Collaborative Provision
Risk Assessment Form
All initial proposals to establish a collaborative partnership must be accompanied by
a completed Risk Assessment Form. The questions contained within the form are
intended to provide the Educational Partnerships Board with the necessary
information required to determine what level of risk is associated with a proposal and
the type of mitigation that may be required to address that risk.
All three sections of the risk assessment must be completed in respect of all
proposed partnerships.
The following types of collaborative proposals require the Risk Assessment:
 Articulation Agreements
 Single Taught Award
 Split-site research degree programmes
 Exchange Agreements: see also separate Exchange Partner Evaluation Form
 Joint/Dual Award Agreements
 Erasmus+ partner
 Site visit assessment: required for the following types of proposal: single
taught award, joint/dual award and exchange arrangements
 Work placements are covered by a separate form
Partnership Renewal: when a partnership is up for renewal, a new completed Risk
Assessment Form is required.
Section A: Proposed partner
Insert Partner
Name
 Status
Publicly funded University
approved/supported)
Privately-funded University
Public funded FE College
Private College or Education Provider
Public/private organisation – main function
not education, but substantial education
provision
0
1
2
3
4
 Resources
Well-resourced large organisation
Well-resourced small organisation
Any size with limited resources
1
2
3
 Partner’s expertise in this field
At this level
At lower level
None
1
2
3
 Partner’s previous experience with UK (or other) HEIs
At this level
1
At lower level
2
None
3
Section B: Proposed partnership
 Role of partner in delivery
Administrative support (for distance or elearning)
Study support (for distance or e-learning)
Delivery of teaching & assessment
1
2
3
 Collaborative ‘history’
Established collaborative programme
Established at QMUL only
New programme
1
2
3
 HEQF level
Level 3
Level 4,5,6
Level 7,8,9
1
2
3
 Host department/school’s experience of collaboration
UK and overseas
1
UK
2
None
3
Section C: Context of partnership
 Language of instruction/supervision
Description
Score
UK or overseas : English first language
UK-based: English second language
Overseas: English second language
Language Requirements met by participants
(for Erasmus + partners)
Tick one in each
category
1
2
3
1
Note: For Erasmus + partners: a university not teaching in English does not
constitute a risk when participants (our students) would be meeting any language
requirements set by the host.
 Cultural and educational context
UK
US/Canada/Australia/NZ
European Higher Education Area
Other European
Other
0
2
1
3
4
 QA processes of partner institution
Defined/comparable
Defined/some level of concern
Not known
1
2
3
Total Score
Add up the individual scores: 1 = low risk; 2-3 = medium risk; 4 = high risk
Risk Band
Low risk
Score of between 10 - 15
Medium risk Score of between 16 – 21
High risk
Score of between 22 – 31 points
Notes:
Proposals with high risk assessment scores will require careful consideration and
scrutiny before a decision to proceed is given.
Where issues have been identified as a result of the risk assessment exercise,
Schools and Institutes should provide a risk management statement with the Risk
Assessment Form explaining the factors giving rise to the risk and the measures for
mitigation they propose to take.
Depending on the type of risk, the following list gives examples of the mitigation that
could be taken. This is not meant to be exhaustive and specific measures may be
required, depending on the circumstances:

Requesting advice from the International Office and ARCS;




In addition check with the British Council, the Foreign & Commonwealth
Office or other appropriate body as to the political/economic context and/or
the reputation of the partner in their home country;
Undertaking an assessment of the education context in the partner’s home
country;
Requesting references from HEIs who have previous/current collaborative
relationships with the partner;
Undertaking a site visit to the institution to clarify any areas of concern;
In addition to completion of the Collaborative Risk Assessment Form, QMUL staff
or students proposing to travel to the partner institution's country should consult
QM policy on safe business travel and emergency procedures which you can find
on the Procurement web pages on http://connect.qmul.ac.uk/travel/index.html