Accreditation Standards
SAC standards are built on proven Swedish quality assurance methodology, adapted for the UAE education landscape and aligned with international best practices.
Three Frameworks, One Standard of Excellence
Adapted from Skolinspektionen (Swedish Schools Inspectorate) methodology
Quality Domains:
- Governance & Leadership
- Teaching & Learning
- Curriculum & Assessment
- Student Wellbeing & Support
- Staff Quality & Development
- Community Engagement
- Facilities & Resources
- Continuous Improvement
For: K-12 schools (KG through Grade 12 / Year 13)
Adapted from UKÄ (Swedish Higher Education Authority) evaluation framework
Quality Domains:
- Institutional Governance
- Programme Design & Outcomes
- Research Environment
- Faculty & Staff Development
- Student Admissions & Support
- Quality Assurance Processes
- Internationalization
- Graduate Impact & Employability
For: Universities, colleges, and higher education institutions
Developed in collaboration with Swedish TVET quality bodies and UAE industry partners
Quality Domains:
- Industry Relevance
- Practical Training Delivery
- Instructor Qualifications
- Competency Assessment
- Employer Engagement
- Graduate Placement
- Health & Safety
- Innovation & Improvement
For: TVET institutions, vocational centres, and professional education providers
ISO 21001 Alignment
All SAC frameworks are designed to align with ISO 21001:2018 — the international standard for educational organizations management systems. Institutions undergoing SAC accreditation can opt for a parallel ISO 21001 alignment assessment, simplifying the path to dual certification.
Enquire About ISO 21001How SAC Compares
| Feature | SAC | KHDA | CAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| International recognition | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Swedish methodology (UKÄ) | ✅ | — | — |
| K-12 school accreditation | ✅ | ✅ | — |
| University accreditation | ✅ | — | ✅ |
| Vocational accreditation | ✅ | — | — |
| ISO 21001 alignment | ✅ | — | — |
| Online portal tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| UAE data residency | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |