System-Accredited University
Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg has been system-accredited since 2021. As part of the implementation of internal system accreditation from 2018 to 2021, the university developed and established its own quality management system (QMS) for academic programs and teaching.
With internal system accreditation, responsibility for quality assurance and quality development of the degree programs has been more firmly integrated into the university. The THA can independently accredit its degree programs internally based on defined quality standards and in accordance with legal requirements. The decision on internal accreditation is made by the Internal Accreditation Commission.
The development of the quality management system was supported by the evaluation agency Evalag and external experts from the higher education sector.
The quality management system establishes a binding framework for the continuous quality assurance and further development of academic programs and teaching. It combines various procedures and tools—including evaluations, peer reviews, and internal accreditation—and consolidates their results to support the quality development of degree programs.
Delivering on Our Quality Promise
Quality management at THA is guided by the university’s profile as an institution that trains highly sought-after professionals, as well as by its mission statement, “Together, we shape the world.” It lays the groundwork for implementing and continuously improving THA’s quality commitments in academic programs and teaching.
Quality is understood as a continuous development process. Feedback from students and faculty, evaluation results, quality-related data, and academic and legal requirements are systematically taken into account and incorporated into the further development of degree programs, as well as in teaching and learning.
Key Tasks of Quality Management
- Internal accreditation and re-accreditation of degree programs
- Ongoing evaluation of academic programs and teaching
- Further development of the quality management system
- Support for innovative and quality-conscious teaching and program development
- Preparation, dissemination, and use of quality-related information for the further development of academic programs and teaching
Quality Management Tools
The quality management system at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg uses a variety of procedures and tools to gather information about academic programs and teaching from different perspectives. This information is incorporated, in particular, into quality improvement efforts and internal accreditation processes.
Course evaluations provide students and instructors with structured feedback on the quality of courses. The results help instructors reflect on and further develop their courses and foster dialogue between students and instructors.
Program surveys regularly provide information on the quality and development of a program from the students' perspective. The results help program administrators and faculties recognize strengths, identify areas for improvement, and develop appropriate measures.
Graduates' experiences provide insight into how students evaluate their academic program in retrospect and to what extent the skills they acquired during their studies prepare them for their future educational and professional paths.
Peer reviews incorporate the perspectives of external experts into quality assurance. Scholars, representatives from the professional field, students, and other external stakeholders work together with program administrators to examine the program’s profile, quality, and future development.
These evaluations complement the THA's regular evaluation procedures and make it possible to examine specific issues in a targeted and timely manner—regardless of the fixed schedule of the regular evaluations.
The assessments provided by the committees and officials involved in quality management offer insight into how the functionality, appropriateness, transparency, acceptance, and effectiveness of the university-wide quality management system are evaluated, and what opportunities for its continuous improvement can be derived from these assessments.
Internal Accreditation
Internal accreditation is integrated into the THA’s ongoing quality management system. Degree programs are monitored throughout their entire lifecycle and regularly assessed based on various quality metrics. Evaluations, key performance indicators, and peer reviews provide important insights for quality improvement.
The results are compiled as part of the accreditation process and are discussed and evaluated by the internal accreditation commission. Based on this, the commission makes the decision regarding accreditation or reaccreditation. The results, along with any conditions or recommendations formulated, are then incorporated into the further development of the degree program.
In this way, THA links accreditation with continuous quality improvement: insights are gained, evaluated, translated into decisions, and used to further develop the degree programs in particular.
Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement
Internal Accreditation Commission
The Internal Accreditation Commission is the central decision-making body for the internal accreditation and re-accreditation of degree programs at THA.
Based on the results of the respective accreditation process, the Commission decides on the accreditation of a degree program. In doing so, it takes into account the legal and formal requirements as well as the quality standards defined in THA’s quality management system.
In addition to the accreditation decision, the Commission may also issue conditions and recommendations for the further development of a degree program. Compliance with these conditions is reviewed within the specified timeframes.
Composition
The Internal Accreditation Commission consists of:
- the Vice President for Academic Affairs as chair
- one Dean of Academic Affairs from each faculty
- a student representative appointed by the Student Council
- a representative from the Office of Program Development, Quality Management, and Capacity Affairs, acting as the executive body without voting rights
The Commission may invite additional individuals as guests for specific agenda items, in particular the relevant deans and program directors.
Further Development of Quality Management – the QM Board
Not only are our degree programs constantly evolving, but our quality management system itself will also continue to develop dynamically. For this reason, the QM Board serves as a university-wide working group dedicated to the ongoing development of our approach to quality, our quality management system, and our reporting processes.
The QM Board's responsibilities include, in particular:
• facilitating the exchange of experiences between central and decentralized stakeholders in quality management,
• keeping the university community informed about the quality management system.
Composition
The QM Board consists of:
• the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Teaching, who serves as chair;
• the deans of studies from each faculty;
• one additional representative from each faculty, preferably from the faculty coordination office;
• a student representative appointed by the Student Council
• a representative from the Office of Program Development, Quality Management, and Capacity Issues
• a representative from the Office of Student Affairs
Additional individuals may be invited to attend as expert guests as needed. The QM Board meets regularly, at least once per semester.
Moodle Course "Quality Management in Academic Studies and Teaching"
The course brings together key documents, guidelines, and process descriptions, thereby serving as a central platform for information and knowledge. Access is available to members of the QM Board, program directors, and staff members with responsibilities in quality management.
Guidelines of the QM Board
The work of the QM Board is outlined in a set of guidelines and is carried out in close coordination with the university’s Senate. The guidelines define the responsibilities, composition, and operating procedures of the QM Board and establish a binding framework for its work toward the continuous improvement of THA’s quality management system.