Approved Learning Partner (ALP) Handbook

Transcription

1 Approved Learning Partner (ALP) Handbook

2 Contents 1. WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?... 3 Who is this handbook for? What do I need to do to start teaching the ACCA Qualification or Foundation Level qualification? What if I am not teaching the ACCA Qualification or Foundation Level qualification? What is the Approved Learning Partner Programme? Who can be accredited? Are there different levels of accreditation? How much will it cost to become accredited? What are the benefits of the Approved Learning Partner programme? Multi-site providers and satellites What are the criteria for accreditation? What is best practice? 2. HOW DO I ESTABLISH MY INTEREST IN THE ALP PROGRAMME INITIAL ENQUIRY? HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR GOLD...19 How do I make a full application? Helpful hints Why does ACCA conduct a site visit before final approval? What happens at the site visit? What happens after the visit? What is the process for becoming an Approved Learning Partner? How long does it take for ACCA to determine if an application is complete? Who can help me in ACCA to make an application? IAAER Global Code of Ethics for Accounting Educators What will I receive if my application is successful? Unsuccessful applications 4. PROGRESSION TO PLATINUM RENEWAL AND MONITORING WHAT USEFUL CONTACTS MIGHT I NEED IN ACCA?

3 1 What is accreditation? ACCA s Approved Learning Partner programme (ALP) gives formal recognition to leading learning providers offering quality tuition and support to students taking the ACCA Qualification or Foundation Level qualification. It is the platform from which ACCA can develop a mutually beneficial relationship, increasing the global availability of effective and innovative ACCA course delivery and first-class student support. WHO IS THIS HANDBOOK FOR? This handbook is primarily intended as a source of information for those learning providers interested in holding accreditation for teaching the ACCA Qualification or the Foundation Level qualification. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO START TEACHING THE ACCA QUALIFICATION OR FOUNDATION LEVEL QUALIFICATION? ACCA doesn t directly provide tuition for its qualifications, however as an awarding body, ACCA relies on its global network of third party learning providers to help our students prepare for their examinations. Potential learning providers do not need to obtain permission to run courses from ACCA before commencing tuition towards the ACCA Qualification or Foundation Level qualification. ACCA courses may be offered differently from institution to institution: they can be run face to face, online or through traditional distance learning they can be run full-time or part-time they can be run over longer or shorter periods of time. WHAT IF I AM NOT TEACHING THE ACCA QUALIFICATION OR FOUNDATION LEVEL QUALIFICATION? If you are not teaching the ACCA Qualification or Foundation Level qualification then you cannot apply for approval under the ALP programme. Depending on the qualifications that you do teach then you may be eligible for the Registered Learning Partner programme. The Registered Learning Partner programme recognises learning providers offering quality tuition and support to students studying one or all of ACCA s certificates and diplomas. More information can be found here: registered-learning-partner.html WHAT IS THE APPROVED LEARNING PARTNER PROGRAMME? ACCA s Approved Learning Partner programme is a qualityassurance programme that aims to recognise high-quality learning providers who can prove that they meet ACCA s performance targets, representing global best practice in the provision of ACCA course tuition and support. To become an Approved Learning Partner you must be teaching at least one of ACCA s qualifications and be able to demonstrate your success relating to the criteria of the programme which can be found in section The following table shows the minimum ACCA tuition provision that learning providers must offer in order to be eligible for each level of approval. APPROVAL LEVEL Gold Platinum ACCA Any of ACCA s qualifications ACCA Qualification, Foundation Level qualifications (including CAT) for a minimum of one session Running a minimum of eight papers annually from the ACCA professional qualification, which must include all Essentials papers and two Options papers in the Professional level ACCA is keen to provide support tools and development opportunities for its learning providers. As part of this commitment, we have designed an Education Hub to help support existing or new learning providers to set up ACCA tuition and to support learning providers already teaching ACCA to raise the quality of their tuition and meet the standards required for Gold and Platinum approval. If you wish to request access to this tool please the Education Development team on learningsupport@accaglobal.com. Please include your name, institution name, country and town/city with your request. In addition ACCA has a wide range of resources online such as syllabuses, study guides, examinations. 3

4 WHO CAN BE ACCREDITED? Learning providers that solely provide text books and study materials to students are not eligible to be approved under the Approved Learning Partner programme. The Approved Learning Partner programme recognises centres that provide tuition and support to students as well as text books and study materials. ARE THERE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ACCREDITATION? The levels of approval under the ALP programme are: Gold Platinum Approval is given to learning providers who demonstrate that they meet the challenging performance targets set by ACCA. Gold and Platinum approvals are granted only to quality learning providers that ACCA is confident to recommend to students. Gold Gold approval is the first level of the programme and requires learning providers to meet a range of challenging performance targets covering the institution s overall management and, more specifically, its ACCA course management and delivery. As part of the process of determining a learning provider s eligibility for Gold approval, the learning provider has full flexibility on how they demonstrate that they meet the performance targets. Gold approval can be given to learning providers who are teaching any of ACCA s qualifications ACCA Qualification, Foundation Level qualifications (including CAT) either through face-to-face tuition, distance learning/elearning or blended learning. As part of the approval process, all learning providers will undergo a pre-approval site visit by a representative of ACCA. Once a learning provider becomes approved, approval will be renewed on an annual basis. Platinum Progression to Platinum approval will be encouraged from existing Gold Approved Learning Partners who: are able to demonstrate excellence in their course management and delivery have met the Platinum pass rate targets at three consecutive examination sessions. More information on how to apply to become approved at Gold or Platinum can be found within section 3 of this document. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BECOME ACCREDITED? The following fees will apply per site: Gold 650 annual fee. Platinum 750 annual fee. Once your application has been approved, you will be invoiced for the approval fee, which for Gold status is equivalent to the annual fee. Newly-approved Platinum Approved Learning Partners will be invoiced for the difference in fee. There is no deadline for applications for Gold or Platinum status. However it is worth noting that the annual renewal processes take place in the last quarter of the approval period. Approval periods run from 1 April to 31 March of the following year. All existing Approved Learning Partners are invoiced for the following year s annual fee during this time. Applicants gaining approval late in the year may therefore incur two sets of fees in a short space of time. Payment should be made in sterling to ACCA and sent directly to the Accreditation Department in Glasgow. Please do not send payment to ACCA by as s are not encrypted and therefore not regarded as a secure method of sending payment details. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE APPROVED LEARNING PARTNER PROGRAMME? ACCA s Gold and Platinum Approved Learning Partners enjoy a range of benefits from their approved status such as advertising opportunities, marketing support from ACCA and brand enhancement by association with ACCA. If your organisation is thinking of applying for approval, read through this section for details of the full range of advantages the approval scheme offers. As an Approved Learning Partner at Gold or Platinum level, you can take advantage of the following exclusive benefits that will provide you with a competitive edge over nonapproved providers: ACCA students can see you are quality assured. Students will know you have been assessed against ACCA s widely recognised and highly regarded global best practice benchmarks. They have our assurance that your ACCA tuition is high quality and that you have efficient student support frameworks in place. 4

5 Inclusive benefits Gold and Platinum Listing on ACCA s Tuition Provider directory Approved Learning Partners have priority entry on ACCA s Tuition Provider directory: with up to 100 words of promotional text. To add or amend your promotional text, please send an to tuition@accaglobal.com Listing on ACCA s student planner app ACCA s free to download app gb/en/student/apps.html is designed to help students calculate when they might achieve membership, to give advice on passing exams, to remind them of key dates relating to the exams, advice on recording experience and to show the location of their nearest Approved Learning Partner (ALP) and Computer Based Exam (CBE) licensed centre. Use of the ACCA ALP logo and certificate of approval Issued to all ALPs annually for forthcoming approval period and available to use as promotional and quality assurance tool. Access to practice tests to use with your students Via the ACCA Education Hub. Marketing Access to ACCA marketing materials which includes downloadable online banner advertisements and a video for use on website and promotional posters. ACCA is keen to support Approved Learning Partners in joint local marketing Initiatives (eg joint advertising activity) Promotional brochures and posters If you would like to explore the opportunity of doing joint marketing initiatives with ACCA please contact your local office or ACCA s Accreditation team at tuition@accaglobal.com Access to ACCA s results analysis service Approved Learning Partners benefit from free results analysis reports at each examination session. Access to ACCA s online Education Hub This includes Learning support materials and resources as well as business development guidance and promotional materials Access to ACCA s Learning provider E-magazine Teach Accounting is the ACCA s e-magazine for teachers of finance professionals. Teach Accounting includes ACCA news, industry updates, Resources and guidance for learning providers, as well as technical support and exam-related articles. Inclusive benefits for Platinum Access to ACCA s market information package Platinum Approved Learning Partners are provided with ACCA market information packages, details of which are below: On 31 May and 30 November each year, ACCA will provide you with details of registered student numbers, numbers of students entered to sit ACCA examinations, analysed by examination centre and number of CBE exams taken for their country of operation. Market information is provided biannually for the sole use of the Platinum Approved Learning Partner and should be treated as confidential. Access to the Ask the examiner Via the ACCA Education Hub. ACCA examination review board Platinum Approved Learning Partners are given the opportunity to comment on ACCA examinations by providing written representation at ACCA s Examination Review Board. ACCA will contact you shortly before each examination session and invite you to participate in this process. If you wish to, you will be sent Q&As throughout the examination session which can be distributed to tutors for their feedback. ACCA Learning Providers conference Platinum Approved Learning Partners receive one free return economy flight to ACCA s biennial Learning Providers conference. Premium listing on ACCA s student planner app and Tuition Provider directory. Benefits for all ALPs (subject to relevant fees) Advertising opportunities Advertising opportunities are available to all Approved Learning Partners through ACCA s third-party partner, Educate. To enquire about ACCA advertising opportunities and relevant fees, please refer to the list of contacts on the following advertising options are available to Approved Learning Partners: Ability to advertise in ACCA s specialist publications. Advertising on ACCA s website. Access to ACCA s targeted direct mail services. Access to ACCA s targeted services. Learning support events Invitation to ACCA s biennial Global Learning Providers conference This event gives our Approved Learning Partners the invaluable opportunity to meet ACCA examiners and understand their approach to the ACCA exams, and hear about the latest exciting developments to the qualification. It also gives delegates the chance to network with peers from around the globe, as well as ACCA staff. 5

6 Invitation to ACCA regional Learning Providers conferences Details will be provided by the local ACCA office if and when applicable. ACCA is committed to the continual improvement of the support provided to Approved Learning Partners. To keep up to date on the latest enhancements, including new programme benefits, please visit MULTI-SITE PROVIDERS AND SATELLITES Approval on the programme applies to individual learning providers at single-site locations. Tuition providers based at more than one site should seek separate approval for each location. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION? In order to be considered for accreditation, you must be able to fully demonstrate that you meet a number of performance targets in areas such as institution management, course management and delivery. Target summary Institution management Assessment element Course management and delivery Assessment element 1.1 Retention 2.1 Tutors 1.2 Terms and conditions 2.2 Student feedback 1.3 Complaints procedure 2.3 Teaching/study programme 1.4 Customer service 2.4 Student support and teaching advice 1.5 Study environment 2.5 Course review 1.6 Financial viability 2.6 Promotional materials The full list of targets has been included below along with the evidence that the New Accreditations team must review as part of your application. All targets must be evidenced as part of your application. 6

7 PART 1 INSTITUTION MANAGEMENT GOLD Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Retention 1.1 Student retention figures are documented and reviewed, and the reason for student losses is investigated. records of the number of students enrolled for each ACCA or Foundation Level paper taught and each session; student numbers successfully completing each course taught statistics of student pass rates (if available). details of action taken to improve retention, if relevant. evidence for this target to compare how many students start each ACCA paper to how many actually finish. Retention can be misinterpreted as measuring how many students return for a second course of study. However, this performance target is about closely monitoring. If students withdraw or drop out, the New Accreditations team would expect to see evidence of an investigation into the reasons why with any resulting actions. By reviewing your retention figures ACCA is ensuring that reasons for students leaving are fully investigated and practices that can be improved are identified and rectified. Potential reasons for poor retention could be problems with tutors or the pace of the class or the course materials, for instance. 7

8 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Terms and conditions 1.2 All students are issued with the institution s terms and conditions of enrolment, including refund and deferment policies. Students are asked to actively confirm that they have read the terms and conditions on enrolment. Approved Learning Partners are required to include the following line on the signing page of their enrolment form: Before signing this Enrolment Form, students are reminded to ensure that they have clearly understood all the terms of their enrolment with XXXXXXX ( name), in particular clauses concerning refunds, deferments, waivers, course transfers and visa applications (when applicable). copy of learning providers terms and conditions of enrolment copies of enrolment forms; details stating how terms and conditions are communicated to students. evidence for this target to ensure that students signing up for tuition at your institution are given all appropriate information on their courses upfront and prior to enrolling and committing to paying for tuition. By reviewing your terms and conditions we are ensuring that there is transparency around your terms and conditions and there are no hidden policies that students should be aware of. ACCA should be assured that you manage the expectations of your ACCA students at all times. Terms and conditions should cover areas such as: Refunds under what circumstances can the student claim a refund for a course they have paid for? Deferments under what circumstances can a student defer a course they have paid for to a later start date? Waivers eligibility criteria for any available fee waivers or discounts, and the student s responsibilities in return for any entitlement Course transfers under what circumstances can a student transfer to a different course once they have paid? Visa applications how much responsibility does the LP take for visa applications, and what is the student s position if visa applications are refused? ACCA s standard term MUST be included on the enrolment form. 8

9 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Complaints procedure 1.3 A formal, transparent complaints procedure or charter is in place and available to students. Complaints received are investigated thoroughly and promptly, within specified timeframes. Complaints log is maintained. copy of the complaints policy details/evidence of how it is communicated to students copy of the complaints log (with details on how these were dealt with and any action taken as result). evidence for this target to ensure that students are aware of how to make a complaint regarding your product or service. Any student that wishes to make a complaint to ACCA regarding your institution will be requested to exhaust your complaints procedure first. The contents and conditions around your complaints policy should be at your discretion and we do appreciate that your policies will be unique to your business and the type of tuition offered. Complaints policies normally set out: How informal complaints can be made who should these be raised with in the first instance? How formal complaints can be made is there a standard template, how should it be submitted, etc. How long the complainant can expect to wait for acknowledgement of their complaint, and for a response. How complaints will be treated who will be involved in reviewing the complaint and will they be treated confidentially? Whether the student has any right to appeal the outcome of their complaint, and any related processes. 9

10 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Customer service 1.4 Learning Providers demonstrate commitment to provide excellent customer service at all times. Clear guidance is provided to students on how to get in touch and engage with the learning provider. Information relating to ACCA study, exams, PER, ethics, exemptions and ACCA Connect contact details is readily available. copy of guidance for students on how to get in touch and engage with the learning provider. details of any training provided to internal staff on keeping students informed about details of ACCA study, exams, PER, ethics, exemptions and ACCA Connect contact details. evidence for this target to ensure that students receive an excellent service and accurate information about ACCA when engaging with you. Many Approved Learning Partners choose to include information on ACCA in their student handbook. It s important that ALPs do not provide students with out-of-date information, so it s advisable not to publish information that could go out of date quickly, for instance, information on exemptions. It s more beneficial to direct students to ACCA s website which will always have the most current information; we would expect support staff to know their way around the ACCA website and tools such as the exemption enquiry database to give the best service to students. Students also need to know how and when they should get in touch with ACCA directly ALPs should ensure that they communicate the correct contact details for ACCA Connect to their students. 10

11 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Study environment 1.5 Study environment must be appropriate for mode of delivery, course type and be conducive to study. Face to face tuition copy of lease agreement/proof of ownership or any other evidence confirming arrangements in place to secure the teaching premises detail of any arrangements in place to ensure premises are comfortable and conducive to study at all times. evidence for this target to ensure you have appropriate premises for tuition depending on the type of tuition offered by your institution. For those tuition providers that offer face to face tuition the New Accreditation team would expect to review a current lease. For those learning providers that offer distance learning/e-learning/ blended learning tuition the New Accreditations team would expect to review a current lease and demonstration of your online product. If your institution is government funded you should make the New Accreditations team aware of this at the time of making your application. Distance learning/elearning/blended learning online environment is fit for purpose and is supported by appropriate securities/ contingency plan for online system support demo of online product and related guidelines should be supplied for review on application; copy of lease agreement/proof of ownership or any other evidence confirming arrangements in place to secure the premises. Financial viability 1.6 Learning provider is financially viable. audited financial statements or confirmation of appropriate government funding. officially prepared financial statements evidence for this target to ensure that you are in a positive financial position to operate while ACCA students are attending your courses. If a student has committed to attending your courses then ACCA must be assured that you will be in a position to honour this agreement. confirmation of financial viability from appropriate third party 11

12 PART 2 ACCA COURSE MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY GOLD Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Tutors 2.1 (a) Tutors are knowledgeable and experienced in their chosen field and hold qualifications appropriate to the subjects they teach. 2.1 (b) Tutor performance is monitored and development opportunities provided. tutor CVs/summaries of tutor qualifications and experience. details of internal monitoring in place (including individual tutors pass rate performance) and any actions taken to improve tutor performance. evidence for this target to ensure that your tutors are appropriately qualified and experienced to ensure that ACCA students have the best possible teaching experience at your institution. Through your tutors students will obtain the knowledge required for their journey through their ACCA papers. We would not expect to find that part-qualified tutors are teaching papers beyond their own qualification level. Monitoring of tutors would typically include: Student pass rates Student retention rates Student feedback Student feedback 2.2 (a) Student feedback on performance is actively sought, reviewed and acted upon where appropriate. 2.2 (b) Student feedback questionnaires should include questions on administration, study environment, tutor performance and course content and delivery. Summary of student feedback Feedback form Learning providers should have a system in place to regularly conduct and review student feedback. Action plans for necessary improvements should be agreed upon. evidence for this target to ensure that your institution collates, summarises and analyses student feedback to ensure that you are proactively identifying issues and trends with your tuition provision and resulting actions. It s good practice to schedule feedback at particular times through a course, perhaps midway through and again at the end of the course to gauge the impact of any improvements from the first round. 12

13 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Teaching/ study programme 2.3 (a) Students are provided with guidance on their programme of study, including a detailed breakdown of their course into modules or study sessions. There must be appropriate PER references relevant to various subject areas, as well as advice on homework and preparatory guidelines, timings of assignments, mock examinations and progress tests. samples of teaching/ study programmes/ course schedules provided to students. evidence for this target to ensure that students are aware of the topics that will be covered each week prior to their lectures which will allow them to undertake further reading. Programme of study should highlight when homework and mock examinations are due to be submitted and in addition ACCA s Practical Experience Requirement (PER) references. The New Accreditations team would expect a learning provider to link ACCA syllabus to the practical elements of ACCA s performance objectives as part of PER requirements. This will help students apply their knowledge to what is expected of them in the workplace. 2.3 (b) References to ACCA study resources and guidance for students are visible and clearly promoted. The following links should be included in information communicated to students accaglobal.com/uk/en/ student/exam-supportresources.html samples of relevant references. evidence for this target to ensure that students have the most up to date information on ACCA and the support available from the ACCA website. It is more advantageous for students to use both ACCA s study material and your own to maximise their chance of success when attempting ACCA examinations. 2.3 (c) Mock examinations and timed progress tests are set, reviewed and returned with constructive criticism around content and style within a specified turnaround time. copies of mock examinations/ practice tests; records of student attendance rates; summaries of performance at mock examinations/practice tests. evidence for this target to ensure that students have completed a mock examination prior to their final ACCA examination and are therefore better equipped to pass their examination. We would expect to see the LP using mock exams that reflect the structure and content of a real ACCA exam. We also need to see evidence that the students mock examination attempts have been adequately marked and returned to the students so that they can take action on any areas of concern. Some things we would expect to see: Comments and feedback provided if students have received a poor mark in a mock exam, they need to know how they can improve this for the real exam Turnaround times students need enough time to be able to rectify any issues in their knowledge or exam technique. 13

14 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Student support and teaching advice 2.4 (a) Students are offered advice on study options as well as ACCA progression rules, exam entry, exemptions and ethics module. copies of any training manuals for staff and details of resources they provide to students. evidence for this target to ensure that students receive an excellent service and accurate information about ACCA when engaging with you. Many Approved Learning Partners choose to include information on ACCA in their student handbook. 2.4 (b) Staff are fully aware of the practical experience requirements (PER) for ACCA membership, signpost them to students and are able to provide students with support and guidance in achieving them. copies of any training manuals for staff PER video and PER resources signposted to students (videos have been designed by ACCA). evidence for this target to ensure that learning providers are providing correct information to students on ACCA s PER requirements. The New Accreditation team is looking to ensure that students receive appropriate advice on gaining their Practical Experience Requirement (PER) so that we avoid creating long-term affiliates. Learning Providers should make students aware that the ACCA Qualification does not consist only of exams but contains exams, experience and ethics. ACCA provides video support and other resources for students through the global website, and at the very least Learning Providers should signpost these to students on all ACCA courses. Course review 2.5 Regular review of course structure and delivery, student performance, retention and feedback is conducted and documented. course review meeting minutes or evidence of course review conducted by other means, including actions taken. evidence for this target to ensure that your institution covers the topics specified in the target (course structure and delivery, student performance, retention and feedback) with a view to investigating issues and trends and the resulting actions. We would expect to see evidence that a review like this has taken place minutes of the meeting where the results of the review are discussed would be appropriate, along with a record of any planned actions and evidence of any activity which has been carried out so far. 14

15 Assessment element Performance targets Suggested evidence Further information Promotional materials 2.6 (a) Promotional material contains accurate information regarding ACCA (including information on exams, PER and ethics where appropriate) and up to date ACCA Connect contact details. 2.6 (b) Promotional materials contain accurate information regarding the and makes no unsubstantiated or potentially misleading claims. pre and post enrolment promotional literature/brochures. evidence for this target to ensure that the information on your website and promotional material is accurate, up to date and contains no unsubstantiated claims, which are potentially misleading for students and leads to student dissatisfaction. In addition, ACCA s contact details should be included to ensure that students are aware of how to contact ACCA. In general, we expect any promotional activity from an LP who is seeking to be approved by ACCA to be legal, decent, honest and truthful prepared and carried out with a due sense of professional responsibility in conformance with the principles of fair competition. It should be noted that ACCA s corporate logo should not be replicated under any circumstances. 15

16 WHAT IS BEST PRACTICE? This is advice for learning providers for best practice in tuition provision while working towards achieving Approved Learning Partner status. The purpose of the Best Practice information is to provide guidance to learning providers offering ACCA qualifications. The Best Practice details practices they should adopt in order to ensure quality learning provision and support for their students. Please note that the Best practice does not need to be evidenced as part of the initial application process, however this will be assessed at an approval visit. PART 1 INSTITUTION MANAGEMENT GOLD Assessment element Attendance/participation Tutor absence/course cancellation Recommended practice An attendance policy should be in place and action taken where students persistently fail to attend class/complete modules/assignments. Appropriate measures should be in place to minimise disruption to students in the event of tutor absence/unavailability. Course cancellations should occur only in circumstances beyond the learning provider s control and students should be advised upon enrolment of any factors which may prevent the course from running. Procedures should be in place to ensure that students are given as much notice as possible in the event that a course or other scheduled activity is cancelled. PREMISES AND FACILITIES GUIDELINES FOR LEARNING PROVIDERS OFFERING FACE-TO-FACE TUITION GOLD Assessment element Premises and facilities Recommended practice Permanent premises should be secured for administration and the majority of tuition. Premises should be comfortable and create an atmosphere that is conducive to study. Lecture rooms should be of an appropriate size for the number of students in a class. Students and tutors should have access to modern IT equipment, including web access. Premises and facilities should be appropriate for the types of courses offered and their mode of delivery. FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS SUPPORT GUIDELINES FOR LEARNING PROVIDERS OFFERING DISTANCE AND ONLINE LEARNING TUITION GOLD Assessment element Premises and facilities support Recommended practice Permanent premises should be held for administration of courses. Facilities and systems should be appropriate for the mode of delivery of courses offered. Appropriate measures should be in place to minimise disruption to students in the event of system failure. 16

17 PART 2 ACCA COURSE MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY GOLD Assessment element Student feedback Teaching/study programme Support materials Tutor contact details Student support and advice Administration staff Reports to sponsor Recommended practice Learning providers should aim for a minimum of 70% of all student feedback questionnaires to be returned for meaningful analysis. Homework assignments should be set, reviewed and returned with constructive comments around content and style within a specified turnaround time. Students are provided with a course handbook which includes up to date essential information on the institution, the course, and ACCA. Students are provided with the contact details of all their tutors and are able to access an ACCA course leader or course tutor during office hours. Students are offered advice on the most appropriate study material for their course. Customer-facing administrative staff are appropriately trained to respond to queries about ACCA qualifications and learning provider procedures. Reports on student progress should be supplied to sponsors on request. 17

18 2 How to establish your interest in the ALP programme initial enquiry If you believe that your institution is able to meet all of ACCA s performance targets and you wish to apply for Gold approval, you will be asked to provide the following information and answer the following questions using ACCA s online initial enquiry. Institution name address Contact person Address Town Country 1 Are you currently teaching ACCA courses? If so, how long has your institution been teaching them? (A minimum of one session is required) 2 How many ACCA students are currently being taught at your institution? 3 What ACCA papers are being taught? 4 How many teaching staff are employed by your institution and what are their qualifications and experience? 5 What course materials are used? 6 How many classrooms does your institution have? 7 What are your average class sizes (number of students)? As part of the online initial enquiry questions you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood the contents of this handbook. Once the answers to the above questions have been received, ACCA will consider your eligibility to apply and contact you with further questions or to advise you on whether you are being invited to apply. We aim to respond to your initial enquiry questions within five working days of receipt. Should you be invited to apply a set of documentation will be sent to you for completion. If you are not invited to apply after answering the online initial enquiry questions above then a full and detailed explanation will be provided. ACCA s full performance targets can be located on pages 7 14 of this document. Please ensure that you have fully read and understood each performance target before submitting an initial enquiry online. approved-learning-partner/learning-partner-application.html 8 Are IT equipment or other facilities available to students? 18

19 3 How to make an application for approval at Gold To become an Approved Learning Partner, you are expected to demonstrate that you meet challenging performance targets, representing global best practice in the provision of ACCA course tuition and support. To become an Approved Learning Partner you must be teaching at least one of ACCA s qualifications and be able to demonstrate your success. The first step in making an application is to establish your interest in the ALP programme. HOW DO I MAKE A FULL APPLICATION? In order to make a full application for the ALP programme you must complete and submit the following set of documentation: Fully complete application form Fully complete performance assessment matrix Evidence in support of each performance target. To obtain a blank application form and performance assessment matrix you must establish your interest in the Approved Learning Partner programme by completing an online initial enquiry first at the following link: approved-learning-partner/learning-partner-application.html After completing the initial enquiry questions ACCA will consider your eligibility to apply and contact you with further questions or to advise you on whether you are being invited to apply. If you are invited to apply, subsequent applications received without all of the above documentation will be returned to you for completion. If your application is returned to you then all documentation must be submitted again when you decide to resubmit your application. It should be noted that as well as checking that the above documentation is present, the New Accreditations team will conduct a review of your evidence to ensure that a sufficient level of information has been submitted for each performance target. If an insufficient level of documentation has been submitted, your application will be returned to you with a checklist of targets that must be evidenced before you consider resubmitting an application to ACCA. After checking that all appropriate documentation and evidence has been submitted the New Accreditations team will then undertake a detailed review of your submitted evidence against the Approved Learning Partner performance targets. We aim to conduct our review of your documentation in three weeks. ACCA s full performance targets can be located on pages 7 14 of this document. Please ensure that you have fully read and understood each performance target and detailed guidance before submitting the above documentation to the New Accreditations team. HELPFUL HINTS To try to ensure that you receive an outcome as soon as possible please see below the four most common reasons applications are returned. 1 Initial Enquiry expired An invitation to apply is only valid for six months. If more than six months have elapsed since receiving your invitation please submit a new initial enquiry. 2 Missing documentation In order to accept an application we require the following to be provided: a Application form b Performance Assessment Matrix c Supporting documentation for all targets. 3 Missing evidence In order to accept an application we require documentary evidence for all performance targets. WHY DOES ACCA CONDUCT A SITE VISIT BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL? After the New Accreditations team have reviewed your forms and evidence they will determine your suitability for approval. Subject to this review a pre-approval visit arranged by an ACCA representative at a suitable date and time. It should be noted that this stage does not constitute full approval. If your review by the New Accreditations team has been unsuccessful a full and detailed explanation will be provided. If unsuccessful, subsequent applications can be submitted however no appeals will be accepted. Why conduct a site visit: Gives ACCA the opportunity to gather additional evidence about the quality of tuition and student support provided by the learning providers. Ensures ACCA can be confident that the learning providers policies are put into practice Allows ACCA to check the standard of the premises. Allows ACCA to follow up on outstanding issues from the review conducted by the New Accreditations team 19

20 3 HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AT GOLD WHAT HAPPENS AT THE SITE VISIT? Before the visit, you will receive an from an ACCA representative, explaining what will happen at the site visit, and what documentation should be prepare in advance. A typical agenda for a site visit has been included below: 1 Discussion on the schedule for the visit. Approximately 15 minutes. 2 Tour of facilities to address performance targets relating to the premises targets within the ALP programme. Approximately 15 minutes. 3 ACCA representative to be given the opportunity to review your evidence privately. Approximately 90 minutes. 4 Student meeting (face to face tuition only) to discuss facilities, student support, tuition and course management privately Approximately 30 minutes. 5 Wrap-up meeting for ACCA representative to ask questions and discuss best practice guidelines Approximately 30 minutes. All timings and order of visit can be negotiated closer to the visit date and time. Please note that you will not find out the result of your application at the site visit. During the visit the ACCA representative will be looking to review for following aspects of your premises and facilities: Are the premises are comfortable and create an atmosphere that is conducive to study? Are lecture rooms are of an appropriate size for the number of students in a class? Are premises and facilities are appropriate for the types of courses offered and their mode of delivery? Examples of the types of documentation that the ACCA representative could review at site visit. Attendance and retention Are attendance registers well maintained? Are student numbers shown in the registers consistent with figures provided as part of the application process? Is there a formal mechanism in place to follow up student absences? Has evidence of any specific actions taken to improve attendance been provided? Student feedback forms and summaries How are student feedback forms administered, summarised and analysed by the LP? Are there any particular positive or negative trends indicated in the student feedback forms? Is there evidence of actions taken to address issues raised by students in the feedback forms? Complaints file Is there a system through which students formal complaints are recorded, including details on how the issue was resolved? Are there any recurring complaints? Marked mock exams Have assignments/progress tests been administered, marked and returned to students with constructive comments on strengths and weaknesses? How does the learning provider encourage students to take part in exam-condition question practice type activities? Teaching and study resources Do study/lecture plans include sufficient guidance on programme of study? Do study/lecture plans include detailed breakdown of courses into modules or study sessions, advice on homework and preparatory guidelines, timing of assignments, mock examinations and progress tests? Are appropriate PER references included in lecture plans (with references relevant to various subject areas) Is format of study lecture plans consistent across papers? Most recent promotional materials Do promotional materials contain accurate information regarding ACCA and up-to-date ACCA Connect contact details? Do promotional materials contain accurate information regarding the learning provider? Are there any unsubstantiated or potentially misleading claims? In addition to reviewing your premises, facilities and evidence the ACCA representative conducting the site visit will discuss ACCA s best practice guidelines which are listed on pages of this document. These guidelines do not form part of the criteria to apply for accreditation; however they are an indication of how ACCA expects you to operate your tuition provision. Please note that you will not be provided with an outcome at the visit. This will be communicated after the visit by the New Accreditations team. 20

21 3 HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AT GOLD WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE VISIT? After the site visit, the New Accreditations team will determine your eligibility for full approval under the Approved Learning Partner programme using their findings from the initial review of your documentation and the findings from the site visit. If your application has been successful after the site visit you will be sent an outcome letter, ALP logo and certificate. In addition you will be added to ACCA s Tuition Provider Directory. ACCA s Tuition Provider Directory includes all Approved Learning Partners who are each given a prominent extended entry within the directory, based on their level of approval. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BECOMING AN APPROVED LEARNING PARTNER? INSTITUTION Complete the online initial enquiry with general information about the institution and its ACCA programme ACCREDITATION Within 5 days, determine if the institution is eligible to apply for ALP status. If so, application documentation will be provided to the institution INSTITUTION Complete and submit a full application within 6 months if being invited to apply ACCREDITATION Within 5 days, determine that we have all required information to proceed with the assessment of the application ACCREDITATION Conduct a full assessment of the organisations supporting documentation against the relevant criteria MARKET STAFF Conduct a full site visit of the institution s premises, documentation and meet students ACCREDITATION Communicate outcome of application to the institution and update the Tuition Provider Directory. 21

22 3 HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AT GOLD HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ACCA TO DETERMINE IF AN APPLICATION IS COMPLETE? ACTIVITY Pre-checks Full assessments SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS The Accreditation Department will aim to provide you with an indication as to whether all necessary information has been received within five working days of receipt of application. If this turnaround is not possible a member of the Accreditation Department will provide an estimated date of completion upon receipt of the full application. The Accreditation Department will aim to provide you with a full outcome within three weeks of receipt of all necessary documentation. If this turnaround is not possible, a member of the Accreditation Department will provide an estimated date of completion. WHO CAN HELP ME IN ACCA TO MAKE AN APPLICATION? If you have any questions about the Approved Learning Partner Programme or how to make an application please contact the New Accreditations team on newaccreditations@accaglobal.com or +44 (0) IAAER GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR ACCOUNTING EDUCATORS As an Approved Learning Partner, you will be expected to abide by the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER) Global Code of Ethics for Accounting Educators. The code of ethics is designed to guide accounting tuition providers by underlining their responsibilities in this field. Visit the IAAER website at www. iaaer.org to see the Code of Ethics in full. WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IF MY APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL? On approval, you will receive confirmation from the New Accreditations team and, if applicable, this will also detail any conditions or recommendations upon which your approval is based. A certificate declaring your Gold or Platinum approval will be enclosed with the confirmation letter. In addition, ACCA promotional materials will be issued to you directly from ACCA. You will be able to download the appropriate Approved Learning Partner logo by following the link to myacca on the home page and logging in using your username and password. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS ACCA reserves the right to decline approval to institutions that have submitted unsuitable applications. It is the responsibility of the institution to demonstrate that it has met all relevant performance targets and to demonstrate this in their application or at the pre-approval visit. If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive confirmation from the Accreditation department detailing recommendations for improvement. There is no appeals process and ACCA s decision is final. However, learning providers are welcome to reapply when relevant improvements have been implemented. 22

23 4 Progression to Platinum Progression to Platinum approval will be encouraged from existing Gold Approved Learning Partners who: are able to demonstrate excellence in their course management and delivery; have met the Platinum pass rate targets over at least two consecutive examination sessions, over a period of one year; continuously receive positive student feedback. Teaching the ACCA Qualification is a pre-requisite of Platinum approval. PROGRESSION TO PLATINUM Approved Learning Partners may not commence the process for Platinum approval before they have received confirmation from ACCA s accreditation team that they have met the Platinum pass rate targets for three consecutive examination sessions and are eligible to apply. This will normally happen within three weeks of the examination results release in February and August respectively. Approved Learning Partners who wish to commence the Platinum approval process in response to invitation must submit their completed application form before 15 April, following the December examination session, and 15 October following the June examination session (or by alternative closing date communicated by ACCA in the invitation to commence Platinum approval process), in order for Platinum approval visits to be conducted and the outcome confirmed before the next session s examination results are released. Approved Learning Partners who do not apply for Platinum approval before this deadline, and who fail to meet the Platinum pass rate targets in the subsequent examination session, will no longer be eligible to apply for Platinum approval. Platinum approval will only be awarded when it has been demonstrated that the Approved Learning Partner meets all criteria for Platinum approval. Gold Approved Learning Partners may not make reference to meeting the Platinum pass rate targets in any advertising or promotional materials prior to receiving confirmation of the award of Platinum status in writing from ACCA s accreditation team. MAINTAINING PLATINUM APPROVAL Platinum Approved Learning Partners who fail to meet the Platinum pass rate targets for the first time will be contacted by an ACCA representative to discuss any contributing factors to declining performance and to agree an action plan for improvement. It is the responsibility of the Approved Learning Partner to remain engaged with ACCA, agree an action plan and to take ownership of its implementation. Where there is no visible improvement in student performance in the next two examination sessions, ACCA reserves the right to remove Platinum approval. Approved Learning Partners will normally be automatically re-approved at Gold under these circumstances. 23