RE-ACCREDITATION 2009 Procedures, Processes and Timeframes Tamara Bezuidenhout Project Manager: Accreditation 06 August 2008

Application Process 1.Application form 2.HEQC Online Submission 3.Check listing and Screening 4.Evaluation 5.Recommendations 6.Accreditation Committee 7.Outcomes

The Application Form All applications are to be completed via the HEQC Online Re-accreditation Programmes that have not produced graduates must still be submitted, however will remain in Candidacy phase until a cohort has been produced, and any conditions imposed on these programmes met. The application form is based on the present HEQC Online Application form

HEQC Online Submission No hard-copy submissions will be accepted If an institution has not yet made application on the HEQC Online, the institutional administrator will be required to register online Each programme receives its own HEQC Online reference number: E000CAN reference number for programmes accredited post- July 005 K000CAN reference number for programmes accredited pre-July 2005 A detailed explanation of the HEQC Online will be provided by Ms Robin Naude from Octoplus

Check listing and Screening Check listing and screening is completed by panels of academic specialists Programmes check listed and screened for completeness, clarity, and missing information After this process, institutions will be identified for the following:  Additional information required  Paper evaluation required  Site visit required Additional information will be requested directly from the institution Programme applications will be returned to allow the institution to update information and include any additional information required

Recommendations Secretariat recommendations will be written by specialist senior academics These recommendations will include the historical background of the institution as well as include the findings of the evaluations. These recommendations are presented before the Accreditation Committee for discussion and approval

The Accreditation Committee This Committee consists of senior academics and managers at both public and private higher education institutions, HEQC Board members, DoE representatives, HESA representatives, representatives from professional councils and sector education and training authorities (SETAs) The Committee will sit in April and June 2009 to process all applications, site visits, representations and outstanding evaluations. The HEQC is required to submit a final report to the Department of Education by 31 July 2009.

Outcomes Institutions will be informed of the outcomes of their applications within 10 working days of the Accreditation Committee meeting at which their application is tabled. All institutions have the opportunity to make any written representations they may wish to make regarding the report and the recommendations of the Accreditation Committee. The only possible outcomes available are:  Notice of Withdrawal of Accreditation  Accredited with Conditions  Full Accreditation

Outcomes (cont.) Programmes that have not yet produced a full cohort of graduates retain their Candidacy Phase Accreditation status. In the case of Notice of Withdrawal of Accreditation, an institution may be required to submit an improvement plan. Prof Thurlow will discuss this plan in more detail.

Schedule and Timeframes Institutions are requested to keep to the schedule and timeframes supplied. Requests for extensions of deadlines will only be considered if made in writing, and can only be granted by the Director. Extensions of deadlines will only be considered for extenuating and unavoidable circumstance.

Communicating with institutions: the HEQC will be making use of the information supplied by institutions on the HEQC Online application form in terms communicating with institution. Please make sure these details are relevant and updated. Full applications will be received and processed by the Directorate as of 01 November 2008 FINAL DEADLINE for submissions is 13 February 2009 Schedule and Timeframes (Cont.)

Schedule of Fees Fees payable are based on the fee structure for Candidacy Phase. Once applications have been received, the institution will be invoiced in full. No programmes will be processed without full payment of the relevant fees. Only costs incurred for site visits will be billed to the institution after the fact.

Thank you