Initial accreditation in Flanders

If a programme is not published on the Higher Education Register, it will be regarded as a new programme. All Flemish higher education institutions can propose new bachelor's and master's programmes to NVAO. Only statutory registered institutions need to request a macro-efficiency check from the Recognition Commission before applying for initial accreditation.

Each programme proposal will be assessed by a panel set up by NVAO. NVAO has developed an assessment framework for inital accreditation.

The major difference with normal accreditation is the fact that the panel can't look at achievements but needs to look at the conditions for continuity.