Our accreditation process involves three different stages.
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Stage 1: Scrutiny of Application Form and Accompanying Documents
The initial information provided to us will be inspected and assessed by a member of our Accreditation Committee. If it meets our required standards, we can then move onto the next stage in the process. If it does not, we may inform the institution why they are unlikely to gain accreditation at this point, and then provide advice and guidance on ways they can improve or rectify the problems we find.
Stage 2: Inspection – Part 1
The inspectors will focus on how the institution complies with immigration regulations; the quality of management and student support; the health and safety of the premises; and the suitability of the available resources for the courses.
The inspectors will need to examine procedural documentation, attendance recording systems, examples of marked work and feedback forms from students*, and statutory documentation, such as approvals from the local Ministry of Higher Education and fire regulations. During their visit, the inspectors will also meet with key management staff and the Principal.
*At this point for newly established institutions, who have not yet recruited students (so we are unable to proceed to Part 2 where students and staff are interviewed, lessons observed, and academic provision further scrutinised), Interim Accreditation may be awarded. Interim Accreditation will last for a period of 12 months (allowing the institution to begin recruiting students) during which time a Stage 2 (Part 2) Inspection visit will need to be arranged.
Stage 2: Inspection Part 2
This stage is mainly focused on assessing what was observed during the inspection visit and weighing up the evidence of the institution’s ability to uphold and maintain the standards needed for accreditation. We will carefully consider the documentation provided to us before the inspection, and the information gathered in the inspection itself.
The inspectors will need to meet the Principal and CEO, and possibly the institution’s owners. If possible, a meeting will be held with staff, where everyone will be informed of the nature of the inspection. Then detailed surveys and assessments will take place, teaching sessions will be observed, inspectors will meet with groups of teaching faculty and administration staff and then groups of students to gather their opinions and viewpoints. Finally, there will be a final meeting with the Principal where the inspectors will provide informal feedback on their findings.
The final decision on accreditation will be decided by the Accreditation Committee. The exact format of the Inspection stages will vary depending upon the size, location and type of institution – this will usually have already been discussed during Part 1 of the Inspection stage.
Fees
The fees charged will depend on the following issues:
- The number of students attending the institution for full-time study.
- The number of days required for the inspection.
- Whether the college is applying for re-accreditation, or if this is their first application to ASIC.
- Whether or not the institution has already been accredited by another agency.
* ASIC reserves the right to decline an application.