"Top rating": Quality assurance system of the University of Vienna achieves top rating in audit

At the end of the academic year, the Swiss Accreditation Council certified the quality assurance system of the University of Vienna with top ratings. In addition to the overall quality assurance system of the University, the group of highly renowned international auditors assessed, in particular, the quality assurance processes in the doctoral programmes and doctoral schools, in postgraduate continuing education and training as well as in the academic career system of the University of Vienna, especially in tenure track procedures.

The certification decision concludes the procedure conducted by the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ). In their report, the group of auditors expressly complements the quality assurance system at the University of Vienna and the University’s quality culture. Following the audit in 2015, this was the second quality audit for the University.

The auditors consider it a strength of quality management at the University of Vienna that the University repeatedly examines its processes and structures in a systematic way and also makes adjustments. In addition, they note that it is clearly noticeable that the transparency and coherence of the entire quality management processes are given priority at the University of Vienna.

Quality check for tenure track procedures and doctoral programmes 

The audit was a welcome opportunity to assess the real tenure track system established at the University of Vienna. The introduction and establishment of the tenure track system offers predictable prospects of a professorship to academics already a few years after obtaining their doctoral degree and following an evaluation of their academic achievements. “What is currently being intensively discussed as a model of the future again in Germany has been established practice at the University of Vienna since 2015,” Rector Heinz W. Engl says, "A University striving for international reputation must consistently focus on quality, in particular, when selecting staff."

Quality assurance processes in the doctoral programmes were another focus topic in the audit. The peers acknowledge that the University has undergone a profound transformation process and has achieved a fundamental change in culture by redesigning its doctoral schools. "The auditors’ assessment reassures us that the University of Vienna manages to attract doctoral candidates from all over the world with its doctoral schools," says Jean-Robert Tyran, Vice-Rector of the University of Vienna. The international positioning in the field of doctoral studies is a central strategic objective of the University of Vienna.

For the third focus topic of the audit, quality assurance in academic continuing education and training, the auditors conclude that the University of Vienna fulfils all requirements.

The successful certification validates the previous efforts and the systematic development of a comprehensive quality culture. It is the starting point and foundation for realising further improvements.

The audit report has been published on the website of the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance.