International accreditation in the Georgian educational space is a real legal mechanism, and its key is written in one formula: foreign accreditation works when it is carried through the channel of Georgian recognition. This page explains how the accreditation of a higher education programme may be carried out by a foreign organisation, on what standards accreditation rests, and what decisions and terms this process can produce.
The content and purpose of accreditation
Under the law, the purpose of accreditation is, through determining the compliance of an educational programme of a higher education institution with accreditation standards, to promote the raising of the quality of education, the establishment of the institution's systematic self-assessment and the development of quality-assurance mechanisms. The standards are written in the law itself: the programme's aims, learning outcomes and the programme's correspondence to them; teaching methodology and organisation and the adequacy of assessment; students' achievements and individual work; provision of teaching resources; opportunities for developing the quality of teaching. The conduct of accreditation is ensured by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. Accreditation is thus not a one-time administrative formality: its purpose is to root systematic self-assessment and quality assurance mechanisms in the institution, and it is precisely this internal system that becomes the object of external evaluation.
Accreditation by a foreign organisation
The international dimension is stated in the law directly: the accreditation of a higher education programme — including a joint programme — may be carried out by a foreign organisation with the appropriate competence, recognised by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement under the procedure established by the accreditation regulations. This means: a foreign accreditation organisation operates in Georgia when the Center recognises it — under the procedure set by the accreditation regulations. Accordingly, the American regional accreditation organisations and the networks of the European Higher Education Area — as non-Georgian bodies — create a Georgian effect only through this channel of recognition: their certificate does not work automatically in the Georgian system.
Types of decisions and terms
The decision on accreditation is taken by the Accreditation Council — in accordance with the accreditation regulations, on the basis of the conclusion of the expert group. The decision may be of four types: on accreditation, on conditional accreditation, on refusal of accreditation, and on cancellation of accreditation. The terms are also statutory: the validity of a programme's accreditation is 7 years; conditional accreditation — no more than 4 years; a conditional-accreditation decision may not be taken twice in a row. An accreditation decision is taken where the programme fully or mostly satisfies the standards; a conditional one — where it satisfies them partly.
Consequences for students and institutions
The consequences of accreditation are described in the law in detail. On refusal or cancellation, the institution is restricted in the right to enrol students, entrants and master's and doctoral candidates on that programme. A state-funded student may continue studies on the same programme or use the right of mobility and transfer to another accredited programme, carrying over the remaining funding. The student's status is suspended for 5 years together with the right of mobility. On expiry of validity the student may continue until the end of the current semester. We note separately: a Georgian-language preparation programme may be conducted only after passing accreditation, and on expiry or cancellation of authorization the accreditation is voided.
Joint programmes and self-assessment
A practical conclusion follows from the purpose of accreditation: at the centre of the process stands not a one-off inspection but the institution's systematic self-assessment, which means the preparatory work begins before the accreditation cycle. The list of standards — from aims and outcomes to resources — also forms the frame of self-assessment: a programme that has not been examined in writing within this frame creates no material to point the expert group to. In the case of joint programmes the law directly states that their accreditation, too, may be carried out by a recognised foreign organisation — a route that simultaneously opens international partnership formats and imposes the demand of the recognition channel.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most common questions about international accreditation.
Can a foreign organisation conduct accreditation?
Yes — if it is recognised by the National Center under the procedure established by the accreditation regulations and holds the appropriate competence.
For what term is accreditation granted?
7 years; conditional accreditation — no more than 4 years, and not twice in a row.
What happens on cancellation?
The institution's enrolment right on the programme is restricted; students retain continuation or mobility, with the status suspended for 5 years.
Does foreign accreditation work automatically?
No — the Georgian effect is created only through the channel of the Center's recognition.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team assesses the position of your programme and partner organisation in relation to the recognition channel, prepares the substantiation of compliance with the accreditation standards, and plans the process with a calendar of terms. In a written consultation you receive an assessment with realistic steps. Contact us through the Legal.ge website.