Collaborative provision withdrawal
The withdrawal of a collaborative arrangement follows a different process to internal provision and varies depending on the category of arrangement.
The withdrawal of a collaborative arrangement carries greater significance compared to standard provision owing to its legal governance. To ensure that all relevant parties are consulted and that the withdrawal process accords with the legal agreement and, where relevant, the student protection plan submitted to the Office for Students, schools must complete a collaborative arrangement withdrawal form.
In the case of off-campus, joint delivery and advanced arrangements (see types of collaborative arrangements (PDF)), the standard programme withdrawal form and a withdrawal action plan (also appended to the collaborative arrangement withdrawal form) should also be completed.
It should be noted that in all cases, termination of the legal agreement – and, by definition, the arrangement itself – is only official when a formal withdrawal letter is sent to the partner. This letter must be drafted by the University Legal Team in consultation with the Quality Assurance Team and the International Office (for international partnerships).
WITHDRAWAL OF PROGRESSION (ENTRY AND ARTICULATION) ARRANGEMENTS
Schools/faculties must complete the template collaborative arrangement withdrawal form. The withdrawal will need to be approved by the School Taught Student Education Committee and reported to the Education Partnerships Working Group. Following STSEC approval, the school/faculty will liaise with the Quality Assurance Team and International Office (in the case of an international partnership) in preparing the official withdrawal letter.
WITHDRAWAL OF OFF-CAMPUS, JOINT DELIVERY AND ADVANCED ARRANGEMENTS
Schools/faculties must complete: (1) the standard programme withdrawal form; (2) the template collaborative arrangement withdrawal form, and (3) the withdrawal action plan. The withdrawal will be approved by the School Taught Student Education Committee and the Education Partnerships Approval Group (the programme withdrawal form should also be sent to the Faculty Programme Approval Group). Once approved, the school/faculty should liaise with the Quality Assurance Team and International Office (in the case of an international partnership) in preparing the official withdrawal letter. The withdrawal will be reported to the Education Partnerships Working Group.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COLLABORATIVE WITHDRAWAL
Schools/faculties should be aware that the termination of all collaborative arrangements is subject to a notice period, the exact duration of which will be specified in the legal agreement.
It is expected that the school/faculty, either directly or via the International Office, will engage with the partner promptly and regularly throughout the withdrawal process to ensure there is a mutual understanding of the responsibilities each side must meet and to manage reputational impact.
Obligations and responsibilities to the students (current or expectant) entering the University through the partnership agreement must continue to be met until the last remaining student(s) have completed the programme. Schools/faculties should therefore be aware that the exit timeframe for a collaborative arrangement may be longer than for international provision.