Preliminary
A university may apply for preliminary accreditation to gain recognition for their intention to align their course with the NUCAP guidelines for full accreditation of a course. Preliminary accreditation is not a compulsory step in gaining full accreditation. Please note that a course that is preliminarily accredited may not automatically gain a full accreditation status.
University academic units who meet either one of the following criteria may apply for preliminary accreditation.
Example 1
- An existing non-accredited course has been modified and approved by the relevant university authority (eg university or faculty academic board or senate or equivalent) and there are students enrolled in the second year of this course. In this example, the academic unit may apply for preliminary accreditation now and then full accreditation when the said cohort is in its final year.
Example 2
- A new course has been developed that has been approved by the relevant university authority and the academic unit believes the course complies with NUCAP guidelines. The first intake of students will occur in the following year. Again, the academic unit can apply for preliminary accreditation immediately, and for full accreditation when the first cohort is in its final year.
When to submit your application
Applications for preliminary accreditation can be submitted to NUCAP at any time.
NUCAP application pack (Preliminary accreditation)
| To achieve administrative and economic efficiency for the academic unit, NUCAP can offer some flexibility in terms of aligning course accreditation cycles and aligning these cycles with internal program or school reviews. Please contact the NUCAP Manager to discuss the options. |
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Preliminary accreditation fees
2011 fees for preliminary accreditation of a course
Accreditation fees are reviewed annually. Please note that the review of the application will not begin until payment is received.
| Type of accreditation | Fee* (including GST) |
|---|---|
| Preliminary accreditation | $3,430 |
| Additional application if submitted concurrently | $1,840 |
The fees include an allowance for two hours of consultation with the NUCAP manager. If an academic unit requires further consultation with the NUCAP manager, an additional hourly rate of $150 will be charged. The academic unit will be notified if they have used the two-hour provision. If an academic unit believes a face to face meeting is necessary please refer to information provided under the link ‘consultancy services’.
How to pay your preliminary accreditation fee
Please contact the NUCAP manager to organise a tax invoice for the accreditation fees. Once the fees have been paid please forward a remittance advice to the NUCAP Manager.
