Step 1 of the approval process in the development of an Articulation Arrangement involves a due diligence exercise to be carried out on the potential partner.

An online process has been implemented for consideration of initial due diligence risks and alerting Faculty to the development of a new Articulation Arrangement.  Please contact cpg@qub.ac.uk for the link to the online form.

The online form is completed by a School proposer. Applications for Articulation Arrangements via the online process require detail on the scope of the arrangement, background information on the partner (e.g. its academic standing/ranking), the extent of the partner’s experience in educational partnerships, planned commencement dates and due diligence online searches to be carried out.

Where there is the opportunity for more than one School in a Faculty or for cross Faculty Articulation Arrangements each School should  complete the online form  as there may be different due diligence considerations depending on the programme area and each School needs to consider any implications for developing the articulation agreement.  It is important that a lead School is designated to co-ordinate the completion of the Approval to Proceed at Step 2 and the Business case at Step 3 in the approval process when several Schools are ready to progress to this stage simultaneously.  When multiple Schools/Faculties are involved, the arrangement may need to be coordinated through International Partnerships.

The relevant Head of School(s) will receive an online notification of the proposal and School endorsement will be required.  The Educational Partnerships team in Academic Affairs will then provide feedback following School endorsement. Academic Affairs may refer applications to the University Global Risk Committee for further consideration prior to its submission to Faculty.

The Faculty will be asked to confirm that the proposal aligns with Faculty priorities and that Schools/Faculties take responsibility for the collaboration including any associated risks.  Faculties may also seek advice from Global Risk Committee. Where there more than one Faculty involved, there must be consultation prior to Faculty review.

Following Faculty endorsement of the initial due diligence in Step 1, Schools will complete the Approval to Proceed document and approval must then be secured from the relevant Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) for all proposed collaborative arrangements to allow formal approval mechanisms to be instigated in line with the ECQS approved typology of risk (Typology of Risks Framework for Articulation Agreements). 

Schools are advised to ensure adherence to the agreed Operational Principles for Articulation Arrangements (Proposed Operational Principles for Articulation Arrangements). Supporting procedures for Approval to Proceed with regard to Articulations are as follows:

(a)        Articulations involving a UK/EU Partner

The initial proposal must be discussed and approved at the relevant FEC using the Approval to Proceed pro-forma (Approval to Proceed) – for Articulations, which should be completed and endorsed at School level and Academic Affairs in the first instance.  Faculties may adopt their own procedures, in line with their respective internal governance structures, for bringing forward this documentation as required. However, early contact with the Admissions and Access Service and Academic Affairs is recommended. 

FEC must inform the Partnerships Team in Academic Affairs if the proposed articulation is given Approval to Proceed and supply the name of the assigned University Coordinator, providing the Approval to Proceed documentation and confirmation of the decision. The Partnership team in Academic Affairs will then contact the lead School (or Faculty depending on the extent/nature of the arrangement) to confirm next steps.

 (b)       Articulations involving an International Partner

All proposed articulation arrangements with an international partner must be discussed and approved at the relevant FEC using the Approval to Proceed proforma (Approval to Proceed)  for Articulations, which should be completed and endorsed at School level and with Academic Affairs in the first instance.  

Where a proposed arrangement is to include other models of collaborative provision, ie progression agreement, study abroad, student exchange, the School must liaise with Queen’s Global. If the proposal includes the award of a double degree, the supporting documentation should also provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the University's Policy on Joint and Dual Awards has been considered and key principles addressed.  Early contact with the Admissions and Access Service and Academic Affairs is also recommended. 

FEC must inform the Partnerships Team in Academic Affairs if the proposed articulation is given Approval to Proceed and supply the name of the assigned University Coordinator, providing the Approval to Proceed documentation and confirmation of the decision The Partnership team in Academic Affairs will then contact the lead School (or Faculty depending on the extent/nature of the arrangement) to confirm next steps.

Following Approval to Proceed being granted, a full Business Case and Curriculum Mapping document should be prepared by the School(s) in support of the proposed articulation arrangement to each Queen’s programme.  In completing the Business Case the School should (1) consult with the Admissions and Access Service to ensure that the proposal is consistent with other such arrangements across the University; (2) consult Faculty Finance in completing the Business Case Costing template and (3) consult Immigration Support Service on any visa requirements.

Where a discounted fee is to be proposed, a business plan should be developed, in conjunction with the relevant Faculty Finance Business Partner, and agreed with the Finance Directorate.  Schools should discuss initial ideas with the appropriate Dean(s) within the Faculty to check that the proposal aligns with the Faculty’s plan.

The proposal should be endorsed by School and Faculty in line with the Typology of Risk (Typology of Risks Framework for Articulation Agreements). Proposals within category 1 of the Typology of Risk can be approved at Faculty level. Proposals in category 2 of the Typology of Risk, (or any proposal in category 1 that the Faculty wish to refer to ECQS) should be submitted to the Educational Partnerships team in Academic Affairs for consideration at the next ECQS meeting.  (link)

A draft Articulation Agreement will be prepared in parallel by Academic Affairs in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the partner, as appropriate.

When final approval has been granted by the either Faculty (category 1) or ECQS (category 2), Academic Affairs will arrange for the Articulation Agreement to be finalised and signed.  Details of the new arrangement will be circulated to relevant Faculty staff and Head of School, the University Coordinator, the Admissions and Access Service, Information Services, Finance, Student Services and Systems and, if appropriate, the Global Student Recruitment and the Immigration Support Service.  The articulation agreement will be recorded on the Collaborative Provision Register.

Implementation of the MOA

University Coordinators will normally be responsible for taking forward implementation and should liaise with their School/Faculty, particularly in relation to the application of any Partnership Management Plans which may be required by Faculty.