The Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs (AQAS) is a German accreditation agency founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cologne. It operates across disciplines — covering humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and more — making it one of the broader-scope programme accreditors active in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). AQAS is a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and is listed on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR). That standing means an AQAS-accredited programme can be presented as evidence of quality assurance aligned with EHEA standards. It does not mean automatic degree recognition in every European country or elsewhere; recognition decisions remain with individual national authorities and employers.
TRNC universities holding AQAS accreditation
Two TRNC universities hold AQAS accreditation, each at programme level only — not institution-wide.
[EUL] European University of Lefke — accredited programmes span "Architecture, Interior Architecture, Horticulture, New Media and Communication". This is a notably varied set of fields for a single accreditation cycle, covering both design-oriented and applied-science disciplines.
[EMU] Eastern Mediterranean University — accredited programmes cover "Pre-School Teacher Education, English Language Teaching, Interior Architecture (TR + EN)". The inclusion of both Turkish- and English-medium tracks of Interior Architecture is worth noting for prospective students choosing their language of instruction.
In both cases, accreditation applies to the named programmes, not to every degree the university offers.
What to verify
Before relying on AQAS accreditation for any admissions, licensing, or employment purpose, check the following:
- Confirm your specific programme — not just the faculty or department — appears on AQAS's published programme register.
- Check the valid-until date on the accreditation certificate; programme accreditations are awarded for fixed terms and must be renewed.
- If you plan to practise a regulated profession in a specific country, cross-reference with that country's relevant licensing or recognition authority, since EHEA alignment supports but does not guarantee professional licensure.
Official AQAS register and certificate database: https://www.aqas.eu/