Award for excellence in research and teaching in combination with a high level of practical orientation

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences ("WiSo Faculty") of the University of Cologne was once again re-accredited by the EQUIS Accreditation Board on 3 Mai 2023 and received the world-renowned EQUIS accreditation of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) for the highest possible duration of five years. This confirms the high international quality standard of the faculty in research and teaching. At the moment, only 209 business schools worldwide hold this internationally recognized accreditation with a 5-year duration (retrieved Oktober 2022).

Since 2012 the WiSo Faculty has met the strict requirements of the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and joins the list of EQUIS accredited business schools. The WiSo Faculty was the second institute of higher education in Germany to be accredited with the prestigious EQUIS seal of quality. The accreditation is issued by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

The successful EQUIS accreditation underlines the Faculty’s comprehensive efforts to continuously improve the quality of study and teaching up to an internationally competitive level, and to distinguish itself through the well-established wide range of subjects, top-quality research, practical orientation and international character in Germany and abroad.

Within the framework of the accreditation process, institutions are assessed as a whole, not merely their individual study programmes. Institutions applying for accreditation must prove themselves in ten areas (including, governance and strategy, business relationships, students, research and resources, international partnerships and networks). Simply meeting minimum standards is not sufficient for EQUIS. Rather, eligible institutions must be able to demonstrate that they are among the top institutions in the area of management and economic education in their country; on an international university level, they must distinguish themselves with innovative activities and cultivate excellent relationships with international partners.

For more information please visit: www.efmd.org.