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External assessment




Portal UMinho > EN > Institutional > Quality > External assessment

 External assessment


The University of Minho (UMinho) has regularly been subjected to external assessment exercises, both nationally and internationally.

On a national level, all the First Cycle Degrees were assessed by the National Council of Higher Education Assessment (CNAVES) initiated in the 1995-2000 and the 2000-2005 periods as well as the participation in the assessment/accrediting cycle, promoted by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES), held between 2012 and 2016.

In 2012 the UMinho also participated, on a voluntary basis, in an experimental assessment exercise undertaken by A3ES, which consisted of an internal quality assurance systems audit. The SIGAQ-UM was unconditionally certified by this agency for a period of 6 years.

On an international level, UMinho participated, on a voluntary basis, in an institutional assessment, carried out by Conference of European Rectors (CRE), in 1997. In 2007, it was also assessed by the European University Association (EUA, previously CRE), with a follow-up assessment in 2009.


​​​​​Institutional Assessment by EUA

​​​​The UMinho was subjected, through its own initiative, to an institutional assessment by the European University Association (EUA), in 2007, as part of the EUA’s Institutional Evaluation Programme. After this 2007 institutional assessment, UMinho requested a follow-up assessment that took place in 2009.

The self-assessment reports produced by the University, as well as the external assessment reports produced by the specialist commission which visited the University, are available below.


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​​​​​Institutional Assessment by A3ES

​​​​The UMinho took part in the Institutional Assessment initiative, launched by the A3ES.

The audit visit took place in June 2018, and, by decision of the Agency’s Board of Administration on July 23, 2019, UMinho was accredited for a period of 6 years.

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Degree Accreditation by A3ES

All cycles of studies currently offered by the UMinho have been object of preliminary accredited (the degrees offered in 2010) or object of prior accreditation (the cycles of studies offered after 2010) by the A3ES.

The cycles of studies have been regularly assessed/accredited by A3ES in terms of the higher education assessment legal system and guidelines established by the Agency, and registed by the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES).

The accreditation deliberations by A3ES, as well as the external assessment reports (if available), can be viewed in the information provided for each cycle of studies, in Educational Offers.

Certification of the SIGAQ by A3ES

The University of Minho took part in a pilot-project for internal quality assurance system certification for higher educational institutions, launched by A3ES.

The audit visit took place in October 2012. By decision of the Agency’s Board of Administration, on 8 January 2013, the SIGAQ-UM was certified for a period of 6 years.

In its assessment, the External Assessment Committee considered that the “SIGAQ-UM has everything to contribute to the ongoing improvement of quality activity at the University”. On a scale of 1 to 4, the SIGAQ-UM was awarded a 4 (completely developed), concerning the definition and documentation of the institutional quality policy for the collection, analysis and internal dissemination of information, including the scope and relevance of the information generated. On the same scale, all the remaining 11 levels analysed were awarded a 3 (substantially developed).

The SIGAQ-UM, meanwhile recertified for a period of 6 years has a two-fold dimension of support for strategic planning and the continuous promotion of quality, and information and accounting to society, focusing on the different aspects of the University’s institutional mission and other activities. Thus, the certification of SIGAQ-UM is a “quality warranty seal” for the UMinho.

ISO Certifications

When, in addition to the assessment and accreditation of the IES carried out by A3ES, the services provided by UMinho's Units benefit or are subject to the requirement to obtain external certification by a legally recognized body, these certifications and the corresponding internal organizational processes are considered an integral part of SIGAQ-UM.


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