ACCUA reviews 74 substantial modifications to university degree programmes, with 88% receiving favourable reports

A modification to a study programme is considered substantial when it affects certain aspects of the nature, objectives, and characteristics of the degree

The Andalusian Agency for Scientific and University Quality (ACCUA) has reviewed a total of 74 applications for substantial modifications to official degree programmes in 2026, corresponding to ten Andalusian universities, including three joint degrees. Of the applications assessed, 87.84% received a favourable report, compared to 12.16% that were deemed unfavourable. The procedure for substantial modifications to study programmes is regulated by Royal Decree 822/2021 and is carried out in a manner analogous to the initial verification process for degree programmes, thereby ensuring the maintenance of academic standards and compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.

A modification to a study programme is considered substantial when it involves the introduction or alteration of specialisations and their credit distribution; when it affects the mode of delivery (on-site, online, or hybrid); when it entails changes in the distribution of basic and compulsory subjects; when it affects the number of credits assigned to the final Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis; when it proposes changes in the number of places offered; or when it includes partial changes to the title of the degree. Where, in the opinion of expert panels, the proposed modifications effectively amount to the design of a new programme, an unfavourable report is issued and the university is invited to submit the programme for verification in the next call. In the event of an unfavourable report, a university may either continue delivering the programme without the proposed modifications or submit a revised modification once the identified deficiencies have been addressed.

A total of 32 Bachelor’s degrees (43.24%), 20 Master’s degrees (27.03%), and 22 doctoral programmes (29.73%) were evaluated. All applications concerning doctoral programmes received favourable reports, while unfavourable outcomes were limited to Bachelor’s degrees (4 cases) and Master’s degrees (5 cases). By field of study, the applications were distributed as follows: 21 (28.4%) in Engineering and Architecture, 17 (23%) in Social Sciences and Education, 10 (13.5%) in Economics and Business, 9 (12.2%) in Sciences, 7 (9.5%) in Health Sciences, 6 (8.1%) in Arts and Humanities, and 4 (5.4%) in Law.

The evaluation reports issued by ACCUA for applications for substantial modifications mark the culmination of an assessment process governed by national regulations. The process begins with the issuance of a provisional report outlining both the aspects assessed positively and those requiring improvement. Universities are then given a period of fifteen working days to address the identified shortcomings and submit any observations they deem appropriate. Expert panels subsequently reconvene to issue final reports.

These final reports are sent to the applicant institution, the Regional Ministry for Universities, and the Council of Universities, a body attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Ultimately, it is the Council of Universities that is responsible for adopting the final decision on the modification of the degree, taking into account the evaluation report issued by the experts. The reports are published on the Agency’s website, in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The evaluation system applied by ACCUA is listed in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), has received a positive external review by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), and follows the guidelines agreed with other Spanish agencies within the framework of the Spanish Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (REACU). This ensures a robust, transparent, independent process based exclusively on evidences and technical criteria.