Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
QHS SB
9
Requirements for a Collaborative
Framework Document
1. Introduction
1.1
A Collaborative Framework document needs to be prepared for approval, review
and operation of the collaboration. It should represent a shared understanding, by
the School and the partner, of the mechanisms by which the collaboration will
operate and be quality managed. The collaborative framework document should
demonstrate that:
a.
the School and the partner have proposed appropriate systems to manage the
quality and standards of the collaborative provision, within the context of
University policy;
b.
the respective roles and responsibilities within the collaborative arrangement
are clear, appropriate and understood by both the School and the partner;
c.
the minimum requirements for communication between the School and the
partner are agreed and the purpose for that communication is clear within the
context of managing the quality and standards of the collaboration.
1.2
Detailed below are the requirements for the Collaborative Framework Document,
providing an indication of what each section might include. The framework should
set out the principles for operation, and the responsibilities of each partner.
Schools are welcome to include any additional information in support of the
proposed collaboration.
1.3
Please note that where course approval is being considered at the same time as
the collaborative arrangement, this document will replace the quality management
section of the course Contextual Document.
1.4
There will be different requirements for different types of collaborations. Where
requirements are only applicable to a certain type of collaboration, for example
franchise, this is indicated in the template below. Definitions of the different types
of collaborations can be found in Quality Handbook Supplement (QHS) SB1. The
framework should be proportionate to the type of collaboration.
1.5
The approved Collaborative Framework Document should be utilised by the School
to inform the day to day operation of the collaboration. As such, it should be
regularly reviewed by the School to ensure it remains current and fit for purpose.
1.6
The partner will be preparing the Centre Document at the same time as the School
prepares the Collaborative Framework Document. It is important that all partners
in the collaboration share and iterate on these documents.
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
QHS SB
9
1.7
Where a School is collaborating with (or hopes to collaborate with) a number of
Centres all offering the same course, it may be more appropriate to develop and
approve a Multi-Centre Collaborative Framework Document (see separate
requirements document).
1.8
Where there is more than one School collaborating with (or proposing to
collaborate with) the same Centre a Multi-School Collaborative Framework
Document (see separate requirements document) should be developed in place of
the Collaborative Framework Document.
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
2. Collaborative Framework Document
Details of the collaboration
NTU School:
Collaborative
Partner:
Course(s):
Dual Degree
awards:
Course Title Awarded by
NTU:
Course Title Awarded by the
Partner:
Interim awards:
Please indicate any interim awards available to NTU and partner students
Type of
collaboration:
Please select from the list below:

Franchise

Joint Delivery

Joint Degree

Dual Degree
See Quality Handbook Supplement SB1 for details of the different types of collaborations
Delivery Model:
Joint delivery, joint degree and dual degree only:
Specify how many of the credits are to be delivered by NTU and the partner respectively, and the total number of
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
credits and the duration of the course(s) in total.
For Joint and Dual Degrees the School should indicate at which Centre delivery takes places at different points in the
course.
Section One: Collaborative Health
A. Strategy and context for the collaboration
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. The School’s rationale for the collaboration
a. The Partner’s rationale for the collaboration
b. Why the School wishes to work with the Centre
b. Why the Partner wishes to work with Nottingham Trent
University (NTU)
c. How the proposal fits with University and School Strategy
d. Benefits of the collaboration for the University, staff and students
c. How the proposal fits with the partner’s strategy
B. Operation of the collaboration
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Course Co-ordinator
Course Co-ordinator (or equivalent role)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Name of the current or proposed course co-ordinator(s)
a. Name of the current or proposed course co-ordinator (or
equivalent role)
b. Number and nature of any proposed visits to the partner in each
academic year
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b. Number and nature of any visits by the partner to NTU in each
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
c. Arrangements for production and consideration of the course coordinator report
d. Principles and arrangements for communication with the partner
academic year
c. Arrangements for receipt and consideration of the NTU course
co-ordinator report
d. Principles and arrangements for communication with the
Nottingham Trent University course co-ordinator
Module Leaders
Module Leaders (or equivalent role)
a. Principles and arrangements for communication between module
leaders and the partner, where applicable
a. Principles and arrangements for communication between module
leaders (or equivalent) and NTU, where applicable
C. Operation of the course(s)
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Course variations
Course variations
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a. Details of, and rationale for, any variation to an existing NTU
course, including local contextualisation, if appropriate
a. Details of, and rationale for, any variation to the partner’s
course, in the case of joint and dual degrees, if appropriate
b. Mechanisms for approving any changes to an existing NTU
course during the operation of the collaboration (see guidelines
on changes to courses in QHS 5B)
b. Mechanism for communication of changes to a partner course to
NTU
c. Mechanisms for communication of changes to an NTU course to
the partner
c. Mechanisms for ensuring continued course coherence and
quality enhancement
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
d. Mechanisms for ensuring continued course coherence and
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School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
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quality enhancement
Admissions
Admissions
Applicable to franchise only:
Applicable to franchise only:
a. Any variation to the approved NTU entry requirements to suit
the local context
a. Mechanisms for seeking approval of changes to entry
requirements from NTU
b. Mechanisms for communication of changes to NTU entry
requirements to the partner
b. Details of the operation of the admissions process, including any
interview requirements
c. Mechanisms for approving non-standard admissions
c. Arrangements for APL/APEL
d. Arrangements for monitoring admissions at the partner,
including ensuring NTU admissions requirements are complied
with
Applicable to joint delivery only:
e. Arrangements for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) /
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Applicable to joint delivery only (if the partner has responsibility for
admissions please follow the requirements for a franchise listed
above):
a. Any responsibility of the University for operation of the
admissions process
a. Any responsibility of the partner for operation of the admissions
process
Applicable to joint/dual degrees only:
a. Clarification of which admissions criteria will apply, and any joint
admissions criteria
b. Location of decisions about admissions (partner and/or NTU)
c. Mechanisms for joint decisions about admissions
Applicable to joint / dual degrees only:
d. Requirements for informing NTU about admissions decisions,
where appropriate
a. Clarification of which admissions criteria will apply, and any joint
admissions criteria
e. Mechanisms for informing NTU about changes to admissions
criteria which impact upon the NTU award
b. Location of decisions about admissions (NTU and/or partner)
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Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
c. Mechanisms for any joint decisions about admissions
d. Mechanisms for informing the partner about admissions
decisions, where appropriate
e. Mechanisms for informing the partner about changes to
admissions criteria which impact the upon partner’s award
f. Mechanisms for agreeing changes to jointly approved
admissions criteria, where applicable
Enrolment and registration
Enrolment and registration
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Which partner is responsible for enrolment and registration of
students
a. Which partner is responsible for enrolment and registration of
students
b. Arrangements for enrolment and registration, where applicable
b. Arrangements for enrolment and registration, where applicable
Progression and transition
Progression and transition
Applicable to joint/dual degrees only:
Applicable to joint/dual degrees only:
a. The point at which students transfer to the partner
a. The point at which students transfer to NTU
b. Arrangements for transfer to the partner
b. Arrangements for transfer to NTU
c. Support for transition to the partner
c. Support for transition to NTU
d. Any requirements for progression, for example, having passed
all NTU modules
d. Any requirements for progression, for example, having passed
all modules at the partner
e. Any visa/immigration requirements
e. Any visa/immigration requirements
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School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
Section Two: Maintenance of Academic Standards
A. Governance
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Responsibility for oversight of the collaboration in the School,
for example, through School Academic Standards and Quality
Committee (SASQC) or other School specific committees
a. Governance arrangements for oversight of the collaboration
b. Arrangements for consideration of course co-ordinator and
external examiner reports
b. Arrangements for consideration of NTU course co-ordinator and
external examiner reports
c. Any joint governance arrangements
c. Any joint governance arrangements
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to franchise and joint delivery only:
a. Role of the NTU course committee, if applicable
a. Composition of the course committee (or equivalent)
b. Any joint course committees
b. Function of the course committee (or equivalent)
c. Relationship to the NTU course committee, where applicable
Applicable to joint/dual degrees only:
a. Arrangements for joint course committees, if required
B. Annual Monitoring and reporting
Nottingham Trent University
Applicable to franchise only:
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Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to franchise only:
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
a. Mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the provision on
annual basis
a. Arrangements for undertaking annual monitoring according to
NTU requirements
b. Arrangements for monitoring comparability of standards
b. Mechanisms for enhancing the provision as a result of annual
monitoring
c. Mechanisms for providing feedback to the partner on the
outcomes of monitoring
Applicable to joint delivery only:
Applicable to joint delivery only:
a. Responsibility in relation to annual monitoring of the course(s)
a. Arrangements for monitoring and reporting on the joint
delivery arrangement on an annual basis
b. Mechanisms for contributing to annual monitoring, where
applicable
b. Arrangements for monitoring comparability of standards across
the modules delivered by the partner and NTU
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a.
Responsibility for joint annual monitoring of the course(s)
b.
Mechanisms for contributing to joint annual monitoring, where
applicable
c.
Arrangements for monitoring comparability of standards at the
two institutions
a. Arrangements for joint annual monitoring of the provision
b. Arrangements for monitoring comparability of standards at the
two institutions
C. Teaching and learning
Nottingham Trent University
Applicable to all categories:
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
a. Responsibility for delivery of the course, or part of the course
(if any)
a. Responsibility for delivery of the course, or part of the course (if
any)
b. Language of delivery (if NTU is delivering)
b. Language of delivery (if the partner is delivering)
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Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
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c. Mechanisms for provision of course materials to the partner,
where applicable
d. Teaching and learning materials to be provided to the partner,
if any
e. Use of NOW, where applicable
f. Access to NTU electronic library
Applicable to franchise, and joint delivery only:
a. Arrangements for the development of appropriate teaching
materials (where these are not provided by NTU)
b. Use of NOW, where applicable
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a. Arrangements for any joint or shared delivery
D. Assessment strategies, practices and processes
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Responsibility for assessment (if any)
a. Responsibility for assessment (if any)
b. Language of assessment (if undertaken by NTU)
b. Language of assessment (if undertaken by the partner)
c. Arrangements for moderation of assessment, where this is
being undertaken by NTU
c. Arrangements for moderation of assessment, where this is being
undertaken by the partner
d. Arrangements for moderation, where the language of
assessment is not English
Applicable to franchise and joint delivery only:
a. Any planned staff development in relation to assessment
e. Mechanisms for providing assessment details to the partner,
where applicable
b. Timing of assessment
f. Mechanisms for approving details of assessment, where this is
different to the NTU assessment, if applicable
c. Mechanisms for agreeing details of assessment where this is
different to the NTU assessment (for example in the case of
contextualisation of assessment)
g. Mechanisms for consideration of notification of exceptional
circumstances and academic irregularities, where this is being
undertaken by NTU. To include details of where NTU processes
d. Mechanisms for consideration of notification of exceptional
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
apply or otherwise
circumstances
e. Mechanisms for management of academic irregularities
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a. Processes for managing exceptional circumstances and academic
irregularities for assessment undertaken by the partner
E. External Examining
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for external examining of the provision, including
whether an existing external will examine the provision, or
whether a new external will be appointed
a. Mechanisms for the operation of the external examining
arrangements, including facilitation of a site visit, or provision of
samples of work to NTU.
b. Mechanisms for operation of the external examining
arrangements, including potential visits to the partner to
scrutinise assessed work
b. Arrangements for consideration of the external examiner report
c. Arrangements for nomination, appointment and induction of
external examiners, including any joint arrangements
d. Arrangements for external examiner reporting, including
whether a separate report on the collaboration is required, and
sharing reports with the partner
c. Processes for quality enhancement as a result of external
examiner feedback
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a. Facilitation of joint external examining arrangements
e. Mechanisms for responding to the external examiner report
f. Mechanisms for publication of the external examiner report
Applicable to joint and dual degrees:
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Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
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a. Outline of which elements of the provision the external
examiner will cover (note anything contributing to an NTU
award should be externally examined)
F. Student achievement
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Boards of Examiners
Boards of Examiners
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for Boards of Examiners (where these are held
at NTU)
a. Arrangements for Boards of Examiners (where these are held at
the partner)
b. Principles of attendance at the partner Boards of Examiners, if
applicable
b. Principles of attendance at the NTU Boards of Examiners, if
applicable
c. Responsibility for production of Boards of Examiners’ materials,
including results spreadsheets, if applicable
c. Responsibility for production of Boards of Examiners’ materials,
including results spreadsheets, if applicable
d. Principles/process for converting grades/marks
d. Mechanisms for the provision of student grades and/or degree
results to NTU, where appropriate
e. Mechanisms for the provision of student grades to the Partner,
where appropriate
f. Arrangements for the production of degree certificates,
including notification to Academic Office
g. Arrangements for the production of transcripts and/or diploma
supplements
h. Details of the common assessment regulations to be used for
the award, where NTU regulations are being used in full a
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e. Details of the common assessment regulations to be used for the
award, where NTU regulations are being used in full a reference to
the appropriate regulations is sufficient
Applicable to joint and dual degrees only:
a. Arrangements for the production of degree certificates
b. Arrangements for the production of transcripts and/or diploma
supplements
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reference to the appropriate regulations is sufficient
c. Details of any jointly developed assessment regulations and how
these will be utilised.
Award ceremonies
Award ceremonies
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for award ceremonies, where students are able
to attend the NTU award ceremony
a. Arrangements for award ceremonies where these are arranged by
the partner, including whether NTU students on joint and dual
degrees have the right to attend the partner’s ceremony
b. Principles of attendance of NTU staff at award ceremonies held
by the partner
b. Principles of attendance of partner staff at NTU award
ceremonies, where applicable
Analysis of student achievement
Analysis of student achievement
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Responsibility for statistical analysis of student achievement,
including comparison of achievement of NTU and partner
students, where applicable
a. Responsibility for statistical analysis of student achievement
b. Mechanisms for using the results of analysis to enhance the
provision
b. Mechanisms for using the results of analysis to enhance the
provision
G. Academic appeals and complaints
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to franchise only:
Applicable to franchise only:
a. Details of the right of appeal to NTU and the Office of the
Independent Adjudicator (see QH Section 10B)
a. Arrangements for the management of student academic appeals
and complaints
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School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
Applicable to joint delivery, joint and dual degrees only:
Applicable to joint delivery, joint and dual degrees only:
a. Arrangements for the management of student academic
appeals and complaints, including whether these are managed
by NTU or the partner for the whole or parts of courses
a. Arrangements for the management of student academic appeals
and complaints, including whether these are managed by NTU or
the partner for the whole or parts of courses
b. Details of the right of appeal to NTU and the Office of the
Independent Adjudicator (see QH Section 10B)
Section Three: Quality of student learning opportunities
A. Student Support
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for student induction, where this is undertaken
by NTU
a. Arrangements for student induction, where this is undertaken by
the partner
b. Details of whether student support is undertaken by NTU or the
partner
b. Arrangements for academic support
c. Details of any language support available to students both
incoming and outgoing
c. Arrangements for pastoral support
d. Arrangements for careers advice and guidance
e. Details of any language support available to students
B. Resources
Nottingham Trent University
Applicable to all categories:
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Partner (insert partner name)
Note: Details of the physical resources available to students at the
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
SB
a. Arrangements for student access to NTU resources, if
applicable, and details of how students will be informed of
these arrangements
b. Mechanisms for ensuring learning and teaching resources are
appropriate and updated as necessary (e.g. as a result of staff
changes at the partner)
partner are set out in the Centre document
Applicable to franchise and joint delivery only:
a. Arrangements for ensuring appropriate staff are in place to deliver
and assess the course(s)
C. Staff development
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Details of any development to be provided by NTU, for both
University and partner staff, to support the operation and
management of the collaboration
a. Details of any development to be provided by the partner, for
both NTU and partner staff, to support the operation and
management of the collaboration
b. Arrangements for any ongoing staff development to be
provided by the University
b. Staff induction processes
a. Arrangements for ongoing staff development
b. Mechanisms for peer review
c. Development of research, scholarship and professional practice
D. Student engagement
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for obtaining and responding to feedback from
students and whether this is to be undertaken by NTU, or the
a. Arrangements for obtaining and responding to feedback from
students, where this is undertaken by the partner
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Nottingham Trent University Quality Handbook Supplement
School-based Collaborative Provision:
Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
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partner, or both
b. Arrangements for utilising student feedback to enhance the
provision
b. Mechanisms for student representation
c. Arrangements for utilising student feedback to enhance the
provision
c. Arrangements for sharing feedback from students with the
partner
Section Four: Provision of information and contractual arrangements
A. Marketing and promotion
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Responsibility for the production of marketing and promotional
materials for the collaboration, if any
a. Responsibility for the production of marketing and promotional
materials for the collaboration, if any
b. Arrangements for the use of the NTU logo by the partner
b. Arrangements for the provision of marketing and promotional
materials for NTU for approval
c. Arrangements for approval of marketing and promotional
materials produced by the partner
c. Arrangements for the use of the partner logo by NTU, if applicable
d. Arrangements for monitoring of marketing and promotional
materials produced by the Partner, including web pages
B. Information for students
Nottingham Trent University
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Partner (insert partner name)
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Requirements for a Collaborative Framework Document
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Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for the production of student handbooks, if these
are produced by NTU or jointly with the partner
a. Arrangements for the production of student handbooks, if these
are produced by the partner or jointly with NTU
b. Arrangements for providing students with information about
the following:
b. Arrangements for providing students with information about the
following:

The institution making the award

The institution making the award

Registration information

Registration information

Right of appeal to NTU

Right of appeal to NTU

Rights of access to NTU resources

Rights of access to NTU resources

The relationship of the student to NTU

The relationship of the student to NTU
C. Communication of changes
Nottingham Trent University
Partner (insert partner name)
Applicable to all categories:
Applicable to all categories:
a. Arrangements for informing the partner about changes to NTU
policies and processes
a. Arrangements for informing NTU about changes to partner policies
and processes
b. Arrangements for informing the partner about changes to the
NTU course(s)
b. Arrangements for informing NTU about changes to courses (joint
and dual degrees only)
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