Governance & Accreditation
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The Higher Institute of Religious Sciences, or HIRS, is the canonical form Maryvale takes as a Catholic institute. Maryvale received this status from the Holy See in 2010, and its ecclesiastical degrees are validated through the Faculte Notre-Dame in Paris under the authority of the Holy See. It was reapproved by the Holy See with new Statues in 2025.
How we are governed
Maryvale is part of St Mary's College Oscott CIO, a registered charity. It is led by a Director and an academic team, and is accountable through the College's governance and to the wider Church.
Quality Assurance
Maryvale Higher Institute of Religious Sciences is recognised by the British Accreditation Council. Additionally, we assure quality through diligent review and trusted partnerships.
An Ecclesiastical Institute of Religious Sciences.
Validated through our partners.
Programmes reviewed to maintain quality.
Validation Partnerships
How Maryvale's awards are validated and recognised.
Catholic Biblical School Ministry
A partner in the delivery of Maryvale's Biblical courses.
Guild of St Stephen
The national body for Catholic altar servers, with which Maryvale runs the Altar Servers Course.
La Faculté Notre-Dame
The theology faculty in Paris that validates Maryvale's ecclesiastical degrees on behalf of the Holy See.
Maryvale HIRS
Maryvale's canonical form as a Pontifical Ecclesiastical Institute of Religious Sciences, through which its awards are conferred.
St Mary's University, Twickenham
The university hosting Maryvale's BA, MA and research programmes as Maryvale@St Mary's.