Flanders
Formal policy making in higher education in Belgium is in the hands of the three communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community. Each Community organises and funds its education system autonomously.
The Autonomy Scorecard questionnaire response was based on the position of the five universities registered as ‘statutory’. These five universities are accredited for offering academic Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees. All institutions registered as ‘statutory’ are recognised by law, receive public funding, have a not-for-profit-status. Together, ‘statutory’ universities and university colleges cater for over 95% of higher education students.
Two of the five ‘statutory’ universities are labelled as ‘free’ universities: KU Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). With respect to autonomy, the free universities only differ from the other universities in that they have greater freedom to decide on the composition and size of their governing boards. The differences between the types of universities are mainly due to historical factors linked to their foundation and their stakeholders and these should not be overstated.
It should be noted that Flanders completed the Autonomy Scorecard survey and discussions in 2010/11 but information on the system was received after the Autonomy Scorecard publication had been completed.
Recent developments:
- Due to budgetary restrictions, the current government has decided to put a temporary hold on the introduction of new degree programmes (2015-2017)
- From 2015 new approach to quality assurance involving institutional reviews
Organisational autonomy: medium high
Except for the two ‘free’ universities, selection criteria for the executive head are stated in the law. Universities decide on the term of office and dismissal procedure, and the appointment of the executive head does not require external validation. All universities have a government-appointed Commissioner in their governance structure. The government also proposes part of the external members in the university board/council-type body for all but the two ‘free’ universities. The subject fields within which universities can offer degree programmes are specified in law. Universities may decide on their academic structures and create legal entities.
Financial autonomy: medium high
Universities receive public funding via an annual block grant whose internal allocation they control. They can keep any surpluses generated but they have to justify the purpose for which the reserves will be used. Universities can sell their buildings with some restrictions. An external authority sets the level of tuition fees for national/EU students at all levels.
Academic autonomy: low
Student selection at Bachelor level is regulated externally and based on free admission. Admission to Master’s programmes is co-regulated by universities and an external authority. At both levels, all new degree programmes must be submitted for prior accreditation in order to be introduced. The system is evolving towards institutional accreditation. Universities cannot choose the quality assurance provider carrying out accreditation. There is a limit to the university curriculum that can be delivered in languages other than Dutch.
Staffing autonomy: medium high
Decisions on individual staff salaries are restricted by overall limits in payments to staff. The dismissal of staff is subject to regulations specific to the higher education sector.
Organisational weighted 70% unweighted 70%
100% Selection procedure for the executive head
The selection of the executive head is not validated by an external authority
50% Selection criteria for the executive head
The law states that the executive head must hold an academic position
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden
The law states that the executive head must come from within the university
100% Dismissal of the executive head
The procedure for the dismissal of the executive head is not stated in the law
This applies to 10 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Wallonia, Ireland, The Netherlands, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom
0% Term of office of the executive head
The exact length is stated in the law
43% External members in university governing bodies
Universities cannot decide as they must include external members
This applies to 23 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Other appointment process
This applies to 2 other countries: Ireland, North Rhine-Westphalia
100% Capacity to decide on academic structures
Universities can decide on their academic structures without constraints
This applies to 19 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Capacity to create legal entities
Universities can create legal entities without constraints
This applies to 18 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom
Financial weighted 76% unweighted 68%
60% Length of public funding cycle
One year
100% Type of public funding
Block grant and there are no restrictions on the allocation of funding
This applies to 15 other countries: Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Ability to borrow money
Universities can borrow money without restrictions
90% Ability to keep surplus
Surplus can be kept with other types of restrictions
This applies to one other country: Hungary
100% Ability to own buildings
Universities can sell their buildings with other types of restrictions
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Bachelor level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Master's level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 5 other countries: Croatia, France, Wallonia, The Netherlands, Spain
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at doctoral level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
100% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Bachelor level
Universities are free to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom
100% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Master's level
Universities are free to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom
100% Tuition fees for non-EU students at doctoral level
Universities are free to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 11 other countries: Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, United Kingdom
Staffing weighted 76% unweighted 75%
100% Recruitment procedures for senior academic staff
Recruitments are carried out freely by universities
This applies to 17 other countries: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Recruitment procedures for senior administrative staff
Recruitments are carried out freely by universities
This applies to 20 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Estonia, Finland, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
42% Salaries for senior academic staff
The decision on individual staff salaries is restricted due to an overall limit for all staff payments
This applies to 3 other countries: Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia
Other restrictions
42% Salaries for senior administrative staff
The decision on individual staff salaries is restricted due to an overall limit for all staff payments
This does not apply to any other country.
Other restrictions
60% Dismissal of senior academic staff
Dismissals are subject to other regulations specific to the sector
This applies to 8 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland
60% Dismissal of senior administrative staff
Dismissals are subject to other regulations specific to the sector
This applies to 5 other countries: Austria, Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland
100% Promotion procedures for senior academic staff
Universities can freely decide on promotion procedures
This applies to 11 other countries: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Promotion procedures for senior administrative staff
Universities can freely decide on promotion procedures
This applies to 13 other countries: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Academic weighted 35% unweighted 34%
0% Overall student numbers
Free admission
This applies to 5 other countries: Austria, France, Wallonia, The Netherlands, Switzerland
0% Admissions procedures at Bachelor level
Admissions are entirely regulated by an external authority
60% Admissions procedures at Master's level
Admission criteria are co-regulated by an external authority and universities
0% Introduction of programmes at Bachelor level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
This applies to 9 other countries: Wallonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia
Other restrictions
0% Introduction of programmes at Master's level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
This applies to 9 other countries: Wallonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia
Other restrictions
60% Introduction of programmes at doctoral level
Universities can open degree programmes without prior accreditation
This applies to 12 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Hesse, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Other restrictions
100% Termination of degree programmes
Universities can terminate degree programmes independently
This applies to 25 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
83% Language of instruction at Bachelor level
The number of degree programmes/courses taught in a foreign language is limited by an external authority
This applies to one other country: Latvia
83% Language of instruction at Master's level
The number of degree programmes/courses taught in a foreign language is limited by an external authority
This applies to one other country: Latvia
0% Selection of quality assurance mechanisms
Universities cannot select quality assurance mechanisms
0% Selection of quality assurance providers
Universities cannot choose the quality assurance agency
100% Capacity to design content of degree programmes
Universities can freely design the content of degree programmes and courses (other than for the regulated professions)
This applies to 25 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom