Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education

Overview

The Agjencia e Sigurimit të Cilësisë në Arsimin e Lartë (ASCAL), also known in English as the Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education in Albania, is the country’s national body for accreditation, quality assurance and evaluation of all higher education institutions and study programmes. Established under national law and aligned with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), ASCAL promotes standards, transparency and accountability. According to uniRank research, ASCAL is recognized as the main agency responsible for quality assurance in Albania’s higher education system and oversees both public and private institutions to ensure compliance with state quality standards.

History and Legal Framework

The institution now known as ASCAL traces its origins to the Public Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (PAAHE), established in July 1999 by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 303. Over time, a series of reforms culminated in the adoption of Law No. 80/2015 on Higher Education and Scientific Research, which formally defined Article 103–106 to govern quality assurance and accreditation in the sector.

Subsequently, by DCM No. 109 dated 15 February 2017 (amended by DCM 562/2019 and DCM 825/2021), the current Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education was established as ASCAL, replacing the legacy body and updating its mandate under Albanian legal and regulatory instruments. The Quality Code of Higher Education, approved by DCM No. 824/2021, serves as the operational standard for all external quality evaluation and accreditation procedures.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

The core mission of ASCAL is to safeguard and promote quality in higher education through external, objective and independent evaluation. Its stated objectives include:

• Upholding state quality standards in institutional and programme delivery.
• Promoting continuous improvement and transparency across all accredited institutions.
• Facilitating informed decisions by students, employers and society through reliable publicly available information.

ASCAL aligns its vision with the principles of the European Higher Education Area, aspiring to cement a culture of institutional accountability, quality enhancement and student-centred outcomes. According to uniRank, it recognises ASCAL as a key driver in Albania’s pursuit of educational quality that aligns with European norms.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ASCAL is a central public institution and legal entity headquartered in Tirana, Albania, financed by the state budget and revenue from accreditation, audits, training and service fees. It is governed under Albanian law as follows:

• Director: Appointed by the Prime Minister upon the Minister of Education’s proposal. Candidates must hold a PhD (awarded in an EU/OECD country) and at least five years of senior professional experience in higher education administration.
• Accreditation Board (AB): Separate collegiate decision-making body comprised of 11 members—minimum five of them foreign experts—with at least ten years of academic or quality assurance experience. They hold the final decision authority on accreditation outcomes.

ASCAL enjoys independence in drafting its evaluation criteria, selecting international and domestic expert evaluators, establishing review processes and publishing results. Its regulatory framework ensures operational and financial autonomy for the agency and Board, including independent hiring and budgetary discretion.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

ASCAL is responsible for the following processes:

• Institutional Accreditation: Initial and cyclical review of whether institutions meet the Quality Code’s standards. Validity of accreditation is up to six years, with possible conditional extensions following DCM rules.
• Programme Accreditation: Evaluation and accreditation of study programmes across the three Bologna cycles. Programmes are accredited for up to six years under institutional renewal mechanisms.
• Pre‑license and Restructuring Review: Assessment of new institutions or substantial changes to existing institutions or programmes, to ensure compliance prior to opening or reconfiguration.
• Recognition of Foreign HEEs: Assessment of foreign study programmes offered through Alician HEIs, provided the foreign partner is from the EU, USA, Canada or Australia.
• National Student Survey (NSS): Every three years, ASCAL conducts a nationwide survey of student satisfaction and teaching quality as part of a monitoring and assessment framework.
• Internal Quality System Audits: Review of institutional quality assurance units to promote sound internal review practices in line with ESG guidelines.
• Thematic, Analytical and Comparative Reviews: Independent studies commissioned internally or by the Ministry of Education to benchmark institutional or disciplinary performance.

In 2017, ASCAL conducted the first-ever set of institutional full accreditations for all public universities in Albania, in cooperation with UK QAA experts. Since 2019, programme-level accreditation has expanded rapidly, with 255 new applications submitted in 2024 alone, signaling robust sector-wide uptake of quality assurance mechanisms.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

• ASCAL is an associate member of ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance), aiming to secure full ESG-compliant membership.
• It holds full membership in CEENQA (Central and Eastern European Network of QA Agencies) and full membership in INQAAHE (International Network for QA Agencies in HE).
• ASCAL has formal collaborations with QAA‑UK and CHE Netherlands for capacity-building and expert review support.
• A memorandum of cooperation with the Agency for Accreditation in Higher Education of Kosovo signed in March 2022 enables cross‑border alignment of QA practices in the region.
• The agency participates in ENQA members’ forums, regional projects such as DUALBA and initiatives within the Council of Europe and Regional Cooperation Council platforms.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

Today, ASCAL plays a pivotal role in Albania’s transition to an accountable, quality-driven higher education system. Key impacts include:

• Institutional improvement: Accreditation outcomes have triggered investment in curricula, faculty training, internal QA units and infrastructure.
• Transparency and stakeholder empowerment: Detailed accreditation decisions and NSS findings are publicly accessible, enhancing trust and choice in higher education.
• International alignment: Through adoption of the EHEA standards and engagement with global QA networks, Albanian institutions have improved recognition and mobility prospects.
• Future roadmaps: ASCAL’s national action plan prioritizes full ENQA membership, EQAR registration and revisions to governance to further strengthen independence.

Overall, ASCAL continues to drive systemic reform, ensuring higher education in Albania is responsive to student expectations, labour market needs and European benchmarks.

Summary

Established in its current form in 2017 under Albanian law, the Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (ASCAL) is the central institution tasked with accrediting and evaluating both public and private higher education entities in Albania. Governed by independent oversight bodies and aligned with European quality assurance frameworks, ASCAL coordinates institutional and programme accreditation, student surveys, internal audits and external reviews. With active international partnerships and membership in key QA networks, the agency continues to shape a more transparent, accountable and internationally competitive higher education system in Albania.

FAQs

• What is ASCAL and what does it do?

  It is the national Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education in Albania, responsible for accrediting institutions and study programmes, monitoring teaching quality, conducting the National Student Survey and ensuring higher education institutions comply with national and European standards.

• How long is accreditation valid?

  Institutional and programme accreditation is granted for up to six years. The Accreditation Board can issue shorter validity (e.g. conditional approval) based on compliance with quality standards.

• Is ASCAL independent?

  Yes. While publicly funded, ASCAL operates independently in drafting evaluation criteria, selecting external experts (including foreign members) and issuing decisions. Its governance and financial autonomy are protected by law.

• Does ASCAL recognise foreign university programmes?

  Yes. It assesses and recognises programmes offered by accredited study partners from the EU, USA, Canada or Australia if they are delivered through Albanian institutions.

• Is ASCAL part of European Quality Assurance networks?

  Yes. ASCAL is an associate member of ENQA, fully member of CEENQA and INQAAHE and collaborates with international agencies such as QAA‑UK and CHE in implementing quality reviews.

• Who is the accreditation authority in Albania?

  ASCAL holds the authority for external accreditation. The Accreditation Board (within ASCAL) is the final decision‑making body, independent in its duties and empowered by law to grant or deny accreditation.

• How can students find quality information?

  ASCAL publishes accreditation decisions, evaluation reports and National Student Survey results on its official website. These resources allow students, employers and the public to compare institutions and programmes based on verified data.

Organization Name

Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education
Agjencia e Sigurimit të Cilësisë në Arsimin e Lartë

Acronym

ASCAL

Year of Establishment

2008

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Ministria e Arsimit dhe Sportit, Shqipëri

Affiliations or Memberships

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA); Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA); International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Rruga e Durrësit, Nr 219
Tirana
Tiranë Albania

Phone

+355 (0)4 224 3423

Fax

+355 (0)4 226 6302

List of Agjencia e Sigurimit të Cilësisë në Arsimin e Lartë (ASCAL) active or closed higher education institutions in Albania:

Active Universities (Public)

1. Agriculture University of Tirana
2. University of Tirana
3. Polytechnic University of Tirana
4. University of Elbasan, Aleksander Xhuvani
5. University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi"
6. "Eqrem Çabej" University of Gjirokastra
7. "Fan S. Noli" University
8. University of Vlora, "Ismail Qemali"
9. "Aleksandër Moisiu" University, Durrës
10. University of Arts
11. University of Sports of Tirana
12. University of Medicine, Tirana

Active Universities (Private)

1. "Metropolitan Tirana" University
2. Mediterranean University of Albania
3. "EPOKA" University
4. Polis University
5. "Aldent" University
6. European University of Tirana
7. "Barleti" University
8. Western Balkans University
9. Catholic University "Our Lady of Good Counsel"
10. Albanian University
11. Luarasi University
12. "University of New York, Tirana"

Active Academies

1. Security Academy
2. Academy of Film & Multimedia "Marubi"
3. HEI "Nehemiah Gateway"
4. "Ivodent" Academy
5. Academy of Armed Forces
6. Academy for Albanian Studies

Active Colleges

1. University College of Business
2. University College "Bedër"
3. Tirana Business University College
4. University College "REALD"
5. LOGOS University College
6. University College WISDOM
7. University College "Canadian Institute of Technology"
8. University College "Pavarësia Vlorë"
9. University College "Qiriazi"
10. Professional College of Tirana
11. Tirana Esthetics & Style School
12. German Higher Professional College of Technology

Closed Institutions

1. EPITECH ALBANIA
2. American University of Tirana
3. School and High and Nursing
4. IPAL ISSAT
5. Medikadent
6. Justicia
7. Justiniani I
8. Kristal University
9. European High School for Tourism
10. Elite
11. SHLUP "Shkolla e Lartë Nëna Mbretëreshë, Geraldinë"
12. ILLYRIA University
13. Gjon Buzuku
14. Planetar University of Tirana
15. International School of Tirana
16. EDUCATION PRIVATE INSTITUTION
17. Vitrina
18. Akademia e Studimeve te Aplikuara, Durrës
19. Tirana Construction Academy
20. Academy of Arts, Shkoder
21. Akademia Pedagogjike, Tiranë
22. Private Proffesional College Medicom
23. Private Proffesional College
24. Kolegji Profesional Privat "Dentarium - AL"
25. Kolegji Profesional i Sporteve, Fier
26. Professional Kolege "ARGENT"
27. Kolegji Profesional Privat Luigj Benussi

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Wikipedia Article

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