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Accreditation Changes

Changes to accredited qualifications must be approved by ARB before implementation. This section of the Handbook relates to the process to seek approval of changes to the title, content, duration, mode and/or awarding body of a qualification.

 

Page updated 3 December 2024

Information about making changes to prescribed qualifications to implement the new Competency Outcomes for Architects and retain accreditation beyond the current period of prescription can be found in the Transition of Prescribed Qualifications to Accreditation section of the Handbook.

Under the Standard Conditions and Accreditation Rules, providers must seek ARB approval of changes to an accredited qualification and any changes must be approved by ARB before they are implemented.

Changes that must be approved by ARB include any material changes that will affect the programme specification, module descriptors and/or mapping of ARB’s Outcomes, such as:

  1. A change to the qualification title
  2. A change of awarding body
  3. Changes to the structure, content and/or assessment
  4. The introduction of a new specialisation and/or placement
  5. A change to the duration (shorter/longer)
  6. The introduction of an additional mode (e.g. part-time or apprenticeship) or a change to the existing mode(s) (including removal of a mode)
  7. A change to delivery method (e.g. changing from in-person to online/distance learning, or the addition of such an option)

The above list is not exhaustive. If other changes are planned, providers can contact the Accreditation Team (Qualifications@arb.org.uk) to check whether they will need ARB approval.

Providers must also inform ARB immediately of significant changes or disruption to staffing or resources (see Standards 4.1 and 5.1), of temporary changes to assessments or assessment arrangements (see Standard 2.1), and of plans to suspend delivery of an accredited qualification and to re-open a suspended qualification.

Non-material changes – e.g. to lecture content (if learning outcomes not affected), to reading lists, evolutionary changes to project briefs – do not need to be notified to or approved by ARB.

There will not be an additional fee for accreditation changes.

In the event of a decision to permanently close an accredited qualification, please refer to the Withdrawal of Accreditation section of the Handbook.

When to submit

1.0 Details of changes should be submitted to ARB as soon as possible after internal approval and before they have been implemented.

 

1.1 How long the process takes (from submission to decision by ARB) can vary considerably depending on the nature and extent of the proposed changes. Providers can contact the Accreditation Team (Qualifications@arb.org.uk) at an early stage to discuss the planned changes, ARB approval process and likely timeline.

 

1.2 While ARB will endeavour to process change applications promptly, there is no guarantee that it will be possible for late or last-minute submissions to be considered before the intended implementation date.

 

1.3 Changes implemented before or without ARB approval is a breach of the Standard Conditions of accreditation and will affect ARB’s confidence in the provider and its qualification(s). In such cases, ARB will determine what action to take – for instance conducting a review, the imposition of additional conditions and/or other action(s) deemed by ARB to be necessary and appropriate – and will notify the provider in writing and set out the qualification(s) to which this will apply.

How and what to submit

2.0 Details of changes and the supporting documentation must be submitted to Qualifications@arb.org.uk.

 

2.1

Documents can be submitted in their original format(s). There will typically be no need to convert them into an alternative format (e.g. PDFs), and they will not need to be combined into a single document.

Each individual document must be under 20MB in size, clearly labelled, and must be submitted together in a single consignment.

 

2.2 Providers must submit information about the proposed changes along with material that demonstrates that the Standards and requirements for accreditation will continue to be met.

 

2.3

The following must be included for any/all changes:

  • The qualification(s) to which the changes will apply
  • A description of the changes
  • The rationale for the changes
  • Details of the internal validation/approval process, and copies of the report and the final approval
  • The dates when the changes were internally approved and will be implemented
  • Details of the impact of the changes (or confirmation that there will be no impact) on student numbers, staffing, and teaching and learning resources

 

2.4

What other information must be supplied will depend on the nature of the proposed changes. Providers should refer to the Standards and submit evidence relevant to and affected by the proposed changes.

Some materials that are more commonly required include:

  • Copy of the new certificate that will be awarded to successful graduates (title or awarding body changes)
  • Revised programme specification (title, content or awarding body changes)
  • Revised/new module descriptors (content changes)
  • Updated mapping (using the ARB template) showing where the Outcomes will be met (content changes)
  • Side-by-side comparison of the existing and new qualification structures (content or mode changes)
  • Transfer/transition arrangements for continuing students (title, content or awarding body changes)
  • Dates (Month YYYY) of when the last students will be expected to graduate from the outgoing title/programme/awarding body, and when the first students will be expected to graduate from the new title/programme/awarding body

 

Following submission

3.0 ARB will confirm receipt of the submission and notify the provider of any issues or missing material.

 

3.1 The submission will be assessed against the Standards and requirements for accreditation, and ARB may seek the advice of one or more Visitor(s).

 

3.2

Once the submission has been reviewed, if any clarification and/or additional information is required, ARB will request this from the provider and specify the deadline for response. The provider will typically be given two weeks to respond, though the time given may vary.

On occasion (e.g. for more complex changes), ARB may request a meeting with the provider to discuss the submission, queries and/or concerns.

 

3.3 A report summarising the overall assessment of the changes and setting out the recommendations will be prepared.

 

3.4

The Accreditation Rules permit the Executive to approve minor title or content changes. In such cases, the provider will be notified in writing when ARB has approved the changes and of any matters identified for particular attention in the next annual monitoring submission and/or review.

The Executive will report any changes that it has approved to the Accreditation Committee at its next meeting.

 

3.5

The provider will be informed if its accreditation changes application will go the Accreditation Committee for decision.

 

3.5.1 Where the recommendation will be to reject the changes or to approve the changes and attach one or more additional condition(s), the provider will receive a copy of the report and have the opportunity to submit written representations in respect of the contents before these are presented to the Committee.

 

3.6 In some cases, the Committee may require the Executive to obtain further explanation(s) or material from the provider before making its decision.

 

3.7 Should the Committee reach a minded to position that differs to the original recommendation, the provider will be informed and have the opportunity to submit written representations before the Committee makes it decision.

 

3.8 Once the Committee has made its decision, the provider will be notified in writing with reason(s), where relevant.

 

3.9 The Accreditation Committee’s decision will be final.  There will be no appeal.  See also 1.3 above.