The accreditation of higher education institutions and their study programs is a legal requirement established by Law No. 80/2015, “On Higher Education and Scientific Research in Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Albania.”

This process is dynamic and multi-stage, and can be summarized in three main phases:

1. Application Phase – includes the preliminary review of the application, approval of the request, and official notification of the institution.
2. Accreditation process phase – carried out through two main processes:
   1. Internal evaluation (self-assessment): conducted by the higher education institution itself.
   2. External evaluation (accreditation): conducted by ASCAL and the Accreditation Board (AB).
3. Final Review and Decision Phase – involves the preparation of materials for the AB, review and decision-making, publication of the decision, notification of the institution, and issuance of the accreditation certificate that accompanies the decision.

Every higher education institution is required to accredit its study programs before issuing the first diplomas for new programs or before the end of the initial or periodic accreditation period. Program accreditation can only occur after the institution has completed its institutional accreditation. The maximum accreditation period is 6 years, after which re-accreditation is required.

For more information about POLIS University accreditations, click here.