Initial programmatic evaluations concern the study programmes of the first and second cycles (diplomas, bachelor's and master's degrees) which have never been evaluated by the Agency. The aim of the external evaluation is to assess the quality of the programmes and of their quality Assurance systems. An initial evaluation is based on the use of the 5-criteria framework. A compilation and assessment guide can help both institutions and experts in their evaluation.
Continuous programmatic evaluations concern the study programmes of the first and second cycles which have already been evaluated by the Agency. They aim to support higher education institutions in their dynamic of continuous improvement, in the continuation of actions put in place and in the development of steering tools. In doing so, the procedure ensures that an active commitment to an integrated quality culture is maintained together with a balance between internal and external quality assurance mechanisms. The reference framework for continuous evaluations is composed of two criteria. It focuses on the programme enhancement and quality approach.
The initial or continuous programmatic evaluation comprises three phases:
- the self-assessment by the institution whose programme is being evaluated;
- the external evaluation by a panel of independent experts selected by the Agency. This phase includes in particular a visit and the publication of the experts' report;
- the publication of an action plan drawn up by the institution and its implementation; the midterm update record.
All evaluations led by AEQES -both programmatic and institutional- are complemented by a mid-term progress record, used to document the progress made by the institutions evaluated.
Since 2019, AEQES has implemented institutional reviews (through a pilot phase until 2022 and on a permanent basis since 2023). These institutional reviews will make use of the tools employed during the pilot phase until 2025-2026, namely: (i) use of part I of the ESG as a reference framework, (ii) use of the methodological guidelines from the pilot phase and (iii) possibility of using the summative judgement procedure on a voluntary basis. New legal provisions must now be drafted and submitted to the WBF Parliament so as to come into force for the external evaluations planned for 2026-2027 onwards. More information on the design of the new evaluation model in WBF: https://aeqes.be/actualites_details.cfm?news_id=257 (in French).
