• A request to establish an MoU may arise two main ways:  either the University is approached by an institution wishing to enter into a MoU or MoA; or a member of UoG staff identifies an institution they think would be a useful link.

• The first step in establishing an MoU should be the completion of an Institutional Feedback Form (IFF). This is completed by the relevant International Officer (IO) based in Recruitment & International Office. The IFF outlines initial ranking information on the institution to enable an initial position to be taken on the proposed partner.

• If the RIO recommendation is not to collaborate with the institution in question, the relevant IO will inform the institution or, where the link was initiated by a member of UoG staff, that member is staff will be responsible for notifying the institution.  In either case no further development will take place.

• If the IFF indicates that the institution is of a reputable standard in terms of rankings, research ratings etc, then an in-country visit to the proposed partner should be arranged before an MoU is signed.  The institution in question may in the meantime visit Glasgow.  However, this would not replace the need for a visit by UoG staff.  The visit may be carried out by an academic member of staff representing the relevant School/College; an International Dean; a member of SMG; or a member of the International Recruitment team.

• If, following a visit, the member of staff has reservations about the suitability of the proposed partner, either the relevant IO or member of UoG staff who initiated the collaboration will notify the institution within 10 working days that the University will not be taking things further.

• If the visit is a positive one, the member of staff who visited the institution will draft an MoU in line with the University template in liaison with the IO and, if required, the Collaborations Unit.   A draft version of the MoU should be sent to the partner institution within 15 working days.

• Once the MoU is acceptable to both institutions, the UoG staff member or IO will arrange for signature as outlined below.

• In all instances before the MoU is signed by either party, the relevant International Dean should be informed to ensure that all necessary checks have been carried out.

• MoUs should be subject to review in the same way as MoAs. The Review procedure for MoUs can be found here. 

• Where the prospect of a collaboration is assured it is possible to move directly towards an Memorandum of Agreement.

• You can obtain further guidance on the establishment of a MoU from the relevant International Officer in the first instance or alternatively from the Collaborations Unit.  Signed MoUs are retained by the Collaborations Unit.

• All MoAs should be signed by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor or nominee. The Collaborations Unit will co-ordinate the Principal’s signature on your behalf. Signed MoAs are retained by the Collaborations Unit.

• MoA templates are available which, as well as the standard 'boiler-plate' clauses required for each agreement, provide guidelines on the main roles and responsibilities to be considered and agreed with a partner institution. There is a range of issues which will need to be addressed in the MoA and the template will need to be modified to accommodate the specifics of a partnership. No two are the same and each will have its own peculiarities, and so its own inherent risks.  However, the following issues will always be of paramount importance:
  • who the University is contracting with.
  • for how long, and how can the University terminate the agreement early, if necessary.
  • who is doing what.
  • who is paying what and by when.
  • what standards (such as academic, health and safety, regulatory and legal) must the parties meet and can the agreement be terminated if they are not met.
• It is important that the responsibilities of each party are clearly communicated to the relevant staff and to students.

• The School/RI, in conjunction with the College Business Development Manager, is responsible for drafting the MoA. Staff in the Collaborations Unit can provide guidance and support in reviewing draft agreements. The near final draft of the MoA should be reviewed by the Head of College.

• Legal advice will be sought from the University’s solicitors by the Collaborations Unit on a near final draft MoA.

Recruitment & International Office, in liaison with the Collaborations Unit, administers another category of agreement which outlines scholarship (or fee discount) arrangements and are linked to student recruitment. Given the financial commitment, these are normally referred to as MoAs and require the explicit support of the relevant Head of College. In some cases such arrangements may involve “double counting” of credits.  For example, the students’ home institution may issue a separate award based on the credit obtained at the University.  If the latter is the case, advice should be obtained from the relevant International Officer or the Collaborations Unit.

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