HANDBOOK C

TO ACCOMPANY THE

PRINCIPLES AND REGULATIONS:

COLLABORATIVE PROVISION

2011-2012

1

CONTENTS

Page

GLOSSARY6

INTRODUCTION 4

AFORM AND SCOPE OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

Categories of collaborative arrangements

Associate College Status

BPROCEDURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVISION

Procedures for the approval of a new formal collaborative partnership

Procedures for the approval of delivery of collaborative programmes

Procedures for the Approval of a Student and/or Staff Exchange

Procedures for the approval of an articulation arrangement

Procedures for the University accreditation of training

Procedures for the approval of an Agent to facilitate collaborative arrangements for a University of Chester off-campus programme

Work Based and Integrative Studies Approval Panel

CCONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS

Organisational Agreements

Programme Agreements

Exchange Agreements

Articulation Agreements

Agency Agreements

Associate College Agreements

Financial Annexes

Other forms of agreement

DPROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMES

Programme Management

Quality Assurance

Assessment

EMONITORING AND REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS

Annual Partnership Reports

Periodic Review of Collaborative Partnerships

APPENDICES

AREGISTER OF UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER’S CURRENT COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

BTHE PRECEPTS OF SECTION 2 OF THE QAA CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE ASSURANCE OF ACADEMIC QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: COLLABORATIVE PROVISION (AMPLIFIED VERSION 2010)

CASSOCIATE COLLEGE STATUS: CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL

DPARTNERSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

DDWITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERSHIP FORM

EFLOW CHART FOR NEW PARTNERSHIP APPROVAL

FCOLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP: PROPOSAL FORM

GNOTES OF GUIDANCE FOR A NEW COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL

HPARTNER ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK

INEW EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIP: PROPOSAL FORM AND NOTES OF GUIDANCE

JDUE DILIGENCE PROTOCOL FOR SELECTION OF AN AGENT

KEXAMPLE OF AN ORGANISATIONAL AGREEMENT

LEXAMPLE OF A PROGRAMME AGREEMENT

MEXAMPLE OF AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

NEXAMPLE OF AGENCY AGREEMENT

OPROGRAMME COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

PCOLLABORATIVE PROVISION PROGRAMME LEADER: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

QCOLLABORATIVE PROVISION LINK TUTOR: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RLINK TUTOR’S FORUM: TERMS OF REFERENCE

SPROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN EXTERNAL PROGRAMME ADVISER

TAPPLICATION FOR APPROVED TUTOR STATUS: PRO-FORMA AND NOTES OF GUIDANCE

UPROCEDURES FOR OVERSEEING THE QUALITY ASSURANCE OF NON-UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER VALIDATED HE PROGRAMMES AT PARTNER INSTITUTIONS

VTEMPLATE FOR AN ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT FROM A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER AND NOTES OF GUIDANCE

WTEMPLATE FOR AN ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT FROM AN ASSOCIATE COLLEGE AND NOTES OF GUIDANCE

XGUIDANCE ON THE DURATION OF ORGANISATIONAL AGREEMENTS

GLOSSARY

Agent

Organisation that brokers or facilitates collaborative arrangements, providing administrative or academic services in support of University of Chester’s off-campus activities. Subject to an Agency Agreement.

Annual Partnership Report

Annual report produced by partner organisations, providing an evaluation of the overarching organisational level matters relating to the partnership in the last academic session.

Annual Programme Monitoring Report

Annual report produced by Programme Leaders providing an evaluation of a programme of study during the last academic session.

Approved Tutor

Member of staff of a partner organisation that has been approved by the University to engage with the delivery and/or assessment of provision validated by the University.

Articulation

Arrangement with another Higher Education provider with awarding powers to admit students from the partner organisation into provision with a specified amount of credit, normally for a Dual Award. Subject to an Articulation Agreement.

AssociateCollege

A partner college that has been granted an enhanced status which implies a greater level of integration and joint working with the University than would be the case in standard partnership arrangements.

Collaborative Provision

Academic provision that is delivered either wholly or partly in collaboration with one or more partner organisations.

DAG

Development Advisory Group which has responsibility for scrutinising proposals for new collaborative arrangements and collaborative programmes.

Dual Award

An arrangement whereby a student undertakes a recognised programme of study at University of Chester and a partner organisation for which they receive awards from both institutions.

Exchange

An arrangement with a partner organisation whereby students and/or staff may spend a specified period of time at each other’s organisation. Subject to an Exchange Agreement.

External Accreditation

Accreditation may take the form of the accrediting of the University or of its programmes by an external body for professional recognition, or the authorisation to deliver specific programmes. This will be subject to the accreditation process of the external body.

The University may also accredit the training of an external organisation which is delivered to its staff, and this is subject to specified procedures.

External Programme

Provision authorised by University of Chester where the whole or part of a programme (or programmes) is designed principally by the staff of a collaborative partner(s).

Financial Annex

A document which contains the financial terms and conditions that relate to an Agreement, that are agreed between the signatories and are in operation for the duration stipulated. This will normally be for the period of one academic year.

Formal Partnership

Collaborative arrangement whereby significant responsibility for the delivery and assessment of University validated provision is devolved to a partner organisation. Subject to an Organisational Agreement.

Franchising

The process by which University of Chester agrees to authorise the provision of the whole or part of one of its current portfolio of programmes by a partner organisation. In doing so, University of Chester retains overall responsibility for the programme's content, delivery, assessment and quality assurance arrangements.

Link Tutor

Member of staff of the University appointed to coordinate all aspects of a collaborative programme from the perspective of the University, and to provide support, advice and guidance to the programme team at the partner organisation.

Off-campus delivery

Arrangement whereby a programme is delivered and assessed by University of Chester staff at a site other than the University’s own campuses.

Organisational Agreement

The formal overarching document in which University of Chester and the partner organisation agree the purposes, responsibilities and liabilities of the collaboration between the two organisations.

Partner Analysis

The formal analysis undertaken by staff of University of Chester, authorised by DAG, for the purpose of establishing whether an institution or body would make a suitable partner organisation for the purposes of delivering collaborative programmes.

Partner Organisation

The institution or other body with which University of Chester enters into an agreement to collaborate as formal partners.

Periodic review of a collaborative partnership

A standardised system of review of collaborative partnerships which focuses on overarching organisational aspects of the relationship, which take place as the end of the duration of an Organisational Agreement approaches, normally every three years.

Programme Agreement

The formal document in which University of Chester and the partner organisation agree the responsibilities and liabilities of the two organisations for the collaborative delivery of a named programme of study.

Programme Committee

Group responsible for managing a collaborative programme whose membership should include staff from both University of Chester and the partner organisation(s).

Programme Coordinator

Individual designated to coordinate programme management where a collaborative programme is delivered across more than one site or by more than one partner organisation.

Programme Leader

Member of staff designated by the partner organisation to manage all aspects of the delivery of the programme at the partner organisation.

Site Authorisation

Quality assurance event at which consideration is given to the suitability of partner organisation/new site of delivery for the delivery of a programme that has already been validated by University of Chester.

Validation

Quality assurance event at which consideration is given to both programme specific issues (e.g. programme structure, learning and teaching methods), and matters relating to the ability of the institution to deliver the programme (e.g. physical resources, staffing).

Work-Based and Integrative Studies Approval Panel

University panel with responsibility for approving and monitoring provision developed through the Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) framework.

INTRODUCTION

  1. The quality assurance of programmes delivered in collaboration with other organisations shall be governed by Section C of the Principles and Regulations of University of Chester. The requirements laid down in this Handbook derive their force from the said Principles and Regulations of University of Chester and shall be read in association with those Principles and Regulations. Observance of these requirements by all those staff of University of Chester and its partner organisations who may be involved in collaborative partnerships in an academic or administrative capacity is obligatory.
  1. The requirements described in this Handbook are designed for the purpose of ensuring that any risks attendant upon the delegation of responsibilities to a collaborating organisation are recognised and managed, and that the quality and standards of collaborative provision are maintained. The requirements are designed to reconcile the objective of encouraging innovative practice in the pursuit of University of Chester's mission and strategic objectives with the need to ensure that University of Chester is discharging its responsibilities for the quality of its programmes and for the standard of the awards to which they lead. In addition, the requirements provide the means by which a formal partnership can be reviewed and its continuation authorised by virtue of its successful delivery and quality assurance over a given review period.
  1. There are a number of key principles which University of Chester applies to every formal collaborative partnership:
  • all are governed by formal written agreements;
  • all are approved by the central committees of both University of Chester and the partner organisation;
  • the partner organisation must satisfy University of Chester as to its ability to deliver collaborative programme(s) through an appropriate validation and/or authorisation event and on-going monitoring procedures;
  • in all cases, University of Chester alone retains the authority to confer awards upon students; this authority is never delegated;
  • all transcripts and award certificates are issued and controlled by University of Chester.

In addition, University of Chester clearly distinguishes between:

  • the approval of the partnership with the organisation concerned; and
  • the approval of a proposed programme of study with an approved collaborative partner.

A Register of University of Chester’s Collaborative Partnerships for 2011/12 can be found at Appendix A.

  1. Those staff wishing to develop collaborative partnerships within the UK or overseas, must pay particular attention to the precepts contained within the Quality Assurance Agency's Code of Practice for collaborative provision in Higher Education, (October 2010 version) and where appropriate, Guidelines on Flexible and Distributed Learning. The QAA Code of Practice is based on the key principle that collaborative arrangements, wherever and however organised and delivered, should widen learning opportunities without prejudice either to the standard of the award or qualification, or the quality of what is offered to the student. It identifies system-wide expectations covering matters relating to the management of academic quality and standards in collaborative programmes. Moreover, it represents the authoritative reference point for institutions in assuring the academic quality and standards of such programmes. The Code assumes that each institution has its own systems for independent verification for both its quality and standards and the effectiveness of its quality assurance systems.
  1. The Quality Assurance Agency has structured the Code into a series of precepts (see Appendix B) with accompanying outline guidance. The precepts identify those key matters which the Quality Assurance Agency expects an institution to be able to demonstrate that it is addressing effectively through its own quality assurance mechanisms. The Quality Assurance Agency has also stated that during quality assurance reviews/audits it will consider the extent to which individual institutions are meeting the expectations of the precepts and will report on how effectively the institution is meeting these expectations and discharging its responsibilities for the academic standards and quality of their programmes. Institutions will also be expected to demonstrate that, as they review their existing collaborative relationships, they are identifying any aspects which do not offer the safeguards that the precepts seek to provide and are taking appropriate action to meet any consequent weaknesses.
  1. The areas covered by the precepts are:
  • responsibility for, and equivalence of academic standards;
  • policies, procedures and information;
  • selecting a partner organisation or agent;
  • written agreements with a partner organisation or agent;
  • assuring academic standards and the quality of programmes and awards;
  • assessment requirements;
  • external examining
  • certificates and transcripts;
  • information for students;
  • publicity and marketing.

AFORM AND SCOPE OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

  1. University of Chester may voluntarily seek to enter into collaborative arrangements with other institutions and organisations for educational purposes. The structure of a collaborative arrangement will be determined, in large measure, by its purpose and the activities which it embraces. As stated in the Principles and Regulations, Section C2, collaborative ventures shall conform to one or other of the following models outlined below. Faculties, departments and programme teams of the University must seek advice from the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support in order to identify the type of provision envisaged and to discuss the approval process required.

Categories of collaborative arrangements

  1. The following defines the various models of collaboration that may be established with other organisations and the factors to be considered when deciding which model would be most appropriate.
  1. Formal Partnership

A ‘formal partnership’ is one where the University enters into a strategic collaboration with another organisation, which is governed by an over-arching ‘Organisational Agreement’ between the two parties, for the purposes of delivering one or more awards. This model is appropriate where there will be significant responsibility for programme management, quality assurance, delivery and assessment devolved to the collaborating organisation. The University acts as the validating and awarding body and will retain responsibility for assuring academic standards, but will hold the collaborating organisation accountable for effectively operating approved provision under the Principles and Regulations. This model is also appropriate where it is anticipated that the collaboration will involve the development of a number of programmes to be delivered indefinitely. The establishment of a formal partnership must be approved by Senate following a process of due diligence as outlined in section B of this handbook.

  1. Approved partner organisations may offer provision that has been franchised from the University. That is a programme of study originally designed by University staff for which control over direction and development is retained by the University, while delegating responsibility for the delivery and assessment of the programme to the partner organisation. Such provision may continue to be offered by the University while being delivered by one or more partner organisations at their own sites.
  1. Alternatively, a partner organisation may choose to design and develop provision itself specifically for delivery at its own sites, external to the University. Such provision will be subject to the University’s procedures for validation and periodic review. Though developed by a partner organisation, the University will retain ownership of the award and will reserve the right to offer the provision itself, subject to its own internal processes for approval, or to withdraw the provision should this be deemed appropriate.
  1. Partner organisation staff engaged in the management, delivery and assessment of a University award must be approved by the University either during the initial authorisation process, or subsequently through the relevant Faculty. Such staff will be deemed Approved Tutors. See section D of this handbook for further details of this process, and Appendix T.

13.Provider-Client Relationship

The University may enter into a collaboration whereby it wins a tender, or is otherwise contracted, to develop provision for a client in order to meet the training needs of the organisation’s employees. The University will appoint a Programme Leader to manage the programme and the marking of all summative assessment will be undertaken by University staff, but staff employed by the client may be involved in facilitating the delivery of the programme. Where staff employed by the client will have more extensive involvement in the delivery of the programme and formative assessment it may be appropriate to approve one or more as Honorary Lecturers. A contract must be drawn up detailing the terms of the arrangement between the University and the client.

14.Provision involving Honorary Lecturers

Where a significant level of responsibility for programme management and for summative assessment is to be retained by the University, staff from a collaborating organisation may be approved as Honorary Lecturers on an individual basis to undertake delivery and, where appropriate, formative assessment, without the need for a formal partnership to be established. Under this model a member of University staff would act as the Programme Leader for the programme, or lead tutor for the Work-Based Integrative Studies (WBIS) approved studies route, and would oversee the marking of summative assessment. Proposed Honorary Lecturers must be approved by the relevant Faculty Board of Studies. In the case of WBIS provision Honorary Lecturers should first be nominated for approval by the WBIS Approval Panel.

15.Honorary Lecturers will be employed by the collaborating organisation and will not be paid by the University. Individuals approved as Honorary Lecturers will be required to sign an Honorary Title Contract, acknowledging that in engaging with the delivery of the programme they will do so under University requirements. As such, accountability for complying with the University’s Principles and Regulations will lie with the individual, rather than corporately as is the case in a formal partnership. It may also be appropriate to draw up an agreement with the collaborating organisation which will relate to matters such as finance, resourcing, marketing and permitting staff to meet their obligations to the University. This model may be suitable for the delivery of an individual programme in collaboration with an organisation such as an employer or training organisation, where, for valid reasons presented to the satisfaction of Development Advisory Group (DAG) or the WBIS Approval Panel, a formal partnership is not deemed appropriate.