Quality Agency for Higher Education of Andorra

Overview

Agència de Qualitat de l’Ensenyament Superior d’Andorra (AQUA) is the official public agency of Andorra tasked with overseeing the quality assurance, accreditation and certification of higher education and research. Established in the mid‑2000s and formalised in its current legal structure in 2016, AQUA applies European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) to ensure institutional and programme quality, promote continuous improvement and support the international standing of Andorran higher education. According to uniRank AQUA plays a central role in reinforcing institutional excellence and aligning Andorra with European higher education norms.

History and Legal Framework

AQUA was originally created by decree in 2006–2009 and officially established as Andorra’s national quality agency under Law 9/2016 of June 28, which transformed it into a public law institution with legal personality.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: To ensure the quality of higher education in Andorra through rigorous evaluation, accreditation and certification processes, in line with societal, labour market and European standards.

Vision: To be an agile, accessible and internationally recognised agency that partners with institutions to foster continuous improvement and generates knowledge in quality assurance.

• Evaluate and accredit institutions and study programmes according to ESG criteria.
• Certify research and teaching quality in basic and applied areas.
• Define quality indicators, guidelines and evaluation criteria in education and research.
• Issue evaluation reports to institutions, government and public stakeholders.
• Provide advisory services to institutions and administration.
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation in quality assurance processes.

Governance, Structure and Independence

AQUA functions as a public law institution directly linked to the General Council of Andorra. Its governing body—the Comitè Director—is plural and includes representatives from the legislature, student bodies, the private sector and educational stakeholders. The agency director is appointed by the General Council by two‑thirds majority upon ministerial proposal.

AQUA operates on a separate budget approved by the legislature, subject to external audit by the national Court of Audit. Its structure includes a Steering Committee, Evaluation Commission, Appeals Commission, technical staff and a pool of external experts registered for peer‑review evaluations.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

AQUA is responsible for the ex‑ante institutional accreditation necessary for any higher education institution seeking establishment in Andorra; it also evaluates, accredits and certifies programmes at various stages—initial approval, modification, renewal and follow‑up monitoring.

It certifies faculty professional experience for teaching practical components when national formal qualifications are not held. The agency develops and publishes evaluation guides, quality indicators and conducts labour market insertion studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and institutions.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

• Member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) since 2012 (affiliate), currently undergoing external review for full membership.
• Registered in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) as of mid‑2025, affirming its compliance with ESG and boosting international recognition and mobility for Andorran degrees.
• Member of INQAAHE since 2017; participated in capacity‑building projects aligned with United Nations SDGs.
• Joined Copernicus Alliance in 2019 and participated in sustainable development quality workshops.
• Co‑founding member of SIACES in 2019, fostering quality assurance integration across Ibero‑American higher education systems.
• Collaboration agreements with AQU Catalunya, ACPUA (Aragon), the Xarxa Vives and research groups such as Còmplex‑UAB for institutional evaluation and labour market studies.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

AQUA’s 2024 activity report highlights the evaluation of 23 study programmes, multiple strategic plans for new institutions and the launch of international projects on ESG alignment and academic integrity.

Concerns have been raised regarding rapid growth in private higher education providers in Andorra—number doubling since 2019—and AQUA’s capacity to evaluate them effectively. The agency warns that unchecked proliferation may risk Andorra's international quality reputation and ENQA membership prospects.

Summary

The Agència de Qualitat de l’Ensenyament Superior d’Andorra (AQUA) is the independent public law agency responsible for quality assurance in Andorra’s higher education and research sector. Born in the mid‑2000s and formalised by law in 2016 (with updates in 2025), it executes accreditation, evaluation and certification aligned with European standards. AQUA's governance model blends independence, legislative oversight and plural stakeholder representation. Through its international memberships and strategic reforms, AQUA is central to Andorra’s ambition to ensure academic quality, institutional credibility and international recognition.

FAQs

• What is AQUA? AQUA is the national quality assurance agency for higher education and research in Andorra, responsible for evaluation, accreditation and certification.
• When was it established? Initially created in 2006, AQUA became a public law institution under Law 9/2016, with further legal updates enacted in January 2025.
• What does AQUA evaluate? It evaluates institutions and study programmes (approval, modification, renewal, follow‑up), certifies faculty experience and accredits research funding and activities.
• How independent is AQUA? AQUA operates under a public law framework, with a plural governing body appointed by the legislature and external financial audit, ensuring operational independence.
• Is AQUA part of European quality assurance networks? Yes. It is affiliate member of ENQA, registered in EQAR since mid‑2025 and a member of INQAAHE, SIACES, Copernicus Alliance.
• What is its current impact? AQUA evaluated numerous programmes in 2024, developed strategic quality guidelines and engaged in international ESG alignment. It continues to influence institutional standards and international recognition of Andorran qualifications.

Organization Name

Quality Agency for Higher Education of Andorra
Agència de Qualitat de l'Ensenyament Superior d'Andorra

Acronym

AQUA

Year of Establishment

2008

Control Type

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Avenida Rocafort, 21-23
Sant Julià de Lòria
AD600 Andorra

Phone

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Wikipedia Article

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