Become a Partner

Working in partnership with other institutions is fundamental to the way in which the University promotes participation in higher and further education and contributes to economic growth.

The scope of our partnership activity is diverse and ranges from working with partners to increase access to further and higher education, through to collaborative ventures whereby the University enters into a formal partnership arrangement with an institution to meet the educational needs of its local area.

Types of partnership

There are different types of academic partnerships. At the University of Derby we have:

Franchise

Validation

Progression

Dual Degree

There is a preference towards new partners running franchised programmes rather than validated programmes.

Find out more about the types of partnerships available

New partnership process

The process to form a new partnership does take time. This is to ensure we have performed robust checks and balances to protect the University of Derby and partners that it enters into an agreement with. The University withholds the right to decline a prospective partner proposal at any stage of the following process on the basis of the criteria below and will not always be able to provide feedback.

Any questions about partnerships at the University of Derby can be sent to the university's Partnerships Inbox uodpartnerships@derby.ac.uk.

1. Initial assessment

The University uses the following themes to determine the synergies and fit of a new partner. This process can be initiated through internal or external enquiries/ referrals received through the University's Partnerships Inbox uodpartnerships@derby.ac.uk, and/or The Initial Partnership Enquiry Form (IPEF). Enquiries received are initially screened using the following criteria:

A. Strategic alignment

The potential partner should be able to demonstrate their strategic alignment with the mission of the University and its over-arching values.

The University may consider potential partnerships for niche subject areas as part of its strategic vision, subject to the support of the respective PVC Dean(s) of the University College(s). Partnership proposals that span subject areas across multiple University Colleges will be considered favourably.

View our Strategic Framework.

B. Quality indicators and financial performance 

It is expected that the potential partner will possess significant demonstrable experience of working within the Higher Education Sector for at least three years. The performance and financial health of the potential partner will be assessed across this period before a relationship will be entered into.

The potential partner should be able to evidence that it has appropriate quality assurance mechanisms in place and maintain accreditation from an external body such as Ofsted, QAA, OfS for UK registered partnerships, or an international equivalent. 

C. Ethical considerations

The University supports an ethical approach to its partnership developments. Geographical, civil liberty and regulatory considerations will be taken into consideration prior to partnership development in a new region. 

For potential international partners reference will be made to the ‘Transparency International Corruptions Perceptions Index’ and ‘Freedom in the World’ Political Rights and Civil Liberties Index as part of the due diligence process.

D. Reputation and standing

The University recognises the value and importance placed on league tables as an indication of the current standing of the potential partner. Potential partners will be required to evidence strong regional and global reputation and standing through external metrics such as league tables or research outputs.

A review of league tables will be undertaken to ascertain if the potential partner and/or its subject areas feature in local, national and international league tables.

2. Partnership Enquiry Form (PEF) 

If successful at the initial criteria assessment, the University will send a Partnership Enquiry Form (PEF) to the prospective partner to complete. This will support us to perform the first necessary due diligence checks. 

3. Due diligence

Using information from the PEF and thorough research, the University will conduct due diligence checks on prospective partners. This will assess each of the four initial criteria themes in more detail: Strategic Alignment, Quality Indicators & Financial Performance, Ethical Considerations and Reputation & Standing.

4. Approval

The above information will be considered at both college and senior leader level within the University. A final decision as to whether the partnership will be progressed will be made based on this evidence.