Articulation and Progression Agreements

Articulation and Progression Agreements

Introduction and Definitions

The collaborative approach taken by the University encourages access to HE via articulation and progression arrangements with partners. 

As defined by the Partnerships and Collaborative Academic Provision Policy and Strategy (July 2008) an Articulation Agreement describes a partnership arrangement whereby a programme owned and delivered by a partner that does not lead to a UK nationally recognised qualification is formally recognised as appropriate for entry or advanced standing towards one or more specified UW awards.

Progression Agreements describe arrangements whereby a programme owned and delivered by a partner and leading to a UK nationally recognised qualification is formally recognised by UW as appropriate for entry or advanced standing towards one or more UW awards.

In practice, progression agreements tend to focus on practical methods of developing support activity to raise awareness of progression routes and might also enhance academic and personal skills to prepare potential students for HE.  They may also be used to demonstrate commitment to collaboration between academic staff from each participating institution to agree appropriateness of feeder qualifications and secure alignment of curricula to facilitate progression.  Ultimately, they may also lead to creation of new provision to allow progression where no appropriate provision currently exists.      

Articulation and Progression Agreements originate from Institutes, and normally from course leaders following discussions with current or prospective partners and some or all of the following:

  • AQU
  • Registry Services
  • the International Office  

Where arrangements for progression or articulation result in credit towards an award, they fall within the scope of Section 2 of the QAA Code of Practice definition of collaborative arrangements.  Arrangements for approval and monitoring of agreements are therefore informed by the Code.   

Articulation or Progression and Partnerships

Except in the case of Progression Agreements defining entry to the start of a programme, Articulation and Progression Agreements are either annexed to the Partnership Agreement (when the partnership includes additional types of collaborative activity) or combined with the Partnership Agreement (when the articulation or progression is the sole collaborative activity covered by the partnership).  Should the proposal for a new Progression or Articulation Agreement be with a new partner, a formal partnership must be secured through the appropriate approval process and agreed by ASQEC prior to the commencement of any articulation or progression activity.

 

Institutional Approval Report Template New Partners for Articulation/Progression Agreements (ie. where no formal partnership agreement currently exists)

Initial proposal for an articulation or progression agreement

 

 Accreditation of Prior Learning

It is possible, of course, for students to apply individually for advanced standing using existing APL regulations.  However, this is an unwieldy approach if to be used on large numbers of students, and also adds burden and uncertainty to arrangements in such cases.  Progression/Articulation Agreements are therefore based upon UW APL principles, but apply universally to all students following approved courses with a Progression/Articulation Agreement.