Initial Notification Form
(To be submitted in electronic format)
In the context of the Staffordshire University Plan, The proposed partner will contribute to the
achievement of the following targets (tick as appropriate):

Secure 25,000 students studying for Staffordshire University Awards at partner
institutions by 2017
AND

Increase the size and scope of international relationships by supporting ambitious
growth targets of our existing partners, strategically seeking new partners and
developing our presence internationally.
OR

Secure at least 50% increase in the number of students studying for our awards
delivered by partner FE and UK private providers by 2017
Section 1
Summary
Name of proposed partner
(including abbreviated name)
Type of institution – e.g.,
university, college; private or
state funded
Full address
(to include country of location)
If the proposal relates to more than
one site of delivery please complete
the appendix for additional locations.
Web address
Proposed start date of delivery:
Proposed language of delivery:
Please list any other University
partners in the same
country/vicinity
Section 2
Background to the partner
2.1
Brief introduction to the organisation, its history and development, noting its
experience of delivering higher education and what familiarity it has with UK higher
education.
2.2
2.2.1
Financial and legal status of the partner organisation
Financial status (append where appropriate copies of audited financial accounts referenced
to 2.2.1)
Year
Year
Year
Year
1
Operating (gross)
profit %
Net profit %
Asset ratio
2.2.2
Legal status (Legal evidence might include Companies House Registration (or equivalent),
Charity registration number, BIS registration, In-country governmental approval i.e. AICTE, MQA,
HKQAAVC. Evidence of the organisation’s power to award degrees, referenced to 2.2.2)
2.3
UKBA TIER 4 status/licence (UK institutions only: evidence referenced to 2.3)
2.4
Please note any current or past affiliations with other higher education
institutions either in the UK or other countries? If a partnership is still in operation
please record the date the relationship began, the name of the institution, the nature
of the relationship and the provision. (QIS will notify any current partners of our intention to
consider working with the organisation)
2.5
What is the ethos and environment of the organisation? (Please append relevant
documents referenced to 2.5)
2.6
How compatible is its mission/operating statement? (Please append relevant
documents referenced to 2.6)
2.7
Does it have an equal opportunities policy or similar and what policies does
the organisation have in relation to equality, diversity and disability issues? (Please
append relevant documents referenced to 2.7)
2.8
Does the organisation have a Strategic Plan or similar document? Does it
refer to supporting arrangements/developments which are compatible with the
proposed partnership? (Please append relevant documents referenced to 2.8)
2.9
Overview of the management structure at the organisation including a
structure chart (Please append relevant documents referenced to 2.9)
2
2.10 An overview of student support arrangements, for example: careers support;
welfare and counselling and accommodation (Please append relevant documents referenced
to 2.10)
2.11 An overview of the quality assurance and quality enhancement systems in
place including but not exclusively: means of seeking student feedback; externality;
peer observation; monitoring of standards; and enhancement initiatives. (Please append
relevant documents referenced to 2.11)
2.12 Is there any evidence from any external inspections by professional, statutory
or regulatory bodies? (Please append relevant documents referenced to 2.12)
2.13 Regulatory issues: policies and procedures on assessment; plagiarism and
cheating; student appeals and complaints (Please append relevant documents referenced to
2.13).
2.14
The quality of existing student experience (via wherever possible a meeting with
students)
Section 3
Current academic programmes and student numbers
Academic programmes
Student
Mode of
If in partnership the
numbers
delivery
nature of the
arrangement (franchise,
dual, joint, accredited)
Section 4
Type
Current staffing establishment
Full Time
Perm
Temp
Part Time
Perm
Temp
Hourly
Paid
Management
Teaching staff
Administrative staff
Technical staff
Other (eg: counsellors)
3
Section 5
Learning resources (the extent of the library provision, the quality of IT
access/provision (for staff and students), classrooms, other study areas)
5.1
Library Provision
Total Number
International
of books
Journals
National
Journals
On-line Journals
Other (eg
periodicals,
newspapers)
(approx)
5.2
Library membership (if applicable)
Details:
5.3
IT access/provision (
Computer Open
Wi-Fi
rooms
access
availability
computers
Student
printers
Photocopiers Servers
5.4
Physical Infrastructure
Resource
Classrooms
Laboratories
Computer centres
Seminar rooms/halls
Boardrooms/conference rooms
Lecture theatres
Common rooms
Prayer room
Medical care facilities
Section 6
Proposed programmes
Programmes, qualification Nature of the
and level (3/4/5/6/7/8)
partnership
(franchise, dual, joint,
accredited, quality
assured)
Software
Number
Mode of
delivery
Anticipated student
numbers
(full
time/part
time/
distance or
blended
learning
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
4
Section 7
Income per
student
Projected Income - estimated
Total
Staffordshire
expenditure
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Section 8
Lead contacts
Staffordshire University
Name:
Telephone:
Email address:
Proposed Organisation
Name:
Telephone:
Email address:
Section 9
Sign Off
Dean of Faculty
Director of Quality Improvement and
Standards
Director of Partnerships
5
Additional Locations
Where an organisation is based on more than one site and wishes to propose multisite delivery please complete this appendix for each additional location.
Full address
Section 1
Type
Current staffing establishment
Full Time
Perm
Temp
Part Time
Perm
Temp
Hourly
Paid
Management
Teaching staff
Administrative staff
Technical staff
Other (eg: counsellors)
Section 2
Learning resources (the extent of the library provision, the quality of IT
access/provision (for staff and students), classrooms, other study areas)
2.1
Library Provision
Total Number
International
of books
Journals
National
Journals
(approx)
On-line Journals
Other (eg
periodicals,
newspapers)
2.2
Library membership (if applicable)
Details:
2.3
IT access/provision (
Computer Open
Wi-Fi
rooms
access
availability
computers
2.4
Physical Infrastructure
Resource
Classrooms
Laboratories
Computer centres
Seminar rooms/halls
Boardrooms/conference rooms
Lecture theatres
Common rooms
Prayer room
Medical care facilities
Student
printers
Photocopiers Servers
Software
Number
6
For Office Use Only
Partner Approved
Yes
No
Recommendations to APG
Decision of APG
Further Action
7
APPENDICES CHECKLIST
Document/Evidence
Yes (specify the documentation)
No (if no, explain why not)
Pre-visit report
Financial information
(reference INF 2.2.1)
Legal status
(reference INF 2.2.2)
Due diligence checklist completed by
Partnerships
UKBA TIER 4 status – UK only
(reference INF 2.3)
Ethos and environment of the organisation:
Mission/operating statement
Equal opportunities policy
Equality/diversity/disability policies
Strategic Plan or similar
(reference INF 2.6)
Management structure and structure chart
(reference INF 2.7)
Overview of student support arrangements
(reference INF 2.8)
Overview of quality assurance and
enhancement systems
(reference INF 2.9)
Evidence from professional, statutory or
regulatory bodies
(reference INF 2.9)
Regulatory issues:
Assessment procedures
Plagiarism and cheating
Student appeals and complaints
8
Additional evidence (please specify)
9