Joint programmes offer significant opportunities for internationalisation, innovation, collaboration, and enhanced student experience. However, they require careful planning, institutional commitment, strong partnerships, and sustained administrative coordination. Academics embarking on such initiatives are encouraged to engage proactively with all relevant University offices and external partners from the earliest planning stages.
The following FAQs are intended to support and provide a practical starting point for academics who are considering, exploring or developing joint programmes. These FAQs have been put together by members of the Joint Programmes Committee (JPC) (2025/2026). They are to be read in conjunction with the guide, entitled Requirements, Procedures and Recommendations Joint Programmes Initiatives [PDF][Intranet] available online.
The JPC advises Senate on joint programme proposals, supports academic staff through guidance and recommendations and provides feedback to the Programme Validation Committee (PVC).
1. What importance do joint programmes hold for universities?
Joint programmes strengthen internationalisation, enhance research and teaching collaboration, increase student mobility opportunities, improve institutional visibility, and create access to wider funding opportunities.
2. Is there one format for Joint Programme offerings?
No, there are several ways in which ‘joint’ programmes can be organised. The extent to which a programme will be jointly developed, designed and/or delivered is determined by institutional, regional and national regulations. ‘Joint’ programmes may lead to a ‘joint’, ‘double’, ‘dual’ or ‘multiple’ awards. Please consult the guide on the JPC website for the definitions associated with these programmes.
3. What benefits are associated with joint programmes?
Joint programmes result in a programme of studies which would have been collaboratively discussed, designed/developed and subsequently delivered and accredited by several universities (consortium). At the end of the studies, students earn an internationally recognised degree.
They contribute towards strengthening students’ intercultural and, in some cases, linguistic competences and provide students with a competitive advantage in the global labour market, arising from the mobility experiences and shared learning.
Academic members of staff benefit from exchanging professional insights and expertise as well as engaging with and participating with colleagues and learners from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
4. What are the main challenges associated with joint programmes?
Common challenges include accreditation across jurisdictions, funding sustainability, visa and mobility arrangements, harmonisation of assessment systems, administrative coordination, and student support.
5. What characteristics contribute to successful joint programmes?
Successful programmes have strong academic leadership, clear governance structures, experienced partners, realistic timelines, robust student support systems, and sustainable funding models.
6. Who is responsible for coordinating a joint programme?
Each participating institution appoints a local academic and administrative coordinator. In many instances, one of the participating institutions is appointed as the lead partner and therefore the overall programme coordinator. This co-ordinator would have the responsibility of ensuring consortium-wide coordination. Close collaboration with the University’s central administrative bodies is also crucial.
7. How should consortium partners be determined/chosen?
Mutual trust between institutions, or between the people more directly involved in the coordination of the programmes, is key. Prior collaboration with academics from prospective partner institutions is essential. Such prior experience – through summer schools, micro-credentials - would have provided insights and a degree of familiarity with academic expertise and rigour as well as administrative processes. New collaborations should be considered especially where institutional reputation and accreditation are strong.
1. What should academics do before discussing a programme with external partners?
Academics should become familiar with institutional procedures, and understand administrative, legal, financial, and accreditation implications. Moreover, Deans, Heads of Department, Directors of Faculties, Institutes, Centres, and Schools (FICS) should be involved from the earliest stages because staffing, budgeting, and strategic alignment must be considered.
2. Should I sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before consulting the JPC?
Staff must seek institutional guidance before entering formal commitments with external partners.
3. What documents must be submitted to the JPC?
Academics must submit the Joint Programmes Proposal Form, available on the JPC website, together with supporting documentation.
4. What happens after the proposal is submitted?
The JPC reviews the proposal, provides feedback, and forwards recommendations to the PVC and Senate.
1. What do students usually look for in joint programmes?
Students typically consider programme quality, employability, international exposure, scholarships, mobility opportunities, career prospects, and institutional reputation.
2. What support do students seek when participating in joint programmes?
Mobility and spending time at different institutions are often anticipated benefits of joint programmes. Travelling from one country to another, dealing with variations in academic systems, praxis and traditions imply that academic, administrative, pastoral, and psychosocial support are crucial.
3. How important is mobility planning?
Mobility planning is critical. Academic calendars, accommodation availability, visa timelines, and travel costs must be carefully coordinated.
4. Should local programme coordinators maintain regular contact with students?
Yes, regular communication is essential to help identify and address academic, emotional, or administrative difficulties early. Local coordinators are the key points of contact especially for international students navigating unfamiliar systems. The coordinators can then direct students to relevant UM offices, as applicable.
5. How can joint programmes strengthen student engagement?
Orientation sessions, alumni networks, student ambassadors, mentoring initiatives, and intercultural activities help foster community and belonging.
1. Why is detailed information about partner institutions necessary?
This information ensures compatibility of academic regulations, admissions standards, and progression requirements, assessment systems, grading systems, awards.
2. Why should admission procedures be co-ordinated?
Co-ordinated admissions processes ensure fairness when reviewing student applications and promote efficiency when informing all parties about successful candidates/applicants.
3. Where are students registered?
Students following joint degrees must be registered with every institution. This gives them access to institutional systems, email accounts, learning platforms, and other services.
4. What information is required about entry requirements?
Partners must agree on academic qualifications, language proficiency standards, selection criteria, and recognition of prior learning.
5. What happens when institutions have different grading systems?
Different grading cultures and pass marks can create inconsistencies that affect fairness, progression, and award classifications. Institutions’ variations for assessment may be retained but conversion mechanisms and equivalence tables should be agreed upon in advance.
1. Which office should be contacted regarding the finances of a Joint Degree Programme?
The Research Grants Finance Management Office is the appropriate point of contact for programmes supported by external funding (such as, Erasmus Mundus (EMJM/EMDM), MSCA Doctoral Networks - Joint Doctorates, or other international bilateral grants).
The Cost Accounting Office should be contacted for self-funded programmes.
2. When should Finance be involved in discussions about a Joint Degree Programme?
Finance should be consulted at the concept stage, before any commitments are made to prospective partners. It is crucial to assess financial viability and resource implications associated with a programme of studies.
3. Is a financial budget required before entering into negotiations?
Yes. A budget must be prepared, outlining projected income, expected student numbers, anticipated costs, and other budgetary considerations.
4. What are the main cost categories that must be included in a joint programme budget?
The main cost categories include:
o Academic staff costs
o Administrative and support staff costs
o Academic travel and student mobility costs where and as applicable
o Marketing and student recruitment costs
o Logistics and learning resources
o University’s overheads, and
o Contingency and risk provision
5. How should tuition fees be determined for a joint programme?
Tuition fees should be set jointly with partner universities and should reflect market conditions, relevant partner-country regulations, programme delivery costs, and the pricing policies of the partner universities.
6. How are tuition fees shared between partner institutions?
Revenue sharing models vary and are usually based on:
o Teaching responsibilities
o Each partner’s contribution to programme delivery (e.g., academic staff, facilities, and administrative support)
o Agreed percentage allocations following consolidation of joint budgets
7. What student numbers are required for financial viability?
This depends on the programme’s projected costs and revenues. By preparing a joint budget that incorporates all partners’ expected costs, the break-even student number (i.e. the minimum enrolment required for the programme to remain financially feasible) can be calculated.
8. What happens if student numbers are lower than expected?
In some joint programmes, this may be permitted where there is a clear strategic justification and an approved contingency plan. The agreement should also specify how any financial shortfall will be shared between the institutions if actual student enrolments fall below projected levels.
1. What do I need to know to facilitate student mobility as part of the joint programme?
Mobility arrangements require very meticulous planning, take time and may involve considerable challenges. Visa processing, mobility pathways, residence permits, and student support arrangements must be considered early during programme design. Staff at the International Office must be consulted as early as possible for advice and support.
2. Why are visas a recurring challenge in joint programmes?
Visa regulations differ across countries, processing can take months, and students may need to travel for embassy appointments.
1. How is the Legal Office involved in joint programmes?
Joint programmes involve cross-border agreements, governance responsibilities, intellectual property, liabilities, and regulatory compliance. At different stages of discussions and development, the Legal Office must be consulted with to draw up documents such as a memorandum of understanding and a consortium agreement.
2. What issues are typically covered in consortium agreements?
Governance, confidentiality, liability, intellectual property, communication procedures, dispute resolution, and termination clauses are standard components.
3. Why are data protection considerations important?
Student information is exchanged internationally and must comply with GDPR and other legal frameworks.
1. Why is joint marketing important?
Joint marketing increases visibility, expands recruitment reach, and strengthens international brand recognition. Budgeting for marketing and agreeing to who will cover or how expenses will be shared is important.
2. What marketing advantages do partner institutions provide?
Partners may contribute towards marketing via social media platforms, through recruitment agencies, advertising via mailing lists, alumni networks, and regional visibility.
3. What content is most effective in promoting joint programmes?
Graduate outcomes, mobility experiences, employability, scholarships, testimonials, and partner reputation are highly influential.
1. Should joint programmes have their own website?
Funding agencies or consortium branding requirements may require independent programme websites.
2. Whom should I speak to if a distinct website is expected for my joint programme?
You need to get in touch with IT services as soon as possible if you know that you require a unique website for your joint programme. Technical approvals, hosting arrangements, branding compliance and service integration require advance planning.
