“Education is the passport to the future,” as quoted by Malcolm X. However, it is important that the education you choose is recognised by business, employers and other institutions of learning.

Academic recognition is regulated by the government. Institutions of higher learning need to be registered to provide a qualification and they need to demonstrate that they are “equipped” to support the qualification. The second process is known as the accreditation of the qualification.

“Accreditation is defined as a process of self-study and external quality review used in higher education to scrutinise colleges, universities and higher education programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement. The process is designed to determine whether an institution has met or exceeded nationally published standards for accreditation and is achieving its mission and stated purpose.” (Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education in Africa, Fred Heyward)

In South African, institutions of higher learning must make their applications for accreditation through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). All providers of education and training, that offer full qualifications, must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

“Accreditation is defined as a process of self-study and external quality review used in higher education to scrutinise colleges, universities and higher education programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement. The process is designed to determine whether an institution has met or exceeded national published standards for accreditaiton and is achieving its mission and stated purpose.” (Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education in Africa, Fred Heyward)

The process of accreditation compels institutions to adhere to specifications that are designed to ensure that the student receives the proper level of competencies from the qualification.

The South African government gives the following purpose of accreditation on their website. Accreditation is undertaken to ensure:

• The programmes (and/or assessments) offered by the education and training provider culminate in unit standards and/or qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
• The curriculum (design, content and learning materials) aligns with the unit standards and/or qualifications
• Suitably qualified staff (facilitators and registered assessors) provide the programme
• Learners have access to adequate learning support services
• The assessment methods and tools used to measure the requirements for the unit standard and/or qualification are fair, valid and reliable, and are used to enhance learning.

The Department of Higher Education and Training makes the Register of Private Higher Education Institutions available at www.dhet.gov.za under Resources.

You may also contact Umalusi to verify an institution’s accreditation status by (email) info@umalusi.org.za.

iQ Academy is an accredited Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI), registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training:

iQ Academy (Pty) Ltd (Company Registration No 2006/033114/07) is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, Registration Certificate No. 2012/HE07/001.

Since its inception in 2006, over 30 000 students have successfully completed courses with iQ Academy. These courses include non-accredited Short Learning Programmes, and accredited Higher Certificate and Further Education and Training programmes – in the business disciplines of management, marketing, human resources, finance, systems and administration.

The accredited programmes currently offered by iQ Academy are the Diploma in Business Management, the Higher Certificate in Business Management, the Higher Certificate in Marketing Management, and the Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management.

Although the Short Learning Programme offered by iQ Academy is not accredited, the academic excellence of the courses is maintained through the internal quality management system. Short courses, in contrast to qualifications, have a particular focus on skills development where the student sets the pace and level of competence. Qualifications, on the other hand, have strict assignment and examination schedules and requirements.

All iQ Academy courses are designed to offer freedom and flexibility to gain access to expertly designed and authoritative learning content through iCan, the online student portal. Easy access support from lecturers and tutors is also available through iCan and a range of other convenient and direct communication channels.

iQ student advisors are available to explain the accreditation and programmes on offer by iQ Academy.