International FAQs

What is International Accreditation?

ABHL international accreditation is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for independent providers of further and higher education and vocational training courses operating outside the United States of America (US).

How do I know if my institution is eligible?

We offer two international accreditation schemes.

The Independent higher education accreditation scheme is designed for those institutions solely or predominately offering courses at higher education levels and which have a formal recognised relationship with a higher education institution or a Royal Chartered Body inside the USA.

The international centre accreditation scheme is designed for institutions and training providers which do not have a USA link but are outstanding in their field and which enjoy local or international recognition.

What are the main benefits of accreditation?

Accreditation benefits both the institution and its students. The institution is awarded a mark of quality; accreditation by an independent and well-established national body, which is recognised in the USA and internationally. Your standards should improve due to the invaluable advice from our inspectors who have extensive knowledge of the sector. Accredited institutions also receive continuing advice and updates on relevant issues through regular email information bulletins and on the BAC website, professional development and invitations to attend best practice seminars and other professional development events. Please see full details on our benefits page.

Choosing an accredited institution provides students and their families with assurance that your institution meets the standards set out in our Accreditation Handbook. If these published standards are not met, students can seek redress through an agreed complaints procedure.

How do I gain accreditation?

The details for this are laid out in our Accreditation Handbook. In brief, you would complete the application form for your chosen scheme and, once your application demonstrates that you are ready for an inspection, this will be arranged. An inspection will then be conducted by ABHL’s highly experienced inspectors against published ABHL standards and a report produced. ABHL’s Accreditation Committeewill consider the report and decide if your institution meets ABHL standards and is therefore to be awarded accreditation.

Why would I want international accreditation?

ABHL accreditation is highly regarded and widely valued as a mark of quality. It distinguishes your institution as a quality provider in an increasingly crowded and competitive market place. As we have been established for over a quarter of a century, holding this accreditation assures students, parents and other stakeholders that your institution has been inspected and found to meet our standards on key areas of educational provision.

How much does it cost once my institution gains accreditation?

This depends to a considerable extent on the size of the institution. Please contact us directly to find out more.

How much does applying for accreditation cost ?

Please contact us directly to discuss costs.

How long does the application process take?

This depends largely on the quality of the initial application. If the application form is completed in full and all relevant supporting documentation submitted at the time of application, it may be possible to complete review of your application within four weeks, schedule an accreditation inspection within eight weeks and for accreditation to be awarded in between three to four months. Please note that a preliminary visit, at the institution’s expense, may be required to establish agreement on local government and other relevant local matters.

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