QAA and AACSB International Announce Agreement

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and AACSB International (AACSB) have entered a cooperative agreement to advance business education globally. Through the agreement, both organizations will work together to improve mutual understanding of their respective global accreditation approaches, explore synergies, and collaborate through shared events.

Established in 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to over 1,700 member organizations and more than 900 accredited business schools worldwide. The United Kingdom is AACSB’s third-largest global market. As the longest-serving and largest business education network, AACSB connects lifelong learners, educators, and businesses worldwide.

QAA is the U.K.’s independent quality body for higher education and has signed the agreement in its capacity supporting the development of higher education quality internationally, including activities to support QAA members and collaboration with international partners.

“This is an excellent opportunity for enhanced collaboration between both organizations—recognizing the important role that we both play in quality processes associated with business education,” said Vicki Stott, chief executive of QAA. “Through this agreement, we aim to contribute to the enhancement of the accreditation overseen by both organizations, benefiting all our respective members.”

"We are excited and honored to be collaborating with QAA to enhance the quality and value of education globally,” said Stephanie Bryant, global chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “The depth of experience of QAA in the higher education sector will most certainly complement AACSB’s work in business education.”

The agreement is in effect for five years, with an opportunity for renewal at the end of the period.