The UDC International Doctoral School (EIDUDC) is subject to an Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) which governs all UDC PhD programmes ratified by Royal Decree-Law 99/2011, in compliance with EU Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the EHEA. For more information, see documentation relating to the UDC International Doctoral School Internal Quality Assurance System (Regulations for the implementation and administration of the International Doctoral School SGIC for UDC PhD programmes ratified under RD 99/2011; International Doctoral School IQAS Manual; International Doctoral School IQASProcedures).
Guidelines for the monitoring and supervision of the student learning process and outcomes are established in the IQAS Procedures document. The bodies and mechanisms responsible for the coordination, evaluation and continuous improvement of the programme of study are as follows:
Academic Committee for PhD Programmes (CAPD): university body responsible for the academic coordination of PhD programmes and academic decisions regarding PhD degree and degree candidates. The CAPD establishes the guidelines and procedures for the programme coordinator and all individuals involved in the degree. A UDC coordinator is appointed for all UDC PhD programmes ratified under RD 99/2011, including inter-university programmes operated by partner universities.
EIDUDC Quality Assurance Committee (CGC): body responsible for formulating and monitoring the SGIC and PhD degree programmes. The CGC also fulfils an internal communication role within the EIDUDC in relation to its objectives, plans, programmes and responsibilities. An annual monitoring report is produced by the EIDUDC Permanent Committee, acting in the name of the CGC.
The International Doctoral School IQAS sets out the standards and indicators applied by Academic Committees in relation to UDC PhD programmes for the measurement and analysis of learning outcomes and academic standards.
These indicators include the number of doctoral theses defended, ‘International Doctorate’ certifications awarded, PhDs completed within the published time scale (3-4 years), PhDs awarded and PhDs abandoned, in addition to the average timescale for completion of the degree.
To ensure that the title is developed in accordance with the verification report presented the center conducts an annual monitoring report in accordance with the procedures of the center IQAS and results. This report is reviewed by the ACSUG, external evaluation agency.
The outcome of this analysis will emerge corrective actions and improvement proposals that achieve the intended objectives and the improvement of the degree.
In order to ensure proper standards and quality at UDC, a specific academic management committee of the PhD programme will be established.