For nearly 40 years, the BAC has supported hundreds of independent education providers to gain an internationally recognised mark of quality for education standards benefiting thousands of students, parents, partner institutions, organisations, and agencies.

What are the benefits of voluntary accreditation?

Why choose the British Accreditation Council (BAC)?

Obtaining voluntary institutional accreditation can offer benefits:

  • Enhanced reputation and credibility: Voluntary accreditation from a reputable organisation shows a commitment to meeting high-quality standards beyond the minimum requirements set by the national accreditation body. There is significant value in voluntary accreditation as independent evidence of quality.
  • Quality assurance: Voluntary accreditation serves as an additional layer of quality assurance, helping to ensure that your institution maintains high standards and remains up to date with best practices in education. It can install confidence in various stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, and potential employers, as they know your institution adheres to recognised quality standards.
  • Continuous improvement: The process of seeking voluntary accreditation often involves self-assessment and external evaluation, which can lead to a focus on continuous improvement. This can help your institution identify areas for enhancement and growth.
  • Competitive advantage: Accreditation can provide a competitive edge in a crowded educational marketplace. It signals to students, parents, and partners that your institution is committed to excellence.
  • International recognition and alignment with global standards: Voluntary accreditation, especially from a globally recognised accrediting organisation, can help ensure alignment with global educational standards and help your institution gain international recognition. This can be beneficial for international student recruitment or international collaborations and partnerships.
  • Preparation for meeting national standards: It can provide valuable experience in being externally assessed by experts which can help institutions prepare for the scrutiny of national accreditation and lays the groundwork that can make the transition smoother, as many of the necessary requirements and processes will already be in place.
  • Globally recognised accreditation: BAC accreditation means that your institute has successfully completed an external review by technical experts from a trusted and internationally respected British quality assurance organisation.
  • Access to experience and expertise that can help your organisation grow: As part of the accreditation process, your institution would be supported by external independent experts across various quality assurance areas, allowing you to meet and implement best practices from the UK and Europe. Our inspectors can advise and support institutions in all areas of operations.
  • A framework for continuously improving your organisation: Working with the BAC will help maintain a culture of continuous improvement and development. As part of the inspection process, you will receive feedback on the areas of good practice as well as recommendations on how to further improve your processes, policies and procedures.
  • Accreditation is a mark of quality: You can use the BAC logo and accredited status on your website and all marketing materials to promote your organisation. We provide a free marketing support pack to help you make the most of the BAC accreditation and stand out.
  • Alignment to European standards and guidelines (ESG 2015): BAC has undergone an external review against the ESGs, and as a member of ENQA is part of a network of quality assurance agencies in the European Higher Education Area. Alignment to the ESG also enables BAC to be listed on EQAR. Read more here. 
  • Networking: Join our growing community of accredited providers. BAC institutions are spread across 22 countries, in Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and include colleges, online providers, institutions of higher learning, training providers and more.
  • Standard Visitor Visa approval: Enter the lucrative international student market by gaining approval to enrol students on Standard Visitor Visas