Foundations and Objectives of System Accreditation

System accreditation at TU Dresden focuses on the university’s internal quality assurance system in the area of teaching and learning. The purpose is to evaluate whether the internal structures and processes are suitable for ensuring the achievement of qualification objectives and a high standard of degree programs. The legal basis is provided by the Interstate Study Accreditation Treaty and the Saxon Study Accreditation Regulation (SächsStudAkkVO), in particular Part 3, Sections 11 through 21.

By undergoing system accreditation, TU Dresden demonstrates that it systematically applies both the formal criteria for degree programs (Part 2 of the SächsStudAkkVO) and the subject-related criteria (Part 3 of the SächsStudAkkVO) within its internal procedures for program development and review.

Structure of the Internal Quality Assurance System

The requirements for the internal quality assurance system are primarily defined in Sections 17 and 18 of the SächsStudAkkVO. TU Dresden maintains a teaching mission statement and a systematic quality management system designed to continuously enhance the quality of study programs. This system encompasses goals, processes, and instruments for the establishment, evaluation, and development of academic programs. It involves all relevant areas of university performance and includes participation from all status groups of the university.

Content and Measures of the Quality Management System

The quality management system includes, in particular:

• Qualification Objectives: Systematic definition and evaluation of learning outcomes as defined in Section 11 SächsStudAkkVO;

• Program Design: Development of coherent program concepts based on curricular alignment and study feasibility as outlined in Section 12, including adequate resources, suitable assessment formats, modularization, and ECTS allocation;

• Curriculum Development: Ongoing subject-specific and didactic refinement of curricula in response to current academic and scientific developments (Section 13), including innovation in teaching methods and international academic discourse;

• Academic Success: Monitoring of student performance and derivation of targeted measures to improve study conditions and outcomes (Section 14);

• Equal Opportunity: Concepts for gender equality and support for students in special circumstances, implemented at the program level (Section 15);

• Evaluation: Binding procedures for internal and external evaluation involving independent academic experts, representatives from professional practice, students, and alumni (Section 18);

• Reporting: University-wide reporting systems that document program development, quality assurance activities, and their effects (Section 18(4));

• Governance: Clearly defined decision-making processes and responsibilities for establishing, modifying, reaccrediting, and discontinuing degree programs (Section 17(4));

• Data Infrastructure: Regular collection and analysis of quality-related data for teaching and learning (Section 18(3));

• Grievance Procedures: An internal complaint and conflict resolution system within the quality management framework (Section 17(2));

• Independence and Continuous Improvement: Measures to safeguard the independence of quality assessments and foster ongoing enhancement of the quality assurance system.

Historical Context

TU Dresden was first granted system accreditation in 2011 and successfully demonstrated compliance with the criteria established by the German Accreditation Council under its former guidelines (“Rules for the Accreditation of Study Programs and for System Accreditation”). Although these guidelines have since been replaced by the current regulatory framework, they continue to serve as a significant point of reference for the design and implementation of qualification-oriented program structures.

Transparency and Publication

TU Dresden regularly publishes the results of its quality management efforts in teaching and learning. Responsibilities, decision-making procedures, and the university’s processes for accreditation and reaccreditation of degree programs are clearly defined and made publicly available.