ACADEMIC QUALITY ASSURANCE
Appendix 10
Collaborative Provision - Policy and Procedures
Last updated September 2017
Issued by Academic Quality and Compliance
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Types Of Collaborative Provision 1
3. Approval of a Collaborative Programme 2
Step 1 - Outline proposal 2
Step 2 – Institutional Approval (Only required for NEW partners) 2
Step 3 - Course Business Case 3
Step 4 – Academic Case 3
Step 5 – Course Approval 4
4. Formal Agreements 4
5. Advertising of Courses 5
6. Interim and Periodic Review 5
7. Operational Issues and Subject Staff Visits 5
8. Termination or Expiry of Partnerships 6
Appendix 1 7
a. Collaborative Provision Quality Assurance – key functions - TAUGHT COURSES 7
b. Collaborative Provision Quality Assurance – key functions - POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH 9
c. UCLAN, Cyprus and UCLAN, Preston - Quality Assurance – key functions 12
Appendix 2 15
a. Flow Chart depicting Collaborative Provision Approval Process for Existing Partner 15
b. Flow Chart depicting Collaborative Provision Approval Process for New Partner 16
Appendix 3 17
Outline Proposal for Existing Partners 17
Appendix 4 20
Outline Proposal for New Partners 20
Appendix 5 27
The Academic Case for Collaborative Proposals 27
Appendix 6 30
The Business Case 30
Appendix 7 32
Criteria for Approval of Franchises Levels 4-8 to a Partner Institution 32
Appendix 8 33
Collaborative Provision 33
Quality Monitoring Report 33
Appendix 9 37
Termination or Expiry of Partnership – Notes to be used for completion of Action Plan 37
Appendix 10 40
Guidelines on the Development of Articulation Agreements 40
Template for Proposal for an Articulation Agreement 41
Appendix 11 43
Guidelines on Credit Recognition 43
Appendix 12 48
Off campus delivery 48
Appendix 13 49
School Checklist 49
Appendix 14 51
Statement on Dual and Joint Awards 51
1. Introduction
This document outlines the processes for the approval and oversight of collaborative provision, both overseas and in the UK. It should be read in conjunction with the University’s Academic Quality Assurance manual, in particular the Course Developer’s Guide and the academic regulations.
The approach adopted by the University for the management of collaborative provision is to identify the key functions which must be fulfilled in respect of each collaborative course. It is the responsibility of Schools to put in place arrangements to meet these. The key functions are set out in Appendix 1.
All courses are taught and assessed in English with the following exceptions:
(i) where the learning outcomes are explicitly related to competence in languages other than English;
(ii) where the acquisition of competence in English is a declared learning outcome, support work may be in the learner’s native language.
2. Types Of Collaborative Provision
The University’s commitment to partnership reflects its mission of facilitating access to higher education and working with the community. Collaborative arrangements allow courses leading to University awards to be offered in full or in part at a partner institution whilst the University retains responsibility for the quality and standards. The collaborative arrangements may take a range of forms. The large majority are franchised courses (or part courses). In some cases the franchised courses are ‘networked’ (ie operated by several partners working together). In other cases the franchised course, or modules within it, might be developed by and derived from the partner (this is indicated by the module coding and is referred to sometimes as a ‘validated’ course or module. There may be a blended approach where there is joint development and/or shared delivery. Dual, double or joint awards may also be considered. All University awards are subject to the University’s academic regulations and quality assurance procedures.
The University also works collaboratively with partners through:
· joint supervision of research degrees (where staff of a partner institution are approved to support and supervise a student registered for a UCLan research degree).
· articulation (where the University agrees to recognise specified qualifications offered by a partner institution for entry, or advanced entry, to specified UCLan awards). Please refer to Appendix 10.
· credit recognition (where formally assessed work-based training is recognised as equivalent to UCLan credits). Please refer to Appendix 11.
Each collaborative arrangement is underpinned by an agreement signed by the parties involved.
[Note: arrangements for supervision of research students off-campus (ie where the student has no collaborating institution) are set out in the AQC Manual.]
Approval and management processes for collaborative courses, both taught and research, are described below, with approval stages shown as a flowchart at Appendix 2.
For all UK collaborations the Partnership Development Team will be the key point of contact; for all overseas collaborations the International Office will be the key point of contact. Schools must involve either the International Office or the Partnership Development Team as soon as they enter into any discussions with a collaborative partner. Where it becomes apparent that a UK collaboration involves ONLY international students, the key point of contact will be passed onto the International Office.
3. Approval of a Collaborative Programme
Step 1 - Outline proposal
3.1 As soon as a School wishes, or agrees at the request of a UK or overseas partner, to enter into a collaborative arrangement for delivery of a Course the relevant School should notify the Partnership Development Manager (PDM) for all UK collaborative proposals or the International Office for all overseas collaborative proposals. A named contact within the School should also be provided.
3.2 An Outline Proposal form (for activity with existing partners – Appendix 3) or an Outline Proposal form for New Partners (for new partners – Appendix 4) should be submitted, to the PDM or International Office (as appropriate). If the proposal is for an overseas partner, a private provider or a new FEC partner the owning UCLan School must also submit a draft business case drawn up in liaison with their Finance Business Partner. It is also best practice to include a business case for all provision to ensure that proposals are viable.
3.3 Proposals will be submitted via the PDM or International Office to the next available Course Planning Committee (or exceptionally where there is a strong business need via fast track Chairs Action). The role of the Course Planning Committee at this stage is to make a preliminary judgment on whether the proposal is in line with University strategies and, where the proposed partner is a new partner, that the institution is, prima facie, of suitable standing to support the proposed collaborative activity.
3.4 On receipt of the Course Planning Committee’s authorisation to proceed, the School and Partner can then move to preparation of an Academic Case. The issues to be addressed are identified in Appendix 5. The Academic Case and, if applicable, the Course Business Case should normally be approved by the Dean/Head of School before progressing.
[Note: Although good practice, a Course Business Case is not required for existing FEC partners operating under the standard FEC Financial model. A Course Business Case is required for all other types of collaboration and for a potential new FEC partner. Schools should contact their Finance Business Partner in the Business Partner Unit at an early stage for advice on developing Business Cases].
3.5 The Academic Case should be sent to the Secretary of CS-C. CS-C will not consider academic cases unless Course Planning Committee approval has been received.
Step 2 – Institutional Approval (Only required for NEW partners)
3.6 Institutional approval of a new partner will comprise both financial and academic due diligence.
3.7 Financial Services will carry out financial due diligence by liaising direct with the contact named in Section 6 of the Outline Proposal for New Partners. Financial due diligence may also be carried out on existing partners where there have been material/significant changes or where the Partner has previously been designated as high risk.
3.8 The academic due diligence will be carried out by AQC on the basis of the information contained in sections 1-5 (inclusive) of the Outline Proposal for New Partners. Where potential new partners are already in collaboration with other HEIs, references may be obtained to assist with the academic due diligence process. Approval of the academic due diligence of a new partner will be recommended to CS-C by AQC, on the basis of perceived risk, on either the submitted ‘Outline proposal of New Partner’ proposal alone (low risk) or with an additional institutional visit, either virtual or in person (higher risk). The criteria for waiving a visit will include (non exhaustively): the status of the proposed partner institution (eg whether the partner is publicly or privately funded and its degree awarding powers); its experience of collaboration with other HEIs; whether it has robust QA systems; its resources and its expertise. If required, an institutional visit will be carried out by a small Panel nominated by AQC, drawing upon University Review Panel (URP) members. The Panel will be accompanied by a senior representative from the relevant School or College (e.g. the Dean/Head of School/Faculty Director of Business Development or nominee).
Academic due diligence may also be carried out on existing partners where there have been material/significant changes.
3.9 The purpose of academic due diligence is to review the quality processes, management and organisational structures and resource base pertinent to the proposed collaboration. AQC will use the documentation supplied in support of the Outline Approval for New Partners, but may request further information if necessary. The institutional visit will normally include meetings with senior staff, with appropriate teaching staff or research staff (e.g. from the proposed collaborating area), a representative sample of support staff and a representative panel of students. The programmewill also include a tour of resources/facilities..
[Note: Academic due diligence is NOT course specific and,if granted, is without prejudice to the outcome of any future CourseApproval event.]
3.10 A recommendation on both academic due diligence and initial financial due diligence will be made to CS-C who will then make a decision with regard to Institutional approval of any new partner. In the case of a proposed new partner, approval for any academic cases by CS-C will always be subject to satisfactory completion of Institutional approval.
Step 3 - Course Business Case
3.11 At an early stage of the development of any proposal, the School should liaise with their Finance Business Partner with regard to the production of a course business case. The Finance Business Partner will agree a course Business Case with the Dean/Head of School. In the case of an overseas partner, private provider or a potential new FEC partner the draft business case must be sent to either the PDM or DIP with the Outline Proposal.
Step 4 – Academic Case
3.13 CS-C will consider the Academic Case and determine, for taught courses, whether there is sufficient evidence of capability to deliver for the proposal to proceed to a Course Approval event. The CS-C may highlight aspects of the proposal for particular attention by the Panel during the Course Approval process. For new partners, the Academic Case will not normally be considered until a recommendation has been made with regard to Institutional Approval.
3.14 In considering the Academic Case the CS-C will take note of the University’s guidance on its expectations in terms of resources for delivery at level 4 and above (Appendix 7).
3.15 The CS-C will require confirmation of the outline proposal having been approved by the Course Planning Committee, of the Course Business Case having been drawn up by Financial Services and agreed by the Dean/Head of School, and (if a new partner) of Institutional Approval, before it allows Course Approval to take place.
3.16 Where the Academic Case identifies delivery by the partner institution at level 7 or above CS-C will then, in turn, make a recommendation to the Academic Standards and Quality Assurance Committee (ASQAC) for approval of delivery by the Institution at that level.
3.17 For research degree collaborations CS-C will make a recommendation to the Academic Standards and Quality Assurance Committee (ASQAC). It is expected that Schools will take advice from the Graduate Research Office in preparing any cases involving research degree supervision.
3.18 Where a proposal involves entry directly onto Level 5 or 6 of a degree programme, the Academic Case should confirm that there is a match between the course at the partner institution and UCLan at the point of entry and should confirm that an appropriate mapping exercise has been undertaken. The mapping should also be provided as part of the documentation set for subsequent course approval.
The proposing School should provide confirmation that the External Examiner has been consulted on the mapping exercise and has given his/her support.
3.19 Once CS-C have considered the proposal the decision will be notified to the relevant School and either the PDM (in the case of UK collaborations) or the International Office (in the case of overseas collaborations. The PDM and/or the International Office will ensure that the partner institution is informed of the CS-C outcome.
Step 5 – Course Approval
3.20 The planning cycle for course approval activity requires course approval to have taken place and all responses to conditions to be signed off by the end of July preceding the commencement of the applicant cycle in which the proposed course (s) intends to recruit.
3.21 The Course Approval process, including the documentation requirements, is set out in the University’s Course Developer’s Guide
3.22 Course Approval events are normally held at the partner institution, although for networked provision, where a number of partners are involved, the event may be held at the University.
4. Formal Agreements
4.1 Formal agreements are drawn up for all collaborative provision. The agreements are drawn up by the Partnership Development Team and/or the International Office as appropriate. Where the agreement is for a research degree or Taught/Professional doctorate then these offices will liaise with the Graduate Research Office.
4.2 Institutional Agreements and Memoranda of Co-operation can only be signed by the Vice-Chancellor or the Deputy Vice-Chancellors on behalf of the University, and by their equivalents at the partner institution. The final signed agreements are held by the International Office for overseas partners and by Partnership Development Team for UK partners.