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FAQs

QUESTIONS

  1. What is EQA?
  2. What is the purpose of the EQA Designation?
  3. What is the benefit to an institution in having the EQA Designation?
  4. What are the fees associated with the EQA Designation?
  5. What is the role of BCCIE with regard to the EQA Designation?
  6. Is EQA an accreditation mechanism?
  7. Which institutions will have permission to use the EQA Designation brand?
  8. Who is eligible to apply for EQA Designation?
  9. What are the eligibility requirements for EQA Designation?
  10. Which provincial agency determines the eligibility requirements for EQA Designation?
  11. What are the existing quality assurance processes and quality assurance bodies in BC?
  12. My institution is not eligible for EQA, but we have a long-standing reputation and proven history of providing quality programs. Can BCCIE give special consideration to institutions with a proven track record?
  13. Does the Provincial Government require all institutions to have EQA Designation?
  14. How do institutions apply for EQA Designation?
  15. When can institutions begin to apply for EQA Designation?
  16. What is the Application Process for EQA Designation?
  17. How long is the eligibility review stage – when can I expect to receive EQA Designation?
  18. BCCIE has returned my application as incomplete. Can I re-submit my application?
  19. If BCCIE deems my application to be incomplete, will my application fee be refunded?
  20. Do institutions have to re-apply for EQA Designation each year?
  21. What is the process for maintaining EQA Designation?
  22. What are the fees associated with the EQA Designation?
  23. What form(s) of payment can I use to pay my EQA Application and Annual Fees?
  24. Can institutions voluntarily cancel their EQA Designation?
  25. Is it possible for an institution to have their EQA Designation revoked?
  26. What is the process for dealing with concerns/complaints about EQA-designated institutions?
  27. Who can I contact to discuss the EQA process with or any questions I may have?
  28. Where do I send my application? 

 


 

 ANSWERS

 

  1.  What is EQA?

    BC’s brand or “seal” of quality post-secondary education for both public and private institutions.
  2. What is the purpose of the EQA Designation?

    • Creates a standard trademark recognizable worldwide
    • Reduces confusion caused by various quality assurance processes
    • Supports students to make informed choices
    • Protects BC’s reputation for quality post-secondary education
    • Promotes BC internationally as a preferred place to live, work and invest.
  3. What is the benefit to an institution in having the EQA Designation?

    • Government recognition
    • Inclusion on government-supported “lists” to federal and foreign governments
    • Authorized to use a brand that will become recognized worldwide for quality
    • International marketing and promotion at international education fairs, trade missions, etc.
    • Increased ability to attract international students and priority sector investors
    • Increased share of international education market
  4. What are the fees associated with the EQA Designation?

    There is a one-time application fee of $300, which is due at the time of initial application for EQA Designation and is non-refundable.

    There is also an annual EQA Designation fee of $1500. The annual fee will be pro-rated at $125/month for the initial year of application only and is due at the time an institution applies for EQA Designation. Each subsequent year, the full fee of $1500 is due 30 days (March 31) before the universal annual designation anniversary date of May 1. The annual EQA Designation fee is non-refundable.

  5. What is the role of BCCIE with regard to the EQA Designation?

    BCCIE and the Ministry of Advanced Education (the Ministry) entered into an Administrative Agreement on July 9, 2009. BCCIE, as an independent society, will administer the EQA Designation on government’s behalf by:

    • Receiving applications for EQA Designation;
    • Confirming EQA eligibility, based on the eligibility criteria set by government;
    • Granting permission to use the EQA brand, and ensuring conditions of brand use are upheld;
    • Providing international marketing and promotion of EQA-designated institutions; and,
    • Monitoring use of the EQA brand.

    As BCCIE does not have a regulatory role, it will not conduct site visits, evaluate the quality of an institution’s programs, or make decisions on whether or not an institution is meeting quality assurance requirements.

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  6. Is EQA an accreditation mechanism?

    No, EQA and BCCIE do not replace existing quality assurance processes or create new regulatory structures or processes. EQA Designation is based on an institution having met established quality assurance standards that exist under government recognized frameworks, and on being in good standing with both the Ministry and the applicable quality assurance bodies.
  7. Which institutions will have permission to use the EQA Designation brand?

    Only British Columbia institutions with EQA Designation will be permitted to use the brand. Brand use is limited to British Columbia institutions and their British Columbia-based operations; i.e., institutions with multiple campuses cannot use the brand for campuses based outside of British Columbia.

  8. Who is eligible to apply for EQA Designation?

    All public and private post-secondary institutions in British Columbia may apply for EQA Designation.
  9. What are the eligibility requirements for EQA Designation?

    Eligibility is based on an institution having met or exceeded government recognized quality assurance standards. In addition, institutions must be in good standing with both the Ministry and their applicable quality assurance body(ies) (eg. LC/PCTIA/DQAB).

    See EQA eligibility details.

  10. Which provincial agency determines the eligibility requirements for EQA Designation?

    The Ministry retains responsibility for setting quality assurance requirements and determining which quality assurance bodies and their mechanisms meet EQA eligibility requirements.

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  11. What are the existing quality assurance processes and quality assurance bodies in BC?

    Public Post-Secondary Institutions

    Public post-secondary institutions are required to meet the requirements of their legislation and an accountability framework. Under the Accountability Framework, public post-secondary institutions issue annual three-year accountability plans that describe their goals, objectives, performance measures, and targets, and issue annual accountability plan reports that describe the outcomes achieved over the previous year.

    For new degree programs, the degree undergoes a review by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB), an advisory board to the Minister of Advanced Education, prior to being approved by the Minister. Some universities in British Columbia have gained “exempt status” and are therefore exempted from the DQAB review, but are still required to undergo a peer and public review process prior to being approved by the Minister. Exempt status is granted to an institution with a long history (10 years) of granting degrees in British Columbia and has demonstrated it has a rigorous, ongoing program and institutional quality assessment processes, both internal and external.

    Private Post-Secondary Degree-Granting Institutions

    Private post-secondary degree-granting institutions are authorized under the Degree Authorization Act and the quality assurance process is also overseen by DQAB. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/degree
    authorization/board/welcome.htm    .

    Private Post-Secondary Career and Language Training Institutions

    Private career training institutions are regulated by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC (PCTIA). PCTIA is a Crown Agency of Government, and is given its authority through the Private Career Training Institutions Act. PCTIA has a mandatory registration process and a voluntary accreditation process. Accreditation with PCTIA is required for EQA eligibility. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.pctia.bc.ca.

  12. My institution is not eligible for EQA, but we have a long-standing reputation and proven history of providing quality programs. Can BCCIE give special consideration to institutions with a proven track record?

    No. Eligibility requirements are set by Government. BCCIE does not have any authority or control to change or make decisions about eligibility requirements.
  13. Does the Provincial Government require all institutions to have EQA Designation?

    No, EQA is a voluntary designation that is being made available to all BC public and private PSE institutions that wish to seek it, through an application process. Only institutions which meet the applicable quality assurance criteria and are in good standing with both the Ministry and any applicable government recognized quality assurance body are eligible to apply for EQA Designation.

  14. How do institutions apply for EQA Designation?

    Institutions must submit an application to BCCIE in order to indicate interest in using the designation and to confirm they meet eligibility requirements.

    Applications for EQA Designation is available electronically on BCCIE’s website (Apply Now!) or available in paper format from BCCIE, on request.

  15. When can institutions begin to apply for EQA Designation?

    Eligible institutions are welcome to apply for EQA Designation at any time. The annual fee will be pro-rated for the initial year of application.

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  16. What is the Application Process for EQA Designation?

    Institutions submit electronically or mail/fax hard copy to BCCIE the EQA Designation application, and applicable fee(s).

    On receipt of an institution’s submission for EQA Designation, BCCIE will confirm that the application is complete, has been signed and the application fee has been received.

    The application form includes the following:

    • Details of type of programs the institution offers and which quality assurance body’s quality standards have been met
    • Details on brand use
    • Institutional Profile Form
  17. How long is the eligibility review stage – when can I expect to receive EQA Designation?

    EQA applications will be processed in the order received. If applications are complete and the application fee has been submitted, an institution can expect to wait between 1 to 4 weeks for confirmation of EQA Designation. These time frames are approximate and may fluctuate depending on how many applications BCCIE receives.
  18. BCCIE has returned my application as incomplete. Can I re-submit my application?

    Yes. If the submission is missing required information, BCCIE will return the submission to the institution with a written explanation of what was missing or incomplete. Institutions have the option of re-submitting their application at any time. If the incomplete application is completed and re-submitted within 30 days, no additional application fees will be required.

  19. If BCCIE deems my application to be incomplete, will my application fee be refunded?

    The application fee is non-refundable and will not be returned with incomplete applications. If the incomplete application is completed and re-submitted within 30 days, no additional application fees will be required.
  20. Do institutions have to re-apply for EQA Designation each year?

    No, institutions do not have to go through a full EQA application process each year but they do need to maintain their EQA Designation each year. The annual designation anniversary date for EQA Designation for all post-secondary institutions is May 1.

    Please see the "Maintaining EQA" process below for details on the annual designation process.

    It is noted that if there are any concerns with the institution meeting the standards of the quality assurance body, the concerns and any issues affecting designation will be dealt with at the time the concerns arise, and will not be left to be reviewed at the time of the annual designation anniversary date.

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  21. What is the process for maintaining EQA Designation?

    Public institutions will receive a notice advising them about the requirements for maintaining EQA Designation from the EQA Administrator 60 days prior to the annual designation anniversary date (May 1 of each year). The notice will indicate that the annual Updated Institutional Profile Form is due by March 31.

    Private institutions will receive a notice advising them about the requirements for maintaining EQA Designation and an invoice from the EQA Administrator 60 days prior to the annual designation anniversary date (May 1 of each year). The notice will indicate that the annual Updated Institutional Profile Form and EQA Designation Fee are due by March 31.

  22. What are the fees associated with the EQA Designation?

    There is a one-time application fee of $300, which is due at the time of initial application for EQA Designation. This fee is non-refundable.

    There is also an annual EQA Designation fee of $1500. The annual fee will be pro-rated for the initial year of application only and is due at the time an institution applies for EQA Designation. Each subsequent year, the full fee of $1500 is due 30 days (March 31) before the universal annual designation anniversary date of May 1. The annual EQA Designation fee is non-refundable.

    If an institution submits an application and is found to be ineligible for EQA Designation, the annual fee of $1500 or the pro-rated annual fee will be returned to the institution along with a letter indicating the denial of EQA Designation. Application fees will not be returned. Institutions are responsible for determining if they meet EQA eligibility requirements prior to making an application.

  23. What form(s) of payment can I use to pay my EQA Application and Annual Fees?

    Fees can be paid by credit card, cheque or money order. All cheques and money orders should be made out to:
    BC Council for International Education
    Acct #: 210572396

  24. Can institutions voluntarily cancel their EQA Designation?

    Yes. Institutions may choose to have their EQA Designation discontinued at anytime by advising BCCIE in writing or by not renewing their designation on the annual anniversary date. This will be considered voluntary de-designation.

    BCCIE will send a written letter confirming any de-designation action, and indicating that the institution must discontinue using or displaying the EQA brand. BCCIE will advise the applicable quality assurance body and the institution will be removed from the published EQA registry.

  25. Is it possible for an institution to have their EQA Designation revoked?

    Yes. Institutions will be de-designated if they no longer meet the eligibility requirements set by the Province and/or are not in good standing with the Ministry or the applicable body(ies). This will be considered non-voluntary de-designation.

    BCCIE will send a written letter confirming any de-designation action, and indicating that the institution must discontinue using or displaying the EQA brand. BCCIE will also advise the applicable quality assurance body that the institution no longer has EQA Designation, and the institution will be removed from the published EQA registry.

    Institutions with questions relating to non-voluntary designation will be directed to contact the appropriate quality assurance body or the Ministry directly, as appropriate.

    Institutions may re-apply for EQA Designation once they again meet eligibility criteria.

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  26. What is the process for dealing with concerns/complaints about EQA-designated institutions?

    If any concerns are found through BCCIE’s monitoring, BCCIE will immediately contact the applicable quality assurance body with details. The quality assurance body will be responsible for dealing with issues relating to false or misleading advertising or concerns relating to an institution being in contravention of that body’s quality assurance requirements.

    In instances of an individual or student contacting BCCIE to make a complaint, BCCIE will refer the individual to the applicable quality assurance body for appropriate action.

    BCCIE will wait for the quality assurance body to complete an investigation on the complaint and once the investigation is complete, determine whether an institution needs to be de-designated.

    Any concerns about EQA brand use by non-EQA designated institutions can be brought to BCCIE’s attention by contacting the BCCIE EQA office at:

    Phone: 1.604.637.6756
    Email: bceqa@bccie.bc.ca

  27. Who can I contact to discuss the EQA process with or any questions I may have?

    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact EQA staff at BCCIE between
    8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday at:

    Phone: 1.604.637.6756
    Email: bceqa@bccie.bc.ca

  28. Where do I send my application?

    Institutions may submit an online application at myeqa.bceqa.ca or digital/paper applications can be sent by email, mail or fax to the EQA staff.

    Please send your application attention to:

    EQA
    BC Council for International Education
    Address: Suite 603 – 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2
    Phone: 1.604.637.6756
    Fax: 1.604.637.6765
    Email: bceqa@bccie.bc.ca