Subcontracting Information Source (SIS)

This Subcontracting Information Source (SIS) explains how Harper Adams University manages and oversees its sub-contractual education arrangements.

It sets out how the University ensures that academic quality, student experience, and regulatory compliance are maintained across sub-contracted provision in line with the Office for Students (OfS) Condition E10.

This page provides a summary of the University’s approach and links to the policies, procedures and assurance mechanisms that underpin it. It does not replicate all institutional policies but highlights those which are directly relevant to the oversight and operation of sub-contractual arrangements.

Key Principles

The University’s approach to subcontracting is based on the following principles:

To operate in alignment with the guidance, principles, and regulatory requirements of the Office for Students.
The University is responsible for the overall academic standards, quality, and student outcomes, as prescribed in its Academic Quality Assurance Manual (S.8).
Information provided to applicants and students accurately reflects the nature of subcontracted delivery and associated financial arrangements in line with consumer protection requirements.
Students on subcontracted provision receive an equivalent standard of academic experience and support.
Appropriate oversight and monitoring arrangements are in place.
Risks are identified, managed and escalated through formal governance structures.
Arrangements operate in the interests of students and public value.

Strategic Oversight and Governance

How the University approves, monitors and oversees subcontracting arrangements.

The University retains full accountability for the strategic rationale and oversight of its subcontracting arrangements.

All subcontracting partnerships are subject to formal approval processes including scrutiny of business cases and risk assessment. Ongoing performance and risk are monitored through established governance structures including Quality and Standards Committee, the Educational Partnerships Committee, as well as oversight through the University’s Executive Leadership team and reporting up to the Board of Governors.

Subcontracting risks are recorded in the University’s risk management framework and reviewed regularly.

Supporting Information

Partner Approval and Due Diligence

How the University assesses and approves delivery partners.

Prior to approval, all delivery partners are subject to due diligence processes covering financial sustainability, academic capability, regulatory compliance and reputational risk.

Approval is contingent on satisfactory risk assessment outcomes and the ability of the partner to meet the University’s academic and regulatory requirements.

Supporting Information

Academic Quality Assurance Manual Section 8: Working with Educational Partners
Collaboration Handbook
Register of Collaborative Provision

Contractual Arrangements and Oversight

How partnerships are formalised and managed.

All subcontracting arrangements are governed by formal contractual agreements that clearly define responsibilities, quality expectations, and compliance obligations.

Contracts incorporate OfS requirements, including audit access, reporting expectations and arrangements for escalating concerns.

Students on subcontracted courses are registered with Harper Adams University and pay tuition fees to the University. As part of the subcontracting arrangement, the University retains a proportion of the tuition fee and pays the remainder to the educational partner to support teaching and local delivery.

Arrangements are reviewed regularly to ensure continued compliance and effectiveness.

Supporting Information

Recruitment and Admissions

How students are recruited and admitted.

The University approves all marketing and promotional materials for subcontracted programmes, in accordance with its own brand guidelines.

The University sets entry requirements for admission, and the admissions decisions, to our subcontracted courses. Admissions processes for subcontracted provision are aligned with the University’s polices and are subject to regular monitoring and audit sampling. The University may also attend interview and selection events operated by educational partners.

The University retains the final decision on offers and any appeal process relating to admissions, including in circumstances where an education partner may have used a recruitment agent. Information provided to applicants makes clear the nature of the subcontracting arrangement, including the respective roles of the University and the delivery partner.

The University provides relevant training to partners on compliance with Consumer Protection regulations.

Supporting Information

Please review the course webpages on the University website.
Admissions Policy

Academic Quality and Student Experience

How quality and student experience are maintained.

Academic quality is assured thorough the University’s established quality assurance framework, including specific arrangements for subcontracted provision which may include:

external examiner oversight.
second marking and moderation rights on partner-marked exams.
periodic review.
peer observation of teaching.
Appointment of module link tutors.
annual course monitoring and development of a Quality Enhancement Plan.
quality oversight of teaching delivery.
the right to review CVs of teaching staff on partner programmes and confirm or deny selection decisions
Other enhanced Quality Management Arrangements as specified in the Academic Quality Assurance Manual (S.8).

The University ensures that students studying through subcontracted arrangements benefit from equivalent academic standards and support.

Supporting Information

Student Outcomes Monitoring

How performance and outcomes are tracked.

The University monitors student outcomes, including continuation, completion, and progression.

These arrangements apply to subcontracted provision through University’s Quality Management Arrangements.

Data is reviewed through established KPI monitoring processes, with escalation where performance falls below expected thresholds.

Supporting Information

Annual Course Monitoring
3 AQAM
5 AQAM
8 AQAM
Collaboration Handbook
Partnership Review Agenda and Meeting templates

Student Protection and Safeguarding

How students are protected if risks arise.

All student interests, including those on subcontracted provision, are protected through the University’s Student Protection Plan and associated arrangements. This includes teach-out provisions where required. Educational partners are required to maintain their own student protection arrangements aligned to the provisions of the partnership agreement.

Complaints and whistleblowing processes are available to all students, with the University retaining control of all stages of the processes, including where appropriate academic appeals.

Supporting Information

Risk, Audit and Reporting

How risks are monitored and escalated.

The University operates a risk-based approach to monitoring subcontracted provision.

This includes ongoing compliance monitoring, internal audit activity and escalation processes for reportable events.

Delivery partners are required to cooperate with audit and provide access to relevant information.

Supporting Information