List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations

Last updated

This is a list of recognized higher education related accreditation organizations. The list includes agencies and organizations that play a role in higher education accreditation and are recognized by applicable governmental authorities.

Contents

International

The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) is a global association of both governmental and non-governmental quality assurance organizations. [1] Its membership list is available online. [2]

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) maintains an international directory of education ministries, as well as assurance and accreditation bodies which have been authorized by their respective governments. [3]

Europe

The European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) is responsible for disseminating information, experiences and good practices in higher education quality assurance to quality assurance agencies, public authorities and higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). [4]

The European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) is the EHEA's register of quality assurance agencies that comply with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance. [5]

The European Network of National Information Centres on academic recognition and mobility (ENIC network) provides information on recognition of foreign qualifications and education systems, opportunities for studying abroad (including information on loans and scholarships), as well as advice on practical questions related to mobility and equivalence.

The National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) network aims at improving academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in the EU, the European Economic Area countries, and Turkey. The network is part of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP), which stimulates the mobility of students and staff between higher education institutions in these countries. Most NARICs do not take a decision, and instead offer information and advice on foreign education systems and qualifications.

ENIC – NARIC comprises all of Europe, as well as Australia, Canada, Israel, the United States of America and New Zealand, and provides information on the higher education systems and accreditation agencies of the member countries. [6]

Czech Republic

There are public, state and private universities and colleges in the Czech Republic.

Public universities and colleges are established by an act of parliament, and their list is maintained by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. [7] There are two state universities, the University of Defence [8] in Brno and the Police Academy of the Czech Republic [9] in Prague.

Private universities and colleges are established by the private sector. Each of the universities and colleges can only provide higher education on the basis of accreditation issued by the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education. [10] There are professional education programs standing outside the higher education system, which are not considered as higher education programs. The providing schools and institutions can be umbrellaed by some private organizations, such as the Czech Association of MBA Schools. [11] The Accreditation, Certification and Member Association of education organization and schools z.s. supervises the quality and regularity of educational institutions. [12] [13]

Finland

Universities can only be founded or accredited by an Act of Parliament. [14] Vocational universities are accredited by the Government of Finland, and governed through the Ministry of Education.

Germany

The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs ensures quality development and continuity in tertiary education. [15] Bachelor and Master programs must be accredited by the Standing Conference. [16]

The German Council of Science and Humanities conducts institutional accreditation of private and religious universities since 2001. [17]

The Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programs certifies accreditation agencies and establishes guidelines and criteria for program and system accreditation. [18] There are currently ten certified agencies: [19]

These agencies accredit programs of study for Bachelor's and Master's degrees and quality management systems (system accreditation) from state or state recognized higher education institutions in Germany and abroad. [20]

Ireland

Quality and Qualifications Ireland was established in 2012 as the single agency responsible for external quality assurance of higher education institutions in Ireland, replacing earlier agencies responsible for different sectors of higher education. It is responsible for the quality assurance of education and research within HEIs. Higher education institutions have been subject to statutory quality assurance since the 1990s and the country has been an active participant in the development of the European model of quality assurance.

Italy

The Italian state controls which institutions can call themselves a University. The Minister of University and Investigation supervises universities.

The system[ citation needed ] involves two separate but correlated programs:

  1. Firstly, each university undergoes a four-step process to adopt and approve its own University Academic Regulations. These establish the rules for the organization of teaching at the university, including the requirements and objectives of each degree program, the curricula, credits awarded, and requirements and objectives of examinations. They were developed in consultation with representatives of the individual university, the regional coordinating committee, employers and the National University Council, and are ultimately approved by the (Ministry of Education).
  2. Secondly, a series of formal objective standards is adopted as minimum requirements for approval of any programs.

Spain

The National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation is the authorized national body responsible for the quality of the Spanish high education system. [21] It was created as a foundation by the Cabinet of Spain under the Organic Law of Universities. Different regional agencies assume the accreditation (and quality levels) of university programs in their respective regions:

United Kingdom

Under the Education Reform Act 1988, it is illegal to offer a degree or qualification that implies it is a degree without being authorized by a royal charter or by or under an act of parliament, unless the institution is acting on behalf of an authorized institution or the award has been specifically designated by order of the Secretary of State. [23]

The government maintains lists of recognized bodies that have the right to grant UK degrees, [24] as well as one of listed bodies that offer courses validated by a recognized body and leading to degrees of that body. [25] Degree-offering institutions are subject to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). [26] The QAA is a member of INQAAHE and ENQA. [2] [27] The Higher Education Degree Datacheck is the official service for authenticating universities and validating British degrees.

Professional degrees may be accredited by professional, statutory and regulatory bodies to ensure they meet the educational standards for professional licensure. A list of accrediting bodies recognized by the government is maintained by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. [28] [29]

For non-degree qualifications, including courses at the higher education level, there are four public accrediting bodies for the four countries of the United Kingdom. These are:

All qualifications accredited by these bodies will have a level and credit value on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (England and Northern Ireland), the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales, or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Bodies with accredited qualifications, such as City & Guilds, may accredit education providers to deliver courses leading to these qualifications.

There are three bodies offering institutional accreditation for private colleges that are recognized by the UK government for visa purposes: [30]

The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (formerly the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges) is an independent body that accredits home study, distance learning and online learning providers. [34]

Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is no national accreditation for private universities.

Central African Republic

The National Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education operates under the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technological Innovation of the Central African Republic. The National Agency is responsible for ensuring quality standards, accreditation and regulatory compliance across higher education institutions in the country. They develop policies, evaluate institutions and encourage practices to align the Central African Republic's higher education system with international accreditation standards.

They have also established a partnership with the International Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education. This collaboration aims to enhance higher education quality, international recognition and academic mobility through standardized accreditation processes.

Ghana

The Independent Security Council, Ghana Medical Association, Pharmacy Council, and General Legal Council are some of the recognized professional bodies in Ghana. The Ghana Medical Association and General Legal Council represent the government of Ghana, and the Independent Security Council is the official non-governmental body providing security training and award and accredit security programs. Unlike the Ghana Medical Association and General Legal Council, the Independent Security Council partners with universities with security-focused departments with the aim of offering courses to local residents.

Other government recognized professional bodies, such as the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the Engineering Council of Ghana, the National Board for Professional and Technician Examination, and the National Council for Tertiary Education are mandated with level of regulatory status in specific fields of respective practices.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) conducts accreditation, replacing the former Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation. [35] The council maintains a list of accredited programs, [36] and these programs may also be entered into Hong Kong's Qualifications Register. [37]

India

Universities in India are created constitutionally through government action, and those that are not properly established are considered "fake universities" and lack authority to grant degrees. [38]

Accreditation is under the authority of a set of professional councils established by statute and other bodies established or recognized by the University Grants Commission: [39]

Indonesia

In Indonesia, accreditation criteria is based on the National Higher Education Standards. Higher education accreditation is carried out by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education, and accreditation for study programs is carried out by the Independent Accreditation Institute. However, when a specific discipline lacks an independent accreditation agency, program accreditation are carried out by the National Accreditation Board.

Independent Accreditation Boards include:

The Indonesian Accreditation Board for Engineering grants international accreditation for engineering, and informatics and computing education.

Malaysia

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) is a statutory body which accredits post secondary or higher education academic programs, as well as facilitates the accreditation and articulation of qualifications. There are also some other recognized organizations who regulate their specific technical fields:

Nepal

Universities in Nepal are established through government action. Universities, technical institutes and certified higher education institutions are recognized by the University Grant Commission. The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training is the national autonomous apex body of Technical and Vocational Education and Training regulation. There are also some other recognized organizations who regulate their specific technical fields:

New Zealand

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). [65]

Nicaragua

Both public and private universities in Nicaragua must be established with evaluation and authorization by the National Council of Universities (CNU), and then founded by an Act of Parliament. Recognized universities do not require individual program accreditations. The National Council of Evaluation and Accreditation (CNEA) is the quality assurance agency. All recognized universities must participate in the quality assurance program including mandatory auto-evaluation and reporting to the CNEA, and may pursue deliberate institutional accreditation by the CNEA or an accreditation agency recognized by them. CNEA accreditation only applies to already recognized universities and does not substitute the required CNU authorization. [66]

Brazil

In Brazil, private higher education accreditation began with the foundation of the MACCA – Agência de Acreditação do Mercosul. MACCA is a private institutional and programmatic accreditation agency that operates in alliance with the ABED – Associação Brasileira de Ensino a Distância, an organization that is a member of the Fórum Nacional de Educação of the Ministry of Education. [67] The agency is a pioneer in quality assurance (QA)-based accreditation and includes in its structure consultants and inspectors from several countries, as well as a parliamentary letter of recommendation issued by a federal deputy. [68]

Although MACCA is a private agency, it has established alliances and recognition agreements with public (state-authorized) accreditation bodies, such as the ANACEC (Moldova), IARC/NIARS (Kyrgyzstan), CACEB (Mexico), Public Foundation Independent Accreditation Agency “BILIM-STANDART” (Kyrgyzstan), and Edu Int. (Palau). Through these partnerships, colleges and universities accredited by MACCA can obtain dual accreditation with state authority, either institutional or programmatic. [69] [70]


Pakistan

In 2003, Canada began helping Pakistan develop an accreditation system. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) may set up national or regional evaluation councils, or authorize any existing council or similar body to carry out accreditation of institutions by giving them appropriate ratings. This also includes their departments, facilities and disciplines [71]

United Arab Emirates

United States

Institutional accreditation

Institutional accreditation applies to the entire institution, specific programs, and distance education within an institution. [86] The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the following organizations as institutional accreditors: [87]

Program accreditation

These accreditors typically cover a specific program of professional education or training, but in some cases they cover the whole institution. Both the US Department of Education [88] and CHEA [89] maintain lists of recognized US programmatic accreditors:

Vietnam

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Presentation". INQAAHE. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Full Members". INQAAHE. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "CHEA International Directory". CHEA. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "ENQA | European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education". Enqa.eu. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  5. ↑ "EQAR: Home". Eqar.eu. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  6. ↑ "Enic-Naric". Enic-Naric. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  7. ↑ "Overview of Higher Education Institutions, MŠMT ČR".
  8. ↑ "Mainpage University of Defence - University of Defence".
  9. ↑ "Policejní akademie ČR [www.polac.cz]".
  10. ↑ "NAB". Archived from the original on 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  11. ↑ "Cambas – Česká asociace MBA škol". cambas.cz.
  12. ↑ "Accreditation, Certification and Member Association of education organization and schools". acmaeos.org.
  13. ↑ "Extract from the public register in ARES - electronic copy". wwwinfo.mfcr.cz.
  14. ↑ "FINLEX ® – Ajantasainen lainsäädäntö: 24.7.2009/558". Finlex.fi. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  15. ↑ Standing Conference of the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, Qualitätssicherung im Hochschulbereich
  16. ↑ Kultusministerkonferenz. Ländergemeinsame Strukturvorgaben gemäß § 9 Abs. 2 HRG für die Akkreditierung von Bachelor- und Masterstudiengängen. October 10, 2003, amended September 18, 2008
  17. ↑ Council of Sciences and Humanities, Function Archived April 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ Accreditation Council, Mission Statement
  19. ↑ Accreditation Council, Accreditation Agencies
  20. ↑ Accreditation Council, Accreditation of Programs
  21. ↑ "ANECA". Aneca.es. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  22. ↑ "ACCUEE - The Canarian Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation". European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  23. ↑ "Education Reform Act 1988, sections 214 to 217". Opsi.gov.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  24. ↑ "Check if a university or college is officially recognised: recognised bodies". Gov.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "Check if a university or college is officially recognised: listed bodies". Gov.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  26. ↑ "About us". Quality Assurance Agency. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  27. 1 2 "Members". ENQA. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  28. ↑ "Accreditation information table". Higher Education Statistics Agency. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
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  31. ↑ "Affiliates". ENQA. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  32. ↑ "Management and structure". British Council. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  33. ↑ "Accreditation". British Council. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  34. ↑ "The Open & Distance Learning Quality Council". ODLQC. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
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  36. ↑ "List of Programmes Accredited by the HKCAAVQ". Hkcaavq.edu.hk. 2007-12-12. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  37. ↑ Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ↑ Press Release Precautions against "Fake Universities/Vishwavidyalayas" (PDF), University Grants Commission, December 2011, retrieved 2015-03-07
  39. ↑ "Higher Education in India". Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Higher Education. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  40. ↑ "The Official Website of Board of Engineers Malaysia". Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  41. ↑ "Official Portal of Malaysian Medical Council". Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  42. ↑ "Malaysian Dental Council (MDC) :: Majlis Pergigian Malaysia (MPM)". Malaysian Dental Council (MDC). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  43. ↑ "Pharmacy Board | Pharmaceutical Services Divisions". Pharmacy Board Malaysia. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  44. ↑ "Official Portal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division". Malaysian Chinese Medical Associations (MCMA). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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  47. ↑ "Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC)". Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  48. ↑ "MPHM – Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council". Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council (MPHM). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  49. ↑ "Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia". Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  50. ↑ "BQSM – Official Portal of Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia". Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  51. ↑ "Malaysian Bar Council". Malaysian Bar Council. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  52. ↑ "Malaysian Institute of Accountants". Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  53. ↑ "Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia". Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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  58. ↑ "LPPEH – The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Malaysia". Board of Valuers, Appraisers & Real Estate Agents Malaysia (LPPEH). Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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  62. ↑ "NMC". NMC. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  63. ↑ "Nepal Pharmacy Council". Nepal Pharmacy Council. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  64. ↑ "Welcome to Nepal Bar Council, Nepal". Nepal Bar Council. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  65. ↑ "Home". NZQA. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  66. ↑ "CNU.::.CONSEJO NACIONAL DE UNIVERSIDADES". cnu.edu.ni. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
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  68. ↑ "Agência de Acreditação do Mercosul – MACCA". MACCA. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  69. ↑ "ANACEC – National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research". Government of Moldova. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  70. ↑ "Public Foundation Independent Accreditation Agency "Bilim-Standart"". Kyrgyz Republic. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  71. 1 2 3 "By Accreditation Councils". hec.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 2019-05-05. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  72. ↑ ".: National Accreditation Council :. Index". nacte.org.pk.
  73. ↑ "National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council". naeac.org.
  74. ↑ "NBEAC". www.nbeac.org.pk.
  75. ↑ "National Computing Education Accereditation Council (NCEAC)". Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  76. ↑ "National Technology Council". www.ntc-hec.org.pk.
  77. ↑ "Pakistan Bar Council".
  78. ↑ "PCATP Election 2019". pcatp.org.pk.
  79. ↑ "Pharmacy Council Pakistan". www.pharmacycouncil.org.pk.
  80. ↑ "PEC". www.pec.org.pk.
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  82. ↑ "Home". pnc.org.pk.
  83. ↑ "Home". pvmc.org.pk.
  84. ↑ "National Council for Homoeopathy, Pakistan". nchpakistan.gov.pk.
  85. ↑ "COMING SOON". www.nct.gov.pk.
  86. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, Accreditation in the United States
  87. ↑ "College Accreditation in the United States-- Pg 3". United States Department of Education. June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  88. ↑ "Accreditation in the United States-- Pg 4". United States Department of Education. June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  89. ↑ "Programmatic Accrediting Organizations". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  90. ↑ "Graduate Program Approval and Accreditation". National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
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