Practical guide · Online higher education

Online Accreditation Guide

A structured approach for academics and faculty teams, whether you are extending an on-campus accreditation or making a new submission.

Section 3 of 10

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A staged approach

There are seven stages to applying for accreditation from a professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB). Don't start detailed mapping until the PSRB confirms your route, and don't submit until internal approval is complete, as later changes will delay the process.

Durations vary by PSRB cycle, so build your timeline backwards from the PSRB's submission window. Select a stage to see what it involves.

Stage 1 of 7

Scope and early PSRB contact

Read the PSRB handbook in full. List every difference from any accredited parent programme. Write to the PSRB asking which route applies and what evidence it expects.

Keep the PSRB’s reply: you will quote it to faculty management
Ask about submission windows and fees at the same time

Gate: route confirmed by the PSRB

Stage 2 of 7

Internal case and decisions

Take a one-page case to faculty management. Secure decisions on staffing, intake pattern, timing and resource.

Brief your faculty quality lead first
Ask for a decision to proceed, not sign-off of detail

Stage 3 of 7

Design and mapping

Map PSRB competences to modules and assessments. Fix the delivery and assessment model and confirm who will design learning activities, and who will teach.

Give module leaders a pre-filled mapping template
Modules need to cover all accreditation-prescribed content, though there may be flexibility in approach

Stage 4 of 7

Internal approval

Take the programme or modification through your approval or validation route, aligned to the PSRB’s criteria so one set of documents serves both.

Invite a panel member with PSRB experience
Resolve conditions before submitting externally – they are likely to be accreditation concerns too

Gate: institutional approval in place

Stage 5 of 7

Submission

Assemble documents from one shared project plan. Check the specification, handbook and marketing are consistent.

Set internal deadlines to provide sufficient time for review
Have someone outside the team read the narrative to identify inconsistencies or gaps

Stage 6 of 7

Panel or visit

Rehearse with the full team. Prepare a live walkthrough of the online learning environment. Brief students and academics who will meet the panel.

Show a real module, not a demo shell. This could be from another similar online programme
Make sure online tutors are visible in the process; they are a key element of the student journey

Stage 7 of 7

Outcome and conditions

Respond to conditions on time. Update student information to reflect accredited status. Build accreditation into annual monitoring and reaccreditation planning.

Ensure any conditions are reflected in the core set of documents
Record what the panel asked, to anticipate questions in the next review cycle