Summary of Study Quality Assessments Conducted in 2024
SKVC has published a summary of the quality assessments of studies carried out in 2024. The report outlines the main activities performed by SKVC as Lithuania’s external quality assurance agency in higher education, including:
- Presentation of the results of institutional evaluations and follow-up procedures;
- Evaluation of new study programmes and study fields;
- Additional functions, such as calculating performance indicators for incentive-based funding and licensing vocational training programmes.
Below is an overview of the main findings. The full report (in Lithuanian) is available here.
Completion of the First Cycle of Institutional Evaluations
In 2024, SKVC completed the first cycle of institutional evaluations for higher education institutions. These evaluations provided a comprehensive assessment of institutional performance, focusing on governance, quality assurance, and the integration and impact of research and studies, with the aim of accreditation.
Follow-up monitoring was also launched to evaluate how institutions are implementing the recommendations received during their assessments.
More details on the institutional evaluation results are available here.
New Study Programmes in 2024
In 2024, 9 higher education institutions submitted new study programmes for evaluation – 5 universities and 4 colleges. Among universities, Vilnius Tech and Vytautas Magnus University submitted the highest number (3 each), while Kauno kolegija submitted the most among colleges (3).
A total of 17 new study programmes were submitted for evaluation:
- 10 programmes received a positive evaluation;
- 1 programme’s evaluation was suspended pending clarification of the qualification to be awarded;
- 6 evaluations remained ongoing at the end of 2024.
One joint study programme was evaluated in accordance with the European model for quality assurance of joint programmes. Additionally, SKVC coordinated the evaluation of 3 short-cycle programmes.
In 2024, SKVC made decisions regarding 2 study programmes intending to operate units in municipalities other than the institutions’ primary locations.
In 12 cases, higher education institutions launched new or postgraduate studies aligned with the evaluated programmes, all within existing study fields and levels.
It should be noted:
- 8 programmes were positively evaluated immediately by expert panels;
- 2 programmes received a negative evaluation (resubmission is possible after one year);
- In 12 cases, institutions were asked to revise the programmes within 10 working days. After resubmission and corrections, these programmes were positively evaluated.
Assessment of Study Fields in 2024
In 2024, SKVC conducted external quality assessments in 13 study fields:
Biophysics, Natural Resource Technologies, Marine Engineering, Marine Technology, Information Systems, Informatics, Communication, Molecular Biology, Dentistry, Law, Management, Public Health, and Public Geography.
In addition, reassessments were carried out in 3 study fields after the expiry of a 3-year accreditation period: History, Electrical Engineering, and Transport Engineering.
Between 2020 and the end of 2024, SKVC evaluated and issued accreditation decisions for 67 out of 106 study fields under the new accreditation procedure.
In 2024 alone, 109 decisions were made regarding specific fields and study levels:
- 88 (81%) fields and levels were accredited for 7 years;
- 16 (15%) were accredited for 3 years;
- 1 (1%) was not accredited;
- 4 (4%) were accredited for the remaining period until the next scheduled evaluation.
The full report (in Lithuanian) is available here.
Last updated: 01-09-2025
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