Recently, there has been an increase in the range of models being used to deliver UK qualifications. One of these developments has been the emergence of 'feeder colleges' attached to universities and owned by separate private-sector organisations.

The Education UK Partnership has commissioned research to determine the nature, role and status of these institutions to ensure equity amongst the membership.

In March 2007, the Partnership Operating Board considered a paper (35KB PDF document) that examined the relationship between 'feeder colleges' and the UK universities. The Board agreed that these institutions are legally separate from the universities they are attached to and, as such, they are unable to take advantage of the services offered through the Partnership via their associated university.

The implications of this decision are:

			the courses offered by a 'feeder college' cannot be promoted at an Education UK exhibition if the college itself is not participating;
			exclusive Partnership market information and intelligence should not be made available to the college by the university;
			'feeder colleges' should not represent themselves to British Council offices overseas as members of the Partnership (if this is under the auspices of the university to which they are attached and not in their own right).

We have communicated this to our British Council colleagues overseas, including details of all existing 'feeder colleges' and their Partnership status. Those colleges who are already members of the Partnership are unaffected by the decision.

The Board also agreed that further research should be commissioned to examine the eligibility of 'feeder colleges' who wish to become members of the Partnership.

If you have any queries regarding this, please contact the Education UK Partnership helpdesk.