Quality Handbook
AQH-I7 Minimum requirement for
Collaborative Programme Handbooks
Version 2.0 September 2011
Version
1.0
2.0
Occasion of
Change
Original placed in
Academic Quality
Handbook
Annual review
Change
author
S Sutcliffe
Date of
modification
July 2010
Modifications made
S Sutcliffe
September
2011
Links to student handbook
updated
N.B. This handbook should be completed by the University programme leader before
sending to the assistant programme leader at the partner to complete the partner
information.
All collaborative students must have access to a programme handbook. The
handbooks may be distributed in print, or electronically via Sunspace. Students must
be given clear direction on how to access the handbook.
This document lists items which must be included in all programme handbooks.
centre /programme /assistant programme leaders can and should add further
information that is useful and pertinent to the operation of individual modules.
Where a link to information elsewhere is suggested, those URLs are included in
Appendix One.
The following items must be included in all programme handbooks:
1. Introduction (to be completed by University staff)
This should be written ‘from’ the University centre/programme leader, welcome
students to the programme, give them a flavour of what the programme is about, the
relationship with the University and briefly highlight recent achievements of students
or staff, strengths of the programme, links to research, and changes to the
programme made in response to student feedback.
2. Contacts specific to the programme at the partner (to be completed by the
partner).
This should list academic, administrative and technical contacts - location (office
hours where relevant), email address and telephone number.
3. About the Partner (to be completed by the partner)
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This section should form an introduction to the partner institution and provide brief
details of campus location and facilities, including details of learning support, library
and IT and student services (e.g. careers advice, counselling, disability support),
social activities and any other facilities specific to the partner.
4. Programme Requirements (to be completed by University and partner staff)
Anything that the student is required to have/have access to/engage with in order to
undertake the programme, for example:
 time-table and attendance requirements
 a programme reading list
 electronic equipment required
 other specialist materials required
 information on field trips
 PSRB requirements
 study skills
5. Study and learning support available from the University and the Partner (to
be completed by University and partner staff)
This section should include a statement about any support available (in addition to
that mentioned in section 3 above) from the university and partner depending of the
collaborative model of delivery including:


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advice on study skills needed for this programme
links to relevant study skills support
practical considerations for this programme
6. Student support and guidance at the Partner institution (where not covered in
the programme specification) , to include more detail on: (to be completed by
University and partner staff)
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the assistant programme leader’s role
University centre leader role
academic tutorial support system
administrative support
technical support
where information can be found (e.g. VLE, noticeboards)
link to partner information
support for students with disabilities
what a student should do if considering leaving the programme (relevant
process for counselling )
what a student must do if he or she wishes to take leave of absence or
transfer programme.
careers guidance and planning
progression arrangements (where applicable)
7. Assessment (to be completed by University and partner staff)

Student Guide to the Academic Regulations
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2780

link to the Academic Regulations
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2779
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
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any programme specific regulations
any fitness to practise regulations
link to University Extenuating Circumstances Policy
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2995


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detail of local extenuating circumstances arrangements
plagiarism/infringement statement
link to University Plagiarism Policy
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2994/AQH-F612+Policy+Statement+on+Plagiarism.pdf


Student Handbook (for appeals/complaints/discipline)
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2779
Guide for Students on the Supervision of Dissertations and Projects
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3001/AQHF8+Supervision+of+Dissertations+and+Projects+-+a+Guide+for+Students.pdf

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blank hand-in cover sheets if applicable
importance of submission
importance of core modules
8. The programme specification - either in full or a link to an electronic version.
APPENDIX ONE
Useful URLs
Note: as URLs for some individual documents may change from year to year,
some of the links are to folders within the Academic Quality Handbook which
contain the relevant documents and which will not change.
University Generic Assessment Criteria
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3101/AQHB5+Generic+Assessment+Criteria.pdf
University Academic Regulations (including the Student Guide)
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2780
University Student Handbook
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-6248
University Policy on Plagiarism
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2994/AQHF6-12+Policy+Statement+on+Plagiarism.pdf
University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2995/AQHF6-13+Procedures+for+Extenuating+Circumstances.pdf
Guide for Students on the Supervision of Dissertations and Projects
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3001/AQHF8+Supervision+of+Dissertations+and+Projects+-+a+Guide+for+Students.pdf
University Policies on Complaints, Appeals and Student Discipline
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2784
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