Collaborative Provision Approval Policy and Procedure
1. Introduction
2. Types of collaboration
3. Approval and Review arrangements
4. Memorandum of Understanding
5. Memorandum of Agreement
6. Extension or Renewal of Existing Agreements
7. Database of Existing Links
8. MOU and MOA templates
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
All references to ' University of Nottingham ' below are to all campuses of the University, including the international campuses. It is assumed that all campuses are covered by an agreement, unless otherwise indicated.
In the case of the Engineering Faculty (UK), the role of the 'School' below may be carried out either by the relevant Department or by the appropriate Associate Dean or Faculty body, depending on the scope of the partnership.
With the exception of ERASMUS exchanges, all Memoranda of Agreement must be signed on behalf of the University by a member of Management Board on the advice of Transnational Education Committee (more information below).
It is an established principle of the University, endorsed by Management Board and Teaching and Learning Board, that when registered for a University of Nottingham qualification all teaching and assessment must be in English. The only exception is where the subject of study is a language or literature other than English.
2. Types of Collaboration
All the below relate to situations in which students will be studying for University of Nottingham qualifications. This policy does not cover arrangements where students receive no qualification or are studying exclusively for the qualification of another institution. For employment of visiting lecturers etc on University programmes see the Quality Manual Policy on Occasional Teachers.
A) Exchanges/Placements
The provision of an opportunity to University of Nottingham students to substitute a part of their University of Nottingham programme with study at a partner institution. Further information is available in the University's policy on Placement Learning.
B) Articulation or Progression arrangements
Cohorts of students are guaranteed entry to the start of a University of Nottingham programme as a result of prior study at the partner institution, which may involve gaining a particular qualification (possibly with specified marks) at the partner institution.
C) Credit Transfer Agreements
Cohorts of students are guaranteed entry to an advanced stage of a University of Nottingham programme (e.g. Part I of an Honours degree programme) as a result of prior study at the partner institution; which may involve gaining a particular qualification (possibly with specified marks) at the partner institution. See the Quality Manual Policy on Group Agreements on APL for more information e.g. on the amount of APL and the Placement Learning policy for information on marks and credit transfer.
D) Off-Campus Delivery
Teaching is provided entirely by University of Nottingham staff, but delivery occurs away from any of the University's campuses and the provision of facilities (e.g. teaching accommodation, library and IT resources etc, administrative support) is undertaken partly or wholly by the partner institution.
E) Joint Delivery
Teaching of students registered with the University of Nottingham and studying for a Nottingham qualification is delivered jointly by University of Nottingham staff and by staff of the partner institution (this may include some element of off-campus delivery). Students may or may not be registered with, and/or receive a qualification from, the partner institution as well as from the University of Nottingham. The criteria contained in the University of Nottingham's Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) policy shall apply to any provision in a Joint Delivery agreement that is delivered wholly by the partner institution.
F) Joint Supervision
Supervision of multiple numbers of postgraduate students registered with the University of Nottingham and studying for a Nottingham qualification is delivered jointly by University of Nottingham staff and by staff of the partner institution (this may include some element of off-campus delivery). Students may or may not be registered with, and/or receive a qualification from, the partner institution as well as from the University of Nottingham. Such arrangements are subject to the Quality Manual provisions.
G) Franchise
An existing University of Nottingham programme is delivered entirely by the partner institution, leading to a University of Nottingham qualification. The University has no such arrangements presently and does not favour having any in the future.
H) Validation
A programme designed and delivered by the partner institution leads to a University of Nottingham qualification and/or University of Nottingham credits. The University has no such arrangements presently and does not favour having any in the future.
3. Approval and Review Arrangements
A) Exchanges/Placements
Approval - The School establishing the partnerships must document the credit equivalence and marks translation involved, as required in Quality Manual. The documentation must be approved by the School Teaching Committee and or equivalent and an External Examiner and be reflected in the individual learning agreements issued to students.
An exchange agreement should be agreed with the partner institution and approved by the International Office for signature by the University.
Review - The progress of individual cohorts of students on an exchange/placement will be considered as part of annual programme monitoring. The overall operation of exchange agreements will be considered as part of School Review.
B) Admissions arrangements
Approval - A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) must be created (see below) for each articulation stating the entry requirements to the University and the number of entrants allowed (which must be within the capacity limits of the School). The entry requirements must be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that all entrants are equipped to succeed in their studies at Nottingham .
Where the qualification gained by the students is one already recognised as appropriate for entry to the University, and there are no extra provisions within the MoA (e.g. non-standard rates of tuition fees, excluding any scholarships, when students come to Nottingham), then approval is only required by the School Teaching Committee; otherwise, approval is required from Transnational Education Committee (TNEC). TNEC may, if there are resource implications, require a business case to accompany the MoA when considering the partnership for approval.
Review - The progress of individual cohorts of students entering through an articulation agreement will be considered as part of annual programme monitoring and may lead to termination of the agreement if the progress of these students is unsatisfactory.
C) Articulation or Progression Agreements
Approval - An MoA must be created for each credit transfer arrangement stating the entry requirements to the University and the number of entrants allowed (which must be within the capacity limits of the School). The entry requirements must be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that all entrants are equipped to succeed in their studies at Nottingham . As part of achieving this assurance, the School should inspect the quality of education provided that is leading to the award of credits through APL (this requirement may be waived where the partner is of national or international standing equivalent to the University of Nottingham, or is subject to a national quality assurance regime equivalent to that of the QAA).
Approval of the MoA is required from TNEC, which may, if there are resource implications, require a business case to accompany the MoA when considering the partnership for approval.
Review - The progress of individual cohorts of students entering through a credit transfer agreement will be considered as part of annual programme monitoring and may lead to termination of the agreement if the progress of these students is unsatisfactory. Where an inspection of the quality of education of the partner institution has been necessary, this should be repeated every five years.
D) Off-Campus Delivery
Approval - An MoA must be created for each off-campus delivery arrangement stating the logistical responsibilities of the partner institution and the financial arrangements between the University and its partner. The School must satisfy itself that the partner is able to discharge its responsibilities satisfactorily, which will involve a visit to the partner institutions or the facilities it is providing (though this requirement may be waived where the partner is of national or international standing equivalent to the University of Nottingham, or is subject to a national quality assurance regime equivalent to that of the QAA).
Where the off-campus delivery results from a new taught programme, this programme must go through the normal programme approval mechanism. The MoA should be submitted to TNEC for approval, along with (for context) the business case submitted to the Dean for programme approval. Where the off-campus delivery relates to an existing programme, the MoA should be accompanied by a business case created specifically for TNEC. In either case, TNEC should also receive a report of any inspection that has taken place of the partner institution or its facilities.
Review - The programme involving off-campus delivery will be subject to programme monitoring and review in the same manner as the rest of the University's provision (though possibly involving a re-visit to the partner institution). In addition, the operation of the MoA itself will be reviewed by TNEC every five years.
E) Joint Delivery
Approval - An MoA must be created for each joint delivery arrangement stating the academic and logistical responsibilities of each partner and the financial arrangements between the University and its partner. The School must satisfy itself that the partner is able to discharge its responsibilities satisfactorily, which will involve a visit to the partner institution (though this requirement may be waived where the partner is of national or international standing equivalent to the University of Nottingham, or is subject to a national quality assurance regime equivalent to that of the QAA).
Where the joint delivery results from a new taught programme, this programme must go through the normal programme approval mechanism. The MoA should be submitted to TNEC for approval, along with (for context) the business case submitted to the Dean for programme approval. Where the joint delivery relates to an existing programme, the MoA should be accompanied by a business case created specifically for TNEC. In either case, TNEC should receive a report of any inspection that has taken place of the partner institution, along with an appraisal of its academic standing nationally and internationally.
Review - The programme involving joint delivery will be subject to programme monitoring and review in the same manner as the rest of the University's provision (though possibly involving a re-visit to the partner institution). In addition, the operation of the MoA itself will be reviewed by TNEC every five years.
F) Joint Supervision
Approval - An MoA must be created for each joint supervision arrangement stating the academic and logistical responsibilities of each partner and the financial arrangements between the University and its partner. The School must satisfy itself that the partner is able to discharge its responsibilities satisfactorily, which will involve a visit to the partner institution (though this requirement may be waived where the partner is of national or international standing equivalent to the University of Nottingham, or is subject to a national quality assurance regime equivalent to that of the QAA).
The MoA should be submitted to TNEC for approval, along with a business case, a report of any inspection that has taken place of the partner institution, and an appraisal of its academic standing nationally and internationally.
Review - The operation of the MoA will be reviewed by TNEC every five years, which may require the School to re-visit the partner institution.
4. Memorandum of Understanding
Schools are advised to have in place a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) when commencing discussions with the partner institution where these are specifically required. They are also advised to seek advice from the International Office at as early a stage in the discussions as possible, and to look at the Guidance Notes on the approval of a MoU.
The MoU records the intention of The University of Nottingham and the Partner Institution to strengthen ties between the two institutions which might lead in future to the establishment of one or more partnership agreements for exchange purposes, academic co-operation or the delivery of a University of Nottingham, joint or dual award. The MoU is not a formal agreement to deliver an award.
5. Memorandum of Agreement
All collaborative arrangements of the type B to F above should be underpinned by a Memorandum of Agreement see templates below. The MoA is the formal agreement between the parties to deliver a University of Nottingham award. This should be completed by the School in consultation with the partner institution and International Office and submitted to the Transnational Education Committee.
The MoA must be signed by or on behalf of a member of Management Board (normally the PVC Internationalisation). Transnational Education Committee will advise Management Board on whether to sign the MoA; the document should therefore be submitted to TNEC for consideration in the first instance. Schools may also wish to seek advice from the International Office, Admissions Office, the Academic Services Division or TNEC in regard to MoAs for articulations.
In advising Management Board on whether to sign the MoA, TNEC will mainly consider:
(a) Whether the partner institution is able to deliver the facilities/teaching/supervision for which the MoA makes it responsible and at a level appropriate for study towards a University of Nottingham qualification.
(b) Whether the provisions of the MoA adheres to relevant University of Nottingham policies as set out in the Quality Manual and elsewhere.
(c) Whether the administrative arrangements are practicable and do not place excessive costs on the University.
In determining (a), the School may be expected to provide relevant evidence, which could include the report of a visit to the partner institution providing details of facilities etc. In cases of major initiatives, TNEC itself may wish to organise a visit to the partner institution. In such cases, the costs of the visit will be borne by the School putting forward the proposal.
6. Extension or Renewal of Existing Agreements
In instances where Schools wish to ask TNEC to consider renewal or extension of an existing agreement, the School may wish to consider the following factors: the quality of the working relationship with the partner institution; completion rates and class of degrees awarded to students accepted onto programmes covered by the agreement; whether the quality of the education provided for an agreement to agree to a credit transfer arrangement remains appropriate to enable any student accepted to succeed in their studies at Nottingham; any additional benefits gained by the School such as the establishment of research collaborations; or whether there have been any aspects to the relationship which have been detrimental to the School.
In addition to the factors listed in paragraph 5 (a) to (c) above, TNEC shall take additional information supplied by the School into account in making a decision on these requests.
7. Database of Existing Links
A searchable database of current MoU's and MoA's can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/international/_staff/partnerships/existing/index.php .
8. MoU and MoA Templates
Memorandum of Understanding (which might lead in future to the establishment of a collaboration)
Memorandum of Agreement: