Essential Information: The International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-tertiary and Higher Education (QAHE) provides ISO-certified, independent accreditation for education and training institutions worldwide. Using ISO 9001:2015 and benchmarks aligned with ISO 21001:2018, it applies an evidence-based, multi-stage peer-review methodology rooted in a Self-Evaluation Report and supporting documents. Accreditation focuses on governance, curriculum quality, teaching and learning, assessment, student support, and continuous improvement. QAHE accredited institutions are listed in a public directory for employer verification and are designed to be compatible with national regulatory frameworks through external audit readiness.
QAHE plays a vital role in strengthening global education quality, enabling institutions and professionals to Benchmark, improve, and excel on an international stage. 
Amb. Prof. Dr Stéphane NARCIS
QAHE Honorary President
Read MoreInstitutional Accreditation Standards and Evaluation Criteria
The QAHE institutional accreditation process follows the standards and evaluation criteria outlined below:
1. Institutional Standards
Institutions must demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
Learning Resources
Provision of adequate learning resources, including library facilities, computer and information services, and instructional materials.
Student Assessment
A robust and transparent system for assessing and recording student performance and academic progress.
Curriculum Alignment
Course content clearly reflects stated institutional goals, learning objectives, evaluation methods, and expected student outcomes.
Program Evaluation
Regular self-evaluation of academic programs, faculty performance, staff effectiveness, and overall alignment with institutional mission.
Student Support
Comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, counseling, and appropriate supervision.
Equal Opportunity
Publicly stated policies of non-discrimination based on race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Academic Publications
Accurate, complete, and up-to-date institutional catalogues, curriculum guides, and official publications.
Qualified Faculty
Faculty and instructional staff qualifications verified by appropriate academic credentials and relevant subject-matter expertise.
Credit Policies
Clearly defined and consistently applied policies regarding acceptance of prior learning, life experience, or work experience credits.
Mission Statement
A formally adopted mission statement approved by the governing board that clearly demonstrates an educational purpose.
Admissions Policies
Publicly available and consistently applied admission policies and procedures.
2. Program Standards
Individual academic or training programs must maintain:
Programmatic accreditation is conducted separately following successful institutional accreditation.
Acceptable course content that aligns with clearly stated program goals and evaluation methods.
Well-articulated learning outcomes with appropriate assessment strategies.
Curricula that remain current, relevant, and responsive to industry or professional standards.
3. Five Areas of Inspection
All QAHE accreditation evaluations focus on five core areas:
Academic Quality and Integrity
Teaching Staff Qualifications
Delivery of Programs
Student Services
Website Design and Performance
Stages of the QAHE Accreditation Process
The QAHE accreditation process follows these structured stages:
Application Submission
Institutions must demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
Programmatic Accreditation
Accepted throughout the year
Institutional Accreditation
Accepted throughout the year
Timely Evaluation
Initial review completed within 48-72 hours
Internal Quality Evaluation
Educational institutions complete QAHE’s online Self-Evaluation Form assessing compliance across Five Areas of Inspection:
Academic Quality
Mission, learning outcomes, and academic policies are clearly documented and regularly reviewed.
Staff Qualifications
Faculty credentials, industry experience, and professional development records are verified and current.
Program Delivery
Programs are delivered through approved syllabi, published assessments, and measurable learning outcomes.
Student Services
Admissions, student support, and grievance procedures are accessible and effectively managed.
Website Performance
The institutional website is secure, responsive, accessible, and maintained to current standards.
Delivery of Programs
Independent experts verify self-evaluation through off-site audit and document review:
Programmatic Accreditation
Maximum 5 working days
Institutional Accreditation
Maximum 10 working days
Final Decision and Certification
The QAHE Accreditation Commission reviews findings across all Five Areas of Inspection and issues one of two decisions:
Successful Outcome
When compliance is confirmed in all five areas, the educational institution or program receives full QAHE accreditation status. A formal certificate is issued, valid for one year, along with authorization to use the “QAHE Accredited” designation and logo package.
Unsuccessful Outcome
When any of the five areas is determined non-compliant, accreditation is not granted. Institutions may address identified deficiencies and reapply following corrective action.
Public Registry
Accreditation decisions and final evaluation reports are published in QAHE’s Register of Accredited Institutions, publicly accessible 24/7.