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    AccreditationHandbookUK 2009-2010

    Ce leb ra t i ng 25 yea r s o f h i ghe r s tandards f o r i ndependen t educa t i on

    British Accreditation Councilfor independent further and higher education

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    Accreditation HandbookUK 2009-2010

    further and higher educational

    institutions based in the

    United Kingdom

    The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education

    is registered as a charity (Charities Registration No. 326652)

    and is a private company limited by guarantee (Registered in England No. 1828990)

    This work is copyright 2009 by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education.

    Permission granted to reproduce the entirety of this work or extracts from it for personal and educational use only.

    Extracts from this work must be acknowledged. All other rights reserved.

    This work is registered with the UK Copyright Service .

    BACs full and short logos are recognised trade marks registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office.

    Design by Alex Proudfoot and Erin Sanna

    British Accreditation Council44 Bedford Row

    London WC1R 4LL

    Telephone: 020 7447 2584

    Fax: 020 7447 2585

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: www.the-bac.org

    BAC

    BritishAccreditationCouncilforindependentfurther and higher education

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    2

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    Introduction 4

    Whos Who in BAC? Officers, Committee Members and Staff 5

    1. Accreditation: Conditions 81.1 Introduction 8

    1.2 General Requirements 8

    1.3 Eligibility 9

    1.4 The Award of Accreditation 9

    1.5 Maintaining Accreditation 10

    1.6 Suspension or Withdrawal of Accreditation 11

    2. Accreditation: General Requirements 14

    2.1 Inspections 14

    2.2 UK Border Agency (UKBA) Requirements 14

    2.3 Student Complaints 162.4 Awards and Qualifications 17

    2.5 Providers of English as a Foreign Language 18

    2.6 Institutions Recognised as Schools 18

    3. Accreditation Processes 20

    3.1 The Period of Accreditation 20

    3.2 New Applications for Accreditation 20

    3.3 Continuing Accreditation 24

    4. Inspection Procedures: Organisation 26

    5. Inspection Procedures: Assessment 28

    Introduction 28

    5.1 Premises and Health and Safety 30

    5.2 Management, Staffing and Administration 32

    5.3 Student Welfare 34

    5.4 Teaching , Learning and Assessment 36

    5.5 Management of Quality 38

    5.6 Non-collegiate Accreditation 40

    6. Supporting Documentation Required for Inspection 42

    7. Accreditation Committee 44

    8. Appeals Procedure 46

    9. Complaints Procedure 50

    10. Charges: Inspection and Accreditation Fees 54

    Appendices: Advisory Documents 57

    A: Prospectuses and Websites: Guidelines for Accredited Institutions 58

    B: Fire Precautions and Health and Safety Arrangements 62

    C: Employment Issues 66

    D: Child Protection 67

    E: Disability 69

    F: Copyright 70G: Students Requiring Visas 71

    Contents

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    4

    The British Accreditation Council (BAC) is an independent body, established in 1984 to improve and enhance

    the standards o independent urther and higher educational institutions by the establishment o a system o

    accreditation. It is a registered charity, whose Council members are nominated by many o the bodies concernedwith the maintenance o educational standards in the United Kingdom (UK). No ofcers or members o Council

    have a commercial interest in any o the accredited institutions. The responsibility or decisions on accreditation

    is delegated to BACs Accreditation Committee, which includes members o the Council, recent practitioners and

    representatives o other accrediting bodies.

    Accreditation by BAC is recognised by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) as a qualiying requirement or institutions

    wishing to enrol visa students. Subject to meeting certain requirements, colleges accredited by BAC will be eligible

    to apply or a UKBA licence, which will enable them to enrol students rom outside the European Economic Area.

    This licensing system replaces the Register o Education and Training Providers maintained by the Department o

    Innovation, Universities and Skills (now replaced by the Department or Business Innovation and Skills). BAC works

    closely with UKBA and is itsel monitored by Osted on UKBAs behal.

    BAC has a close relationship with accreditation schemes operated by Accreditation UK (in the feld o English as a

    Foreign Language) and the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. The system o accreditation established by

    the three bodies was described in 1990 by the Rt. Hon. John MacGregor, then Secretary o State or Education, as

    the only public guarantee o standards in independent institutions o urther and higher education in the UK.

    BACs accreditation process is based on a thorough and independent system o inspections involving a team o

    specialist inspectors - many o them ormer members o Her Majestys Inspectorate, others senior academics or

    practitioners. Accredited institutions are subject to a ull inspection every our years, with an interim inspection

    during the intervening period. During an inspection, institutions are assessed in fve areas:

    premises and health and saety provision

    management, staing and administration

    student welare

    teaching, learning and assessment

    management o quality

    An unsatisactory assessment in any o the fve graded areas may lead to a reusal or withdrawal o accreditation.

    BAC accredits more than 400 institutions in the UK and some 25 overseas independent higher educationinstitutions. A ull list may be ound on BACs website, www.the-bac.org.

    Any amendments to the terms and procedures set out in this handbook necessitated by, or example, changes in

    legislation, will be clearly posted on the BAC website.

    Enquiries concerning accreditation should be made to:

    The Chief Eectie Telephoe: 020 7447 2584

    British Accreditation Council Fa: 020 7447 2585

    44 Bedord Row Email: [email protected]

    London Website: www.the-bac.orgWC1R 4LL

    Introduction

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    5

    Whos Who in BAC?Honorary President

    The Lord Watso of Richmod CBELiberal Democrat Spokesman on Universities, House o Lords

    Mr Tim Co (Chairma)

    ormer Executive Secretary,

    Standing Conerence o Principals

    Mr Bill Gibbs (Depty Chairma)

    ormer Secretary, RSA Examinations Board

    Dr Clod Bai-Y

    Head, UK NARIC (National Recognition

    Inormation Centre)

    Mrs Diae Billam (Chairma of Accreditatio

    Committee)

    ormer Director o Products and Quality, BTEC

    Dr Daid Blad OBE (Depty Chairma of

    Accreditatio Committee)

    ormer Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University o Sheield

    Mr Eric Gloer (Hoorary Treasrer)

    ormer Secretary General, Chartered Institute oBankers

    Ms Alice Hyes

    Executive Secretary, Guild HE

    Mr Richard Lewis

    ormer President, International Network o Quality

    Assurance Agencies in Higher Education

    Ms Liz McLare

    Manager, Accreditation Unit, British Council

    Mr Graham Middletoormer Secretary, Council or National Academic

    Awards

    Dr Daid Morley

    Chie Executive, Open and Distance Learning

    Quality Council

    Dr A Ridler

    ormer Chie Inspector, BAC

    Ms Christie Rya

    Chie Inspector, Independent Schools Inspectorate

    Mr Domiic Scott OBE

    Chie Executive, UK Council or International

    Student Aairs

    Ms Michele Stto

    Principal and Chie Executive, Bradord College

    (nominee, Association o Colleges)

    Mr Peter Williams CBE

    ormer Chie Executive, Quality Assurance Agency

    or Higher Education (QAA)

    Mr James Witer

    Head o Collaborative Partnerships Oice,

    Manchester Metropolitan University

    (Chairman, Council o Validating Universities)

    Nominee to be conirmed

    Quality Assurance Agency or Higher Education

    (QAA)

    Nominee to be conirmed

    Universities UK

    Membership o the Council

    Ms Szae Bares

    Policy Project Manager, Managed Migration Team,

    UK Border Agency

    Mr Pal Ellis

    Chie Executive, Federation o Awarding Bodies

    Ms Ssa Hidley

    Chairman, Study UK Association

    Mrs Margaret Pattiso

    Team Leader with responsibility or independent

    schools, Department or Children, Schools and

    Families

    Dr Jim SiclairDirector, Joint Council or Qualiications

    Obserers

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    Membership o Committees

    Eectie Committee

    The Council delegates responsibility or BACs

    strategic direction to the Executive Committee,

    who act as a Board o Directors or the

    company. The Members, drawn rom the main

    Council, also serve as trustees o the charity.

    Mrs Diae Billam

    (Chairman o Accreditation Committee)

    Dr Daid Blad OBE

    (Deputy Chairman o Accreditation

    Committee)

    Mr Tim Co

    (Chairman)

    Mr Bill Gibbs

    (Deputy Chairman)

    Mr Eric Gloer

    (Honorary Treasurer)

    Mr Domiic Scott OBE

    Mr Peter Williams CBE

    Accreditatio Committee

    The Accreditation Committee has ull delegated authority

    rom the Council to award or withhold accreditation.

    In addition to making case-by-case decisions on the

    accreditation o institutions, the Accreditation Committee also

    has responsibility or keeping BACs conditions, standards and

    criteria under review. For urther inormation see Sct 7.

    Mrs Diae Billam (Chairma)

    ormer Director o Products and Quality, BTEC

    Dr Daid Blad (Depty Chairma)

    ormer Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University o Sheield

    Dr Kate Clarke

    Director, Open University Validation Services

    Mr Tim Co

    ormer Executive Secretary,

    Standing Conerence O Principals

    Ms Jaet Elliot

    ormer Director, City & Guilds and Pitman Examinations

    Mr Eric Gloer

    ormer Secretary General, Chartered Institute o Bankers

    Dr Stephe Jackso

    Director o Reviews, QAA

    Mr Robi Laidlaw

    ormer Chie Executive, BAC

    Ms Hilary Maagh

    Assistant Manager, Accreditation Unit, British Council

    Dr A Ridler

    ormer Chie Inspector, BAC

    Mr Graham Worsdale

    Vice-Chairman, Council o Validating Universities

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    Accreditatio Maager

    Ms Francine Koubel

    Accreditatio Officer

    Miss Donnett Edwards

    Ispectios Officer

    Miss Clare Baker

    Accreditatio Assistat

    Ms Claire Bott

    Accreditatio Assistat

    Mr William Lash

    Ispectios Assistat

    Ms Wilhemina Nartey

    Commicatios Maager

    Mr Alex Proudoot

    Iteratioal ad Pblic

    Affairs Officer

    Miss Caroline Greves

    Iformatio Officer

    Mr Tom Richards

    Commicatios Assistat

    Miss Erin Sanna

    Receptioist

    Miss Kirstin OShea

    Fiace Maager

    Mr David ORourke

    Fiace Assistat

    Miss Phyu Aye

    Fiace Assistat

    Mr Mohammed Hisham

    Nizam

    Head Ofce Sta

    BACs Committees and Inspectors are supported by a core team o administrative sta at our Head Oice in

    London. Led by the Chie Executive, Dr Gina Hobson, the sta are responsible or the day-to-day business o BAC,

    including management o inspections, oversight o our accredited colleges and communications with the public

    and sector.

    Senior Inspectors

    BACs Senior Inspectors, along with the Head o Inspection Services and Chie Inspector, comprise the most

    experienced educational specialists working or BAC.

    Head of Ispectio Serices

    Proessor Steve Bristow

    Seior Ispector

    Mr Paul Bradbury

    Seior Ispector

    Mr Robin Laidlaw

    Chief Ispector

    Ms Sheila Needham

    Seior Ispector

    Mr Martin Roundell Greene

    Seior Ispector

    Mr Ron Tuck

    Chief Eectie

    Dr Gina Hobson

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    8

    InTRODuCTIOn1.1

    The British Accreditation Council acts1.1.1

    as a national accrediting authority

    or independent urther and higher

    educational institutions, subject to the

    conditions set out below.

    Accreditation is based on an inspection1.1.2 o a ull range o an institutions

    provision but also requires evidence

    that the management will maintain

    acceptable standards during the period

    o accreditation and operate within the

    requirements o United Kingdom law.

    In awarding accreditation BAC has our1.1.3

    main purposes:

    to support and advise independent

    institutions o urther or higher

    education in the maintenance and

    enhancement o their quality o

    provision

    to provide independent guidance to

    students seeking to undertake urther

    or higher education in an institution

    outside the state sector

    to provide assurance o the good

    standing o an institution to governmentdepartments and other interested

    bodies

    to enable an institution to state

    publicly that it has voluntarily accepted

    independent inspection and has

    satisied BAC that all relevant aspects

    o its operation are maintained at a

    satisactory level.

    The requirements and procedures set out1.1.4

    in this Handbook apply speciically toinstitutions based in the United Kingdom.

    BAC produces a separate Handbook in

    respect o the accreditation o overseas

    institutions which oer higher education

    programmes. Please contact the BAC oice

    or a copy o the overseas accreditation

    handbook.

    GEnERAL REquIREMEnTS1.2

    The award o accreditation will be subject1.2.1to an institution meeting standards

    established and periodically reviewed by

    BAC.

    Institutions will only be eligible to receive1.2.2

    accreditation i the eective control o

    the institution is the responsibility o an

    accountable management based in the

    United Kingdom. The institution should be

    led by a proprietor or designated Principal/

    Director, who must be legally residentin the United Kingdom and have clear

    contractual responsibilities or the running

    Accreditation1.CONDITIONS

    1.1 Introduction 8

    1.2 General Requirements 8

    1.3 Eligibility to be considered for Accreditation 9

    1.4 The Award of Accreditation 9

    1.5 Maintaining Accreditation 10

    1.6 Suspension or Withdrawal of Accreditation 11

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    o the institution and or the quality o

    its work. There should be no grounds to

    believe the Principal/Director to be unit

    to have responsibility or the institution.

    Unless BAC determines otherwise, where1.2.3

    an accredited institution is a branch o

    a larger organisation, accreditation will

    relate only to the branch institution.

    The institution must be able to provide1.2.4

    evidence o its inancial stability.

    Accreditation by BAC does not remove the1.2.5

    obligations o the accredited institution

    to comply with relevant statutory

    requirements.

    ELIGIBILITY TO BE1.3COnSIDERED FORACCREDITATIOn

    The ollowing types o independent1.3.1

    institutions are eligible to be considered

    or accreditation:

    institutions oering urther or higher

    educational courses throughout the

    year

    non-collegiate institutions, oering

    speciic courses at certain times o

    the year or within institutions which

    primarily oer courses which are not

    appropriate or BAC accreditation.

    The ollowing types o institution will not1.3.2

    normally be eligible to be considered or

    accreditation:

    institutions which are wholly

    publicly unded, or which are

    wholly responsible to a government

    department or an institution in receipt

    o state grants, and thereby subject to

    Osted inspection or QAA audit

    institutions which are solely or

    predominantly providers o English as

    a Foreign Language (seeSectio 2.5below)

    institutions which are solely or

    predominantly providers o education

    or students o compulsory school age

    (i.e. 16 years and under).

    THE AWARD OF1.4

    ACCREDITATIOnThe authority to award or withhold1.4.1

    accreditation is ully delegated to the

    Councils Accreditation Committee (see

    Sectio 7).

    BAC awards accreditation o two kinds:1.4.2

    institutional and non-collegiate.

    Institutional accreditation covers the

    ull range o activities provided by a

    college or similar institution, and is

    not restricted to specifc courses within

    the total operation. Full accreditation

    is awarded or a period o up to our

    years, subject to a satisactory interim

    inspection and the institution meeting

    the requirements set out in Sectio

    1.5 below. This accreditation does not

    extend to activities which take place

    outside the institution itsel (or instance,

    ranchised programmes, satellitesummer schools or separate branches,

    whether in UK or overseas) or promoted

    and delivered under a dierent name

    unless BAC has given specifc approval

    or the inclusion o such activities within

    the institutions accreditation.

    Non-collegiate accreditation is

    awarded in respect o a specifed

    range o courses. The range must be

    detailed within the application andwill be indicated on the certifcate o

    accreditation. Accreditation is awarded

    or a period o up to our years, subject

    to a satisactory interim inspection and

    observance o the requirements set out

    in Sectio 1.5 below. I the organisation

    wishes to apply or an extension o

    the scope o the accreditation, BACs

    Accreditation Committee will consider

    whether a urther inspection is required

    beore such an extension can begranted.

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    BAC has developed speciic criteria or the1.4.3

    award o accreditation as an independent

    higher education institution. The award

    is available to institutions which wholly

    or predominantly oer programmes at

    the level o higher education, normallyin partnership with an accredited

    university or other HE awarding body,

    and oer students a range o resources

    appropriate to those studying at the level

    o higher education. Independent higher

    education institutions wishing to apply or

    accreditation under these criteria should

    contact the BAC oice.

    BAC has developed speciic criteria1.4.4

    or small, specialist colleges. Twoschemes have been developed which are

    applicable to colleges oering creative

    and perorming arts (the Small Creative

    and Perorming Arts colleges scheme,

    or SCAPA) or theological and religious

    education (the Small Theological and

    Religious Education colleges scheme, or

    STARE). Providers who wish to ind out

    more about these schemes and whether

    they might be eligible should contactthe BAC oice. It will be necessary or

    applicants to complete a questionnaire

    and return this to BAC in order or their

    eligibility to be determined.

    Accreditation may be awarded or a period1.4.5

    o up to our years, during which time

    the institution will receive an interim

    inspection rom BAC (see 3.3.3). Beore

    the end o this period, a ull re-inspection

    will take place unless the AccreditationCommittee has, exceptionally, approved

    an extension o the accreditation period.

    I an institution ails to respond to requests

    or reapplication documents and agree

    to a re-inspection beore the end o the

    accreditation period, its accreditation will

    be deemed to have lapsed.

    BAC regards its reports on colleges1.4.6

    as being conidential to itsel and to

    the college. BAC does not share thesereports with external bodies without the

    express permission o the college, unless

    such a body has an explicit interest in

    the college: e.g. the Quality Assurance

    Agency (QAA), British Council, the

    Open University Validation Services, is a

    government regulatory agency (e.g. the

    UKBA, Trading Standards), or is a UKBA-

    approved accrediting body. By submittingan application or accreditation the

    institution acknowledges and agrees to

    these inormation-sharing protocols.

    The institution may publish the inspection1.4.7

    report in its entirety. Sections o the report

    may not be selected and published alone.

    A short report summary or publicity

    purposes can be provided by the BAC

    oice.

    The award o accreditation allows the1.4.8

    institution to display BACs Accreditation

    Mark and the statement Accredited

    by the British Accreditation Council

    or Independent Further and Higher

    Education. A variation o this statement

    should be used by non-collegiate,

    independent higher education institutions

    and those institutions with approved

    candidate or accreditation status. Further

    inormation can be obtained rom the

    BAC oice. Only those institutions with

    accreditation are permitted to use the logo

    and statement on their material. The BAC

    logo and Accreditation Mark must not be

    used on award certiicates unless express

    permission to do so has been received.

    MAInTAInInG1.5ACCREDITATIOn

    Following accreditation, institutions are1.5.1

    required to comply with procedures

    established to monitor the maintenance o

    satisactory standards (seeSectio 3.3).

    The requirements include:1.5.2

    submission o an annual ull-time

    equivalent (FTE) orm

    the submission o an annual return and

    accounts (seeSectio 3.3.2)

    the submission o annual student

    enrolment, progression and completion

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    statistics

    co-operation in enabling BAC to

    respond to any complaint relevant to

    accreditation

    ull re-inspection within the statedperiod o accreditation (normally our

    years).

    BAC reserves the right to inspect the1.5.3

    institution and review its accreditation at

    any time. Grounds may include:

    change o ownership or company

    registration*

    change o name*

    appointment o a new principal/

    director*

    signiicant changes in the academic

    programme*

    relocation or the acquiring o

    additional premises*

    a serious complaint or evidence to

    suggest that the standards observed

    during the ull inspection are not being

    maintained.

    *It is the institutions responsibility to inorm BAC,

    in good time, when such changes occur.

    Accredited institutions are also required1.5.4

    to pay an annual accreditation ee (see

    Sectio 10). Failure to pay the ee within

    a stated period will lead BAC to assume

    that the institution has withdrawn rom

    accreditation. One months notice o

    withdrawal is required. Withdrawal ater

    the start o the accreditation year (1st

    September) will render the institution

    liable or pro rata payment o the annual

    ee.

    While BAC will assess elements o the1.5.5

    institutions responsibility, it remains the

    institutions responsibility to ensure it

    meets all relevant statutory requirements,

    along with those enorced by UKBA.

    SuSPEnSIOn OR1.6WITHDRAWAL OFACCREDITATIOn

    BACs Accreditation Committee may1.6.1

    determine to withdraw the accreditationo an institution ollowing consideration

    o an adverse inspection report, or other

    evidence that the institution has ailed

    to maintain the standards required or

    accreditation or to meet the requirements

    or continuing accreditation described in

    Sectio 1.5 above.

    The Chairman or Deputy Chairman1.6.2

    o the Accreditation Committee may

    authorise the immediate suspension othe accreditation o an institution on

    the grounds o a major breach o BACs

    regulations. These may include:

    conviction o the owner(s) or head

    o establishment on either civil or

    criminal grounds relevant to the good

    management o the college

    bankruptcy, where the institution is

    owned by individuals, or insolvency,where the institution is company

    owned

    ailure to provide evidence that the

    college requires visa students to meet

    their requirements in respect o hours

    o organised daytime study and levels

    o attendance

    enrolling or oering to enrol visa

    students onto an academic programme

    which does not meet UKBAs

    requirements (seeSectio 2.2)

    enrolling or oering to enrol students

    onto unauthorised degree programmes

    in breach o the Education Reorm

    Act 1988 or programmes which lead

    to degrees awarded by an overseas

    body which is not itsel accredited by

    a recognised accrediting agency (see

    Sectios 2.4.3 ad 2.4.4)

    ailure to respond within reasonable

    time to a request rom BAC in respect

    o a complaint rom a student or

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    external body

    ailure to settle a debt to BAC within a

    stated period o time

    ailure to agree to a re-inspection

    within the period o accreditation.

    The Accreditation Committee at its next

    meeting will receive a report o the grounds

    or the suspension and the colleges

    response, and then may determine to

    reinstate or withdraw accreditation or to

    maintain the suspension or a urther period

    to allow the college to take remedial action.

    The above list is not exhaustive.

    Institutions will continue to appear on1.6.3

    the BAC list o accredited colleges during

    the period o suspension, but may be

    summarily removed i the withdrawal o

    accreditation is subsequently approved by

    the Accreditation Committee.

    Following a decision by the Accreditation1.6.4

    Committee to withdraw accreditation,

    institutions will have the right to make use

    o BACs Appeals Procedure (seeSectio

    8).

    BAC, as part o its mission, maintains1.6.5

    excellent relations with the relevant

    government departments, including UKBA.

    These are inormed o newly accredited

    colleges, suspensions and withdrawals o

    accreditation. Loss o accreditation may

    lead to the loss o a UKBA Licence as a

    sponsoring organisation.

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    Accreditation2.GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

    2.1 Inspections 14

    2.2 UK Border Agency (UKBA) Requirements 14

    2.3 Student Complaints 16

    2.4 Awards and Qualifications 17

    2.5 Providers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) 18

    2.6 Institutions recognised as schools under Section 162a regulations 18

    InSPECTIOnS2.1

    Institutions applying or accreditation or2.1.1

    reaccreditation are required to undergo

    inspection by independent inspectors

    appointed by BAC. BACs inspections are

    intended not only to assess whether an

    institution should be accredited, but also

    to provide advice and support within the

    institutions own ramework o quality

    management. The method o assessment

    is set out in Sectios 4, 5 ad 6 o this

    handbook.

    Although BAC is a non-governmental2.1.2

    organisation, its inspections monitor

    compliance with legal requirements

    in areas which include ire protection,

    health and saety, employment law,

    child protection, equalities and non-

    discrimination, copyright licensing andobservance o visa regulations. However,

    accreditation by BAC does not remove the

    obligations o an accredited institution

    to comply with relevant statutory

    requirements and accreditation may be

    reused or withdrawn i there is evidence

    o non-compliance with an institutions

    legal responsibilities.

    BAC reserves the right to carry out a2.1.3

    spot check inspection o an accreditedinstitution, with or without prior

    notiication. A charge will be levied where

    the reason or the inspection is either the

    ailure o an institution to respond to a

    request or inormation rom BAC, or the

    institution having omitted to notiy BAC

    o signiicant changes such as a change

    o Principal or a re-location (see Sectio

    10.1.5).

    uK BORDER AGEnCY (uKBA)2.2

    REquIREMEnTSAll education providers receiving students2.2.1

    rom outside the European Economic Area

    (EEA) will need a UKBA licence to act as

    an immigration sponsor. This licensing

    process has replaced the Department

    or Innovation, Universities and Skills

    (now replaced by the Department or

    Business, Innovation and Skills) Register

    o Education and Training Providers. To

    receive a licence, independent educationproviders will need to show that they hold

    valid accreditation by BAC or another

    UKBA-approved accreditation body, along

    with meeting other UKBA criteria. Details

    o this and other important changes are set

    out in ull in Appedi G, but the major

    elements are summarised below.

    The new process, known as the Points2.2.2

    Based System (PBS) or Tier 4 visas, gives

    greater protection to colleges enrollingvisa students, in that visas are tied to the

    sponsoring college. It also places new

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    responsibilities upon colleges to ensure

    that visa requirements are met and that

    UKBA is inormed when students are

    ailing to meet those requirements.

    Sponsoring education providers will issue2.2.3would-be students with a Confrmation

    o Acceptance or Studies (CAS). A CAS

    is not a guarantee o a visa, but will act

    as a guarantee rom a licensed education

    provider that it wishes to bring a student to

    the UK, and that to the best o its knowledge

    the student will meet the rules or Tier 4

    and will comply with his/her conditions

    o stay. It must also provide assurance that

    the education provider is confdent that

    the student is capable o undertaking and

    completing the particular course o studies.

    There are two possible entry routes or2.2.4

    students:

    General student visas, which enable

    a student to be cleared or a period o

    study or up to our years and have work

    entitlements

    Student visitors, who may stay or a non-extendable period o up to six months and

    may not work during their stay.

    In either case, the student will only be able

    to enrol in a college accredited by BAC or

    another body approved by UKBA.

    Apart rom establishing a new process, the2.2.5

    PBS system imposes new restrictions on

    the level o courses which can be oered

    to visa students. Please note that UKBAhas stated that in order or an individual

    rom outside the European Economic Area

    to be issued with a student visa they must

    have been accepted onto a course leading

    to an approved qualiication. An approved

    qualiication is deined as:

    validated by Royal Charter; or

    awarded by a recognised body on the

    recognised bodies list operated by DIUS

    [now BIS] (see link http://www.dcsf.

    go.k/recogisedkdegrees/ide.

    cfm?fseactio=istittes.list); or

    recognised by one or more recognised

    bodies via a ormal articulation agreement

    with the awarding body;

    approved at level 3 or above in the

    National Qualiications Framework(NQF) operated by the Qualiications &

    Curriculum Authority (QCA); or

    approved at an equivalent level in

    the Scottish Credit & Qualiications

    Framework (SCQF); or

    approved at an equivalent level by the

    Qualiications, Curriculum and Assessment

    Authority (SQCA) or Wales; or

    approved at an equivalent level by theCouncil or Curriculum, Examinations and

    Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland; or

    an overseas qualiication, on which UK

    NARIC is able to advise with regard to its

    validity, with a level equivalent to level 3

    or above on the National Qualiications

    Framework.

    UKBA will exceptionally accept qualifcations

    which sit outside o this defnition until 31

    March 2010. Colleges will thus have until this

    date to ensure that all their courses meet these

    criteria (please see paragraphs 225 and 226

    o the Gc Sps pplcts -

    T 2, T 4 T 5 th Pts Bs

    Sst or urther guidance).

    In general terms, an institution which2.2.6

    enrols visa students must satisy BACs

    inspectors that it meets the UKBA

    deinition o a bona ide educationprovider. In order to demonstrate this, the

    institution must:

    maintain satisactory records o enrolment

    and attendance o students, and supply

    these to UKBA when requested;

    provide courses which involve a minimum

    o 15 hours organised daytime study per

    week, excluding breaks;

    ensure a suitably qualiied tutor is presentduring the hours o study to oer teaching

    and instruction to the students;

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    oer courses leading to an approved

    qualiication (see Sectio 2.2.5 above and

    Appedi G);

    employ suitably qualiied sta to provide

    teaching, guidance and support to the

    students;

    provide adequate accommodation,

    acilities, staing levels and equipment to

    support the numbers o students enrolled

    at the institution; and

    i it oers tuition support to external

    students at degree level, ensure that such

    students are registered with the UK degree

    awarding body.

    Further details o the interpretation o these

    criteria may be ound in Appedi G.

    UKBA may request BAC to investigate2.2.7

    and take appropriate action where there

    are grounds to suspect that an accredited

    institution is ailing to meet these

    requirements. This will normally involve

    an unannounced spot check inspection o

    the institution. UKBA will be inormed o

    the outcome o the inspection.

    Where the ailure to meet visa2.2.8

    requirements is repeated or is considered

    to be the result o a deliberate attempt

    to circumvent the requirements, BACs

    Accreditation Committee will withdraw

    accreditation, which in turn may lead to

    the withdrawal o the institutions UKBA

    licence.

    STuDEnT COMPLAInTS2.3

    It is a condition o continuing2.3.1

    accreditation that an institution agrees

    to co-operate promptly with BAC in an

    attempt to resolve a complaint received

    rom a present or ormer student. The

    complaints procedure is set out in Sectio

    9.

    Failure to respond to BACs request or a2.3.2

    response to the complaint may lead BAC

    to undertake an unannounced spot check

    inspection at the institutions expense

    or, in the case o a serious complaint, tosuspend accreditation until the issue is

    resolved.

    With the agreement o both sides, BACs2.3.3

    Chie Executive will oer mediation in an

    attempt to resolve the issue.

    Where a complaint is considered to be2.3.4

    relevant to BACs accreditation criteria

    and, ater due investigation, is considered

    to be justiied, BAC may require theinstitution to take appropriate action

    to compensate the complainant as a

    condition o continuing accreditation.

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    AWARDS AnD2.4quALIFICATIOnS

    BAC does not validate or accredit2.4.1

    qualiications. BACs policy is that

    institutions should oer courses leading

    to external awards granted by recognised

    examining bodies. BAC does accept that

    there may be instances where there is

    no appropriate external awarding body.

    Institutions should, however, be aware

    that UKBA requires all visa students to

    be studying or an approved qualiication

    rom 31 March 2010 onwards (see 2.2.5).

    LeveL and STaTuS of inTernaL2.4.2

    awardS

    BACs inspectors will consider the accuracy

    o any claims made by institutions as to the

    level and status o their internal awards. This

    will include a requirement or evidence o

    the extent to which the institutions internal

    awards are accepted or the purposes

    o employment or urther study. BAC

    encourages institutions to involve externalmoderators in the assessment o students,

    but accepts that there may be instances

    where this is inappropriate. In the case o

    programmes on which visa students are or

    may be enrolled, the award must be at NQF

    level 3 or above and, by March 2010, be

    independently validated by a recognised

    body (see Sectio 2.2.5 andAppedi G).

    deGreeS2.4.3

    It is an oence under the Education Reorm

    Act 1988 (Section 214) or an institution based

    in the UK to oer or grant an award which

    is described as a degree unless it has had

    degree-awarding powers ofcially bestowed

    upon it. Beore a private institution can oer

    courses leading to degrees it must enter

    into a ormal partnership agreement with a

    recognised UK degree awarding body or an

    overseas body which has accredited degree-

    awarding powers. Providers must clearly

    state the awarding university on all publicity

    material. Furthermore, providers should not

    advertise pathways to a degree as a degree

    award.

    overSeaS deGreeS2.4.4

    BAC will not grant accreditation to2.4.4.1

    institutions or maintain the accreditation o

    institutions which oer courses leading to

    overseas degrees unless the awarding body is

    itsel accredited by a recognised accrediting

    agency. This would normally be a national

    agency or, in the case o US degrees, a

    body recognised by the US Council or

    Higher Education Accreditation. Accredited

    colleges considering entry into a partnershipenabling the oer o degree programmes

    are strongly recommended to contact BAC

    to ensure that the awarding body meets

    BACs requirements. Institutions oering

    programmes to visa students which lead to

    the award o overseas qualiications should

    provide evidence that UK NARIC considers

    that they meet the requirements o UKBA

    (seeSectio 2.2.5andAppedi G).

    Institutions oering courses leading to2.4.4.2degrees awarded by an overseas body

    should be aware that the Education Reorm

    Act 1988 also speciies that an oence

    will be committed unless it is shown that

    the deendant took reasonable steps to

    inorm the person to whom the award was

    granted or any member o the public or

    particular individual to whom the oer or

    invitation was addressed that the award

    was not granted or to be granted by a

    United Kingdom institution (214 (4)). Thuspublicity material must state the location o

    the awarding university.

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    PROvIDERS OF EnGLISH AS2.5A FOREIGn LAnGuAGE (EFL)

    BAC does not itsel accredit institutions2.5.1 which are solely or predominantly

    providers o English as a Foreign Language

    (EFL) course/programmes. This includes

    any provider which, while legally a

    division o a BAC-accredited institution,

    is essentially a separate organisation

    and is being promoted separately and

    under a dierent name. BAC has taken

    the view that it is more appropriate

    or such providers to be accredited by

    Accreditation UK (operated by the BritishCouncil in partnership with English UK).

    In cases where the EFL provision has2.5.2

    been accredited by Accreditation UK,

    BACs inspection will be largely restricted

    to items relevant to non-EFL academic

    programmes (including teaching and

    academic management, procedures and

    resources), although the adequacy o

    the relationship between EFL and other

    programmes will be considered whereEFL is oered as an ancillary subject.

    Institutions wishing to be considered

    or inspection within these procedures

    should inorm the Chie Executive at

    the time o applying or accreditation or

    reaccreditation.

    InSTITuTIOnS2.6RECOGnISED AS SCHOOLSunDER SECTIOn 162A

    REGuLATIOnSInstitutions which have received an2.6.1

    inspection (normally by Osted or the

    Independent Schools Inspectorate) under

    the section 162a regulations (Education

    Act 2003) or independent schools may be

    eligible to receive a top-up inspection by

    BAC.

    In addition to providing the Accreditation2.6.2

    Committee with current inormation on theinstitution, BACs top-up inspection will

    ocus upon two major areas:

    the institutions response to any

    deiciencies identiied in the section 162a

    report

    an evaluation o elements o the

    institutions provision which lie outside the

    section 162a criteria. These are likely to

    include:

    speciic academic and pastoral

    requirements o mature overseas

    students

    academic programmes which all

    outside Oqual guidelines (such as

    University Foundation Programmes or

    IELTS preparation)

    observance o visa requirements

    advice on entry to higher education.

    The extent o the inspection and the size2.6.3

    o the inspection team will be dependent

    on the extent to which the section 162a

    criteria involve an assessment o the

    institutions ull provision.

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    THE PERIOD OF3.1ACCREDITATIOn

    Accreditation will normally be awarded3.1.1

    or a period o our years, during which

    time institutions will receive an interiminspection. A ull re-inspection will

    take place beore the end o the period,

    unless the Accreditation Committee has

    agreed exceptionally to an extension

    o the accreditation period. This will

    normally only be on the grounds o an

    impending major change to premises,

    management or academic programme. I

    an institution ails to respond to requests

    or re-application documents and to agree

    to a re-inspection within the accreditationperiod, the Committee may determine that

    its accreditation has lapsed.

    The Committee may decide that it would3.1.2

    be appropriate to award accreditation or

    an initial period shorter than our years.

    This will normally only occur where the

    institution is anticipating or has recently

    experienced a major change in its

    provision or is allowed a period to address

    an identiied deiciency beore a decision

    is taken on accreditation or the ull our-

    year period. Under these circumstances,

    the Accreditation Committee will require

    an early interim inspection to enable it to

    determine whether accreditation should

    be extended or the normal ull period or

    whether it would be appropriate to require

    a urther ull inspection beore the end o

    the initial period o accreditation.

    nEW APPLICATIOnS FOR3.2ACCREDITATIOn

    Institutions considering an application3.2.1

    or accreditation should download the

    acctt Hb, the G tacctt and an application orm

    rom the BAC website. Hard copies o

    these documents are also available or ree

    as a pack rom the BAC oice.

    BACs initial inspection procedure or new3.2.2

    applicants has two main purposes:

    to allow or a thorough assessment o

    applicants

    to provide a iltering mechanism whichidentiies elements which might prevent

    the award o accreditation, so enabling

    institutions to avoid the cost o a ull

    inspection until they have rectiied them.

    Please note that not all deiciencies can

    be identiied at this stage. An inspection is

    required to assess the provision in ull.

    There are three stages in the inspection3.2.3

    process:

    Stage 1: scrutiny o documentation

    Stage 2: inspection o a new institution,

    ocusing upon compliance with statutory

    requirements and BACs minimum

    standards. I the outcome is avourable,

    an institution will become an approved

    candidate or BAC accreditation or

    a period o up to six months. UKBA

    will accept this as qualiying the new

    institution to be considered or a licence asan immigration sponsor (seeSectio 2.2),

    provided that it has been operating or

    ewer than 18 months.

    Accreditation Processes3.3.1 The Period of Accreditation 20

    3.2 New Applications for Accreditation 20

    3.3 Continuing Accreditation 24

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    Stage 3: inspection ocusing on the

    educational provision and the institutions

    procedures to monitor and enhance the

    quality o its provision. Full accreditation

    may be awarded ater this stage.

    This procedure will be normal or all

    newly established colleges, although

    where a college is clearly well established

    it may be acceptable to combine stages

    2 and 3 as a single ull inspection. Please

    note that BAC will make the inal decision

    as to whether separate or combined stages

    2 and 3 inspections will take place.

    In more detail, the stages are as ollows:3.2.4

    STaGe 1:

    Each institution wishing to apply or

    accreditation will submit an application

    orm and required supporting

    documentation (see Sectio 6).

    A ormal evaluation process will be

    undertaken by BAC sta, with urther

    investigation through Companies House,bank and personal reerences, and scrutiny

    o websites and other publicity material.

    Institutions will be contacted i the

    required documentation is incomplete, i

    there are discrepancies in the inormation,

    or i elements o the provision do not meet

    BACs requirements.

    There will be no urther progress until

    these matters have been satisactorily

    resolved.

    A non-reundable ee is required.

    Applications will remain live or up to six

    months. Should the application not be

    considered complete within this period a

    new submission will be required.

    STaGe 2

    The institution will be contacted toarrange a date or an inspection. It should

    be noted that BAC is required to give its

    inspectors at least three weeks notice o

    an inspection.

    This will normally be a one-day inspection,

    although this may vary according to the

    size o the institution or the number o

    sites at which it operates.

    A deposit will be required. I the

    institution cancels the inspection at a

    time which results in unrecoverable costs

    (such as travel tickets, hotel bookings or

    compensation to inspectors), these costs

    will be oset against the deposit; otherwise

    the deposit will be set against the ull costs

    o the inspection. Furthermore, should

    less than two weeks notice be given

    o cancellation or postponement, BAC

    will charge 75 per inspector per day in

    addition to any other unrecoverable costs.

    The inspection will concentrate

    on premises and health and saety,

    management, staing and administration,

    and student welare (see Sectios 5.1 to

    5.3 below), as well as making an initial

    assessment o academic resources in

    the light o the institutions advertised

    academic programme. It will not normally

    involve classroom observation.

    I the institution oers its own awards or

    overseas qualiications, the inspection will

    include an assessment o whether these

    meet UKBAs requirements (see2.2.5 and

    Appedi G).

    The inspection report will be evaluated

    by a sub-committee o the Accreditation

    Committee. The sub-committee canmake one o three decisions: award

    the approved candidate or BAC

    accreditation status, deer a decision

    or up to six months until a number o

    requirements have been met, or reuse to

    accredit. I successul, institutions will be

    awarded approved candidate or BAC

    accreditation status or a limited period

    (normally not more than six months).

    I a decision is deerred, the sub-committeewill require that, within six months, the

    institution provides documentary evidence

    o action taken in response to concerns

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    expressed in the inspection report, and/

    or require a supplementary inspection to

    be undertaken at the institutions expense

    beore approved candidate or BAC

    accreditation status is awarded.

    I an institution is not awarded approved

    candidate or BAC accreditation status, it

    will be given the reasons or the decision,

    and will have the right to appeal and

    require the report to be reviewed by a ull

    meeting o the Accreditation Committee.

    While institutions which are reused

    accreditation are ree to re-apply, BAC

    reserves the right to set a minimum time

    period which must elapse beore a re-

    application can be accepted.

    An inspection ee will be charged, and

    the outcome o the assessment o the

    institution will not be released until the ee

    has been received.

    STaGe 3:

    The institution will be contacted to arrange

    a date or a urther inspection. Failure

    on the part o the institution to agree a

    date within the stated period o initial

    accreditation will lead to its approved

    candidate or BAC accreditation status

    lapsing unless, exceptionally, the

    Accreditation Committee agrees to allow

    an extension.

    The inspection will ocus on academic

    matters and quality management (see

    Sectios 5.4. ad 5.5 below), but will also

    involve a spot check o statutory matters

    covered in stage 2 and o any other issues

    o concern expressed in the stage 2 report.

    The size o the inspection team will

    depend on the size and diversity o the

    academic programme, but will normally

    involve at least two inspectors.

    The inspection report will be considered

    by BACs Accreditation Committee.The Committee can make one o three

    decisions: award accreditation or a

    designated period, deer a decision

    or up to six months until a number o

    requirements have been met, or withdraw/

    reuse accreditation.

    I successul, accreditation will normally

    be awarded or the remainder o the our-

    year period.

    I the Committee does not consider

    it appropriate to award accreditation

    or the ull period, it may extend the

    institutions approved candidate or BAC

    accreditation status or a shorter period

    (not normally more than six months) to

    allow the institution to respond to the

    matters o concern expressed in the report,

    and will require a urther inspection at the

    institutions expense beore taking a inal

    decision.

    Alternatively, the Committee may

    determine that accreditation should be

    withdrawn. In this event, the institution

    will have the right to appeal (seeSectio

    8).

    As stated above, while institutions which

    are reused accreditation are ree to

    re-apply, BAC reserves the right to set a

    minimum time period which must elapse

    beore a re-application can be accepted.

    An inspection ee will be charged, and

    the outcome o the assessment o the

    institution will not be released until the ee

    has been received.

    ComBined STaGeS 2 and 3 inSPeCTionS:

    When an institution has been operating

    or 12 months or more, BAC will normally

    consider it most appropriate to conduct a

    combined stages 2 and 3 inspection.

    A deposit will be required. I the

    institution cancels the inspection at a

    time which results in unrecoverable costs

    (such as travel tickets, hotel bookings orcompensation to inspectors), these costs

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    will be oset against the deposit; otherwise

    the deposit will be set against the ull costs

    o the inspection. Furthermore, should

    less than two weeks notice be given

    o cancellation or postponement, BACwill charge 75 per inspector per day in

    addition to any other unrecoverable costs.

    The inspection will ocus on the ive areas

    detailed in Sectio 5.

    The size o the inspection team will

    depend on the size and diversity o the

    academic programme, but will normally

    involve two inspectors over two days.

    The Committee can make one o threedecisions: award accreditation, deer

    a decision or up to six months until a

    number o requirements have been met, or

    reuse accreditation.

    I successul, accreditation is normally

    awarded or a our-year period.

    I a decision is deerred, the Committee

    will require the institution to provide

    documentary evidence o action taken

    in response to the report requirements

    and/or a supplementary inspection to be

    undertaken at the institutions expense.

    I accreditation is reused, the reasons

    will be clearly explained in the inspection

    report. The institution will have the right to

    appeal against the decision (see Sectio 8).

    As stated above, while institutions which

    are reused accreditation are ree to

    re-apply, BAC reserves the right to set aminimum time period which must elapse

    beore a re-application can be accepted.

    An inspection ee will be charged, and

    the outcome o the assessment o the

    institution will not be released until the ee

    has been received.

    All newly accredited institutions will3.2.5

    receive an interim inspection within twelve

    months o the award o accreditation,ollowing stage 3 o these procedures.

    BAC also reserves the right to make

    unannounced spot check inspections

    to accredited colleges at any time (see

    Sectio 2.1.3above). I either the interim

    inspection or a spot check provides reason

    to believe that the standards observed at

    the ull inspection are no longer beingmaintained, the Accreditation Committee

    may require a urther inspection to be

    undertaken at the institutions expense and

    may determine to suspend accreditation

    until the inspection report has been

    received.

    While BAC is not able to provide any3.2.6

    guarantee regarding the length o time

    taken ollowing receipt o an application

    to the institution receiving notiication o adecision, the ollowing should be borne in

    mind:

    applications will be acknowledged on

    receipt. The application will normally

    be reviewed within our weeks. Should

    documents be missing or clariication

    required the BAC oice will contact the

    institution; this will cause delay

    complete applications are considered by

    the Chie Inspector and a decision on the

    size and composition o the inspection

    team made

    once an application has been signed o by

    the Chie Inspector, the institution will be

    asked to suggest suitable inspection dates.

    The inspection should be conducted on

    days when the largest sample o teaching

    (assuming the inspection will be stage 3 or

    stages 2 and 3 combined) can be observed.

    BAC is required to give its inspectors at

    least three weeks notice o an inspection

    ollowing the inspection, BAC expects to

    receive the report within two weeks. This is

    reviewed in the oice beore being sent to

    the Accreditation Committee at least two

    weeks prior to the next meeting

    the Accreditation Committee meets at least

    six times a year. An institution will receive

    notiication o the Committees decision inwriting in the ive working days ollowing

    the meeting.

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    COnTInuInG3.3ACCREDITATIOn

    As a condition o continuing accreditation,3.3.1

    institutions are required to meet anumber o requirements. Failure to

    meet these requirements may lead the

    Accreditation Committee to order a spot

    check inspection to the institution at the

    institutions expense or, ater due warning,

    to suspend or withdraw accreditation.

    annuaL reTurn3.3.2

    Accredited institutions are required to

    submit an annual return by 1 Novembereach year and to alert BAC to any

    signiicant changes which may aect

    the standards o provision oered by the

    institution. Where signiicant changes

    have occurred, a BAC representative

    may inspect the institution and prepare a

    report or the Accreditation Committee.

    The return will include the ollowing

    inormation:

    a declaration o inancial viability by theprincipal/director (the return should be

    accompanied by the most recent statutory

    accounts)

    details o any signiicant changes in the

    ownership, management, location or

    academic programme. BAC may require a

    personal reerence or a newly appointed

    principal/director

    details o courses oered in the previous

    year, including numbers enrolled on each

    course, cohort progression, numbers

    completing and pass rates in any

    examinations taken

    a list o courses oered in the current

    academic year, including the level o

    the course in relation to the National

    Qualiications Framework and the name o

    the awarding body

    an outline o planned developments

    details o any litigation involving the

    institution

    a declaration that the institution meets

    statutory requirements in respect o

    students subject to visa requirements. I, at

    a uture stage, the Accreditation Committee

    considers there to be convincing evidence

    that this was not the case, BAC may

    withdraw accreditation immediately

    a declaration that the institution is

    happy or inormation to be shared with

    regulatory bodies, QAA, Open University

    Validation Services, the British Council

    or any other UKBA-approved accrediting

    body, in pursuit o their proper monitoring

    objectives.

    inTerim inSPeCTionS3.3.3

    Except in the case o newly accredited

    institutions, which normally receive an interim

    inspection within 12 months o accreditation,

    an interim inspection will be arranged during

    the second year ater each ull inspection.

    The Accreditation Committee may require

    an earlier inspection to be made in the light

    o reported concerns or signifcant changes.

    The interim inspection is designed to ensure

    that the standards required or accreditation

    are being maintained and to provide an

    opportunity to discuss any changes which

    have taken place since the ull inspection

    or which are in prospect, including the

    institutions response to the recommendations

    or requirements o the most recent inspection

    report. The interim inspection will include an

    examination o the institutions observance ovisa and other statutory requirements where

    these are relevant. Any areas o concern will

    be reported to the Accreditation Committee

    and this may, in extreme cases, lead to a

    urther inspection at the institutions expense

    as a condition o continuing accreditation,

    or to the suspension or withdrawal o

    accreditation.

    re-inSPeCTionS3.3.4

    All institutions are subject to ull3.3.4.1

    re-inspection every our years. Accreditation

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    may be extended or a period, normally o

    no more than one year, i the Accreditation

    Committee believes that there are grounds

    to postpone the inspection. These would

    normally involve signiicant changes whichwere planned or had recently taken place.

    The procedure or the inspection will be:

    submission o an application orm and

    required documentation

    payment o a deposit. I the institution

    cancels the inspection at a time which

    results in unrecoverable costs (such

    as travel tickets, hotel bookings or

    compensation to inspectors), these

    costs will be oset against the deposit;

    otherwise the deposit will be set

    against the ull costs o the inspection.

    Furthermore, should less than two

    weeks notice be given o cancellation or

    postponement, BAC will charge 75 per

    inspector per day in addition to any other

    unrecoverable costs

    a ull inspection, led by a reporting

    inspector. This will normally involve

    a minimum o two inspectors, but the

    number o inspectors and the length o

    the inspection will depend on the size

    o the institution and the diversity o its

    operation.

    aCCrediTaTion CommiTTee3.3.4.2

    Following inspections, the inspection report

    will be considered by the Accreditation

    Committee, which will make the decision, onbehal o the Council, on whether to award

    continuing accreditation. The Chie Executive

    will inorm the institution o the Committees

    decision and will send the principal/

    director a copy o the report, together with

    an accreditation certifcate i continuing

    accreditation has been awarded.

    reCommendaTionS and3.3.4.3

    requiremenTS

    The report will normally contain a number

    o recommendations or consideration by the

    institution. In some cases, BAC may deer the

    award o accreditation or reaccreditation,

    pending confrmation rom the institution that

    specifc defciencies have been rectifed ormay award accreditation or a period shorter

    than the normal our years. BAC may then

    require a urther inspection at the institutions

    own expense beore reaccreditation or the

    ull period is awarded. Accreditation would

    continue during a period o deerral.

    unSaTiSfaCTory GradeS3.3.4.4

    Where an unsatisactory grade has been

    awarded by the inspectors or any o thefve areas assessed during the inspection but

    accreditation has, nevertheless, been awarded,

    the Chie Executive will warn the institution

    that, i the same grade is awarded at the next

    inspection, reaccreditation is likely to be

    deerred and possibly withdrawn.

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    Inspection Procedures4.ORGANISATION

    4.1 - 4.2 Inspection team 26

    4.3 - 4.5 Preparing for an Inspection 26

    4.6 - 4.7 Scope of the Inspection 27

    InSPECTIOn TEAM

    Except in the case o some institutions4.1

    being considered under stage 2 o theprocedures or new applicants (see

    Sectio 3.2.4 above), and some small

    institutions undergoing a stages 2 and 3

    combined inspection, BAC will appoint at

    least two inspectors or each inspection,

    one o whom will be the reporting

    inspector (RI) who will be responsible or

    determining the schedule o the inspection

    and or producing the inal report or

    consideration by the AccreditationCommittee.

    BACs inspectors are required to sign4.2

    a declaration identiying any potential

    conlicts o interest. They are required

    to observe conidentiality as to both the

    process and the outcome o an inspection.

    Institutions will be inormed beore the

    inspection o the names o the inspectors.

    PREPARInG FOR AnInSPECTIOn

    Institutions are asked to inorm sta4.3

    that an inspection is taking place and,

    i possible, to arrange an initial meeting

    with sta so that inspectors can introduce

    themselves and describe what will be

    taking place.

    It will be the inspectors intention to4.4

    avoid disruption o the institutions normal

    activities as ar as possible during the

    inspection. The institution is thereore

    asked to provide a suggested timetable

    o meetings with key personnel, together

    with a ull timetable or classes taking

    place during the inspection. The RI willtake these into account when allocating

    the inspection teams time. However, the

    RI will be responsible or producing the

    inspection timetable to ensure it accords

    with other commitments and meets the

    needs o the inspection team.

    BAC reserves the right to cancel the4.5

    inspection or change the date or inspectors

    prior to the commencement o the

    inspection. Please note that BAC would

    only make such changes once all other

    options had been exhausted and where it

    would be impossible or detrimental to go

    ahead with the inspection as planned. I

    the institution gives less than two weeks

    notice o cancellation or changes to the

    date o the inspection, it is liable to pay

    a ixed ee o 75 per inspector, per day

    to cover inspectors cancellation ees and

    administration costs, as well as any urthercosts already incurred by inspectors, e.g.

    travel costs, hotel bookings, etc. I the

    institution gives more than two weeks

    notice o cancellation or changes to

    the date o the inspection, there is no

    cancellation ee, but the institution is

    liable or any costs already incurred by the

    inspectors.

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    SCOPE OF THE InSPECTIOn

    The purpose o the inspection is not only4.6

    to assess what can be observed during

    the days o the inspection, but also

    to consider evidence that satisactory

    standards are likely to be maintained in

    the longer term. Some o this assessment

    will be based on documentation supplied

    beore the inspection, enabling the

    RI to identiy areas central to qualitymanagement which will be explored in

    later interviews with key sta. These are

    likely to include:

    the quality and stability o the

    academic and managerial sta

    the procedures established by the

    institution to monitor student progress

    and attendance and to respond to

    apparent underperormance

    the institutions response to comments

    made by external examiners or

    moderators

    the institutions procedures or sta

    development and appraisal

    any other procedures established by

    the institution to monitor and enhance

    its perormance.

    While the exact nature o an inspection4.7

    is likely to vary according to the size and

    complexity o the academic programme,

    there are elements which are common to

    all inspections:

    introductory meeting with sta (at least

    members o the management team)

    an initial tour o the institution

    individual meetings with key academicand managerial sta

    a study o a representative sample o

    marked student work

    a detailed survey o the library and

    other academic resources

    a meeting with a representative group

    o students

    observation o a representative sample

    o classes. Where possible, inspectors

    will oer their inormal comments to

    sta members ater the observation

    a inal meeting with the principal/

    director to give an inormal report on

    the indings o the inspection. This

    will not indicate whether the outcome

    will lead to the accreditation o the

    institution, since the inal decision

    on this lies entirely with BACs

    Accreditation Committee.

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    28

    Inspection Procedures5.ASSESSMENT

    Introduction 28

    5.1 Premises and Health and Safety 30

    5.2 Management, Staffing and Administration 32

    5.3 Student Welfare 34

    5.4 Teaching, Learning and Assessment 36

    5.5 Management of Quality 38

    5.6 Non-collegiate Accreditation 40

    InTRODuCTIOn

    This section is intended to enable institutions to

    gain a clearer understanding o the likely scope o

    an inspection and o the specifc items assessed

    by BACs inspectors. Institutions are encouraged to

    use this section as a basis or sel-evaluation ahead

    o the inspection itsel. In addition to meetingBACs own requirements, accredited institutions

    are required to satisy BAC inspectors that they

    ully observe statutory requirements in areas

    such as health and saety, employment, copyright

    protection, equal opportunities, observance o visa

    regulations and child protection. Accreditation will

    not be awarded to institutions which ail to meet

    these requirements.

    The areas assessed by BACs inspectors are

    grouped under fve headings, and, at the end o aninspection, the inspectors will allocate a grade to

    each section:

    premises and health and saety

    management, staing and

    administration

    student welare

    teaching, learning and assessment

    management o quality

    These grades are removed rom inspection reports

    beore they are sent to colleges, but are used in

    the Accreditation Committees decision-making

    process.

    The grades awarded are based on the ollowing

    defnitions:

    A: Very good level o provision

    B: Good level o provision with a number o

    signifcant strengths

    C: Satisactory level o all-round provision

    D: Provision which generally meets the

    requirements or accreditation, but has

    a number o weaknesses which must be

    remedied in the immediate uture as a

    condition o accreditation

    E: Unsatisactory provision because o

    signifcant weaknesses or breach o statutory

    regulations

    F: Unacceptable level o provision,

    with serious identifed defciencies and

    weaknesses

    These grades are used in the Accreditation

    Committees decision-making process as ollows:

    As a minimum, institutions are

    required to gain at least a C grade

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    29

    in each o the ive sections i they are

    to receive unqualiied accreditation or

    the ull period o our years. Where an

    institution ails to achieve this level, the

    Accreditation Committee may awardaccreditation or a period o less than the

    ull our years, may deer a decision on

    accreditation until the institution has had

    time to address the identiied weaknesses,

    may reuse to award accreditation to a

    new applicant or withdraw or suspend the

    accreditation o an institution which had

    previously been accredited.

    A college which ails to receive a C or

    higher grade or any section, but stillreceives accreditation, will be warned

    that accreditation is unlikely to be granted

    ater the next inspection unless a C grade

    (or better) is awarded or that section.

    The award o an E or F grade or any

    section or a D grade or management

    o quality or teaching, learning and

    assessment will normally lead to the

    reusal or withdrawal o accreditation.

    However, the Accreditation Committeemay deer a decision on accreditation

    or a stated period, during which time

    the institution will be required to rectiy

    the speciic deiciencies identiied by

    the inspectors. Should these matters

    not be addressed then it is likely that

    accreditation will be withdrawn or

    reused.

    Failure to meet the minimum requirements listed at

    the beginning o each section will mean that it isvery likely that a grade o D, E or F will be awarded.

    Detailed descriptions o the areas included in the fve

    sections ollow.

    As well as the list o minimum requirements,

    each section includes a list o documents which

    the inspectors will wish to see as part o their

    evaluation. Some o these must be included with

    the initial application orm; others should be made

    available during the inspection. Sectio 6 sets out

    the requirements in detail. Each section also lists thesta who should be available or interview on topics

    relevant to that section, although it is accepted that

    some may be unavoidably absent. I there are no sta

    members with responsibility or the areas indicated,

    it will be assumed that the principal/director or

    nominated head o the institution ulfls the roles.

    Sectios 5.1, 5.2 ad 5.3 will orm the basis o the

    inspection required as stage 2 o the assessment o

    new applicants or accreditation who have yet to enrol

    students; sectios 5.4 ad 5.5 will orm the basis o

    the stage 3 inspection, although this stage will also

    involve some spot checking o items inspected at

    stage 2. Detailed notes on the interpretation o the

    minimum requirements can be ound in BACs G

    t acctt.

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    PREMISES AnD HEALTH AnD SAFETY5.1

    Minimum requirements

    BACs inspectors must be satisfed that:The institution has secure tenure on its premises

    The premises provide a sae and clean environment or students and sta

    Statutory requirements in relation to ire, health and saety are met

    Classrooms provide adequate accommodation or the class sizes allocated to them

    Classrooms, laboratories and any other specialised areas are equipped to a level which allows or theeicient delivery o the academic programme

    There are speciic saety ru les in areas o particular hazard (in Science laboratories, or instance), and

    that these are made readily available to students and sta

    Documentation required(where relevant) during inspection o this section

    Health and saety declaration by the

    principal/director or owner

    Health and saety poster in each o the

    premises occupied

    Health and saety policy

    General and ire risk assessment and

    evidence o action taken to respond to

    recommendations

    Certiication o irst aiders

    Saety rules applicable to areas o hazard

    Class registers

    A loor plan o each site being inspected,

    with a guide to the location o oices and

    classrooms

    Sta to be interviewedduring inspection o this section

    Principal

    Nominated saety oicer

    Saety oicer or areas o hazard

    First aiders

    Maintenance/acilities manager

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    Areas Assessed

    GeneraL5.1.1

    Tenure

    External: location, signage,building

    Security

    Standard o maintenance andcleanliness

    Heating and ventilation

    Circulation spaceReception area

    Signposting

    Noticeboards

    Toilets

    STudenT faCiLiTieS5.1.2

    Storage (lockers etc)

    Common roomCaeteria

    Access to IT

    Recreation areas

    STaff faCiLiTieS5.1.3

    Sta room

    Work space

    Access to IT

    Individual oices: seniormanagement, academic sta

    Administrative oices

    aCademiC faCiLiTieS5.1.4

    ClassroomsIT acilities

    Specialised areas (laboratories,workshops etc)

    Quiet study areas

    exTernaL PremiSeS5.1.5( s)

    Academic

    Non-academic

    Transport arrangements

    HeaLTH and SafeTy5.1.6SeeAppedi B

    Fire precautions

    Fire risk assessment

    General risk assessment

    First aid

    Areas o particular hazard

    Health and saety policy

    Health and saety management(general risk assessment, H&S

    committee etc.)

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    MAnAGEMEnT, STAFFInG AnD ADMInISTRATIOn5.2

    Minimum Requirements

    BACs inspectors must be satisfed that:The institution is eectively managed

    The administration o the institution is eective

    Statutory requirements in relation to employment are met

    Statutory duties in relation to equalities and non-discrimination are enorced across the ull range othe institutions provision

    Sta have an appropriate level o experience and qualiications

    Attendance and punctuality are recorded and monitored

    The institution complies with UKBA requirements

    Entry requirements or each course are clearly stated and institutions take reasonable steps to ensurethat students accepted or enrolment meet these requirements

    There are satisactory procedures or the administration o examinations and other means oassessment

    Publicity material gives a comprehensive and accurate description o the institution and its academicprogramme

    There is no breach o copyright regulations

    The institution complies with the requirements o the Data Protection Act 2003

    Documentation required(where relevant) during inspection o this section

    Organogram or outline description o the

    management structure

    CVs or all senior sta

    Evidence o academic sta qualiications

    Timetables or all classes

    Class registers

    A ull list o students currently enrolled

    in the institution, giving dates o birth

    and identiying those subject to visa

    requirements

    Correspondence with students and UKBA

    concerning attendance

    Sample contracts or academic and non-

    academic sta

    Employers liability insurance certiicate

    Minutes o sta meetings

    Copies o prospectuses and other publicity

    material

    Student application orms

    Course descriptions

    Brieing materials or agents

    CLA licence

    Details o any current or pending litigation

    relevant to accreditation

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    Areas Assessed

    Senior manaGemenT5.2.1

    Role o owners, trustees, governingbody etc.

    Management structure

    Principal

    Other senior managers

    Eectiveness o management

    Communication with non-senior sta

    aCademiC STaff5.2.2Appointment procedures

    Veriication o qualiications

    Appropriateness o qualiicationsand experience in the context oprogrammes oered

    Balance between ull-time and part-time

    Sta turnover

    aCademiC manaGemenT5.2.3

    Student attendance and punctuality

    Timetabling and room allocation

    Visa requirements

    Procedures or the acquisition oacademic resources

    Subject/area management

    Examination administration

    adminiSTraTive STaff5.2.4

    Structure, size and eectiveness oadministration

    emPLoymenT5.2.5SeeAppedi C

    Contracts

    Disciplinary and Grievanceprocedures

    Sta records

    Employers Liability insurance

    equaLiTieS and5.2.6non-diSCriminaTion

    Equal treatment policy

    Monitoring arrangements

    Procedures or students, sta and

    others to raise complaints about equal

    treatment issues

    reGiSTraTion5.2.7

    Response to enquiries

    Application Form

    Statement o entry requirements

    Veriication o student qualiications

    Brieing o agents

    PuBLiCiTy5.2.8See Appedi A

    Prospectuses

    Website

    Other material

    CoPyriGHT5.2.9See Appedi F

    CLA licence

    Observance o copyright restrictions

    Sta to be interviewedduring inspection o this section

    Principal

    Academic managers

    Senior administrator

    Examinations oicer

    Marketing manager

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    STuDEnT WELFARE5.3

    Minimum Requirements

    BACs inspectors must be satisfed that:Students receive an appropriate level o pastoral support, taking into account actors such as theirage, abode and countries o origin

    Speciically in the case o students rom overseas, the institution provides an appropriate level oadvice and assistance

    Where there are students under the age o 18 or vulnerable adults, the institution meets therequirements o the Child Protection Act 1999, the Education Act 2002 and the SaeguardingVulnerable Groups Act 2006, in relation to checks on the employment o sta

    Where the institution enrols students with special needs, an appropriate level o support orprovision is available, and that the institution has responded to the requirements o the Disability

    Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005I the institution oers residential accommodation, it is clean, sae and open to inspection by theappropriate authorities and that a level o supervision is provided appropriate to the needs o thestudents

    I the institution organises homestay accommodation or students, it is inspected beore students are

    placed and is subject to regular re-inspection

    Documentation required(where relevant) during inspection o this section

    Student induction packs

    Criminal Records Bureau disclosure

    records

    Child protection policy

    Rules relating to residential

    accommodation

    Commission or Social Care

    Inspectorate/Osted report on residential

    accommodation

    Advice to homestay students and providers

    Records o homestay inspections

    Disability strategy

    Sta to be interviewedduring inspection o this section

    Accommodation and welare oicer

    Residential sta

    Sta responsible or any social or sporting

    provision

    Meeting with representative group o

    students

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    Areas Assessed

    GeneraL:5.3.1

    Qualiications and experience o stadealing with student welare

    Pre- and post-arrival advice andinduction

    Out-o-hours contact

    Advice and counselling

    overSeaS STudenTS:5.3.2

    Pre-arrival inormation

    Advice on living in UK

    Registration or NHS treatment

    Help with banking, travel cards etc.

    Police registration and visa renewals

    Access to speakers o their own irstlanguage

    Awareness o cultural/religious issues

    Policies to avoid discrimination

    CHiLd ProTeCTion:5.3.3See Appedi D, 1

    CRB disclosure

    Child protection policy

    reSidenTiaL aCCommodaTion:5.3.4SeeAppedi D, 4

    Inspection by Osted or other

    regulatory body

    Standard o accommodation

    Rules and supervision

    Fire and saety

    HomeSTay:5.3.5SeeAppedi D, 5

    Selection o providers

    Advice to providers

    Advice to students

    Monitoring and troubleshooting

    Travel

    SoCiaL ProGramme:5.3.6

    Responsiveness to student needs/wishes

    Costs

    SPeCiaL needS:5.3.7

    Academic support or dyslexia etc

    DisabilitySeeAppedi E

    STudenT oPinion:5.3.8

    Report o meeting with representative

    student group

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    TEACHInG, LEARnInG AnD ASSESSMEnT5.4

    Minimum requirements:

    BACs inspectors must be satisfed that:

    The courses are planned and delivered in ways which oer students a reasonable chance o success

    Teachers have an acceptable level o subject knowledge and pedagogic skills

    Teachers respond to the individual learning needs o students

    Students are enabled to prepare or target examinations

    Students receive quality eedback on their perormance and progress

    Students have reasonable access to appropriate resources or study either within the institution orexternally

    There is appropriate provision o advice or students going on to employment or higher/urther

    education

    Documentation required(where relevant) during inspection o this section

    Student application ormsCourse descriptions

    Brieing materials or agents

    Student iles

    Sample placement tests

    Records o student progress and completion

    Records o examination results

    Documents relating to external moderation

    Copies o agreements with awarding bodies

    Student eedback material

    Sta appraisal procedures

    Student Handbook

    Sta Handbook

    Internal quality assurance documentation

    External quality assurance documentation

    (ISO, IIP etc.)

    Sta to be interviewedduring inspection o this section

    PrincipalAcademic managers (e.g. Academic

    Vice-Principal, Director o Studies,

    Heads o Department)

    Registrar/admissions secretary

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    Areas Assessed

    CurriCuLum:5.4.1

    Planning

    Coordination

    Deinition/awareness o learningoutcomes

    Assessment

    Secondary material

    Monitoring and coordination ocoursework delivery

    effeCTiveneSS of TeaCHinG:5.4.2

    Lesson plans

    Lesson delivery

    Responsiveness to lack ounderstanding on part o students

    Responsiveness to needs o non-nativespeakers

    Command o subject

    Focus on learning outcomesDisruptive behaviour

    Involvement o all students in activeparticipation

    Assessment

    Sta availability outside the classroom

    wriTTen aSSiGnmenTS:5.4.3

    Policy on setting written work

    Eectiveness o marking

    Feedback on written work

    Plagiarism policy and procedures

    LearninG maTeriaLS:5.4.4

    Wallcharts or other classroom material

    Audio-visual materials and handouts

    in the classroom

    Textbooks or course materials

    Use o classroom resources

    Independent study resources withininstitution

    External study resources

    anCiLLary ProGrammeS:5.4.5

    English language

    Study skills

    Independent learning

    HiGHer eduCaTion and CareerS5.4.6adviCe:

    UCAS guidance

    Speciic subject areas (e.g. medicine,

    dentistry)

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    MAnAGEMEnT OF quALITY5.5

    Minimum Requirements:

    BACs inspectors must be satisfed that:

    The institution has eective systems to monitor its own standards

    Students are adequately brieed on the nature and requirements o the courses or which they enrol

    Student progress is eectively monitored, and that the monitoring is linked to procedures to allow orprompt intervention where appropriate

    The institution has a means o assessing the views o students and clients

    Students have access to a air complaints procedure

    In the case o internal awards, there is a clear statement o the NQF level claimed and evidence thatstudents who received the award meet the stated requirements or that level

    Students have the means o appealing against assessment marks or grades in the case o internalawards

    The requirements o the Education Reorm Act 1988 in relation to the oer or award o degrees areully observed

    Where programmes lead to the award o a degree, the awarding body itsel is nationally accreditedor, in the case o US degrees, accredited by a body recognised by the Council or Higher Education

    Accreditation (www.chea.org)

    Documentation required(where relevant) during inspection o this section

    Timetables

    Course descriptions

    Course plans

    Lesson plans

    Samples o marked student work

    Sta to be interviewedduring inspection o this section

    Teachers

    Academic managers

    Sta responsible or careers/UCAS advice

    Librarian

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    Areas Assesse