UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
/ University of Central Lancashire, Burnley Campus
  1. University School/Centre
/ Northern School of Design
  1. External Accreditation
/ N/A
  1. Title of Final Award
/ BA (Honours) in Design Enterprise(Sandwich)
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Full Time
  1. UCAS Code
/ W290
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ Art and Design
General Business and Management
  1. Other external influences
/ Student Employability Profiles (HEA Sept. 2006)
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ 7th July 2009
  1. Aims of the Programme

  • To encourage integration of knowledge, understanding and application appropriate to students’ development as ‘creative thinkers’ and ‘reflective practitioners’.

  • To enable students to follow a design process from visual research through to an appropriate conclusion.

  • To develop the relevant design technical skills related to technology, material properties, manufacturing processes and software applications.

  • Provide an opportunity for appropriate and supported work-based learning

  • Provide an opportunity to develop students’ skills and qualities as demonstrated by successful entrepreneurs.

  • Provide an opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and attributes appropriate to small businesses in the design sector.

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding of
A1. Entrepreneurship and the role of the owner-manager in new venture creation, development and management of small businesses in the design sector.
A2. The core functions (marketing, operations, finance and human resource management) within business organisations.
A3. The key concepts, cultural issues and contexts that underpin and complement both workshop and studio practice and professional design practice.
A4. Design and manufacturing capabilities.
A5. Appropriate computer aided design packages (software).
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures,individual and group activities; seminars, studio and workshop activities, case studies, student research (reports or projects), and self-directed learning (industrial placement).
Assessment methods
Case Study, Essay, Portfolio, Design Briefs, Reports, Projects, Poster Presentations, Blogs, Group Presentations
B.Subject-specific skills
B1. Produce creative solutions that meet closely specified criteria
B2. Work safely and confidently in a professional environment (whether studio, workshop, business etc.)
B3. Apply appropriate materials for a given design requirement
B4. Demonstrate competence in Computer Aided Modelling and Design
B5. Demonstrate an understanding of stress, flow analysis and mould design
B6. Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurial and business development processes – creativity, innovation, business-start-up, development, growth and management
B7. Make effective strategic decisions based on concepts and complex problems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, individual and group activities; seminars, studio and workshop activities, case studies, student research (reports or projects) and self-directed learning (industrial placement).
Assessment methods
Case Study, Essay, Portfolio, Design Briefs, Reports, Projects, Poster Presentations, Blogs, Group Presentations
C.Thinking Skills
C1. Demonstrate competence in a broad range of cognitive skills (research, analysis/synthesis and evaluation).
C2. Engage in critical analysis – both with respect to design and business development and management issues.
C3. Integrate academic understanding and experience in the discussion, analysis and exposition of a design, professional or organisational issue
C4. Apply acquired and developed creative thinking skills to a range of increasingly complex tasks.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, individual and group activities; seminars, studio and workshop activities, case studies, student research (reports or projects) and self-directed learning (industrial placement).
Assessment methods
Case Study, Essay, Portfolio, Design Briefs, Reports, Projects, Poster Presentations, Blogs, Group Presentations
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate appropriate oral and written communications
D2. Describe and reflect upon their own personal strengths and development needs within the design sector
D3. Demonstrate efficient use of resources, including time, working space, materials and equipment
D4. Demonstrate an understanding of the entrepreneurial skills and attributes
D5. Outline the opportunities and challenges of self-employment/entrepreneurial activity
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, individual and group activities; seminars, studio and workshop activities, case studies, student research (reports or projects) and self-directed learning (industrial placement).
Assessment methods
Case Study, Essay, Portfolio, Design Briefs, Reports, Projects, Poster Presentations, Blogs, Placement tutor/Industrial Supervisor report, Group Presentations
13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 3 / DD3004
MD3055
MD3219
DD3001
DD3992
PD3006 / Industrial Placement
Managing your Business
Business Venture Development
Contextual Studies - Design Futures
Honours Project
Computer Aided Design (20 Credits) / 120
20
20
20
40
20 / Bachelor Honours Degree (Sandwich)
Requires 480 credits including a minimum of 220 at Level 2 or above and 100 at Level 3 and must include 120 nominal credit gained from DD3004
Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits including a minimum of 220 at Level 2 or above and 100 at Level 3
Level 2 / MD2048
MD2219
PD2068
PD2065
PD2067
PD2066 / Entrepreneurship and the Small Business
Planning and Implementing Business Start-up
Product Design Studies (Design Enterprise)
Concept Design 1 (Design Enterprise)
Concept Design 2 (Design Enterprise)
Computer Aided Modelling (Design Enterprise) / 20
20
20
20
20
20 / HE Diploma
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 1, or above
Level 1 / MD1021
MD1022
DD1000
DD1101
PD1813 / New Venture Creation
Enterprise Skills
Historical Contextual Studies
Creative Thinking
Product Anatomy (Design Enterprise) / 20
20
20
40
20 / HE Certificate
Requires a minimum of 120 credits at Level 1 or above
15.Personal Development Planning
Art and Design courses are increasingly tailored to the individual student as they progress through levels one, two and three. The student will be asked to keep a portfolio of work to track their development as a designer towards the goals they set for themselves in consultation with their personal tutor. We aim to train students to take responsibility for their own learning and career development; to be able to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and conduct a skills audit to develop a critical practice. This would cover an analysis of their general key skills base, for example: use of English, literacy and writing skills, numeracy, communication skills and use of IT. Students will be encouraged to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses on a continual basis as they progress through different points during the course. Students will be directed by the tutor to resources/workshops as appropriate.
PDP is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop the skills required for their chosen career. This staged approach enables continual review and evaluation so that students can progressively enhance their skills and plan to direct their learning towards success upon graduation.
PDP starts at the beginning of the first year, where students will be introduced to building up their portfolio of work, taking into consideration their long-term aspirations. In the second year, they will continue to develop their portfolio to a professional standard, re-evaluating solutions and progressing ideas as students’ skills develop further. In the final year, all level three modules will form the basis of project work specifically designed to develop their professional practice and appropriate career ambitions. On graduation they will be well prepared for industry, demonstrating their skills through a public exhibition and portfolio of project work ready for interviews.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
General entry requirement for admission to undergraduate courses
Applicants must have 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above plus a 12 unit profile which can be comprised of either:-
  • At least two subjects at Advanced level (A2) or;
  • One double or two single award(s) Advanced VCE; or
  • One subject at Advanced level (A2) and one subject at AVCE or;
  • One double AVCE award
Other acceptable qualifications include:
  • Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
  • Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
  • International Baccalaureate
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
  • Kit marked Access Course
Department requirements for admission to undergraduate courses
  • An interview
  • A portfolio presentation
  • A successful Art & Design foundation year or equivalent professional experience
  • Minimum requirement is evidence of a proficiency level of English Language to IELTS 6
Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work/life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Fact Sheet

  • University website

  • School website

  • Student course handbook

  • University Prospectus

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or
Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B6 / B7 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4 / D5
LEVEL 3 / DD3004 / Industrial Placement / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MK3219 / Managing your Business / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD3055 / Business Venture Development / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
DD3001 / Contextual Studies Design Futures (Enterprise Development) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
DD3992 / Honours Project / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD3006 / Computer Aided Design (20 Credits) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
LEVEL 2 / MD2048 / Entrepreneurship and the Small Business / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD2219 / Planning and Implementing Business Start-up / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD2068 / Product Design Studies (Design Enterprise) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD2065 / Concept Design 1 (Design Enterprise) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD2067 / Concept Design 2 (Design Enterprise) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD2066 / Computer Aided Modelling (Design Enterprise) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
LEVEL 1 / MD1021 / New Venture Creation / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD1022 / Enterprise Skills / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
DD1000 / Historical Contextual Studies / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
DD1101 / Creative Thinking / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
PD1813 / Product Anatomy (Design Enterprise) / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 

Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks