The accreditation process outlined in this section of the Handbook relates to new qualifications for which accreditation is being sought for the first time.
ARB’s Accreditation Committee is responsible for making decisions about accreditation applications; and all decisions made by the Committee under its delegated authority (as set out in the Accreditation Rules) will be final.
The Committee is supported and advised by, among others, the ARB Executive (staff) and a pool of Visitors (appointed to provide expert advice on matters relating to accreditation). Each application will typically be scrutinised by a team of two members of the ARB Executive and one or more Visitor(s).
All communication with and from ARB will be via the ARB Executive.
Throughout the process, providers will be asked to notify ARB of any conflicts of interest – actual or perceived – with any Committee members or Visitors to ensure these can be appropriately managed.
Expression of interest
ARB reserves the right not to accept applications from providers.
Any provider considering accreditation should contact ARB to discuss the qualification, application procedure and ARB’s requirements before beginning the formal accreditation process.
Expressions of interest should be emailed to Qualifications@arb.org.uk.
Application timeline
There are three Stages to the application process.
The process and associated timeframes and deadlines have been designed to allow sufficient time – under normal circumstances – for an accreditation application to be considered in full and for the Accreditation Committee to reach a final decision before the intended start date of the qualification. However, some providers may need to start the application process earlier than indicated to accommodate their internal procedures.
To aid providers’ planning, please note the following:
- Providers must begin the formal accreditation process (Stage 1) no less than two years before the intended start date of the qualification
- Stage 2 must be completed before the provider has internally validated the proposed qualification
- The qualification must have had full internal approval before the provider makes the Stage 3 submission – i.e. the main validation event must have taken place and the qualification had final approval following confirmation of compliance with any internal validation conditions resulting from the validation event
- The Stage 3 submission must be received by ARB no less than one year before the intended start date
- The Stage 3 visit will typically take place 16-20 weeks after the Stage 3 submission
When ARB requires a response from the provider and unless stated otherwise, the provider will typically be given two weeks to submit its reply. Depending on the circumstances, the time given may vary (shorter or longer).
All documentation and evidence relating to an application must be submitted electronically to Qualifications@arb.org.uk.
Each individual document must be under 20MB in size and clearly labelled, and can be submitted in its original format (documents do not typically need to be converted into a particular format, such as PDFs).
Eligibility
Accreditation cannot be sought for qualifications that are already running; and accreditation must be in place prior to the first cohort of students commencing. If students start the qualification before the accreditation process has concluded, the application will be rejected.
In exceptional circumstances, ARB may agree to allow students to start a qualification before a final decision. An example of this may be where the provider had met all deadlines throughout the application process and the Accreditation Committee had reached a minded to accredit position.
Examples of where an exception would not be considered include (but are not limited to) where the provider had failed to meet some or all of the deadlines during the application process; where the provider made changes to the qualification and/or documentation after the Stage 3 submission; and where the provider elects to delay consultation following a minded to accredit position.
Further information about eligibility for accreditation is given in the Standards for Learning Providers section of the Handbook.
Publication of applications and decisions
The status of any application or qualification and the Accreditation Committee’s decisions will typically be published on ARB’s website.
When providers advertise a qualification, the information must be clear and must not mislead prospective students as to the application/accreditation status of that qualification. Providers may wish to signpost to ARB’s website so prospective students can easily check this.
Please note that accreditation is not guaranteed; and, where an application is successful, maintaining accreditation will be subject to ongoing review and compliance with ARB’s requirements and Standards for Learning Providers (the Standards).
Accreditation fees
There will be an application fee for each new qualification. Providers of accredited qualifications will also be required to pay an annual fee.
Details to follow.
Stage 1: Notification
| 1.0 | The Stage 1 notification will formally commence the application process and will take place before the qualification has been fully developed. This will provide ARB with core information about the provider, qualification and anticipated timings. |
| 1.1 | The provider must submit its Stage 1 notification to ARB as soon as the necessary information/documentation (see 1.2 below) is ready. This must be no less than two years before the intended start date of the proposed qualification; though some providers may need to commence Stage 1 longer than two years before the intended start date, depending on their internal processes. |
| 1.2 |
The notification must be sent electronically and will include:
|
| 1.3 | ARB will acknowledge receipt of the notification. Once reviewed, dates and details of the Stage 2 submission and planning meeting will be confirmed. |
Stage 2: Formal Planning
| 2.0 | Stage 2 will build on the information already submitted. ARB will set out in more detail the accreditation process and requirements, and will be able to identify any potential issues. |
| 2.1 | The timing of Stage 2 may vary. However, it must be completed before the internal validation event takes place. This is so the provider will have an opportunity to make changes – if it chooses to do so – to address any matters identified at Stage 2 before the provider internally validates the proposed qualification. |
| 2.2 |
On or before the date agreed at Stage 1, the provider will submit the Stage 2 documentation:
|
| 2.3 | The Stage 2 submission must be received electronically at least three weeks before the date of the planning meeting. |
| 2.4 | Planning meetings will typically be virtual. If ARB considers that there would be benefit to a planning meeting being in-person, this will be discussed with the provider. |
| 2.5 | The planning meeting will be chaired by ARB. Those attending on behalf of the provider will include the primary contact for the application, the individual(s) responsible for developing the qualification, and a quality assurance representative. Some of these could be the same individual(s), but there must be more than one person in attendance. |
| 2.6 |
Matters that will be discussed during the meeting will include:
The provider will also have the opportunity to ask questions. |
| 2.7 | Within two weeks, ARB will confirm in writing to the provider any action points resulting from the planning meeting and the Stage 3 submission date. |
| 2.8 | If appropriate, ARB may make a recommendation to the Accreditation Committee to reject an application at this Stage. In such circumstances, ARB will notify the provider of the recommendation and reason(s). The provider will have the opportunity to submit comments or make representations that will be considered by the Committee alongside ARB’s recommendation. |
| 2.9 | In the event the Accreditation Committee decides to reject the application, the provider will be notified in writing with reason(s). Advice will not be given to the provider on any remedial or other action that could or should be taken. This decision will be final and there will be no appeal. See the information below (5.0-5.3) regarding withdrawal or rejection of an application. |
| 2.10 | If the Accreditation Committee decides to allow the application to proceed to Stage 3, please note that this does not guarantee that the Committee will ultimately decide to accredit the qualification. |
Stage 3: Documentary Submission, Visit and Accreditation Committee
| 3.0 | At Stage 3, the final qualification documentation and evidence demonstrating compliance with the Standards will be reviewed in detail. A visit will take place, and the Accreditation Committee will consider and make a decision about the application. |
3.1 Documentary submission
| 3.1.1 |
On or before the date that was agreed at Stage 2 and no less than one year before the intended start date of the proposed qualification, the provider will send its Stage 3 submission. This will consist of a completed Stage 3 form (download to follow) and associated material to demonstrate compliance with the Standards – see the Standards section of the Handbook for details of the evidence required and expected. |
| 3.1.2 | The qualification must have had full internal approval before the provider makes the Stage 3 submission – i.e. the main validation event must have taken place and the qualification had final approval following confirmation of compliance with any internal validation conditions resulting from the validation event. The validation report(s) and final approval must be included with the Stage 3 submission. |
| 3.1.3 | The application must be submitted electronically with all documents sent together in one consignment. Once received, the provider cannot amend or add to the application unless permitted by ARB, or further explanations and/or material are requested by ARB. |
| 3.1.4 | ARB will check and acknowledge receipt of the submission and start to make arrangements for the visit (see 3.2 below) with the provider. |
| 3.1.5 | The application will be scrutinised against the Standards by ARB’s Visit Panel, which will consist of two members of the Executive, and one or more Visitor(s). The Visit Panel will meet to discuss the application and identify any areas of risk and/or requiring explanation. |
| 3.1.6 | New qualifications will also be considered within the context of any existing accredited qualifications the provider delivers. |
3.2 Visit
| 3.2.1 | The purpose of the visit will be to discuss any matters requiring clarification and/or points of concern arising from the application. |
| 3.2.2 | The visit will typically take place three to four months after the Stage 3 submission (the timing may vary), and most will last no more than one day. |
| 3.2.3 |
Visits may be in-person (on the provider’s premises) or virtual (online). ARB will decide the most appropriate format on a case-by-case basis and will confirm this with the provider once the decision has been made. At the same time, ARB will advise the broad areas to be explored and any additional documents or materials that the provider must make available for the visit (if relevant). The provider will be required to supply details (names, positions/roles, email addresses and phone numbers) of its representatives for the visit – there must be more than one representative, and those in attendance must be able to answer questions about the matters to be discussed and the application overall. Once attendees and arrangements have been confirmed, should any of the provider’s representatives be unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, the provider must notify ARB at the earliest opportunity. |
| 3.2.4 | Two weeks before the visit, ARB will send the provider the visit Terms of Reference. This will be accompanied by an outline of topics to be explored (other matters not listed may also be raised, e.g. if prompted by discussions during the visit) and the deadline for the electronic submission of any additional documents or materials that the provider must make available for the visit (if relevant). |
| 3.2.5 | Regardless of the format/location, the visit will be chaired by ARB’s Visit Panel. |
| 3.2.6 | For virtual visits, ARB will circulate a meeting link to the attendees. |
| 3.2.7 |
For in-person visits, the provider will be required to reserve a meeting room large enough to accommodate the Visit Panel plus the provider’s representatives. The meeting room must be available to the Visit Panel for the hour before and the hour after the scheduled visit times. The room must be equipped with power sockets and access details for the provider’s wifi network. The provider will be expected to arrange tea, coffee and water for the visit, but will not be required to provide food/lunch for the Visit Panel. |
| 3.2.8 | Within a week of the visit taking place, ARB will request any follow-up material from the provider and specify the date by which it must be submitted. |
| 3.2.9 |
Once the Visit Panel has reached its conclusions, ARB will prepare a report summarising the overall assessment of the application against the Standards and setting out the recommendations for the Accreditation Committee. 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. The provider will also be able to request that ARB does not proceed to consultation before seeking further representations from the provider should the Committee be minded to attach additional conditions not included in the original recommendation. However, doing so would delay the process (see 3.3.5 below). |
3.3 Accreditation Committee – minded to position
| 3.3.1 | The application report and recommendations, along with any comments/representations from the provider will be submitted to the Accreditation Committee for consideration. The Committee will have access to all of the application documentation as well. |
| 3.3.2 |
The Accreditation Committee will determine the decision it is minded to make, which will be subject to consultation. The Committee may be minded to:
|
| 3.3.3 | If the Committee is minded to accredit the qualification in line with ARB’s recommendations, the provider will be notified and ARB will proceed to consultation. |
| 3.3.4 | If the Committee is minded to accredit the qualification differently to ARB’s recommendations and the provider has not requested otherwise, the provider will be notified and ARB will proceed to consultation. |
| 3.3.5 |
Should the Committee be minded to accredit the qualification differently by attaching additional conditions not included in the original recommendation and it was requested (see 3.2.9 above), the provider will be notified. The provider will be given a short period (typically a week) to accept the Committee’s minded to position and proceed to consultation; to withdraw the application altogether (see 5.0-5.3 below); or to request that the Committee reconsiders the application and provider’s representations at a subsequent meeting before proceeding to consultation. Choosing the third option will extend the process (likely resulting in the provider needing to delay the start date of the qualification), and the outcome may not be to the provider’s benefit. If no written response is received by the deadline given, ARB will proceed to consultation. |
| 3.3.6. | Should the Committee be minded to reject the application, the provider will be notified of the reason(s) and will have the opportunity to submit written representations before the Committee makes its final decision (see 3.5 below). ARB will not consult where the Committee is minded to reject the application. |
3.4 Consultation
| 3.4.1 |
Before accrediting a new qualification, ARB is required – under Section 4(3) of the Architects Act 1997 – to consult bodies representative of architects that are incorporated by royal charter and such other professional and educational bodies as it thinks appropriate. ARB will typically consult with the Association of Consultant Architects (ACA); the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS); the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA); the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW); the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA); and the relevant RIBA region (if different to the above). Please note that ARB will not consult with individuals. |
| 3.4.2 |
Consultees will be provided with the Accreditation Committee’s minded to position and the programme specification, and will be asked to notify ARB of any concerns in respect of the minded to position and/or the proposed qualification. Consultees will typically be given six weeks to submit their comments. |
| 3.4.3 |
Any consultation response(s) will be shared with the provider. The provider will have the opportunity to submit final comments or representations to the Committee in respect of any consultation response(s) and ARB’s recommendations before the Committee reaches its final decision. |
3.5 Accreditation Committee – final decision
| 3.5.1 | The Committee will make its final decision, taking into consideration consultation responses (where applicable) and any comments or representations from the provider in respect of the consultation and/or minded to position. |
| 3.5.2 | Where the Committee decides to accredit the qualification, the provider will be notified in writing of the conditions of accreditation applicable (see 4.0-4.1 below). |
| 3.5.3 | In the event the Accreditation Committee decides to reject the application, the provider will be notified in writing with reason(s). Advice will not be given to the provider on any remedial or other action that could or should be taken. See also the information below (5.0-5.3) regarding withdrawal or rejection of an application. |
| 3.5.4 | The Accreditation Committee’s decision to accredit a qualification (including the conditions of accreditation) or to reject an application will be final. There will be no appeal. |
| 3.5.5 |
In exceptional circumstances and/or the Committee becomes aware of information that was not available when it made a decision, the Committee is entitled to reconsider any decision to accredit a qualification (including any conditions) or to reject an application. In such circumstances, ARB will determine the procedure to be adopted for the Committee to consider the new material and its previous decision. Unless and until a decision is reconsidered, the Committee’s previous decision will be unaffected and remain binding. |
Conditions of Accreditation
| 4.0 |
The Accreditation Committee will determine the conditions that will be applicable to a qualification it decides to accredit. Accreditation of a qualification will be subject to the Standard Conditions. Where it deems appropriate, the Committee may vary any of the Standard Conditions and make accreditation of a qualification subject to additional conditions. |
4.1 Details of the new Standard Conditions to follow.
4.2 Pass lists
| 4.2.1 |
Pass lists must be submitted electronically as CSV files via the Pass List Portal – uploaded by the institution’s pass lists administrator, and checked and approved by the head of school. Please see the User Guide for Schools for instructions and a link to the Pass List Portal. Queries regarding pass lists and the Portal should be sent to info@arb.org.uk. |
Withdrawal or Rejection of an Application
| 5.0 |
The information below relates to withdrawal or rejection of an application for accreditation of a new qualification. Details about withdrawal of accreditation – by the provider or by ARB – from a qualification that is already prescribed/accredited can be found in the Withdrawal of Accreditation section of the Handbook. |
| 5.1 | If the provider elects to withdraw its application for accreditation at any Stage of the process, it must do so in writing (sent to Qualifications@arb.org.uk). Application fees already paid will be non-refundable. |
| 5.2 | Where the Accreditation Committee decides to reject the application at Stage 2 or at Stage 3, the provider will be notified in writing and given the reason(s). The Committee’s decision is final and there will be no appeal. Advice will not be given to the provider on any remedial or other action that should or could be taken. Application fees already paid will be non-refundable. |
| 5.3 |
Should the provider decide to reapply – whether following withdrawal or rejection – the subsequent application will be treated as a new application and the provider must commence the process from the beginning. The standard timeframes will be applicable, and the provider must pay all relevant application fees. As stated above (see Eligibility), please note that accreditation cannot be sought for qualifications that are already running and ARB reserves the right not to accept applications from providers. |
