01
STANDARD 01
Governance and Leadership
The effectiveness, accountability, and strategic direction of the institution.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
LeadershipAccountabilityStrategic directionGovernance arrangementsInstitutional decision-making
Accreditation Standards
HIAC evaluates eligible institutions against predetermined standards and criteria. The framework may consider the ten areas set out below.
THE FRAMEWORK
Ten standards
02
STANDARD 02
Academic Provision
The design, delivery, monitoring, and review of academic programmes.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Programme designAcademic deliveryProgramme monitoringAcademic reviewProgramme improvement
03
STANDARD 03
Quality Assurance
The systems through which academic standards and quality are monitored and enhanced.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Quality systemsMonitoringAcademic standardsQuality enhancementInternal review
04
STANDARD 04
Teaching and Learning
The effectiveness of educational delivery and learning environments.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Teaching effectivenessLearning environmentDelivery methodsStudent engagementLearning effectiveness
05
STANDARD 05
Assessment
The integrity, reliability, fairness, and appropriateness of assessment processes.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Assessment integrityReliabilityFairnessConsistencyAppropriatenessAssessment procedures
06
STANDARD 06
Student Support
The systems available to support students throughout their learning journey.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Academic supportLearner guidanceStudent servicesCommunicationLearning support
07
STANDARD 07
Faculty and Staff
The qualifications, competence, development, and support of academic and professional staff.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
QualificationsCompetenceProfessional experienceDevelopmentInstitutional support
08
STANDARD 08
Resources and Infrastructure
The adequacy and suitability of facilities, technology, learning resources, and other institutional infrastructure.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
FacilitiesTechnologyLearning resourcesEducational systemsInfrastructure
09
STANDARD 09
Governance and Ethics
Institutional policies, accountability, integrity, and responsible management.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Institutional policiesAccountabilityIntegrityEthicsResponsible management
10
STANDARD 10
Continuous Improvement
The institution's ability to identify areas for development and demonstrate meaningful improvement.
AREAS MAY INCLUDE
Institutional reviewIdentification of improvement areasCorrective actionsDevelopment planningEvidence of improvement
ACCREDITATION PRINCIPLES
The principles applied alongside the standards
01Academic Integrity
02Institutional Accountability
03Transparency
04Quality Assurance
05Student Protection
06Effective Governance
07Evidence-Based Evaluation
08Continuous Improvement
09Professional Responsibility
DOWNLOADS & RESOURCES
Standards documents
Documents are maintained by HIAC and replaced as the framework is updated.
Accreditation StandardsThe full standards framework and criteria.
RequestAccreditation GuideHow the process runs from enquiry to decision.
RequestSelf-Evaluation GuidancePreparing a structured institutional self-assessment.
RequestSupporting Evidence GuidanceWhat evidence may be submitted and in what form.
Request