HANDBOOK C TO ACCOMPANY THE PRINCIPLES AND REGULATIONS:

COLLABORATIVE PROVISION

2011-2012

CONTENTS

Page

GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION 4

A FORM AND SCOPE OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS 11

Categories of collaborative arrangements 11

Associate College Status 14

B PROCEDURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVISION 16

Procedures for the approval of a new formal collaborative partnership 16

Procedures for the approval of delivery of collaborative programmes 20

Procedures for the Approval of a Student and/or Staff Exchange 21

Procedures for the approval of an articulation arrangement 22

Procedures for the University accreditation of training 24

Procedures for the approval of an Agent to facilitate collaborative arrangements for a University of Chester off-campus programme 24

Work Based and Integrative Studies Approval Panel

C CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS 26

Organisational Agreements 26

Programme Agreements 26

Exchange Agreements 27

Articulation Agreements 27

Agency Agreements 28

Associate College Agreements 28

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Financial Annexes 28

Other forms of agreement 29

D PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMES 30

Programme Management 30

Quality Assurance 32

Assessment 35

E MONITORING AND REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS 37

Annual Partnership Reports 37

Periodic Review of Collaborative Partnerships 37

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APPENDICES

A REGISTER OF UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER’S CURRENT COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

B THE 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)

C ASSOCIATE COLLEGE STATUS: CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL

D PARTNERSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

DD WITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERSHIP FORM

E FLOW CHART FOR NEW PARTNERSHIP APPROVAL

F COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP: PROPOSAL FORM

G NOTES OF GUIDANCE FOR A NEW COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL

H PARTNER ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK

I NEW EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIP: PROPOSAL FORM AND NOTES OF GUIDANCE

J DUE DILIGENCE PROTOCOL FOR SELECTION OF AN AGENT

K EXAMPLE OF AN ORGANISATIONAL AGREEMENT

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L EXAMPLE OF A PROGRAMME AGREEMENT

M EXAMPLE OF AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

N EXAMPLE OF AGENCY AGREEMENT

O PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

P COLLABORATIVE PROVISION PROGRAMME LEADER: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Q COLLABORATIVE PROVISION LINK TUTOR: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

R LINK TUTOR’S FORUM: TERMS OF REFERENCE

S PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN EXTERNAL PROGRAMME ADVISER

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

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

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

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

X GUIDANCE ON THE DURATION OF ORGANISATIONAL AGREEMENTS

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GLOSSARY

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

Approved TutorMember 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.

ArticulationArrangement 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.

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

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

Dual AwardAn 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.

ExchangeAn 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 AccreditationAccreditation 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.

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

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

Organisational AgreementThe 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 AnalysisThe 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 OrganisationThe institution or other body with which University of Chester enters into an agreement to collaborate as formal partners.

Periodic review of a collaborative partnershipA 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 AgreementThe 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

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

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

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

Site AuthorisationQuality 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.

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

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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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

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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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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A FORM AND SCOPE OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Formal PartnershipA ‘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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Partner organisation staff engaged in the management, delivery and assessment of a University award must be approved by the University either during the initial

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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 RelationshipThe 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 LecturersWhere 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.

16. University Accreditation of TrainingThe University may from time to time be approached by external organisations with requests to formally accredit training programmes which are offered to their staff, or delivered by the organisation to its clients. Accreditation relates to confirmation by the University that training initiatives offered by an organisation, which do not lead to a University award, nevertheless demonstrate appropriate quality. In certain circumstances it may be appropriate for the University to ‘credit-rate’ the training initiative to reflect its equivalence to HE-level provision. Under this arrangement, individual students who have successfully completed the training may then apply for entry to a University award and claim the recognised credit through the Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) process. The Accreditation process is outlined in the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision. Successful completion of the Accreditation process will result in the

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establishment of an Accreditation Agreement between the University and the accredited organisation.

17. Student/Staff ExchangesIn order to provide international opportunities for its students and staff, the University may establish collaborative arrangements with overseas Universities and Colleges for the purposes of exchange visits. Such arrangements are normally managed by a Faculty and are subject to approval by Senate. Details of the approval process can be found in section B of this handbook. The duration of exchange visits will be subject to negotiation between the collaborating institutions, and will be detailed along with other relevant aspects of the arrangement in an Exchange Agreement.

18. In addition, University of Chester participates in the ERASMUS student exchange programme with selected European institutions and departments. Responsibility for making appropriate arrangements with partner institutions and students under this scheme rests with the European Office within the Department of Modern Languages.

19. Articulation AgreementsThe University may enter into collaborative arrangements with other institutions with degree awarding powers in order to provide opportunities for students to study for a proportion of an award at each institution. Such an arrangement will involve each institution giving recognition to the other’s provision in a specified subject area, and accepting students into the articulating award with an agreed amount of credit. For example a student may study for two years at the collaborating institution before transferring to University of Chester for a further two years of study (2+2). The student will study under the regulations of the institution at which they are based at the time, and each institution will be responsible for ensuring that participating students meet its requirements for an award. In this way students may receive awards of the two institutions (a dual award) upon successful completion of their studies. The arrangement may be one-way, e.g. students transferring from the collaborating institution to Chester only; or may be two-way, i.e. students from each institution transferring to the other. The nature of the arrangement will influence the level of due diligence required prior to approval by Senate. This will be agreed by the Development Advisory Group [DAG] upon submission of a proposal for such an arrangement. In such instances reference should be made to Appendix L of the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision which relates to the approval of provision delivered by an overseas partner.

20. Off-Campus Delivery and AgentsWhere the University seeks to deliver one of its programmes ‘off-campus’, that is where delivery and assessment are conducted by staff of the University but at a site other than one of its own campuses, the approval of this shall be subject to the standard processes for validation or site authorisation outlined in the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision. Though off-campus delivery may involve the use of facilities provided by another organisation, it shall not of itself be considered a formal partnership, but shall nonetheless be governed by appropriate agency and/or service agreements detailing the responsibilities and expectations of all parties involved in facilitating the arrangement. The Director of Legal Services should be consulted regarding the format and content of such agreements.

21. An agent may be engaged to broker or facilitate ‘off-campus’ or other arrangements and may supply administrative and/or academic services to support University of Chester. Agreements with agents will normally be concerned with the recruitment of students, administration and provision of facilities, but may also include minor roles in connection

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with the use of local counsellors/tutors and in providing advice to students on the conduct and progress of their studies. In such instances due diligence enquiries shall be made to ensure that a satisfactory relationship can be established with a reliable and effective organisation (see Appendix J). Such arrangements will be subject an Agency Agreement.

22. Accreditation of University provision by External AgenciesUniversity of Chester may also be accredited for the provision of an award or awards by external bodies such as EDEXCEL or the TDA. Bodies of this kind will not normally be providers of education but rather will be accrediting or licensing agencies. Therefore, such collaboration is governed by the process of formal external accreditation and will not normally require the drawing up of an agreement linking University of Chester to another institution or organisation. Similarly specific programmes which are accredited by Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies will be subject to the accreditation process of that body in addition to the University’s own quality assurance procedures.

23. Student PlacementsThe University may also enter into arrangements with external organisations expressly for the purpose of student placements. Such arrangements must be informed by the QAA Code of Practice for the Assurance of Quality and Standards in Higher Education – Work Based and Placement Learning, September 2007. Where, for educational and professional purposes, students undertake placements with organisations other than the University, the responsibilities and liabilities of all parties must be clearly set out in a Placement Agreement.

Associate College Status

24. As stated in the Principles and Regulations, Section C7, existing partner colleges which have been involved in the delivery of one or more of the University’s awards for a period of at least three years may apply for the enhanced status of Associate College.

25. An Associate College is a distinctive category of partner college. The status implies a close and long term working relationship with the University in pursuit of the common aims of service to the community and commitment to lifelong learning. Such an arrangement would seek to support the enhancement of:

opportunities for progression by students of the college and the University;

education and training opportunities for both staff and students of the college and the University; and

provision of education and training opportunities for business and the community.

The granting of Associate College status by the University will confer distinctive benefits on the college. These may include:

strategic collaboration in curriculum planning and development;

opportunities for joint learning and teaching initiatives and joint funding submissions;

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the sharing of facilities, resources and expertise;

use of the University’s name and logo in promotional materials;

enhanced staff development opportunities.

Benefits to the University may include:

opportunities for development in recruitment and marketing;

opportunities to enhance the range of taught programmes;

the opportunity further to widen access to HE;

the opportunity to establish a strategic regional network.

26. The specific details of the arrangements between University of Chester and an Associate College will be the subject of written contractual and financial agreements. Full details of the criteria and approval process for Associate College status can found at Appendix C.

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B PROCEDURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVISION

27. In order to ensure the consistency and rigour of University of Chester's handling of its responsibilities in the area of collaborative partnerships, it established the Partnerships sub-Committee in December 2001. The Terms of Reference for the Partnerships sub-Committee are set out at Appendix D.

28. The process of approval required will be dependent upon the nature of the collaborative arrangement. The Development Advisory Group [DAG] has overarching responsibility for considering proposals relating to new collaborations as well as new curriculum developments. Proposals for the establishment of a collaborative arrangement will normally come from a member of University staff who should seek the support of their Head of Subject and the Faculty Management Group. The support of the relevant academic department in any collaborative venture is paramount if the collaboration is to be viable and successful. DAG will normally expect the Dean of Faculty to be among those presenting the proposal. No formal agreement or informal commitment to collaboration may be entered into without initial consideration by DAG and ultimately the approval of the Senate of University of Chester.

Similarly, DAG must be formally notified via the appropriate pro forma Appendix DD of a proposal to withdraw from a partnership.

29. Section A of this handbook gives details of the different forms of collaborative arrangements, and Academic Quality Support Services should be consulted for advice regarding the most appropriate route for approval. Such arrangements may include a new formal partnership, development of new provision with an existing partner organisation, a new student/staff exchange arrangement, a new articulation or dual award arrangement, accreditation of employer training, and other collaborations for the purpose of delivering educational provision.

Details of the procedures relating to the different forms of collaborative arrangements can be found below.

Procedures for the approval of a new formal collaborative partnership

30. In cases where a collaborative arrangement will involve the devolution of significant responsibility for delivery of a University award to the collaborating organisation, a formal partnership must normally be established. A flow-chart depicting the process for the approval of a new formal collaborative partnership and subsequent programme approval can be found at Appendix E.

31. In order to ensure that a new formal partnership can be approved in time to start the delivery of a collaborative programme in September of a new academic year, partnership proposals must reach DAG by February of the previous academic year. This is to guarantee that such partnership proposals will have the opportunity to complete the approval process prior to the beginning of the academic year.

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32. The purpose of this procedure is to establish the appropriateness of the proposed partner organisation for partnership with University of Chester by:

assessing the compatibility between the two organisations in terms of mission, purpose and strategic aims;

assessing the ability of the partner institution to offer an appropriate environment and infrastructure for collaboration on the delivery of higher education programmes, research projects or other educational activity;

assessing the adequacy and the appropriateness of the mechanisms by which University of Chester's requirements and expectations of quality and academic standards will be met by the partner institution.

This stage is separate from, and must normally precede the approval of the delivery of, a collaborative programme and the signing of a Programme Agreement.

33. In considering whether the University should enter into partnership with an organisation, account will be taken of a number of key strategic issues. Any proposed partnership should seek to benefit the University and the wider community that it serves, and may provide the following opportunities:

Consolidation or enhancement of the regional, national or international reputation of the University;

The opportunity to widen access to, and participation in, higher education;

The establishment or enhancement of student progression routes to further study at the University;

Access to new or niche markets which are compatible with the University’s existing and/or developing areas of expertise;

Engagement with business and industry to develop provision that meets the skills development needs of a particular sector;

Engagement with other public sector or not-for-profit organisations to work collaboratively for the benefit of the community and the wider region.

In addition, proposed partnerships should be consistent with the following criteria:

The proposed partner organisation should have a remit for the provision of education and/or training, and should have the demonstrable capacity to successfully deliver programmes to appropriate academic standards;

The proposed partner organisation should be of good repute amongst its peers (demonstrable, for example, through inclusion on the NARIC database);

The partnership should present a manageable level of risk to the University in terms of quality assurance and maintenance of standards, health and safety and logistical planning;

The proposed partnership must be congruent with the University’s Corporate Plan, the relevant Faculty Business Plan and the University’s academic portfolio;

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The partner organisation must demonstrate appropriate financial security and sound financial management, for example through independently and/or externally audited accounts;

The partnership must be demonstrated to be financially viable and sustainable for both parties;

The University must be satisfied of the ethical nature of the partner organisation’s activities;

The University must be satisfied that the policy and practice of the proposed partner organisation is consistent with current equal opportunities legislation;

The partner organisation has the legal status under English law and capacity to enter into a legally binding agreement with the University.

The University will consider entering into collaborative partnerships for delivery of its own awards where it does not have subject expertise in the relevant academic area if:

The partner’s specialism is one which the University has a clear and defined strategic interest in developing as part of its overall academic portfolio; AND/ OR

The provision is part of the curriculum offered by a partner, the majority of which aligns with that of the University, and where there are logistical or other reasons for this to be included within the partnership as a whole.

In all cases the University will require firm assurance of the quality and standards of the provision in question through independent external verification, in addition to that provided by external examiners. This might be secured through scrutiny of the regular monitoring reports of a professional or equivalent body or, where such information is not available or to supplement such information, through reports by an independent panel of experts appointed by the University.

34. The member, or members, of staff from University of Chester contemplating the establishment of a formal partnership must seek support in principle from the relevant Dean of Faculty, in the first instance through the submission of an initial proposal for a new collaborative partnership to the Faculty Management Group (see template at Appendix F and accompanying notes of guidance at Appendix G). Advice may be sought from the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support on the completion of the proposal template and the process as a whole, with consideration being given to the timescale required for the approval process.

35. Authorisation to progress the proposal for a new collaborative partnership to the Development Advisory Group [DAG] shall be based on there being a strong strategic and academic rationale for embarking upon the collaborative venture, which is consistent with the University of Chester's Corporate Plan and the Business Plan of the Faculty. If the proposal for organisational collaboration is rejected at this stage, it is a requirement that the Dean of Faculty communicates this decision to the originator of the proposal.

36. If the Faculty Management Group wishes to endorse the proposed development, a copy of the proposal for a new collaborative partnership, signed by the Dean of Faculty, must then be forwarded to DAG which will consider the proposal on behalf of the University Senior Management Team.

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37. DAG will be chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience/Corporate Performance). The Advisory Group will consider the proposal and provide a commentary for the University Senior Management Team on any specific issues relating to consistency with the University’s Corporate Plan and the key strategic issues outlined above, compatibility between University of Chester and the proposed partner, and funding and resourcing, which may require further discussion. The Advisory Group will forward its comments to the University Senior Management Team.

38. The University Senior Management Team will give consideration to the proposal and DAG’s comments focussing on the strategic rationale for the proposed collaboration in relation to the University’s Corporate Plan and the resourcing implications for the University of Chester. If the proposal for a new collaborative partnership is rejected at this stage, it is a requirement that the Secretary to DAG communicates this decision to the originator of the proposal and the Dean of Faculty.

39. If approval is given to progress the proposed development, the proposal for a new collaborative partnership should be signed by the Chair of DAG and forwarded to the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support, with the request that a Partner Analysis of the organisation with which collaboration is proposed be conducted. The Principal Assistant Registrar may seek further clarification and assistance from the originating Faculty of the proposal, as appropriate, and will note particular matters that it should be further addressed.

40. The Principal Assistant Registrar may also request that the Finance Department of University of Chester assess the legal and financial standing, and reputation of the prospective partner. The latest audited annual accounts from the prospective partner must be reviewed by the Director of Finance of University of Chester. In some instances, evidence might also include written references from independent sources who themselves are of the highest standing. For overseas organisations, additional evidence of history, status and reputation may be obtained from the British Council.

41. Where appropriate, the Principal Assistant Registrar may refer an initial analysis back to DAG for consideration. If the proposal for a new collaborative partnership is rejected at this stage, it is requirement that the Secretary of DAG communicates this decision to the originator of the proposal.

42. If further information needs to be gathered, or issues clarified, the Partner Analysis may then involve a fact-finding visit to the organisation which will be co-ordinated by the Principal Assistant Registrar. The visit must be undertaken by a small panel of representatives led by a member of Partnerships sub-Committee, and including University of Chester subject experts where appropriate. The procedures for the conduct of a Partner Analysis can found at Appendix H.

43. Following the completion of the Partner Analysis, a factual report, which will address concerns over the compatibility between University of Chester and the proposed partner organisation, will be forwarded to Partnerships sub-Committee for approval. After reviewing the report and the recommendations, Partnerships sub-Committee shall submit the minutes of the outcome to the Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee which shall, in turn, make recommendations to Senate on the proposal to establish a formal partnership.

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44. Following approval by Senate, a draft Organisational Agreement shall be drawn up by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support and forwarded to the partner organisation. Once the Organisational Agreement has been finalised to the satisfaction of both parties, it shall be signed by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester (or nominee), and the equivalent senior officer of the partner organisation. The original copy of a signed Organisational Agreement shall be held on file by the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships.

45. Where a proposal for partnership is rejected by Senate, a letter indicating the decision shall be sent to the proposed partner organisation by the Chair of Senate. Details of any rejected proposals shall be archived by the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships.

Procedures for the approval of delivery of collaborative programmes

46. All forms of collaborative provision at programme level shall require a process of approval which must be concerned with the delivery and support for the programme in the local context.

47. Existing ProgrammesWhere a collaborative partner wishes to deliver the whole or part of a programme that has already been validated by University of Chester, a site authorisation event shall be held which will only consider matters relating to the capacity of the organisation to deliver the programme.

48. Where a proposal is put forward for a new partnership, which will initially involve the delivery of a single programme that has already been approved and delivered by the University, or one of its existing collaborative partners, consideration will be given to conducting the site authorisation on the same day as the fact-finding part of the partner analysis. In order for this conflated approval process to be considered it must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Dean of Academic Quality and Enhancement that the proposed partner organisation is sufficiently familiar with the provision it is intending to deliver, prior to the approval event. In such cases approval of delivery of the programme by the new partner organisation shall be subject to approval of the overall partnership by Partnerships sub-Committee, Academic Quality & Enhancement Committee and Senate, based upon the report received on the partner analysis. With the exception that both events may be performed on a single day, the partner analysis and site authorisation shall be conducted in accordance with the established procedures for each process.

49. New ProgrammesWhere a collaborative partner wishes to offer significant academic provision leading to a University of Chester award, but such provision is not currently approved, it is a requirement that a programme validation event be held. A validation event will consider programme specific issues (e.g. the aims of the programme, subject benchmarks, key skills, programme structure, methods of teaching and learning, assessment criteria etc.) and matters relating to the ability of the institution to deliver the programme (e.g. arrangements for programme management, learning resources, the physical estate, staff development, financial resources, human resources etc.).

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Normally, new partnerships must have received approval from Senate before any such validation can take place.

50. Full details of both the validation and site authorisation processes can be found in the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision.

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

51. Where a member of staff wishes to put forward a proposal for a new student and/or staff exchange arrangement with another Higher Education Institution, they should complete the Exchange Partnership Proposal Template (Appendix I with Notes of Guidance at Annex 1). Advice may be sought from the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support on the completion of the proposal template and the process as a whole.

52. Where the proposal relates to an arrangement specific to a particular Subject Department/Faculty, the endorsement of the Faculty should be sought via the Faculty Management Group. In this instance the proposal should be signed by the Dean of Faculty to indicate the Faculty’s endorsement before being forwarded for consideration by DAG. The Dean of Faculty would normally be among those presenting the proposal to DAG.

53. Prior to submission to DAG, the member of staff submitting the proposal would normally be expected to have visited the prospective partner institution in order to view the resources to be made available to staff and/or students engaged in an exchange, discuss the nature of the arrangement with staff at the prospective partner institution, and consider the appropriateness of the location and environment for staff and students of University of Chester.

54. Where it has not been possible to arrange a visit to the proposed partner institution prior to consideration of the Exchange Partnership Proposal, final approval of the proposed arrangement would be subject to a satisfactory report to Partnerships sub-Committee on a subsequently arranged visit.

55. DAG shall give particular consideration to the appropriateness of the proposed partner institution as an exchange partner, the strategic rationale for the proposed collaboration in relation to the University’s Corporate Plan and the resourcing implications for the University of Chester. DAG will forward its comments to the University Senior Management Team for consideration. If the proposal for the exchange partnership is rejected at this stage, it is a requirement that the Chair of DAG communicates this decision to the originator of the proposal.

56. If approval is given to progress the proposed development, the Exchange Partnership Proposal should be signed by the Chair of DAG and forwarded to Partnerships sub-Committee along with details of any particular issues that require further clarification or discussion.

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57. Based on the information provided in the Exchange Partnership Proposal, Partnerships sub-Committee will use its expertise in the area of collaborative partnerships to explore any issues raised by DAG requiring further discussion, and will give consideration to the following matters:

Compatibility of subject areas, credit frameworks, and academic year structure between that of University of Chester and the proposed partner institution;

Systems and services in place to provide support for University of Chester staff and/ or students while undertaking an exchange programme;

Appropriateness of resources to be made available to University of Chester students and/or staff while undertaking an exchange programme;

Mechanisms for managing the exchange process both for outgoing University of Chester students and incoming students from the partner institution;

Anticipated demand for the proposed exchange arrangement;

Any other issues related to the locality of the proposed exchange partner such as immigration arrangements, health & safety concerns specific to the local environment, accessibility and transport links.

On the basis of its discussions and the information presented, Partnerships sub-Committee will approve or otherwise the proposed exchange arrangement and will make recommendations to Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee on the approval. Where appropriate, Partnerships sub-Committee may request further information relating to the Exchange Partnership Proposal before making its recommendations to Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee.

58. Final approval of the proposed exchange arrangement shall rest with the Senate of University of Chester, following the recommendations of the Partnerships sub-Committee and the subsequent consideration of those recommendations by Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee.

59. Following approval by Senate of the Exchange Partnership, an Exchange Agreement will be drafted by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support. Once finalised to the satisfaction of both parties, the Exchange Agreement will be signed by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester (or nominee), and the equivalent senior officer of the partner institution. Where appropriate, an Exchange Agreement drawn up by the partner institution may be accepted in lieu of that drafted by University of Chester, provided that the content of the agreement does not contradict any element of the Exchange Agreements normally devised by University of Chester. The original copy of the Exchange Agreement will be kept on file by the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships.

60. Where a proposal for an Exchange Partnership is rejected by Senate, a letter indicating the decision shall be sent to the proposed partner institution by the Chair of Senate. Details of any rejected Exchange Partnership Proposals will be archived by the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships.

Procedures for the approval of an articulation arrangement

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61. A Faculty may wish to enter into a collaborative arrangement with another Higher Education Institution, usually overseas, for the purpose of offering articulation between provision delivered by the prospective partner and that delivered by University of Chester. This arrangement would permit students to enter a programme delivered by the University having already completed a specified amount of credit, to complete the remainder of their studies for an award of University of Chester. This may involve students moving both directions or only one-way.

In such instances a member of staff from the Faculty should submit to DAG a proposal for the arrangement which may cover the following aspects, as appropriate:

Profile of the institution giving details of its size, location, status, background, facilities and resources;

Rationale for the proposed arrangement;

Details of the arrangement including subject areas, periods of study and admissions requirements;

Compatibility between the two institutions;

Resource implications for the University;

Financial arrangements;

Student support arrangements;

Arrangements for managing the collaboration;

Other aspects for consideration such as immigration requirements, cultural and language issues, and health and safety issues relating to environment in which the institution operates.

62. Where the arrangement will involve more than one Faculty, one of those involved will agree to act as the lead Faculty for the proposal, and the Dean of that Faculty will normally be among those presenting the proposal to DAG. Where the proposed articulation arrangement relates to an institution with which the University already has a collaborative arrangement, such as that for student exchanges, the proposal paper should take account of existing links. It may not be necessary to provide as much background information in this instance as for an institution with which the University has no previous relationship.

63. DAG will give consideration to the proposal with particular concern for its consistency with the University’s Corporate Plan, the compatibility between the two institutions, the appropriateness of the collaboration, and the operation of the arrangement within the University’s Principles and Regulations. The Advisory Group will forward its comments to the University Senior Management Team for its consideration. If the proposal is rejected at this stage it is a requirement that the Chair of DAG informs the originator of the proposal.

64. If the proposal is approved by DAG it should be forwarded to the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support who will give further consideration to the arrangement and advise on further requirements for approval. Where the arrangement will involve University of Chester students undertaking study at the proposed partner institution, a partner analysis fact-finding visit will be required to assess its suitability, chaired by a senior member of University staff. A report on the visit will be made to Partnerships sub-Committee which in turn will make recommendations to

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Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee and to Senate on the approval of articulation arrangement. Where the arrangement will involve students from the partner institution being admitted to University of Chester only, a partner analysis visit may not be required. In this instance, Partnerships sub-Committee will make recommendations directly to Academic Quality & Enhancement Committee regarding the approval of the proposed articulation arrangement.

65. In all instances reference should be made to Appendix L of the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Approved Provision. This provides a framework for ensuring that the quality assurance procedures of the collaborating institution are appropriate. This process must be undertaken in discussion with the collaborating institution prior to the admittance of any students to the articulation arrangement and following initial approval of the collaboration with the partner institution.

Procedures for the University accreditation of training

66. Details of the process for the accreditation of training by University of Chester can be found at Appendix R of the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision.

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

67. Where a Faculty/Department wishes to deliver a programme at an off-campus location for the first time, permission must be sought from the Dean of Faculty, on behalf of the Board of Studies, in the first instance. Full details of the process for authorisation to deliver a programme at a new site of delivery can be found in the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision. If approval is received the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support must be notified, and if a member of staff of University of Chester is contemplating using an agent to broker or facilitate collaborative arrangements, due diligence enquires must be undertaken, prior to the signing of an agreement, in order to ensure that a satisfactory relationship can be established with a reliable and effective partner, following the due diligence procedures described in Appendix J.

Work-Based and Integrative Studies Framework

68. University of Chester has established the Work-Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) Approval Panel to oversee and approve provision to be delivered under the WBIS framework. The WBIS framework provides a structure for the approval of work-based and work-related study routes negotiated both by individuals and organisations for groups of students. Delivery of provision developed through the WBIS framework may involve contributions from collaborating organisations such as training companies and employers. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for such collaborating organisations to be approved as formal partners, in which case the procedure detailed above should be followed. The WBIS Approval Panel shall advise on whether or not a formal partnership is deemed appropriate for a particular collaborative arrangement, as

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new provision is presented, and its minutes will record those cases where a formal partnership is to be entered into.

69. In addition to the approval of new WBIS provision, the WBIS Panel will also give initial approval to teaching staff that are not employed by the University but will nonetheless be involved in the delivery and/or assessment of University validated WBIS provision. Where such staff are employed by a collaborating organisation that is not a formal partner of the University, it is a requirement that they are also approved as Honorary Lecturers of the University. The procedure for the appointment of Honorary Lecturers is managed by Human Resource Management Services, and requires the approval of the Faculty Board of Studies.

70. The Work-Based and Integrative Studies Approval Panel meets monthly. The terms of reference of the Work-Based and Integrative Studies Approval Panel can be found in the Handbook Governing the Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision.

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C CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS

71. It is a requirement that a collaborative arrangement is governed by formal written agreements which specify the rights and responsibilities of University of Chester and the collaborating organisation with regard to assuring the quality and standards of programmes of study and protecting the rights of students. These agreements are signed by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester and a designated central authority in the collaborating organisation and are limited in their period of validity. The different forms of agreement used for collaborative arrangements are detailed below.

Organisational Agreements

72. Formal partnerships between the University and a collaborating organisation must be governed by an overarching Organisational Agreement. The Organisational Agreement sets out the purposes, responsibilities and liabilities of the collaboration between the two organisations and will normally include the categories outlined in the template found at Appendix K. Aspects of the template may be amended according the particular nature of the arrangement, subject to the agreement of both parties. An Organisational Agreement must only be signed once University of Chester has satisfied itself that the conditions set out in Section C1 of the Principles and Regulations have been met.

73. Once an Organisational Agreement has been signed between University of Chester and a partner, collaboration may be initiated for one of a number of purposes. The principal purposes will be:

delivery of the whole or part of a programme or programmes of study as an external programme;

the franchising of the whole or part of a University of Chester programme or programmes of study.

74. As specified in Section C3.2 of the Principles and Regulations, the Organisational Agreement shall operate for a period of no longer than 6 years. This exact period of agreement shall be stipulated within the Organisational Agreement. Guidance on the factors to consider when defining the duration of the Organisational Agreement can be found at Appendix X. In order to determine whether the collaboration should continue beyond this period, a Review of the Collaborative Partnership must be undertaken by staff of University of Chester (see Monitoring and Review section for details).

Programme Agreements

75. In addition to the Organisational Agreement, a Programme Agreement must be established for each programme to be delivered by the partner organisation, prior to the commencement of delivery. A Programme Agreement is the formal document in which University of Chester and a partner organisation agree the responsibilities and liabilities of the two organisations for the delivery of a named collaborative programme. The

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Programme Agreement shall normally cover the categories outlined in the template found at Appendix L.

76. Aspects of the template may be amended according the particular nature of the arrangement, subject to the agreement of both parties. For example in contracts with overseas partner organisations, the inclusion of a provision relating to the languages of assessment and instruction must be included.

Exchange Agreements

77. In accordance with Section C5 of the Principles and Regulations, an Exchange Agreement must be drawn up prior to the commencement of student and/or staff exchanges with a collaborating organisation and shall normally cover the following categories outlined in Appendix M.

78. Where appropriate, an Exchange Agreement drawn up by the partner institution may be accepted in lieu of that drafted by University of Chester, provided that the content of the agreement does not contradict any element of the Exchange Agreements normally devised by University of Chester.

Articulation Agreements

79. An Articulation Agreement must be drawn up where University of Chester enters into a collaborative arrangement with another Higher Education Institution for the admittance of students to its awards with a specified amount of credit for certificated learning. The agreement will be drafted in accordance with the specific nature of the arrangement but will normally include the following categories:

Subject Matter;

Commencement and Duration of Agreement;

Termination of Agreement;

Enrolment of Students, Subjects and Awards;

Responsibilities of each party (relating to admissions, student support, administrative arrangements and maintenance of quality and standards);

Diversity and Equality;

Languages of Instruction and Assessment;

Promotional Arrangements;

Provision of Certificates and Transcripts;

Amendment or Variation;

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction;

Resolution of Disputes.

80. Such an agreement shall be subject to periodic review.

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Agency Agreements

81. An Agency Agreement (Appendix N) must be drawn up to cover an arrangement whereby University of Chester enters into a contract with institutions and/or agencies to supply administrative and/or academic services to support University of Chester’s off-campus programmes. The agreement will normally cover the following categories:

Names of the parties to the agreement;

Subject matter;

Duration;

Review and renewal;

Obligations of all parties (including promotional arrangements, recruitment and selection of students, administrative services, production of course materials, provision of facilities/resources);

Appointment of local counsellors/tutors;

Financial arrangements;

Liaison between agency and University of Chester staff;

Termination;

Force majeure: exclusion of both parties from liability if some unforeseen event beyond the control of a party prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract;

Confidentiality;

Rights and obligations of all parties under the terms of intellectual property law, copyright law and data protection legislation;

Terms of trade;

Legal framework within which the agreement shall operate;

Amendment and variation.

Associate College Agreements

82. Where a partner college is approved to hold Associate College status, an Associate College Agreement shall be drawn up detailing the particular benefits and requirements related to Associate College status. This agreement shall be in addition to the existing Organisational Agreement and Programme Agreements. As such an Associate College Agreement may be terminated without affecting the currency of the Organisational and Programme Agreements, removing the benefits and requirements of Associate College status, but permitting the partnership to continue.

Financial Annexes

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83. Where appropriate, each agreement shall normally be accompanied by a Financial Annex, which shall be reviewed and renewed and, where necessary, revised annually. The Financial Annex should detail the financial arrangements between the University and the collaborating organisation and shall normally include the following categories:

Duration;

Source of Funding;

Collection and Apportionment of Funding;

Timing of Payment.

84. Responsibility for drawing up a Financial Annex shall rest with the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support in conjunction with the Dean of the sponsoring Faculty, or nominee, and the Finance Department.

Other forms of agreement

85. The forms of agreement detailed above are not exhaustive and other forms of agreement may be drafted as necessary to suit particular collaborative arrangements. The Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support and the Director of Legal Services should be consulted regarding the drawing up of any agreement relating to collaborative arrangements.

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D PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMES

86. It is a requirement that University of Chester retains oversight of the academic management and of the programme and responsibility for the maintenance, monitoring and evaluation of academic standards.

87. Where a partner organisation is directly responsible for the delivery of the whole or part of a programme or programmes of study, the following quality assurance and programme management arrangements will apply:

The partner organisation must provide all necessary staff, physical and financial resources to carry out teaching, assessment, tutorial care, welfare support (which includes provision for students who disclose a disability, mental health difficulty and/ or a specific learning difficulty) and administration for the collaborative programme and its students to the satisfaction of University of Chester and/or their appointed External Examiners.

Once a collaborative programme is in operation, standards across all sites of delivery are assured through a number of safeguarding mechanisms:

common programme committee with joint membership;

liaison between programme teams;

shared programme material;

joint staff development;

submission of an Annual Programme Monitoring Report;

submission of an Annual Partnership Report by the collaborative partner;

common External Examiners;

common Assessment Board.

Programme Management

88. A collaborative programme must be administered by a single Programme Committee whose membership must include staff from University of Chester and the partner organisation. The Terms of Reference for a Programme Committee can be found as Appendix O.

89. The partner organisation must also establish its own internal Programme Team to oversee the operation of the collaborative programme. The partner organisation shall appoint a Programme Leader who will be responsible for the management of the programme as it operates in the partner organisation and for ensuring the welfare of students based at the partner organisation. The Programme Leader must liaise on a regular basis with the Link Tutor at University of Chester, and, where appropriate, the Programme Leaders at other sites of delivery, on issues of programme operation and delivery. S/he shall also be a full member of the Programme Committee. Where a

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collaborative programme is delivered by more than one partner organisation, a Programme Co-ordinator shall be appointed to manage the programme across the different sites of delivery. Full guidance on the role and responsibilities of a collaborative provision Programme Leader can be found at Appendix P.

Staff in the departments of Student Support and Guidance and in Careers and Employability at the University of Chester are able to offer information, advice and guidance to staff at partner organizations. This may include templates to enhance the partner’s existing systems. Students may be advised to request support from the relevant department within the partner organisation in relation to their programme of study.

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90. The partner organisation shall receive from University of Chester, on an annual basis, access to the following:

updates to the Principles and Regulations and its accompanying Handbooks, as appropriate;

the programme specification (updated annually to reflect approved modifications);

a calendar detailing key dates and the timing of key processes;

teaching programmes and assessment schedules;

where appropriate, assessment outlines, including examination papers, and assessment and marking criteria.

Quality Assurance

91. Role of Academic Quality Support Services, University of ChesterWithin Academic Quality Support Services, the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support will have specific responsibility for:

maintaining collaborative links with all University partner organisations;

providing advice and guidance to senior managers and academic colleagues as appropriate, and managing support for the procedures relating to collaborative provision with partner organisations;

ensuring that collaborative partners are aware of the University’s policies and procedures and receive up to date information on these each academic year, and wherever significant amendments are made;

ensuring that University policy and practice is in line with the quality and standards requirements of the QAA, where it relates to collaborative provision, and maintaining oversight of the operation of the procedures;

providing guidance and support in the development of agreements and financial annexes, maintaining records of all agreements and annexes and advising of the need for review and renewal;

disseminating across the University, as appropriate, identified good practice in the management of collaborative partnerships, derived from benchmarking against practice elsewhere in the HE sector;

managing the process for the approval of new partnerships;

managing the process for the review of existing partnerships;

maintaining records of all the University’s collaborative provision and partnerships;

managing the business of Partnerships sub-Committee .

92. Role of the Link TutorIn the case of each collaborative programme, University of Chester shall appoint a Link Tutor from the ‘home’ department who shall be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the programme from the University side and for supporting the programme team at the partner organisation in its delivery of the programme. The Link Tutor will

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act as the primary point of contact at the University for partner organisation staff in respect of the programme and will provide support, advice and guidance on both programme specific issues and the appropriate application of quality assurance mechanisms in accordance with University of Chester’s Principles and Regulations. Where a programme is delivered by both a partner organisation and University of Chester, the Link Tutor may be the University of Chester Programme Leader. Full guidance on the role and responsibilities of the Link Tutor can be found at Appendix Q.

93. A Link Tutors’ Forum will be held at least once each academic year in order to discuss common issues and provide an opportunity for the sharing of good practice. The Terms of Reference for the Link Tutors Forum can be found at Appendix R.

94. Arrangements for the assurance of quality and standards in partnership provision where the University does not have the relevant expertiseDepartments operating collaborative provision where awards are delivered in an area in which the department does not have subject expertise, will be required to appoint an External Programme Adviser (EPA) to undertake a verification, developmental, and critical friend role. This will be in addition to the appointment of an external examiner and does not impact upon that role. The procedures for the appointment of an EPA are described in Appendix S.

95. Programme Monitoring and Review All collaborative programmes are subject to the monitoring and review procedures of University of Chester. An Annual Programme Monitoring Report must be submitted for each programme to the relevant Board of Studies by the deadline specified by the Faculty, and using the report template specifically for collaborative programmes. Programme Leaders at partner organisations should liaise with the University Link Tutor for advice and guidance on the preparation of the report. It is also a requirement that Link Tutors contribute to the report by completing the ‘Link Tutor’s Comments’ section. The Annual Programme Monitoring template for collaborative programmes includes sections for comments by the Heads of Subject at both the partner organisation and the University, which should be completed as appropriate. Where a collaborative programme has more than one site of delivery, a single report shall be produced by the Programme Coordinator in consultation with Programme Leaders from across the different sites.

96. Collaborative programmes shall also be subject to the standard revalidation procedures of the University. Such programmes may be presented for consideration at the same time as other programmes from the ‘home’ department/Faculty at the University, or a separate revalidation event may be organised to consider a suite of programmes delivered by the partner organisation, as appropriate.

97. Full details of the Annual Programme Monitoring process can be found in the Annual Monitoring Handbook. Details of the revalidation process can be found in the Handbook for Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision.

98. Changes to a collaborative programmeChanges to the programme can be proposed by the joint Programme Committee, and must be processed through the relevant Faculty Board of Studies in accordance with the approved University of Chester procedures as outlined in the Handbook Governing the

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Validation, Revalidation and Modification of Academic Provision. Modifications must be recorded in a revised Programme Specification through the SharePoint on-line editor and, following approval should be submitted to University of Chester's Academic Quality Support Services, which will ensure that it is published on SharePoint.

99. Programme developmentEncouragement must be given to appropriate staff in the collaborating organisation to contribute to the development of the programme through:

provision of appropriate learning materials - to be moderated by the Programme Committee prior to adoption;

development of teaching/learning methods;

involvement in staff development opportunities at University of Chester.

100. Approval of Teaching StaffIt is a requirement that staff from collaborating organisations that will be involved in the delivery and/or assessment of University of Chester validated provision, must be approved by the University as suitable for their role prior to engagement with that provision. Such teaching staff may be approved either at the initial validation or site authorisation event, or subsequently through the relevant Faculty. Those staff employed by partner organisations that have been approved by the University as suitable for engagement with University validated provision will be considered to have Approved Tutor status.

101. The details of those staff that require approval should be submitted to the University using the pro-forma found at Appendix T, with reference to the notes of guidance which give full details of the approval procedures. The details of Approved Tutors will be recorded on a database maintained by Academic Quality Support Services.

102. In addition, partner organisations will be required to provide an annual update to the staffing information held on the database, indicating new staff that will require approval and any staff that should be removed from the database. Staffing lists will be distributed to partner organisations by Academic Quality Support Services in June, with a request that the information is updated and returned by early September. On the basis of the information returned, Academic Quality Support Services will update the database and produce staff lists to be forwarded to Faculty Administrators for presentation at the first Board of Studies meeting of the academic year. Any outstanding staff approvals, and omissions or discrepancies in the information provided should be addressed by Faculty Administrators and reported to Academic Quality Support Services for inclusion on the staffing database.

103. Those staff that are employed by a collaborating organisation which is not a formal partner organisation, but who will nonetheless be involved in the delivery of University approved provision (such as Work Based and Integrative Studies provision) must be approved as Honorary Lecturers in accordance with the procedures specified by Human Resource Management Services. Staff involved in Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) provision must be presented for initial approval at the WBIS Approval Panel.

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Assessment104. All students engaged in collaborative programmes shall be subject to the policies and

procedures relating to assessment of the University of Chester as outlined in the Handbook of Requirements Governing the Assessment of Students. This shall include Anonymous Marking, policies on Late Work and Excessive Word Count, Mitigating Circumstances, Academic Appeals and Academic Malpractice.

105. Specific arrangements will be negotiated with partner organisations in respect of formal assessment responsibilities and shall be set out in the Organisational Agreement and the Programme Agreement.

106. The results of modular assessments for collaborative programmes will be considered at a Subject Assessment Board (SAB) held in accordance with the Terms of Reference outlined in the Handbook of Requirements Governing the Assessment of Students. Modular results shall normally be considered at the SAB of the Subject Department at University of Chester with which the collaborative programme is linked. Where the decision is taken to hold a stand-alone Programme Assessment Board (PAB) for the collaborative programme at the site of delivery, the PAB must be chaired by a University member of staff, either the Head of Subject or Programme Leader (where this is a member of University staff) and attended by the Subject Assessment Contact, in accordance with the Terms of Reference.

107. Decisions taken by an SAB/PAB on modular results shall proceed to a University Awards Assessment Board. The Awards Assessment Board will make decisions on awards and progression in accordance the Terms of Reference and Requirements outlined in the Handbook of Requirements Governing the Assessment of Students. A representative of the partner organisation at which the students under consideration are studying shall be present at the Awards Assessment Board.

108. External ExaminersFor all University of Chester awards, an External Examiner must be appointed. The External Examiners will normally be nominated by the partner in consultation with the University, but such nominations will be subject to approval under normal University procedures as stated in the Handbook of Requirements Governing the Assessment of Students. External Examiners shall report to University of Chester and their fees shall be paid by University of Chester.

109. Guidance on the role and responsibilities of External Examiners will be disseminated to External Examiners by Academic Quality Support Services. Reference should be made to the Handbook of Requirements Governing the Assessment of Students for guidance on the programme information to be provided to External Examiners. Programme Leaders, where appropriate in liaison with the University Link Tutor, must ensure that the External Examiner is invited to the Subject or Programme Assessment Board at which module marks for the programme will be received.

110. External Examiner reports will be submitted to Academic Quality Support Services before being disseminated to the relevant Faculty Administrator, Head of Subject to which the collaborative programme is linked at the University, and a named contact at the partner organisation.

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111. SharePoint AccessIn order to facilitate programme management and the application of quality assurance procedures, teaching and administrative staff at the partner organisation who are involved with the maintenance of the partnership or a specific collaborative programme will be entitled to access to the University intranet system, SharePoint. SharePoint accounts for staff will be established following approval or on request to the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships, and will provide restricted access to information relating to the Principles & Regulations, the Quality & Standards Manual and Programme Documentation. Access by partner staff to e-resources shall only be permissible where this is consistent with the terms of the appropriate Licence Agreement for those resources.

112. All students engaged with a collaborative programme shall be issued with SharePoint accounts on enrolment for the programme, which will provide identical access to information and resources to that of students based at the University.

113. Publicity and MarketingUniversity of Chester must retain overall control of publicity materials issued by partner organisations relating to collaborative links. The partner organisation has responsibility for sending the draft material to the Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions who shall agree whether or not it should be approved. The material may only be used by the partner when it has been approved.

114. Oversight of the quality assurance of non-University of Chester programmes at partner institutions

From time to time the University of Chester may enter into an arrangement with a partner institution to oversee the quality assurance of HE programmes which do not lead to an award of the University (e.g. Edexcel Higher National programmes). In this instance the procedures found at Appendix U should be applied.

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E MONITORING AND REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS

115. In order to ensure that its collaborative partnerships progress smoothly and that both parties fulfil their responsibilities, the University has in place processes governing the annual monitoring and periodic review of partnership arrangements. These processes will focus on strategic and overarching matters relating to the management and operationalization of the partnership, rather than on specific provision which shall be subject to the standard monitoring and review processes applied to all the University’s programmes, as outlined in the Monitoring and Review Handbook.

Annual Partnership Reports

116. A member of staff with strategic oversight of the partnership at the partner organisation shall be responsible for submitting an Annual Partnership Report for scrutiny by University of Chester's Partnerships sub-Committee. The Report should be an evaluation of arrangements for HE provision and the partnership with University of Chester at an overarching strategic level during the previous academic session. The reports will be considered at the second-cycle meeting of Partnerships sub-Committee normally held in February, and should be submitted to the Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships by 9th December 2011.

117. The template for the Annual Partnership Report can be found at Appendix V along with Notes of Guidance on its completion. Associate Colleges should complete the template found at Appendix W and should refer to the accompanying Notes of Guidance. This includes additional sections related to aspects specifically connected to Associate College status. The Policy Implementation Officer: Collaborative Provision and Partnerships will circulate the appropriate templates to relevant staff at partner organisations at the beginning of the academic year and well in advance of the specified deadline.

Periodic Review of Collaborative Partnerships

118. University of Chester has in place a standardised system of periodic review of collaborative partnerships which focuses on overarching organisational aspects of the relationship. Such reviews shall take place as the end of the duration of an Organisational Agreement approaches, normally every three years. The purpose of such a review will be to:

a. confirm the ability of the collaborative partner to:

provide an appropriate environment and infrastructure for the delivery of higher education programmes in collaboration with University of Chester;

meet University of Chester's requirements and expectations of quality and academic standards.

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b. to assess the effectiveness of the partnership arrangements and the University’s mechanisms for supporting the partner in the delivery of its programmes

c. to identify areas for further development within the partnership

Co-ordination of a review of a collaborative partnership shall be the responsibility of the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support. The review will normally be conducted at the partner organisation.

119. The review panel shall be chaired by a senior member of staff of the University whose Faculty/Department are not involved with the provision delivered by the partner organisation. Membership of the review panel shall include the Principal Assistant Registrar, Partnerships and Academic Strategic Support from Academic Quality Support Services, Link Tutors for each of the collaborative programmes delivered by the partner, a representative from Learning Resources, and a representative from Partnerships sub-Committee.

120. Prior to a review visit, the Panel will be provided with key documentation relating to the collaborative partner and relevant programmes including:

a contextual summary of the partnership (duration, programmes currently delivered in collaboration with the University etc.);

report from the previous review (if applicable);

Annual Partnership Reports;

External Examiner Reports; and

Annual Programme Monitoring Reports.

This information will be collated by Academic Quality Support Services from documentation held on file.

In addition the partner organisation will be asked to provide:

a brief evaluative statement of up to 2000 words providing an overview of the partnership and addressing the following headings:

Environment and Infrastructure for the delivery of HE programmes;

Maintenance of Quality and Standards on the University’s awards;

Effectiveness of partnership arrangements with the University (including mechanisms for communication, support, and advice and guidance);

Areas for further development within the partnership.

a brief summary of the staff involved in the delivery of the University’s programmes, their qualifications and experience and any recent staff development activities;

a sample of student feedback from across the range of programmes delivered in collaboration with the University; and

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documentation relating to the delivery of HE programmes such as the organisation’s HE strategy, minutes of any HE-related forums etc., as appropriate.

The partner organisation must supply to Academic Quality Support Services sufficient copies of the above documents for all the review panel members.

121. During the review visit, the panel will meet with staff involved in the partnership, which may include the following, as appropriate:

head of partner organisation;

senior staff at partner organisation with responsibilities for academic affairs and resources;

members of staff with responsibility for overseeing the management of the partnership and/or HE provision;

members of programme teams at the partner organisation;

appropriate administrative and support staff;

students.

The panel may also undertake a tour of facilities during the review event and in particular the Learning Resources representative will be provided with an opportunity to view learning resources available to support HE delivery by the partner organisation.

122. A report summarising discussion at the event and the recommendations of the review panel shall be drafted and must be sent to the partner organisation for confirmation of factual accuracy and comment. The report will include a recommendation to the University’s Senate on the renewal of the Organisational Agreement governing the partnership under review, and the duration of such an agreement. Guidance on the appropriate duration of Organisational Agreements, which may relate to the maturity of the partnership and any matters of risk identified during the review, can be found at Appendix X. In addition the report will include recognition of good practice and subsidiary recommendations on aspects which may require improvement either from the perspective of the partner, the University or by both parties in cooperation.

123. The partner organisation will be asked to respond to the issues raised in the report from its perspective and both the report and partner’s response must be considered formally by Partnerships sub-Committee. The sub-Committee will forward its own comments on the panel’s recommendations to Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee, along with an action plan which encompasses both the partner’s response to issues raised through the review and the position of the University, to be agreed with the partner organisation. Progress with the agreed action plan will be reviewed by Partnerships sub-Committee after 12 months.

124. The Academic Quality and Enhancement Committee shall, in turn, make recommendations to the Senate. If approval to continue with the collaborative partnership is given, Senate shall at this point authorise the drawing up of a new Organisational Agreement. The Organisational Agreement must be signed by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester, or his nominee, and the equivalent senior officer of the partner organisation.

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125. A decision to withdraw from the collaborative partnership and not to renew the Organisational Agreement must be communicated to the collaborating organisation at least 6 months prior to the next intake of students by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester, or his nominee.

126. University of Chester shall also reserve the right to undertake review visits outside of this standardised cyclical review, in consultation with the partner organisation.

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