INTERNATIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS
HANDBOOK
3rd Edition – January 2014
Contents
Page No
Partnerships Office Team and Academic Director of Internationalisation
Internationalisation at UEA
1
Initial Planning Approval Process for all Types of Partnership Activity
1
Types of Agreement:
Friendship/cooperation arrangements involving students
Agreement for Progression Arrangement with No Recognition of
Credit
Agreement for Progression Arrangement Involving Recognition of
Credit Towards a UEA Award
Study Abroad Agreements
Agreement for Guaranteed Articulated Progression (Collaborative
Provision)
Validation Agreements (Collaborative Provision)
Franchise Agreements (Collaborative Provision)
Agreement for Dual or Multiple Awards (Collaborative Provision)
Joint Award Agreements (Collaborative Provision)
Postgraduate Research Degrees with Co-supervision at Another
Institution. Co-tutelage Agreement (Collaborative Provision)
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
Process of Approval for New Arrangements
4
Memorandum of Understanding
4
Appendices
Page No
A – Guidance Tariff for Involvement of Partnerships Office
6
B – Guidance for Agreements with Institutions
7
C – Initial Approval Request – New Partnership Agreements
15
D – International Partnerships Activity – Assessing Partnership
Approaches
23
E – Institutional Approval Validation Documentation
26
F – Documentation Requirements for Evaluating a Proposed New
Partnership (for Progression Arrangements)
29
G – Evaluating a Proposed New Partnership for Articulation Arrangements
31
H – Validation Arrangements
35
I – Franchise Arrangements
38
J – Dual or Multiple Awards
39
K – Glossary
43
L – Useful Websites
47
The Partnerships Office would like to thank the Academic Partnerships Team at the
University of Essex for sharing the information in their International Handbook
PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE TEAM AND ACADEMIC DIRECTOR OF
INTERNATIONALISATION
Academic Director of Internationalisation
Dr Richard Harvey – Director of Admissions and Senior Lecturer, School of Computing Sciences
R.W.Harvey@uea.ac.uk
Academic Director of Partnerships
Ian Dewing – Senior Lecturer, Norwich Business School
i.dewing@uea.ac.uk
01603 593336
Partnerships Office
Sally Walker – Head of Partnerships
sally.walker@uea.ac.uk
01603 592205
Laurence Daly – Senior Partnerships Manager
l.daly@uea.ac.uk
01603 592776
Gavin Tash – Senior Partnerships Manager
g.tash@uea.ac.uk
01603 592672
Stephen Knock – Partnerships Manager
s.knock@uea.ac.uk
01603 591639
Hannah Jackson – Partnerships Manager
h.c.jackson@uea.ac.uk
01603 591603
Maggie Rhodes – Assistant Manager, Partnerships
maggie.rhodes@uea.ac.uk
01603 597190
Nicky Ward – Administrative Assistant
nicola.ward@uea.ac.uk
01603 593206
Website - http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships
1.
INTERNATIONALISATION AT UEA
The Corporate Plan 2012 – 2016 includes a section on Internationalisation with the
purpose of positioning the University optimally in the process of selection and in the
development of a limited number of strategic partnerships and overseas initiatives,
whilst ensuring that the university takes due account of the important links that have
already been developed by numerous Schools and Faculties with their counterparts
abroad.
This handbook covers a range of international activity that can be divided into two
categories: (a) collaborative provision and (b) non-collaborative provision.
Collaborative provision is defined in the QAA Code of Practice (Section 2) as
“educational provision leading to an award, or to specific credit toward an award, of
an awarding institution delivered and/or supported and/or assessed through an
arrangement with a partner organisation”. Procedures for the approval and ongoing
monitoring of international partnership arrangements vary according to the type of
partnership and the degree of risk involved. Arrangements falling into the
collaborative provision category require a higher degree of oversight than those
arrangements not involving University recognition of credit gained elsewhere as part
of a University of East Anglia (UEA) award.
2.
INITIAL PLANNING APPROVAL PROCESS FOR ALL TYPES
OF PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITY
Who needs to go through the planning process?
All prospective new international partnerships that involve students need to go
through the initial planning approval process, with the exception of Study Abroad
arrangements. Information on the approval of Study Abroad arrangements can be
obtained from the Study Abroad Office in Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing
(ARM).
What are the first steps?
Proposals for partnership arrangements may come forward through various routes,
for example through an individual member of academic staff, by an approach from
another institution or via information received from ARM to help further the
University’s strategic vision. It is imperative that once a representative of the
University has been approached regarding a possible relationship with a new
international organisation, the representative should consult with the Partnerships
Office at the earliest opportunity for a view on whether the proposition is viable. The
Partnerships Office will consult with the Director of Internationalisation as
appropriate.
What is the role of the Partnerships Office?
The Partnerships Office is responsible for oversight of all collaborative provision
within the University and maintains the University’s Register of Collaborative
Provision, as well as a register of all international link agreements.
What is the role of ARM?
ARM can advise on convergence with the University’s strategic vision and the
academic credibility and ranking of the proposed partner institution from a national
and international perspective. Other relevant University staff should also be
consulted as appropriate.
1
3.
TYPES OF AGREEMENTS
Friendship /
cooperation
arrangements
involving students
Friendship or cooperation arrangements are those whereby the
University and another institution agree to promote cooperation,
discussions and positive academic relations with another institution
to their mutual benefit, without establishing a binding legal
relationship between the two institutions. Under such
arrangements, opportunities may be sought for the exchange of
students and academic staff or other activities agreed to be
mutually beneficial.
Articulation
Arrangement
This is where the curriculum of a specified programme (or part) at X
is judged equivalent to the identified components of a programme
delivered at UEA. This allows for direct entry to year one, two,
three or four of the programme as agreed. It could be viewed as a
formal institutional level arrangement for Accreditation of Prior
Learning (APL). Articulation arrangements can lead to single, dual
or joint awards.
Articulation arrangements are commonly referred to with reference
to the split of studies between the two institutions. A 2+2 is where
a student studies for two years at one institution and then proceeds
to study a further two years at another, leading to an award.
Awards can also be 1+1, 1+2, 2+1, etc.
Articulation arrangements can be managed in two ways:
Articulation arrangement for admissions
These arrangements are where the curriculum at one institution is
considered for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) on an
institution rather than an individual student basis. An articulation
arrangement is drawn up between UEA and X which means that a
student will go through an admissions process at UEA, but the work
completed at X will be considered as advanced standing for the
award and the student will not have to go through the APL process.
It would be the responsibility of the school to ensure that the
curriculum was appropriate. This would be formalised under a
simple MoU drawn up by the Partnerships Office. QAA have made
it clear that this requires curriculum scrutiny but not institutional
approval as admission to UEA is not guaranteed.
See Appendix F for more information.
Guaranteed Articulation (Collaborative Provision)
Guaranteed articulation has one key difference from the above.
The student successfully completing the agreed part of the
programme at X will automatically have the right to progress to
UEA, providing the English language requirements have been met.
The QAA takes a very different view of these arrangements and
UEA will need to demonstrate due diligence in approving X as a
centre for delivery for its part of the programme. However this can
be lighter touch than a full validation if the amount of study falls
within UEA’s APL regulations. UEA will be expected to
demonstrate ongoing monitoring and regular formal reviews of the
arrangement. This will be managed by the Partnerships Office and
worked out as an annual charge against the programme.
2
See Appendix G for more Information.
Study Abroad
Agreements
Further information on the approval and monitoring of study abroad
arrangements is available from the Study Abroad Manager, ARM
who coordinates and manages the agreements for all Schools of
Study apart from International Development (DEV) and Law (LAW).
The DEV and LAW Schools should be contacted for information on
their Study Abroad arrangements.
Further information on ERASMUS is available from the ERASMUS
Co-ordinator, ARM.
Validation
Agreements
(Collaborative
Provision)
Arrangements for the approval, review and ongoing monitoring of
international validation arrangements are the same as the
arrangements for UK based collaborative provision, as outlined in
the Partnerships Handbook, with appropriate adjustments made to
reflect the higher level of risk involved in international collaborative
provision.
See Appendix H for more information.
Franchise
Agreements
(Collaborative
Provision)
An international franchise arrangement is one whereby the
University allows the whole or part of one or more of its own
programmes to be delivered and assessed at a partner institution,
leading to an award from the University. The curriculum content of
a franchised programme is developed and owned by the University,
and franchise students will be assessed through the auspices of
the relevant University examination board. The University remains
ultimately responsible for the quality of the student learning
experience and for the academic standards of the award(s).
See Appendix I for more information.
Agreement for dual Under a dual or multiple award arrangement, the UEA and one or
or multiple awards more other awarding institution(s) together provide a course
leading to separate awards of both, or all, of the institutions. Such
(Collaborative
arrangements usually involve accruing credit elsewhere. The UEA
Provision)
is individually responsible for the quality and standard of the award
made in its name.
In some cases institutions use dual awards where their countries
do not allow them to offer Joint awards.
See Appendix J for more information.
Joint Award
Agreements
(Collaborative
Provision)
A joint award is where two awarding bodies issue one degree
parchment which has the name of both awarding bodies. Both
institutions must be legally empowered to offer joint awards. These
agreements are more complex to set up and are more suited to
arrangements that involve a substantial number of students.
Please contact the Partnerships Office at the earliest opportunity to
discuss the implications of such proposals.
Postgraduate
Research Degrees
Where the University awards the degree but part of students’
period of study is spent at a partner institution, with a co-supervisor
3
with Cosupervision at
Another
Institution.
appointed from the partner institution. Please contact the
Postgraduate Research Office at the earliest opportunity for the
development of an agreement.
Co-tutelage
Agreement
(Collaborative
Provision)
4.
PROCESS OF APPROVAL FOR NEW ARRANGEMENTS
The Partnerships Office should be contacted at the earliest opportunity. A member
of staff will then advise on the most appropriate process for the approval of your
proposed arrangement.
The proposer will be asked to consider if:
the proposed institution is a suitable partner for UEA
there is a good strategic case to support the development of the proposed
new partnership
the proposed arrangement has academic credibility.
If initial approval is given, detailed discussions may proceed on the proposed
partnership arrangement, following the relevant academic approval process detailed
in Appendix B.
Sufficient lead-in time should be built in for the full development and approval of the
proposal and legal agreement. Whilst every effort is made to expedite matters,
prospective partners should be aware that, depending on the nature of the
arrangement, it could take up to a year or more to complete the whole approval
process.
5.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Once the initial request has been approved for a new arrangement, negotiations with
the partner concerning the Memorandum of Understanding can take place. The
Partnerships Office will advise on the process.
5.1
Ongoing monitoring of arrangements
A member of academic staff of the University should be nominated to oversee the
implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding, with responsibility for
maintaining regular contact with the partner institution and reviewing the arrangement
on an annual basis. The nominated member of staff should report on request to the
Partnerships Office on the arrangement and should consult the Partnerships Office
on any proposed changes to the agreement.
5.2
Escalation of arrangements
It is important to ensure that arrangements are not allowed to escalate into more
complex partnership arrangements without the necessary approval being sought and
4
appropriate legal agreements being developed to underpin the revised arrangement.
The Partnerships Office should be consulted if the arrangements become more
complex.
5.3
Termination or expiry of an arrangement
Either institution may withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding or cease to
pursue the objectives of the memorandum subject to any clause relating to grounds
for termination of the agreement. Agreements are usually subject to renewal on a
five yearly basis.
Where arrangements are inactive or defunct, both institutions should formally
withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding, and the Partnerships Office
should be formally notified by the relevant Faculty/School(s) that the arrangement
has been terminated.
5
APPENDIX A
Guidance Tariff for Involvement of Partnerships Office
Revised September 2009
Type of proposed
partnership
Automatic
progression on basis
of modules taught at
an institution
Consider applications
from another
institution as a matter
of course, but with no
guaranteed
progression accords
UEA staff deliver
service teaching at
request of institution
UEA staff deliver
UEA modules at
institution
UEA staff deliver
UEA programme in
full at specified sites
UEA offers courses
in partnership with
institution
Type of approval
Nature of agreement
Approval process
required. Judged on case
by case basis, via
concession for small
arrangements with UK
Universities
Institutional agreement
required
Letter of understanding
setting parameters
Providing no use of UEA
brand, no action required
UEA will need to approve
centre(s) of delivery and
assure itself of student
experience
Issues re staff approval if
not all staff employed to
deliver at UEA Norwich
UEA will need to approve
centre(s) of delivery and
assure itself of student
experience
UEA will need to approve
centre(s) of delivery and
assure itself of student
experience
Validation event required
for course
Institution staff
deliver UEA
programme
(franchise or
validation model)
UEA will need to approve
centre(s) of delivery and
assure itself of student
experience
Validation event required
for course
6
Partnerships
Office input
Yes
No
No
Institutional agreement
required
Yes
Institutional agreement
required for each site of
delivery
Yes
Need for modification of
programme
specification?
Institutional agreement
required for each site of
delivery
Yes
Need for modification of
programme
specification?
Institutional agreement
required for each site of
delivery
Need for new
programme
specification
Yes
APPENDIX B
Guidance for Agreements with Institutions
Overview
For the purposes of this guidance, “agreements with institutions” are formal written
agreements whose primary purpose is to define collaborative activities with another
organisation under one or more of the following categories:





Articulation (level 3 MoU) – where the university guaranteed automatic
student entry to a UEA course as a result of successfully
completing recognised prior study at a partner institution.
Validation – where the university, as an awarding institution, judges that a
programme (or part thereof) developed and delivered by
another institution or organisation is of an appropriate quality
and standard to lead to its award.
Exchange/Study Abroad Agreement – where individual students studying for
specified UEA awards can accrue a maximum of 120 credits at
international (both EU and non-EU) partner institutions with
independent degree-awarding powers.
Franchise – where an awarding institution authorises a partner organisation to
offer one of the awarding institution’s own approved
programmes of study.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
 Level 0 – to promote friendship and understanding.
 Level 1 – to use with partners where there is a need for a legal
agreement which sets out legal jurisdiction and requirements under
the Freedom of Information Act. If there are concerns with regard to
intellectual property, this MoU should be used.
 Level 2 – where the university guarantees students consideration for
admission with or without recognised credit (but not guaranteed entry)
to a UEA course under the usual admission criteria after successful
completion of a specified award or level at a partner institution.
The following should be noted:

All formal agreements are made between institutions and not Schools or
individuals, although the latter may be referenced within them.

There is an established set of independent procedures, systems and
databases operated by the Research and Enterprise Services (REN) for
agreements whose primary purpose is the management of projects, i.e.
research, intellectual property (patents, licensing, company creation,
confidentiality, materials transfer) or consultancy. These agreements will
continue to be managed separately, and colleagues should follow the
appropriate guidance in these cases.

Working relationships with colleagues at other institutions do not generally
require the setting up of a formal agreement.
7
All teaching related and general MOU agreements with institutions will be managed
and held by the Partnerships Office, which is part of the Postgraduate Research,
Partnerships and Equality and Diversity service on a central database.
All teaching related and general MOU agreements with institutions must be
registered on the central database and signed by the Vice-Chancellor
(Faculties have delegated authority to sign year abroad agreements but a record of
these must be sent to the Partnerships Office who will log the agreement on the
database)
The central database can be viewed at
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements.
Any queries about current agreements at the University or guidance on setting up an
agreement should be directed to h.c.jackson@uea.ac.uk
Role of the Partnerships Office
 Management of the agreements with institutions database
 Advice on all types of agreements with institutions or referral to other
professional services
 Responsibility for forwarding new proposals for consultation within the
University
 Storage of copies of all agreements at the University
 Advice on credit and articulation
Role of the Planning Office
 Advice on fees and bursaries
Role of the Director of Internationalisation
 To ensure that the proposed agreement aligns with the University’s strategic
plan
 To approve MoUs for recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor
Role of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office
 Signing of all agreements by the Vice-Chancellor
 Specific advice on institutions in China can be provided by the China Projects
Manager
Role of the International Student Recruitment and Admissions Office
 Advice on the proposed partner institution information on the legal, financial
and academic standing of the prospective partner institution and any cultural,
academic or other issues that should be taken into consideration.
8
Role of the Research and Enterprise Service


REN has an established set of independent procedures, systems and
databases for agreements whose primary purpose is the management of
projects, i.e. research, intellectual property (patents, licensing, company
creation, confidentiality, materials transfer) or consultancy. These
agreements will continue to be managed separately.
Advice on the effect of the above activities where they are referred to within
broader agreements
Role of the Faculty
 The Dean of Faculty and Head of School should be consulted at an early
stage to identify what procedures should be followed for Faculty approval and
to confirm that the proposal fits with the Faculty Strategic Plan
Role of the New Agreement Proposer
 Academic staff at UEA are able to propose new agreements with partner
institutions and must follow the process set out below – ‘steps for setting up
an agreement’
 Completion of initial paperwork
 Responsibility for the negotiation and relationship building with partner
institution
 Responsibility for obtaining signature from partner institution
 Responsibility for the day to day management of the agreement and for
informing the Partnerships Office of termination of agreements
 The proposer is expected to liaise as appropriate within the Faculty
 Agreeing amendments to the agreements with the Partnerships Office
Steps for Setting Up an Agreement
Please see the flowcharts in Appendices 1 (UEA initiated agreement) and 2 (partner
initiated agreement) detailing the process to be followed for setting up an agreement.
Please note that there are different processes depending on whether the
agreement is initiated by UEA or whether a proposed agreement has been
received from a partner institution.
An ‘initial approval request’ form must be completed as the first step in setting up a
new agreement or when an agreement is received from a partner institution.
Templates for the agreements outlined above can be obtained from the Partnerships
Office which can be drafted as part of a proposal for a new agreement if appropriate.
The Dean of Faculty and Head of School must comment on the proposal prior to
discussion with the Partnerships Office.
9
Amendments to and Termination of Agreements
Notification must be sent to the Partnerships Office of any amendments to
agreements (for example the extension of an agreement, the person responsible for
the agreement) or the termination of agreement.
This information will then be recorded on the central database.
10
APPENDIX 1
UEA INITIATED AGREEMENT
Working relationships between academics
at partner institutions built up and there is
potential for further collaboration.
This could be at School/Faculty or
institutional level depending on the nature
of the proposed agreement.
Infomal discussion between
agreement proposer and
Partnerships Office
Initial Approval Request form
to be completed by proposer:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements/Initial+Approval+Request+Form
Comments requested from
Partnerships Office from (at same time):
Head of School, Dean of
Faculty, Director of Admissions,
Research & Enterprise Service, International
Student Recruitment & Admissions
and Partnerships Office
Director of
Internationalisation
recommends
approval of proposal
to Vice-Chancellor
11
No
Yes
MoU drafted by proposer
and sent to Partnerships
Office for checking
Proposer sends MoU to
partner and negotiates
any issues
Final MoU sent to
Partnerships Office
Partnerships Office
arranges signature by
Vice-Chancellor
Proposer arranges
signature by partner
institution
Agreement logged on
database:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements/database
12
APPENDIX 2
PARTNER INITIATED AGREEMENT
Working relationships between academics
at partner institutions built up and there is
potential for further collaboration.
This could be at School/Faculty or
institutional level depending on the nature
of the proposed agreement.
Proposed agreement received
by UEA
Details of proposed agreement
sent to Partnerships Office to
check against checklist
Initial Approval Request form to be
completed by proposer:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements/Initial+Approval+Request+Form
Director of Internationalisation and
Partnerships Office comments on proposed
MoU sent to UEA contact/
partner for consideration
UEA and partner
to agree on
amendments to
proposed
agreement
13
No
Yes
Comments requested from
Partnerships Office from (at same time):
Head of School, Dean of
Faculty, Director of Admissions,
Research & Enterprise Service, International
Student Recruitment & Admissions Office
and Partnerships Office
Director of
Internationalisation
recommends
approval of proposal
to Vice-Chancellor
Yes
Final MoU sent to
Partnerships Office
Partnerships Office
arranges signature by
Vice-Chancellor
Proposer arranges
signature by partner
institution
Agreement logged on
database:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements/database
14
No
APPENDIX C
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
INITIAL APPROVAL REQUEST
NEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
Completed forms should be submitted to the Partnerships Office in accordance with the
procedure outlined in the Guidance on Agreements, which is available online at:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships/agreements
Proposed Partner
Institution
Please provide details of the proposed partner institution
(including address and country)
Faculty/School/Centre Please provide details of all Faculties, Schools or Centres involved
in the proposed arrangement
SECTION A
TYPES OF ARRANGEMENTS
Please consult the Partnerships Office on the type of arrangement that is most
suitable for the proposal
Type of Arrangement
Please mark which type of arrangement is proposed
Articulation
Please complete Sections A & B
Exchange
Please complete Section A
Franchise
Please complete Section A
Placement
Please complete Section A
General MOU (Level 0)
15
MOU provided by
proposed partner
Level 1
Please complete Section A
Level 2
Please complete Sections A & B
Level 3
Please complete Sections A & B
Other (please specify)
Please seek advice from the Partnerships Office
Description of the
Proposed
Arrangement
Please provide a summary of the proposed arrangement
Rationale for
Proposed
Arrangement
Please provide a summary of the rationale for the proposal,
including alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan, the
Faculty/School plan and any existing or planned collaborative
arrangements
Proposed Date of
Please provide the proposed date of commencement
16
Commencement
Faculty/School/Centre Please provide the name and contact details of the key person
contact(s)
within the Faculty/School/Centre coordinating the proposal,
overseeing the link and informally agreeing the draft
Contact at Partner
Institution
Please provide the name and contact details of the key person at
the partner institution
Comments from Head of School
Signed:
Date:
Comments from Dean of Faculty
Signed:
Date:
Comments from the Director of Admissions
17
Signed:
Date:
Comments from Research and Enterprise Services
Signed:
Date:
Comments from the International Student Recruitment and Admissions Office
Signed:
Date:
PLEASE PASS THIS TO THE PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE
Comments from the Partnerships Office
Signed:
Date:
Approval from the Director of Internationalisation
18
THE PARTNERSHIP MAY/MAY NOT BE RECOMMENDED TO THE VICECHANCELLOR FOR APPROVAL
Signed:
Date:
19
SECTION B
ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS
University of East
Anglia Award(s)
Involved
Please provide details of the University award(s) to which
students will progress under the proposed arrangement and the
relevant Faculty, School(s) or Centre(s)
Point of Entry to the
University
Please state the point of entry to the University of East Anglia
course(s), specifying the number of credits to be recognised
through progression/articulation
English Language
Entry Requirements
(for Proposals
Involving
International
Students)
Please state the English language entry requirements for
admission to the relevant University course(s) under the
proposed arrangement. Where these differ from standard
Departmental English language entry requirements, please
provide a rationale
20
Comparability of
the Curriculum and
Output Standards
Please provide evidence of the match between the course at the
partner institution and the University at the point of entry, and
confirm that there has been a scrutiny of learning outcomes,
curriculum content and the output standard of the feeder
programme to ensure comparability
Liaison and
Support for
Transition
Please provide information on ongoing liaison mechanisms
between the University and the proposed partner institution and
indicate how students will be given support for their transition to
the University
Anticipated Student
Demand
Please provide an indication of likely student demand for
progression over the next five years
Due Diligence
Please include:

size of proposed partner institution

information on the legal, financial and academic standing
of the prospective partner institution (including standing in
national and international league tables)

any cultural, academic or other issues that should be
taken into consideration

any current or previous relationships with other UK
21
awarding bodies

Confirmation of
Faculty Support
an analysis of the risk associated with the venture
Please provide evidence the relevant Dean of Faculty has been
consulted and supports the proposed arrangement
Signed:
Date:
Position:
Approval from the Director of Internationalisation
THE PARTNERSHIP MAY/MAY NOT BE RECOMMENDED TO THE VICECHANCELLOR FOR APPROVAL
Signed:
Date:
22
APPENDIX D
Assessing Partnership Approaches
Initial Approach
For yes score
3 for no
score 1
Is the approach uninitiated?
Does the approach appear to have been made to multiple partners?
Is the approach via an unknown agent?
Is the standard of English in the approach poor?
Is the email from a personal rather than an institutional account?
Does the website look rather amateur?
Does the accommodation on the website look minimal or unacceptable?
If the courses are currently validated are the validating bodies from outside
the UK or post-92 universities?
Is the approach for under 100 students?
Does the Foreign Office assessment suggest a cautious approach to travel to
the location of the proposed partnership?
Is the country perceived as easy to do business with? Yes (0) No (2)
Check the corruptions perceptions index at this link
http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2012/results/
and score appropriately high corruption (3), medium (2), low (1)
Does the economy appear stable? Yes (0) No (2)
Total
12 or less=low risk – consider further discussion
13-17=medium risk – approach with caution
18+=high risk – suggest a polite rejection
Further Consideration
Language of Delivery and Assessment
English, with English as students’ first language
English, with English not students’ first language
Not delivered/assessed in English
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Cultural and educational context
English speaking country
European (EU) country
Other
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Partner's status
University/polytechnic (UG and PG)
Polytechnic (UG only)
Publicly-funded FE college / private college
/ organisation or any institution less than 10 years old
Partner's strength
Large well-resourced (>10,000 students)
Medium or small well-resourced (<10,000 students)
Any size with limited resources
Type of collaborative arrangement requested
23
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Arrangements not involving recognition of credit
Arrangements involving some recognition of credit
Validation arrangements
Partner's expertise in this field
Programmes at this level
Programmes at lower level
No experience in this field
Partner's previous collaboration with UK HEIs
At this level
At lower level
None
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Programme(s)
Established programme
New programme in established curriculum area
New programme in new curriculum area
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Credit level
FHEQ Level 3 (HE 0)
FHEQ Level 4/5 (HE 1/2)
FHEQ Level 6 or above (HE 3 +)
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Legal Jurisdiction
English Law
Other legal systems
Score 0
Score 3
Foreign Office Advice
Avoid all travel
Avoid all but essential travel
High Risk of terrorism
Do not proceed with arrangement
Do not proceed with arrangement
Score 3
Total
10 or less=low risk – consider further discussion
11-18=medium risk – approach with caution
19+=high risk – seek advice from PVC
24
APPENDIX E
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
INSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
The University of East Anglia is responsible for the quality and academic standards of
awards offered through its partner institutions. In establishing a new partnership, the
University must assure itself that the prospective partner institution has the appropriate
infrastructure to deliver HE programmes and/or identify areas where input from the
University is needed to ensure that the required standards of quality management and
enhancement are established and maintained.
A prospective international partner institution must meet the University’s Institutional
Approval requirements as detailed in this handbook before engaging with the approval
process for individual programmes. Subject-specific issues are pursued at the
appropriate course validation event(s) following approval at institutional level.
Supporting Statement by the Partner Institution
The prospective partner institution is asked to provide a supporting statement as to why it
wishes to enter into a relationship with the University and how this is reflected in its
mission statement and operational plan.
The prospective partner institution is asked to provide the following documentation for
scrutiny. This information will be retained by the University for audit purposes.
Prospective Partner Institution Information
Institutional mission statement
Institutional operational plan
HE strategy
Prospectus
Organisation chart
Contact information for relevant staff
Student Handbook(s)
Other publicity material
Information on any collaboration at HE level with other institutions
Regulations and Policies
Regulations for all programmes
Academic appeals policy/procedure
Complaints procedure
Equality of opportunity and diversity policy
Disability statement
Staffing
CVs for all HE academic staff – full and part-time
Staff recruitment and development policy
Staff appraisal scheme
Details of recent staff development activity
25
Admissions, Student Numbers and Progression
HE admissions statistics for last 5 years:
 number of applicants
 number of admissions
 ratio of applicants to places
 student entry qualifications
 actual intake as a percentage of the target intake
student numbers, by course, for last five years (initial enrolments and actual
completions) – broken down by year of study
HE student performance data
Destination of graduates (employment, further training)
Recruitment and selection policy and procedures
Details of student records and assessment records systems
Examples of student transcripts
Quality Assurance and Enhancement
Documentation relating to assessment strategy including examination papers and
marking arrangements, examination board, invigilation procedures, appointment
of External Examiners and a definition of their role
External review reports
External Examiner reports and associated correspondence
Quality assurance reports from external bodies
Details of student evaluation process
Evaluation by students
Revalidation process
AP(E)L Procedures
Student Support and Guidance
Information on:
Welfare
Guidance
Support services
Adviser system
Resources
Information on:
Library
ICT
Other resources
Initial due diligence should include the provision of information on:
the size of the proposed partner institution
the legal, financial, and academic standing of the proposed partner institution
(including standing in national and international league tables)
any cultural, academic or other issues that need to be taken into consideration
whether the prospective partner is known to have a current or previous
relationship with another UK awarding body (if so, enquiries should be made of
that institution as to the standing of the prospective partner)
the language of delivery and assessment at the proposed partner institution
an assessment of risk associated with the proposed partnership, preferably using
the risk analysis tool available in Appendix D (please note that if the proposal falls
into the ‘high risk’ category, a more detailed risk assessment may be requested).
26
Eversheds and the UK Higher Education International Unit has produced a guide to
international engagement for UK universities, ‘International Partnerships: A Legal Guide
for UK Universities’ (July 2009), which is a useful source of information on how to
maximise the benefits of international partnership activity while managing the associated
risks. A copy of the guide is available for consultation from the Partnerships Office.
27
APPENDIX F
Documentation Requirements for Evaluating a Proposed New Partnership (for
Progression arrangements)
Under a progression arrangement involving recognition of credit, the UEA is responsible
for ensuring that the standards set and achieved by students at the partner institution are
equivalent to those set and achieved by internal students at the equivalent stage of their
studies at the University. The approval process involves evaluating the comparability and
“fit” between the course at the partner institution and the course at the University to which
students will progress. This process aims to ensure that students admitted to the
University will:
be appropriately prepared to commence studies at the point of entry and have a
fair and reasonable chance of successfully completing the course
have achieved learning outcomes which are broadly equivalent to those of the
University modules for which credit is granted
have achieved the University's normal English language entrance requirements
The University may take into account any or all of the following factors in determining
whether to establish a new progression arrangement with credit recognition:
why the prospective partner institution wishes to seek a relationship with the
University, and vice versa
the overall academic standing of the prospective partner institution
any other previous or existing partnerships entered into by the prospective partner
institution with any reasons for rejection, termination or proposed transfer of
programmes
the experience of the prospective partner institution in delivering courses at a
similar level and the language of instruction and assessment for the linked course
the robustness of the prospective partner institution’s quality management at all
levels
the adequacy of the prospective partner institution’s provision for academic and
pastoral support and guidance
sharing of information on what would be expected by each party in the operation
of the relationship at institutional and course level, including the management of
courses and the operation of the progression arrangement.
The approval process requires documentary evidence, written in English, of the
prospective partner institution’s suitability for the conduct of higher education
programmes that result in students being eligible for progression to a UEA course with
recognition of credit. This should be produced by the relevant academic Faculty/School(s)
in consultation with the proposed partner institution, and material that is typically
considered includes:
a) information on the proposed partner institution (including evidence of credibility as
an academic partner, legal status and capacity to enter into international
collaboration arrangements)
b) information on the legal, financial and cultural environment (particularly in relation
to quality and standards and language issues) from relevant national government
offices and agencies and UK bodies with a presence in the country (e.g. the
British Council, National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom
28
(UK NARIC) and UK government offices). Please note: ARM will be able to give
general advice where possible.
c) information on the University course to which students will progress (including
programme specification and module outlines) and the stage at which progressing
students will be entering the course
d) the course/modules at the partner institution upon which recognition of credit will
be granted and relevant course and/or module outlines
e) information on the comparability of the curriculum (including a mapping of learning
outcomes), learning and teaching methods, standards of assessment, and the
acquisition of learning skills relevant to future study
f)
evidence that students who have achieved the qualification or credits at the
partner institution have attained the same standard as students studying the
award at the University and entering the same stage of their studies
g) evidence that students will have acquired the required level of competence in the
English language to successfully complete their studies at the University
h) details of any specific bridging, academic and pastoral support requirements over
and above that normally available (including the process for managing induction)
i) the prospective partner institution’s HE admissions policy and current entry
qualifications
j) student attendance, performance and progression rates and student
satisfaction data at the partner institution
k) assessment procedures and examination arrangements at the partner
institution
l) quality assurance and enhancement mechanisms, policies and procedures
(including equality and diversity) at the partner institution
m) resourcing, including IT and book/journal resources, at the partner
institution
n) student support and guidance at the partner institution
o) student appeals and complaints procedures at the partner institution
p) staffing policies and criteria for the appointment of academic staff at the
partner institution.
29
APPENDIX G
Evaluating a Proposed New Partnership for Articulation Arrangements
The University may take into account any or all of the following factors in the early stages
of determining whether to establish a new articulation arrangement:
why the prospective partner institution wishes to seek a relationship with the
University, and vice versa, with reference to the University’s Strategic Plan and
International Strategy, and guidance from Executive Team if appropriate
the overall academic standing of the prospective partner institution
any other previous or existing partnerships entered into by the prospective partner
institution with any reasons for rejection, termination or proposed transfer of
programmes
the experience of the prospective partner institution in delivering courses at a
similar level and the language of instruction and assessment for any courses to be
linked via an articulation arrangement
the robustness of the prospective partner institution’s quality management at all
levels
the adequacy of the prospective partner institution’s provision for academic and
pastoral support and guidance
sharing of information on what would be expected by each party in the operation
of the relationship at institutional and course level, including the management of
courses and the operation of the articulation process.
1.
Documentation Requirements
The approval process requires documentary evidence, written in English, of the
prospective partner institution’s suitability for the conduct of higher education
programmes that result in students being able to articulate to a UEA course with
recognition of credit. This should be produced by the relevant academic Faculty/School(s)
in consultation with the proposed partner institution, and material that is typically
considered includes:
a) information on the proposed partner institution (including evidence of
credibility as an academic partner, legal status and capacity to enter into
international collaboration arrangements)
b) information on the legal, financial and cultural environment (particularly in
relation to quality and standards and language issues) from relevant national
government offices and agencies and UK bodies with a presence in the
country (e.g. the British Council, UK NARIC and UK government offices).
Please note: the Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing Office will be able to
assist in collating this information.
c) information on the University course to which students will articulate (including
programme specification and module outlines) and the stage at which
articulating students will be entering the course
d) the course/modules at the partner institution upon which recognition of credit
will be granted and relevant course and/or module outlines
30
e) information on the comparability of the curriculum (including a mapping of
learning outcomes), learning and teaching methods, standards of assessment,
and the acquisition of learning skills relevant to future study
f)
evidence that students who have achieved the qualification or credits at the
partner institution have attained the same standard as students studying the
award at the University and entering the same stage of their studies
g) evidence that students will have acquired the required level of competence in
the English language to successfully complete their studies at the University
h) details of any specific bridging, academic and pastoral support requirements
over and above that normally available (including the process for managing
induction)
i)
the prospective partner institution’s HE admissions policy and current entry
qualifications
j)
student attendance, performance and progression rates and student
satisfaction data at the partner institution
k) assessment procedures and examination arrangements at the partner
institution
l)
quality assurance and enhancement mechanisms, policies and procedures
(including equality and diversity) at the partner institution
m) resourcing, including IT and book/journal resources, at the partner institution
n) student support and guidance at the partner institution
o) student appeals and complaints procedures at the partner institution
p) staffing policies and criteria for the appointment of academic staff at the
partner institution.
2.
Approval Process
An approval panel is identified and approved by the Academic Director of Partnerships on
behalf of the Learning and Teaching Committee (LTC), and typically comprises:
Academic Director of Partnerships or nominee (Chair)
at least one external academic with relevant subject expertise and
appropriate experience in international collaborative provision
at least one member of the University’s teaching staff from a cognate
discipline area
at least one member external to the programme team concerned but
internal to the partner institution
Dean of relevant Faculty
Manager from the Partnerships Office (Secretary).
31
The membership of the panel may be varied at the Chair’s discretion.
The proposed partnership and articulation arrangements are evaluated by the panel
either by correspondence or via a meeting of the panel held at the University, supported
where appropriate by:
(a) one or more visits to the partner institution by representatives of the approval
panel to view facilities and resources and meet with students
(b) discussions with relevant members of the University Faculty/School(s)
concerned.
The panel may request further information to be submitted by either the relevant
University Faculty/School(s) or the partner institution at any stage in the approval
process.
The approval panel will determine whether the proposed partnership and articulation
arrangement should be approved; any conditions, requirements and/or recommendations
attached to approval for the University or the partner institution (or both) to action or
consider; and the date when approval will commence. The panel’s discussions will be
summarised in a report of the approval panel which will be drafted by the panel secretary
in liaison with the Chair and other members of the panel. A deadline will be set by which
conditions, requirements and/or recommendations should be met and/or responded to.
The LTC considers the report and if agreed makes a recommendation to Senate that the
partnership and the articulation arrangement be approved, subject to any conditions
contained in the report being met. The LTC will monitor subsequent progress against any
conditions, requirements and recommendations contained within the report.
Details of the students being admitted through the articulation arrangement should be
reported annually to the Partnerships Office.
3.
Articulation Agreement
Before the articulation arrangement commences, a formal Articulation Agreement must
be drawn up which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties. The agreement
must normally be governed by English Law. Where the prospective partner has a strong
reason for requesting another country’s jurisdiction, and there is a strong strategic reason
for agreeing to that request, the Vice-Chancellor will be asked to confirm whether the
agreement should proceed. In this case the originating Faculty or School will be asked to
pay additional legal costs associated with the agreement. For agreements governed by
English Law, a template agreement is available from the Partnerships Office, and this
should be finalised in consultation with the Partnerships Office, ARM and the Vice
Chancellor’s Office, drawing on advice from the University's solicitors as appropriate.
The agreement, which should normally be subject to review and renewal on a maximum
of a five year cycle, should be signed by the University’s Vice Chancellor and by the head
of the partner institution. The original copy of the final signed agreement should be sent
to the Partnerships Office for safe-keeping and recording on the agreement database,
and a copy should also be held by the VCO.
Where appropriate, a Financial Agreement must also be agreed and signed by all parties
as an appendix to the Articulation Agreement. Annexes to the agreement may be
renewed annually or at other intervals as agreed.
32
4.
Monitoring and review of articulation arrangements
A relevant member of academic staff should be appointed to oversee the articulation
arrangement and act as a first point of contact for the partner institution. They should be
responsible for maintaining regular contact with the partner institution, reviewing the
articulation arrangement on a regular basis and providing an annual report on the
operation of the articulation arrangement to the relevant Dean of Faculty and the
Academic Director of Partnerships. This annual report should include an evaluation of the
progress and experience of each cohort of students admitted under the articulation
arrangement. It should also outline any curriculum changes made by either institution,
and resulting action taken to ensure a continuing alignment of provision. This information
should also feed into the relevant annual monitoring report.
The Academic Director of Partnerships reserves the right to visit the partner institution at
appropriate intervals to monitor the operation of the arrangement, or to nominate an
appropriate senior academic to do so on his/her behalf.
All articulation arrangements should also be reviewed as part of the University’s standard
periodic review process. The review should ensure that the partner institution remains
suitable for the conduct of higher education programmes that result in students being
awarded credit that is recognised as part of a UEA award.
5.
Termination or expiry of articulation arrangements
Articulation Agreements are normally subject to review and renewal on a maximum of a
five year cycle. The legal agreement underpinning the arrangement should include
clauses relating to grounds for termination of the agreement and an appropriate exit
strategy to ensure that the quality of the experience of students involved in the
articulation arrangement is not compromised in the event of the termination or expiry of
the agreement.
The annual report on the articulation arrangement should seek to determine whether the
agreement continues to function and whether there is commitment from both institutions
to continue to pursue the objectives of the agreement. Where arrangements are inactive
or defunct, both institutions should formally withdraw from the Articulation Agreement,
and Partnerships Office, ARM and the Senior Assistant Registrar, VCO should be
formally notified by the relevant Department(s) that the arrangement has been
terminated.
33
APPENDIX H
Validation Arrangements
An international validation arrangement is one whereby the University, as an awarding
institution, judges that a course (or part thereof) developed and delivered by an overseas
institution or organisation is of an appropriate quality and standard to lead to a UEA
award. The course will normally be designed, delivered and assessed by the partner
institution. The role of the University will be to approve entry standards, the design of the
programme, arrangements for its delivery and mechanisms for quality assurance and
enhancement. The UEA remains responsible for the quality and standard of the award.
The LTC is responsible for making recommendations to Senate regarding the
establishment of new institutional partnerships involving validated courses. Once the
LTC has given formal planning approval for the proposed collaborative arrangement as
outlined in Section 2 above, an evaluation of the academic and quality assurance aspects
of the proposal is undertaken at both institutional and course level, following the
procedures outlined in Section 4 of the Partnerships Handbook. This ultimately leads to
the approval by Senate of both the partner institution and the academic provision forming
part of the validation arrangement.
1.
The Institutional Approval Process
The institutional approval process is as outlined in the Partnerships Handbook. For
international partnership proposals, the institutional approval panel will additionally
require:
evidence of the credibility of the proposed partner institution as an academic
partner (including academic standing in national and international league
tables)
confirmation of the legal status of the proposed partner institution and its
capacity to enter into international collaboration arrangements
information on the legal, financial and cultural environment (particularly in
relation to quality and standards and language issues) from relevant national
government offices and agencies and UK bodies with a presence in the
country (e.g. the British Council, UK NARIC and UK government offices).
Please note: the Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing Office will be able
give general advice where possible.
information on the proposed language of instruction and assessment for any
programmes to be validated under the arrangement
2.
The Course Validation Process
The course validation process is as outlined in Section 4 of the Partnerships Handbook.
For international proposals, the course validation panel will additionally require
confirmation of the language of delivery and assessment and, where this is not English,
arrangements for the translation of documents and audit of translated documents.
34
3.
Validation Agreement
Following approval of a new international partner organisation at institutional level to
deliver courses leading to awards of the UEA, a formal validation agreement must be
drawn up which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties. The agreement must
normally be governed by English Law. Where the prospective partner has a strong
reason for requesting another country’s jurisdiction, and there is a strong strategic reason
for agreeing to that request, the Vice-Chancellor will be asked to confirm whether or not
the agreement can proceed. In this case the originating Faculty or School will be asked
to pay additional legal costs associated with the agreement. All Agreements should be
drafted in consultation with the Partnerships Office, ARM and the Vice Chancellor’s
Office, drawing on advice from the University's solicitors.
The agreement, normally subject to review and renewal on a maximum of a five year
cycle, should be signed by the University’s Vice Chancellor and by the head of the
partner institution. The original copy of the final signed agreement should be sent to
Partnerships Office for onward submission to the Vice Chancellor’s Office for safekeeping and for entering on the central Agreements database. A copy should also be
held by ARM.
A Financial Agreement should also be agreed and signed by all parties as an appendix to
the Validation Agreement. Annexes to the agreement may be renewed annually or at
other intervals as agreed.
4.
Monitoring and Review of Validated Provision
International partnership arrangements involving the validation of provision should be
monitored and reviewed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 4 of the
Partnerships Handbook for UK-based provision, including:
the institutional review process
the periodic review process at course level
the process for changes to validated provision
the annual monitoring process
the external examining system
student feedback mechanisms
discontinuation of validated courses
Where the language of delivery and assessment at the partner institution is not English,
the External Examiner(s) appointed to oversee the courses should either be fluent in the
language of delivery and assessment, or an independent translator should be appointed
to support the External Examiner. The translator should be on the British Council and/or
Institute of Linguistics register of translators.
5.
Termination or Expiry of Validation Arrangements
Validation agreements are normally subject to review and renewal on a maximum of a
five year cycle. The agreement must include clauses relating to grounds for termination of
the agreement and an appropriate exit strategy to ensure that the quality of the
experience of students involved in the validation arrangement is not compromised in the
event of the termination or expiry of the agreement.
Where arrangements are inactive or defunct, both institutions should formally withdraw
from the validation agreement, and the Partnerships Office, ARM and the Senior
35
Assistant Registrar, VCO should be formally notified by the relevant Faculty/School(s)
that the arrangement has been terminated.
36
APPENDIX I
Franchise Arrangements
An international franchise arrangement is one whereby the University allows the whole or
part of one or more of its own programmes to be delivered and assessed at a partner
institution, leading to an award from the University. The curriculum content of a
franchised programme is developed and owned by the University, and franchise students
will be assessed through the auspices of the relevant University examination board. The
University remains ultimately responsible for the quality of the student learning
experience and for the academic standards of the award(s).
The University is responsible for the recruitment and selection of students, although it
may delegate this to the partner institution subject to approval of arrangements and
ongoing monitoring. Students are registered with the University and are subject to its
academic regulations, including those relating to complaints and appeals.
The partner institution is responsible for the delivery of the programme, learning
resources and student support, subject to the University’s overall responsibility for the
quality of the student learning experience and the standards of the award. Careful
consideration must be given to the University resources that students are able to access
and this must be detailed within the agreement.
The emphasis of the approval process is to ensure that the partner institution is able to
effectively deliver the franchised programme and provide students with a high quality
learning experience to enable them to reach an academic standard equivalent to that at
the University.
When the LTC has given formal planning approval for the proposed franchise
arrangement as outlined in Section 2 above, an evaluation of the proposal will be
undertaken at both institutional and programme level, and this ultimately leads to the
approval by Senate of both the partner institution and the franchise arrangement. In some
cases the institutional and programme level approval processes may be combined.
The Institutional Approval Process
The institutional approval and review process is as set out for validation arrangements in
Appendix H.
37
APPENDIX J
Dual or Multiple Awards
Under a dual or multiple award arrangement, the UEA and one or more other awarding
institution(s) together provide a course leading to separate awards of both, or all, of the
institutions. Such arrangements usually involve accruing credit elsewhere. The UEA is
individually responsible for the quality and standard of the award made in its name.
The development of dual or multiple awards should only be considered where:
degree awarding powers are held by all partner institutions
the UEA and the partner institution(s) already have successful provision in the
subject area at an equivalent academic level
the awards will be based on the same assessed student work
the academic standards of both awards will meet the UEA’s expectations in
relation to relevant UK benchmarks (for example the Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and relevant subject benchmark statements),
irrespective of the expectations of the partner institution(s)
responsibility for the award of a UEA qualification, and the academic standard
of that award, remains with the University and is not shared with the partner
institution(s).
The University normally requires that the title of the awards be the same, notwithstanding
any national constraints.
1.
Procedure for the Approval of New Dual or Multiple Award Arrangements
Once the initial request has been approved an evaluation of the academic and quality
assurance aspects of the proposal is carried out. This is undertaken at both institutional
and course level, through an approval process which leads to the approval by Senate of
both the partner institution and the dual or multiple award.
The LTC is responsible for making recommendations to Senate regarding the
establishment of new institutional partnerships involving dual or multiple awards. Once
approved, a formal collaboration agreement is drawn up and signed by the University’s
Vice-Chancellor and by the head of the partner institution. The agreement is a legally
binding document that sets out the rights and obligations of the parties, and includes
clauses on termination in order to safeguard the interests of students when a partnership
ends.
At institutional level, the approval process involves an evaluation of the proposed partner
institution’s existing policies and procedures, such as quality assurance systems, HE
resources and student support systems. At course level, the process for approving a dual
or multiple award involves conducting a mapping exercise to evaluate the programme of
study as a whole, the comparability and “fit” between components of the course
undertaken at each institution, and whether the components of the course undertaken at
the partner institution enable students to meet learning outcomes which are broadly
equivalent to those of the University modules for which credit is granted.
38
Where students are to be taught and assessed in a language other than English for the
component of study at the partner institution, sufficient language preparation should be a
pre-requisite for study at the partner institution, or alternatively this should be built into the
course prior to study at the partner institution.
2.
Documentation Requirements
The approval process requires documentary evidence, written in English, of the
prospective partner institution’s suitability for the conduct of higher education
programmes that result in the awarding of credit that contributes to a UEA award. This
should be produced by the relevant academic Faculty/School(s) in consultation with the
proposed partner institution, and material that is typically considered includes:
a) information on the proposed partner institution (including evidence of
credibility as an academic partner, legal status and capacity to enter into
international collaboration arrangements)
b) information on the legal, financial and cultural environment (particularly in
relation to quality and standards and language issues) from relevant national
government offices and agencies and UK bodies with a presence in the
country (e.g. the British Council, UK NARIC and UK government offices).
Please note the Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing Office will be able to
give general advice where possible.
c) information on the proposed dual or multiple award, including a programme
specification, module outlines, information on learning, teaching and
assessment methods, and a student handbook
d) evidence that students who have achieved credits at the partner institution will
have attained the same standard as students studying at the University at an
equivalent level
e) where the language of delivery and assessment at the partner institution is not
English, evidence that students will have acquired the required level of
competence in the relevant language to successfully complete the component
of the course at the partner institution
f)
the prospective partner institution’s HE admissions policy and current entry
qualifications
g) assessment procedures and examination arrangements
h) quality assurance and enhancement mechanisms, policies and procedures
(including arrangements for the appointment of an external examiner)
i)
resourcing, including IT and book/journal resources
j)
information on the rights and responsibilities of students
k) student support and guidance mechanisms
39
l)
staffing policies and criteria for the appointment of academic staff at the
partner institution
m) arrangements for course management and administration
n) arrangements for the production of transcripts and certificates, to ensure that
these documents clearly state that the course is taught collaboratively, to
avoid graduates double-counting credit awarded.
3.
Approval Process
An approval panel is identified and approved by the Academic Director of Partnerships on
behalf of the LTC, and typically comprises:
Academic Director of Partnerships or nominee (Chair)
at least one external academic with relevant subject expertise and
appropriate experience in international collaborative provision
at least one member of the University’s teaching staff from a cognate
discipline area
at least one member external to the programme team concerned but
internal to the partner institution
Dean of relevant Faculty
Manager from the Partnerships Office (Secretary).
The membership of the panel may be varied at the Chair’s discretion.
The proposed partnership and dual/multiple award arrangement are evaluated by the
panel either by correspondence or via a meeting of the panel held at the University,
supported where appropriate by:
(a) one or more visits to the partner institution by representatives of the approval
panel to view facilities and resources and meet with students
(b) discussions with relevant members of the University Faculty/School(s)
concerned.
The panel may request further information to be submitted by either the relevant
University Faculty/School(s) or the partner institution at any stage in the approval
process.
The approval panel will determine whether the proposed partnership and dual/multiple
award should be approved; any conditions, requirements and/or recommendations
attached to approval for the University or the partner institution (or both) to action or
consider; and the date when approval will commence. The panel’s discussions will be
summarised in a report from the approval panel which will be drafted by the panel
secretary in liaison with the Chair and other members of the panel. A deadline will be set
by which conditions, requirements and/or recommendations should be met and/or
responded to.
The LTC considers the report and makes a recommendation to Senate that the
partnership and the dual/multiple award be approved, subject to any conditions and
requirements contained in the report being met. The LTC will monitor subsequent
progress against any conditions and recommendations contained within the report.
40
Details of students being admitted through the dual/multiple award arrangement should
be reported to the Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing Office by the relevant
academic Faculty/School(s).
4.
Legal Agreement
Following approval of a new international partner and before the course leading to a dual
or multiple award commences, a formal Memorandum of Agreement should be drafted in
consultation with Partnerships Office, ARM and VCO, drawing on advice from the
University's solicitors as appropriate.
The agreement, which should normally be subject to review and renewal on a maximum
of a five year cycle, should be signed by the University’s Vice Chancellor and by the head
of the partner institution. The original copy of the final signed agreement should be sent
to Partnerships Office for onward submission to VCO for safe-keeping and for entering on
the central Agreements database. A copy should also be held by ARM.
Where appropriate, a Financial Agreement should also be agreed and signed by all
parties as an appendix to the Articulation Agreement. Annexes to the agreement may be
renewed annually or at other intervals as agreed.
5.
Monitoring and review of dual or multiple awards
A relevant member of academic staff should be appointed to oversee the award and act
as a first point of contact for the partner institution. They should undertake at least an
annual visit to the partner institution to monitor the operation of the arrangement. An
external examiner should also be appointed to oversee the quality of the award, in
accordance with the University’s standard external examiner policies and procedures.
Where part of the award is delivered and assessed in a language other than English, the
external examiner should either be fluent in the language of delivery and assessment as
well as English, or an independent translator should be appointed who is on the British
Council and/or Institute of Linguistics register of translators.
The course team should provide an annual report on the operation of the dual or multiple
award via the University’s annual monitoring procedure. This should include a summary
of any curriculum changes made by either institution, and resulting action taken to ensure
a continuing alignment of provision.
All dual or multiple awards should be reviewed as part of the periodic review process for
relevant UEA courses. Where appropriate, this should involve an institutional review
event at least once every five years, to enable the University to ensure that the partner
institution remains suitable for the conduct of higher education programmes resulting in
students being awarded credits that contribute to a UEA award.
6.
Termination or expiry of dual or multiple awards
Agreements involving dual or multiple awards are normally subject to review and renewal
on a maximum of a five year cycle. The agreement should include clauses relating to
grounds for termination of the agreement and an appropriate exit strategy to ensure that
the quality of the experience of students involved in the arrangement is not compromised
in the event of the termination or expiry of the agreement.
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APPENDIX K
GLOSSARY
Academic
Infrastructure
The Academic Infrastructure provides a means of describing academic
standards in UK higher education. QAA has worked with the higher
education sector to establish the various parts of the Academic
Infrastructure which are:
Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and
standards in higher education
frameworks for higher education qualifications in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland, and in Scotland (FHEQ)
subject benchmark statements
programme specifications.
Annual monitoring
The purpose of annual monitoring is to ‘consider the effectiveness of
the programme in achieving its stated aims and the success of students
in attaining the intended learning outcomes’ (QAA Code of Practice
Section 7, Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review, September
2006)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Cod
e-of-practice-section-7.aspx
Annual monitoring is the process by which the University monitors and
reviews provision and, alongside periodic review, provides over time a
clear history of the development, evaluation and quality enhancement of
programmes.
APL
Accreditation of Prior (Certificated or Experiential) Learning. APL is a
process by which individuals can claim credit towards qualifications
based on their prior learning and/or relevant experience. Clear
evidence is required that demonstrates that the student achieved the
appropriate learning outcomes through the prior learning or relevant
experience.
Articulation
arrangement
An arrangement whereby the University guarantees students entry to a
University of East Anglia course, as a result of successfully completing
recognised prior study at a partner institution.
Award
Denotes a degree, diploma, certificate or other formal recognition of
successful completion of a programme of study.
Awarding
institution
A University or other Higher Education institution empowered to award
degrees, diplomas and certificates by virtue of authority given to it by
statute, Royal Charter or the Privy Council.
Collaboration
Agreement
A formal document agreed by an awarding institution and its partner
organisation which sets out the formal relationship between the two
institutions and provides a framework within which programmes and
courses can be approved and delivered.
Collaborative
provision
Educational provision leading to an award, or to specific credit toward
an award, of an awarding institution delivered and/or supported and/or
assessed through an arrangement with a partner organisation.
42
Course
An academic course (programme) which leads to an award of the
University.
Dual or Multiple
Award
Where the University of East Anglia and one or more other awarding
institution(s) together provide a programme leading to separate awards of
both, or all, of the institutions.
External
Examiner
A senior academic from another Higher Education institution, appointed
by the UEA Senate to confirm the standards of student performance
within an approved programme and/or course of the University.
Franchise
An arrangement whereby an awarding institution authorises a partner
organisation to offer one of the awarding institution’s own approved
programmes of study.
Institutional
review
Institutional review is the quality assurance process used to review
partner organisations at institutional level, usually every five years, to
ensure they remain suitable for the conduct of Higher Education
programmes leading to a University of East Anglia award.
Learning and
Teaching
Committee (LTC)
The Learning and Teaching Committee (LTC) is the Committee of Senate
with responsibility, amongst other things, for the quality and academic
standards of collaborative provision delivered at or by the University's
partner institutions.
Module
A unit which forms part of a course or scheme of study but which does
not by itself lead to an award of the University.
Partner
institution
The organisation with which the awarding institution enters into an
agreement to collaborate. The partner institution is normally a body
without degree-awarding powers.
Periodic review
The process whereby the operation of a course is evaluated over a
period of time, normally five to six years.
Programme
specification
A summary of a course (programme) which includes the intended
learning outcomes together with information on the teaching, learning
and assessment methods used to enable the learning outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated.
Progression
arrangement
Where the University guarantees students consideration for admission
(but not guaranteed entry) to a University of East Anglia course under the
usual admission criteria after successful completion of an award at a
partner institution. Where admission is to the first year of a University of
East Anglia course, this is defined as a progression arrangement with no
recognition of credit gained elsewhere. Where admission is to a more
advanced stage of a University of East Anglia course, this is defined as a
progression arrangement with recognition of credit gained elsewhere.
QAA
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which works with
UK HEIs in auditing, assessing and enhancing the quality and standards
of higher education.
43
QAA Code of
Practice
1. The QAA Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and
Standards in Higher Education is a suite of inter-related documents which
form an overall code for the guidance of higher education institutions.
The Code provides a series of ‘precepts’ covering matters relating to the
management of academic quality and standards in higher education.
Further information is available at
2. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/code-ofpractice/Pages/default.aspx
3.
Qualifications
frameworks
The National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern
Ireland sets out the levels at which qualifications can be recognised. It
sits alongside the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2001), which applies to degrees,
diplomas, certificates and other academic awards (other than honorary
degrees and higher doctorates) granted by a University or college in the
exercise of its degree awarding powers. Further information is available
at
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/Qualifications/Pages
/default.aspx
Recognition of 4. Where credit gained at another institution is accepted as contributing to a
Credit
University of East Anglia award.
5.
Senate
The academic Governing body. Deals with matters of academic policy,
all the members are staff or students of UEA.
Serial validation
Serial validation is the unauthorised offering of a University of East Anglia
validated scheme (and thus award) by a partner institution to one of its
own partner organisations with whom the University does not have a
direct collaborative relationship. This practice is not permitted by the
University of East Anglia, as it limits the University’s ability to assure the
academic standards and quality of the provision leading to its awards.
Study Abroad
An arrangement whereby individual students studying for specified
University of East Anglia awards can accrue a maximum of 120 credits at
international (both EU and non-EU) partner institutions with independent
degree-awarding powers.
Subject
benchmark
statements
Subject Benchmarks are part of the QAA academic infrastructure used to
define explicit national statements of academic standards or outcomes at
subject level. Subject benchmark information of this type provides a
reference point against which outcomes at honours level can be
measured. Further information is available at
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subjectguidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-statements.aspx
Validation
arrangement
Where the University, as an awarding institution, judges that a
programme (or part thereof) developed and delivered by another
institution or organisation is of an appropriate quality and standard to lead
to its award.
44
Validation
The approval process whereby the University judges that a programme of
study developed for delivery at a partner institution is of an appropriate
standard and quality to lead to an award of the University.
Validation
conditions
Issues raised at validation that must be addressed by the partner
institution to the satisfaction of the chair of the panel before a proposed
new programme or course may commence.
Validation
recommendation
Issues raised at validation to which a response from the partner
institution is expected.
Validation
requirements
Issues raised at validation that must be addressed within a given
timeframe.
45
APPENDIX L
USEFUL WEBSITES
University Websites
Partnerships Office
http://www.uea.ac.uk/partnerships
Graduate School
http://www.uea.ac.uk/hum/gradschool
INTO Norwich and London
http://www.intohigher.com/uk/en-gb/ourcentres.aspx
Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing Office
http://www.uea.ac.uk/arm
Quality Assurance and Enhancement
http://www.uea.ac.uk/ltqo/keydocs/Qual+Ass
urance+Enhancement
Student Services
www.uea.ac.uk/services/students
University Calendar and Regulations
http://www.uea.ac.uk/calendar
University Committee Office
www.uea.ac.uk/committeeoffice
External Websites
British Council
http://www.britishSenate .org/new/
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
(QAA)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/
UK NARIC
http://www.naric.org.uk/
46