The Ten Principles Behind AUN-QA Model at Programme Level (3rd Version)

Generally, accreditation or assessment system in higher education can be classified into two broad categories: Rules-based and Principles-based. Rules-based system focuses on compliance to standards and indicators while principles-based system focuses on a set of underlying principles of continuous quality improvement based on a framework (Lindsay H Heywood, Principles-based accreditation: the way forward?, 2007). Empirical and scholarly evidence suggests that principles-based system has a more gradual startup but a more enduring and sustainable gains in quality improvement over a longer time period than rules-based system as illustrated below.

Source: Lindsay H Heywood, Principles-based accreditation: the way forward?, 2007

A comparison of the characteristics of principles-based versus rules-based system is tabulated below.

The principles-based assessment system was behind the 3rd version of the AUN-QA Model at Programme Level.  The ten principles supporting the AUN-QA criteria are illustrated below.

Criterion 1 - Expected Learning Outcomes

Principle 1 - Vertical Alignment of Learning Outcomes and Stakeholder's Needs

Criterion 2 - Programme Specification

Principle 2 - Providing an Informed Choice through Course and Programme Specifications 

Criterion 3 - Programme Structure and Content

Principle 3 - Constructive Alignment of Curriculum to Learning Outcomes

Criterion 4 - Teaching and Learning Approach

Principle 4 - Alignment of Teaching and Learning Approach to Culture, People and System

Criterion 5 - Student Assessment

Principle 5 - Constructive Alignment of Student Assessment to Learning Outcomes and Teaching & Learning

Criterion 6 - Academic Staff Quality and Criterion 7 - Support Staff Quality

Principle 6 - Holistic Approach to Academic and Support Staff Quality

Criterion 8 - Student Quality and Support

Principle 7 - Quality and Retention of Graduates are dependent of Student Quality and Support Services

Criterion 9 - Facilities and Infrastructure

Principle 8 - An Integrated Facilities and Infrastructure Beyond Physical Boundary

Criterion 10 - Quality Enhancement

Principle 9 - A Planned Quality Enhancement for Continuous Improvement

Criterion 11 - Output

Principle 10 - Benchmarking for Seeking Best Practices