An accredited institution must tell EAHEA about changes, and the rule depends on the size of the change. Major changes, a new name, legal status, ownership or control, legal address or delivery mode for an institution, and curriculum or syllabus, duration, name or title, level or delivery mode for a program or course, must be reported before they are put into effect. They are reviewed again and incur a change fee. Minor changes need only notice, with no fee, and contact details must be reported within 30 days.
The rule exists because accreditation describes what was reviewed. If the thing changes, the statement may no longer be true. This guide sets out the categories, the timing, the steps, examples and the consequences of not reporting, based on the published pages of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA). Specific cases should be discussed with the Secretariat.
The Principle
Accreditation is granted to a defined institution, program or course as reviewed. A change that touches what defines it can alter the basis of the decision. The institution therefore informs EAHEA first, so that EAHEA can decide whether the accreditation continues unchanged, needs a new review or must pause until the review is complete.
Institutions: Major and Minor Changes
| Type | Examples | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Name, legal status, ownership or control, legal address, delivery mode | Report before implementation. Re-review with a change fee. EAHEA may suspend the accreditation until the review is complete |
| Minor | Correcting a typo, updating contact details | Notice only, no fee |
These rules apply to Full Accreditation and Online Accreditation.
Programs and Courses
| Type | Examples | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Curriculum or syllabus, duration, name or title, level, delivery mode | Report before implementation. New review, change fee. Until the review is complete, the changed program or course is not covered |
| Minor | A correction, a change of teaching staff | Notice only, no fee |
These rules apply to Program Accreditation and Course Accreditation. For Credit Certification, a major change to a course, such as hours, credits or outcomes, is also reviewed again with a change fee.
Contact Details: 30 Days
Changes of contact details, such as the address, email, phone and the contact person, must be reported within 30 days, and the Institutional Contact Declaration and Update Form on the Documents and Forms page should be kept current. Failure may lead to suspension of the accreditation and membership. Notices from EAHEA go to the contacts on file, so outdated details put renewals at risk.
How to Report
- Decide whether the change is major or minor. If unsure, ask the Secretariat in writing before acting.
- Describe the change, its date, its reason and its effect on learners.
- Attach documents, such as the registration change, the revised program specification or the contract.
- For a major change, wait for EAHEA’s answer about the review and the change fee before implementing.
- Keep the correspondence and the decision.
Timing and Planning
For major changes, “before implementation” means before the change takes effect for learners or in law, not afterward. Plan structural changes, such as a merger, a move of the legal seat or a switch to online delivery, with the accreditation in mind: allow time for the review, and consider whether the change should wait until after a decision if a review is under way. Avoid announcing the new arrangement publicly as accredited before EAHEA confirms how it is treated. See accreditation for branch campuses and satellite locations.
Examples
| Situation | Classification |
|---|---|
| A university is sold to a new owner | Major: ownership or control |
| A college moves its legal seat to another country | Major: legal address, and possibly legal status |
| A campus program becomes fully online | Major: delivery mode |
| An MBA course sequence is restructured and its title changes | Major: curriculum and title |
| A new teacher replaces a retired one in a course | Minor: change of teaching staff |
| A new phone number and website address | Minor: contact details, within 30 days |
The classification of unusual cases is for EAHEA to decide, so describe the facts and ask.
If Changes Are Not Reported
An institution that fails to report may face a warning, a corrective action plan, suspension or revocation, depending on severity, and the status is published. It may also be asked to pay the change fee and undergo the review it should have had before the change. See what happens if accreditation lapses.
Records to Keep
- A change log: date, description, classification and EAHEA’s reply.
- Updated registration, ownership and program documents.
- Communication with learners about the change.
- Updated public statements of accreditation.
Review the log before each renewal. See renewing accreditation and membership. Fees follow the World Bank country income classification and are listed on the Service Fees page. Contact the Secretariat before a significant change.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
A change of name, legal status, ownership or control, legal address or delivery mode. It must be reported before implementation and incurs a change fee.
A change to curriculum or syllabus, duration, name or title, level or delivery mode. The changed program or course is not covered until the review is complete.
A correction or a change that does not affect the defining elements, such as updated contact details or a change of teaching staff. Notice is enough, with no fee.
Within 30 days.
For an institution, EAHEA may suspend the accreditation until the review of a major change is complete.
Ask the Secretariat in writing before implementing the change.