Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8
Requirements for a Centre
Document
1. Introduction
1.1
The Centre Document is intended to provide evidence to the University that the
collaborative partner is appropriate to deliver the University’s awards and has the
academic and administrative infrastructure required. The document should be
factual, informing the University what the partner is doing, informative, explaining
why the Centre works in a particular way (e.g. local legal requirements), and
evaluative, exploring how well systems, policies and procedures are working.
1.2
A full Centre Document needs to be prepared by the collaborative Centre for
approval and review of the following categories of collaboration provision:
1.3

Category B: Franchise;

Category C: Joint Delivery (where the partner is substantially
involved in delivery and assessment);

Category D: Consortium.
An abbreviated Centre Document needs to be prepared by the collaborative Centre
for approval and review of the following categories of collaborative provision:

Category E: Joint Degree;

Category F: Dual Degree.
1.4
For Joint and Dual Degrees, where the partner has an Erasmus Charter, this
document may be submitted in place of an abbreviated Centre Document.
1.5
A Centre Document is not required for partnership arrangements (see Quality
Handbook (QH) Section 10A).
1.6
Separate guidance is available for Validation Service collaborations (see Quality
Handbook Supplement (QHS) VS3).
1.7
Please note that where course approval is being considered at the same time as
the collaborative arrangement, this document will replace the learning resources
section of the course contextual document (see QH Section 5).
1.8
For a collaborative review, the previously approved Centre Document should be
updated to include relevant changes to the Centre and course(s). Any updates
should be clearly indicated in the documentation.
1.9
Detailed below is the information that should be included in a full Centre Document
for School-based collaborative provision, followed by information that should be
September 2015
page
1
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8
included in an abbreviated Centre Document. Centres are welcome to add any
additional information in support of the proposed collaboration that they may wish
to provide.
1.10 The Centre Document should also be supported by relevant appendices.
2. Full Centre Approval Document
Section 1: Collaborative health
Criteria 1: The Centre sustains a culture and ethos appropriate to higher
education

Brief description of the Centre and its role in the community,
including evidence of a shared educational philosophy with NTU
or understanding of UK higher education.

Nature of the student body and range of courses currently
offered (this should include information about all courses– their
own courses as well as any already delivered in collaboration
with NTU).

Strategy for the delivery of higher education courses.

A rationale for the proposed collaboration.

That the Centre understands and agrees to operate the principles
and practices established for the collaboration and set out in the
Collaborative Framework Document.
Criteria 2: The collaborative course is located in an appropriate
department and is supported by the Centre, with suitable management
and administrative arrangements for delivery

A description of the Centre’s organisational arrangements,
including departments relevant to the collaboration.

The place of the course(s) to be delivered in collaboration with
NTU in a departmental/faculty/school context.

Management and administrative support for the collaboration,
including executive reporting lines.
Note

September 2015
Diagrams may be helpful in this section to support the text when
describing the structure of the organisation, the place of the
course within the structure and the management reporting lines.
page
2
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8

Section 2: Academic standards
Criteria 3: The Centre has the quality management systems in place to
take responsibility for and ensure the continuing standard of delivery

Details of the quality management arrangements at the Centre
and how they will operate for the proposed collaborative course.

The composition and function of the course committee (or
alternative arrangements) at the Centre and its relationship to
the University.

Mechanisms for problem resolution within the Centre and
through communication with the University.
Criteria 4: The staff team at the Centre evaluates the course on a
regular basis consistent with the University’s own evaluation
procedures

The Centre’s principles, policies and practices for managing and
enhancing the quality of provision and evidence of a shared
philosophy with NTU.

Arrangements for the annual monitoring and reporting of the
collaborative course(s) within the Centre and mechanisms for
ensuring the quality and standards of student learning
opportunities.
Criteria 5: The staff team at the Centre is able to deliver the course to a
standard equivalent to that achieved within the University

The Centre’s teaching and learning strategy.

Evidence of understanding of academic standards in higher
education in the UK and at NTU by Centre staff.
Criteria 6: The staff team at the Centre have a shared understanding
and philosophical approach to assessment which is consistent with
University policy
September 2015

The Centre’s assessment strategy, policies and processes.

Evidence of a shared philosophical approach to assessment
principles.
page
3
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8
Section 3: Quality of student learning opportunities
Criteria 7: Appropriate provision and opportunities are made for staff
development at the Centre, including teaching and learning, research,
scholarship and professional activity

Staff development policy and practice within the Centre (subject
specific and pedagogic).

Staff development proposed for Centre staff (and University staff
where appropriate) for the introduction of this course(s) and
collaboration.

Subject-specific professional development of the Centre’s
academic staff, in terms of scholarly activity, professional
practice and research.
Criteria 8: Delivery of the course at the Centre will provide a
comparable learning experience to other NTU students

Evidence of the Centre’s support for the quality of the student
learning opportunities and capacity to enable students to achieve
the intended course aims and learning outcomes.
Criteria 9: The resource base to underpin the proposed collaborative
course is adequate and suitable, including physical accommodation,
revenue and capital support, academic and support staff. The Centre
has adequate and effective learning resources, including library,
computing and other resource based learning to support the proposed
provision
September 2015

The Centre’s strategy for updating human and physical
resources.

Details of staffing for the course(s), in terms of academic staff
(including staff CVs), technical and administrative support staff.

Details of physical accommodation at the Centre that will be
used by students on the collaborative course(s).

Revenue/capital support.

Details of library provision, focusing on that in place to support
the course(s), including e-library.

Computing facilities and support.

Specialist equipment required as identified by the University
School to support the delivery of the course(s).

Other resources as necessary to support student learning.
page
4
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8
Criteria 10: The Centre has adequate and effective student support,
including academic support and arrangements for pastoral and
counselling support

Arrangements for academic support of students (e.g. tutorial
support).

Arrangements for pastoral and counselling support at the Centre.
3. Abbreviated Centre Approval Document
Section 1: Collaborative health
Criteria 1: The Centre sustains a culture and ethos appropriate to higher
education

Brief description of the Centre and its role in the community,
including evidence of a shared educational philosophy with NTU.

The nature of the student body and range of courses currently
offered by the Centre (this should include information about all
courses– their own courses as well as any already delivered in
collaboration with NTU).

The Centre’s strategy for the delivery of higher education
courses.
Criteria 2: The collaborative course is located in an appropriate
department/faculty and is supported by the Centre, with suitable
management and administrative arrangements for delivery

A description of the Centre’s organisational arrangements.

The place of the course(s) to be delivered in collaboration with
NTU in a departmental/faculty/school context.

Management and administrative support for the course, including
executive reporting lines.
Section 2: Academic standards
Criteria 3: The Centre has the quality management systems in place to
take responsibility for and ensure the continuing standard of delivery.
September 2015

Details of the quality management arrangements at the Centre
and how they will operate for the proposed collaborative course.

Arrangements for course annual monitoring, reporting, and
review.

Mechanisms for problem resolution within the Centre and
through communication with the University.
page
5
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
Criteria 4:
8
The Centre evaluates the course on a regular basis

The Centre’s principles, policies and practices for managing and
enhancing the quality of provision and evidence of a shared
philosophy with NTU.

Arrangements for the annual monitoring and reporting of the
collaborative course(s) within the Centre and mechanisms for
ensuring the quality and standards of student learning
opportunities.
Section 3: Quality of student learning opportunities
Criteria 5: Appropriate provision and opportunities are made for staff
development at the Centre for research, scholarship and professional
activity

Staff development policy and practice within the Centre (subject
specific and pedagogic).

Joint staff development proposed for the introduction of this
course(s) and collaboration.
Criteria 6: The Centre’s approach to teaching, learning and assessment

The Centre’s teaching and learning strategy, and evidence of a
shared philosophy with NTU.

The Centre’s assessment principles, policies and practices and
evidence of shared philosophy with NTU.
Criteria 7: Delivery of the course at the Centre will provide a
comparable learning experience to other NTU students

The Centre’s strategy for supporting the quality of student
learning opportunities.
Criteria 8: The Centre has comparable learning resources, including
library, computing and other resource based learning to support the
proposed provision
September 2015

The Centre’s strategy for updating human and physical
resources.

Details of staffing for the course(s).

Details of physical accommodation at the Centre that will be
used by students on the collaborative course(s).

Details of library provision, focusing on that in place to support
the course(s).

Computing facilities and support.
page
6
Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
Requirements for a Centre Document
QHS SB
8
Criteria 9: The Centre has comparable student support systems,
including academic support and arrangements for pastoral and
counselling support
September 2015

Arrangements for academic support of students (e.g. tutorial
support).

Arrangements for pastoral and counselling support at the Centre.
page
7