To apply for EAHEA accreditation online, an institution should first choose the right service, check that it meets the eligibility conditions, gather the proof files and the information the form asks for, decide who will sign and pay and then complete the form on the apply site. Preparation before opening the form is what makes the application quick: the form itself asks for data and documents that must already exist.
The application is a legally binding contract between EAHEA and the applicant, so the person who submits it must have the authority to commit the institution. This guide gives a preparation checklist and walks through the steps of the online application of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA), which is available at apply.eahea.org.
1. Choose the Service
| If You Want to Review | Service |
|---|---|
| The whole institution, taught by traditional methods | Full Accreditation |
| The whole institution, taught mostly or entirely online | Online Accreditation |
| One degree program of more than 300 clock hours | Program Accreditation |
| One course of fewer than 300 clock hours | Course Accreditation |
See choosing between Full, Online, Program and Course Accreditation.
2. Check Eligibility
For institutional accreditation: a formal or distance learning establishment offering certificates, diplomas or degrees; one consecutive year of successful operation with a graduating class; the same ownership or control for one year; one year of responsible financial management; and agreement to the EAHEA Bylaws, Principles of Ethics and Standards for Accreditation. A newly established institution may apply with a goodwill letter, which EAHEA considers at its discretion. For a program or course, the applicant must be an eligible institution or provider offering that specific program or course. See the eligibility requirements.
3. Decide Who Does What
- An authorized signatory who can bind the institution.
- A coordinator who gathers documents and answers EAHEA within 15 days.
- A finance contact who handles payment and invoice data, including the VAT number where it applies.
- Contributors from governance, academic affairs, quality and student services.
4. Prepare the Documents
The form guides the institution in preparing a Self-Study Report and the documentary evidence. Expect to need proof of legal status and authorization, ownership documents, financial records, program or course descriptions, faculty information, policies and records of practice. Save them in common formats with clear names, and check consistency of names, dates and figures. See documents typically required in an accreditation application and the document checklist. Forms and declarations are on the Documents and Forms page.
5. Prepare the Payment
Know which payment steps apply: Full and Online Accreditation are paid in two steps, Application Fee then Accreditation Fee after eligibility is confirmed, while Program and Course Accreditation are paid in full at application. Check your fee on the Service Fees page by choosing the country. Card payments add 3 percent, and VAT of 24 percent applies to applicants in Estonia and EU applicants without a valid VAT number. Fees are non-refundable except amounts paid twice or by mistake. See how fees work for international accreditation.
6. the Online Steps
- Open the apply site and choose the country of the institution, then the service.
- Complete the application form: institution data, contacts and the questions of the service.
- Upload the proof files. Accepted types include PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX, within the size limits shown on the form.
- Confirm the declarations, and submit the form with the security checks.
- Pay online by card or bank transfer, as the service requires.
- Follow the instructions you receive by email.
Use an email address that the institution monitors, since notices and payment requests are sent there.
7. After You Submit
For Full and Online Accreditation, the Secretary reviews eligibility and confirms the options, after which you pay the Accreditation Fee and the evaluation begins. For Program and Course Accreditation, EAHEA reviews the application and confirms eligible options. EAHEA may ask for further documents, and the institution is expected to answer within 15 days. See accreditation timeline: from application to certificate and answering a missing documents request efficiently.
Common Mistakes
- Applying for the wrong service, then paying non-refundable fees.
- Choosing a country that does not match the place of main activity or legal establishment.
- Uploading scans that are unreadable or incomplete.
- Inconsistent names, dates and figures across documents.
- A signatory without authority.
- An unmonitored contact email.
A Quick Checklist
- Service chosen and eligibility checked.
- Signatory, coordinator and finance contact named.
- Documents collected, readable and consistent.
- Country and fee checked.
- Email monitored.
- Time reserved to answer requests within 15 days.
Ready? Apply online. Questions first? Contact the Secretariat.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Online, through the apply site: choose the country and service, complete the form, upload proof files, submit and pay as the service requires.
The choice of service, an eligibility check, a signatory with authority, a coordinator, the documents and Self-Study Report materials, and the payment details.
Yes. It is a legally binding contract between EAHEA and the applicant, so the signatory must have authority.
The country where the institution does most of its activity or is legally established. Individuals choose their country of residence.
EAHEA expects institutions to answer its requests within 15 days.
Fees are non-refundable, except an amount paid twice or by mistake, so choose carefully and ask the Secretariat first if unsure.