(Initial) Accreditation
Introduction accreditationAccreditationInitial accreditationFocus on learning outcomesQuality assessment agenciesAppeal systemAdditional tasksFind an assessed programmeDownloads for this page
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The starting point for accreditation is the accreditation framework. The required procedure, the quality standards and the assessment rules are laid down in this framework.
Accreditation concerns programmes that already award (nationally) recognised degrees. These programmes are included in the official register of the relevant country (i.e. the CROHO in the Netherlands or the Higher Education Register in Flanders). Accreditation relates to the assessment of the quality of the programme and focuses on learning outcomes.
The accreditation procedure consists of three consecutive steps: the self evaluation, the external assessment and the accreditation.
Self evaluation
The first step in the accreditation procedure is the self evaluation. The institution and/or the programme is responsible for carrying out a self-evaluation of the programme(s) concerned. This process is concluded with a self-evaluation report. The self-evaluation report contains a description and evaluation of the programme. This is done according to at least the themes, the standards and the criteria of the relevant accreditation framework. The programme's different specialisations and/or locations, if present, are described and evaluated separately. In addition, the self-evaluation report indicates and substantiates the level and orientation of the programme.
The institution sends the self-evaluation report to a quality assessment agency.
External assessment
The second step in the accreditation procedure is the external assessment. The quality assessment agency convenes an assessment panel that will be responsible for the external assessment of the programme. The composition of the assessment panel should be in line with NVAO requirements.
The assessment panel assesses the quality of the self-evaluation (including the methodology used to realise it) and whether the programme fulfils the criteria of the assessment framework. The panel follows the assessment framework, which contains all the standards and the assessment rules as laid down in the accreditation framework. The external assessment focuses on learning outcomes.
The panel writes down their (objective) findings, (subjective) considerations and conclusions in their assessment report. The report is sent to the institution and published by the quality assessment agency.
Accreditation
The third step in the accreditation framework is accreditation itself. The institution submits an application for accreditation of a programme to NVAO by sending in the assessment report. NVAO uses the evaluation criteria in the accreditation framework to evaluate the assessment report, the overall conclusions expressed in it, the panel composition and the methodology used. This means that NVAO verifies whether the programme offers generic quality.
Subsequently, NVAO takes an accreditation decision and lays down its findings in an accreditation report. Finally, the panel's assessment report and NVAO's accreditation report (including the accreditation decision) are published by NVAO.
The accreditation decision
If the assessment report provides insufficient information regarding the programme, NVAO can decide to reject the report. This means that the report doesn't provide sufficient information regarding the fulfilment of the accreditation criteria, i.e. the report is unclear. Since NVAO cannot decide whether the programme offers generic quality, it has no other choice than to reject the report.
If the assessment report provides sufficient information regarding the programme but offers insufficient basis for NVAO to decide whether or not the programme fulfils the accreditation criteria and/or offers generic quality, NVAO can take additional measures. NVAO can first interview (selected) members of the assessment panel. If this doesn't provide sufficient additional information, the institution can be requested to provide an additional assessment within a period set by NVAO or NVAO can decide to undertake a verification procedure. The verification procedure consists of an extra external assessment by an assessment panel convened by NVAO.
If the accreditation decision is positive, the programme is accredited. This means that the programme is included in the relevant official register (i.e. the CROHO in the Netherlands or the Higher Education Register in Flanders). This registration means that the degree awarded by the programme is recognised by the national authorities. Additionally, accredited programmes can receive public funding and the students enrolled in these programmes can receive student support (e.g. grants). However, public funding and student support are normally not available for programmes offered by private institutions.
If the accreditation decision is negative, the programme looses accreditation. This means the programme is deleted from the relevant official register and can no longer be offered. There is however a possibility of temporary recognition during a recovery period.
Consequences of accreditation
The accreditation decision is either positive or negative. There is no conditional accreditation and NVAO doesn't rank programmes. A positive accreditation decision has a fixed period of validity. For the Netherlands this is six years while for Flanders this is eight years. In case of a negative decision, there is a possibility to get a temporary recognition during a recovery period.
Only accredited programmes can award recognised degrees (diplomas) and receive public funding. Only students enrolled in accredited programmes can receive student support (e.g. grants). However, public funding and student support are normally not available for programmes offered by private institutions.
Temporary recognition
In Flanders, after a negative accreditation decision, the institution can submit an application to the Flemish government for a temporary recognition. This has to be done within one month after the notification of the negative decision. A detailed plan for improvement shall be put forward together with the application. Following advice from the Recognition Commission, the Flemish government takes a decision within three months of the application. Temporary recognition may have a validity of one to three years.
In the Netherlands, there is also a possibility for an improvement period. This is seen as a recovery period. This period lasts two years. However, since the programme is no longer accredited, the programme cannot enrol new students and the institution does not receive funding for the programme.