Collaborative Provision

The University of Hertfordshire works in partnership with a wide range of UK and international partners in delivering different types of collaborative programmes. All collaborative arrangements are governed by UPR AS17 Section D: AQ Policies and Procedures in Relation to Collaborative Provision. Each collaboration with a Partner Organisation is overseen by a Collaborative Partnership Leader (CPL).

Overseas and UK collaborative agreements other than those with the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium colleges fall into a number of categories, each with their own associated processes.

Franchise
The University approves the delivery of the whole or part of one of its own approved programmes by a partner organisation. In doing so, the University retains overall responsibility for the standard of the award, including the programme's content, delivery, assessment and quality assurance arrangements. The University registers the students and retains full contractual responsibility for them. The Office for Students define these arrangements as sub-contractual arrangements.
A 'franchised' programme will be the same as a programme offered at the University, in terms of the modules of which it is composed, module structure and pattern of assessment. Some limited variation may be permitted to take account of differences in relevant cultural, legal and/or business and industry practices.
University Validation
The University approves the delivery of a programme by a partner organisation, which the University itself does not deliver. The programme is developed by the University of Hertfordshire, by the partner organisation, or jointly. In doing so, the University retains overall responsibility for the standard of the award, including the programme's content, delivery, assessment and quality assurance arrangements. The University registers the students and retains full contractual responsibility for them. The Office for Students define these arrangements as sub-contractual arrangements.
External Validation
The University approves the delivery of a programme by a partner organisation, which the University itself does not deliver. The programme is typically developed by the partner organisation but could be developed by the University of Hertfordshire or jointly. Students on the course register with and have a direct contractual relationship with the partner organisation and not the University. The Office for Students define these arrangements as validation arrangements.
Dual Degrees
The University of Hertfordshire and another degree-awarding body together deliver a programme, with at least one-third of the programme being delivered by the University of Hertfordshire. Two separate awards (and degree certificates) are granted for the same programme of study (or for two programmes with common elements). Both degree certificates recognise the existence of the other.
Joint Degrees
The University of Hertfordshire and two or more other degree-awarding bodies together deliver a programme leading to a single award made jointly by both/all institutions. A single degree certificate attests to successful completion of this jointly delivered programme, replacing the separate institutional qualifications.
Accreditation of Externally Provided Short Courses
The University approves the delivery of individual credit-rated short course(s) by a partner organisation. The short course is developed by the partner organisation, the University of Hertfordshire, or jointly. In doing so, the University retains overall responsibility for the standard of the credit awarded, including the its content, delivery, assessment and quality assurance arrangements. The University registers the students and retains full contractual responsibility for them. The Office for Students define these arrangements as sub-contractual arrangements.
Academic Support Partners
The University approves a partner organisation to offer academic support for students enrolled on a University of Hertfordshire programme delivered by distance learning. Such agreements specifically exclude the partner organisation from assessing students or in any way awarding credit towards the University awards for which the students concerned are enrolled.

Students studying on a University programme at our partner institutions can find guidance here:

Guide for students at collaborative partners (PDF - 0.67 Mb)

University staff can find a range of guidance and forms in relation to collaborative provision on the CAQA HertsHub site under the heading 'Collaborative Arrangements', including guidance on how to set up agreements with collaborative partners.

University staff can also find details of all Franchise, External Validation, Academic Support Agreement and Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium programmes on the CAQA HertsHub site under the heading 'Collaborative Arrangements':

UH Partnership Register

Collaborative Partnership Leaders

Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium

Academic Quality at Herts