ROQA-TNE Survey for Ministries

Introduction

This survey is conducted as part of the Robust Quality Assurance of Transnational Education (ROQA-TNE) project. It aims to:
- collect data on if and how quality assurance agencies in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are responsible for the external quality assurance of outgoing transnational education (TNE),
- explore and map the current legal frameworks and approaches to the quality assurance of TNE in EHEA sending countries,
- better define and understand the key challenges related to the implementation of quality assurance for TNE and identify future needs.

This survey is aimed specifically at ministries responsible for higher education in EHEA countries. A similar survey is being conducted with quality assurance agencies. All collected data will be anonymised and presented in a report in autumn 2026. The findings will also inform other project activities, including the update of the QACHE toolkit, the development of a self-evaluation tool for agencies, and the drafting of policy principles for national authorities. Throughout the project and in synergy with other initiatives, the information gathered will serve as a basis for further in-depth consultation with relevant stakeholders in both sending and receiving countries, exploring how current challenges can be addressed and what role each stakeholder could play.

We encourage you to complete the survey to the extent that it is applicable to your system, even if your system does not actively engage with the quality assurance of TNE. Please forward the survey to the appropriate colleague or consult internally before submitting the answer. To support this process, here you can download a PDF version of the survey, which includes the glossary of terms. You should complete the survey in one session. Please submit only one complete response from your ministry. The deadline for submission is 15 March.

Should you have further questions about the project or the survey, please contact Alexis Fábregas Almirall at alexis.fabregas@enqa.eu

Glossary

Branch campus – Higher Education Institution (HEI) in country A (sending country) establishes a satellite campus in country B (receiving country) to deliver courses and programmes to students in country B (may also include country A students taking a semester/courses abroad). The qualification awarded is from the HEI in country A (Jane Knight, 2005).

Double degree – refers to two or more separate degrees awarded by the higher education institutions offering a single joint programme, each attesting to the successful completion of that programme (European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes).

EHEA - European Higher Education Area

External quality assurance - refers to the process of evaluation or audit of a higher education programme or institution undertaken by a specialised body outside the institution. Typically, the body may be a quality assurance or accreditation agency, or an ad hoc panel of experts and peers constituted by the responsible ministry. The evaluation will involve the collection of data, information and evidence for assessment against agreed standards (EHEA).

Franchise - an arrangement whereby a HEI in country A (sending country) authorises a HEI in country B (receiving country) to deliver their course/programme/service in country B or other countries. The qualification is awarded by the HEI in Country A (Jane Knight, 2005).

Higher Education Institution (HEI) - any institution providing services in the field of higher and/or tertiary education, as defined by national law (EHEA).

Joint degree - a single degree awarded by the higher education institutions offering a joint programme and nationally acknowledged as the recognised award of that joint programme (European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes).

Joint university - an HEI co-founded and established in the receiving country involving both local and foreign sending HEIs who collaborate on academic programme development and delivery. Qualifications can be awarded by either or both receiving and sending country HEIs. Face-to face, distance and blended education can be used (Jane Knight, 2005).

Mode of delivery – methods or format for delivery of teaching and learning. It can include face-to-face, online or hybrid/blended education.