Quality Handbook Supplement PS4: Requirements for initiation and cessation of progression arrangements between Kaplan International Colleges and Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
Find information about how NTU manages progression arrangements with Kaplan International Colleges.
Latest version as of September 2026.
1. Introduction
This supplement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying operational guidance document.
1.1 This policy applies to progression arrangements with Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) and Kaplan International College London (KICL) and sets out requirements for:
- Approving a new progression route
- Making changes to existing progression routes,
- closure of progression routes and withdrawal of an NTU course with an existing progression route in place
- new product proposals from Kaplan.
2. Progression approval requirements
Detail
New or existing NTU course to become a progression route
Requirements
A Progression Route Information Form (available on request from the International Development Office (IDO)) must be completed for all proposals.
Proposals for new progression routes must be approved by the International Development Office and NTIC/KCIL.
Proposals must demonstrate that the following criteria are met:
- the NTIC/KICL programme provides reasonable preparation for progression to the beginning of the NTU course, or in the case of articulation (e.g. International Year One – IYO), there is reasonable equivalence between the curricula and learning outcomes of the NTIC/KICL programme and those of a level or stage of an NTU course(s);
- any additional entry criteria are justified to ensure that the NTIC/KICL students meet an equivalent entry profile to UCAS/direct applicants;
- additional entry requirements to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements have been identified.
Approval Mechanism
New courses follow the University’s course design and approval process as set out in Quality Handbook (QH) Section 5.
Or
Existing courses are approved at the School Academic Standards and Quality Committee (SASQC)
In all cases, the following requirements apply:
- Changes must be discussed and agreed with the International Development Office and NTIC/KCIL before they are implemented.
- Timescales for implementing changes must be negotiated and agreed by all partners. Particular attention should be given to changes that could negatively affect the student experience e.g. discontinuing a progression route.
- Wherever possible, existing offers should be honoured. If this is not feasible, a consultation process involving NTIC/KICL, IDO, and affected students or offer holders will determine whether alternative progression routes are available at NTU or other Kaplan Pathway College providers.
- Where agreement on changes, timescales of changes or progression route closures cannot be reached between NTU and NTIC/KICL, IDO will consult with JSMB to make the final decision.
Detail
NTU make changes to a course for which there is progression route.
Requirements
In advance of any change to the NTU course, the School’s Link Tutor must discuss the proposed changes, and the impact of this on the progression route with the NTIC/KICL Academic Leader. In particular, the impact on continued alignment of the progression route to the revised NTU course must be considered, particularly for entry to Level 5 at NTU.
High Impact changes must be discussed and agreed with the IDO.
Approval Mechanism
Course changes follow University requirements set out in Quality Handbook (QH) Section 5.
Detail
NTU discontinues the course and/or the progression route.
Requirements
The School must consider the impact on students and offer holders and this will be achieved via consultation between the School, IDO and NTIC/KICL.
Approval Mechanism
School Executive Team (SET)
Course discontinuation see QH Supplement 5G
Detail
Change to the academic threshold students must achieve at the end of their NTIC/KICL course to automatically progress to NTU and/or pre-entry requirements to NTIC/KICL.
Requirements
- Entry requirements are set by Schools for their courses.
- Entry requirement changes must be discussed and agreed with the International Development Office and NTIC/KCIL before they are implemented.
- Entry requirements must not be changed mid-cycle and cannot be raised for an existing offer holder.
- The Joint Strategic Management Board (JSMB) must be notified and has final approval of changes to entry requirements.
Approval Mechanism
SASQC
Ratified by JSMB
Detail
Kaplan products including programmes, modules or pathways.
Requirements
- The IDO coordinate NTU approval of a new Kaplan produce and associated progression routes.
- The relevant School Executive Team(s) approve the proposal before it is considered by JSMB.
- JSMB must agree to the proposal in principal and will seek advice on the academic appropriateness from the Joint Academic Advisory Board (JAAB).
- JAAB will consider proposals at an Approval Board considering and make a recommendation to JSMB.
Changes to existing products are considered and approved by JAAB.
Approval Mechanism
JSMB for new programmes and pathways
Or
JAAB for changes to existing products
Further information
- Joint Strategic Management Board (JSMB): Provides oversight and ensures there is alignment with NTU’s strategic direction and business interests.
- Joint Academic Advisory Board (JAAB): Ensures academic standards and student learning opportunities are appropriate for progression from NTIC/KICL to NTU courses and advises the Joint Strategic Management Board (JSMB).
3. Documenting approvals
3.1 The NTIC/KICL Progression Register is the agreement of progression requirements between NTIC/KICL and NTU and forms part of the partnership contractual agreement. IDO manages the Progression Register and is responsible for making updates and notifying stakeholders following approval of additions and changes as well as routine annual checks.
3.2 Details of the NTIC/KICL progression routes must be included in CourseLoop.
3.3 NTIC/KICL must make updates to the Higher Education Curriculum Management (HECM) system within two-weeks to accurately reflect any agreed changes.
4. One-off requests for admission to NTU
4.1 For one-off requests by students to progress to a course at NTU for which there is no progression route in place, IDO will liaise with NTIC/KICL and the School’s Link Tutor to confirm whether the NTIC/KICL student’s academic profile is suitable for entry to the course. This decision will be at the academic judgement and discretion of the NTU course leader.
4.2 Admission of a student to a course as a ’one-off request’, for which there is no formal progression route in place, does not constitute the agreement by NTU of a new additional progression route or guarantee entry to future NTIC/KICL students.
5. Monitoring and review
Monitoring
5.1 The course leaders for both the NTIC/KICL award and the NTU progression route oversee the day to day operation of the arrangement and are responsible for the ongoing monitoring of standards and student learning opportunities.
Periodic review
5.2 Progression arrangements must be reviewed annually through JAAB and assurance is required on:
Change History
Approval Date:
12.09.17
Nature of Revisions:
New supplement.
Implementation Date:
01.10.17
Approval Date:
12.09.18
Nature of Revisions:
Significant updates to provide clarity around development, documentation and changes to NTU courses.
Implementation Date:
01.10.18
Approval Date:
11.09.19
Nature of Revisions:
Significant updates to processes for closure of progression routes and withdrawal of NTU courses.
Implementation Date:
01.10.19
Approval Date:
17.03.21
Nature of Revisions:
Significant updates to processes for closure of progression routes and withdrawal of NTU courses.
Articulation of the process for entry requirement changes.
Implementation Date:
24.03.21
Approval Date:
07.09.21
Nature of Revisions:
Change of Supplement number from PS6 to PS5.
Implementation Date:
01.10.21
Approval Date:
10.02.26
Nature of Revisions:
Change of supplement title. Addition of Kaplan International College London (KICL).
Change from NTU Global to International Development Office (IDO).
Implementation Date:
26.03.26
Approval Date:
01.09.26
Nature of Revisions:
Complete re-write. Streamlining the presentation of process and removal of repetition. Removal of operational guidance. Defining overall responsibility for changes/proposals with clear approval mechanisms. Added the governance structure of the partnership.
Implementation Date:
01.09.26