Accreditation Procedures

Note: The information on this page only applies to accreditation procedures within Germany.

On February 17, 2016, the German Federal Constitutional Court decided to reform the German accreditation system, confirming that accreditation is necessary and constitutional, but in need of a firmer and more legitimate legal basis. The ensuing “State Treaty on the Organization of a Joint Accreditation System for Quality Assurance in Studies and Teaching at German Universities” entered into force on January 1, 2018.

This treaty spells out different steps for the accreditation process than its predecessor did. There are now two steps in the process: First, universities are to commission an approved accreditation agency, which carries out an assessment and produces an accreditation report. Secondly, the Accreditation Council decides on the accreditation through an administrative act in public law.

Further details and documents to be submitted in the procedure can be found on the German version of this page.