University accreditation: what is it, how to check and what to do if the university has not passed the test

Students trust educational institutions as reliable and trusted institutions. But it may happen that the university suddenly stops its activities in the middle of the educational process, one of the reasons is the deprivation of accreditation. In the article we will tell you what accreditation means, how to check the university and what to do if the university has not passed the check of Rosobrnadzor.

What is accreditation?

To put it simply, accreditation is a document that confirms that a university has all the qualities of an educational institution, can train students in a certain specialty and issue a state diploma. All universities must be regularly accredited every 5 years, the procedure is carried out by the commission of Rosobrnadzor. If Rosobrnadzor receives complaints about the university, the inspection may be carried out unscheduled.

For what reasons can accreditation be withdrawn:

• curriculum does not meet GEF standards;
• University education is not fully implemented and does not meet the needs of students;
• there is no required number of teachers or their qualification is below the established one;
• lack of material and technical resources to support educational programs and practices;
• improper maintenance of regulatory documents.

Accreditation can be deprived of both the entire university and its individual faculties. If the university managed to keep the license to work, then it can continue to teach without accreditation and issue diplomas of its own design.

How to find out if a university has accreditation

You can check any educational institution on the website of Rospotrebnadzor by writing the institute’s data in the search, or look at the map of universities by selecting the desired parameters. Also, educational institutions must post electronic versions of documents on their official portal.

What to do if the university has lost state accreditation

The law obliges a higher education institution to immediately inform students about the withdrawal of accreditation. You must be personally handed an official document, an announcement on a website or stand is not such a notification.

1. After receiving a notification, you can transfer to another university for a similar specialty, your university must provide the necessary documents without additional fees. If you are denied a transfer, then contact Rosobrnadzor or the All-Russian Society for the Protection of the Rights of Consumers of Educational Services “For Russian citizens – a decent education.”
2. If not the entire university, but only some faculties, was deprived of accreditation, then you can transfer to another specialty at the same university, but then you will have to add the academic difference.
3. An unaccredited university can operate with a license, in which case you can continue your studies. But after graduation, you will receive a non-state diploma, which may not be accepted for employment.

Remember that the educational institution is fully responsible in case of deprivation of accreditation. The law of the Russian Federation (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation dated February 10, 2017 No. 124) is completely on your side.

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