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Accreditation Process

ACEEU accreditation follows a four-phase process, including application, self-evaluation, peer visit, and final evaluation, with each phase having a variety of steps to be undertaken.
ACEEU provides a detailed 20-step journey that leaves no stone unturned. The journey will allow you to take a closer look at noteworthy achievements, but will also reveal weak spots that need to be improved to achieve a true engaged and entrepreneurial university.

Please click on the buttons below to find out more about the individual steps within each phase. For more detailed information, please refer to the ACEEU Process Manual.

Step 1: Information procurement

Before applying for eligibility, interested institutions inform themselves about the accreditation focus, its procedure, standards and policies, and contact the ACEEU Office in case of questions.



Step 2: Eligibility application

The university applies for eligibility through http://eligibility.aceeu.org



Step 3: Eligibility review

The chair/vice-chairs of the Accreditation Council review the application and inform the institution about the result.



Step 4: Signing of the contract

Being declared eligible, the university signs the accreditation agreement.



Step 5: Payment of application fee

The university pays the non-refundable application fee.

Step 6: Appointment of Accreditation Committee

The chair/vice-chairs of the Accreditation Council appoint an Accreditation Committee.



Step 7: Accreditation Committee challenge

Within 30 days of receipt of the appointed committee, the applicant institution has the right to challenge any committee member by pointing out actual or potential conflicts of interest.



Step 8: Self-evaluation

The institution completes a self-evaluation report and submits it through ACEEU’s Application Management System.



Step 9: Initial Evaluation Report

Based on the submitted self-evaluation report, the Accreditation Committee members prepares an Initial Evaluation Report.

Step 10: Payment of peer review fee

The institution pays the non-refundable peer review fee.



Step 11: Appointment of Peer Review Team

The chair of the Accreditation Committee appoints a Peer Review Team that will visit the applicant institution.



Step 12: Peer Review Team challenge

The applicant institution has the right to challenge any team member by pointing out actual or potential conflicts of interest.



Step 13: Peer review visit planning

All stakeholders plan the visit, including the setting of a schedule and the arrangement of travel logistics.



Step 14: Peer review visit

The Peer Review Team visits the applicant institution for one to two full days (usually one day for single accreditation and 1.5 for dual accreditation).



Step 15: Peer review report

The Peer Review Team prepares a Peer Review Report that is shared with the applicant institution.



Step 16: Position statement on peer review report

The applicant institution can hand in a position statement in which it comments and/or provides evidence on factual inaccuracies.

Step 17: Final Evaluation Report

The Accreditation Committee prepares a Final Evaluation Report based on all documented material.



Step 18: Position statement on final evaluation report

The applicant institution can hand in a statement in which it comments on the Final Evaluation Report and/or provides evidence on factual inaccuracies.



Step 19: Final evaluation

The chair/vice-chairs of the Accreditation Council review all documented materials in order to ensure the consistent application of the set procedure and standards. In case the chair does not observe any breach of the ACEEU procedure and standards and does not hold any objections against the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee, the Accreditation Council adopts the recommendation.



Step 20: Publication

Should the applicant institution be granted ACEEU accreditation, the ACEEU Office will publish the Final Evaluation Report on the ACEEU website.