Accreditation and Education Framework
Accreditation
CIOB Accreditation is an internationally recognised mark of quality assurance for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering programmes in the built environment. It represents the gold standard for educational excellence, setting your institution apart in a competitive global landscape.
What makes CIOB accreditation special?
Validation First: Only degree programmes that have successfully undergone validation are eligible for accreditation. However, HEIs do not need to be self-validating to apply.
Five-Year Approval: Accreditation is granted for a period of five years, after which your institution will need to complete a re-accreditation process to maintain its status.
"Accreditation is an external endorsement and validation of our courses and an external validation. Courses accredited by professional bodies has significant impact on student’ experience and employability."
Dr Joanna Poon, PFHEA, FCIOB, PhD, MSc, MA, BSc (Hons) PGCHE, PGCE, Associate Professor in Built Environment, Derby University
Why pursue CIOB accreditation?
By achieving CIOB Accreditation, your institution demonstrates a dedication to delivering outstanding educational programmes that shape the future leaders of the construction industry.
At CIOB, we champion professionalism in the construction industry by recognising and rewarding high standards in education. Our accreditation policy focuses on:
- Building strong partnerships with teaching institutions and industry leaders to promote best practices in education and the built environment.
- Supporting HEIs in developing meaningful connections with CIOB over a five-year period, facilitated by our dedicated regional team.
Unlike other accreditation processes, CIOB Accreditation does not require pre-existing ties to the organisation. Instead, we seek a commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement.
"Being a CIOB-accredited program is not merely a recognition of your program’s standards but also a solid pathway for its graduates to become chartered builders and construction managers."
Professor Peter S.P. Wong MCIOB, MASCE, MRICS, MAIQS, MIEEE, PhD, MPhil., BSc(Hon), Associate Dean - Construction Management, RMIT University, Australia
Benefits of CIOB accreditation
For HEIs, it offers unparalleled opportunities to:
- Build strong connections with industry experts
- Access the latest research, CPD events, and influential industry figures
- Enhance visibility by using the CIOB logo in promotional materials
For graduates, a CIOB-accredited degree provides:
- Credibility and recognition: Demonstrating education aligned with industry standards
- Enhanced career prospects: Boosting competitiveness in the construction sector
- International opportunities: Facilitating global mobility within the industry
- Exclusive member benefits: As CIOB student members, graduates gain free access to resources like the CIOB Library, the Academy's CPD tools, and other professional development opportunities
CIOB Accreditation not only elevates the reputation of HEIs but also ensures graduates are well-equipped for a successful career in the construction industry.
“Being an accreditation panel member allows me to share good practice with other academic institutions. I strongly believe that institutions should work together to maintain standards in construction teaching. Being on the accreditation panel is a step towards collaboration where using the CIOB Education Framework as a guide we can strive to ensure construction courses offered are relevant and are of the highest quality to develop the construction industry further.”
Melissa Ling MSc, SFHEA, MCIOB, MRTPI, Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Workbased Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire
Documentation required for accreditation
Education Framework
The achievement of professionalism at all levels within the construction industry is at the core of our work. In establishing the criteria for membership we have developed a framework of educational requirements designed to reflect the needs of the industry.
Our undergraduate and master’s education frameworks are comprehensive documents which establish the core standards required of construction education. They are continually being reviewed to ensure relevance and application to the increasingly changing and diverse needs of an ever-developing industry.
The undergraduate framework is intended to provide the baseline of learning in six key themes:
- Sustainability
- The construction environment
- Construction management
- Construction technology
- Health, safety and welfare
- Ethics and professionalism