Status swaakreditasi merupakan satu perakuan yang dikeluarkan oleh Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (Malaysian Qualifications Agency, MQA) ke atas pemberi pendidikan tinggi (PPT) yang terbukti mempunyai sistem jaminan kualiti dalaman yang kukuh dan mantap. MQA memberi kepercayaan kepada Senat PPT berstatus swaakreditasi untuk mengakredit sendiri program pengajian melalui sistem kualiti dalaman mereka berpandukan kepada Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia (Malaysian Qualifications Framework, MQF) serta standard dan ketetapan yang ditetapkan oleh pihak MQA dan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT) dari semasa ke semasa.

Self-Accreditation is a recognition granted by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to a higher education institution (HEI) that has demonstrated a robust and well-established internal quality assurance system. Through Self-Accreditation status, MQA entrusts the Senate of the accredited institution with the authority to accredit its own academic programmes via its internal quality assurance system. This process is carried out in accordance with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF), as well as the standards, policies, and requirements prescribed by MQA and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) from time to time.

Pelaksanaan perakuan status swaakreditasi menyediakan satu tahap pengiktirafan lebih tinggi berasaskan prestasi kualiti (performance-based) sesebuah PPT yang telah berusaha memperkasa dan memperkukuh sistem kualiti dalaman mereka. Ia menyediakan kerangka pengiktirafan yang bersifat 'no one size fits all' dan diharapkan dapat menyuntik daya saing dalam kalangan PPT tempatan untuk terus berusaha memperkasa kualiti mereka.

The implementation of Self-Accreditation provides a higher level of recognition for higher education institutions (HEIs) based on their quality performance. It acknowledges institutions that have successfully strengthened and enhanced their internal quality assurance systems. Self-Accreditation also promotes a recognition framework that embraces the principle of "no one size fits all," allowing institutions to demonstrate excellence according to their unique strengths and contexts. This approach encourages healthy competition among local HEIs and motivates them to continuously strengthen their quality assurance practices and enhance the overall quality of higher education.

Perakuan status swaakreditasi diberikan kepada sesebuah PPT manakala perakuan akreditasi program (sama ada berstatus sementara atau penuh) diberikan kepada sesuatu program tertentu sahaja dan tidak melibatkan program lain.

Self-Accreditation Status is granted to a higher education institution (HEI) that has demonstrated a strong and effective internal quality assurance system. In contrast, Programme Accreditation (whether Provisional Accreditation or Full Accreditation) is awarded by MQA to an individual academic programme only. The accreditation applies solely to the specific programme being assessed and does not extend to other programmes offered by the institution.

Sesebuah PPT boleh memohon perakuan status swaakreditasi setelah mendapat undangan daripada YB Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi (YB Menteri) untuk berbuat sedemikian.

A higher education institution (HEI) may apply for Self-Accreditation Status upon receiving an invitation from the Minister of Higher Education to submit an application for such recognition.

PPT yang telah diundang oleh YB Menteri perlu mengemukakan permohonan berdasarkan format Laporan Penilaian Kendiri yang telah ditetapkan oleh MQA. Audit institusi yang dijalankan melibatkan lawatan ke kampus induk, kampus cawangan dan pusat pembelajaran PPT terlibat dan seterusnya penyediaan laporan menyeluruh dan perakuan oleh auditor.

A higher education institution (HEI) that has been invited by the Minister of Higher Education is required to submit an application based on the Self-Assessment Report format prescribed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

The institutional assessment involves an audit conducted through visits to the HEI’s main campus, branch campuses, and learning centres, where applicable. The audit process is followed by the preparation of a comprehensive assessment report and recommendations by the appointed auditors for consideration.

Audit institusi dilaksanakan berdasarkan ketetapan yang digariskan oleh Kod Amalan Audit Institusi (Code of Practice for Institutional Audit, COPIA), pematuhan kepada MQF dan standard-standard yang diterbitkan oleh MQA

The institutional audit is conducted in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Code of Practice for Institutional Audit (COPIA), compliance with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF), and other standards published by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Keistimewaan yang dinikmati oleh PPT yang dianugerahkan perakuan status swaakreditasi adalah PPT terbabit boleh mengakredit program pengajiannya sendiri melalui Jawatankuasa Senat mereka. Justeru PPT berstatus swaakreditasi menikmati lebih ruang mengoptimumkan tumpuan dan sumber dalam memperkasakan kualiti program pengajian yang ditawarkan. Malahan PPT berstatus swaakreditasi diharapkan dapat melaksanakan akreditasi program mereka sendiri dengan lebih baik walau tanpa penglibatan MQA.

A higher education institution (HEI) granted Self-Accreditation Status is empowered to accredit its own academic programmes through its Senate.This status provides HEIs with greater flexibility to optimise their focus, resources, and internal quality assurance efforts in strengthening the quality of their academic programmes. Furthermore, Self-Accredited HEIs are expected to enhance their capacity to conduct programme accreditation independently while maintaining compliance with the requirements, standards, and guidelines established by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Program yang tidak tertakluk kepada status swaakreditasi dan masih perlu melalui proses penilaian MQA adalah seperti berikut: 

• Program profesional

• Program yang dijalankan secara kerjasama dengan universiti lain

• Program yang ditawarkan oleh anak syarikat PPT berstatus swaakreditasi.

Yes. Certain academic programmes are not covered under Self-Accreditation Status and are still subject to assessment and accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

The excluded programmes are as follows:

• Professional programmes;

• Programmes offered through collaboration with other universities; and

• Programmes offered by subsidiaries of Self-Accredited Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Penilaian semula status swaakreditasi akan dilaksanakan setiap lima tahun sekali. Oleh yang demikian, kumpulan lapan (8) PPT pertama yang diberi perakuan swaakreditasi pada tahun 2010 telah dinilai semula pada tahun 2015 dan 2016 serta berjaya mengekalkannya.

The Self-Accreditation Status is subject to a re-evaluation every five years to ensure that the higher education institution (HEI) continues to maintain a strong and effective internal quality assurance system.