One of the reasons for the low quality of education in universities is that there are no real tools for planning, evaluation and monitoring. The review of existing tools and mechanisms for improving the quality of education will help universities to identify new directions for the development. Traditional tools – licensing and accreditation procedures – have become very often-formal instruments and the quality of educational services is at the same level. The article analyzes the effect of a new EFQM model on universities. In the article, the author offers one of the solutions – the implementation of the EFQM model. The purpose of this article is to study the improvement model developed by the European Foundation for Quality Management-EFQM Excellence Model (hereinafter referred to as the EFQM model), its development and practical significance in the system of higher professional education. In the course of the research, the author applied such methods as theoretical and general philosophical analysis (dialectics, system method, analysis, analogy, synthesis, observation and modeling). The article analyzes the existing EFQM models, conducts a comparative analysis of the models, studies and summarizes the foreign experience of application the EFQM model. The study showed that quality models are not static, but develop along with scientific and technological progress. The application of the model contributes to the improvement of management practices, increases the level of satisfaction and integration with other organizations. In addition, the experience of application the model in universities has shown that the EFQM model is a reliable and effective structure that promotes effective resource management and the receipt of top awards and incentives. In order to be in demand and meet the requirements of stakeholders, to keep up with the times, to improve on an ongoing basis, it is recommended that universities include a quality management system based on the EFQM model; to include an ecosystem approach in the organizational structure of the university; for regulatory authorities to conduct further studies into the effectiveness of given quality tools.