Quality and Institutional Evaluation

When a university considers adding a new degree program to its curriculum, it must prepare and submit a proposal for the degree through a Verification Report, which describes its general characteristics and the commitments required for its successful implementation. All of this is evaluated by the quality assurance agency designated by the Community of Madrid, the Madri+d Knowledge Foundation. Upon approval, the degree program is approved and verified by the Council of Universities and registered in the Registry of Universities, Centers, and Degrees (RUCT) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport.

External evaluation processes, as regulated by current legislation, are mandatory for the design and implementation of official degree programs. These processes are a shared responsibility between quality assurance agencies (la Fundación Madri+d en nuestro caso) and each university.

Royal Decree 822/2021 regulates and establishes the structure of official university programs, in accordance with the general guidelines defined by the European Higher Education Area.

Curriculum review. The university may begin the review process following the mandatory favorable report from the Autonomous Community regarding the necessity and academic and social viability of the degree program.

Next, submit the curriculum proposal for the degree program, which will be evaluated by the quality assurance agency and must receive a favorable decision in order to proceed with its implementation and registration in the RUCT

The primary purpose of institutional accreditation is to ensure the overall academic quality of a university. In addition, it allows universities that hold this accreditation to renew the accreditation of their official degree programs without having to undergo the procedure set forth in Royal Decree 822/2021 of September 28.

It is governed by Royal Decree 640/2021 of July 27, and to obtain this accreditation, the following is required:

1. Have renewed the initial accreditation of at least half of the official bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in accordance with the general procedure set forth in Article 34 of Royal Decree 822/2021.

2. Hold certification confirming the implementation of its Internal Quality Assurance System. Following the submission of an application for institutional accreditation, the Council of Universities will approve the application if the established requirements are met.

SISCAL Madri+d CERTIFICATION: This is the process for evaluating and certifying the quality systems of universities in Madrid. The goal is to ensure the quality of the degree programs offered, promote continuous improvement, and encourage progress at universities.

This programme voluntary, but it is mandatory for institutions seeking accreditation. Currently, all UFV undergraduate and graduate programs are certified by SISCAL Madri+d.

External evaluation of bachelor's and master's degree programs:

Once the degree program has been implemented, changes may be proposed to the program description as a result of improvements and updates to the original proposals:

The modification may be:

• Non-substantial modification: a modification that does not alter the nature, objectives, or fundamental characteristics of the degree program. It must be approved by the university’s governing bodies following a mandatory and binding favorable report from the center’s Academic Affairs Office.

• Substantial modification when it affects the curriculum. It must be accompanied by a detailed report on its academic and regulatory compliance prepared by the institution’s Academic Affairs Office and will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the curriculum verification procedure.

Monitoring is a cyclical process aimed at the continuous improvement of the degree program and will be carried out within the institution’s monitoring framework in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 640/2021.

Accreditation Renewal: Programs will retain their accreditation as long as the institution maintains its institutional accreditation.

This applies only to UFV’s doctoral programs, as the university currently holds institutional accreditation for all its undergraduate and master’s programs.

Amendments: Once the degree program has been implemented, amendments to the program descriptions may be submitted as a result of improvements and updates to the original proposals.

The modification may be:

• Non-substantial: when it does not entail a change in the nature, objectives, or fundamental characteristics of the degree program; approved by the university’s governing bodies following a favorable report from the SGIC, and submitted to the relevant quality assurance agency for approval.

• Substantive curriculum review: This will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the curriculum review process set forth in Article 26 or Article 27, as applicable.

Monitoring is a cyclical process aimed at continuous improvement. Official university degrees offered at institutions that are not institutionally accredited, newly approved degrees, and those that have had their accreditation renewed will be subject to monitoring.

Regular Monitoring (monitoring). The purpose of this is to evaluate the proper implementation of the accredited academic program. At least one monitoring report must be prepared three years after the program’s effective implementation or the renewal of accreditation.

Two scenarios are considered:

• Routine tracking of certificates after verification

• Routine monitoring of degree programs following reaccreditation

Special Follow-Up (follow-up). This will focus on the actions taken to comply with the recommendations for special follow-up (verificación/modificación), or the necessary modifications (renovación de acreditación), and, where applicable, the approved improvement plan. One year after the verification date or the effective date of the modification or renewal of accreditation.

Accreditation Renewal: They must renew the accreditation of official university degrees in accordance with the procedure established by each Autonomous Community.

Doctorate: Maximum duration of 6 years

Universities should make the process public so that anyone who wishes to do so can participate, even if they are not part of the scheduled hearings.