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 6 of 10
Working with the wider programme team
Accreditation by a professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB) is a team submission with one voice. Give everyone a clear role, a deadline and a reason to care, and keep one person responsible for the final narrative so it presents consistently.
| Who | What you need from them | How to engage them |
|---|---|---|
| Module leaders | Mapping of their modules to PSRB competences; evidence of online assessment and support | A pre-filled mapping template and a worked example |
| Associate and online tutors | Qualifications, training and moderation evidence | Ask the partner or online programme manager (OPM) for role profiles and experiential statements |
| Learning designers | The online learning model and student journey | A walkthrough of a live module the panel can see |
| Quality and academic registry | Programme specification, regulations, committee route, previous accreditation records | Involve from the start; they hold the institutional evidence |
| Student services, library, careers | The online support offer, access to resources, professional development | One clear statement from each, checked against the PSRB's criteria |
| Students and graduates | Learner voice, survey data, panel participation | Brief and support anyone meeting the panel |
| Partner or OPM staff | Clear roles, data and quality responsibilities | Agree responsibilities in writing before submission |
| External Examiners | Appointed External Examiner for quality assurance | Find a suitable external examiner (preferably with online experience) |
Practical tips
- Hold a short kick-off with the wider programme team explaining the PSRB's criteria in plain language, with the timeline.
- Use one shared file space so nobody hunts for documents in the final week.
- Set internal deadlines prior to the final submission date to provide time for review and editing.
- Rehearse the visit, especially with colleagues who have never met a PSRB panel or been involved with institutional approval.
- Document lessons learned through the process, as they will be invaluable at the next reaccreditation or review cycle.