The value of triple accreditation

Since 2016, THM has supported the University of Exeter Business School on its triple crown journey 

Read about Kathryn's support to Exeter 

Exeter is the latest institution to join the ranks of the top 1% of the best global institutions to gain accreditation from the three largest, most influential business school accreditation organisations worldwide: AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Just 90 business schools (up from 56 in 2012) could make this claim as of March 2019 (mba.today) and 24 now have a UK base, including the London campuses of Hult International and ESCP Europe. An impartial quality assurance  process, accreditation acts as a public guarantee that accredited schools have undergone rigorous ongoing assessment to meet a set of ever-evolving quality standards which evidence provision of an excellent education, relevant to future employers and valued across the globe. But what practical value does triple accreditation bring?


Past (limited) research indicates there is a strong relationship between accreditation and student quality for undergraduates, student numbers and tuition fees for postgraduates (The Knowledge Partnership, 2016). However, while almost two-thirds of prospective MBAs/Master's students questioned in 2016 wanted their choice of school to be accredited by one of EQUIS, AACSB or AMBA, less than half sought 'triple accreditation' specifically (Carrington Crisp, 2016). A quick scan of discussions on The Student Room reveals good knowledge among prospective students of triple accreditation holders, but there are mixed views and a distinct lack of evidence (other than the oft-cited 'top 1%' and 'high-quality' claims) to demonstrate more tangible benefits meaningful to students, such as employability, employer partnerships, impact on reputation, value of a qualification etc. 
"Don't get hung up on triple accreditation - having one or more is sufficient. In the UK AMBA is the most common.All [XYZ universities] hold triple accreditation, so you can be sure the courses are of a high standard.A pointless title that doesn't mean anything to employability or prestige, Oxford and Cambridge aren't triple crown accredited. Gives you more enjoyment/value. I think MBAs at any triple accredited school are good, just for the networking.Doesn't mean that a university is better than the other, just because it has triple accreditation."

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