Accreditation
Who Can Apply
The kinds of bodies HCDE accredits, the conditions an applicant must meet, and what falls outside HCDE's scope.
Who may apply
| Applicant | What may be accredited |
|---|---|
| Institutions | Universities, colleges, institutes and schools, for institutional accreditation covering their provision as a whole. |
| Training centers | Providers whose main activity is training, courses or short programs, delivered in person, at a distance or both. |
| Online programs | An individual program, or a defined group of programs, delivered mainly or wholly online, whether or not its provider is accredited as a whole. |
| Organisations | Businesses and other organisations that run learning programs for their own people, through Business Accreditation. |
Conditions
To be accepted for review, an applicant must be able to show that:
- It is a legally established organisation, and can provide the documents that show who owns and controls it.
- It operates lawfully in the places where it delivers education, and can say what authorisation, licence or approval it holds, if any.
- It has been operating long enough to have records for HCDE to examine: learners, assessment, results and complaints.
- It is willing to publish the fact and scope of its accreditation, and to be listed in HCDE's public registry.
- It accepts the HCDE Code of Conduct and the rules on the use of the mark.
What HCDE does not accredit
- Bodies that cannot show lawful operation or a documented owner.
- Individual teachers or learners. Individuals may use the Credential Review service instead.
- Programs whose main purpose is the sale of a qualification without learning and assessment.
Not sure?
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, or which route fits, begin with an inquiry. It carries no commitment.
Questions before you begin?
Write to HCDE and we will explain the route that fits your institution, program or situation.