Definitions

What are Franchise Arrangements?

A franchise arrangement is based upon a process by which Swansea University as an awarding institution authorises another organisation to deliver (and sometimes assess) part or all of one (or more) of its own approved programmes or a programme recognised by another educational body, for example, Edexcel.

The responsibility for the academic content of the programme, the teaching and assessment strategy, the assessment regime, and quality assurance will remain with Swansea University and the partner as the franchisee.

Franchised programmes, as with all other collaborative programmes, are dependent upon a close working relationship between Swansea and the collaborative partner/s.

A designated Link Tutor at each institution is a key quality assurance role in this type of collaboration.

Foundation Degrees are programmes that may be established as part of an HE/FE partnership, or may be delivered by Swansea University in off-campus locations in the community. Foundation Degrees may involve other parties where industrial partners, external funding or government initiatives are providing the driving force for the development of such programmes.


What are Validation Arrangements?

Validated programmes are programmes designed and taught by another institution. However, Swansea University oversees the quality of such programmes and is responsible for issuing the award.

A designated Link Tutor at each institution is a key quality assurance role in this type of collaboration.


What are Recruitment Based Collaborations?

Recruitment based activity’s focus is the recruitment and admission of students from other institutions (usually overseas) to Swansea for a period of study which may or may not lead to the awarding of credit and/or an official Swansea award.

Such collaborative activity is driven by the International Development Office (IDO) and will generally lead to a Memorandum of Understanding and/or a Facilitation Agreement/Addendum with the institution concerned. Phraseology associated with this type of collaborative activity is Articulation and Facilitation arrangements/agreements.


What are Articulation Arrangements?

Articulation Arrangements involve students who satisfy academic criteria on one programme and are automatically entitled on academic grounds to be admitted with advanced standing to a subsequent stage of a degree-awarding body.


What are Study Abroad, Mobility and Exchange Arrangements?

This is an agreement which commits the University to exchange students (and, where relevant, staff) for a specified length of time including, but not limited to, Erasmus+. These arrangements might be for an intercalary year as the third year of a four year degree scheme, or a semester study abroad arrangement in lieu of study at Swansea University.

Students on exchange programmes are registered both at Swansea University and their host institution during their exchange period. Information on fees for mobility programmes can be found on the My Finances page.


What are Collaborative Modules?

These are individual modules which form part of a Swansea University award but that are either entirely delivered, taught and assessed by another institution/organisation (on or off a Swansea University campus) or are partially or collaboratively delivered, taught and/or assessed by another institution/organisation (on or off a Swansea University campus).


What are Work Placements?

Work placements are a form of learning specifically designed to enhance students’ employability. Credit bearing work placements are integral to, and embedded in, a higher education programme.

Credits are awarded in recognition of the learning achieved in a work environment during an agreed and negotiated period of learning, which takes place outside the higher education institution.

Students’ achievement in a workplace environment is normally assessed through reflective practice on the work placement experience and the designation and achievement of appropriate learning outcomes.

Credit bearing work placements offer students an opportunity to undertake work experience relevant to their programme of study and for which appropriate learning outcomes are set and assessed. On successful completion of the placement students are awarded credits which contribute to the degree.

Non-credit bearing work placements offer degree students an opportunity to undertake work experience relevant to their career interests and could include experience such as shadowing a senior member of staff to understand their role or working within a specialist area of a business, thus building knowledge and experience e.g. Swansea Employability Academy’s Week of Work scheme. Alternatively, these could be paid placements over a longer period, usually 6-8 weeks where students undertake a project or range of projects which are determined by the employer and of value to the business e.g. Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN). However, they are not embedded within a programme of study and credits are not awarded.

Research based work placements involve research work primarily based in the workplace e.g. EngD or an MRes degree where the research candidate gains from experience of working in a research environment.


What is Transnational Education (TNE)?

Transnational Education is the provision of education for students based in a country other than the one in which the awarding institution is located. TNE is delivered through a wide variety of programmes and platforms, including, but not exclusive to: distance learning programmes, teaching partnerships, flying faculty, off-shore campuses and MOOCs. In some instances, TNE can involve the movement of students, with some short-term study in the awarding country and/or students accessing TNE from education hubs.

Types of Transnational Education:

Flying Faculty: typically involves members of Swansea University staff providing block teaching in an off-campus location. This may be in collaboration with a local ‘host’ institution which is providing access to resources (IT, classroom) or local academic support. This arrangement is often supported by a Service Level Agreement.

Embedded College: is a private organisation operating near to, or within, the University. Typically, a provider conducts its central functions from a separate headquarters but may operate from one or more of its embedded colleges. An embedded college is usually engaged in the preparation of students for entry to higher education programmes.

Dual Award: is an arrangement where Swansea University, together with one or more awarding bodies, provides a programme leading to separate awards and certificates being granted by all the awarding bodies. Each partner is responsible for its own assessment and quality assurance.

Joint Award: is an arrangement where Swansea University, together with one or more awarding bodies, provides a jointly developed and delivered programme, leading to a single award made jointly by all the awarding bodies. A single certificate is produced, not separate certificates from each awarding body. Responsibility for assessment and quality assurance is agreed between the partners.

Double Degree: is the granting of separate awards (and certificates) for the same programme by two degree-awarding bodies who have jointly delivered the programme of study leading to those awards.

Degree Awarded ‘in Collaboration’: is the granting of a Swansea University award in collaboration with another institution or organisation, for example, an HE institution without degree awarding powers at the necessary level, or, an industrial organisation.


What is a Summer Programme?

The Go Global Team in the International Development Office coordinates and provides funding towards a range of other Short and Summer Programmes. Funding is available to Year 1 and Year 2 undergraduate Swansea University students, as well as postgraduate students with academic approval. There is a range of opportunities in a variety of countries, including:

  • volunteering programmes;
  • study programmes;
  • internships;
  • cultural programmes.

Destinations currently include China, India, North America, Japan, Africa, and Europe.


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