Meyar Educational Consulting
Meyar Educational Consulting
العربية (Arabic version of this page)Request a diagnostic

Accreditations

Each accreditation means something different, so choose what serves your school

A certificate of conformity, an institutional accreditation, a programme authorization or membership of a network: the names are similar, but the meanings differ. Here is what each one means, who grants it, and how long it lasts.

Sources last reviewed: October 2026

Six kinds, not one

Coloured evidence binders and a laptop on a desk
An evidence file for each domain

  • Certification of conformity

    ISO 21001 · ISO 9001

    Granted by an accredited certification body after it audits the management system. ISO writes the standard but does not issue certificates.

  • Institutional accreditation

    Cognia · CIS

    An assessment of the whole school against the body’s standards, through a self-study and a visit.

  • Membership with quality assurance

    COBIS

    Membership of a professional network, conditional on a quality review every 5 years.

  • Government inspection

    BSO

    Voluntary accreditation by the UK Department for Education, through an inspection that makes judgements every 3 years.

  • Programme authorization

    IB

    Permission to offer a specific programme, not accreditation of the whole school.

  • Registration

    Cambridge

    Approval to offer Cambridge programmes and exams.

At a glance

AccreditationKindAwarding bodyValidity and renewal
ISO 21001:2025 certificationCertification of conformityAn accredited certification body that the school chooses and contracts with3 years, with a surveillance audit every year
ISO 9001:2026 certificationCertification of conformityAn accredited certification body that the school contracts with3 years, with a surveillance audit every year
Cognia accreditationInstitutional accreditationCognia; the decision is made by the Cognia Global CommissionInitial accreditation for two years, then a 6-year continuing accreditation cycle
CIS accreditationInternational institutional accreditationCouncil of International SchoolsA 10-year cycle, during which CIS staff visit the school several times
COBIS membershipMembership with quality assuranceThe Council of British International Schools (COBIS)Membership is valid for 5 years, with quality assurance every 5 years
British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditationVoluntary government inspectionThe UK Department for Education (DfE), through two approved inspectoratesA successful inspection at least every 3 years
International Baccalaureate (IB) programme authorizationProgramme authorizationThe International Baccalaureate OrganizationEvaluation at least once every 5 years, including a self-study
School registration with Cambridge InternationalRegistrationCambridge InternationalCambridge school status is kept through annual registration
Accreditation by the Accreditation and Quality Assurance CommissionNational accreditationThe Accreditation and Quality Assurance CommissionNot yet published

  • ISO 21001:2025 certification

    Certification of conformity
    Awarding body
    An accredited certification body that the school chooses and contracts with
    Validity and renewal
    3 years, with a surveillance audit every year
    Time to first decision
    Meyar’s planning estimate: 8 to 12 months from the start of preparation
    Who it suits
    Any licensed private school, on a national or international track, that wants a documented, learner-centred educational management system

    Key thing to know

    An international standard for a management system designed for educational organizations; its second edition was published in July 2025. ISO itself does not issue any certificates.

  • ISO 9001:2026 certification

    Certification of conformity
    Awarding body
    An accredited certification body that the school contracts with
    Validity and renewal
    3 years, with a surveillance audit every year
    Time to first decision
    Meyar’s estimate: 8 to 12 months, or less if the school already has a working ISO 21001 system
    Who it suits
    A school that wants a general quality certificate recognized in every sector, runs extensive support services, or belongs to a group holding ISO 9001

    Key thing to know

    The general standard for quality management systems, in its sixth edition published in September 2026, with an official Arabic version.

  • Cognia accreditation

    Institutional accreditation
    Awarding body
    Cognia; the decision is made by the Cognia Global Commission
    Validity and renewal
    Initial accreditation for two years, then a 6-year continuing accreditation cycle
    Time to first decision
    According to Cognia, initial accreditation can generally be completed within 6 months
    Who it suits
    New and established private schools that want a path of continuous improvement that starts with membership

    Key thing to know

    A US-based accrediting organization that describes its accreditation as an independent mark of quality in more than 100 countries. Initial accreditation is granted for two years only.

  • CIS accreditation

    International institutional accreditation
    Awarding body
    Council of International Schools
    Validity and renewal
    A 10-year cycle, during which CIS staff visit the school several times
    Time to first decision
    CIS publishes no overall timeline. After membership: a preparatory visit of about 3 days, then a self-study, then a team visit of about 4 days
    Who it suits
    International or dual-track schools that have been operating for at least two full school years

    Key thing to know

    Accreditation covers the whole school, not just the international track, and is based on self-study and peer evaluation.

  • COBIS membership

    Membership with quality assurance
    Awarding body
    The Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
    Validity and renewal
    Membership is valid for 5 years, with quality assurance every 5 years
    Time to first decision
    4 to 6 months of preparation before the visit, and the report usually 4 to 6 weeks after it
    Who it suits
    Schools with a clear British educational ethos

    Key thing to know

    Membership of a professional network, not recognition by the UK government; that recognition is limited to BSO.

  • British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation

    Voluntary government inspection
    Awarding body
    The UK Department for Education (DfE), through two approved inspectorates
    Validity and renewal
    A successful inspection at least every 3 years
    Time to first decision
    No overall timeline is published. An inspection visit of 3 to 5 days, followed by a draft and then a final report
    Who it suits
    Schools that describe themselves as British, whose British character shows in their ethos, curriculum, teaching, care and attainment

    Key thing to know

    An inspection that makes judgements against the BSO standards, which COBIS describes as the only accreditation recognized by the UK government.

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) programme authorization

    Programme authorization
    Awarding body
    The International Baccalaureate Organization
    Validity and renewal
    Evaluation at least once every 5 years, including a self-study
    Time to first decision
    The IB sets no time limits for its stages; the PYP and MYP require a trial implementation of at least one full school year
    Who it suits
    A school that wants to offer the PYP, MYP, DP or CP and is ready for a path that runs over several years

    Key thing to know

    Authorization to offer a specific programme, not institutional accreditation of the school. Mandatory teacher training is a precondition for applying.

  • School registration with Cambridge International

    Registration
    Awarding body
    Cambridge International
    Validity and renewal
    Cambridge school status is kept through annual registration
    Time to first decision
    Cambridge’s target: 3 months from the expression of interest form to the approval visit outcome
    Who it suits
    Schools that teach the IG track or want to add it

    Key thing to know

    Approval to offer Cambridge programmes and exams, such as IGCSE and AS & A Level; it is not institutional accreditation of the school.

  • Accreditation by the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission

    National accreditation
    Awarding body
    The Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission
    Validity and renewal
    Not yet published
    Time to first decision
    Awaiting the standards for schools
    Who it suits
    Public and private schools and kindergartens, under Law No. 18 of 2026

    Key thing to know

    A new national track for schools, now that the Commission’s remit covers them; its standards have not been issued yet. We follow it and will inform the schools we work with when they are issued.

    Details

The school applies to the body and pays its fees directly, and the decision is the body’s alone. Our role is to make sure the school arrives ready.

This information summarizes what the bodies publish on their websites, and may change. The final reference is each body’s requirements as it publishes them.

Start with a readiness diagnostic

Within 10 days of the visit, you will know where your branch stands in every domain, and what would move it up.

Request a diagnostic