Yes, there is. Registration is a mandatory process for all tertiary institutions to operate in Antigua and Barbuda. It signifies that the institution has met or exceeded minimum standards. For registration, institutions are required to submit relevant documents which address issues such as:

· Governance and Mission

· Admission Policies

· Educational Programs

· Staffing and Professional Development

· Student Support Services

· Learning and Information Services

· Finances-budget and audited statements

· Physical Plant-floor plan and compliance certificates

· Institutional Plan

 

Accreditation, on the other hand, is a voluntary process for which only registered tertiary institutions are eligible.

Accreditation is both a status and a process. It is a status granted to an educational institutions or programme that has been evaluated and found to meet or exceed stated criteria of educational quality. It is a process used to evaluate the quality of the institution or programme to assist in institutional or programme development.

The accreditation process has five main steps. These include enrollment and registration, self-assessment, on site assessment and peer review, board’s review and decision, and maintaining compliance and continuous review.

Registration is therefore usually the first step in the accreditation process