Frequently Asked Questions

PKA evaluates those programmes which were provided for full cycle of education and there are graduates already. Moreover the process of evaluation has to be spreaded over time due to large number of HEI in Poland (ca. 450) and number of provided programmes.

No. PKA publishes every assessment made and thus lack of assessment means that PKA has not evaluated given programme or unit yet.

Counting since the first day of the site visit: team of experts has six weeks to prepare evaluation report which is sent to HEI. HEI has 21 days to comment the report. Response from HEI is then discussed by proper PKA's section for academic areas which standpoint has to be presented during the meeting of Presidium of PKA within 6 weeks since reception of the response from HEI. Resolution of PKA is sent to HEI not later than 2 weeks after the meeting. Summing up: resolution of PKA is adopted ca. 17 weeks after the site visit but we have to bear in mind that resolutions are valid if HEI will not appeal (appeal may be submitted to PKA within timespan of 30 days since the resolution has been received) and they can not be published earlier. In case of submission of an appeal PKA has 60 days for reconsideration of the matter. Evaluations performed on the motion of minister responsible for higher education are conducted in different circumstances. For details please consult menu "Templates and procedures" on the left.

Detailed information on assessments results (including resolutions and reports) is available since October 2011. However, if Presidium decided to suspend of withdraw from assessment there were no site-visit conducted and no report prepared.

Differentiation between practically-oriented and academic-oriented programmes was introduced by the amendment to the Law on Higher Education of 11.07.2014 (the provisions came into force on 01.10.2014).
Practically-oriented programmes consist of modules linked to the research activities of the higher education institution and are provided with assumption that more than 50% of the study programme (measured in ECTS) is comprised by lectures / classes intended to deepen student's knowledge.
Practically-oriented programmes consist of modules that are intended to deepen students' social competences and hands-on skills and are provided with assumption that more than 50% of the study programme (measured in ECTS) is comprised by practical preparation of such competences and skills (including practice under guidance of tutors that have experience acquired outside of the higher education system).
Profile of the study programme influences requirements concerning so called core staff as well as length of practical placements (academic-oriented study programme does not have to provide for any practical placements). Moreover units that provide practically-oriented programmes may organise course of study in such a manner that some lectures will be conducted in the higher education institution and some - as practical placements - in the premises of employers. Practically-oriented study programmes can also be offered in cooperation with business entities.

Detailed criteria for both programme and institutional assessment constitute part of the Statutes of PKA.

The assessment database consist of a list of all assessments (both programme and institutional) conducted by PKA and their results.
Assessments are made on the basis of reports prepared by teams of experts (academics, employers, doctoral students, students, quality assurance specialists).

Members of the Polish Accreditation Committee are appointed for the four-year term of office by the minister competent for higher education from candidates nominated by the Higher Education Council (Rada Główna Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego), the Conference of Polish University Higher Education Institutions (Konferencja Rektorów Akademickich Szkół Polskich), the Conference of Rectors of Polish Non-University Higher Education Institutions (Konferencja Rektorów Zawodowych Szkoł Polskich), the Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland, senates of higher education institutions, as well as national academic associations and employers’ organizations.
Not more then 50% of the Committee members are appointed from among members of the Committee in the previous term of office.

A member of the Committee shall have a higher education institution as their place of primary employment and, at the minimum, be the holder of the degree of doktor (with an exception of members of the Committee representing employers' organisations).

When appointing members of the Committee, the minister competent for higher education shall respect the requirement that all areas of study are represented and shall ensure that the Committee membership is composed of a minimum thirty percent of women.

Candidates proposed for membership of the Committee shall not exceed seventy years of age on the commencement day of the term of office.