How Accreditation Works
From first enquiry to accreditation certificate — a step-by-step guide to the SAC accreditation process.
Eligibility & Pre-Application
Confirm your institution meets the basic eligibility requirements before starting the formal application process.
- Hold a valid UAE educational license (KHDA, ADEK, SPEA, MOE, or CAA)
- Have been operational for at least 2 academic years
- Have a designated Quality Assurance officer or coordinator
- Be willing to undergo a transparent evaluation process
Registration & Self-Assessment
Create your institution's account on the SAC portal and complete the structured self-evaluation form.
- Register on the SAC portal with institutional credentials
- Select your accreditation framework (SAC-K12, SAC-HE, or SAC-VET)
- Complete the detailed self-assessment questionnaire
- Identify your institution's strengths and areas for improvement
Document Submission
Upload supporting evidence, policies, quality reports, and institutional documentation through the secure portal.
- Upload institutional policies, strategic plans, and quality reports
- Provide evidence of teaching and learning practices
- Submit student achievement data and progression metrics
- Share staff qualifications and professional development records
Expert Desk Review
A panel of trained Swedish and UAE academic assessors reviews your submission against SAC standards.
- Panel of 3–5 trained assessors assigned to your institution
- Assessors review all documentation against SAC quality domains
- Preliminary assessment report identifies areas for on-site focus
- You may receive requests for clarification or additional evidence
On-Site Assessment Visit
An assessment team visits your institution to validate documentation, observe practices, and meet stakeholders.
- 2–3 day on-site visit (varies by institution size and type)
- Lesson observations and facility walkthroughs
- Interviews with leadership, faculty, students, and parents/employers
- Final assessment meeting with institutional leadership
Accreditation Decision
Receive the formal accreditation decision, detailed evaluation report, and improvement recommendations.
- Accreditation committee reviews the full assessment evidence
- Three possible outcomes: Accredited, Conditionally Accredited, or Not Accredited
- Detailed evaluation report with domain-by-domain analysis
- Specific, actionable improvement recommendations provided
Post-Accreditation & Renewal
Maintain your accreditation status through annual progress reports and prepare for the 4-year renewal cycle.
- Annual progress report on improvement recommendations
- SAC team available for guidance and support between cycles
- Streamlined renewal process at end of 4-year accreditation period
- Continuous improvement tracking through your SAC portal
Ready to Begin?
The first step is registering your institution on our portal. Our team will guide you from there.