The seal of approval of the German Accreditation Council confirms that quality assurance procedures are regularly carried out for a specific degree program. Freie Universität Berlin has “system accredited” status, meaning that it has the authority to conduct its own quality assessments of degree programs through its quality management system, using the structures and processes established.

Why are degree programs accredited?    

In Germany, the Interstate Study Accreditation Treaty of 2018 (German) stipulates that bachelor and master’s degree programs are legally subject to quality controls and must therefore be accredited. The Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz, BerlHG) also stipulates that degree programs must be evaluated for quality on a regular basis (Section 8a BerlHG).

What does “internally accredited” status actually mean?

Internal accreditation certifies that a degree program has regularly undergone the obligatory quality assurance procedures together with the required follow-up procedures.It acts as a guarantee that the program objectives, content, structure, and the availability of resources are regularly reviewed and updated, and that improvement measures are initiated where necessary.

How long does internal accreditation last?

Internal accreditation status is generally awarded for eight years, following which the program requires reaccreditation.  An overview of currently accredited degree programs (German) is available here.

What is the basis for the accreditation decision?

The rules regulating decisions for new and existing degree programs, including the rules in relation to programs that are due to be discontinued, are published on the university website and a summary (German) can be found here.

Who is responsible for the internal accreditation process?

• The responsibility for the internal accreditation of a degree program lies with the department/central institute in which the degree is based.
• The accreditation decision for any given degree program is made by the Executive Board.
• The Quality Management Office supports the departments and the Executive Board throughout the process.

How does the process work and how long does it take?

A detailed description of the process is available here. A new degree program is deemed accredited once the decision has been published in the Freie Universität Berlin Amtsblatt (official bulletin).  For established degree programs, the responsible department should contact the Quality Management Office around a year before the current accreditation is due to lapse.

How does accreditation benefit students?

• Graduates seeking employment can include the information in job applications.
• For graduates looking to enter the higher levels of public sector employment or the civil service (“Höherer Dienst”), a degree in an accredited degree program is a formal requirement.
• (International) employers are also increasingly keen to see proof that a degree program is accredited, and accreditation can be a prerequisite for a job offer.
• Graduates of teacher training programs who wish to work in a different federal state to where they qualified must prove that their degree has accredited status.

Where can I find general information about the accreditation system?

The German Accreditation Council website can provide further information and resources.