Accreditation and recognition describe different acts. Accreditation is a review by a quality body that ends in a decision about an institution, program or course. Recognition is a decision by an authority, institution or employer to accept something, such as a degree, an institution or a credit, for a stated purpose. An accrediting body can accredit, but it cannot make a government recognize a degree, and the word “recognized” used loosely often hides the difference.
In education marketing, “recognized” sounds like official approval, and it is used for everything from a government decision to a mention in a newsletter. Learners then assume that a degree will be accepted, that a state stands behind it or that an association has audited the institution. This guide sets out the difference, shows how the words are misused, explains the special case of EAHEA’s Recognized Institutions directory and offers safe wording. It reflects the published information of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
Definitions
- Accreditation: a review against published standards by an accrediting body, which leads to a decision and, if positive, a public record with a type, a scope and dates.
- Recognition: acceptance by a party with the authority to decide, for a purpose. A ministry may recognize a degree for public employment, a university may recognize credits for admission and an employer may recognize a certificate for a job.
Side by Side
| Question | Accreditation | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Who acts? | An accrediting body | An authority, an institution or an employer |
| What is decided? | Whether standards are met | Whether to accept something for a purpose |
| Based on | Review of evidence against standards | Law, policy and the needs of the decider |
| Applies to | Institutions, programs or courses | Degrees, credits, institutions, titles |
| Can it be given by an association? | Yes | Only for its own purposes, and not on behalf of a state |
| Public record | Usually a directory | Depends on the decider |
How the Words Are Misused
| Statement | Problem |
|---|---|
| “Our degrees are internationally recognized.” | No one recognizes degrees internationally as a whole. Each authority and institution decides for itself |
| “Recognized by [an association].” | It may mean membership, a mention or a partnership, and not a review |
| “Accredited and recognized.” | Suggests two layers of approval when only one has taken place |
| “A recognized institution” used as “accredited institution” | The two lists may mean different things |
| “Recognized by the ministry” for a private accreditation | Implies state backing that does not exist |
See red flags in education marketing.
The EAHEA Recognized Institutions Directory
EAHEA uses the word “recognition” in one specific way. NGO/CSO Recognition is a partnership program for legally established non-profit organizations, set out in a Memorandum of Understanding and shown in the Recognized Institutions directory. It is not accreditation, certification or membership. EAHEA does not evaluate or approve the programs of a recognized organization, and the recognition does not confer the rights of an accredited institution or a member. See NGO/CSO Recognition: a partnership program explained.
A reader should therefore never read the Recognized Institutions directory as a list of quality-reviewed schools. For accredited institutions, the right list is the Accredited Institutions directory.
Levels of Recognition
- Legal recognition by the state: an authority decides that an institution may award degrees, or that a foreign degree is valid for official purposes.
- Professional recognition: a regulator decides that a qualification permits practice in a profession.
- Institutional recognition: a university decides to grant admission, exemption or credit on the basis of earlier study. See credit transfer between countries: how receiving institutions decide.
- Employer recognition: an employer decides that a qualification is suitable for a role.
- Peer recognition: a partnership or mutual acknowledgment between organizations, as in an MoU.
Each level is decided by a different party. A document from an accrediting body can support any of them as evidence, but cannot decide any of them.
Safe Wording
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| “Recognized worldwide” | “Accredited by [body], type, scope, dates. Acceptance is decided by each receiving institution.” |
| “Recognized by EAHEA” | “Accredited by EAHEA” (for an accredited institution), or “Partner organization under an EAHEA NGO/CSO Recognition MoU” (for a recognized partner) |
| “Officially recognized degree” | “Authorized to award degrees by [authority]” if it is true |
Questions to Ask
- Who recognized it, and do they have the authority?
- For what purpose: study, work, a license or public employment?
- Is there a public record or a document that says so?
- Is the claim actually about accreditation, a membership or a partnership?
- Can I ask the receiving institution or authority myself?
Limits
- EAHEA is a non-governmental association. It does not recognize degrees on behalf of any state, and its accreditation is voluntary.
- No accreditation or partnership guarantees recognition, acceptance of credits, visas or jobs. EAHEA does not guarantee any outcome.
- Rules differ by country. Ask the relevant authority about your own purpose.
See academic equivalency vs. recognition: what is the difference? and national vs. international accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation is a quality review by an accrediting body. Recognition is acceptance by an authority, institution or employer for a purpose.
No. Recognition for official purposes belongs to national authorities.
A list of non-profit organizations in the NGO/CSO Recognition partnership program. It is not accreditation, certification or membership.
In the Accredited Institutions directory.
No. Each authority and institution decides for itself, so a claim of worldwide recognition should be treated with care.
Name the accrediting body, type, scope and dates, and state that acceptance is decided by each receiving party.