Policy overview
1 Purpose
To set out broad principles that underpin the establishment, management and governance of educational partnerships between the University and third parties.
2 Scope
This policy applies to educational partnerships including, but not limited to:
- Arrangements for a Third Party Provider to deliver Coursework Programs (refer to the Educational Partnerships - Third Party Delivery of Coursework Programs Procedure)
- Coursework Dual and Joint Awards
- Articulation/Credit Transfer pathways arrangements (refer to the Articulation and Credit Transfer Pathways Procedure)
- Cotutelle PhD program (refer to the Cotutelle PhD Program Procedure)
- Other Collaborative arrangements.
3 Policy Statement
The University will establish educational partnership arrangements with a broad range of organisations both in Australia and overseas to enhance the quality of the University's educational offerings and delivery.
The University is accountable for the quality of any education, training or services delivered on its behalf by a partner organisation and for compliance with all relevant aspects of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.
This Policy aligns with the:
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 5.4 Delivery with Other Parties
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (2018): Standard 2: Recruitment of an Overseas Student
4 Principles
The University will only establish educational partnership arrangements where the choice of partner and arrangement type:
- complements and aligns with the University's vision, values and strategic priorities;
- builds on the partner's demonstrated record of academic credibility suitable to the type of arrangement;
- is likely to enhance the domestic and/or international reputation of the University; and
- strategically aligns with the University's existing and prospective partnership arrangements.
The relevant governance, due diligence and approval requirements, commensurate with the nature, scale and purpose of the arrangement, must be met before entering into any educational partnership or collaboration.
All educational partnerships require a written agreement between the parties. These may range from detailed binding contractual agreements to preliminary non-binding memoranda of understanding, as appropriate for the stage of discussions, type of arrangement and the range of activities.
At a minimum, agreements must specify the purpose of the agreement, outline the roles and responsibilities of all relevant parties and include a timeline for monitoring and review of the agreement, commensurate with the level of complexity and risk associated with the type of agreement.
Partnership agreements must comply with any legislative, regulatory or government policy requirements that apply to the activities governed by, or related to, those agreements.
International education partnership agreements must comply with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (The National Code).
All partnerships resulting in Articulation/Credit Transfer pathways arrangements must be consistent with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
All Third Party Arrangements must be formalised using a legally binding agreement approved by the Legal Office. As a minimum, the agreement will set out:
- the specific goals and expected benefits of the arrangement;
- the scope and extent of the functions being undertaken by the Third Party Provider and the rights and responsibilities of the University and the Provider in respect of the quality of education and any services delivered on its behalf;
- staffing arrangements, where relevant, including required qualifications and/or professional experience in the relevant discipline;
- the schedule of periodic audits, agreed by the University and the Third Party Provider, to ensure adequate performance against the deliverables of the agreement and compliance with the relevant requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 for the types of activity involved;
- marketing and promotional activities, and ensuring that representation of the University's educational offerings and fees is accurate and not misleading;
- arrangements for amendments to the agreement, renewal and termination of agreement including provisions for teach-out, support and transition arrangements for Students; and
- the dispute resolution process.
The agreement must not constrain the University in making changes to its programs and Courses as part of its normal business processes.
CRICOS registration or notification to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) must be initiated by UniSQ International where delivery involves International Students. Registration or approval must be received from TEQSA before any International Student can access any aspect of the Third Party Arrangement and this prerequisite should appear in all written contractual arrangements.
All programs and Courses, irrespective of delivery mode and location, must be accredited in accordance with the Program Accreditation Procedure, and must comply with all laws of the country where the program is offered.
University policies, procedures, processes and guidelines related to teaching, learning, Courses, programs, conduct and Student support will apply to Students and staff in Third Party Arrangements, unless an exception is approved by the Provost.
5 References
Nil.
6 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Provost |
| Responsible Officer | Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) |
| Policy Type | Academic Quality Policy |
| Policy Suite | Articulation and Credit Transfer Pathways Procedure Cotutelle PhD Program Procedure Educational Partnerships - Coursework Dual and Joint Awards Procedure Educational Partnerships - Third Party Delivery of Coursework Programs Procedure |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 17/11/2020 |
| Effective Date | 17/11/2020 |
| Review Date | 17/11/2025 |
| Relevant Legislation | Australian Qualifications Framework Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | Credit and Exemption Procedure English Language Proficiency Requirements Procedure Higher Degree by Research Student Admissions and Enrolments Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| The process of submission and assessment of applications for entry to study at the University....moreThe process of submission and assessment of applications for entry to study at the University. The qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule....moreThe qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule. A discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade....moreA discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade. A sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework....moreA sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework. The number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program....moreThe number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program. A process that provides Students with agreed and consistent Credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and Learning Outcomes between matched qualifications....moreA process that provides Students with agreed and consistent Credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and Learning Outcomes between matched qualifications. A jointly conceived program between the University and an educational partner, where each institution is responsible for its own Award, however the two components together form a single educational experience. Dual Awards are approved according to the University's program accreditation procedures. There is usually cross-transfer of Credit to allow Students to complete both Awards in a shorte...moreA jointly conceived program between the University and an educational partner, where each institution is responsible for its own Award, however the two components together form a single educational experience. Dual Awards are approved according to the University's program accreditation procedures. There is usually cross-transfer of Credit to allow Students to complete both Awards in a shorter time than if they were completed separately. On completion of all program requirements, Students receive two separate Awards, one awarded by the University and one awarded by the partner institution, each with its own Testamur. A Dual Award is conferred under a legally binding arrangement and typically includes reciprocal Student mobility. A Student who is not an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa....moreA Student who is not an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa. A joint program between the University and an educational partner involving close cooperation in the design of the program, program delivery, assessment of Learning Outcomes and requirements for completion. Joint Awards are approved according to the University's program accreditation procedures. On completion of all program requirements, Students receive one single Award, with a single Testa...moreA joint program between the University and an educational partner involving close cooperation in the design of the program, program delivery, assessment of Learning Outcomes and requirements for completion. Joint Awards are approved according to the University's program accreditation procedures. On completion of all program requirements, Students receive one single Award, with a single Testamur jointly conferred by the University and the educational partner. A Joint Award is conferred under a legally binding arrangement and typically includes reciprocal student mobility. Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative....moreResearch is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. An arrangement made by the University with another party (in Australia or overseas) to deliver some or all of a higher education program that leads to the Award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification....moreAn arrangement made by the University with another party (in Australia or overseas) to deliver some or all of a higher education program that leads to the Award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification. A party with which the University has a Third Party Arrangement for the purposes of delivering some or all of a higher education program that leads to the award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification....moreA party with which the University has a Third Party Arrangement for the purposes of delivering some or all of a higher education program that leads to the award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Keywords | Partner, partnership agreement, third party, third party provider, third party arrangement |
| Record No | 19/1301PL |