Academic Partnership

The Academic Partnerships team (APT) is responsible for facilitating the University of Cumbria's collaborative working with partner institutions. The team leads and manages the relationship, where an institution works in association, to deliver university validated or franchised programmes.

We are here to advise and support you - from initial enquiry and inception through to programme delivery and monitoring. We provide the link between the university and our academic partners, providing help and guidance through the various processes involved.

Background

For the newly formed University of Cumbria, building partnerships began locally, working with the county’s four Further Education colleges - Kendal, Carlisle, Furness and Lakes College West Cumbria - with the aim of facilitating academic aspirations and widening participation in Higher Education.

Our local collaboration provides a range of opportunities for all students whatever their age and earlier experience. These partnerships ensure provision is available in Cumbria’s widely distributed communities and offer progression opportunities into Higher Education from FE and vocational routes. 

The university continues to build on this local success, expanding our regional partnerships as well as developing new national and international relationships.

APT provides the main institutional contact between our partners and the university. The main roles of the team are:

  • To be the first point of contact for prospective and existing academic collaborative partners
  • To facilitate and support discussions between the university and partners regarding new programme developments
  • To safeguard and maintain the relationships between the university and its key academic partners, through effective communication
  • To advise and support the partner and university during the preparation of due diligence and the business case
  • To prepare for institutional approval and to provide ongoing support  during the partnership development and programme delivery
  • To support the Academic Quality and Standards Service in the operation, review and revision of regulations, policies and procedures which impact on partnership working
  • To prepare for validation and to offer on-going support throughout the programme set up, delivery and monitoring procedures.

If you are considering establishing a partnership, you should contact the team at the earliest opportunity. Please complete the Enquiry Form and return to the Partnerships Team.

The administration and coordination of collaborative provision is largely undertaken by the Academic Partnerships Team; more detailed information about engaging in collaborative provision with the University of Cumbria is available through the university's Processes and Procedures for Collaborative Provision.

Contact Academic Partnership

Janice Nichols, Academic Partnerships Manager
Telephone: 01228 400336
Email: Janice.Nichols@cumbria.ac.uk

Janice Dale, Partnerships Officer
Telephone: 01228 400300 ext. 8386
Email: Janice.Dale@cumbria.ac.uk