Did you know that in FY 2022-23, Indian public sector banks alone disbursed education loans of INR 17,668 crores? Even the NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) have experienced significant growth in their education loan portfolios in FY 2024-25.
What does that indicate?
This upsurge in the demand of education loans underlines one key development among Indian students – the urge to travel abroad for higher education. It’s a dream shared by many.
However, moving abroad isn’t really a piece of cake. It takes extensive planning on the student’s part to get selected into a reputed foreign institution. One key area that students have to consider, as per the best study abroad consultants in Mumbai, is accreditation. It determines the quality, credibility, and global recognition of your degree. This way, the investments that you make for higher studies lead to meaningful career opportunities.
So, what exactly is accreditation and why does it matter? In this blog, we’re going to cover all these details and more. So, without further ado, let’s get to the topic!
What Is Accreditation
Every university should meet some set of standards to earn a global recognition. Mostly, an independent body evaluates and certifies that a particular institution meets specific academic and institutional standards. Now typically, we have two different types of accreditations –
Institutional Accreditation
This is the process where the university is evaluated as a whole to ensure that it meets certain academic and operational standards.
Programmatic Accreditation
Here, the focus lies on specific programs or faculties, such as engineering school, business school. Or medicine. This ensures that the particular school meets industry standards.
Why Is Accreditation Important?
Ensures Quality Education
Universities that are accredited are usually the best ones. They adhere to high academic standards. This means that they often house highly qualified faculty members, updated curricula, and adequate resources like libraries, research facilities, and student support services. Students can receive well-structured and rigorous education in such institutions.
On the contrary, enrolling in a non-accredited institution may mean subpar education, outdated course materials, and a lack of industry-relevant knowledge.
Recognized Degrees for Global Opportunities
You’d be surprised to find out the weightage that you hold if you can secure a degree from an accredited institution. No matter where you go looking for jobs – corporate employers, government agencies, other educational institutions – everyone recognizes degrees from accredited universities. This increases your chances of securing a job or pursuing higher education.
On the other hand, graduating from a non-accredited institution can cause problems such as –
- Difficulty in landing job opportunities,
- Ineligibility for further studies at reputed institutions,
- Issues with work visa applications in certain countries, and so on.
Eligibility for Scholarships and Financial Aid
Going abroad for higher studies is a costly affair. You’d most likely require financial aids to fulfil this dream of yours. If you get enrolled in an accredited university, you significantly improve your chances of securing loans, grants, and scholarships. If you require funding, accreditation becomes a crucial factor. In fact, most banks and NBFCs require proof of accreditation before they sanction loans. This acts as a sort of guarantee that the degree you’re going to obtain holds value.
Smooth Visa and Immigration Process
If you want to move abroad for higher studies, you have to apply for a student visa. When you apply, immigration authorities might check whether the university that you’ve chosen is accredited. Many countries maintain a list of reputed universities. For example –
- In the United States, the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) maintain a list of recognized institutions.
- In the UK, the Office for Students (OfS) regulates the universities to ensure that they meet certain standards.
- Australia and Canada also have official accreditation bodies for monitoring educational institutions.
Professional Licenses and Certifications
If you’re pursuing a career that requires professional licensing, accreditation becomes even more crucial. Many licensing boards and professional associations will ask you to provide a proof of accreditation for certification and practice. For example, medical students in the USA must have graduated from an accredited university to apply for the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination).
How to Check if a University Is Accredited?
There are multiple ways to check for the accreditation of a particular university. You can always visit official accreditation websites or the official websites of the foreign institutions for such details. Alternatively, consulting with a study abroad consultant can be the best choice that you make in this regard.