The PACE-SIGC Programme is the programme of the Aragon Agency for Quality and Prospective University Studies (ACPUA) for the certification of Internal Quality Assurance Systems (IQAS) in higher education institutions.

The programme applies to faculties, university schools, doctoral schools, affiliated centres, higher artistic education institutions, and centres located in Spain that deliver programmes in accordance with foreign education systems, covering their entire educational provision.

The main objective of this programme is to generate sufficient confidence in institutions and in their ability to provide high-quality education that ensures the satisfaction of the needs and expectations of students and society. This confidence is based on the transparency of public information and accountability. Therefore, the participation of different stakeholders in this internal quality system is necessary and essential.

Certification of the implementation of the Internal Quality Assurance System is a mandatory requirement for institutions to apply for (initial) institutional accreditation.

The evaluation is carried out in accordance with the provisions set out in the PACE-SIGC Programme Framework Document, which establishes the criteria, dimensions and evaluation procedure applicable to the certification of Internal Quality Assurance Systems.

The programme has been designed taking into account the provisions of the “Protocol for the certification of internal quality assurance systems of university centres”, approved by the General Conference on University Policy in implementation of Article 14.3(b) of Royal Decree 640/2021.

The evaluation is organised into two certification procedures, depending on the level of development of the system:

• the certification of the implementation of the IQAS, generally applicable to higher education institutions; and
• the certification of the design of the IQAS, specifically applicable to centres delivering programmes in accordance with foreign education systems, as a mandatory preliminary stage prior to its implementation.