How Accreditation Works
From first enquiry to accreditation certificate: a step-by-step guide to the SAC accreditation process.
Target: 3–6 months in total. Duration depends on scope and your readiness.
Eligibility & Account Registration
Check that your institution meets the eligibility requirements, then register an account for your institution.
- Hold a valid licence or authorisation from the competent authority in your country
- Have been operating for at least 2 academic years
- Name a focal contact point for the accreditation process
- Have adequate governance, learner records and supporting evidence
Self-Evaluation / Self-Study
Evaluate your institution against the SAC domains and identify its strengths and areas for improvement.
- Select the accreditation scope: the whole institution, or a specific programme
- Complete the structured self-evaluation across the SAC quality domains
- Rate your institution against each domain and summarise your reasoning
- Duration depends on how quickly your team can complete it
Evidence Submission & Administrative Completeness Check
Submit the policies, reports and records that support your self-evaluation. SAC checks the file for completeness before review begins.
- Upload institutional policies, strategic plans and quality reports
- Provide evidence of teaching, learning and student outcomes
- SAC confirms the file is complete before it goes to review
- All evidence needed for the decision must be submitted before the site visit
Independent Expert Review
A panel of independent, trained assessors reviews your submission against the SAC standards.
- A panel of 3 independent assessors (up to 5 for complex cases)
- Each assessor scores independently, then the panel agrees a documented consensus
- Assessors declare any conflicts of interest
- You may be asked for clarification or additional evidence
Site Visit / Validation
Assessors visit to validate the evidence, observe practice and meet leadership, staff and students.
- A site visit is always required for first-time accreditation
- Virtual or hybrid visits are used only in exceptional cases, with a documented justification
- Interviews with leadership, staff and students; review of facilities and records
- A closing meeting with institutional leadership
Accreditation Committee Decision
Assessors recommend; a separate SAC Accreditation Decision Committee makes the final decision.
- The committee decides on the assessors' recommendation
- Decision-makers and assessors declare conflicts of interest
- Three possible outcomes: Accredited, Conditionally Accredited, Not Accredited
- You receive a written report with domain-by-domain findings and recommendations
Certificate Issuance & Annual Monitoring
Accreditation is valid for 4 years and is maintained through annual monitoring.
- Certificate issued after the committee's approval
- Valid for 4 years
- Annual monitoring: a proportionate progress review, not a re-accreditation
- Renewal is risk-based and focuses on changes since the last cycle
Prepare for each step
Who can apply, and what to prepare
Eligibility requirements and the evidence an application usually needs.
Read moreHow to prepare a self-evaluation report
The eight Higher Education domains and practical writing tips.
Read moreFrequently asked questions
Timeline, cost, outcomes, eligibility and renewal.
Read moreReady to Begin?
The first step is registering your institution on our portal. Our team will guide you from there.