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Durham University staff and students should instead refer to the Learning and Teaching Handbook here.

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Extract from Durham University Learning & Teaching Handbook

9.3 Criteria for the approval and renewal of collaborative partnerships

 

Initial approval

1. All initial proposals will be considered against the following criteria:

a. the alignment of the proposed collaboration with the University's strategic aims and objectives, and those of the proposing department/school and its faculty;

b. the soundness of the rationale for the proposed collaboration;

c. the appropriateness of entering into the proposed collaboration given the University's existing collaborative arrangements and other commitments;

d. the commitment and support of senior management in the University and the partner organisation to the proposed collaboration.

Full approval

2. In respect of the proposed partner the full proposal must satisfy the University:

a. that the prospective partner organisation can contract legally with the University;

b. that the prospective partner organisation is financially stable;

c. that the mission and educational objectives of the proposed partner are consistent with those of the University;

d. of the overall academic standing of the prospective partner organisation in relation to its designated role ;

e. that the prospective partner organisation has experience of delivering comparable programmes at a similar level, or is capable of delivering programmes at that level;

f. that, where the proposed partner organisation is known to have or have had previous relationships with other UK awarding institutions, it has an acceptable record of partnership with other institutions;

And in respect of proposed overseas partnerships:

g. that the prospective partner organisation has an understanding of the current practices of UK HE, e.g. in connection with external examining, assessment arrangements, and quality assurance arrangements;

h. that it has the capacity to address differences in cultures and expectations between HE systems in such a way as to ensure that the requirements of the arrangement can be met.

3. In respect of the proposed partnership, the full proposal must satisfy the University:

a. of the robustness of the overall quality control and assurance procedures governing the partnership;

b. of the adequacy of overall provision for academic and pastoral support and guidance;

c. of the adequacy of the overall learning support and infrastructure in relation to the ability to meet requirements for awards;

d. of the adequacy of overall staffing (academic and support) in relation to the ability to meet requirements for awards;

e. that appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure the accuracy of all public information, publicity information and promotional activity relating to the partnership;

And in respect of overseas partnerships:

g. that in-country recognition requirements have been investigated, and that one of the following has been demonstrated by the proposing department/school:

i. there are no in-country recognition requirements;

ii. there is no requirement to seek in-country recognition in order to deliver the proposed programme, but in order for the programme to be recognised as a valid qualification in the country in which it is delivered national recognition is needed (in these cases, the proposers must demonstrate how this recognition will be achieved or alternatively why they are not seeking it and how students will be informed that the programme does not carry this recognition);

iii. approval from a national body is required to deliver the programme, and this has been obtained.

h. that the proposed collaborative partnership will not be cross-subsidised by HEFCE funding

i. that, if instruction and assessment is to be in a language other than English, it has the capacity to provide translation facilities to an appropriate standard.

Renewal

4. In order for an existing collaborative partnership to be renewed, the proposing department/school must satisfy the University that:

a. there is a valid rationale for renewing the collaborative partnership;

b. the partnership remains aligned with the University's strategic aims and objectives;

c. the partnership remains appropriate in the context of the University's other commitments;

d. the partnership continues to command the support of senior managers in the University and the partner organisation;

e. the academic, financial and legal status of the partner are still appropriate;

f. the programme will continue to meet the appropriate academic standards and offer students the learning opportunities necessary to achieve them;

g. the arrangements for the partnership will continue to enable the University to discharge its responsibilities for the academic standards of awards and the quality of the student learning experience;

h. where there are requirements in relation to in-country recognition, these will continue to be met;

i. the business case remains valid.