The choice between EAHEA’s four accreditation services comes down to three questions: what do you want reviewed (the whole institution, one degree program or one course), how do you teach (by traditional methods or mostly or entirely online) and how long is the offering (more or fewer than 300 clock hours for programs and courses). Answer these, check eligibility and the services that follow almost choose themselves.
The four services are Full Accreditation, Online Accreditation, Program Accreditation and Course Accreditation of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA). They are independent: an institution may hold one or several, and Program and Course Accreditation can be obtained with or without institutional accreditation. This guide offers a decision method, a comparison table and common scenarios.
Three Questions
- What is reviewed? The institution as a whole, a degree program, or a course?
- How is it taught? By traditional methods, or mostly or entirely online?
- How long is it? Over 300 clock hours (program) or under 300 (course)?
Comparison Table
| Point | Full | Online | Program | Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews | Whole institution | Whole institution | One degree program | One course |
| Delivery | Traditional methods | Mostly or entirely online | Any | Any |
| Size line | Not applicable | Not applicable | More than 300 clock hours | Fewer than 300 clock hours |
| Eligibility track record | One year, graduating class, ownership, finances | The same | Eligible provider offering the program | Eligible provider offering the course |
| Payment | Application Fee, then Accreditation Fee | Application Fee, then Accreditation Fee | Whole price at application | Whole price at application |
| Renewal | Annual fee, renewal fee every fifth year | The same | Free if holding Full or Online | Free if holding Full, Online or Associate Membership |
| Membership | Accredited Membership | Accredited Membership | None | None |
Common Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Choice |
|---|---|
| A campus-based university wanting a statement about the institution | Full Accreditation |
| An open or distance university | Online Accreditation |
| A business school with one flagship MBA | Program Accreditation for the MBA |
| A language school with several short courses | Course Accreditation for chosen courses |
| A training company with a 600-hour diploma and several 40-hour courses | Program Accreditation for the diploma and Course Accreditation for the courses |
| A young college with one stable program | Program Accreditation first, institutional later, or institutional with a goodwill letter |
| An online academy with a strong catalog and a track record | Online Accreditation, plus Course Accreditation for specific courses |
Mixed and Borderline Cases
- Hybrid delivery. If an institution teaches a significant share online but mainly on site, ask the Secretariat which institutional service fits.
- Near 300 hours. If an offering sits near the line, confirm the classification before paying.
- Bundles. Whether a pathway is several courses or one program depends on what the learner is promised. See course accreditation or program accreditation for online offerings.
- Parts of a larger organization. A faculty or school may need to apply for programs and courses and not for institutional accreditation. See business schools inside universities vs. stand-alone schools.
Sequencing
Many providers start small and build. A typical sequence is Course Accreditation for the best course, Program Accreditation for a main program and institutional accreditation when the one-year conditions are met. Others go straight to institutional accreditation and add programs or courses as needed. A new institution may apply for institutional accreditation with a goodwill letter, which EAHEA considers at its discretion. See why colleges often choose program accreditation first.
Cost and Renewal Effects
Fees follow the World Bank Country Income Classification and are listed on the Service Fees page. Institutional accreditation costs more at the start but makes renewals of programs and courses free, so a provider with many offerings should compare totals over several years. Fees are non-refundable, so choose carefully. See how fees work for international accreditation.
A Decision Routine
- List your offerings with hours and delivery mode.
- Decide what needs independent evidence, and for whom.
- Check eligibility for the institutional route.
- Choose the service or the sequence.
- Prepare the evidence and apply online.
If in doubt, contact the Secretariat before paying. No accreditation is government approval, and none guarantees admission, credit transfer, visas or jobs.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Decide what you want reviewed (institution, program or course), how you teach (traditional or online) and, for programs and courses, whether the curriculum is above or below 300 clock hours.
No. Program and Course Accreditation can be obtained with or without institutional accreditation or any other EAHEA service.
Delivery mode. Full is for traditional methods and Online for institutions teaching mostly or entirely online. The standards, payment and membership rules are the same.
Only Full and Online Accreditation, which confer Accredited Membership automatically.
Confirm the classification with the Secretariat before paying, since fees are non-refundable.
Yes. Institutional, program and course accreditation are independent and can be held together.