LOUGHBOROUGHUNIVERSITY

Programme Specification

BA [Hons] European and International Studies

Please note: This 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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at

The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Awarding body/institution; / LoughboroughUniversity
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award; / BA [Honours]
Programme title; / European and International Studies
UCAS code; / L290
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised. / May 2005

1. Aims of the programme:

  • To provide teaching that is informed and invigorated by the research and scholarship of academic staff
  • To deliver a curriculum that enables students to understand the nature and significance of European and International Studies
  • To enable students to address key issues in European Studies, including national and cross-national political, social, cultural and economic developments; and International Studies, including integration, institutionalisation, conflict and globalisation
  • To provide students with the opportunity to study European and International Studies in a multidisciplinary context, by providing a range of minor subject areas from the disciplines of the humanities, management science, modern languages and the social sciences
  • To enable students to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues in European and International Studies through specialist study and guided research
  • To create a supportive environment in which the academic development and career opportunities of students are enhanced
  • To foster the acquisition of key transferable skills including analysis of opinion, argument and fact; evaluation of evidence and hypothesis; synthesis of debate; appropriate use of communication and information technology; and clear communication

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • QAA Benchmarking statements for Politics and International Relations and Area Studies
  • Departmental Learning and Teaching policies
  • The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline

3. Intended Learning Outcomes

a] Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of one of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate:

  1. Knowledge and understanding of selected concepts and methods involved in the contributing disciplines of political science, international relations and area studies
  2. An integrated understanding of the major trends and causal factors in the contemporary European and International arenas
  3. The ability to undertake independent research under supervision.
  4. Good grounding in an associated subject or subjects drawn from the disciplines of the humanities, management science, modern languages and the social sciences, as relevant.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Learning and teaching in European and International Studies provides a broad foundation at Part A, with the progressive development of subject-specific knowledge and understanding at Part B, and significant emphasis on self-directed learning and independent enquiry at Part C. Throughout their studies, all modules provide for full developmental feedback [oral and written] to facilitate intellectual progression. All European and International Studies modules have associated resources mounted electronically. These strategies are designed to secure, where appropriate, a progression over the 3 or 4 years of study from teacher-dependence to greater autonomy.

b] Generic intellectual skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed the ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources; think critically and analytically about the subject matter; construct reasoned argument; reflect on their own learning and make use of constructive feedback; and manage their own learning self-critically.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

At Parts B and C, European and International Studies modules typically combine lectures and tutorials, together with a 40-credit dissertation in the final year of study. At Part A modules are predominantly lecture-based but supported by designated module office hours and a core seminar programme. Students are required to undertake a range of coursework assignments; all such assignments are returned with feedback forms detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the work to encourage improvement. A mix of assessment methods are used to address the objectives and learning outcomes of each module. Modules may be assessed by coursework only, or by a combination of coursework and oral and/or written examinations. Assessment criteria are set out in Departmental Handbooks [and electronically]. Additional feedback on students’ progression is provided through the Department’s Personal Tutoring system and mid-year progress review procedure.

c] Personal transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed skills in the areas of communication, presentations, self-organisation, working with others and time-management, and gained experience of using information and communication technologies for the retrieval and presentation of information.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

All modules in European and International Studies have tutorials and/or dedicated office hours. Tutorials provide for both individual participation and group work. Students are given guidance on using library facilities and using ICT, and on-going advice and help is available. All modules make use of ICT facilities. Students are advised on the skills associated with effective time-management, and required to meet deadlines on a regular basis. All students will undertake a number of presentations. Some modules are based on a system of peer learning and peer assessment.

4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:

Credit weightings of modules are shown in brackets. Students are required to take modules amounting to 120 credits in each year of the programme, from a list approved by the Department. In Year One, students must choose two minor subject areas; in subsequent years, students may continue their studies in these two minor areas, or choose to specialise in one of them.

Semester One / Semester Two
Year One / Contemporary World Arena [20] / Economy and Society in Contemporary Europe [20]
Politics in Postwar Europe / The Idea of Europe [20]
Options [40]
Year Two / The European Union [20] / Developments in European Government and Politics [20]
International Organisation [20] / Research Design [10]
Human Rights [10]
Options [40]
Final Year
/ Dissertation [40] – both semesters
EIS option [20] / EIS option [20]
Options [40]

Note: it is possible to amend the programme to incorporate work or study abroad as follows:

Either: A] Semester Abroad – undertaken during Semester Two, Year Two; various programmes of study available at partner institutions abroad; credit obtained is incorporated into overall programme assessment via ECTS; participation is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic progress.

Or: B] Year Abroad – available only for those students taking a foreign language; undertaken during third year of study, thus converting programme into a four-year programme; options include study at one or more universities abroad or undertaking an approved Assistantship at a school. Successful completion results in the award of the Diploma in Professional Studies; credit is thus not incorporated into overall programme assessment. Participation is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic progress.

In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to study abroad for both the Semester Abroad and the Year Abroad. The Department must be satisfied that students’ learning in their chosen Language will continue during the Semester Abroad.

Optional Subjects:

Options are available in the following subject areas [Minor subjects studied at Part C must have been studied at Parts A and B]:

  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • International Studies
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Management
  • Social Policy
  • Social Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Spanish

Minor subjects studied at Part C must have been studied at Parts A and B

5. Criteria for admission to the programme:

We usually require students to have five GCSEs or equivalent and a minimum of 240 points from three A2 levels or two A2 levels and two AS levels. General Studies is accepted as an A level subject.

6. Information about assessment regulations:

To gain credit on a module, students must achieve a 40% combined examination/coursework mark. Part A does not count towards final degree assessment. In order to progress from Part A to Part B, and from part B to Part C, students must, each year, achieve at least 100 credits and obtain a minimum of 30% in the remaining module[s]. Marks gained at Parts B and C contribute to the final degree assessment in the proportion 40:60. The boundaries for first, upper second, lower second, and third class honours are 70%, 60%, 50% and 40% respectively. Failure to achieve the required credits in any one year means the student is allowed to re-take appropriate modules once only during the Special Assessment Period; these are then individually capped at 40% for computing the overall degree mark.

7. Indicators of quality:

The programmes are the responsibility of the department of European Studies, which received a near-perfect score of 23 out of 24 in the QAA’s national External Subject Review of all its programmes in 2001-2002.

8. Particular support for learning:

Careers Service:

The Careers Service provides support and advice for students seeking careers guidance and help with job-searching techniques, together with a library of careers resources, careers fairs, employer presentations, management and skills courses and a comprehensive website containing vacancies and information. In the UK Graduate Careers survey, sponsored by the Times Newspaper, Loughborough University Careers Service was rated as one of the most impressive with over 80% of students rating it as good or excellent. The service has also been identified by employers as the amongst the top ten Higher Education careers services in the 2003 Association of graduate Recruiters/Barkers survey.

Library:

The University Library provides advanced support for student learning in a purpose-built building and electronically via the web. It is open for upwards of 80 hours per week during semester and holds a stock of more than half a million volumes and an extensive serials collection. Numerous PC workstations (100+), networked printing facilities and self-service photocopiers are also available. The Library is designated EDC (European Documentation Centre). The Library catalogue is available on-line, as are electronic versions of reading lists. Over 180 subject-specific electronic databases can be accessed by users both on campus and elsewhere. The Library organises induction sessions for first year students and librarians can provide flexible training for students and researchers throughout their time at Loughborough. User support is also available from the Library information desks, via printed and online guides and through a series of ‘Lunchtime in the Library’ and other training sessions. There are a variety of study environments in the Library, including individual and group study desks, private carrels and group study rooms.

Computing Services:

Computing Services provides the University IT facilities and infrastructure. General purpose computer resources across campus are open 24 hours and more specialist computer laboratories are provided I partnership with departments. Students in halls of residence are supported in connecting their computers to the high speed network. The University’s virtual learning environment “LEARN” provides on and off campus access to web-based teaching materials provided by lecturing staff.

Professional Development:

Professional Development (PD) provides continuing professional development and support in teaching and a wide range of other areas.

New lecturers attend a personalised programme of PD courses and, in the final year of probation, PD assesses their teaching through direct observation and a portfolio. Accreditation for this process has been awarded by the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

PD works directly with staff who wish to develop more effective teaching and learning methods – including the area of learning technologies – and provides resources to support the learning skills development of students.

Other development opportunities are provided in institutional strategic priority areas and in response to discussions with departments in the context of their needs.

Counselling Service and English Language Study Unit:

The Counselling Service and English Language Study Unit are able to support individual students in resolving problems and in improving communication skills for international students.

Disabilities & Additional Needs Service:

The Disabilities and Additional Needs Service (DANS) offers support for students and staff including: advice both on matters relating to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act (SENDA); adaptation of course materials into Braille/large print/tape/disk/other formats; organising mobility training; BSL interpretation; provision of communication support workers; note takers in lectures/tutorials; assessment of specific support, equipment and software needs; individual/small group tuition for students who have dyslexia; representing students’ needs to academic and other University departments; organising adapted accommodation to meet individual needs; helping to organise carers to meet any personal care needs; organising appropriate support for students who have a mental health problem.

DANS has links with the RNIBVocationalCollege, DerbyCollege for Deaf People and the National Autism Society to offer effective support to students at the University. It regularly takes advice from other national and local organisations of and for disabled people.

Where a student has complex support or accommodation needs, contact with DANS is strongly advised prior to application.

9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:

The University has a formal quality procedure and reporting structure laid out in its Academic Quality Procedures handbook, available online at:

and directed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching). Each Faculty has an Associate Dean for Teaching responsible for all learning and teaching matters. For each Faculty there is a Directorate (responsible for the allocation of resources) and a Board (responsible for monitoring quality issues within each department). Support is provided by Professional Development. Student feedback on modules and programmes is sought at regular intervals, individual programmes are reviewed annually, and Departments review their full portfolio of programmes as part of a Periodic Programme Review (every five years).

Minor changes to module specifications are approved by the Associate Dean (Teaching) on behalf of the Faculty Board, and ratified by the University Curriculum Sub-Committee in accordance with the University's quality procedures. Major changes are formally considered by the University Curriculum Sub-Committee.

All staff participate in the University's staff appraisal scheme, which helps to identify any needs for staff skills development. Both probationary staff and those seeking promotion to Senior Lecturer are subject to a formal teaching evaluation scheme, administered by PD and accredited by the HigherEducationAcademy.

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