ICACU Accreditation Standards
ICACU’s accreditation framework covers the major areas required for effective and sustainable higher education institutions.
Governance & Institutional Leadership
Clear governance structures, competent governing bodies, institutional leadership, strategic planning, decision-making procedures, risk management, transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation.
Mission, Strategy & Institutional Positioning
Clearly defined institutional mission, appropriate objectives, coherent institutional strategy and measurable strategic goals that respond to relevant needs.
Academic Programmes & Curriculum
Appropriate programme design, clearly defined learning outcomes, suitable qualification levels, curriculum coherence, workload and credits, academic progression, programme review and stakeholder involvement.
Teaching, Learning & Assessment
Teaching quality, student-centred learning, appropriate teaching methods, practical learning, digital learning, academic guidance, assessment and continuous improvement.
Faculty & Academic Staff
Adequately qualified academic staff, appropriate staffing levels, recruitment procedures, staff development, research and scholarly activity, performance review and appropriate teaching workload.
Research, Innovation & Knowledge Transfer
Research strategy, research units, research funding, publications, research impact, doctoral education, research infrastructure, innovation and knowledge transfer.
Students & Student Services
Admission, academic advising, student support, welfare services, accessibility support, career guidance, student representation, complaints and appeals, and student participation in quality assurance.
Infrastructure & Resources
Classrooms, laboratories, libraries, digital resources, IT infrastructure, research facilities, student facilities, accessibility, health and safety.
Financial & Institutional Sustainability
Financial stability, adequate resources, budgetary controls, financial planning, risk management, sustainable staffing and sustainable academic provision.
Internal Quality Assurance
Internal QA policies, quality assurance responsibilities, self-evaluation, performance indicators, student feedback, programme review, institutional review, corrective actions and continuous improvement.
Graduate Outcomes & Employability
Student achievement, graduation and completion, graduate employment, further study, partnerships and employer or stakeholder feedback.
Internationalisation, Society & Stakeholder Impact
Internationalisation, partnerships, societal impact and engagement with employers and other stakeholders.