Project 4 - An analysis of opportunities to engage universities and accreditation bodies with EuroPsy through alignment with existing national accreditation standards and mechanisms

The EuroPsy Regulations define in detail the minimum requirements for psychologists’ education, training, and competence across Europe, including:

A nationally accredited academic curriculum in psychology with a standard duration of at least five years of full-time study (300 ECTS) covering the curriculum components and respective minimum ECTS specified in the EuroPsy Regulations
Followed by a one-year (1,500 hours; 60 ECTS) period of supervised professional practice
Adherence to national ethical standards
A commitment to the continuous development of professional competence

Several European universities refer to EuroPsy standards to demonstrate their alignment with European benchmarks for psychology education. For example, programmes may state that they:

Are designed in line with the EuroPsy model
Explicitly meet the requirements of EuroPsy as the European Standard in Psychology set by EFPA
Enable graduates to apply for EuroPsy recognition
Have Psychology programmes recognised by the National EuroPsy Committee (NEC) as conforming to EuroPsy academic standards

However, there is currently a lack of clarity regarding the accuracy of these statements and how such claims are assessed by the National EuroPsy Committees (NECs).

If a university genuinely meets the EuroPsy requirements, it could benefit from increased visibility through the use of the EuroPsy logo, as well as through coordinated efforts by EFPA, FM and NECs to maximise the visibility of compliant programmes.

Intended Goal

To strengthen the visibility, usability, and institutional uptake of EuroPsy as the reference framework for academic and professional psychology standards in Europe.

EFPA Purpose contribution: Develop psychology: i. Develop psychology education, science, and professional practice

Specific Objectives

To assess the feasibility of aligning national or institutional accreditation systems with EuroPsy standards.
To design an action plan to raise awareness amongst universities and accreditation bodies on the benefits of using EuroPsy standards.
To support universities to make a preliminary self-assessment on their alignment with EuroPsy academic standards, so that they can benefit from the EuroPsy label.

Planned Activities

Expected starting date: June 2026
Expected delivery date: April 2027

Activity	Description	Responsible	Timeline
A1	Provide NECS with an online *university-friendly checklist,* to be double checked by NECs before issuing the right to use EuroPsy logo (adapted to accredit the fulfilment of the universities with the academic requirements)	EFPA HO	June
A2	Identify *good practices* where: National accreditation criteria map onto EuroPsy requirements, or Universities have structured programmes facilitating EuroPsy eligibility Document these cases using a standard template (context, alignment mechanism, benefits, lessons learned). Document the differences between current accreditation criteria and EuroPsy requirements	AHWG	June
A3	Present results on the EuroPsy chairs meeting		March 27
A4	EFPA to provide NECs with an updated version of EuroPsy logo to be used by complying universities	EFPA HO	In progress
A4	EEC present results to the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education ENQA	EEC	April 27

Expected Results

A Checklist for universities for a preliminary assessment to apply for the EuroPsy label.
Collection of good practices in a standard template on EuroPsy alignment.
An action plan to approach universities and accreditation agencies.
A EuroPsy logo adapted to accredit the alignment with EuroPsy Academic standards.
A session to present the examples of the pilot countries where other countries can also share how their accreditation process works and how Is it aligned or not with EuroPsy – Important for countries where profession is not regulated to attend.
A symposium at ECP2027.

Estimated Resource Needs and Availabilities

	Estimated needs
Volunteers / Staff from FMs	FM nominations need to be done in coordination with NECs Nominees need to: Be familiarised with national accreditation processes Have a deep knowledge of EuroPsy Regulations Have links with national universities
Time and resources	Email correspondence and individual work contributions 2026 estimated total of 20h hours
Number and type of expected meetings*	Team meetings 2026 estimated total of 9 hours 2 day in person meetings
IT tools **	Teams

* FM (or other external source(s) agreed by EFPA as appropriate) will be expected to cover any cost of travelling, accommodation and subsistence in the event of face-to-face meetings. All meetings that are held in person, however, should also be hybrid to allow attendance by project team members for whom in person attendance is not an option.

Meeting rooms, refreshments/ lunch and hybrid meeting technology are provided by EFPA Head Office for in-person meetings in Brussels. Overall costs for the face-to-face meeting are thereby reduced by using EFPA’s Head Office facility in Brussels and in the absence of good reason to the contrary this should be the preferred venue. Meeting in Brussels also facilitates project management and support by the Head Office.

** EFPA’s head office resources will be available for dissemination, project management, and IT support.

European Federation of Psychologists’Associations AISBL

Grasmarkt 105 / 39
1000 Brussels – Belgium