Accreditation and memberships

The University of Exeter Business School is proud to be among the 1% of the very best global institutions to gain Triple Crown accreditation from the three largest and most influential business school accreditation organisations worldwide: AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

Each accreditation process follows a multi-year, rigorous self-assessment process, providing assurance of our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence within all that we do. From high standards of quality, to the provision of an outstanding educational experience for our students, helping them to stand out in a competitive, global environment.

AACSB

AACSB International is the world’s largest business education alliance, connecting educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to more than 1,600 organisations and over 800 accredited business schools worldwide

EQUIS

EQUIS is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. EQUIS is run by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and its fundamental objective is to raise the standard of management education worldwide. By attending an EQUIS accredited school, students can be assured that they are part of a high quality institution.

AMBA

The Association of MBAs is the international impartial authority on postgraduate business education. AMBA's accreditation service is the global standard for all MBA, DBA and MBM programmes. Through this accreditation, students and alumni benefit from access to world-class events and prestigious networking opportunities.

Athena Swan

Athena Swan Bronze Award

The University of Exeter Business School’s commitment to improving gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

The award, conferred by the educational charity Advance HE, reflects the Business School’s success in achieving greater representation of women among its staff and students, and in addressing the barriers to progression that disproportionately affect women.

The number of Business School female staff members at the level of professor has increased by just over 50% since 2016, including in leadership roles.

And this year a Chief Diversity Officer was appointed to lead on building the School’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda.
The School’s commitment to improving gender equality is also reflected in the student body, where action has been taken to increase the visibility of female role models and review the curriculum to address gender imbalance.

The Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Charter was established in 2005 as a global framework to encourage and recognise the commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

The Charter is now used to address gender equality more broadly, and in 2015 was expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law departments, as well as professional and support roles.

The University of Exeter currently holds an institutional Athena SWAN Silver award with all STEMM departments holding awards at Bronze or Silver level.

Small Business Charter

Small Business Charter

The Small Business Charter (SBC) award gives recognition to business schools that play an effective role in supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship.

In order to achieve the Small Business Charter award, business schools undergo a rigorous assessment to determine the depth and effectiveness of their business engagement and business support.

The Small Business Charter was developed by Lord Young, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Chartered Association of Business Schools. In addition to providing business schools with a nationally recognisable kitemark award, the SBC also facilitates valuable knowledge sharing networks and promote the sector to ensure the value of the business knowledge, management expertise, and enterprise education offered by our business schools is maximised and utilised.

To find out more and to apply for a Small Business Charter award please visit the Small Business Charter website.

Memberships

	Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) AACSB International, the largest business education alliance, connects educators, students, and businesses to develop future leaders. Since 1916, it has provided quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development to over 1,600 organizations and 800+ accredited business schools globally.
	Chartered Association of Business Schools The Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) is the representative body and authoritative voice for all the leading business schools of UK universities, higher education institutions and independent management colleges.
	European Foundation for Management Development EFMD is an international membership organization with more than 650 member organizations from academia, business, public service and consultancy in 75 countries.
	Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative exists to catalyse the development of globally responsible leadership and practice in organisations and societies worldwide. It is the leading incubator for innovation and new practice in business schools and for collaboration with business in the space of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability.
	Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment The Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRASFI) is a network of leading research universities, formed in 2017 with the aim of developing multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration between researchers working on sustainable finance and investment as well as nurturing the development of graduate students and junior academics working in these areas.
	Principles for Responsible Management Education The mission of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative is to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally. The University of Exeter Business School's PRME Report is available to view here.
	Quantitative Techniques for Economics & Management Masters Network QTEM, Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Management, is an international network bringing together outstanding students, academic partners and international corporations.

Programme Accreditations

‌	Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Students on the BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting and Business may be eligible for up to 9 ACCA paper exemptions depending on modules taken.
	Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting (CIPFA) Students on the BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting and Business may be eligible for up to 7 CIPFA paper exemptions depending on modules taken.
	Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Students on the BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting and Business may be eligible for exemption from up to 4 CIMA exams depending on modules taken (in addition to the basic papers BA1 – BA4).
	Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Students on the BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting and Business may have exemptions from up to 8 ICAEW papers depending on modules taken.
	Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) Students on the BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting and Business may be exempt from five out of six papers from the Test of Competence level depending on modules taken.
	Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) The University of Exeter Business School’s MSc Financial Analysis and Fund Management course has earned the university status as an official CFA Institute Affiliated University. One of a select group of universities worldwide with CFA® Institute ‘University Affiliation Program’ status.
	Chartered Banker Institute Students on the MSc International Finance and Banking will be awarded the Associate Chartered Banker (ACB) designation upon successful completion of their degree.
	Chartered Institute of Marketing Our MSc Marketing and MSc Marketing and Financial Management courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Our BSc Marketing and Management has accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing through its Graduate Gateway, students on this course may be eligible for exemption towards CIM Professional Diploma depending on modules taken.
	Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Our MSc Finance and Investment course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), recognising the University of Exeter Business School as a 'Centre of Excellence'. Students on this course have the opportunity to work towards a qualification from the CISI in addition to their MSc to increase their employability.
	Chartered Management Institute Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.
	Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Our MSc Human Resource Management course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development at Level 7. Our students qualify for membership of CIPD on graduation if they pass all modules at 50%.