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Accreditation
Accreditation levels
One framework, five routes. The standard is the same; the depth of evidence changes with the credential.
Every level is assessed against the same seven axes. What differs is the evidence we expect: a doctoral-level programme must show research training and supervision that an associate-level programme does not, and a certificate programme is judged on a smaller, tighter scope. Each accreditation is recorded with its level, so a registry record always says exactly what was accredited.
| Route | What is accredited | Emphasis in review |
|---|---|---|
| Associate-level | Business and professional programmes at the first tier of higher study. | Foundations, progression routes, learner support, applied skills. |
| Bachelor-level | Undergraduate business and professional programmes. | Depth and coherence of curriculum, outcomes, assessment standards. |
| Master-level | Postgraduate programmes for practising and aspiring professionals. | Rigour, applied practice, faculty experience, integrity of assessment. |
| Doctoral-level | Research-led and professional doctoral-level programmes in business and related fields. | Research training, supervision, examination, contribution to practice. |
| Certificate programmes | Stand-alone certificate programmes, accredited on their own terms. | Tight scope, clear outcomes, assessment and certification integrity. |
Three kinds of certificate
The IFEIA certificate takes one of three forms, depending on what has been accredited. The registry record always states which.
- Programme Accreditation for degree-level business and professional programmes.
- Certificate Programme Accreditation for stand-alone certificate programmes.
- Professional Programme Recognition for professional programmes that are not degree-level, assessed against the same framework.
Level does not replace authorisation. IFEIA accreditation says nothing about whether an institution is authorised by the competent authority to award a degree at that level.