SAF Version October 2017

Strategic Approval Form (SAF)

Strategic Planning, Resources and Development Committee
(A SubCommittee of the Vice-Chancellor’s Group (VCG)).

Items which relate to Off Campus proposals only are identified with *

Title of Proposal / Click here to enter text.
Vice Chancellor’s Group Sponsor / Click here to enter text.
This form has been compiled by / Click here to enter text.
*Name of Partner Institution(s) (where relevant) / Click here to enter text.
*Name and Jurisdiction of Legal Entity for Contract / Click here to enter text.
*Confirmation of Solvency / Click here to enter text.
*Jurisdiction of Delivery / Click here to enter text.
* Has the Partner Approval Process been completed satisfactorily?
* Have any issues been raised in the OFCD processes? ie Live Action Partnership Plan (LAPP)/ Partnership Overview Form (POF)/Annual Review of Partnership Operations (ARPO)
Have SAF Finance Risk Assessments (Appendix 2) and Quality Risk Assessments (Appendix 3) been completed and attached to this form. Where the proposal relates to a partnership, The Partnership Approval Document Pack is available to SPRDC members in electronic format
1 Background to Proposal
[circa 500 words]Click here to enter text.
2 Project Summary
Details of the programmes to be considered / Click here to enter text.
Please select the Award (more than one can be selected and the expectation is that the integrated framework will be adopted where possible)
(Please reference Part A of the QAA UKQC Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) / FdA/FdSc ☐
BSc/BA with Foundation Year ☐
BSc/BA standard 3 year ☐
BSc/BA Top Up ☐
Integrated Masters ☐
Masters ☐
Apprenticeship ☐
Other (please include details of levels)
Click here to enter text.
Mode of Study availability / (Please note - both FT and PT should be selected unless there are definite reasons why only one legitimate – the expectation is that programmes will be available in both modes)
Full Time ☐
Part Time ☐
Justification for selecting only Full or Part Time Mode of Study / Click here to enter text.
Location/site(s) of delivery / Click here to enter text.
Type of arrangement (please tick if applicable): / Jointly Delivered Programme (Please use QAA Joint Awards Definition) (Please tick if applicable)
Franchise ☐
Validation ☐
Articulation ☐
Progression ☐ / Joint Qualification ☐
Double/Multiple Qualification ☐
Dual Qualification ☐
Concurrent Qualification ☐
3 Business Case
Strategic Issues
Each criterion to be allocated a score between 1 – 10
1 = not meeting the criterion at all, 7 = significant match 10=Exceptionally strong fit with criterion
Criterion / Proposers’ Score / Committee Use / Comments
A / Fit with University’s Strategic Aims & Objectives 2015-2020
I / Enhanced Brand / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Ii / Sustainable student number growth / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Iii / Distinctive Curriculum Offer / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
iv / Improved Retention / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
v / Teaching Intensive Research Informed / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
vi / Apprenticeship Agenda / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
*B / Fit with University’s Off campus Strategic Aims & Objectives as stated in the 2014-2020 Strategic Plan (off campus proposals only)
* / Aim 1 - “To provide a significant income stream while strengthening the university’s global reputation” / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
* / Aim 2 -“To offer HE opportunities to diverse learner communities within the UK and globally” / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
* / Aim 3 - “To build a network of progression partnerships for whom the university is the preferred HE provider.” / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
* / Supports “ strategic concentration” agenda (by partner or region) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
* / Supports “blended approach”
(i.e. cost effective model of technology with franchise) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
* / Supports the development of “UoB global knowledge network”
(i.e. to share knowledge, courses, and research) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
TO BE COMPLETED FOR ON AND OFF CAMPUS PROPOSALS
C / Improve effective and efficient use of resources (including staff) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
D / Secures income streams that supplement UG FT SLC/HEFCE revenue / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
E / Has the potential to leverage or develop further proposals / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
How does the proposal drive forward the Graduate Attributes Matrix for Employability requirements?
Click here to enter text.
Evidence of market research and market intelligence (circa 500 words)
Click here to enter text.
Minimum numbers for viability
Click here to enter text.
What are the (potential) opportunity costs?
Click here to enter text.
*If partner is an existing partner, please indicate whether there are any outstanding payments owed to the University from prior or current activity; a) Total income to UOB from the partner institution in the most recent year b) Any bad debt amount i.e. outstanding for more than 100 calendar days and c) what action is being taken to regularise the situation?
Click here to enter text.
*Is the Partner generally in good standing with the University? That is are there any unresolved issues regarding adhering to quality assurance requirements, contractual issues, student issues or other matters?
Click here to enter text.
Staffing – on and off campus proposals
Existing Staff have the capacity and capability to deliver the proposed programmes
Existing Staff have the capacity however staff development is required
The proposal requires new staff for delivery at level(s):
please circle as appropriate / HE3 / HE4 / HE5 / HE6 / HE7 / HE8
5 Preliminary consideration of core quality assurance matters within the context of UK Quality Code for Higher Education (UKQC)
What risks and controls have been identified in relation to academic standards, quality and information?
Principal Risks / Principal Controls
Setting and maintaining academic standards (QAA UKQC Part A)
-  Comparability of standards with UK higher education
-  Subject benchmarking
-  Professional body recognition / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Assuring and enhancing academic quality (UKQC Parts B1-11) / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Information about provision (UKQC Part C) / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
*6. Jurisdiction and local recognition of UoB programme(s) and award(s)
Principal Risks / Principal Controls
What are the requirements for approval of the proposed programme and UoB award under the jurisdiction within which the partner organisation is located? / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Within the jurisdiction what is the current approval status of the proposed programme and UoB award? / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Within the jurisdiction what is the proposed approval status of the proposed programme and UoB award? / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
7 Student engagement in development of the proposal (NB Involvement of students in developing the proposal prior to consideration by a Validation Panel is mandatory.)
In what ways have current, prospective or past students been involved in the proposal to this point? / Click here to enter text.
In what ways will current, prospective or past students be involved in the proposal from this point? / Click here to enter text.
8 Student Employability
How does the proposals enhance student employability, particularly graduate level employability / Click here to enter text.
9 Risk Assessment
Criteria to be given a score between 1 and 10 with comments to indicate the reason for each score
1 = =low risk and 10 = high risk
Criteria / Proposers’ Score / For Committee Use / Comments
Financial / Economic (eg inflation / currency / money transfer) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Reputational (eg engagements with other partners) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Operational (eg travel restrictions) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Legal / Jurisdiction (eg contract management and enforcement) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Socio-Political (eg elections) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Quality Assurance (Eg local recognition/regulatory issues) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Other (please specify) / Please select / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
*10 Contract Negotiations
Name of UoB lead negotiator on Contract / Click here to enter text.
Summarise discussions which have taken place with the University Contracts and Compliance Officer / Click here to enter text.
Status of Current Contract Negotiations / Click here to enter text.
Proposed date for completion of Draft Contract / Click here to enter text.
11 Relationship between On Campus and Off Campus Provision / Click here to enter text.
For Off campus proposals
Briefly summarise the discussions with the Head of School for the academic area involved. / Click here to enter text.
If this is a proposal to franchise please state the on campus programme being franchised in whole or part. / Click here to enter text.
If this is not a franchise, does UoB currently offer a similar programme? If so please name programme(s) / Click here to enter text.
If UoB does not offer this or similar programmes on campus what expertise does the University have to ensure that academic standards and quality can be adequately monitored and supported? / Click here to enter text.
What are the implications if any for on campus resources (including staff). / Click here to enter text.
For On Campus Proposals
Briefly summarise the discussions with the Off Campus Division. / Click here to enter text.
Which off campus programmes, if any, might serve currently or prospectively as feeders to the proposed programme? / Click here to enter text.
12 Next steps and timeline
Proposed Date of meeting with students to discuss development: / Click here to enter text.
Proposed meeting of Programmes Committee for approval to proceed to validation: / Click here to enter text.
*Proposed Date of completing Final Draft of Contract with Partner: / Click here to enter text.
Proposed Date of Planning Meeting: / Click here to enter text.
Proposed Date of Approval Event: / Click here to enter text.
Proposed Date for enrolment of first cohort for each proposed programme (by which date the Chair must have signed off on validation conditions: / Click here to enter text.
Signature of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) indicating that the submission has been approved to go to SPRDC for further consideration: Signed proposals should be submitted by email to the Secretary to the SPRDC, at least 5 working days prior to the relevant SPRDC meeting.
______
Date: Click here to enter a date.

FOR USE BY SECRETARY TO THE SPRDC

This proposal has been consider by SPRDC at its meeting of Click here to enter a date.

Outcome / Indicate outcome / Principal Reason(s) for rejection or significant conditions (see minutes for further details).
Rejected / ☐ / Click here to enter text.
Decision Deferred pending consideration of key points raised at the SPRDC meeting with the proposal to be resubmitted at a future meeting, / ☐ / Click here to enter text.
Conditionally Approved for consideration by Programmes Committee subject to specific conditions being met and approved by the SPRDC Chair or nominee / ☐ / Click here to enter text.
Approved for consideration by Programmes Committee / ☐ / Click here to enter text.

(Subject to Institutional and/or Site Appraisal Report (for collaborative partnerships); student minimum number guarantee per programme and Partner and University of Bolton negotiated and agreed Total Fee Income to UOB per FTE, per programme)

Signed ______Date Click here to enter a date.

For use by Secretary to SPRDC

Copies to:

Date: Click here to enter a date.

SPRDC Submission Form – Revised Version 6

HA Birtwistle October 2017

SAF Version October 2017

Appendix 1 Financial Feasibility (insert partner(s) name if appropriate)

2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022
Programme / Student Numbers / S1 / S2 / S1 / S2 / S1 / S2 / S1 / S2 / S1 / S2
[Name] / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Total Numbers / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
INCOME
Total Gross Fee Income (£k) at / k per FTE / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Total Net Fee Income to Bolton at / Per cent / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
COSTS
Partnership management costs at £ / per student / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Other costs (copy and base rows as needed) / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Total Costs / (£k) / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Potential Surplus by Year / (£k) / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Cumulative Surplus / (£k) / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Comments (Re Assumptions, deficits, omissions or other issues)

These figures should be completed in collaboration with the University Finance Department. Please contact Financial Services for further details. This spreadsheet is available in excel at the following location