As the awarding body, Durham is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of information published about its awards. All published information for and associated with validated Common Awards programmes and the partnership with the University must be approved in advance by the Common Awards Management Board, on behalf of the University. TEIs are therefore contractually obliged to share all publicity materials that reference Durham University, the Common Awards partnership and/or the Common Awards programmes.
It is imperative for awarding institutions and their collaborating bodies to provide prospective and current students with accurate information regarding HE study and it is the responsibility of the awarding institution to ensure the accuracy of public information pertaining to its awards. Durham University is committed to ensuring information made publicly available by its partners is as accurate and explicit as reasonably possible and easily comprehended by its internal and external audience. The guidance outlines how the University ensures that control is exercised consistently and fairly over information published in relation to its collaborative provision.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) produced guidance intended to help higher education providers understand and comply with consumer protection law in relation to their dealings with prospective and current students. It sets out minimum standards that apply to various aspects of a provider’s dealing with students, for example in relation to information provision and complaint handling, and the requirement of fairness for terms and conditions. It sits alongside sector-specific regulatory obligations that are relevant to many higher education providers.
The CMA requires providers to offer up front, clear, accurate, comprehensive, unambiguous, and timely information to prospective and current students. Their guidance details what level of information should be made available to prospective and current students, and The University expects its partners to abide by this guidance.
In checking and approving published information, The University may consult the CMA guidance to ensure that partners are meeting their responsibilities.
TEIs are contractually obliged to send all marketing materials that bear the name of The University and/or the Common Awards validation arrangement to the team for approval prior to publication. This includes:
The TEI should ensure that:
a) The name of The University as the validating body is accurately represented.
b) The relationship between The University, Church of England and TEI is accurately described. Common misrepresentations made by TEIs of such activity include:
For example: “accreditation with the Durham University Common Awards programme” should read “validated by Durham University as part of the Common Awards Scheme”.
For example, when discussing the BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission, “This programme may be studied part-time” should state that “This programme may be studied full time over three years or part time over six years. Note: this is subject to change.”
For example, “In 2016 we introduced a BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission alongside our Diploma of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission” gives little indication of a partnership, creating the impression that the TEI has created a new unique programme. This could read “In 2016, we introduced a BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission as part of the Common Awards suite, validated by Durham University”.
c) Where material mentions the Common Awards programmes, the following information must be included as a minimum. If it is impractical to provide this level of detail due to the size of publication, a reference to where the full information can be found must given:
For example, “TMM1451 Foundations for Reflective Practice” must read “TMM1451 Foundations for Reflective Practice in Context (Long)”.
For example, “[TEI NAME] offer a Graduate Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission” must read “[TEI NAME] offer a Graduate Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission, validated by Durham University”.
For example, “Entry to this programme is flexible, depending on the student’s experience, employment and education” is not sufficient information. The list must include full academic requirements, make reference to relevant work experience for mature students, APL information and IELTS information.
For example, “This programme may be taken part-time over two years” is not sufficient. The information could read “This programme may be studied full time over half a year or part time over two years. Courses can be taken at a distance or locally, and run from [MONTH] to [MONTH]”.
All TEIs have received guidance on how they might refer to the Common Awards partnership and programmes during the initial validation process (i.e. prior to their partnership and programmes being approved, and prior to the signing of their contract with Durham University).
TEIs who are still undergoing the validation process are reminded that they may refer to the proposed new Common Awards partnership and programmes in their publicity and course material. In common with other higher education institutions, Durham University has a specific policy regarding what may be said about prospective programmes that are undergoing an approval process.
In addition, the Quality Assurance Agency’s Quality Code (Section B10, Indicator 18) requires awarding bodies to develop and implement strict protocols for the approval of publicity material and the use of the University’s name, logo, etc.
This means that all references to the proposed new programmes and partnership up until the point the contract has been signed will need to make explicit the current approval status of the proposals to avoid implying that the programmes have been approved and that a contractual agreement is in place.
This protocol is incorporated within the Standard Validation Contract (Appendix 5 ‘Protocol for the Use of the University’s Name’) that each TEI will sign with Durham University, and includes the following statement:
“Details of new or revised programmes should not be advertised to existing or prospective students until final approval has been received from the University, although students may be informed that a new or revised programme is under discussion.”
TEIs are able to refer to the proposed Common Awards programmes in their publicity and recruitment material, but they will need to make explicit the current approval status of the programmes. This is to avoid implying that the programmes have been approved and a contractual agreement is in place before this is the case.
Whilst the precise wording will vary depending on context, you may find the following useful:
Similarly, details of the curriculum, programme content, programme length, assessment methods, entry criteria etc., can be provided, but they should also explicitly state that these details are subject to change as part of the approval process.
This guidance should not prevent TEIs from issues offers to students. While places on validated Durham University programmes cannot be guaranteed until after the partnership and programmes have been approved, you may wish to offer applicants a place at your institution and indicate that the offer of a place on the programme is subject to approval of the partnership and programmes.
The programme specification is the principal means by which content and structure of an academic Programme is recorded and defined for staff, students and external agencies such as the QAA. The Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and associated awards and includes the learning outcomes that a typical student might be expected to achieve and demonstrate. Programme specifications are available here.
Common Awards students completing one of the following programmes are eligible to attend Congregation (Graduation) at Durham University:
TEIs are able to host their own Celebration events, following Graduation. However, the terms “Graduation” and “Congregation” are protected terms and cannot be used, unless in reference to events hosted by The University.
All materials listed under Section 2 must be sent for approval prior to publication, and approval can be sought at any point in the year. The University will endeavour, where reasonably possible, to review material and return to the partner with either approval or amendments within 2 weeks of initial receipt.
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