Section 5(i) of Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001, requires the National Council for Higher Education to ensure minimum standards for courses of study. In arriving at minimum standards for courses of study, Council worked with lecturers and professors from universities who recommend to Council what they thought was the minimum body of knowledge for which a degree in a particular programme can be awarded. The operative word is minimum and it is at this level that Council has set the standards for these courses of study.

The standards prescribe the body of knowledge below which universities must not teach. The standards leave the universities with the freedom to design their courses based on the minimum standards. The universities are free to add to these minimum course contents to meet their vision, mission and individual uniqueness. When this has been done, universities can then bring their courses and programmes to Council for accreditation. Again the law requires that all courses must be accredited by Council.