Quality Assurance of Doctoral Education: Current Trends and Future Developments

The chapter aims to launch a discussion about quality assurance (QA) in doctoral education in general and its external component in particular. Based on the analysis of the European context, it starts with an overview of the dynamics inherent to QA in doctoral education at the supranational, national and institutional levels. Then, and focusing specifically on the national level, an account is given on the external QA arrangements addressing doctoral education in thirteen European countries. It is found that these arrangements translate different degrees of governmental regulation as well as institutional autonomy, indicating QA approaches closer either to accountability or to quality enhancement. Finally, and without arguing for a best way of conducting external QA of doctoral education, the chapter brings forward some proposals for future developments at this level.