Academic partnerships

Heriot-Watt University participates in a number of Academic Partnerships with Higher Education Institutions, organisations and education providers both nationally and globally. As a UK degree awarding body, we are guided by the principles and key practices of the Quality Assurance Agency in the development, implementation and management of our partnership activities.

Sector-Agreed Principle 8 - Operating partnerships with other organisations: Providers and their partners agree proportionate arrangements for effective governance to secure the academic standards and enhance the quality of programmes and modules that are delivered in partnership with others.

	Key Practices a. Where academic provision is delivered through partnership, all partners agree, understand, communicate and take responsibility for the maintenance of academic standards and enhancement of quality. b. Providers are aware that working in partnership with other organisations will involve different levels of risk. Due diligence processes are completed in accordance with each provider’s approach to minimising risk, maintaining academic standards and enhancing quality. c. Written agreements between partners are signed prior to the start of a programme or module and cover the lifecycle of the partnership, including details about closing a partnership. d. Providers and their partners ensure compliance with the regulatory and legislative requirements of the countries in which they work and maintain an awareness of the cultural context in which they operate. Providers ensure students have information about the responsibilities of each partner and where to go for support throughout their studies. e. Providers maintain accurate, up-to-date records of partnership arrangements that are subject to a formal agreement. f. Partnerships are subject to ongoing scrutiny that includes periodic monitoring, evaluation and review to assure quality and facilitate enhancement.

Key Practices

a. Where academic provision is delivered through partnership, all partners agree, understand, communicate and take responsibility for the maintenance of academic standards and enhancement of quality.

b. Providers are aware that working in partnership with other organisations will involve different levels of risk. Due diligence processes are completed in accordance with each provider’s approach to minimising risk, maintaining academic standards and enhancing quality.

c. Written agreements between partners are signed prior to the start of a programme or module and cover the lifecycle of the partnership, including details about closing a partnership.

d. Providers and their partners ensure compliance with the regulatory and legislative requirements of the countries in which they work and maintain an awareness of the cultural context in which they operate. Providers ensure students have information about the responsibilities of each partner and where to go for support throughout their studies.

e. Providers maintain accurate, up-to-date records of partnership arrangements that are subject to a formal agreement.

f. Partnerships are subject to ongoing scrutiny that includes periodic monitoring, evaluation and review to assure quality and facilitate enhancement.

Staff at Heriot-Watt University can visit the Academic Partnerships Hub for further information on all areas relating to Academic Partnerships, including partnership approval processes, partnership management guidance, and monitoring and review advice.

Key information

Academic Partnerships

academicpartnerships@hw.ac.uk