Appendix 3 Indicative Validation Timeline Key Stages Required Actions Timescale Stage 1: Approval to Proceed Proposed new collaborative programme / activity discussed and agreed by School. NB: Where the proposal involves an international partner, the international partnership triage process must be completed prior to detailed discussions and/or development work being undertaken. However, initiatives requiring cross-Faculty support, non-standard fee arrangements and/or where opportunities are time-sensitive will be considered by the International Partnerships Decision Group outside the triage process, as appropriate, and, if agreed, proceed straight to Step 4. - 12 months School informs Faculty Student Recruitment and Finance Hub and Academic Affairs. - 8 months School completes required paperwork for Approval to Proceed, working with Faculty, Academic Affairs and relevant Professional Support areas to prepare the necessary documentation (business plan/case, market rationale and risk analysis), and assigns responsibility for the arrangement to a proposed University Coordinator. NB: Paperwork completed through the international partnership triage process may be used in lieu of the standard Approval to Proceed pro - 7/8 months Request for Approval to Proceed considered by FEB or International Partnership Decisions Group, as appropriate. - 5/6 months FEB informs Secretary to the Collaborative Provision Group (CPG). - 5 months Stage 2: Validation Academic Affairs contacts School and Partner to set out process and request necessary documentation from each. - 4 months Validation Panel appointed by CPG (Academic Affairs coordinates) School to nominate External Adviser and School subject specialist. - 4 months Written submissions prepared by Partner (institutional in a new partner) and School (programme proposal). - 1/4 months Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) developed by Academic Affairs, School and Partner. - 1/4 months Documentation submitted to Academic Affairs and circulated to Validation Panel. - 4 weeks Initial comments and requests for any additional information / documentation received from Validation Panel. - 2 weeks Validation pre-meeting held as required (international collaborations) – Panel and School. - 1 week Validation Visit undertaken. 0 Draft Validation Report to Validation Panel for approval. + 10 working days
Validation Report issued to Partner and School (Programme Team). Any difficulties in meeting the conditions specified therein should be communicated to the Secretary of the Validation Panel within 2 weeks of receipt. + 2/3 weeks Programme Team response to Validation Report received + 6/7 weeks Programme Team response to Validation Panel for consideration and approval. + 7/8 weeks Stage 3: University Approval Programme Regulations (new and amended programmes) to Courses and Regulations Group (fast track approval process). + 8/9 weeks Paperwork to CPG (next available formal meeting or via fast track approval process) + 9/10 weeks CPG recommends approval to Education Committee and upwards to Academic Council and Senate, as appropriate. Annually in Oct, Mar and May Stage 4: MOA Signature and Implementation MOA concluded and signed. Details added to University Register of Collaborative Agreements. Recognised Teacher status sought by Partner staff as appropriate. Prospectus Content Deadline (programme details provided to MRCI as required) Annually (Normally 20-22 months prior to first intake) Student Intake Annually in Sep Annual Monitoring Report Annually in Dec Recognised Teacher status of Partner Staff updated / renewed as required Annually in Semester 2 Periodic Review Every 5 years (max)