Outline Approval and Risk Assessment for Academic Partnerships Procedure
Outline Approval Stage
The purpose of this stage is to set out the strategic rationale for the development of a new academic partnership and collaborative provision. Outline approval is the early-stage consideration of the desirability and feasibility of an academic partnership and collaborative provision. Outline approval grants permission for a full proposal to be drafted and discussions to be furthered with the proposed partner. It ensures that time and resource needed for the development of a full proposal is made available by the academic department. This stage applies to all academic partnership arrangements. An online Outline Proposal and Risk Assessment Form is completed by the proposer. The Outline Proposal and Risk Assessment Forms covers:
- UK Collaborative Provision
- International Collaborative Provision
- Degree Apprenticeships
The proposer also completes a roles and responsibility form and submits any other documentation that they feel will support the outline proposal.
The outline approval stage will be considered by the Outline Approval Panel. The Outline Approval Panel has representation from Academic Committee Chairs, Professional Services and Finance teams who can comment on the proposal. The Outline Approval Panel will be looking for evidence supporting both the academic and business case for the academic partnership and collaborative provision. Once the outline approval proposal has been submitted, the Outline Proposal Panel will be given 10 working days to respond to the proposal. During this period, the Panel may request further information in order for them to make their final decision. The EPQ team will contact the proposer requesting further information/clarification as appropriate.
If the Chair of the Outline Proposal Panel supports the proposal, the EPQ team will inform the proposer and request that they provide documentation associated with the agreed academic partnership model for full approval. A timetable will be agreed at this stage for the submission of documentation for full academic partnership proposal.
Low Risk Provision
Academic partnership models that are deemed low risk do not need to go through the full approval stage. They will go straight through to collaborative course approval stage where a new course or course code is required.
Medium and High Risk Provision
Academic Partnership Models that are deemed medium and high risk will go through to the full approval stage.
Degree Apprenticeships and Service Level Arrangements
Where there is a service agreement between the University and an external organisation/employer, for example degree apprenticeship and Schools Direct, they will go straight to collaborative course approval stage.
Guidance
Academic Partnership Outline Proposal and Full Approval Process Diagram
Overview of Academic Partnership Models
Overview of Academic Partnership and Collaborative Provision Stages and Documentation
Outline Approval Forms
Outline Approval and Risk Assessment Form
Roles and Responsibility Template
Agreements and Contracts
Agreement and Contract Templates
Degree Apprenticeships