Associate Membership is the EAHEA membership for education institutions that do not hold, or do not seek, Institutional Accreditation. It is a full membership with the right to vote at the General Assembly, subject to the Management Board’s decision on admission, and it includes Quality Certification at no extra fee. It is explicitly not an accreditation service, and it is valid for one year, renewed by paying the annual fee.
This guide explains who can join, what members receive, which services are included or discounted, how the application and the payment work and what membership does not mean. It summarizes the published information of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
Who It Is for
Institutions that operate in education: universities, colleges, schools, vocational and training providers, distance and lifelong learning centers, online courses and corporations or similar organizations. It suits those that want to belong to the EAHEA network and to have their quality certified without applying for institutional accreditation. Individuals join as Affiliate Members and other organizations as Observer Members.
Eligibility and Documents
- A government-issued certificate of establishment or authorization.
- If a company manages the institution, the company’s establishment certificate as well.
- The proof documents uploaded with the online application.
What Members Receive
- EAHEA Membership Certificate, valid for one year, and an Institutional Quality Certificate.
- Use of the EAHEA Member Logo and Badge while a member.
- Listing in the Institutional Members Directory.
- Free subscription to regional and international EAHEA publications, the twice-yearly newsletter and the Annual Report.
- Opportunities to write articles for the newsletter and blog and to co-organize events.
- Discounted rates for the Annual Conference, the Online Forum and other EAHEA sponsored events.
- Free access to EAHEA Online Courses, with completion certificates.
Included and Discounted Services
| Service | For Associate Members |
|---|---|
| Quality Certification | Included with no further fee, renewed with the membership |
| Course Accreditation | Renews automatically and free each year |
| Credit Certification | Partner discount at renewal. It requires Course Accreditation, not membership |
| Program Accreditation, Course Accreditation and Credit Certification | Membership is not required to apply and does not affect the result |
Rights and Status
Associate Membership is a full membership with the right to vote at the General Assembly, but the Management Board decides whether a member is admitted to the General Assembly. A suspended member receives no discounts and loses member rights, including voting and logo use. See Accredited Membership explained for the way the categories fit together.
Process and Payment
- Complete the online form.
- Upload proof documents.
- Pay by card or bank or wire transfer.
- EAHEA reviews the application, normally within one to two working days, and longer before the annual conference.
- Receive the certificate and files.
Fees follow the World Bank Country Income Classification of the country where the institution operates most or is legally established, in euro, with possible further discounts. Card payments add 3 percent, and VAT of 24 percent applies to applicants in Estonia and EU applicants without a valid VAT number. The amount is shown after choosing a country on the Service Fees page.
Validity and Renewal
Membership lasts one year from the certificate date. EAHEA sends a renewal invoice before expiry, and the membership renews by paying the annual fee. Nothing is charged automatically. A membership that is not renewed ends.
What It Is Not
Associate Membership is not accreditation. It does not show that the institution’s programs are accredited, does not affect the result of any accreditation application and must not be described as accreditation. It is not government approval and does not guarantee admission, credit transfer, visas or jobs. See accreditation vs. membership: what each means. Apply online or contact the Secretariat.
Related reading: Quality Certification.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Education institutions that do not hold or do not seek Institutional Accreditation, with a government-issued certificate of establishment or authorization.
Yes. It is included at no further fee and renews with the membership.
They have the right to vote at the General Assembly, but the Management Board decides whether a member is admitted to the General Assembly.
No. It is explicitly not an accreditation service and does not affect accreditation applications.
Course Accreditation renews automatically and free each year for Associate Members.
EAHEA sends a renewal invoice before expiry, and the member renews by paying the annual fee. Nothing is charged automatically.