QAA accreditation case study: Institutional accreditation in Albania
QAA’s international institutional accreditation helped POLIS University enhance their quality culture and strengthen their global positioning.
Why did you choose to seek international accreditation?
Our primary motivation for choosing accreditation stems from our ambition to benchmark ourselves against the highest international standards, going beyond local regulatory requirements. Strategically, we intended accreditation to support two key priorities:
- Global benchmarking and internationalisation
Joining a select group of elite institutions who have achieved QAA accreditation, ensuring our degrees are recognised and valued on par with European standards, facilitating greater mobility for our students and staff. - Quality culture
Moving from administrative 'compliance' toward a genuine 'quality culture' where self-reflection and continuous improvement are embedded in our daily operations.
How has accreditation influenced internal quality assurance, academic programmes or administrative processes?
A valuable impact of our QAA accreditation has been the transition from 'quality control' to 'quality enhancement' – we have moved beyond simple compliance with local regulations to foster a continuous improvement culture visible in our daily operations. Academic staff no longer view quality assurance as mere bureaucracy; they see it as a tool for pedagogical improvement.
Following our successful accreditation in late 2023, we have used QAA’s feedback as a strategic roadmap. We have integrated the review’s recommendations directly into our institutional strategy, specifically in formalising and improving our ‘feedback loop’, ensuring that when students provide feedback, the resulting changes are tracked and reported back to them, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The most valuable aspect of accreditation has been the institutional confidence and external validation it provides. Having our systems validated by a world-leading agency like QAA is transformative. It has supported our international strategy, acting as a compass to align our local mission with European standards. Furthermore, accreditation has strengthened the trust between university leadership and our students.
Has accreditation affected your institution’s reputation locally or globally?
QAA accreditation is a cornerstone of our international strategy, acting as a globally recognised 'seal of excellence' that validates the quality of a POLIS degree. For our international profile, it elevates us from being a leading local institution to a globally benchmarked university; it signals to the world that we speak the same language of quality as the top universities in the UK and Europe.
In terms of partnerships, this accreditation simplifies our collaborations with prestigious institutions. It builds immediate trust with potential partners because they know our internal processes are aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
It has also positively benefited our recruitment strategy. Today’s students are highly mobile and informed; they seek an education that will be recognised when they pursue further studies or careers abroad. By being part of the QAA-accredited global community, we offer our students educational currency that is valid across borders, making POLIS an attractive choice for ambitious experts and future leaders who aim for the international stage.
About the University
POLIS University is a privately funded institution located in Tiranë, Albania, committed to providing excellence in the education of professionals and scientific researchers capable of addressing the needs of the market and society in areas of interest at home and abroad. POLIS has a wide network of national and international partners with whom the University offers joint degree programmes and research projects.
Contact us to find out more about IQA
If you would like further information about IQA and the process of QAA accreditation, please email us.
