European Programmes
Postgraduate School
Dean of European Programmes UCN
Austria
ph: +43 664 34 29 717
ACCREDITATION
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN
is a fully recognised and autonomous university according to Nicaraguan higher education law with autonomous degree awarding powers at all academic levels of carreras (professional graduate programmes) and postgraduate programmes (Specialist, Master, Doctor).
Authorised by CNU Consejo Nacional de Universidades
The CNU is the national institutional university authorisation agency prior to a university is granted autonomy by Act of Parliament and Presidential Decree. CNU is listed in the international directory of CHEA.
A fully accredited and autonomous university according to Nicaraguan higher education law, listed by the CNU
See apostilled statement by CNU
NATIONAL SYSTEM OF QUALITY ASSURANCE CNEA
First Steps of the Self Assessment with IDB in 2004
The Rector of the Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN, Mr. Gilberto Cuadra Solorzano delivered the final report documentation for self-assessment to Dr. Carlos Olivares Faúdez, Coordinator of Inter-American Development Bank IDB in 2004, under the project Modernization and Accreditation of Tertiary Education of Universities accredited by the National Council of Universities (CNU). After UCN received an international twin-counterpart which analyzed the strengths of the university and were given recommendations to improvements for the benefit of the whole family of UCN.
UCN starts process of Auto-Evaluation with CNEA in 2012
Our Alma Mater has launched the Institutional Auto-Evaluation process following the adoption of Law 704 law establishing the National System for Quality Assurance in Education, which regulates the National Council on Evaluation and Accreditation, CNEA. Starting the Intrainstitutional Auto-Evaluation process means entering a process of reflection, criticism and self-criticism of educational management in order to improve the quality of education on the Campuses that UCN operates. This institutional process must go through several stages of preparation, formalization of the working committees, analysis of information, training formatting research, gathering documentation, reports by area, for submission to the CNEA. The CNEA Law No. 704 will nominate peer evaluators examining the documentation submitted and conduct site visits and audits on infrastructure, academic quality, educational documentation, methodologies, among others. This process certainly will contribute to improve the education system as a competitive edge to covering and supplying all the needs required by students and staff of UCN.
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN (Central University of Nicaragua) is an approved member of the International Association of Universities IAU
Member Institutions are universities or degree-conferring higher education institutions whose main objective is teaching and research, irrespective of whether or not they carry the name of university.
Listed as recognised university by
IAU International Association of Universities
Notice: The Council for Higher Education Accreditation CHEA lists both CNU and CNEA in the International Directory in the section "Accrediting Organizations, Quality Assurance Agencies and Ministries of Education by Country" for "Nicaragua".
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN is an accredited member of CPD Certification Service UK and of CONIES-ICHE.
The CPD Certification Service evaluate further learning activities to the highest standards. Hundreds of thousands of professionals recognise our CPD Certified symbol as the qualitative benchmark that, not only reflects but also sets those standards. The CPD Certification Service supports the Continuing Professional Development policies of institutional and professional bodies on an increasingly international basis. Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service is the largest and leading independent CPD accreditation organisation working across all industry sectors.
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN has been accepted as Member of the The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG)
INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION
In addition to the constitutionally protected status as recognised autonomous university in Nicaragua the Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN was accredited by ASIC with Premier Provider status for the period 2013 - 2017 in order to demonstrate the commitment to quality and continuous improvement, whereby, accreditation is holistic- encompassing institutions in their entirety rather than particular courses, programmes or qualifications.
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN European Programmes branch campus in Innsbruck, Austria, is ISO 9001 and ISO 29990 certified by AFQ Akademie Futurum Qualitas.
Download the Certificate.
Registration in Austria by Ministry of Science and Research
(2012-2015)
The programmes validated by UCN and offered as dual degree programmes with Universidad Azteca in Austria are duly approved as legally offered according to the Austrian law on Quality Assurance in Higher Education, and the registration by the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research indicates that the university is recognised, that the offered programmes and degrees are comparable to degrees awarded by Austrian universities and are considered academic degrees in the meaning of the Austrian university law.
See BMWF statement about dual degree programme UCN & UA (PDF)
BMWF zu Führung des Dr. der UCN und der UA
Hochschul-Qualitätssicherungsgesetz
Registrierung grenzüberschreitender Studien
„§ 27. (1) Bildungseinrichtungen, die in ihrem jeweiligen Herkunfts- bzw. Sitzstaat als postsekundär im Sinne des § 51 Abs. 2 Z 1 UG anerkannt sind, dürfen in Österreich ihre Studien durchführen, soweit diese in ihrem Herkunfts- bzw. Sitzstaat anerkannte Ausbildungen im Sinne des § 51 Abs. 2 Z 1 UG darstellen und diese Studien und akademischen Grade mit österreichischen Studien und akademischen Graden vergleichbar sind.
Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Registration of Cross-Border Degree Programmes
§ 27. (1) Educational institutions that are recognised in their country of origin or country of domicile as postsecondary in the meaning of § 51 para. 2 subpara. 1 of the Universities Act may offer degree programmes in Austria, if these constitute a recognised education in the meaning of § 51 para. 2 subpara. 1 of the Universities Act in their country of origin or country of domicile and if these degree programmes and academic degrees are comparable with Austrian degree programmes and academic degrees.
Registration in Austria by AQ Austria
(2015-2022)
The new legal framework in Austria will shift the registration of foreign university programmes from the Ministry of Science, Research and Economy to the Agency for Accreditation and Quality Assurance Austria as per July 2014.
The Ministry registration expires on 31. December 2015. The Board of AQ Austria decided in its session dated 05. November 2015, to approve the notification made by UCN and register the programmes by the end of 2015.
See AQAustria notification of registration (PDF)
Check the AQ Austria website registration
Consumer information: We notify about the AQ Austria registration for reasons of consumer information and consumer protection only, since the registration is a legal requirement for foreign universities providing programmes in Austria. This does in no way imply that any programmes would be accredited in Austria nor any degrees immediately recognised or nostrified as Austrian degrees.
NICARAGUAN SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION (PDF)
Nicaraguan Higher Education Legal Framework /Marco Legal de la Educacion Superior de Nicaragua
Quotation from Political Constitution of Nicaragua:
Article 125
"Universities and Higher Technical Education Centers enjoy academic, financial, organizational and administrative autonomy, in accordance with the law.
They shall be exempt from all taxation and tax contributions, regional and municipal. Their assets and income shall not be subject to intervention, expropriation or seizure, unless the obligation is asserted, has its origin in civil contracts, commercial or labor.
Teachers, students and administrative workers are involved in university management.
Universities and Higher Technical Education Centers which by law must be funded by the state, will receive an annual contribution of 6% of the general budget of the Republic, which will be distributed in accordance with the law. The State may grant additional contributions for extraordinary expenses of such universities and centers of higher technical education.
It guarantees academic freedom. The State promotes and protects the free creation, research and dissemination of science, technology, arts and letters, and ensures and protects intellectual property. "
Quotations from the Law No. 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education[1]
Arto. 7. Universities and Higher Technical Education Centers legally constituted have legal personality. Consequently, they enjoy full capacity to acquire, manage, hold and dispose of property and rights of every kind; issuing academic and professional qualifications and incur obligations in connection with its purposes and shall be governed by this Act and its own Regulations and Statutes. The state will finance all Universities and Higher Technical Education, included in this Act.
Arto. 8. The Universities and Higher Technical Education in the country shall enjoy academic, financial, organizational and administrative autonomy understood as follows: 1. Teaching or academic autonomy: it implies that it alone can appoint and dismiss teachers and academic staff, through the procedures and requirements of the laws themselves, select their students, by evidence and necessary conditions to develop and approve plans and programs of study and research, etc. (...)
Arto. 9. Autonomy gives also the power to: 1. Enjoying its own assets. 2. Issue certificates of study, graduate letters, certificates, diplomas, academic degrees and titles and equivalency of studies conducted in other universities and higher education institutions, domestic or foreign. State universities have the authority to recognize academic degrees and diplomas and university diplomas issued abroad. 3. Authorize professional practice except advocacy and notary, that by law is the responsibility of the Supreme Court. 4. The inviolability of the university premises and campuses. The police can only enter them with written authorization from the competent university authorities. 5. Approve their statutes and regulations.
Arto. 10. Universities and Higher Technical Education Centers will maintain and develop relationships with academic, scientific and cultural based inside or outside the country.
Arto. 11. Academic freedom is a fundamental principle of higher education in Nicaragua.
Arto. 12. Universities and private Higher Technical Education Centers shall have all such powers and authorities designate, as provided by its own statutes and regulations.
Quotations from the General Law of Education No. 582[2]
Higher education subsystem
Arto.48: The Higher Education Subsystem is the second stage of the education system that consolidates the integral formation of persons, produces knowledge, develops research and innovation and trains professionals in the highest level of expertise and development in all fields of knowledge, art, culture, science and technology to meet the demands of society, ethnic community and contribute to the development and sustainability of the country.
University institutions are governed by Law 89 of Autonomy of Higher Education.
Arto. 82: The Centers or Institute for Studies and Research, will meet the needs of professional, scientific, social and economic interest of the nation, not intended to substitute in any case those colleges or universities, which according to current regulations also have the right to extend titles themselves, studies of the Centers or Institutes for Studies and Research will include updating studies, postgraduate, specialization, master's or doctoral degrees, certificates whose diplomas, specialist, master's and doctoral enjoy full legal recognition nationally and internationally.
Quotations from the Law No. 704 on Quality Assurance in Education[3]
LAW ON CREATION OF THE NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE OF EDUCATION AND REGULATING THE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION - Law No. 704
Section 6 Definitions.
For the purposes of this Act the following definitions: (...)
10. Institution of higher education: Entity legally established in the country, which aims to generate, disseminate and apply knowledge through teaching, research, and extension, authorized to grant academic or professional degrees (...)
13. Academic Programs: Educational offers oriented on granting academic or professional degrees at the levels of higher technical degree, licenciatura or engineer, specialist, PhD and others which qualify for the practice of a profession, (...)
The new law no 1088 published on 27 October 2021 on the Recognition of Titles and Academic Degrees of Higher Education and Technical Higher Education regulates the form of awards of academic titles and degrees awarded by Universities authorised to award them and the creation of the National Register of Titles and Academic Degrees.
The Institutions of Higher Education authorised to award titles and academic degrees in compliance with the corresponding laws are the only institutions empowered to emit and award these titles and academic degrees.
The State only recognises the following as academic degrees:
1 . At the undergraduate and graduate level:
a) Higher Technician (Associate level)
b) Licenciado, Physician (Medic), Architect, Engineer
2. At the postgraduate level:
a) Specialist
b) Master
c) Doctor
The National Council of Universities CNU by approving the academic programmes or professional graduate degrees of the public, private and community universities has to determine the title and the level of the academic degree to be awarded.
Applicants must have a corresponding graduate degree in order to enroll in an academic postgraduate programme.
Students are entitled to be awarded the respective degree when meeing all requirements of the degree without requirement to attend a graduation ceremony.
All professionals can apply for the replacement of his degree to the awarding university or in case of dissolution of the university the National Council of Universities is in charge.
A National Register of Titles and Academic Degrees shall be created as a responsibility of the National Council of Universities CNU for the purpose of inscription, consulting, verification and certification of titles and academic degrees, awarded by the universities empowered to award titles and who have been recognised and incoroporated in conformity with this given law.
The CNU is in charge of administration and maintainance of the National Register of Titles and Academic Degrees as well as for the approval of the technical norms regulating the management and the administrative, technical procedures and the security thereof.
All Register services are free of charge.
The universities empowered to award titles are obliged to enter in the National Register of Titles and Academic Degrees the titles and academic degrees emitted and provide all information related to them, as required for the content.
It is the responsibility of the National Council of Universities CNU as a public entity to issue the certification of the registers of titles and academic degrees awarded by the universities empowered to award them.
[1] Ley No. 89 Ley de Autonomía de las Instituciones de Educación Superior, published in the Official Journal on April 20, 1990
[2] Ley General de Educación, Ley 582 de 2006, Nicaragua
[3] Ley No. 704
Information by the Vice-Rector of UCN on the degree programmes and degrees awarded and the legal system of higher education in Nicaragua
Memberships:
- UCN is a member of ODAEE the Organisation of the Americas for Excellence in Education.
- Member of IAU International Association of Universities (Asociación Internacional de Universidades UAI) http://www.iau-aiu.net/content/institutions
- Member and Partner of UNIVERSIA
- http://www.universia.net/universidades-socias/universidades-de-nicaragua/
- Member of GUIDE Association – Global Universities In Distance Education
- http://www.guideassociation.org/members_en
- Member of Aula Universitaria Iberoamericana de la Universidad de Cádiz
- http://www.aulaiberoamericana.es/es/socios-aula/instituciones-asociadas-aui/nicaragua
- AVICENNA Directory of Medical Schools (Directorio AVICENA de Facultades de Medicina)
- http://avicenna.ku.dk/database/medicine/
- International Medical Education Directory (Directorio Internacional de Educación Médica) IMED - Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (Fundación para el Avance de la Educación Médica Internacional y la Investigación) FAIMER https://imed.faimer.org/results.asp?country=682&school=&currpage=1&cname=NICARAGUA&city=Managua®ion=CA&rname=Central+America%2FCaribbean&psize=25
- https://imed.faimer.org/details.asp?country=682&school=&currpage=1&cname=NICARAGUA&city=Managua®ion=CA&rname=Central+America%2FCaribbean&mcode=682025&psize=25
- Carta de la Tierra
- Confederación Internacional para la Educación Superior CONIES
- APE-U, Asociación de profesionales Egresados de Universidades Extranjeras de Centroamérica y el Caribe
Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN is a Signatory to the Earth Charter
Some prospective students ask us whether we are accredited or recognised by UNESCO. Notice: UNESCO is not accrediting or recognising universities - we are not claiming to be accredited or recognised by UNESCO. See the UNESCO information.
