Accreditation is based on an inspection of the full range of your institution’s provision, and we also require evidence that your management maintains acceptable standards and its legal obligations during the period of accreditation.

Prospective institutions undergo a first level of scrutiny by BAC staff through the application review stage. Once this is completed, you will receive a rigorous inspection which assesses your provision against the minimum standards set out in the relevant scheme document. A report of this inspection is then considered by the Accreditation Committee, which can then decide to award, defer or refuse accreditation based on the evidence of whether all minimum standards have been met.

Once you have read all the information on this website and in the Accreditation Handbook and scheme documents, should you still have any questions you are invited to contact our office by email or telephone. We organise regular seminars introducing prospective applicants to the principles of accreditation and exploring the process in more detail; details of forthcoming seminars are published on this website.

Whilst our inspectors and staff always attempt to offer helpful advice, you should bear in mind that we are primarily an inspection body. In applying for accreditation, you must be prepared to accept constructive criticism of your provision as well as positive comment on good practice.

Application, inspection and accreditation timings

Below is a timeline for new and re-accreditation applications for accreditation. If any cut-off date is missed for any reason, your inspection report may be submitted to the next Accreditation Committee meeting in the series. Processing an application may take up to several weeks to allow for proper scrutiny. If additional information and/or documentation are requested, please be prompt in responding in order to reduce delays in processing.

Application periodInspection byReport reviewed byAccreditation Committee Meeting
12 February – 13 March 202415 May 202417 July 202425 July 2024
14 March – 17 May 202419 July 202419 September 202426 September 2024
18 May – 21 June 202423 August 202424 October 202431 October 2024
22 June – 24 July 202423 September 202421 November 202428 November 2024
25 July – 13 September 202413 November 202416 January 202523 January 2025
14 September – 18 October 202418 December 202420 February 202527 February 2025
19 October – 20 November 202420 January 202520 March 202527 March 2025
21 November – 18 December 202417 February 202517 April 202524 April 2025
19 December 2024 – 8 January 202519 March 202522 May 202529 May 2025
9 January – 13 February 202515 April 202519 June 202526 June 2025
14 February – 21 March 202523 May 202524 July 202531 July 2025

What steps are involved in the accreditation process?

  • Research and preparation by the institution.
  • The institution completes and submits its application for accreditation.
  • BAC reviews the application form and supporting documentation.
  • BAC arranges an inspection in consultation with the institution.
  • The institution completes and submits its application for accreditation.
  • The institution submits its self-evaluation documentation against defined criteria.
  • The inspection is conducted by a specialist inspection team.
  • The inspection report is submitted to BAC.
  • The inspection report is considered by the Accreditation Committee.
  • BAC notifies the institution of the Accreditation Committee’s decision.

Click her for information on Making an application