Educational Partnerships
Educational Partnerships
The University has a wide range of educational partnerships with organisations and institutions across the world. Full details of these can be found in our Register for Educational Partnerships.
The information, documentation and links on this section of the website support staff engaged in partnership working. These include:
- Policies, procedures and guidance for Educational Partnerships
- Information relating to the development of International Pathway Agreements
Please note:
Before entering into significant discussions about partnerships with other universities, employers, professional bodies or training organisations it is important that staff consult informally with their academic and central service colleagues at an early stage. Thereafter, a formal approval process is required.
The University has established policies and procedures for the approval, oversight and renewal of educational partnerships. In addition specific guidance for particular types of partnerships has been developed to help staff through the process of developing new partnerships and managing existing provision.
Any queries regarding already approved educational partnerships, or the establishing of new partnerships, should be directed to Educational Policy and Governance Service on educational.partnerships@ncl.ac.uk
University Policies and Guidance
Joint Taught Awards
Students undertake one programme, which is jointly developed and delivered by Newcastle University and a partner institution.
Joint and Dual PhDs
A joint PhD will lead to a single award from Newcastle University and partner institution(s). A dual PhD will result in two separate awards.
Articulation Arrangements
Students are guaranteed entry to a Newcastle University programme on successful completion of recognised prior study at a partner institution.
Forms
- Learning and Teaching Activities Strategic Approval Form
- Partner Approval Template
- Renewal of Partnership Template
- Student Lifecycle Table
- Student Lifecycle Table: Joint and Dual PhD
- Conclusion of Educational Partnership Template
Register
What is a Pathway Agreement?
A Pathway Agreement is essentially a low-risk arms-length marketing arrangement.
It creates a clear and transparent mechanism in collaboration with a partner for promoting access to NU academic programmes and considering partner student applications on a case-by-case basis against clear admissions criteria based on the student’s prior learning performance.
Such Agreements are established in accordance with the University’s Policy on Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning and based on the development and approval of a syllabus-matching document.
They can be developed at either undergraduate (e.g. 1+3, 2+2) or postgraduate level (e.g. 4+1, 1+1), and can lead to direct entry to Year 1/Stage 1 of a degree programme or, in certain circumstances, advanced entry to Stage 2 (or Stage 3 of integrated Master’s programmes).
When is it a Pathway and when is it an Articulation?
An Articulation may take the same shape as a Pathway arrangement but the distinction is that it guarantees entry, usually for large numbers of students, against certain set criteria. There is likely to be very close alignment between the partner’s syllabus and the NU syllabus and probably joint syllabus development. This represents a greater investment and a higher risk. Articulation arrangements are scrutinised by the Taught Programmes Sub-Committee of UEC, requiring the preparation of partner and programme approval documentation, usually including a syllabus-matching document.
Advice and Guidance
For advice and guidance on the development of International Pathway Agreements please contact:
internationalpartnerships@ncl.ac.uk or visit their website