Institutional Review

Institutional review was introduced in 2011 to assess and enhance the quality of higher education institutions (HEI). The primary objectives of the institutional review are:

• Evaluating the quality of higher education institutions based on external review findings;
• Establishing conditions for the continuous improvement of higher education provision;
• Strengthening the culture of quality within universities and colleges;
• Informing stakeholders, including founders, the academic community, and society about the quality of higher education institutions.

Key Areas of Assessment during an institutional review, higher education institutions are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Management;
• Quality assurance;
• Studies and research (Art);
• Impact on regional and national development.

In 2015, the first cycle of external reviews for all higher education institutions in Lithuania was completed. The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) analysed the outcomes of these evaluations. Analysis of 2011-2015 external review of higher education institutions in Lithuania is available here.

The second cycle of institutional reviews was carried out between 2020 and 2024.

Regulatory Framework for External Review of higher education institutions, the institutional review process is governed by the following key documents:

• Methodology for Conducting an Institutional Review in Higher Education, approved by Order No. V-32 of 9 March 2020, issued by the Director of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education.
• The Procedure for the External Review and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions, approved by Order No. V-1529 of 29 December 2019, issued by the Minister of Education, Science, and Sport.