You can apply for Advance HE Approved status if you are a higher education provider or an organisation that provides materials and resources to support higher education. You could be a private company, associated professional organisation or a charity. Approved status provides an opportunity for you to gain external approval against the higher education sector’s recognised framework.
- Demonstrate your product or service is aligned to the PSF
- Support organisational development to the sector standard
- Continue to directly impact teaching and learning quality
Approval vs Accreditation – what’s the difference?
Advance HE Approval differs from Accreditation in that it does not automatically result in participating individuals being awarded professional recognition as a Fellow. Approval is external confirmation that a product or resource is aligned to the PSF and therefore may be used as evidence towards an individual’s direct application for Fellowship.
There are only two processes through which Fellowship is awarded, either by completing an accredited course or by direct application through Advance HE.
Six steps to Advance HE approval
Upon successful completion of a rigorous six-step application process, we will issue a licence to you, permitting the use of our ‘Approved’ quality mark.
More information can be found in Six steps to HEA approvals.
Step 1 - Initial suitability review
Step 2 - Application and submission
Step 3 - Approval Panel
Step 4 - Response
Step 5 - Approval and licence
Step 6 - Annual approval review
Useful Approvals resources
The following documentation offers guidance and the means by which an application for Approval can be made:
Frequently asked questions
For all you need to know about applying for Advance HE Approvals
What's the difference between Approval and Accreditation?
The defining feature of Accreditation is that upon successful completion of an accredited programme or scheme, participating individuals are automatically eligible to be awarded professional recognition at the appropriate Fellowship category.
Approval differs from Accreditation in that it does not automatically result in participating individuals being awarded professional recognition as a Fellow. Approval is external confirmation that a product/resource is aligned to the PSF and therefore may be used as evidence towards an application for Fellowship.
What kind of resources can acquire Approval?
Resource approval can cover a wide range of formats such as modules (online or offline), parts of programmes, supporting materials, guidebooks, etc.
How much does approval cost?
Approval is open to all providers of higher education and private companies. The initial suitability review, the licence and any requested consultancy services are charged on an individual basis to reflect the number, size and use of the resource(s) presented. The fee for application and presentation at an approval panel is £6,000 plus VAT.
How do I submit for approval?
A completed approval application document (and all supporting evidence) must be emailed to accreditation@advance-he.ac.uk. These guidance notes and associated approval documents are available on the Approval webpage.
How can I find out what is already approved at my organisation?
A list of approved resources will be made available on the website.
Which documents will I need to submit to the approval panel?
The main submission document is the approval application document and this should be accompanied by all resource documentation (e.g. a narrative about resource design, participants’ handbook, links to websites, etc.). Approval decisions are based on how explicit alignment and participant engagement with the PSF is assured.
Resource documentation accompanying an application should be in electronic format and can consist of PDF, word, excel, image files or hyperlinks to particular webpages.
How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?
The time taken for an application to be reviewed will vary depending on when you apply within the month and whether or not it is during a period of high demand. Once your application is received, you will be given an expected response date. Normally this will be within six weeks, but during periods of high demand this could be up to 12 weeks.
Can I reserve a place on a specific panel?
No. All applications will be allocated to the next available panel on a strictly first come, first served basis.
Do I need to have an initial suitability review before I put forward an application for approval?
Yes. The review is compulsory and is charged on an individual basis.
Can I get extra help to develop my application?
Yes. Advance HE offers a comprehensive consultancy service, and can provide expert support in relation to the PSF and CPD resources. This can be arranged via our Solutions team, who can be contacted at solutions@advance-he.ac.uk.
