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Initial accreditation

The starting point for initial accreditation is the initial accreditation framework. The required procedure, the quality standards and the assessment rules are laid down in this framework.

Initial accreditation concerns proposals for new programmes. Programmes are considered new programmes if they are not registered in the official register of the relevant country (i.e. the CROHO in the Netherlands or the Higher Education Register in Flanders). Initial accreditation relates to the assessment of the potential quality of the programme including, when possible, a focus on achieved quality.
Since a positive initial accreditation decision leads to the inclusion of the programme in the official register (either CROHO or Higher Education Register), initial accreditation is considered the gatekeeper to the regular accreditation system.

The initial accreditation procedure consists of three consecutive steps: the programme proposal, the external assessment and the initial accreditation.

Programme proposal

The first step in the initial accreditation procedure is the programme proposals. The institution is responsible for the proposal and therefore assembles a dossier regarding the proposed programme. The programme proposal contains a full description of the programme. This is done according to at least the themes, the standards and the criteria of the relevant initial accreditation framework. In addition, the proposal indicates and substantiates the level and orientation of the programme.
The institution submits an application for accreditation of a programme to NVAO by sending in the programme proposal.

Application Coversheet

External assessment

The second step in the initial accreditation procedure is the external assessment. NVAO convenes an assessment panel that will be responsible for the external assessment of the programme.
The assessment panel assesses the potential quality of the proposed programme and whether the programme fulfils the criteria of the initial accreditation framework. The panel follows the assessment framework (which contains all the standards) and the assessment rules as laid down in the initial 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 contains an explicit proposal to NVAO to take either a positive or a negative initial accreditation decision.

Initial accreditation

The third step in the initial accreditation procedure is initial accreditation itself. NVAO evaluates the assessment report and the overall conclusions expressed in it. This means that NVAO verifies whether the programme has the potential to offer generic quality.
Subsequently, NVAO takes an initial accreditation decision and lays down its findings in an initial accreditation report. Finally, the panel's assessment report and NVAO's initial accreditation report (including the initial accreditation decision) are published by NVAO.

The initial accreditation decision

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 interview (selected) members of the assessment panel. If this provides sufficient additional information, NVAO can take an initial accreditation decision.

If the initial accreditation decision is positive, the programme is initially accredited. This means that the programme is included in the relevant official register (i.e. CROHO or Higher Education Register). This registration means that the degree awarded by the programme is recognised by the national authorities. In addition, initially accredited programmes can receive public funding (but only when granted a positive macro-efficiency check) and the students enrolled in these programmes can receive study finance (e.g. grants). However, public funding and study finance are normally not available for programmes offered by private institutions.

If the initial accreditation decision is negative, it will not be possible to offer the programme.

Macro-efficiency check

The macro-efficiency check concerns the issue whether a proposed new programme should be funded by the national authorities. The following questions play an important role during this procedure: Is the same or a similar programme already offered in the country, region or city? Is there a demand by the professional field to offer this programme? Is there a demand in the labour market for additional graduates from this programme? Several other elements are of course also taken into consideration.

In Flanders, a macro-efficiency check takes place before the initial accreditation procedure. Institutions that receive public funding should submit an application for a macro-efficiency check regarding a new programme to the Recognition Commission. Only after a positive macro-efficiency decision, institutions can submit applications for initial accreditation to NVAO. New programmes offered by institutions that don't receive public funding do not need to undergo a macro-efficiency check and can immediately submit an application for initial accreditation to NVAO.

In the Netherlands, a macro-efficiency check takes also place before the initial accreditation decision. A positive macro-efficiency decision by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science entitles a publicly funded institution to apply for an initial accreditation decision by NVAO. A privately funded institution doesn't need this macro-efficiency check. A privately funded institution that is not recognised can only offer advanced master's programmes for registration in the CROHO register.