A non-legally binding document to facilitate forward discussion on proposed collaborative activity between one or more partner institutions.

Non-binding.

Can be UK/EU or international.

Can relate to proposed research and/or educational partnership.

An arrangement in which a unit or programme developed and delivered by another organisation has been evaluated and deemed by the University to be of an equivalent standard and quality to that of its own provision, and therefore suitable to lead to a Queen’s award.

Educational Partnership Arrangement.

Can be UK/EU or international.

A validated programme should normally be in a subject which is offered by the University.

Subject to the University’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic review.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

An arrangement whereby the University authorises a collaborative organisation to deliver part or all of one or more of its own approved programmes.

Serial franchising is not permitted.

Educational Partnership Arrangement.

Can be UK/EU or international.

Validation required.

The University retains overall and direct responsibility for the programme’s content, delivery, assessment, and quality assurance arrangements.

Flying Faculty/Delivery Abroad

An arrangement where a University programme is delivered at a partner institution, usually overseas, by University staff. The partner institution undertakes certain defined functions, such as initial recruitment, administrative arrangements and provision of local tutors.

A validation site visit will be required.

Educational Partnership Arrangement.

Normally international collaborations.

Input from a partner institution must be carefully defined from the outset.

Validation required.

Subject to the University’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic review.

Memorandum of  Agreement is required.

Joint/Dual Degrees

A joint degree is a programme of study which has been jointly developed and delivered by more than one institution and which leads to a single award.  The single award parchment will be endorsed by all partners. Programme duration will be the same as for a single award. 

A dual degree is a programme of study which has been jointly developed and delivered, and is conferred by more than one institution. Each institution will issue a parchment for its own award.  A supplementary certificate may be provided to attest to the involvement of the other party in programme delivery.  A validation site visit may be required.

A dual degree is sometimes referred to as a double degree where students have completed sufficient study at two institutions to receive an award from each in accordance with their respective regulations.  Some sharing of academic credit may be required and this is acknowledged within supporting Memoranda of Agreement.

Educational and Research Collaborative Arrangement.

Can be UK/EU or international.

The University must ensure that the proposed partner has the legal capacity to award a joint degree.

Important to identify a ‘lead’ institution.

Specific issues to be considered to define the roles and responsibilities of each partner.

Validation may be required.

Subject to the University’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic review.

Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Characteristics Statement available.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

Template joint parchment to be approved by Chair of Education Committee (Quality and Standards) and Director of Education and Student Services)

Collaborative Research Degrees

An arrangement involving the joint supervision of a research degree programme by a Queen’s academic and a member of staff from another partner organisation, when the student will spend time working away from Queen’s at the external location. 

Such arrangements do not apply to students registered at Queen’s, who may be attending another institution as a visiting researcher or on placement, or to students who have been granted approval for enrolment as an External Student. 

Collaborative Research Arrangement.

Can be UK/EU or international.

Can result in either a single or joint degree.

May be applicable either to individuals or to cohorts of students.

Partner organisation may be another academic institution or an industrial organisation.

Subject to the University's academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic  review.

Memorandum of Agreement and/or Co-tutelle Agreement required.

A foundation degree is a vocational qualification in higher education at Level 5 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). They combine academic and work related learning and normally have focus on a particular job or profession. These validated programmes are delivered in Regional Colleges in Northern Ireland and lead to a Queen’s award.

Educational Partnership Arrangement.

Regional collaborations.

Developed through close collaboration between employers and programme providers.

Integrates academic and work-based learning opportunities.

Normally links to at least one programme offered by the University leading to an honours degree.

Validation required.

Subject to the University’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic review.

QUB Foundation Degree Regulations apply.

QAA Foundation Degree Benchmark Statement available.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

A formal agreement whereby a qualification and/or credits from a programme of study undertaken at an approved partner institution is recognised as giving advanced standing for entry to programmes at the University.

Educational Partnership.

Can be UK/EU or international collaborations.

The University is responsible for ensuring that the output standards set and achieved by students are equivalent to those set and achieved by University students taking the programme and entering the same stage of their studies.

Principles contained within the QUB Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning apply.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

Access programmes are normally delivered by Regional Colleges and upon successful completion students receive a Certificate in Foundation Studies (subject e.g. Biological Sciences).  Students on Access Programmes can apply for a place on an undergraduate degree at any university through UCAS and may receive a conditional offer of a place in the relevant subject area on the basis of attaining certain grades on the Access Programme modules.

Educational Partnership Arrangement.

Regional collaborations.

Validation required.

Subject to the University’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures including annual and periodic review.

Overseen by the Faculty Access Programme University Co-ordinators who work closely with the Regional Colleges.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

An agreement negotiated with overseas universities to recruit undergraduate or postgraduate students to Queen’s programmes, normally involving a financial incentive.

Recruitment Arrangement.

International collaborations.

May act as a starting point for a broader educational and/or research relationship.

May form part of a wider University collaboration with an international partner.

May be subject to regular review in terms of viability and strategic fit.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

These agreements are negotiated to recruit undergraduate or postgraduate students on a short-term, non-graduating basis.

The initial point of contact is the International Office and/or Faculty Student Recruitment Hub.

Recruitment Arrangement.

Credit Earning Non Graduating student status.

Memorandum of Agreement required.

These are agreements with overseas universities to permit the exchange of undergraduate or postgraduate students for a period of study.  The initial point of contact is the Global Opportunities Team.

Recruitment Arrangement.

Credit Earning Non Graduating student status.

Memorandum of Agreement required.