General QMS framework

QM statutes

The current version of the University of Freiburg’s statutes on internal quality assurance and quality development in the area of teaching and learning are available here. The QM statutes establish the framework for internal quality assurance processes and for the procedures used to collect data related to quality assurance.

QM statutes of the University of Freiburg

Mission Statement for Learning and Teaching

Which values and principles does the University of Freiburg uphold in the areas of learning, teaching, and university studies? How can its culture of learning and teaching be described? What does it aspire to – both now and in the future – and by what standards does it wish to be measured?

In 2018, a mission statement for teaching and learning was developed through a multi-stage process involving all relevant stakeholder groups. This statement now plays a key role in shaping teaching and university studies and provides guidance for both students and teachers.

In 2024, the university began revising the Mission Statement for Teaching and Learning. Deans of studies were asked to assess its current relevance from the perspective of their respective faculties. The Senate Commission on Academic Affairs compiled the input from the faculties and identified areas for further development. Following its approval by the Senate, the revised statement is now in force.

Mission Statement for Learning and Teaching

Quality objectives in learning and teaching

Eine Grafik, die aus einem blauen Kreislauf besteht. Im Außen stehen Werte, im inneren Kreis Lehren und Rahmen, im innersten Kreislauf Lernen.

The University of Freiburg’s quality objectives for learning and teaching were developed with the involvement of all status groups and individually shaped by each faculty. The Mission Statement for Learning and Teaching was adopted on the basis of these faculty-specific quality objectives.

LEARNING. As a research university, the University of Freiburg aims to provide its students with scientific, disciplinary and personal skills that prepare them for the national and international job market.

TEACHING. The university is committed to ensuring and actively promoting high-quality, pedagogically informed teaching in order to enable students to acquire competencies at the highest level. Research-oriented teaching is of particular importance in this context.

FRAMEWORK. Through the sustainable use of resources, centralised support services, and a strong service culture, the university ensures favourable study conditions and promotes their ongoing development.

VALUES. The planning and delivery of learning and teaching are guided by a commitment to equal opportunities, an appreciation of diversity, the promotion of internationalisation, and the ongoing pursuit of quality development.

System accreditation

In Germany, bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes must be accredited, meaning that they must undergo regular quality review. The Regulation on Accreditation of Degree Programmes of the Land of Baden-Württemberg (StAkkrVO) provides the legal basis for this requirement.

Prior to 2020, the University of Freiburg met this requirement through programme accreditation, which involved having degree programmes accredited by agencies authorised by the Accreditation Council.

As part of system accreditation, a university must demonstrate that it has established suitable structures and processes (a quality management system, QMS) to enable it to take responsibility for the quality assurance and development of its own degree programmes. The Accreditation Council defines the subject of system accreditation as follows:

“The subject of system accreditation is the internal quality assurance system of a higher education institution in the area of learning and teaching. The structures and processes relevant to learning and teaching are reviewed to determine whether they are suitable for ensuring that the qualification goals and quality standards of the study programmes are achieved […].”

The University of Freiburg has been system accredited without conditions since 30 March 2020. As with the accreditation of individual degree programmes, the QMS must also undergo external review every eight years. The University of Freiburg has now started this process, which is coordinated by the Quality Management and Accreditation Unit.

Ongoing	Continuous development of the quality management system for learning and teaching
Early2024	Preparations for the system reaccreditation process begin
July 2024	ACQUIN is commissioned to carry out the process
28. November 2024	Kick-off event
31. March 2025	Self-evaluation report is submitted
8./9. May 2025	First site visit
by December 2025	Preparation of sample documentation
29./30. January 2026	Second site visit
by 30. September 2026	Submission of the application for system reaccreditation to the Accreditation Council

Greater autonomy for the university in implementing processes and setting priorities
A continuous improvement process rather than periodic reviews
Establishing a culture of quality
Strengthening the involvement of students and teaching staff

Presentation slides from the system reaccreditation kick-off event on 28 November 2024
Regulation on Accreditation of Degree Programmes (StAkkrVO)
Accreditation Council
Our accreditation agency: ACQUIN
Accredited study programmes and higher education institutions – central database (Accreditation Council)

QM statutes

Mission Statement for Learning and Teaching

Quality objectives in learning and teaching

System accreditation

Legal framework