Initial accreditation

Initial accreditation concerns proposals for new programmes. Programmes are considered new programmes if they are not registered in the official register of the relevant country (i.e. the CROHO in the Netherlands or the Higher Education Register in Flanders).

Initial accreditation relates to the assessment of the potential quality of the programme including, when possible, a focus on achieved quality. In Flanders and the Netherlands a macro-efficiency check takes place before the initial accreditation procedure (but only for programmes offered by publicly funded institutions). 

The initial accreditation procedure consists of three consecutive steps: the programme proposal, the external assessment and the initial accreditation:

1. Programme proposal
The first step in the initial accreditation procedure is the programme proposals. The institution is responsible for the proposal and therefore assembles a dossier regarding the proposed programme. The programme proposal contains a full description of the programme. This is done according to at least the standards (and criteria) of the relevant Dutch or Flemish frameworks for initial accreditation. In addition, the proposal indicates and substantiates the level and orientation of the programme. The institution submits an application for accreditation of a programme to NVAO by sending in the programme proposal.

2. External assessment
The second step in the initial accreditation procedure is the external assessment. NVAO convenes an assessment panel that will be responsible for the external assessment of the programme. The assessment panel assesses the potential quality of the proposed programme and whether the programme fulfils the criteria of the initial accreditation framework. The panel follows the assessment framework (which contains all the standards) and the assessment rules as laid down in the initial accreditation framework. The external assessment focuses on learning outcomes. The panel writes down their (objective) findings, (subjective) considerations and conclusions in their assessment report. The report contains an explicit proposal to NVAO to take either a positive or a negative initial accreditation decision.

3. Initial accreditation decision
The third step in the initial accreditation procedure is initial accreditation decision. NVAO evaluates the assessment report and the overall conclusions expressed in it. This means that NVAO verifies whether the programme has the potential to offer generic quality.

Subsequently, NVAO takes an initial accreditation decision and lays down its findings in an initial accreditation report. Finally, the panel's assessment report and NVAO's initial accreditation report (including the initial accreditation decision) are published by NVAO.

If the initial accreditation decision is positive, the programme is initially accredited. This means that the programme is included in the relevant official register (i.e. CROHO or Higher Education Register). This registration means that the degree awarded by the programme is recognised by the national authorities. In addition, initially accredited programmes are eligible to receive public funding (but only when offered by publicly funded institutions and when granted a positive macro-efficiency check). Additionally, the students enrolled in these programmes are eligible for study finance (e.g. grants). However, public funding and study finance are normally not available for programmes offered by private institutions.