decision or certificate of an entity which has conducted an evaluation if the entity is included in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) or PAC has concluded an agreement on the recognition of evaluation outcomes with the entity. In its evaluation processes, PAC may also take into consideration an evaluation, accreditation or certificate of a national or international entity conducting quality evaluations. 

PAC is an autonomous institution whose independence was confirmed by three external reviews (2008, 2013 and 2018) coordinated by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), and based on the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

PAC members (up to 90) are appointed for a 4-year term by the Minister of Education and Science, but candidates are proposed by the PAC Presidium and independent institutions and organisations identified in the legislation. These include the General Council for Science and Higher Education; the Conferences of Rectors; the Students’ Parliament of the Republic of Poland; and national academic associations and employers’ organisations.

PAC is funded from the state budget. Administrative and financial services are provided by the PAC Bureau, whose head is appointed and dismissed by the PAC President.

PAC’s responsibilities, overall operational framework and the general criteria for its evaluations are laid down in the legislation. However, PAC adopts independently its operational procedures, including procedures and detailed criteria for evaluation, selects experts for evaluations, appoints evaluation panels and takes positive or negative evaluation decisions.

PAC has been a full member of ENQA since 2009 and was entered into EQAR in the same year. It has also been a full member of the Central and Eastern European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CEENQA) since 2002, the European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA) since 2005, and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) since 2007.

Research Evaluation Committee

The Research Evaluation Committee (REC) (information on the website in Polish only) was established by the national legislation in 2019. As part of its responsibilities in the area of quality assurance, REC conducts evaluations of research activity and evaluations of the quality of education in doctoral schools, and analyses findings from these two types of evaluations. It is also responsible for drafting lists of publishing houses which publish reviewed research monographs and lists of scientific journals and reviewed international conference proceedings; and proposes to the Minister of Education and Science research ratings of institutions / units which have undergone an evaluation.

REC is composed of 3 representatives of each area of science and 7 members with experience in research policy. Members are appointed for a 4-year term by the Minister of Education and Science and may serve up to 2 terms. The Minister appoints members from among candidates put forward by HEIs, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, research institutes, and international research institutes (established by separate Acts of Parliament and operating in Poland).

The responsibilities and general operational framework for REC and general criteria for evaluation of the quality of education at doctoral schools are laid down in the national legislation. Detailed evaluation arrangements will be laid down in a Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science.

REC is funded from the State budget. Administrative and financial services are provided by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Established few years ago, REC has not undergone an external review yet, is not an ENQA member and is not included in EQAR.

Minister of Health and National Accreditation Council for Schools of Nursing and Midwifery

The Minister of Health and the National Accreditation Council for Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (NACSN&M) are responsible for accreditation of new and ongoing programmes or initial and periodic programme evaluation / accreditation in two medical fields of study: Nursing and Midwifery. The Minister grants accreditation on the basis of evaluations conducted by the NACSN&M. The NACSN&M was established (as the National Accreditation Council for Medical Education) by the national legislation in 2001.

As part of its responsibilities laid down in the legislation, the NACSN&M:

• conducts evaluations concerning HEIs' compliance with the standards for programmes laid down in the national legislation;
• assesses on an on-going basis HEIs' compliance with the national standards for programmes;
• submits to the Minister of Health proposals for granting accreditation, or refusing or withdrawing accreditation in cases where an HEI does not comply with the national standards for programmes.

NACSN&M members (up to 12) are appointed by the Minister of Health for a 4-year term. Half of candidates are proposed by schools of nursing and midwifery (HEI units offering programmes in these fields) and the other half by self-government bodies for nurses and midwifes, nurses' and midwives' associations and professional organisations.

The NACSN&M defines independently detailed evaluation criteria and takes autonomous decisions on the extent to which HEIs comply with the national standards for programmes. However, the Minister of Health lays down, by regulation, the NACSN&M's operational rules and the procedure for evaluation which provides the basis for accreditation, The Minister also takes final accreditation decisions, though they are based on the NACSN&M’s positive or negative opinion on the HEI’s application for accreditation. The NACSN&M is funded from the State budget, and the Ministry of Health provides administrative and financial services to the Council. The important role of the Ministry can be explained by the fact that evaluations carried out by the NACSN&M focus on HEIs' compliance with the standards for programmes which are set in the national legislation.

The NACSN&M is not subject to external review, is not a member of ENQA and is not included in EQAR.

Bodies responsible for internal quality assurance

The national legislation does not identify bodies responsible for internal quality assurance, except that the criteria, procedure and entity conducting teacher appraisal are specified by the Rector of an HEI after consultation with the bodies and organisations within an HEI which are identified in the legislation (for details, see Approaches and Methods of Quality Assurance). HEIs lay down detailed internal quality assurance arrangements in their internal regulations. HEIs have appointed representatives of Rectors, coordinators or other persons, committees or other bodies and / or have established units directly responsible for internal quality assurance.

Approaches and methods of quality assurance

This chapter describes the following quality assurance processes:

• External quality assurance:
  • Initial institutional evaluation / accreditation
  • Institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation
  • Initial programme evaluation / accreditation
  • periodic programme evaluation / accreditation
  • periodic evaluation of the quality of education at doctoral schools (a new process to be put in place in the coming years)
  • complex evaluation (a new process to be put in place in the coming years)

All processes except complex evaluation are mandatory for higher education institutions.

• Internal quality assurance

External quality assurance

Initial institutional evaluation / accreditation and institutional re-evaluation / re-accreditation

The national legislation does not refer explicitly to ‘institutional accreditation’ but lays down a mandatory procedure for entering non-public higher education institutions (HEIs) into the Register or, in other words, registration of non-public HEIs (public HEIs are established by national legislation). The responsibility for such initial institutional evaluation / accreditation rests with the Minister of Education and Science, with the Polish Accreditation Committee (PAC) having an advisory role vis-a-vis the Minister.

The founder of an HEI submits an application for entry into the Register (together with an application for a permit to establish (a) programme(s); see initial programme evaluation below), and the Minister issues a registration decision (together with a permit to establish (a) programme(s)). An entry in the Register is valid for an initial period of 6 years. The Minister refuses to enter an HEI into the Register when there are specific formal and legal grounds in relation to the founder (inclusion in the register of debtors as part of the National Court Register; due liabilities payable to the State budget; a valid court judgment for an intentional offence or tax offence in the case of natural persons, or liquidation or bankruptcy in the case of legal entities) or any of the first three grounds in relation to the founder’s legal representative(s); or when the draft statutes of the HEI do not comply with the legislation. Where none of these circumstances occur, an application is assessed by PAC, and the Minister refuses to register an HEI if PAC issues a negative opinion on the application for entry into the Register or for a permit to establish a programme (see initial programme evaluation below).

An application for entry into the Register includes, among other things, documents which provide the legal basis for the establishment and operation of an HEI; information on financial resources, property and funding arrangements, and a strategy of the HEI. An application for entry is assessed together with an application for a permit to establish (a) programme(s) (see below). Assessment is conducted by members of PAC and / or its external experts. PAC usually gives its opinion based on submitted documents, but the procedure also provides for a site visit, where appropriate. In view of the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAC has introduced an online evaluation, including an online site visit, as an option. The criteria for assessing applications are published on PAC’s website.

Before the expiry of the initial 6-year period, the founder submits an application for the renewal of registration. After consultation with PAC, the Minister renews the registration for an indefinite time or refuses to do so. A negative decision is taken in the case of gross violations of the law by an HEI or its founder; where PAC has issued e negative decision for at least half of the programmes provided by the HEI; or for any of the above-mentioned formal or legal reasons for refusal to enter an HEI into the Register.

Initial programme evaluation / accreditation

Initial programme evaluation / accreditation: all fields of study

The process involves granting permits to establish first-, second- and long-cycle programmes to new non-public HEIs and existing public and non-public HEIs which are not authorised to establish autonomously programmes in a given field of study as they do not fulfil the requirements laid down by law. In brief, as a transitional arrangement based on the legislation previously in force, the requirement to apply for a permit applies to HEIs which are not authorised to award post-doctoral degrees. After 31 December 2021, it will apply to HEIs which do not have one of the three highest research grades (awarded as an outcome of an external evaluation of research) in the discipline to which a given field of study is assigned. See also information about higher education in Chapter 7.

Permits are granted by the Minister of Education and Science. However, except in the cases specified by law (see below), the Minister is required to consult PAC which reviews applications. For programmes in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, the Minister of Education and Science also obligatorily consults the Minister of Health; for programmes in the fields of Nursing and Midwifery, a permit can be granted by the Minister of Education and Science only to programmes which have been accredited by the Minister of Health (see below).

The Minister of Education and Science refuses to grant a permit without consulting PAC on formal and legal grounds as stipulated by the legislation (failure to input necessary data into the information system for higher education and science; tax arrears of the HEI concerned or due subsidy-related liabilities payable to the State budget; liquidation of the HEI; a remedial action programme for a public HEI, no economic rationale for granting a permit; failure to implement post-audit recommendations). The Minister may also refuse to grant a permit if a given programme does not respond to socio-economic needs on the date of the submission of the application.

An application includes, in particular, details about the programme to be established and a justification for its establishment; descriptions of quality assurance arrangements, research activities in the discipline to which a given field of study is assigned, competences required of student applicants and conditions for the delivery of the programme (incl. academic staff, course allocation and course load, teaching and learning facilities, library resources and electronic knowledge resources); and supporting documents. Applications are assessed by external PAC members and / or external experts.

The procedure usually includes an analysis of submitted documents, but PAC members and / or experts also undertake a site visit where appropriate. In view of the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAC has introduced an online evaluation, including an online site visit, as an option. The assessment criteria are the same as for periodic programme evaluation / accreditation (see below). Assessment templates and detailed criteria are available on the PAC website.

Initial programme evaluation / accreditation: fields of Nursing and Midwifery

The National Accreditation Council for Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (NACSN&M) assesses the extent to which new programmes in the two fields and the organisational units of HEIs which intend to establish them comply with the national standards laid down by legislation. Evaluation is conducted by the NACSN&M in accordance with the same procedures and criteria as periodic programme evaluation (see below). The criteria are available on the NACSN&M website (in Polish only). Based on an evaluation, the NACSN&M submits a proposal to the Minister of Health to grant or refuse accreditation. The Minister grants accreditation for 3 or 5 years.

Periodic programme evaluation / accreditation

Periodic programme evaluation / accreditation: all fields of study

Evaluation of first-, second- and long-cycle programmes in all fields of study and all HEIs is carried out by PAC. Evaluations are conducted in accordance with a schedule adopted by PAC, but an evaluation may also be conducted at the request of an HEI and is immediately undertaken at the request of the Minister of Education and Science.

The frequency of evaluations is defined in PAC's statutes, published on its website, and depends on the outcome of the previous evaluation. PAC issues a positive decision for a period of up to 6 years or a negative decision. Where an HEI has received a positive decision for a period of up to 2 years, a follow-up or repeat evaluation ends with a positive decision valid for 6 years or a negative decision. Programmes which have received a positive decision are automatically considered accredited. Where PAC has issued a negative decision, the programme concerned ceases to be provided if it was established autonomously by an HEI and, thus, a permit from the Minister was not required. Otherwise, the Minister may withdraw the permit to establish the programme, which, too, means that the programme may no longer be provided. The Minister may also withdraw a permit in case the programme concerned has not commenced for 2 years after the issue of the permit; no students have been enrolled on the programme in two consecutive academic years; the HEI does not fulfil the formal requirements laid down by law or – for the fields of Nursing and Midwifery – the programme has not been re-accredited by the Minister of Health (see below).

Aside from issuing a positive or negative decision, PAC may award Excellence in Education Certificates (for outstanding quality of education) in four categories: ‘Excellent programme’ (excellence in education); ‘Always at the service of students’ (excellence in supporting students’ development); ‘Open to the world’ (excellence in international cooperation); and ‘Partner for development’ (excellence in collaboration with the socio-economic environment). A certificate is awarded to an HEI providing a programme which has received a positive accreditation decision for 6 years, supported by good practice examples of the quality of education or regular achievements of students and graduates (up to 5 years after graduation) and a recommendation in a report of the evaluation panel under the relevant PAC evaluation criteria.

Programme evaluations are conducted by panels of up to 7 members, composed of PAC members and external experts. A panel consists of academic experts, a student , an employer representative and, depending on the type of evaluation and their availability, an international quality assurance expert. Experts are selected in accordance with the procedures and criteria published on PAC's website and are required to complete training. Both PAC members and all experts are full and equal members of evaluation panels.

PAC’s general evaluation criteria (see the table below) are identical for two types (orientations / ‘profiles’) of programmes: academically-oriented and practically-oriented programmes. However, detailed criteria reflect the specificity of a given type. They address, for example, a linkage between the concept and aims of education and curricular contents, and the research activity of a given HEI and its outcomes for academically-oriented programmes, or progress and the state of practice in areas of professional / economic activity for practically-oriented programmes; effectiveness of teaching / learning methods, methods of student assessment and infrastructure in terms of preparing students for research activity in the case of academically oriented programmes, or preparing students for professional activity and developing their practical skills in the case of practically oriented programmes. The criteria together with detailed indicators are available on the PAC website.

PAC evaluates internal quality assurance in accordance with the ‘European Standards and Guidelines’ (ESG). Its criteria cover all ESG which address the following aspects: policy for quality assurance; design and approval of programmes; student-centred learning, teaching and assessment; student admission, progression, recognition and certification; teaching staff; learning resources and student support; information management; public information; ongoing monitoring and periodic review of programmes; and cyclical external quality assurance.

As part of a follow-up or repeatevaluation, conducted for programmes which have received a positive decision for a period of up to 2 years, PAC assesses only the extent to which the HEI concerned has implemented recommendations made in the previous evaluation.

The evaluation procedure is based on the stages recommended by the ESG and includes: a self-evaluation report prepared by the HEI concerned; a site visit undertaken by an evaluation panel; an evaluation report prepared by the panel and provided to the HEI; a response from the HEI; a decision taken by PAC; the publication of the decision together with its justification and the evaluation report. In the case of a repeat evaluation of a programme which received earlier a positive decision for up to 2 years, an evaluation panel prepares its report based on the HEI’s report on the implementation of recommendations, but it may also request additional information from the HEI or conduct a site visit. In view of the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAC has introduced an online evaluation, including an online site visit, as an option.

As part of programme evaluations, PAC may issue a decision based on an evaluation or accreditation decision or certificate of an entity which has conducted an evaluation if the entity is included in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) or PAC has concluded an agreement on the recognition of evaluation outcomes with the entity. In its evaluation processes, PAC may also take into consideration an evaluation, accreditation or certificate of a national or international entity conducting quality evaluations. 

PAC’s resolution, together with its decision and justification, and the HEI’s response are published in the Public Information Bulletin on the PAC page. Evaluation reports are available on the PAC website. Furthermore, PAC publishes annual reports with a summary analysis of evaluations which provide the basis for overall evaluation of the quality of higher education and for planning quality improvement activities.

PAC has an internal quality assurance system in place, with a number of mechanisms, including internal audits of processes, a questionnaire survey on external evaluations for evaluated HEIs, and a so-called quality window on the website – a feedback form for stakeholders to send their comments and suggestions. Findings from the questionnaire survey are regularly published on PAC’s website and in its activity reports. In line with the ESG, PAC also undergoes an external review every 5 years (the last one in 2018).

Periodic programme evaluation / accreditation: fields of Nursing and Midwifery

Evaluations are conducted by the NACSN&M and provide the basis for accreditation granted by the Minister of Health. Evaluation is not referred to in the legislation as quality evaluation, but as assessment of compliance with the national standards for programmes laid down by legislation. Evaluations provide the basis for ‘yes/no’ accreditation decisions, with no distinction made between quality levels of programmes.

The frequency of evaluations depends on the validity period of accreditation which is granted for 3 to 5 years. Where the Minister of Health withdraws accreditation, the HEI concerned may no longer enrol students until a given programme is re-accredited.

Evaluation is carried out by a NACSN&M evaluation panel. Panels do not include NACSN&M members working in the evaluated HEI. There is no requirement in the legislation to involve students or international experts in evaluation panels.

Like initial evaluations, periodic evaluations are conducted according to the following four blocks of criteria, based on the national standards for the two fields concerned, which are available on the NACSN&M website (in Polish only):

1. Methods for the delivery of the programme: curriculum; learning outcomes; the link between curricular contents, types of classes and teaching methods on the one hand and learning outcomes on the other hand; compliance of the curriculum and the internship scheme with the national standards; course load requirements; ECTS credits; documents concerning students' progression; and the final exam.
2. Teaching staff: compliance with the requirements for the minimum staff resources, teachers' qualifications, and the ratio of students to teachers.
3. Learning and teaching facilities: organisational structure; learning and teaching facilities; and arrangements for student internships.
4. Quality of education and achievements: a quality assurance system; the functioning of an internal quality assurance committee, its evaluation criteria and tools; scope of internal quality evaluation; analysis of findings to improve the education process; and assessment of graduate employability / graduate career tracking.

Accreditation for a period longer than 3 years is awarded to HEI units which comply with several additional criteria in each of the four blocks. These include, for example, a modular structure of the programme and arrangements for international cooperation in the first block; and international cooperation in the area of teaching and research in the fourth block.

The evaluation and accreditation procedure includes the following stages: submission of an application for accreditation by a HEI; review of the application by the NACSN&M; a site visit; a site visit report prepared by the evaluation panel and forwarded to the HEI for feedback; a resolution adopted by the NACSN&M with a positive or negative opinion; a motion to grant, refuse or withdraw accreditation put forward to the Minister of Health; an accreditation certificate awarded by the Minister of Health or the Minister's decision to refuse or withdraw accreditation. The NACSN&M publishes only the names of HEIs and the fields of study which have been granted accreditation together with its validity period.

In view of the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislation allows site visits to be conducted face to face or online.

The regulations concerning the NACSN&M do not lay down any specific arrangements to ensure the quality of its own procedures and do not provide for its periodic external review.

Evaluation of the quality of education in doctoral schools

Evaluation will be conducted by the Research Evaluation Committee (REC). Doctoral schools have operated since 1 October 2019. Pursuant to the legislation, the first evaluation of education at a doctoral school can take place at least 5 years after the date when a given school started to provide education or earlier at the request of the Minister of Education and Science.

The length of the evaluation cycle is laid down in the legislation. REC will conduct an evaluation of each doctoral school at least every 6 years or, outside its schedule, at the request of the Minister of Education and Science. An evaluation may end with a positive or negative outcome. Where the outcome is negative, an HEI (or another research institution) will no longer be authorised to operate the doctoral school concerned.

An evaluation will be conducted by an evaluation panel. Pursuant to the legislation in force, an evaluation panel will be composed of experts with significant research achievements (or artistic achievements for the areas of fine arts) appointed by REC, including at least one working in a foreign HEI or research institution, and one doctoral student appointed from among candidates put forward by the National Representation of Doctoral Students (a body representing doctoral students). As proposed in the draft regulation on the evaluation of doctoral schools, a panel will have 4 to 7 members.

The legislation in force lays down 8 general criteria for the evaluation of doctoral schools. Detailed criteria are being developed.

Pursuant to the afore-mentioned draft Regulation, the evaluation procedure will include: a self-evaluation report prepared by a doctoral school; analysis of the report and a site visit conducted by an evaluation panel; an evaluation report (in Polish and English) prepared by the panel; a resolution / decision on evaluation taken by REC. Evaluation criteria and procedure will be published on the REC website. Resolutions of REC and evaluation reports will be published in the Public Information Bulletin on the page of the Ministry of Education and Science.

Complex evaluation

Complex evaluation, a non-mandatory process, will focus on the effectiveness of quality assurance measures taken by an HEI in all areas where it provides education. It will be introduced based on the provisions of the law which entered into force on 1 October 2020. PAC will conduct a complex evaluation at the request of an HEI which has received only positive programme evaluation decisions (see above) or a positive decision in a previous overall evaluation.

An evaluation will be carried out by an evaluation panel composed of up 7 members, including PAC members and external experts. A panel will consist of academic experts, a student, an employer representative and, depending on their availability, an international quality assurance expert. Experts will be selected in accordance with the procedures and criteria published on the PAC website and will be required to complete training. Both PAC members and all experts will be full and equal members of evaluation panels.

Like in the case of programme evaluation, the evaluation procedure will include: a self-evaluation report prepared by the HEI concerned; analysis of the report and a site visit conducted by an evaluation panel; an evaluation report prepared by the panel and provided to the HEI; a response from the HEI; and a decision taken by PAC. PAC’s decision, together with its justification and the response from the HEI concerned, will be published in the Public Information Bulletin on the PAC page. PAC will also publish evaluation reports on its website.

An evaluation will end with a positive decision valid for 3 to 8 years or refusal to issue a positive decision. During the validity period of a positive decision, unless it is instructed to do so by the Minister of Education and Science, PAC will not conduct periodic programme evaluations in the fields of study assigned to the disciplines within areas where the quality of education is particularly high, as demonstrated by periodic programme evaluations. In case PAC refuses to take a positive decision as an outcome of an evaluation, the HEI concerned will be eligible to re-apply for a complex evaluation after 5 years, unless PAC sets a shorter timeframe.

As part of complex evaluations, PAC may issue a decision based on an evaluation or accreditation decision or certificate of an entity which has conducted an evaluation if the entity is included in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) or PAC has concluded an agreement on the recognition of evaluation outcomes with the entity. In its evaluation processes, PAC may also take into consideration an evaluation, accreditation or certificate of a national or international entity conducting quality evaluations. 

Internal quality assurance

Internal quality assurance is integrated in general terms into the mission of the higher education and research system. As stated in the legislation, its mission is to provide highest-quality education and conduct highest-quality research, shape civic attitudes, and contribute to societal development and the creation of an innovation-based economy. The legislation does not predefine the scope or elements of internal quality assurance, except for general arrangements for study programmes and teacher appraisal.

HEIs should regularly evaluate and improve programmes. Programmes should integrate findings from an analysis of relevance of learning outcomes to labour market needs, and findings from the career tracking system, managed by the Minister of Education and Science, for first-, second- and long-cycle students and graduates and individuals who apply for, and are awarded, doctoral degrees.

All academic teachers, except for the Rector of an HEI, should undergo a performance appraisal. It is conducted at least every 4 years or at the request of the Rector. It covers, in particular, the performance of duties as part of teaching and / or research activities and the observance of intellectual and industrial property rights. The criteria, procedure and entity conducting appraisal are specified by the Rector after consultation with the HEI’s Senate, trade unions and student and doctoral student self-government bodies. Appraisal takes into consideration outcomes of student evaluation of teaching, conducted at least once a year by students and doctoral students. Appraisal ends with a positive or negative outcome. The Rector may terminate the employment relationship with a teacher after one negative assessment and is required by law to do so when a teacher has received two consecutive negative assessments.

Individual HEIs adopt detailed internal quality assurance arrangements in their internal regulations. They are taken into consideration by PAC and the NACSN&M in their external evaluations.

Summary reports on quality in higher education

At national level, PAC’s reports are the main source of summary information on the quality of higher education. Reports include statistical data on evaluation processes and more detailed analyses of selected issues (for example, findings from programme evaluations in a breakdown by group of fields of study). Analytical chapters discuss, for example, strengths and weaknesses of HEIs, changes and trends and the impact of PAC’s activities on quality improvement. Reports are sent to, among others, the competent Ministers, the Parliament, the Conferences of Rectors and the General Council for Science and Higher Education, and are published on the PAC website. Findings are used to inform the national policy agenda for quality assurance in higher education, and by PAC itself to improve its processes.