Applying for the EUR-ACE® Label

The use of the EUR-ACE® label in addition to the Engineering Council’s accredited degree logo is a further tool for universities to promote the status of their accredited engineering degree programmes, both within and beyond Europe.

A benefit of Engineering Council accredited is the option of applying for the EUR-ACE® label: this is the European-quality label for engineering degree programmes.

Not only does the label encompass all engineering disciplines and profiles at First Cycle (Bachelors) and Second Cycle (Masters) level, but it reflects international value, recognition and facilitates academic and professional mobility.

The EUR-ACE® Bachelor label may be awarded to engineering degrees accredited for Chartered Engineers (CEng) or Incorporated Engineers (IEng) provided they have a minimum workload equivalent to at least 180 European Credits (ECTS).

The EUR-ACE® Masters label can be awarded to accredited integrated (MEng) or standalone Masters programmes. Award of the EUR-ACE® label demonstrates that the learning outcomes and criteria specified for the accreditation of UK engineering degree programmes meet the standards set out in the EUR-ACE® framework.

The EUR-ACE® label offers additional benefits to Higher Education institutions, students, graduates and employers, on top of those provided by accreditation, some of which include:

• Incentivising prospective students to choose a EUR-ACE® labelled programme that is internationally recognised
• Reliable information and confidence in knowing graduates meet entry requirements for engineering Masters and Doctoral programmes
• Verification of high-quality engineering education and assurance that a graduate’s knowledge, understanding and practical capabilities meet European and International standards
• Automatic inclusion of programmes into the EUR-ACE® database and EEED Database Index, which also lists degrees meeting the educational requirements for the EUR ING title

How to apply

Higher Education institutions may decide to apply for the EUR-ACE® label for some or all their eligible degree programmes. Eligible engineering degree programmes are those accredited since 2006 by Licensed Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) as fully meeting the education requirements for Incorporated Engineer registration or partially meeting the education requirements for Chartered (CEng) registration. This is provided they have a minimum workload equivalent to at least 180 European Credits (ECTS).

Undergraduates that have been assessed as fully meeting the academic requirements for Incorporated (IEng) registration or partially meeting the academic requirements for CEng registration are eligible for the First Cycle label. MEng and MSc programmes will be awarded the Second Cycle label. Accreditation dates and sections can be checked using the Engineering Council’s course search, qualifications and apprenticeships. Labels cannot be backdated beyond the current accreditation period.

The awarding body, the European Network for the Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), charges a fee per programme. This lasts for the duration of the current accreditation period, up to a maximum of 5 years.

EUR-ACE® labels are not currently awarded at Third Cycle/Doctoral level, although this is a possibility in the future.

Full detail of the EUR-ACE® label can be found on the ENAEE website.

Universities wishing to apply for the label are invited to contact the Engineering Council.

For more information or to apply for the EUR-ACE® label please contact the Engineering Council International Team: international@engc.org.uk.