6.0 Agreement template

Agreement on Educational Cooperation

between

The University of Helsinki

and

(name of university)

and

(name of university)

hereinafter referred to as the Parties.

The aim of the cooperation is to jointly deliver an educational programme called (name of programme), hereinafter called the Programme (or acronym).

The extent of the Programme is 120 ECTS credits. The structure and content of the Programme and Programme revision are the responsibility of the Programme Board and subject to the approval of the relevant authorities in the participating institutions.
 The educational aims of the Programme are (list of aims, whom the programme is intended for, what are the professional prospects of graduates, etc.).

For the attainment of the programme goals the following will be carried out by the Parties (general description of the parts of teaching or supervision, e.g. parts of the curriculum or programme specialisation/s, and/or administration of the programme):

University of Helsinki:

University of ...

The Parties assemble in a Programme Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board consists of one representative of each Party. Members of the Board are nominated by the Parties (by whom: the Rector, Dean, Faculty Board, Head of Department, etc.). Student members of the Board are selected as follows: (explanation).

The Board directs programme development and delivery. It acts as a forum of consultation and cooperation for the implementation of the Programme through the Parties. The Board has the authority and primary responsibility for:
 a) overseeing programme development and delivery;
 b) agreeing on programme structure and content, admission criteria, student selection and other issues related to the Programme in consultation with and for the approval of the relevant authorities or bodies of the Parties or national authorities;
 c) reporting to donors on grants awarded for the purposes of the Programme.

Board decisions are taken normally during regular meetings of the Board which are organised once/twice a year. The Chair ensures that the agenda and other meeting documents are circulated at least two weeks prior to regular Board meetings.

Board decisions are normally taken by consensus. The views of members unable to attend a meeting are taken into consideration and incorporated into the consensus of the Board. (If consensus is not reached, decisions are taken by a majority of two-thirds of the vote. Each board member has one vote.)

The Board may make decisions via electronic means between regular meetings. In such cases, the Chair will ensure that the texts of all motions to be acted on are circulated to Board members at least two weeks prior to the deadline for expression of opinion.

The Chair produces written minutes of each meeting which will be the formal record of all decisions taken. The Chair sends a draft to all members within two weeks of the meeting.

The minutes are considered as accepted if, within 15 calendar days from sending, no member has objected in writing the accuracy of the draft. In case of disagreement, the Chair takes final decisions on formulation of the minutes.

The accepted minutes are sent by email to all members. Copies of minutes are presented on the consortium website/intranet, if any.

The number of students to be admitted to the Programme is (figure)).
 OR
 The maximum number of students to be admitted to the Programme is (figure) and is distributed as follows: University of Helsinki (figure), University of (figure)...

Student selection criteria are the responsibility of the Board and subject to the approval of the relevant authorities in the participating institutions. Students are admitted to the programme as follows (general description of the process, e.g., does the student apply to a specific university or the programme, where are applications sent to, is there a selection board, what is the board's composition and working methods, etc.):

Student admission is carried out jointly (centralised admission) as follows: (description of the process), or

Student admission is carried out locally (separately by each partner) as follows: (description of the process)

The programme includes a compulsory 3-month mobility period as follows: (description).

The mobility period is funded by (description)

The degrees conferred in the Programme are filosofian maisteri (University of Helsinki), Master of Science (University of ...)...

The student is awarded two degrees after the successful completion of the Programme. The degrees are conferred by the institutions of the consortium where the student follows instruction and is registered while in the Programme.

After the successful completion of the programme, the student is awarded a single diploma OR a diploma from all the universities where s/he has concluded studies within the programme. (Possibly: in addition, a separate diploma for completing the programme. This diploma is not an official degree certificate.)

Students are subject to the regulations of the University at which they are registered for attendance while pursuing their studies in the Programme.

Appeals regarding admissions are handled as follows (this part only in the case where applications are processed centrally by one of the institutions; will the student follow the appeals procedure of this particular institutions, what the procedures are or where is it available):

In some cases, e.g. jointly delivered intensive or virtual courses, rules and regulations to be followed must be negotiated between the institutions involved. As with all regulations concerning students and studies, students taking the programme must have clear information on the rules and easy access to them.

Students' academic performance is assessed according to the assessment criteria and regulations of the party responsible for the course or the part of the programme to be assessed. If the course or part of the the programme are run by more than one party, the parties shall decide on the grading scale and criteria. Grading criteria shall be communicated to the students at the beginning of their studies.

(Grade conversions, if any, from one party's grading system to the other should be described here.)

The financial responsibility for the delivery of parts of the Programme rests with the Party providing the teaching or supervision.
 The Board is responsible for the administration of possible external funding for the Programme. The use of such funding is carried out according to the rules set by the donor.

The cost of jointly delivered parts of the programme are decided on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

Tuition/programme fees are as follows: (explanation)

Changes or amendments to the present Agreement shall be approved by all the Parties to the Agreement and become effective when signed by authorised representatives of all the Parties.

In case of a dispute, arising out of or in connection to the present Agreement, the Parties shall first endeavour to settle it amicably and, if needed, shall submit the matter to the Board.

Each Party is responsible for assuring full compliance by its participants in the activities related to this Agreement with applicable laws and regulations, including insurance, of the respective nations.

This Agreement is valid until (date). Any Party reserves the right to terminate this agreement upon six (or: twelve) months written notice to the other Parties. Any individual activities to be continued, especially regarding students admitted to the programme, will be specifically identified and provided for at the time of termination.

If the consortium delivering the programme ceases to exist, the partners agree to bear the responsibility for the teaching, supervision, guidance and other services required for the successful completion of studies of the students admitted to the programme.

This Agreements takes effect on (date) OR on the date of the last signature indicated below.

For the University of Helsinki: