council of validating universities
London
About CVU The Council of Validating Universities is the only body in the UK
specialising exclusively in good practice and standards for that aspect of
higher education which concerns the validation of programmes of study by
universities and colleges (‘awarding institutions’) for delivery by other
colleges or organisations (‘partner institutions’). The term ‘collaborative
provision’ is often used to describe this form of partnership. Foundation and
Remit The CVU was formed in 1982 and registered as a charity in 1996. It became
incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 28th October 2004 (Company
Number: 05272761). It is a non-statutory body comprising representatives from
higher education institutions and other related organisations in the United
Kingdom. Objectives: To advance education, including training and research, in
particular by: keeping under review the concerns of degree-awarding institutions
within the United Kingdom in relation to collaborative activity identifying and
promoting good practice in collaborative validation. The CVU defines
‘collaborative provision’ as the process whereby a degree-awarding body judges
one or more programmes of study, courses, or modules offered by another body to
be appropriate to lead to a qualification and/or credit of that degree awarding
body. The programmes of study may be designed and developed by either the
degree-awarding body or the the other body or a partnership of the two.
Collaborative validation therefore embraces the accreditation of institutions,
the franchising of courses and other forms of academic association.
