Accreditation and licensing process

To implement a new study programme, a higher education institution must submit the programme's licensing documents to the Quality Agency for Higher Education (AIKA). After an evaluation procedure and verification of compliance with all requirements, AIKA approves the implementation of the new study programme following its licensing.

Since 2019, accreditation of study directions has been carried out in Latvia. A study direction includes study programmes within a specific field, and its assessment depends on the overall evaluation of its programmes. Currently, national-level planning is underway for the transition to cyclic institutional accreditation of higher education institutions, which is expected to be introduced in the 2025/2026 academic year. Further information on the accreditation of study directions is available on the AIKA website.

The Centre for Educational Growth (CEG) provides support in licensing and accreditation documentation, programme development and modifications, as well as in facilitating cooperation between employers, graduates, and students.

Infographic describing the benefits of accreditation and licensing at the university

Development and licensing of new study programmes

At RSU, new study programmes are developed in line with the core principles outlined in the RSU Development Strategy. These principles include fostering student engagement in scientific research, integrating research into the study process, ensuring a sustainable educational offer, promoting cooperation, advancing digital transformation, managing resources effectively, and supporting the development of internationalisation.

1. Planning the development process

A working group for developing a study programme is established in collaboration with the relevant faculty and departments, the CEG, the management of the study direction, and the initiator of the study programme in question. The team members and the desired timeline for receiving the licence are defined, taking into account the time required for document submission and the activities to be carried out before submission. The developer of the study programme, who will lead the working group, is selected and approved by the faculty.

2. Research

At this stage, research is conducted, and a presentation is made to RSU management on the following matters: a description of the idea, relevance, and rationale (research); the aim and parameters of the study programme; the possibility of developing the study programme as a sub-programme or module of an existing study programme; alignment with sector trends and market demand; the support and involvement of employers in the development of the study programme; job opportunities for graduates; characteristics and the number of potential students; similar study programmes in Latvia and abroad; potential partnerships with universities in Latvia or internationally; the exclusion of internal competition and cooperation, including course sharing; resources required for the implementation of the study programme; planned study courses; faculty; development plan, involved parties, deliverables, and budget.

3. Coordination of the development

The idea, relevance, and rationale of the study programme are discussed with support from the faculty, and with the involvement of the CEG Director and the heads of the Study Programme Development Project (SPDP). The SPDP then provides guidance on the development process and facilitates ongoing cooperation.

4. Content modelling

The process of modelling the study programme spans a period of 3 to 6 months, during which the study programme developer works closely with a specialist from CEG. The CEG offers essential support, including guidance on required resources and assistance from administrative units, recommendations on content modelling, content review, quality improvement, and contributions to the development of the content.

To ensure that the study programme aligns with sector needs and stakeholder requirements, it must be discussed and reviewed with:

Sectoral experts and employer representatives
Academic staff
Students from other similar study programmes, as well as representatives of the Student Union

Focus group discussions are organised and moderated to gather feedback and proposals for the study programme content. These proposals are collected, evaluated, and feedback is provided to the proposers regarding the feasibility of implementation.

As a result of this process, the working group, in collaboration with the support units involved, prepares the study programme plan, the list of academic staff, the budget estimate, the mapping against the Cabinet Regulations, the occupational standard, and the study courses. The final outcome is agreed upon at the RSU Rector's Office.

5. Development of study courses

Once the study programme plan is finalised, the working group prepares the study course descriptions. Additional experts are involved in developing specific topics or materials and evaluating the quality of the study courses. This evaluation is carried out either by the working group responsible for the study programme development or by individual experts.

It is recommended to organise at least two think-tank sessions with academic staff, where they assess and analyse the study programme, reflecting on the role and integration of their study courses within the overall programme.

As a result of this process, the finalised study courses are presented to RSU management and CEG representatives.

6. Development of description and annexes for licensing

The preparation of the study programme description and its annexes for licensing occurs alongside the development of study course descriptions and takes approximately 2 to 4 months, followed by an additional 2 months for approval.

The study programme director, in collaboration with partners, the CEG, and other administrative units, prepares the licensing documentation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

7. Compilation and preparation of documents for submission

This process takes approximately one month, during which the CEG reviews, formats, and compiles the documents for submission.

8. Submission of documents

The CEG and the director of the study programme submit the licensing documentation to AIKA.

9. Licensing process after submission of documents to AIKA

Accreditation of the study direction

The accreditation process takes at least 10 months, so the documents for accreditation should be submitted 10–12 months before the expiry of the previous accreditation term. Preparing the accreditation documents requires at least 10–12 months; therefore, work on them should begin approximately two years before the accreditation of the study direction expires. The Study Innovation and Development Unit of the CEG manages, organises, coordinates, and supervises the preparation of RSU's accreditation documents.

Preparation of accreditation documents

The preparation of accreditation documents follows a process similar to that of licensing documents. However, in this case, existing study programme documents are reviewed and updated for submission. Accreditation documents are prepared in accordance with Process Description No. 34(7) "Updating and Development of Study Courses, Study Programmes and Study Directions".

The accreditation of a study direction consists of two stages following the submission of documents to AIKA:

Assessment of the study direction – This includes the evaluation of the self-assessment report submitted by the higher education institution (application, descriptions of the study direction and study programme(s), and annexes), an on-site visit by experts, and the preparation of an expert opinion based on predefined criteria.
Accreditation of the study direction – This involves the decision to grant accreditation for a specified period.

Accreditation process after submission of documents to AIKA

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