Quick Links

Ministry of Advanced Education

Education Quality Assurance - EQA

Questions and Answers

What is the EQA?

EQA stands for Education Quality Assurance. It is B.C.’s brand or “seal” of quality post secondary education for both public and private institutions.

What is the purpose of EQA designation?

  • Creates 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 and promotes BC internationally as a preferred place to live, work and invest.

What is the benefit to a post-secondary institution in having EQA designation?

Benefits of EQA include:

  • 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 and;
  • Increased share of international education market.

How will this voluntary program be enforced?

Use of the EQA brand will be monitored by the B.C. Council of International Education – BCCIE - www.bccie.bc.ca Institutions will be required to sign EQA brand use agreements before obtaining access to the EQA brand.

In addition, regular website scans will be undertaken to monitor whether unauthorized institutions are using the brand.

The brand will be registered as an Official Government Mark under Federal trademark legislation, which will protect it from unauthorized use.

BCCIE will also have mechanisms in place for the public to report misuse of EQA.

What is the role of the B.C. Council of International Education (BCCIE)?

The 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 the society does not have a regulatory role, they will not conduct site visits, evaluate the quality of an institution’s programs, or make decisions on whether or not an institution is meeting regulatory requirements. For more info visit www.bccie.bc.ca

What specific protections will EQA provide to students who pay fees to attend these private institutions?

Eligibility requirements for EQA include requirements for tuition protection meeting government recognized quality assurance standards.

The EQA brand will reduce confusion caused by various quality assurance standards, by allowing students to easily see which institutions meet standards that government recognizes.  This will allow students to make more informed decisions about where they study.

Is EQA an accreditation mechanism?

No, EQA and the 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 of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development and the applicable quality assurance bodies. 

How do institutions apply for EQA designation?

Institutions must submit an application to the BCCIE society http://myeqa.bceqa.ca/apply/in order to indicate their interest in using the designation and to confirm they meet eligibility requirements.

Who is eligible to apply for EQA designation?

All eligible public and private post-secondary institutions in British Columbia may apply for EQA designation. 

What are the eligibility requirements for EQA designation?

Eligibility 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 of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development and the applicable quality assurance bodies. 

Is there a fee 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.

Does the provincial government require all institutions to have EQA designation?

No, EQA is a voluntary designation that is being made available to those institutions that wish to seek it, through an application process.  

Do institutions have to re-apply for EQA designation each year?

No.  Institutions that continue to meet EQA eligibility requirements will be granted permission, on an annual basis, to retain their EQA designation and use the EQA brand – no additional application by the institution will be required.

If there are any concerns with the institution meeting the quality assurance standards of the regulatory body, the concerns and any issues affecting designation will be dealt with at the time the concerns arise – not left to be reviewed at the time of the annual designation date. 

Is it possible for an institution to have their EQA designation revoked?

Yes. Institutions which no longer meet the applicable quality assurance standards or are not in good standing with that body or the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development will be contacted by  BCCIE and their EQA designation will be revoked. 

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

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 recognized quality assurance body with details. The 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 contacting BCCIE to make a complaint, BCCIE will refer the individual to the recognized quality assurance body for appropriate action.  EQA staff at BCCIE can be reached at: 
604.637.6763 or bceqa@bccie.bc.ca

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