Approved Quality Assurance Bodies in Education in Switzerland

Deep Dive: Approved Quality Assurance Bodies in Switzerland and Beyond

Switzerland is known for its rigorous approach to quality in education. For higher education, there is a well-defined system of accreditation via approved bodies, including national, international, and pan-European networks. This article outlines these bodies, including those listed in EQAR, members of INQAAHE, and recognized by CHEA, plus clarification of frameworks like ISO 21001 and EduQua for non-university education.

A Comprehensive Guide

Switzerland is renowned worldwide for its high academic standards, research excellence, and well-structured higher education system. At the core of this reputation lies a rigorous framework for quality assurance and accreditation. Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, and teacher education institutions must undergo accreditation to ensure that students, employers, and international partners can trust the quality and comparability of Swiss qualifications.

This article offers a detailed guide to all major quality assurance and accreditation bodies active in Switzerland and to the European and international frameworks that support them. We will explore their history, founding years, roles, and unique strengths so that students, institutions, and policymakers can understand the full accreditation landscape in higher education.

Why Quality Assurance and Accreditation Matter

Quality assurance in higher education serves several essential purposes:

Guaranteeing Standards: Accreditation ensures that institutions meet defined academic, administrative, and ethical criteria.
International Recognition: Accredited degrees are more easily recognized across borders, supporting student mobility and global career opportunities.
Transparency and Accountability: Evaluation reports, external reviews, and quality audits create trust between institutions, students, governments, and employers.
Continuous Improvement: Accreditation agencies often require follow-up reviews and periodic re-accreditation, ensuring institutions keep improving over time.

In Switzerland, this framework is anchored in the Higher Education Act (HEdA), which entered into force in 2015. Under HEdA, only institutions that pass institutional accreditation by approved bodies can use protected titles such as “University” or “University of Applied Sciences.”

Key Accreditation Bodies in Switzerland

Below we explore each of the main accreditation bodies recognized in Switzerland. We include their founding year, scope, strengths, and connections to international networks such as EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register), ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education), and CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation).

1. AAQ – Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance

Founded: 2001 as OAQ; renamed AAQ in 2015 after the Higher Education Act came into force.
Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland.
Role: AAQ is the official national accreditation agency for Switzerland. It conducts institutional and programme accreditation across universities, universities of applied sciences, and teacher education institutions.
Strengths:
- Central role under Swiss law; decisions recognized nationwide.
- Aligned with European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
- Registered in EQAR, member of ENQA and INQAAHE.
- Ensures institutions meet criteria for teaching quality, research capacity, governance, and student services.
Unique Features: AAQ carries out both accreditation and quality audits, fostering a culture of continuous improvement rather than one-time evaluation.

2. ACQUIN – Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute

Founded: 2001 in Germany; operates internationally including in Switzerland.
Role: ACQUIN accredits Bachelor’s, Master’s, and continuing education programmes across diverse fields including engineering, social sciences, business, IT, and design.
Strengths:
- EQAR-listed and ENQA member.
- Uses expert panels with academics, students, and professionals.
- Evaluates teaching quality, learning outcomes, resources, and institutional governance.
Unique Features: ACQUIN emphasises consultative accreditation—providing constructive feedback so institutions can improve, rather than simply pass or fail.

3. FIBAA – Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation

Founded: 1994 by business federations from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Role: Specializes in accrediting business, economics, law, social sciences, and management programmes, including MBAs and executive education.
Strengths:
- Long tradition in business education quality assurance.
- EQAR-listed, ENQA full member, widely recognized across Europe and beyond.
- Known for clarity of criteria, structured reviews, and strong international orientation.
Unique Features: FIBAA accreditation is highly valued by business schools and often pursued alongside global accreditations like AACSB, AMBA, or EFMD-EQUIS for international competitiveness.

4. AHPGS – Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences

Founded: 2001 in Freiburg, Germany.
Role: Specializes in accrediting programmes in healthcare, nursing, therapy, psychology, and social work.
Strengths:
- EQAR-listed and ENQA member.
- Deep expertise in health and social sciences fields where professional standards and societal impact are crucial.
- Focuses on curriculum relevance, research integration, and professional competencies.
Unique Features: One of the few agencies in Europe with a narrow but deep specialization, ensuring rigorous evaluation in health and social disciplines.

5. evalag – Evaluationsagentur Baden-Württemberg

Founded: 2000 in Mannheim, Germany.
Role: Provides accreditation, evaluations, and quality audits for higher education institutions in Germany, Switzerland, and internationally.
Strengths:
- EQAR-listed and ENQA member.
- Known for transparency, well-structured reports, and broad disciplinary coverage.
- Offers both institutional and programme accreditation.
Unique Features: evalag often emphasizes quality development rather than mere compliance, helping institutions build long-term quality cultures.

6. AQ Austria – Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria

Founded: 2012 as Austria’s national quality assurance agency, replacing earlier bodies.
Role: Oversees accreditation and evaluation for Austrian higher education institutions, and by agreement, can evaluate programmes or institutions in Switzerland.
Strengths:
- Recognized by EQAR and ENQA.
- Operates under Austrian and European legal frameworks but collaborates internationally.
Unique Features: Supports cross-border accreditation within the European Higher Education Area, encouraging mutual recognition of quality standards.

International Accreditation Agencies Operating in Switzerland

Many Swiss institutions also seek accreditation from global agencies to enhance international reputation. These include:

AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (Founded 1916, USA) – Prestigious business school accreditation, known for continuous improvement standards.
EFMD – European Foundation for Management Development (Founded 1972, Belgium) – Offers EQUIS accreditation for business schools worldwide.
AMBA – Association of MBAs (Founded 1967, UK) – Specialized in accrediting MBA, DBA, and Master’s in Management programmes.
ECLBS – European Council for Leading Business Schools & Institutes (Founded 2013, Europe) – Focused on innovation and leadership in business education.
BAC – British Accreditation Council (Founded 1984, UK) – Accredits international higher education and training providers for quality and governance.

These accreditations are often pursued in addition to Swiss national accreditation to attract international students and improve global rankings.

Global Networks and Registers

Beyond individual agencies, Switzerland participates in networks and registers that ensure quality assurance agencies themselves meet high standards:

EQAR – European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (Founded 2008): Lists QA agencies that comply with European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). EQAR-listed status increases cross-border recognition.
ENQA – European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Founded 2000): Membership association of QA agencies, providing reviews, training, and policy guidance.
INQAAHE – International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (Founded 1991): Global network supporting collaboration, professionalization, and best practices in QA.
CHEA – Council for Higher Education Accreditation (Founded 1996, USA): Recognizes accrediting bodies and maintains an international directory, often referenced for global comparability.

EduQua and ISO 21001: For Continuing Education

It is important to note that EduQua and ISO 21001 focus on continuing education and vocational training, not universities.

EduQua (Founded 2000, Switzerland) is the Swiss quality label for adult education institutions such as language schools, professional training centres, and lifelong learning providers.
ISO 21001 (Introduced 2018) is the International Standard for Educational Organizations Management Systems, emphasizing learner satisfaction, leadership, and continuous improvement.

While not part of the university accreditation system under HEdA, both frameworks enhance quality in Switzerland’s broader education sector.