EAHEA accredited institutions, programs and courses may use the EAHEA name, logo, emblem, seal and badges only as the Logo and Emblem Usage Guidelines allow. The core rules are simple: use them only during the valid accreditation period and only for the accredited scope, show the exact status, the dates and a verification link, and never suggest that EAHEA endorses a price, a promotion or a commercial offer. When the accreditation ends, the marks must be removed.
The guidelines are published as Form 10 on the Documents and Forms page of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA), and accredited institutions commit to them. This guide turns the rules into practice for marketing and web teams, with examples of correct and incorrect use. For the exact permitted forms of the marks, always use the current guidelines.
Who May Use the Marks
Institutions that hold accreditation, for the scope that is accredited: the institution under Full or Online Accreditation, a named program under Program Accreditation and a named course under Course Accreditation. Members may use the EAHEA Member Logo and Badge while they remain members. Certified individuals receive their own badges. Anyone else, including an institution that has only applied, may not use the marks.
The Core Rules
- Valid period. Use only while the accreditation or membership is valid.
- Accredited scope. Use only for what is accredited, and not for other programs, courses or locations.
- Exact status. State the type of accreditation, for example Full Accreditation or Course Accreditation.
- Dates. Show the validity dates, or at least the current period.
- Verification link. Link to the public directory record.
- No endorsement. Do not suggest that EAHEA endorses a price, promotion or commercial offer.
- Use the permitted forms. Use the files and layouts that the guidelines provide, and do not redesign the marks.
Scope Examples
- An institution with Full Accreditation may show the seal for the institution. Institutional accreditation does not cover degrees, programs or courses, so the seal must not be presented as if it covered them.
- A program with Program Accreditation may show the program seal on that program’s page and materials only.
- A course with Course Accreditation may show the course badge on that course’s page and certificates only.
- A provider with an ECS Provider Certificate has an authorization to use the EAHEA credit systems, which is not an accreditation, so it must not use accreditation seals.
Correct and Incorrect Use
| Situation | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Website footer | Seal with “Accredited by EAHEA (Full Accreditation), valid [dates]” and a link to the directory | Seal alone, with no status, dates or link |
| Program page | Program seal and “This program holds Program Accreditation” | Institutional seal presented as covering the program |
| Advertisement with a discount | Text statement of status without the seal, or a seal placed so that it does not suggest endorsement | Seal next to “50% off this week, endorsed by EAHEA” |
| Brochure for an unaccredited program | No seal for that program | Institutional seal on every page |
| After a lapse | All marks removed | Old seal still online |
Members and the Member Badge
Associate, Observer and Affiliate Members receive the EAHEA Member Logo and Badge for use on their website and promotional material while they remain members. Membership is not accreditation, and the badge must not be presented as an accreditation seal. A suspended member loses logo use. See Accredited Membership explained.
Agents, Partners and Resellers
The institution is responsible for how the marks are used on its behalf. Give agents and partners the approved wording, the approved files and the guidelines, require them to follow them and monitor what they publish. An overstatement by an agent can lead to action against the accredited institution. See how universities use accreditation in international student recruitment.
When Status Ends
When accreditation or membership lapses, is suspended or is revoked, remove the seal, badges and statements from the website, social media, brochures, presentations, signatures, partner sites and agent materials. Update documents that cannot be recalled, such as certificates already issued, with care, and do not issue new documents with the marks. See what happens if accreditation lapses.
If the Rules Are Broken
EAHEA may examine complaints about the use of its marks. Depending on severity, it may issue a warning, require a corrective action plan, suspend or revoke the accreditation. The status is published in the public directory. Prevention is easier: one owner for marks, a controlled library of approved files, a review of every campaign and a calendar tied to the validity dates.
A Quick Checklist
- Is the accreditation valid today for what the page describes?
- Does the page state the type, dates and a verification link?
- Is there any suggestion of endorsement of a price or offer?
- Are the approved files used without alteration?
- Do agents use the same wording?
- Is there a plan to remove the marks if the status changes?
See how universities should display accreditation status on their websites. Fees follow the World Bank country income classification and are listed on the Service Fees page. Apply online or contact the Secretariat with questions about permitted use.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Institutions, programs and courses that hold a valid EAHEA accreditation, for the accredited scope, and members for the member badge while they remain members.
The exact status, the dates and a verification link, and nothing that suggests EAHEA endorses a price, promotion or commercial offer.
Not as if it covered them. Institutional accreditation does not cover degrees, programs or courses.
No. The certificate is an authorization to use the credit systems and is not an accreditation.
Remove the seal, badges and statements from every channel, including partner and agent materials.
The Logo and Emblem Usage Guidelines are on the Documents and Forms page.