An accreditation certificate shows that a named institution, program or course holds a named type of EAHEA accreditation, for a stated period, under a certificate number that can be checked in the public directory. It should be displayed so that visitors can read exactly that: the type, the scope, the dates and a way to verify, without suggesting more than the certificate says. A certificate hung on a wall or placed on a website is a statement, and it must stay true.
Together with the certificate, an accredited institution receives an audit report, a seal and badges and a directory listing, and may announce its accreditation within the rules. This guide explains what the certificate contains, which related documents come with it, how to display it in print and online, how to keep it current and what to do if the status changes. It refers to the services of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
What the Certificate Shows
- The name of the accredited institution, program or course.
- The type of accreditation granted.
- The dates of validity, since accreditation is valid for one year.
- The certificate number, which is the key to the public directory record.
- The issuing body, the European Association for Higher Education Advancement.
It does not show a score or a ranking, it does not say that other programs of the institution are accredited and it does not replace legal authorization.
Certificates by Service
| Service | Certificate | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Full Accreditation | Full Accreditation Certificate | The institution as a whole |
| Online Accreditation | Online Accreditation Certificate | The institution as a whole |
| Program Accreditation | Program Accreditation Certificate | The named program |
| Course Accreditation | Course Accreditation Certificate | The named course |
What Comes with It
- For institutions: an Education Quality Certificate and an Education Quality Audit Report. For programs and courses: an audit report.
- The seal and badges, to be used under the Logo and Emblem Usage Guidelines.
- A listing in the public directory, with a link to the institution’s website.
- News alerts, the newsletter and discounts on EAHEA sponsored events.
- For Full and Online Accreditation, Accredited Membership.
The audit report documents the findings and suggestions. Keep it with the evidence index and use it in the next improvement plan.
How to Display It
- Display the original or a faithful copy in a visible place, such as the reception or admissions office.
- Place a notice beside it that states, in plain words, what is accredited and until when.
- Use the same wording in brochures and on the website.
- For a program or course, display it where that program or course is described, not at the institution’s main entrance, unless the institution is also accredited.
- Replace the display at each renewal, and remove it at once if the status ends.
Displaying Online
On a website, show the status in text, with the type, scope and dates, and link to the Accredited Institutions directory. A scanned certificate image can supplement the text, and should be readable, but images alone are hard for search engines, screen readers and learners to use. Keep the seal use within the guidelines: valid period and scope, the exact status, dates and a verification link, and no suggestion that EAHEA endorses a price, promotion or offer. See how universities should display accreditation status on their websites.
Keeping It Current
Accreditation is valid for one year. Set a date in the calendar to replace the certificate and the public text at each renewal, and a rule that the display is checked after any change of status. If EAHEA suspends or revokes the accreditation, or it lapses, the display and the marks must come down. Suspended or revoked status is published in the public directory with a short reason for five years, so an outdated display is easy to spot. See what happens if accreditation lapses.
Verification by Others
Learners, employers and partners can verify the certificate in the public directory by name or certificate number. A prepared institution makes this easy: it prints the certificate number next to the seal, links to the directory and responds quickly to verification requests. See how to verify an accredited institution in a public directory.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Displaying an institutional certificate next to programs that have no accreditation of their own.
- Showing an expired certificate.
- Altering or editing the certificate or the seal.
- Using the certificate to suggest government approval, a ranking or guaranteed outcomes.
- Displaying a certificate image with no text, dates or verification link.
For wording, see accreditation statements: how universities should word them. Fees follow the World Bank country income classification and are listed on the Service Fees page. Apply online or contact the Secretariat.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
The institution, program or course, the type of accreditation, the validity dates and the certificate number, issued by EAHEA.
An Education Quality Certificate and audit report for institutions, an audit report for programs and courses, a seal and badges, a directory listing, news and event discounts, and, for Full and Online Accreditation, Accredited Membership.
As text with the type, scope and dates and a link to the public directory, optionally with a readable image of the certificate.
Remove the certificate display, seal and statements at once, since the status is public.
Not as if it covered them. Institutional accreditation does not cover degrees, programs or courses.
In the public Accredited Institutions directory, by institution name or certificate number.