External assessment

The University of Minho (UMinho) has regularly undergone external assessment exercises at both national and international levels.

At the national level, all undergraduate degree programmes were assessed by the National Council for the Assessment of Higher Education (CNAVES) during the 1995–2000 and 2000–2005 assessment cycles. UMinho also participated in the assessment and accreditation cycle conducted by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) between 2012 and 2016.

In 2012, UMinho also participated voluntarily in an experimental A3ES exercise involving an audit of higher education institutions' internal quality assurance systems. Following the audit, SIGAQ-UM was certified by A3ES for a period of six years, with no conditions imposed.

At the international level, UMinho voluntarily underwent an institutional assessment conducted by the Conference of European Rectors (CRE) in 1997. In 2007, UMinho underwent a further institutional assessment conducted by the European University Association (EUA), the successor to the CRE. A follow-up assessment took place in 2009.

Institutional Assessments

Institutional Assessment by EUA

In 2007, UMinho underwent an institutional assessment by the European University Association (EUA), at the University's own initiative, as part of the EUA's Institutional Evaluation Programme. Following the 2007 assessment, UMinho requested a follow-up evaluation, which took place in 2009.

The University's self-assessment reports, together with the external evaluation reports produced by the panel of experts who visited the University, are available below.

Institutional Assessment by A3ES (Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education)

In recent years, UMinho has participated in the institutional assessment exercises conducted by A3ES.

The most recent audit visit took place in November 2023. By decision of the Agency's Board of Administration, UMinho was accredited for a period of six years.

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Documents

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Accreditation and Certification

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-UM 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.

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Certificações ISO

ISO Certifications

In addition to the assessment and accreditation of higher education institutions (HEIs) by A3ES, external certifications obtained by UMinho's organisational units for the services they provide, where required or applicable, and the associated internal organisational processes are considered an integral part of SIGAQ-UM.

Currently, seven UMinho organisational units are certified under the NP EN ISO 9001 standard:

Documentation and Library Services Unit;

Academic Management Services Unit;

Quality Management and Accreditation Services Unit ;

Research Projects Support Services Unit;

Campus Management and Infrastructure Services Unit ;

Education Activities Support Services Unit;

Accreditation and Course Cataloguing Unit.

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✓Última revisão: 12/10/2026|Responsável: USGAQ_Júlia Lopes