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Accreditation Overview
Accreditation has become integral to the quality assurance and review processes in education. In the globally competitive education environment, the importance of institutional self-review, peer review by experts in the field, benchmarking, best practice and development of learning enhancement strategies have never been more important.
Institutions are increasingly seeking both national and globally recognised course accreditations. This can be seen in areas as diverse as business, nursing or engineering. Accreditation has become an accepted and important process to undertake. In the globalising world of education, accreditation is now being seen as a ‘quality mark' by prospective international students.
THE-ICE Accreditation Process
Institutions seeking accreditation and membership of THE-ICE are initially reviewed by the Board through a pre-accreditation assessment process. Once accepted, the institution becomes an Associate of THE-ICE for a period of up to three years. It is during this period that the institution applies for full accreditation.
In brief, the accreditation process steps include:
1. Self-review: each institution prepares a self-review document. Rather than measure each institution or its programmes against some pre-determined set of absolute standards, the main focus of this process is on self-reflection. The mission, goals and aims of the institution and its programmes are initially examined, and then aligned with the actual programmes and their graduate attributes, facilities, teaching staff, internationalisation policies and industry engagement activities.
2. Peer review: is conducted by a group of experts selected by THE-ICE. An Accreditation Assessment Panel is selected to review the materials presented by the institution about its courses and graduate outcomes.
3. Site visit: the Chair of the Assessment Panel and the CEO of THE-ICE will visit each Associate institution to meet with the teaching staff, administrative support staff, students, alumni and the industry advisory board. The purpose of this site visit to the institution is to reflect on the courses, institutional facilities and to verify the information.
4. Evaluation: the Chair of the Assessment Panel will make a recommendation to the Board of THE-ICE based on the outcome of the evaluation. Once accreditation is granted, it is valid for a period of five years before another full review is required.
5. On-going benchmarking: the use of the International Student Barometer (which is conducted by i-Graduate Research in the UK) for THE-ICE, provides on-going data to institutions about the student experience and produces confidential benchmarking reports. THE-ICE also monitors any course changes to ensure that are in alignment with the accreditation granted, and can provide input into internal course reviews.
Institutions that are members of THE-ICE and offer their accredited courses through another institution, are able to apply for their partners to become an Affiliate of THE-ICE. Affiliates need to meet the agreed criteria.
AccreditationPLUS
Accreditation by THE-ICE is just the first step in what THE-ICE offers to its members. Unlike many other accrediting bodies, THE-ICE actively looks to develop and support its accreditation brand in the minds of both educators and potential students. THE-ICE does this through the following activities:
• THE-ICE Website - providing searchable information on member's courses
• THE-Forum - an open forum and Q&A answers for potential students
• THE-News - a regular e-newsletter to potential students and educators
• THE-Scholarships of Excellence - a range of offered to outstanding students
• THE-Bulletin - regular e-updates specifically relevant to member institutions
• THE-Presentations - invited presentation at conferences by the Director and Board members
• THE Panel of Experts Forum - an annual symposium meeting focusing on key issues relating to education
• THE-Projects - education projects involving member institutions
Application for Accreditation and Membership of THE-ICE
The 5-Step process for institutions who are interested to have their courses accredited by THE-ICE is as follows:
1. Register interest in joining THE-ICE
2. Complete the pre-Accreditation assessment
3. Become an Associate of THE-ICE
4. Complete the accreditation process
5. Become an Accredited Member
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