IMarEST Accreditation: How we ensure education institutions achieve their full potential
Are you interested in having your institution internationally recognised? Do you want to increase your student’s opportunity to gain quicker employment? Keep reading to find out from our IMarEST Accreditation Team how we ensure education institutions achieve their full potential with us, and to hear from our new Professional Services Executive, Alanna Sanmoogan, about her first accreditation experience.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is the process of reviewing a degree programme to judge whether or not it meets an internationally recognised high standard. The IMarEST specialises in accrediting Maritime-focused Engineering, Science, and Technology courses at Higher Education Institutions. Registration offers, internationally recognised professional qualifications up to chartered levels across all professions. We work to accredit institutions globally and work closely with our Singapore team to accredit courses across the UK, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and The Caribbean.
Why do organisations seek an accreditation and what type of accreditations exist?
When an Institution is accredited by the IMarEST, this demonstrates to future students, employers, and other respected organisations that they meet the standards of excellence in operating as a school, including its teaching and care for students. Our most common is an Academic Accreditation, for full or part-time courses in a marine discipline (University or College).
Courses can be accredited to Engineering, Science, or Technology professional registration categories:
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Engineering – licensed by the Engineering Council to award accreditation in: CEng, CMarEng, IEng, IMarEng, EngTech, MarEngTech
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Science – licensed by the Science Council to award accreditation in: CSci, CMarSci, RSci, RMarSci
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Technology – IMarEST has the only register in the world to recognised marine technologists: CMarEng, CMarSci, CMarTech
IMarEST also offers recognition for organisations focused on Initial Professional Development (IPD), delivering accreditation to organisations that provide a Graduate Training Scheme or IPD Scheme. IPD Schemes can be accredited to Engineering, Science, or Technology professional registration categories like the above.
Additionally, IMarEST can also work with organisations that have a more structured professional development and training career path within their organisation such as Navies where we can accredit their Defined Routes:
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Like IPD Accreditations but requires an additional mapping exercise to map the various roles within the organisation to a specific level of professional registration. They would also have to seek a specific level of IMarEST Membership.
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Defined Routes can be accredited to Engineering, Science, or Technology professional registration categories.
University of Plymouth: Accreditation Visit
Our new Professional Services Executive, Alanna Sanmoogan, reports from the University of Plymouth on her first accreditation experience.
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology's (IMarEST) most recent accreditation visit to the University of Plymouth on 21-22 May 2024, provided a practical and insightful experience.
Our panel consisted of two assessors and two secretariats visiting the University to discuss modules, courses, and facilities. Four weeks into the role, this was my first accreditation visit, so I was an observer and secretariat. We met with various staff including the Industrial Advisory Board representatives and Head of Departments to understand areas of industrial involvement and how staff taught all the learning outcomes required for accreditation.
The university delivered an engaging tour of its laboratory facilities and student learning areas, as our main goal was to understand how the university was delivering teaching and supporting learning. We were most impressed to see how the University of Plymouth encourages learning by designing a brand-new building that supports this and students displayed enthusiasm for their courses.
What are the benefits of Accreditation?
To an Institution
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International recognition that the degree program meets the expected standards set by the profession internationally.
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Grows the Institution’s reputation on the global academic stage.
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Boosts the quality of students applying to the university.
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Increases post-graduation employment statistics.
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Increases post-graduation starting salary statistics.
To an Individual
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Individuals are generally seen as ‘top-quality’ graduates and thus are more likely to start on a higher salary and likely to be employed more quickly.
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Individuals who graduate with an accredited degree have a streamlined route to achieving Professional Registration and skip our Individual Case Panel (ICP)
While it may seem that ‘skipping’ our Individual Case Panel (ICP) is an odd benefit, going through ICP can be a very lengthy process and could significantly delay an individual progressing their registration.
The growing importance of Accreditations:
The marine industry is placing a growing emphasis on professional registrations for upcoming professionals. Employers are seeking well-rounded individuals who can contribute innovative ideas and cultivate achieving international standards in a work environment. This is at the core of IMarEST's Strategic Plan as our goal is to continue to set and implement high-quality standards in marine education for the benefit of all ocean professionals.