University Accreditation

If you choose to study in the USA, it’s important your degree is recognised and accredited to be of a standard comparable to those in the UK.

Higher education institutions in the US are accredited by several national and regional organisations. The two national accreditation bodies are:

• US Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education
• Council of Higher Education Accreditation

The six regional accreditation bodies are:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission, for the Midwest (formerly the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools)
• Northwest Accreditation Commission
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

For graduate programmes that lead to careers regulated by professional bodies, it's important to make sure your degree will be recognised in the UK by the equivalent body.

You should be aware of the relevant UK bodies, but a few common US professional accreditation bodies are listed below:

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (including applied science and computing)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
• American Bar Association (law)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation
• National Architecture Accreditation Board
• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration

We only recommend using an accreditation body officially recognised by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation or the US Department of Education.

Accreditation regions