Ready to find out more?
EFMD Programme Accreditation PROCESS
To consult the online review guidelines for 2022, please go here
The EFMD programme accreditation process for initial accreditation will typically require 2-3 years. The re-accreditation process is shorter.
Enquiry
Non-binding preliminary advice is offered to the management of your institution and programme about the likelihood of being declared eligible for EFMD Programme Accreditation. A draft datasheet is a preferred way of providing structured information about your programme(s).
Formal application for entry
An institution that wishes to enter the EFMD programme accreditation process sends an application form to the EFMD Programme Accreditation Office and completes a datasheet.
Pre-eligibility with advisory service
The EFMD Programme Accreditation Office, upon evaluation and discussion with the institution, assigns an advisor who supports the institution during the stage leading up to the formal application for eligibility. The advisory service is compulsory for all initial applications.
Application for Eligibility
The institution applies for eligibility by submitting the final datasheet to the EFMD Programme Accreditation Office at the latest one month in advance of the targeted Committee meeting. The advisor submits at the same time an eligibility evaluation of the applicant programme(s).
The eligibility decision
The EFMD Programme Accreditation Committee declares applicant programme(s) eligible if the eligibility criteria are complied with.
Self-assessment
with advisory service, in the case of initial applicants
After an institution is declared eligible to enter the EFMD programme accreditation process, it should carry out an extensive self-evaluation. The self-assessment report should cover the five chapters of the Standards and Criteria document. In the case of initial applications, an advisor will help the institution to address any eligibility reservations and to prepare the self-assessment report prior to the peer review visit. At the end of this phase, the advisor submits an assessment evaluation.
Peer review visit
An international team of four peer reviewers, including one corporate representative, will then visit the institution to assess the programme(s) in terms of the EFMD Programme Accreditation standards and to draw up recommendations for future progress.
The peer review report sets out the team’s final assessment of the programme(s) against the EFMD Programme Accreditation Board quality criteria, together with its recommendation to the Accreditation Board regarding accreditation.
Accreditation
With the formal agreement of the institution, the peer review report is submitted to the Accreditation Board for a decision on accreditation. The outcome will be 5-year accreditation, 3-year accreditation or no accreditation.
Continuous improvement following accreditation
All institutions within the EFMD programme accreditation system are required to actively pursue a development plan for the accredited programme(s), agreed with the EFMD Programme Accreditation Office in the case of a 5-year accreditation or determined by the Accreditation Board in the case of a 3-year accreditation.
Re-accreditation
An institution that wishes to maintain its accreditation must enter a process of re-accreditation before expiry of the three- or five-year period.
