Audits of Quality Assurance Systems of Higher Education Institutions

The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) has been conducting audits of the quality assurance (QA) systems of higher education institutes (HEIs) since autumn 2005, with the aim of auditing all Finnish HEIs by the end of 2011. The audit timetable agreed with the HEIs is shown here.   

Auditing assesses the comprehensiveness, performance and effectiveness of the QA system and focuses on two levels: the HEI’s QA system as a whole and the quality assurance related to the HEI’s basic mission (education, research/R&D, interaction with and impact on society and regional development).

The audit is valid for six years. The HEIs audited to date are shown in the Audit Register.

Audit Manual

FINHEEC has prepared an Audit Manual presenting the objectives, targets, criteria and processes of the auditing. The manual also covers the consequences of the audit and presents a model for performing re-audits.

The Audit Manual for 2008–2011 is available in English, Finnish and Swedish:

Audits of Quality Assurance Systems of Finnish Higher Education Institutions. Audit Manual for 2008-2011 (pdf) (301.7 KB)

Korkeakoulujen laadunvarmistusjärjestelmien auditointi. Auditointikäsikirja vuosille 2008-2011 (pdf) (404.4 KB)

Auditering av högskolornas kvalitetssäkringssystem. Auditeringshandbok för åren 2008-2011 (pdf) (317 KB)

The HEIs that were subject to a re-audit decision in 2005–2007 comply with the re-audit manual that is available here:

Manual for Re-Audits 2007-2009 (pdf) (267.4 KB)

Further information about audits