Collaborative Providers

External Collaborative and Linked Providers

Click here for existing Collaborative Partners

The QQA Act 2012 requires Designated Awarding Bodies (DABs) (i.e. NUI Galway) develop QA policies and procedures (P&Ps) for the approval and periodic review of all teaching, research and support activities including those of collaborative providers (CPs) and specifically for the approval and periodic review of the P&Ps of so called Linked Providers (LPs). 

Collaborative partnerships for taught awards are formal agreements with third party organisations for the design and/or delivery of taught programmes that lead to University of Galway awards. These types of collaborative partnerships include:

• A progression agreement is a contract between University of Galway and an awarding body which states the conditions under which University of Galway will accept students onto the start of a programme.
• An articulation agreement permits advanced entry to University of Galway programmes after completion of some part, or all, of another provider’s qualification. 
• A dual or multiple award is where two or more awarding bodies collaborate in the delivery of a jointly delivered programme(s) leading to separate awards (and separate certification) being granted by each awarding body.
• A joint award is where two or more awarding bodies collaborate in the delivery of a jointly delivered programme leading to a single award and single certificate.
• Off-campus programme leads to a University of Galway award delivered in-person in the partner(s) institution or organisation.
• A linked provider is a legally independent organisation registered and operating within the Republic of Ireland with its own internal QA policies and procedures where University of Galway has agreed to credit the award.

Please refer to QA246 Collaborative Partnerships for Taught Awards for further detail.