Woolf University - Educational Partnership & Institutions

[Eleanor]

MFHEA extended Woolf accreditation for 1 more year, to 04/2026.

This is interesting. Initial accreditation in Malta is granted for 5 years. Typically, around one year prior to the end of the initial term, institutions are being notified about their pending External Quality Audit. The EQA consists of three parts: (1) financial probity, (2) submission of a self-assessment report, (3) the actual audit.

If an institution "passes" the audit, the accreditation term becomes "indefinite", with ongoing 5-year audits.

Woolf getting an extension for one year can have manifold reasons. e.g. the audit was delayed by MFHEA, or Woolf has been granted some time to resolve issues found during the audit. But that's speculation. MFHEA will eventually publish the audit report, which may bring light into this.

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MFHEA extended Woolf accreditation for 1 more year, to 04/2026.

This is interesting. Initial accreditation in Malta is granted for 5 years. Typically, around one year prior to the end of the initial term, institutions are being notified about their pending External Quality Audit. The EQA consists of three parts: (1) financial probity, (2) submission of a self-assessment report, (3) the actual audit.

If an institution "passes" the audit, the accreditation term becomes "indefinite", with ongoing 5-year audits.

Woolf getting an extension for one year can have manifold reasons. e.g. the audit was delayed by MFHEA, or Woolf has been granted some time to resolve issues found during the audit. But that's speculation. MFHEA will eventually publish the audit report, which may bring light into this.

looking at their license period, this must be the second one-year extension. not a s good sign in my honest opinion. but this does not necessarily mean that Woolf has issues. It can also well be the case, that MFHEA has issues, e.g. lack of resources, bad processes, etc.

[Tomas]

Yes I believe it is second extension. That's also part of why I posted it, so students are aware situation is not completely stable. Agree with your interpretation. Maybe it could also be due to MFHEA trying to get better international standing, trying to cut the rougher edges in cooperation with Woolf as an outlier in the system, etc. But I never checked nor searched for previous report so only guessing.

Price increases were to be expected I guess, also sign that Neoversity has strong position, good for them. I will keep an eye on the Indian colleges, frankly price was the most attractive part of it to me.

[DeanLewis]

Interestingly, Woolf is hiring for what seems to be several regional CAO positions in the US, and the job descriptions read like they're looking to gain US accreditation:

"Chief Academic Officer

About the job
Location: Remote; USA

Our Mission

At Woolf University, we are building a category-defining institution that increases access to world-class higher education while ensuring global recognition and transferability of academic credentials. Our model allows qualified education organizations to launch accredited degree programs that adhere to international academic standards. Woolf is the first global collegiate university, modeled after institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, with member colleges sponsored by some of the fastest-growing research groups and EdTech companies in the world—UpGrad, Scaler, GoIT, EduBridge, AlmaBetter, and more.

About The Role

This is a high-energy, high-agency role. It is client- and regulator- facing. We will value candidates that are operationally excellent, maintaining both high velocity and a high degree of organization, with attention to detail. You will oversee multiple complex workstreams and be supported by a teams of highly competent accreditation specialists.

As Chief Academic Officer (CAO), you will be the senior academic leader responsible for ensuring the academic integrity, accreditation, and regulatory compliance of Woolf University and its member colleges. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will drive the strategic vision for Woolf's academic operations, ensure compliance with global accreditation bodies, and oversee academic program quality across our collegiate structure.

You will lead Woolf's Accreditation and Academic Affairs teams to uphold rigorous academic standards while fostering innovation in higher education. This role requires exceptional leadership in accreditation and regulatory affairs, as well as the ability to collaborate with faculty, university partners, regulatory agencies, and legal teams across multiple jurisdictions.

The ideal candidate is an academically grounded, operationally strong leader with a deep understanding of accreditation frameworks, academic governance, and higher education regulations across multiple regions.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Strategy

Provide strategic oversight of Woolf's academic framework, ensuring the quality, integrity, and accreditation of degree programs across all member colleges
Lead the development and execution of academic policies, procedures, and governance structures that align with international accreditation standards
Guide Woolf's global recognition efforts, working to ensure Woolf degrees meet compliance standards across jurisdictions (such as EHEA, WASC, BPPE, HLC, SACS, etc.)
Advise the CEO and executive team on academic trends, regulatory changes, and risks that impact Woolf's mission and global positioning

Accreditation & Compliance

Oversee accreditation processes and regulatory filings to maintain Woolf's institutional accreditation and ensure continued compliance with international accrediting bodies
Lead liaison efforts with regulators, accrediting agencies, and legal teams across multiple regions to secure program approvals and maintain recognition
Develop audit and compliance frameworks to proactively address risk and meet accreditation and quality assurance requirements
Serve as a key advisor to Woolf's member colleges, helping them navigate accreditation processes, policy implementation, and academic governance

Academic Operations & Faculty Engagement

Direct program assessment, curriculum review, and learning outcomes evaluation to maintain high academic standards
Establish and oversee academic committees, faculty policies, and institutional governance structures that support Woolf's long-term mission
Build and lead a high-performing academic operations team, including accreditation experts, academic compliance officers, and faculty governance leaders
Stay at the forefront of emerging trends in online education, EdTech, and accreditation innovations, integrating best practices into Woolf's academic model


Requirements

Doctorate (PhD, EdD, JD) strongly preferred; an MBA with extensive accreditation leadership experience will also be considered
10+ years of leadership experience in higher education with expertise in academic affairs, accreditation, compliance, and regulatory governance
Proven track record of leading successful accreditation processes (e.g., EHEA, WASC, BPPE, HLC, SACS, or equivalent)
Deep knowledge of academic governance structures, degree recognition policies, and global accreditation standards
Experience working in a high-growth, global, or startup education environment is a plus
Strong project management and organizational skills, with an ability to balance high-level strategy and hands-on execution
Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to interface with executives, faculty, regulators, and legal teams
High EQ and leadership skills, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and academic excellence

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading accreditation processes for a globally distributed university or EdTech institution
Familiarity with education regulations in the EU, UK, US, and other key jurisdictions
Prior experience working with university governance bodies, faculty hiring, and curriculum oversight
Passion for technology-driven innovations in higher education and Woolf's mission
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and apply accreditation and compliance requirements in complex academic environments


Benefits

Benefits

Flexible, fully remote work environment
Competitive salary & equity in a mission-driven, high-growth company
Flexible PTO and working hours
New-hire stipend for home office setup
US-based employees: Health insurance, 401(k) with company match


Compensation: The base salary for this role ranges from $150,000-$200,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. Additional equity and benefits are included.

Why Join Woolf?

Woolf University is redefining higher education by bridging the gap between Corporate training, EdTech, and accredited degree programs. As Chief Academic Officer, you will play a foundational role in shaping the future of accredited, globally recognized degrees, working with some of the most innovative education providers in the world.

If you are a visionary academic leader with deep expertise in accreditation, compliance, and academic operations, and you want to drive innovation in higher education, we'd love to hear from you!"

[Eleanor]

Woolf actually did have an audit in 2024. 3 out of 11 standards were met.
https://mfhea.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025...port-2.pdf

[SteveFoerster]

Woolf actually did have an audit in 2024. 3 out of 11 standards were met.
https://mfhea.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025...port-2.pdf

That's not particularly encouraging. It begets the question why these 29 partner colleges go through Woolf rather than apply to MFHEA directly. Woolf costs $50,000 per year, so I'm not sure the reason is to save money, especially when it means introducing another point of vulnerability.

[Eleanor]

Only Woolf will know, I assume. my subjective guess is flexibility with tuition for the same product (not offending those who spent more), transfer of credit between colleges, cross selling, maintaining MFHEA standards at the mother ship, while down-line colleges have more "flexible" standards, pricing, etc.