Withdrawal of Accreditation

This section of the Handbook covers withdrawal of accreditation from a qualification by a provider or by ARB.

Page updated 13 December 2024

Details about withdrawal of an application can be found in the Accreditation Process for New Qualifications section of the Handbook.

Once accredited, a qualification will remain so until accreditation is withdrawn.¹

Accreditation may be withdrawn at the request of the provider (voluntary withdrawal) or by ARB following review(s) or a cause for concern investigation, or non-payment of accreditation fees.

Withdrawal of accreditation from a qualification will be published on ARB’s website.

The Standards for Learning Providers, and requirements and conditions of accreditation will continue to apply until the date that accreditation ceases.

Students awarded a qualification during the period of accreditation (between the date that accreditation started and the date of withdrawal) will have an accredited qualification that would be accepted for the purpose of registration. Students awarded a qualification after the withdrawal date will not have an accredited qualification, even if accreditation was in place when they started.

Any questions about withdrawal should be directed to Qualifications@arb.org.uk.

¹ Only applicable to qualifications accredited under the new accreditation framework. A qualification that was prescribed under the previous prescription framework will cease to be accredited after the current prescription period ends unless the provider requests to withdraw accreditation sooner or applies to transition it to the new accreditation framework and deliver the new Outcomes.

Voluntary withdrawal by the provider

1.0

Should a provider wish to withdraw a qualification from accreditation, a formal request must be submitted to ARB in writing at the earliest opportunity to Qualifications@arb.org.uk.

The request must state the relevant qualification, the reason(s) for withdrawal, and the date on which the provider would like accreditation to cease.

The request must be signed by both the Head of School and Dean/Pro-Vice Chancellor (or equivalents).

1.1	ARB will determine the process to be followed on a case-by-case basis, and may require further information, clarifications and/or assurances from the provider.

1.2

Following consideration of the voluntary withdrawal request, ARB will confirm in writing to the provider the final details and arrangements for the cessation of accreditation.

The Standards for Learning Providers, requirements for and conditions of accreditation will continue to apply and the qualification will remain subject to annual monitoring and periodic review until accreditation ends.

1.3	Should the provider later wish to seek accreditation of a qualification from which accreditation had previously been withdrawn, they would need to do so though the new qualification application process.

Withdrawal by ARB

2.0	Accreditation may be withdrawn by ARB in the event of non-payment of fees or following review(s) or a cause for concern investigation and findings of non-compliance with ARB’s Standards for Learning Providers (the Standards) and requirements for accreditation.

2.1	ARB will determine the process to be followed on a case-by-case basis and will notify the provider. Where it is deemed necessary, ARB reserves the right not to accept pass lists from the provider during an investigation.

2.2

Following review(s) or a cause for concern investigation, the Accreditation Committee will consider a recommendation to withdraw accreditation on two occasions – firstly to determine its ‘minded to’ position, and secondly to make its decision.

The provider will be notified in writing of the qualification(s) affected, the reason(s) and the date on which accreditation will cease and will have opportunities to make representations on the recommendation before it goes to the Committee on both occasions.

2.3	Once the Committee has made its decision, the provider will be notified in writing.

2.4	The Accreditation Committee’s decision will be final. There will be no appeal.

2.5	Where appropriate, ARB will forward a decision to remove accreditation and the reason(s) to other officers of the provider involved, and/or other relevant PSRBs or authorities.

2.6	Should the provider later decide to reapply for accreditation of a qualification from which accreditation had previously been withdrawn, they would need to do so though the new qualification application process.