Code of practice on managing Higher Education with others

Read the code of practice for managing HE provision with others (PDF, 520kb) Learn more about the approval of collaborative and partnership arrangements

Purpose

The purpose of this Code is to ensure that the University:

• Is able to assure the quality of the academic standards and learning opportunities of awards and credit granted in its name
• Has clear procedures for developing and managing arrangements for delivering learning opportunities
• Has in place mechanisms to ensure that risks are properly assessed and reviewed on a periodic basis
• Has in place appropriate governance arrangements for learning opportunities not provided by the University
• Is able to meet the requirements of the UK Quality Code of Higher Education, in particular chapter B10.

The Code has a number of different sections that provide further guidance on the management and maintenance of collaborative partnerships, including:

• Approvals of collaborative and partnership arrangements
• Quality assurance arrangements
• Student placements
• Oversees student exchange

Typology of collaborative partnerships

There are a number of different types of partnership arrangements that are offered at the University and each has its own indicative risk level. Below provides an overview of each type of collaborative partnership with examples of current collaborative agreements.

Low

Progression accord

An arrangement whereby the University recognises all or part of another institution’s programme as an appropriate entry qualification. For example, the College of Social Science, Arts and Humanities recognise all or part of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China programmes as an appropriate entry qualification onto selected Masters level programmes.

Support provider

An arrangement in which a partner organisation provides resources to support the delivery of a University campus based programme. For example, the Quality Distance Learning, Ghana offer student recruitment opportunities and non-academic support to the School of Management.

Educational delivery partners for Distance Learning programmes

An organisation contracted by the University to facilitate the delivery of distance learning provision. For example, SPACE, University of Hong Kong offer recruitment and support opportunities for Museum Studies students.

Low - medium

Articulation

An arrangement whereby the University recognises all or part of another institution’s programme as a means of guaranteed entry onto a University programme. For example, the University recognises prior study at the partner university Sun Yat-Sen University, China in order to allow direct entry of students onto second year bachelor programmes within the Department of Economics.

Module delivery

An arrangement whereby a partner organisation contributes to a University programme by delivering one or more modules (or parts of modules). For example, Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training Partnership deliver specific modules on PGCE (SCITT) Primary programme within the School of Education.

Low - high (depends on the nature)

Work-based placements

Periods of work experience either in the UK or abroad which are part of the programme of study, including placements in industry, or those required for teaching education or health professionals. For example, students on BA/BSc Economics programmes are given the opportunity for a yearlong work-based placement at a number of industry recognised partner organisations.

Overseas student exchange arrangements

Periods of study undertaken in an institution overseas which are part of the degree programme. For example, the University offers a number of oversees student exchange arrangements such as the Erasmus Exchange programme.

Medium

Split - site PhDs

Agreements whereby research students spend a specified period of time at another institution but remain registered for a University award under the supervision of University supervisors although local supervisors may be appointed. For example, research student(s) in Respiratory Sciences carrying out split-site PhD research with Nantong University, China.

Medium - high

Franchise

A partner organisation is authorised to deliver the whole or part of one or more of the University’s existing programmes. The University does not franchise its programmes to partner organisations.

Validated programme

An arrangement where a programme developed and delivered by a non-degree awarding body has been judged (through the process of validation) to be of an appropriate standard to lead to a University award. For example, validated programmes offered by the Study Group accepted as an appropriate standard to lead to the Award of Certificate of Higher Education in Management Studies.

High

Dual award

An arrangement in which two or more awarding institutions together provide a jointly delivered programme leading to separate awards being granted by both, or all, of them. For example, the School of Law and Université de Strasbourg, France offer a dual award in in LLB/Maîtrise in English and French Law.

Joint award

A single award offered in the name of two or more awarding institutions. A single certificate attests successful completion, replacing the separate institutional qualifications. The University currently does not offer joint awards.

Associated institutions

An institution which is authorised by the University to offer specified awards of the University through its own quality assurance and supporting institutional systems. The University currently has no associated institution partnerships.