Accreditation is a quality review that ends in a decision about an institution, program or course. Membership is a relationship with an association, with its own rights and duties. At EAHEA the two are linked but not the same: Accredited Membership comes automatically with Full or Online Accreditation, while Associate, Observer and Affiliate Membership are not accreditation and must never be presented as such. Voting rights apply only to Accredited and Associate Members, subject to the Management Board’s decision on admission.
Because the words are used together, readers often assume that a member is accredited, or that accreditation means full membership with voting rights. Institutions sometimes add to the confusion by describing a membership as if it were a quality award. This guide separates the two ideas, compares them, summarizes the four EAHEA membership categories and explains what each category allows an institution or person to say. It is based on the published information of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
Side by Side
| Question | Accreditation | Membership |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A quality review that ends in a decision | A relationship with the association |
| What does it show? | That the institution, program or course meets quality standards | That the holder belongs to the association |
| Is it a statement about quality? | Yes | No, except where the category includes a certification |
| What does it bring? | A certificate, a public record and, for institutions, Accredited Membership | Benefits such as networking, publications and event discounts |
| How long? | Limited period, renewed | Limited period, renewed, or tied to accreditation |
The Four Membership Categories
| Category | Who | Duration | Voting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited | Education providers holding Full or Online Accreditation | As long as the accreditation lasts | Yes, subject to Management Board admission |
| Associate | Education institutions without, or not seeking, institutional accreditation | One year, renewed annually for a fee | Yes, subject to Management Board admission |
| Observer | Other organizations with an interest in education quality | One year, renewed annually | No |
| Affiliate | Individuals with an interest in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance | One year, renewed annually | No |
See Accredited Membership explained, Associate Membership: what institutions receive, Observer Membership and Affiliate Membership.
Voting Rights
The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the association. Accredited and Associate Members have the right to vote there for as long as their membership lasts, but the Management Board decides whether a member is admitted to the General Assembly. Observer and Affiliate Members do not vote. A member that is suspended loses its member rights, including voting and logo use.
What Each Allows You to Say
| Holder | Accurate Statement | Inaccurate Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Member | “Institutionally accredited by EAHEA (Full or Online), with type, scope and dates” | “All programs are accredited” |
| Associate Member | “Associate Member of EAHEA” | “Accredited by EAHEA” |
| Observer Member | “Observer Member of EAHEA” | “EAHEA accredited” or “EAHEA recognized institution” |
| Affiliate Member | “Affiliate Member of EAHEA” | “EAHEA certified professional,” unless the person also holds a certification |
Associate Membership includes Quality Certification, which is a separate statement and has to be described as it is. Do not describe membership as accreditation or imply that any membership makes a program accredited.
Choosing
- If the aim is an independent review of quality, choose accreditation. Membership follows automatically for institutions that receive Full or Online Accreditation.
- If an institution wants to be part of the association and its network without an institutional review, consider Associate Membership.
- If an organization that does not teach wants to follow the field, consider Observer Membership.
- If an individual wants to be part of the network, consider Affiliate Membership. See Affiliate Membership for professionals.
- Look at the benefits and the costs of each, shown on the Service Fees page.
Where Each Is Listed
- Accredited institutions are in the Accredited Institutions directory with the type, scope, dates and status.
- Individual members are listed in the Individual Members Directory, which can be searched but is not published as a list.
- Providers with an ECS Provider Certificate are in the ECS Certified Providers list.
- Partner organizations in the NGO/CSO program are in the Recognized Institutions directory. That program is a partnership and is not a membership or an accreditation.
Suspension and Ending
If an accreditation is suspended or revoked, the Accredited Membership is suspended or ends with it. A suspended member loses member rights, receives no discounts and may not use the logo. The status of suspended and revoked institutions is published in the public directory with a short reason, for five years. Memberships that are not renewed end at the end of their year.
Limits
- Membership is not accreditation, except that Accredited Membership is a consequence of it. Associate, Observer and Affiliate Membership say nothing about the quality of the member’s programs.
- Membership does not guarantee recognition, acceptance of credits, visas or jobs.
- Voting at the General Assembly is subject to the decision of the Management Board on admission.
For other comparisons, see accreditation vs. certification vs. licensing. Apply online or contact the Secretariat.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Accreditation is a quality review with a decision. Membership is a relationship with the association.
Yes. Accredited Membership comes automatically with Full or Online Accreditation and lasts as long as the accreditation does.
Accredited and Associate Membership, subject to the Management Board’s decision on admission to the General Assembly.
No. Associate Membership is not accreditation, and it must not be presented as such.
Accredited Membership is suspended or ends with it.
Affiliate Membership. It carries no vote and is not a certification.