FORM J11

QUALITY ASSURANCE HANDBOOK

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP
PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL FOR BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVAL
(Proposing Executive Dean to complete)
PART 1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This section gives the reader background information on the proposed partner and provides some history of UCA’s discussions with them. As such it should include

  • a brief overview of the proposed partner (referencing the status and standing of the provider and any experience they have of such collaboration)
  • detail of when UCA first entered into discussions with them to explore possible collaboration.

PART 2 PROPOSAL

This section should include information on the proposal and confirm that due process has been undertaken in considering the proposal.

The proposal itself

This section should clearly articulate what sort of collaboration is being proposed (franchised or validated provision, full / part time, named course or range of courses and the proposed date for commencement). For example:

“It is proposed that UCA enters into collaboration with xx for the franchised delivery of xx available in full time and part time mode recruiting with effect from academic year xxxx/xxxx”.

“Student numbers for this provision is estimated as xx FT and xx PT per annum , by its xth year of delivery.”

Confirmation of process

This section should confirm that the University’s Policy and Procedure for consideration of proposals for Collaborative Partnerships (as outlined in Section J of the QAH) have been followed.

It should confirm the date that:

J1Request to Proceed to Due Diligence was received by Leadership Team

J3Due Diligence Report received by Leadership Team

B1 New course proposal received by Leadership Team (only if appropriate)

PART 3 ASSUMPTIONS THAT HAVE INFORMED THE PROPOSAL

This section should comment on the assumptions that have informed the business case and confirm that they have been discussed and satisfactorily agreed in principle with the partner.

The following are examples of the sort of areas that should be commented upon:

Scale and scalability (on what basis have the student numbers been derived)

Evidence of a market for the proposed course(s)

Partner resources for delivery

Discussions regarding access to UCA resources (and understanding on behalf of the partner of

what access to UCA resources they will be able to have / pay for in addition)

Assumptions made in the costings (for instance are costs of quality assurance included as part of the proposed fee arrangements or will they be charged separately)

The purpose of this section is to confirm that key matters pertaining to the proposal have been discussed and agreed with the partner before the expense of an Institutional approval event / validation event is held.

PART 4 ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION

This section should draw out any issues identified from the due diligence exercise that would be further explored at the Institutional Approval event.

Any other issues (for instance, impact on staffing or portfolio) should also be highlighted here for the Board of Governors consideration.

APPENDICES

Appendix 1–Detailed costing form must be provided as an appendix (you should have commented on any assumptions of this costing form in part 3 above)[1]

Appendix 2 – Form J3 Due Diligence

Quality Assurance Handbook 2015/16Page 1 of 2

[1] Please contact QAE for examples of previous costing exercises submitted to Board of Governors