Any programme that has a professional component (for example in teacher training, or in engineering or medicine) has to gain approval from a relevant professional body. For example, a postgraduate programme in marketing will be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as well as leading to the award of a university Masters degree.
Following a programme accredited by a professional organisation can be important in getting a job after you graduate and, if you want to take a programme in a professional field, you should check which professional accreditation is essential and which is advisable. You can do this by checking with the relevant professional body in the UK or, if there is one, the equivalent professional body in your own country.
Other notable examples of professional bodies include:
On top of this, there are also associations/organisations for institutions that provide courses in specific subject areas or that can lead to specific qualifications. These can often be a guarantee of the quality of a specific institution or programme, as member institutions will have to meet often-exacting conditions and standards before they will be accredited. A good example are those bodies concerned with business schools and MBAs, like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs, the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of Business Schools.
If you know what you the subject area you want to study and there is a institutional and/or professional body that covers it, you go to its website or contact it directly for more information.
The reason why these bodies are mentioned here is that accreditation by them is a good indicator of the quality of the programme or institution in question if you are considering particular subject area. As noted above, it may also lead to a professional qualification that may be essential for progress in certain careers. Likewise, if an institution offering a programme in this area is not accredited, then you may have to look more closely at it to ensure that what it offers is reputable. These bodies often also offer financial help, scholarships and other types of help for students wanting to study on courses they accredit, and also open up other types of career opportunities – you can find out more on their websites.
A downside is that the more programmes or institutions accredited by a particular body, the more difficult it can be to distinguish between them, as none will obviously ‘stand out’. Following an accredited course may also not be appropriate for your career plans as it could commit you to a certain path and close other doors; you will have to be absolutely sure this is what you want to do.
