This document has been produced for De Montfort University and Collaborative Partner staff involved in the operation, administration and/or management of DMU academic partnerships delivered at UK and overseas partner institutions. The agreement forms part of the partner institution contract (schedule two) and is updated and distributed annually.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT 4

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT 6

EXTERNAL QA CHECKS 8

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 9

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT (2015) 11

Key Information Sets (KIS) 11

Wider Information Sets (WIS) 12

National Student Survey (NSS) 12

HEAR 12

Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE) 12

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 13

RECRUITMENT 14

ADMISSIONS AND TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT 15

STUDENT FINANCE AND FEES 17

STUDENT RECORD MANAGEMENT 20

CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT 21

TEACHING AND LEARNING 24

STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS 28

STAFF ENTITLEMENTS 31

COMMUNICATION/LIAISON 32

GRADUATION AND ALUMNI 34

PARTNER/PROGRAMME CLOSURE 35

APPENDIX A – KEY CONTACTS – to be confirmed or updated annually 37

APPENDIX B – EXTERNAL LINKS AND USEFUL INFORMATION 39

APPENDIX C – ACRONYMS 41

INTRODUCTION

This document has been produced for De Montfort University (DMU) and Partner staff involved in the operation, administration and/or management of DMU collaborative provision delivered at UK and overseas partner institutions (hereon in known as ‘Partner’). This includes UK and overseas partners offering ‘faculty based’ franchised provision, joint awards, dual awards, modules delivered in collaboration, supported distance learning and UK partners offering provision under the ‘DMU validation service’ model. Guidance on the operation of other models of collaborative provision (e.g. Progression Agreements, Erasmus) is available from the Dean of International and Strategic Partnerships Office. Definitions for all models of collaborative provision are available from the DAQ website or on request from Educational Partnerships (EP) or Global Partnerships Unit (GPU).

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) offers an overview of the various administrative and operational procedures required of both DMU and its Partners in order to successfully operate collaborative provision. This central support guidance runs separately to any faculty programme specific processes.

Information in the guide relates to all types of partners unless otherwise specified and should be read in conjunction with the partner institution collaborative contract. Where information on activities/responsibilities apply to a specific type of partner or provision this will be highlighted by use of acronyms as follows:

UK partners (UK)
Overseas partners (OVS)
Validation service provision (VS)


The SLA forms part of the partner institution contract (schedule two) and is updated and distributed annually by EP/GPU.

Details of DMU partnerships are available from the DAQ website as is the full collaborative register.


A list of key contacts and useful DMU/external links and information is provided at the back of the guide together with a glossary of terms used throughout the document (appendices A-D).

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT

Within DMU, collaborative provision is managed under non-devolved authority. This means that although collaborative programmes are delivered at our collaborative partner institutions and managed by the Programme Management Boards (PMBs), ultimate responsibility for the provision rests with the University Collaborative Provision Committee (UCPC), coordinated by EP/GPU and DAQ. The university's procedures for the development, approval, review and monitoring of its collaborative provision have been developed with reference to the university's procedures for in-house provision and to the Quality Assurance Agency's Quality Code, particularly Chapter B10: Managing HE Provision with Others.
Detailed information on the university's quality assurance procedures and requirements, including arrangements for approval and review, can be found in the guides produced and distributed by DAQ, particularly the Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision and the DAQ Guide to Validations. Current information on quality assurance activities relating to collaborative provision is also available on the DAQ website.
All UK universities and colleges are subject to external review by the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) on how they maintain the standard of their higher education provision. Dates for review are determined by the QAA. Reviewers report on how institutions meet their responsibilities, they identify good practice and make recommendations for improvement. It is not QAA’s role to review or accredit organisations outside of the UK. However, where UK institutions offer higher education programmes through partnership links with organisations abroad, or deliver programmes on overseas campuses, these ‘transnational education’ arrangements are also subject to QAA review.
DMU Responsibilities
/ *DMU lead / Partner Responsibilities / **Partner lead
QUALITY ASSURANCE - DMU employs a variety of mechanisms for assuring the quality of collaborative provision. The key functions are programme validation, annual quality monitoring and collaborative review. All programmes are also subject to periodic review. More information on all these processes can be found in the Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision. Partner approval is usually granted for an initial three year period and is subject to collaborative review every five years thereafter.
Programme validation/re-validation
·  Ensure EP/GPU/Faculty is kept aware of potential collaborative developments with Partners (and vice versa)
·  Work with EP/GPU to develop academic and business case.
·  Complete new programme planning form and coordinate activities leading to Faculty Academic Committee approval to proceed in principle. (For VS provision proposals are considered by the PVC Teaching and Learning and VS Board)
·  Manage arrangements leading to validation visit including provision of advice and guidance on process and requirements, appointment of panel, servicing of events and monitoring responsiveness to any conditions set.
·  Liaise with EP/GPU/DAQ to identify and nominate external panel member(s) for approval by the PVC/Dean and DAQ.
(For VS provision nominations are sought from partners)
·  Identify Faculty academic lead/Faculty Link Tutor
·  Liaise with partner and EP/GPU/DAQ to develop the programme and prepare documentation for programme validation in accordance with schedule provided by the DAQ Guide to Programme approval: validation and revalidation.
·  Provide written confirmation of the outcome (for endorsement by UCPC) and produce the full report (for note by UCPC).
·  Liaise with partner to provide progress on action in response to any conditions/recommendations set.
·  Circulate ‘notification of new collaborative programme’ proforma to key DMU academic and professional services staff.
·  Coordinate arrangements for visits to partners for the purpose of re-validation or approval of changes to collaborative provision, e.g. in response to significant curriculum modifications, change of site/campus delivery or validated numbers.
NB. Programme re-approval would normally occur as part of the collaborative review process – the above applies to any significant changes outside of the review cycle. / EP/GPU/Faculty
Faculty
Faculty
EP/GPU/DAQ
Faculty
Faculty
Faculty
DAQ
Faculty
EP/GPU/DAQ
EP/GPU / Programme validation/re-validation
·  Ensure EP/GPU is kept aware of potential collaborative developments with faculties.
·  Alert EP/GPU/Faculty of any in-country approval/local accreditation requirements (OVS only) – see ‘external QA checks’ below.
·  Ensure that all proposals for new programmes follow the programme planning procedures outline in the DAQ Guide to Validation.
·  Identify and nominate external subject adviser(s) in consultation with the Faculty. VS only.
·  Identify and nominate external panel member(s) (in consultation with the Faculty).
·  Liaise with Faculty to develop the proposal (as appropriate) and prepare and submit documentation for programme validation in accordance with schedule and DAQ Guide to Programme approval: validation and revalidation.
·  Host validation event and provide responses to any conditions in accordance with deadlines set.
·  Notify the Faculty and/or EP/GPU/DAQ of any proposed changes to collaborative provision (e.g. curriculum modifications, change of site/campus delivery or validated numbers) at the earliest convenience.
·  Engage with EP/GPU/DAQ regarding arrangements for hosting any re-validation or visits for the purpose of approval of changes to collaborative provision, e.g. in response to significant curriculum modifications, change of site/campus delivery or validated numbers.
Collaborative review
·  Provide notification and outline schedule to Partners, Faculties and key Professional Services (PS) of intention to conduct collaborative review at the beginning of the session.
·  Liaise with partner/external sources to undertake due diligence checks.
·  Manage arrangements leading to collaborative review including provision of advice and guidance on process and requirements, appointment of panel, servicing of events and monitoring responsiveness to any conditions set.
·  Submit reports to EP/GPU/DAQ on the management and operation of the partnership in accordance with the deadline provided by EP/GPU/DAQ and requirements outlined in the Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision.
·  Attend pre-meeting in preparation for review visit.
·  Provide written confirmation of the outcome (for approval by UCPC) and produce the full report (for note by UCPC).
·  Liaise with partner to provide progress on action in response to any conditions/recommendations set. / DAQ
EP/GPU/DAQ
EP/GPU/DAQ
Faculty, PS
Faculty, PS
DAQ
Faculty,
EP/GPU/DAQ / Collaborative review
·  Provide information in support of due diligence checks in accordance with timescales provided by EP/GPU/DAQ.
·  Submit all requisite reports and supporting documentation in accordance with deadline dates provided by EP/GPU/DAQ and requirements outlined in the Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision.
·  Host the review event and provide responses to any conditions in accordance with deadline dates set.
·  Liaise with Faculty to provide progress on action in response to conditions/recommendations set at collaborative review in preparation for the six month review meeting.
·  Provide an update on progress and host the six month follow up meeting. For OVS partners this will be conducted as a paper based exercise and/or via Skype.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT – DMU undertakes a range of annual quality monitoring checks to provide ongoing assurances on the quality of provision and to identify areas for improvement/promotion of good practice. Activities are undertaken at key points during the academic cycle. The following have been listed in accordance with the usual sequence of activities as they occur during the academic year, as outlined in the Annual Calendar of Quality Monitoring activities for Collaborative Provision.
Staff lists/CVs
·  Issue request to Partner for submission of staff lists and CVs for following academic year, as part of the Programme Compositions QA activity
·  Provide approval/comments on staffing to Partner (via EP/GPU). / DAQ
Faculty / Staff lists/CVs
·  Provide details of staffing and CVs associated to modules in accordance with deadlines given, using CV templates found in the DAQ guidance and forms webpage and also in the Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision.
·  Note PMB Chair response and respond accordingly.
Student Handbooks
·  Issue request to Partner for submission of draft student handbooks.
·  Conduct initial checks and circulate draft student handbooks to Faculty for consideration.
·  Provide approval/comments on draft to Partner. / DAQ
DAQ
DAQ / Student Handbooks
·  Prepare draft of student handbook in accordance with the DAQ Guide to Student Handbooks and submit to DAQ and the Faculty.
·  Prepare final version incorporating comments as appropriate.
Student Feedback visit
·  Issue reminder to Faculty Link Tutors to conduct annual student feedback visit.
·  Liaise with Partner to agree date for visit.
·  Conduct visit and produce student feedback visit report, in accordance with the DAQ Guide to Managing Collaborative Provision.
·  Submit report to PMB for consideration (copy to DAQ, EP/GPU and note at FCPC)
·  Liaise with Partner to respond to identified action as appropriate. / DAQ
Faculty
Faculty
Faculty
Faculty / Student Feedback visit
·  Liaise with Faculty to agree date for visit.
·  Host visit and ensure student attendance.
·  Liaise with Faculty to respond to identified action as appropriate.
External Examiners (EE)
·  Identify and nominate external examiner
·  Process nomination through the EE Appointments Committee, confirm appointment and provide advice on role (includes applications for extensions and replacement EE’s)
·  Receive and circulate reports to Partner and Faculty (PMB)
·  Liaise with Partner to consider report and respond as necessary. / Faculty
DAQ
DAQ
Faculty / External Examiners (EE)
·  Circulate reports to programme teams and students (it is suggested that the VLE is used for this purpose).
·  Liaise with Faculty (PMB) to consider report(s) and respond as necessary.
HE Forums (or equivalent e.g. SSCC’s)
·  Provide advice and support for the development of Forums
·  Attendance at Forums (UK and UK VS partners only)
·  Liaise with Faculty/Professional Services to address any issues of concern raised / EP/GPU & DAQ
EP/GPU & DAQ
EP/GPU & DAQ / HE Forums (or equivalent e.g. SSCC’s)
·  Submit HE Forum calendar of meetings to EP/GPU/DAQ
·  Host HE Forums
·  Liaise with EP/GPU/DAQ/Faculty/Professional Services to address issues of concern
·  Feedback to students as necessary
Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) reports and Programme Appraisal and Enhancement (PAE) forms
·  Circulate request for submission of AMRs and/or PAEs as appropriate.
·  Engage in process of consultation with Partner to draft annual monitoring report/PAE utilising key performance indicators, e.g. Tableau, External Examiner Reports, Student Feedback reports and MEPs (see below)
·  Circulate reports to Faculty and EP/GPU on receipt.
·  Consider reports, feed issues into the PAE as appropriate and submit to the PMB for consideration and action.
·  Complete summary of AMRs for submission to the University Collaborative Review Committee (UCPC) / DAQ
Faculty
DAQ
Faculty
DAQ / Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) reports and PAEs
·  Engage in process of consultation with Faculty to draft the report utilising key performance indicators, e.g. Tableau, External Examiner Reports, Student Feedback reports and MEPs (see below). For UK VS this may involve liaison with External Subject Adviser where appropriate.
·  Submit reports to DAQ by deadline dates given.
·  Reflect and take identified action as appropriate
Module Enhancement Plans (MEPs)
·  Engage in process of consultation with Partner to gain evaluation of module level feedback and incorporate into the MEP as appropriate.
·  Submit completed MEPs to Programme Leaders for incorporating into the PAE and discussion at PMB. / Faculty (module leaders)