Strengthening the Policy and Regulatory Framework for English taught Study Programmes
Significant progress has been achieved by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education in strengthening the policy, regulatory and quality assurance framework for English-taught study programmes in Montenegro through the Erasmus+ project ME-Study in English.
The policy and regulatory component were highlighted as one of the project’s areas of progress, with several important developments already resulting in system-level change. A key milestone was the adoption of the new Law on Higher Education in October 2025, which addressed issues relevant to the position and rights of students enrolled in English-taught programmes and contributed to strengthening the broader regulatory framework for English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Montenegro.
In parallel, the Agency strengthened its accreditation framework for study programmes delivered in English. Following a review of existing practices, consultations with higher education institutions and consideration of international good practices, a new additional criteria and innovated Accreditation Form for English-taught study programmes was developed and formally adopted by the Agency.
The new accreditation criteria introduce clearer guidance, including specific requirements related to internationalisation, language competencies, student mobility and support for international students. The introduction of additional criteria represents an important step towards aligning Montenegro’s accreditation procedures more closely with European and international standards.
The new framework places greater emphasis on the readiness of higher education institutions to provide an appropriate environment for international students. Institutions offering English-taught programmes are expected to ensure, among other elements, the availability of English-language information and application procedures, internationalisation policies, quality assurance policies, and appropriate support services and facilities for international students.
Another important achievement under the project has been the development and operationalisation of the Agency IT system for accreditation of English-taught study programmes, including the Electronic Register. The system has already been used in an actual accreditation procedure, demonstrating its practical functionality and providing the Agency with a modern digital tool for managing accreditation processes.
These developments were the key achievements within WP4 Policy Improvement, which has already generated significant changes at the system level. The work undertaken under WP4 has contributed not only to the development of new regulatory instruments, but also to the modernisation of accreditation procedures and the strengthening of institutional capacity for monitoring and supporting English-taught programmes.
Together, the new legal framework, additional accreditation criteria and digitalised accreditation system represent important steps towards creating a more transparent, internationally oriented and sustainable environment for the development of English taught study programmes in Montenegro. They also provide a stronger foundation for higher education institutions seeking to attract international students and further strengthen the international profile of Montenegrin higher education.
