THE BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL The British Accreditation Council

THE BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL

The British Accreditation Council Established in 1984 by British Council and Department of Education Registered Charity and a ‘Not for Profit’ limited company Full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) Member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)

Introduction to the British Accreditation Council BAC has developed a series of internationally recognised standards against which institutions can be judged and accredited Paul Fear, CEO

Key Objectives

Key Objectives Provide respected and rigorous inspectionbased accreditation to enhance the standards and quality of independent further and higher education and training providers • To encourage continuing improvement in the general standard and quality of independent education in the UK and internationally • To be recognised by UK and overseas governments as an influential voice on standards and quality for the independent education sector • To help providers in their efforts for continual improvement

What BAC does

Benefits of Working with BAC

BAC External Recognition and Activities • • • We have worked with governments and NGOs in Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, in capacity building projects designed to improve the governance and outcomes in further and higher education Within the UK BAC holds a statutory responsibility in that all BAC accredited institutions can accept international students on academic or vocational courses for up to six months BAC is a full member of the following organisations: European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education

BAC Accreditation Schemes • • 5 schemes Options for providers of all sizes and locations Independent inspectorate of education experts Tailored support from accreditation scheme managers Independent Higher Education scheme College scheme Short Course provider scheme UK Oversea s International Centre scheme Online, Distance and Blended Learning scheme

UK Based Higher Education Independent Higher Education Scheme Suitable for institutions offering academic courses recognised on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 5 or higher. BAC inspection visit includes inspection of the institutions : • Governance, strategy and financial management • Academic management and administration • Teaching learning and assessment • Student recruitment, support, guidance and progression • Premises, facilities and learning resources • Quality management and enhancement Four years BAC accreditation

Overseas Higher Education Institutions Independent Higher Education Scheme Providers must meet one or more of the following requirements: Hold a formal collaborative partnership with a: • UK Recognised Institute with degree awarding powers Or • Royal Chartered Body recognised within the UK Or the organisation: • Offers programmes recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual) at level 5 or above on the RQF Or • Holds national or federal approval/licence or national accreditation and its awards are recognised by UK NARIC or CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation). Inspection includes a site visit and scrutiny of the following: • Governance, strategy and financial management • Academic management and administration • Premises, facilities and learning resources • • • Quality management and enhancement Student recruitment, support, guidance Teaching learning and assessment and progression Four years BAC accreditation

For UK Based Providers… Online, Distance and Blended Learning Short Course Providers College For providers who offer most courses through online or distance teaching methods. For training providers who offer courses of 26 weeks or less. For education and training institutes who deliver courses over 26 weeks. BAC inspection includes a site visit and scrutiny of the following: • Management, staffing and administration • Teaching, learning and achievement • Learner support • Management of quality • Premises and facilities (face to face components) Four years BAC accreditation • • Management, staffing and administration Teaching, learning and assessment Participant welfare Premises and facilities Four years BAC accreditation • Management, staffing and administration • Teaching, learning and assessment • Student welfare • Premises and facilities Four years BAC accreditation

For Overseas Providers… International Centre For education and training institutes who deliver courses over 26 weeks teaching predominantly in English. Providers must have provided a relevant academic programme for a minimum of two years BAC inspection includes a site visit and scrutiny of the following: • Management, staffing and administration • Teaching, learning and assessment • Learner welfare • Premises and facilities Three years BAC accreditation

Provider Cycle Re accreditation every 3 years (International Centre) Re accreditation every 4 years (Short Course, College, Independent Higher Education, ODBL) Preparation and application for Re accreditation Annual Return (every 12 months) Enquiry Due Diligence Application Inspection

How To Work With Us Type of Organisation Potential ways you can work with us Educational providers offering academic or professional programmes Become a BAC accredited institution Or use BAC bespoke consultancy services (e. g. for due diligence research, new institution start up) Government, accreditation organisation, other organisation working in education Work in partnership with BAC (e. g. sign an MOU for inter-agency cooperation or dualaccreditation) Or use BAC bespoke consultancy services (e. g. evaluating national educational standards and working with domestic agency on evaluation or implementation of desired changes)

Next Steps… BAC Accreditation Complete enquiry form on BAC website Liaise with relevant scheme manager and submit application Process takes between 2 – 6 months from application to accreditation BAC consultation Complete the application for consultancy services form BAC will provide a quote and recommend a relevant consultant Process takes 10 working days from enquiry to quotation. Partner with BAC Contact the Paul. fear@thebac. org for an informal discussion BAC will provide a scheme of work and liaise with you as the key contact to develop the partnership Process takes 15 working days from receipt of enquiry to providing a scheme of work www. the-bac. org Contact us Email: info@the-bac. org Tel: + 44 (0) 300 330 1400 Twitter: @BAC_Education Skype: BAC-GB

BAC Case Studies Reviewed existing arrangements for quality assurance (QA) oversight for Higher Education Council (HEC), Bahrain Developed an accreditation framework Supporting the HEC in implementing QA standards across the entire Higher Education (HE) sector by 2020. Ran workshops for the HEC to brief the HE sector on the new Key project aims: tandards • To raise standards across the higher Prepared HEC officials for the implementation education sector We conducted inspections in phase 1 (pilot scheme) and are • Provide greater preparing for phase 2 inspections. transparency for all stakeholders • Improve the student experience • Enhance Bahrain’s standing as a regional HE hub and student Kingdom of Bahrain destination

Accreditation in Action Transnational Education (TNE), Ghana, approached BAC seeking accreditation • TNE deliver a foundation course accredited by Lancaster University • Students who successfully complete the course can progress to undergraduate degrees at Lancaster University

Impact of BAC Accreditation Differentiated the institution from competitors by giving access to a globally recognised accreditation mark Provided transparency and assurance for students and other stakeholders Outcome: Rapid growth from 100 students to over 1000 in a two-year period successfully establishing itself as a trusted institution within Ghana.

How does BAC Work?

Testimonials “Since achieving BAC accreditation, participant numbers have increased substantially, from 10 to a current total of 80. ” – London College of Style “A very positive and beneficial process. The inspection was an added evaluation method to both highlight our strengths and development edges” - Findhorn Foundation College. “A positive process that highlighted and reaffirmed the reasons for our processes. ” - CGG Services “Would highly recommend BAC to other providers. Very pleased with all contact and the overall organisation of the inspection – Thank you. ” - Ardmay House International Summer School

Please contact the British Accreditation Council if you have any questions www. the-bac. org Contact us Email: info@the-bac. org Tel: + 44 (0) 300 330 1400 Twitter: @BAC_Education Skype: BAC-GB