Collaborative Provision Review Project

In late 2024 a project to review Collaborative Provision at UCL was launched within Academic Policy, Quality and Standards (APQS). The aim of this project was to holistically review all of UCL’s policies and procedures governing the establishment, renewal, and quality assurance of  Academic Partnerships - partnerships which involve collaborations with external partners to deliver education leading to UCL credit or awards.

The project’s initial focus was on understanding the risks and challenges in the management of current academic partnerships at UCL. This involved discussions with stakeholders, including Faculties, Legal Services, and Global Engagement and evaluating how UCL’s current policies and procedures for collaborative provision, contained with Chapter 8 of the Academic Manual,  align with sector guidance provided by the Office for Students (OfS) and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

The first stage of the project has seen revised definitions for types of academic partnership be proposed to the University’s Collaborative and Accredited Provision Committee (CAP-C) for consideration. These new definitions aim to clarify the characteristics of different types of partnership, ensuring all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what is involved in the establishment and management of such arrangements at UCL.

The next stage will focus on revising UCL’s policies and procedures for the establishment, quality assurance, and renewal of academic partnerships. Proposals for these revisions will be presented to CAP-C in June 2025 with the aim of enhancing the consistency and efficiency of partnership management across the University.

The project is expected to be completed by September 2025 with a new operational manual for Academic Partnerships published for the 2025/26 academic year.

Contact details for further information: m.redmond@ucl.ac.uk