Quality Handbook
AQH-I5 Models of Collaborative Provision
Version 4.2 May 2013
Models of Collaboration
The University of Sunderland specifies three types of collaborative arrangement which may be
entered into with educational providers. These are called Models of Collaboration and are
designed to provide clear parameters within which a collaboration will operate while also offering
flexibility to agree joint activity as appropriate to the provision. None of these models is directly tied
to a particular source of funding for the students or the partner organisation; this is negotiated
separately. However the business plan for the collaboration must take into account the
arrangements for delivery encapsulated in the Model and the consequential costs to the respective
partners. It will be particularly important to negotiate this in the case of a Joint Franchise where the
respective responsibilities will vary from partnership to partnership and possibly between
programmes.
In all cases final responsibility for quality and standards rests with the University through its quality
management processes to which partners are required by their agreement to adhere. Collaborative
provision cannot be agreed in an academic area in which the University lacks the necessary
expertise. The judgement as to whether such expertise exists must rest with the relevant Faculty.
Where the Faculty believes it would be useful, an External Programme Adviser may be appointed
to support the Faculty in managing the quality of the provision.
Broad definitions of each Model are given below with further details in the chart attached.
Validation
A validation model of collaboration is one in which the University approves and gives its award to a
programme which is designed and ‘owned’ by a partner organisation: the intellectual property
rights rest with the partner, the programme it is not taught on campus and cannot be offered by the
University to any other students or partners. There is a high level of delegation to the partner
which must have the expertise to sustain this responsibility.
Joint Franchise
Franchise is a process by which an institution allows a partner organisation to deliver a programme
which it ‘owns’. The Joint Franchise model retains university ownership of the programme
(including intellectual property rights) so that it can be offered on campus and/or to other partners.
Despite this, a partner may have input into the design and/or development of a programme as well
as into its delivery and assessment.
This is a flexible model, the details of which are confirmed via the risk assessment which forms
part of partner approval and review. The partner may take greater or lesser responsibility for
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programme design and development, the development of teaching materials, and assessment
depending on the partner’s strengths and the Faculty’s preferred mode of operation: in the case of
a programme run with a consortium of partners, for instance, it would probably be inappropriate for
different partners to have different levels of involvement. So, for example, a partner might have full
engagement in design and development of the programme as well as in delivery and assessment,
but equally the model would allow the University to retain responsibility for assessment while
sharing programme development and the design of teaching and learning materials with the
partner. The Quality Annex in the Agreement will state the detail of the respective responsibilities.
A Joint Franchise partnership may develop so that the respective responsibilities of the partner and
the University change over time. Such a development may be planned at the outset of the
Agreement. Provided that it remains within the remit of a Joint Franchise, such developments may
be approved by Faculty QMSC. The Faculty should then contact Academic Services to have the
Quality Annex to the Agreement amended.
Full Franchise
Franchise is a process by which an institution allows a partner organisation to deliver a programme
which it ‘owns’. The Full Franchise model is one in which the University not only holds the
intellectual property rights, so that programmes can be offered on campus and/or to other partners,
but also has sole responsibility for designing and developing the programme, providing teaching
materials and setting and marking assessment.
Partner involvement in Distance Learning and Flying Faculty.
Where programmes by Flying Faculty or Distance Learning (DL) are provided by the University
there is no collaborative element. However if a partner organisation is used overseas or elsewhere
in the UK to support ‘flying faculty’ or DL arrangements, some form of agreement needs to be
made to protect the students, the University and the partner in the event of problems with the
relationship or difficulties in delivery. This may include a partner providing teaching space for our
‘flying faculty’ or library / IT access for DL students or by recruiting students. Issues which have to
be covered in an agreement will typically include clarification of the requirements, a financial
agreement, use of the University’s name and logo, and insurance. The assumption here is that no
teaching or academic support is provided by the partner to the students and any teaching or
support staff operating in-country are employed directly by the University. Agreements can be
designed to meet the specific needs of the provision with the help of the University Solicitor.
If the partner organisation provides any form of teaching support to students (including mentoring
or support seminars) then it requires a full collaborative agreement. This would probably take the
form of a Full Franchise agreement modified to take account of any teaching being delivered
directly by University staff.
If the agreement includes progression into the DL or ‘flying faculty’ programme from the partner
organisation’s award then the policy on Articulation and Related Processes is applicable.
Please consult Academic Services if you are in any doubt as to the status of DL or Flying Faculty
work.
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Responsibilities of the University and the Partner
All the activities listed below are subject to University approval, monitoring and review as appropriate through its quality management processes.
Activity / responsibility
Validation Model
Joint Franchise Model
Full Franchise Model
Design of the programme, ensuring the
currency of the curriculum (ie informed by
research and/or scholarship and/or contact
with commerce/industry and/or practice-led
as applicable)
On-going development of the programme,
ensuring the currency of the curriculum (ie
informed by research and/or scholarship
and/or contact with commerce/industry
and/or practice-led as applicable)
Prepare programme approval and periodic
review paperwork
Partner
University and/or partner as
appropriate and agreed
University
Partner
University alone or with partner as
appropriate and agreed
University
Partner
To an appropriate standard,
using University templates
without support from the
University beyond induction into
our processes
University
University
University
University
University
University
University
University
Partner, in line with University
rules for on-campus provision
Partner with University
involvement in line with agreed
processes
Partner
University
University
Partner with University involvement in
line with agreed processes
Partner with University involvement
in line with agreed processes
University and/or partner as
appropriate and agreed; however it
would be expected that the partner
University
Undertake approval and periodic review of
the programme(s) to explore the scope of the
programme including alignment with
university expertise and UK requirements
Undertake approval and periodic review of
the partner
Approve minor modifications to programmes
and modules
Responsible for in-country accreditation
Develop, design and prepare teaching and
learning materials appropriate to the
programme and the student cohort(s)
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would have a significant input into this
Deliver teaching and learning materials and
provide academic advice and support to
students
Develop student handbooks
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner writes and provides to
students programme, module
and college handbooks
University writes programme and
module handbooks; partner
customises with local information
as applicable.
Partner writes college handbook.
Partner provides handbooks to
students.
Provide learning resources for students
including a VLE, access to hard copy and
electronic learning resources, IT and
specialist equipment as appropriate
Partner
Provide personal support for students
including adjustment for those with
disabilities, careers guidance, pastoral
support
Design assessments
Partner
University provides core information for
programme and module handbooks;
partner adds local information as
applicable which may include local
variations on delivery and assessment.
Partner writes college handbook.
Partner provides handbooks to
students.
Partner
The University also provides access
for students and staff to its VLE and to
online library resources. Any other
provision agreed will be specified in
the agreement.
Partner
University
Approve assessments (examinations and
coursework, including project / dissertation
titles) before they are passed to students
Undertake first and second marking and
moderation of assessments.
University assessment criteria must be
adhered to.
University
University and/or partner as
appropriate and agreed
University
University and/or partner as agreed. At
the least, the University must moderate
according to University policy and in
addition to the external examiner.
University undertakes all marking
and moderation.
University manages, chairs and hosts
University manages all
Manage the organisation and preparation of
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Partner
Partner first and second marks;
university moderates according
to University policy and in
addition to the external
examiner.
Partner manages and hosts
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Partner
The University also provides
access for students and staff to its
VLE and to online library resources.
Any other provision agreed will be
specified in the agreement.
Partner
University
papers for Programme and Module
Assessment Boards (PABs and MABs);
liaise with the external examiner,
chair PABs / MABs
host the boards.
(Combined Boards are treated as PABs.)
Nominate and appoint the external examiner;
respond to his/her reports; pay his/her fee
and expenses
Manage, chair and host Programme and
Module Studies Boards (PSBs and MSBs)
(Combined Boards are treated as PSBs.)
Design a marketing plan and prepare
publicity materials
Materials to be approved by the University
before publication / distribution
Undertake student recruitment
Carry out admissions to admissions
requirements approved by the University and
send offer letters
Undertake annual review of the
programme(s) using the University’s
processes and templates, to the University’s
deadlines
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PABs and MABs
Partner liaises with external
examiner over meeting
arrangements
Partner chairs MABs. University
is not represented on MABs.
University Centre Leader chairs
PABs.
University
Partner is consulted about
nominees and provides a draft
response to the external for the
University.
Partner manages, chairs and
hosts PSBs and MSBs.
University is not represented on
MSBs
Centre Leader is a member of
PSBs.
Partner
Partner
Partner.
The partner will provide to the
University regular lists of all
students made offers with their
qualifications and, on request, a
sample of application forms and
offer letters.
Partner undertakes annual
review to the same process as
that used on-campus and the
Faculty considers it through its
usual processes.
PABs and MABs.
University liaises with external
examiner over meeting arrangements.
Partner representation on PABs and
MABs as agreed, typically Assistant
Programme Leader.
arrangements, chairs and hosts
MABs and PABs.
Partners are not represented.
University nominates, appoints and
pays.
Partner is consulted about external
examiners’ recommendations and
responses as appropriate.
University manages, chairs and hosts
PSBs and MSBs. Partner
representation on PSBs and MSBs as
agreed, typically Assistant Programme
Leader.
University nominates, appoints and
pays.
Partner is informed about external
examiners’ recommendations and
University responses as applicable.
University
Partner is informed of
developments and issues as
applicable.
Partner, although in some
circumstances joint development with
the University and/or between partners
will be appropriate
Partner
University
Partner
Partner submits annual partner review
form and contributes to programme
review through the MSB / PSB
Partner submits annual partner
review form.
University responsible for annual
review of the programme through
the PSB and informs partner of
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Partner
University
Provide staff development including
pedagogical development, subject-specific
development and awareness of UK and
University quality and standards
requirements.
Provide an agreed level of ‘expert’ input via
guest lectures or similar events
Ensure processes for student representation
and feedback are in place. This must include
a Student-Staff Liaison Committee at
programme / subject level and use of
questionnaires
Responsible for student appeals
Responsible for student complaints
Responsible for student disciplinary matters
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outcomes.
University and partner in
collaboration. However the partner
is expected to provide subjectspecific staff development for their
own staff.
Partner
The University will provide an
agreed amount of input but the
staff development plan must be
initiated, funded and
implemented by the partner
University – this is a requirement
of the Validation Model
University and partner in collaboration.
However the partner is expected to
provide subject-specific staff
development for their own staff.
University if appropriate and agreed
Not applicable unless specifically
agreed
Partner
Partner manages SSLCs
University and partner develop and
manage programme / module
questionnaires via MSB / PSB.
University
Partner in the first instance with
further court of appeal to the
University in respect of issues
relevant to the academic
provision.
Partner: students are subject to
the partner’s rules, procedures
and regulations governing
conduct. Where a disciplinary
matter has implications for
academic quality or standards
(eg assessment irregularities)
the partner must refer this to the
University. Where a disciplinary
matter which is not academic in
nature may result in the
withdrawal of a student from a
university programme the
partner should make the
university aware of this via the
University
Partner in the first instance with further
court of appeal to the University in
respect of issues relevant to the
academic provision.
Partner manages SSLCs
University provides programme /
module questionnaires which are
managed in collaboration with the
partner.
University
Partner in the first instance with
further court of appeal to the
University in respect of issues
relevant to the academic provision.
Partner: students are subject to the
partner’s rules, procedures and
regulations governing conduct. Where
a disciplinary matter has implications
for academic quality or standards (eg
assessment irregularities) the partner
must refer this to the University. Where
a disciplinary matter which is not
academic in nature may result in the
withdrawal of a student from a
university programme the partner
should make the university aware of
this via the Centre Leader, and provide
any information requested to support
the withdrawal.
Partner: students are subject to the
partner’s rules, procedures and
regulations governing conduct.
Where a disciplinary matter has
implications for academic quality or
standards (eg assessment
irregularities) the partner must refer
this to the University. Where a
disciplinary matter which is not
academic in nature may result in
the withdrawal of a student from a
university programme the partner
should make the university aware
of this via the Centre Leader, and
provide any information requested
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Consider partner staff cvs taking into account
the expertise of individuals and the balance
of expertise across the staff team
Provide a Centre Leader who will act as the
primary over-arching link with the partner
Determine whether an external programme
adviser would be of use, and if so, make a
suitable appointment and ensure his/her
involvement as appropriate
Provide transcripts
Provide parchments
Provide statistical data on student admission,
progress, completion and achievement
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Centre Leader, and provide any
information requested to support
the withdrawal.
University
to support the withdrawal.
University
University
University
University
University
University
Not normally applicable, but University
if required
Not applicable
Partner
University
Partner
University
University
University
University
University
University
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Version History
Version
Occasion of Change
Change author
Modifications made
S Sutcliffe
Date of
modification
September 2008
1.0
Original placed in
Academic Quality
Handbook
Changes to reflect the
University’s new
collaborative processes,
being implemented from
September 2009
C Gardner
August 2009
Text reviewed and amendments made.
Changes to reflect
Service name
Review approved by
Academic Board
S Patience
November 2010
ISS to SLS
B Ollerenshaw
September 2011
Complete new definition
4.1
B Ollerenshaw
September 2011
Responsibilities grid added
4.2
B Ollerenshaw
May 2013
Disciplinary action added to
responsibilities grid
2.0
3.0
4.0
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Mainly references to new University
structure
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