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.
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. Its membership list is available online.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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. There are two state universities, the University of Defence in Brno and the Police Academy of the Czech Republic 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. 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. The Accreditation, Certification and Member Association of education organization and schools z.s. supervises the quality and regularity of educational institutions.
Finland Universities can only be founded or accredited by an Act of Parliament. 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.Standing Conference of the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, Qualitätssicherung im Hochschulbereich Bachelor and Master programs must be accredited by the Standing Conference.Kultusministerkonferenz. Ländergemeinsame Strukturvorgaben gemäß § 9 Abs. 2 HRG für die Akkreditierung von Bachelor- und Masterstudiengängen. October 10, 2003, amended September 18, 2008
The German Council of Science and Humanities conducts institutional accreditation of private and religious universities since 2001.Council of Sciences and Humanities, Function
The Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programs certifies accreditation agencies and establishes guidelines and criteria for program and system accreditation.Accreditation Council, Mission Statement There are currently ten certified agencies:Accreditation Council, Accreditation Agencies
AHPGS – Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Special Education, Care, Health Sciences and Social Work AKAST – Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Canonical Study Programs ACQUIN – Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute AQAS – Agency for Quality Assurance by Accreditation of Study Programs AQ Austria – Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria ASIIN – Accreditation Agency for Degree Programs in Engineering, Informatics/Computer Science, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics evalag – Evaluation Agency Baden-Württemberg FIBAA – Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation OAQ – Swiss Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education ZEvA – Central Evaluation- and Accreditation Agency
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.Accreditation Council, Accreditation of Programs
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 involves two separate but correlated programs:
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). 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. 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:
ACPUA, in Aragon ACSUCYL, in Castile and Leon ACSUG, in Galicia AQU, in Catalonia AVAP, in Valencian Community DEVA-AAC, in Andalusia FCM Madrimasd, in Community of Madrid Unibasq, in Basque Country ACCUEE, in Canary Islands
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.
The government maintains lists of recognized bodies that have the right to grant UK degrees, as well as one of listed bodies that offer courses validated by a recognized body and leading to degrees of that body. Degree-offering institutions are subject to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The QAA is a member of INQAAHE and ENQA. 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.
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: Ofqual in England Qualifications Wales The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment in Northern Ireland The Scottish Qualifications Authority
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: The Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC) for independent colleges in UK and colleges and universities worldwide. ASIC is an affiliate of ENQA. The British Accreditation Council (BAC) for independent higher education and further education institutions across the UK. BAC is also a member of INQAAHE and ENQA. Accreditation UK, part of the British Council (a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), for English language schools only
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.
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 (ICAQAHE). 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.