ISO 21001:2018
ISO 21001 certification for educational organisations management systems
Independent certification that an educational organisation plans, delivers and improves learning with learners at the centre.
- Valid for
- 3 years
- Surveillance
- Years 1 and 2
- Verification
- Public register
Accredited and empanelled
What is ISO 21001?
ISO 21001 specifies requirements for a management system for educational organisations (EOMS). It applies to any organisation that provides, shares or facilitates learning through teaching, training or research, whatever the delivery method: schools, colleges, universities, vocational institutes, corporate academies and online course providers.
ISO 21001:2018 is based on ISO 9001 but centres on learners and other beneficiaries, such as parents, employers and funding bodies. It adds requirements for the design and delivery of educational products and services, fair assessment of learning, accessibility and support for learners with special needs, and the protection of learners' personal data. An annex adds requirements specific to early childhood education.
Certification shows students, parents, employers and partners that the organisation manages its educational processes systematically and acts on learner feedback. It does not replace academic accreditation or approval by education authorities.
Who it is for
- Schools and school groups
- Colleges and universities
- Vocational and professional training providers
- Corporate training academies
- E-learning and edtech course providers
- Language institutes and test preparation centres
What sets audit time and cost
Application to certification decision typically takes eight to fourteen weeks, with Stage 2 scheduled during term time so teaching and assessment can be observed.
- Number of teaching and non-teaching staff
- Number of campuses and delivery modes
- Number of programmes in scope
- Curriculum design responsibility
- Partner institutions delivering on your behalf
Why it matters
What ISO 21001 gives you
- 01
Learner satisfaction measured
Structured feedback from learners and other beneficiaries leads to changes in programmes and services.
- 02
Consistent delivery across campuses
Defined processes keep teaching, assessment and support consistent whether delivered on site or online.
- 03
Fair and transparent assessment
Assessment criteria, appeals and records are defined, which reduces disputes and supports confidence in results.
- 04
Recognised by partners
Employers, funding bodies and international partners see an independently audited management system.
The audit
What our auditors examine
- 01
Learners and beneficiaries
How the needs of learners, parents, employers and other beneficiaries are identified and reflected in programmes.
- 02
Design of programmes
Planning, inputs, review and validation of curricula, courses and educational services.
- 03
Delivery and assessment
Delivery of learning, assessment methods, recognition of results and handling of appeals.
- 04
Learner support and accessibility
Support services, accessibility and arrangements for learners with special needs.
- 05
Competence of educators
Qualifications, induction, observation and development of teaching and support staff.
- 06
Feedback and complaints
Collection and analysis of learner feedback, complaint handling and resulting improvements.
How certification works
Every accredited certificate follows the same three-year cycle, with each step recorded and the result published in our register.
01
Application and quote
Tell us your scope, sites and headcount. We calculate audit time under the accreditation rules and send a fixed quote and audit plan.
02
Stage 1 audit
We review your documented management system, scope and readiness, and agree the Stage 2 plan. Any gaps are reported so you can close them first.
03
Stage 2 audit
Auditors check that the system works in practice: interviews, records and observation across the scope. Nonconformities are raised in writing.
04
Certification decision
Once corrective actions are accepted, a reviewer who did not take part in the audit makes the decision. Your certificate is issued and listed in the public register.
05
Surveillance audits
Shorter audits in the first and second years after certification confirm the system is maintained and improving. The register shows your current status throughout.
06
Recertification
Before the three-year certificate expires, a recertification audit reviews the whole system and renews the certificate for another cycle.
Related standards and audits
Often certified or audited alongside this one, sometimes in a single combined audit.
ISO certification
ISO 9001
Independent assessment of your quality management system against ISO 9001:2015, by an accredited certification body.
ISO certification
ISO 27701
Certification of how your organisation governs personal data, as a controller, a processor or both.
ISO certification
ISO 45001
Independent certification that your organisation identifies hazards, controls risk and involves workers in keeping people safe.
ISO certification
ISO 41001
Independent certification that facility services are aligned with the needs of the organisation and people they support.
ISO 21001 questions
We audit; we do not consult.
To keep certification independent, we never design, build or fix the systems we audit, and decisions are made by people who did not take part in the audit. Read our impartiality policy.
Plan your ISO 21001 certification
Tell us your scope, sites and timeline. We reply with an audit plan and a fixed quote.