Programme handbook template 2015-16

Changes for 2015-16

There have been some updates to some sections of the template for 2015-16 and details of the changes are provided in a separate document which is available in Section 4 of the Quality Manual

Using the template

The template is provided as a Word document and should be used to support the development of Programme Handbooks.

For some sections, standard text is provided for inclusion in Programme Handbooks, which should be customised to the specific programme/discipline where this is recommended or required. Where no text is provided, this should be developed by the Programme Director and/or Programme Team. Some non-exhaustive guidance of what to include has been provided to support the development of this text.

Text which needs to be inserted/amended as appropriate has been provided in yellow for ease of reference.

Contents page

An automatic table of contents is included at the start of the template. Once editing of the handbook is complete, this table should be updated using the Update Table function in Microsoft Word so that page numbers are correct before publication.

Explanatory notes for collaborative provision

Information on additional areas that should be included in programme handbooks for collaborative provision is available at

June 2015

Programme Handbook contents

Introduction

Welcome

Purpose of the handbook

Disclaimer

Who’s who

Key information about the academic year

Your programme

Programme specification

Module specifications

Credits

Assessment & Feedback

Module Selection

Good Academic Practice, Plagiarism Prevention and Referencing

Research integrity

Student copyright and intellectual property rights

Learning Resources

School, departmental or programme prizes

Student Support

Academic support

Other Student Support Services

Student Portal

In an emergency

Your Voice

Conduct, behaviour and what to do if things go wrong

Social facilities

Students’ Union

Sports and Leisure Activities

Administration and Management

Transcripts, Certificates and Diploma Supplements

Health & Safety procedures

Non-EU international students and tier 4 visas

[Optional components (course dependent)]

Languages Breadth Modules

Attendance and participation

Coursework cover sheets

Appendix [Information to include at end of handbook or in Moodle]

Student Guide to Assessment & Feedback

Introduction

Examination Scheduling

What happens next?

Marking and Moderation

Assessment Boards

Provisional marks

External Examiners

Student Guide to good academic practice, plagiarism prevention and referencing

Introduction

Understanding Academic Misconduct, including plagiarism

How to avoid Academic Misconduct, including plagiarism

Citations

Consequences of poor academic practice or academic misconduct

Research Integrity

Research Ethics

Your Voice

Student Feedback Questionnaires

Student Committees and Representation

Transcripts, Certificates and Diploma Supplements

Tier 4 Student Visa Responsibilities: Important information for non-European Union nationals in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa

Introduction

Welcome

Include: welcome from Dean/HoD/Prog Director.

Our Student Charter lays out our mutual responsibilities and aspirations. You can find it at the following web address:

Purpose of the handbook

This handbook provides students with information about your programme, and key University information about:

  • Organisational and administrative procedures;
  • The learning, teaching and assessment process;
  • Support available to students;
  • Extenuating circumstances (or what to do if you experience problems with your studies);
  • Other University policy and regulation that affects your studies.

This handbook is accompanied by further information found on the University’s website:

City University London provides students with a new handbook each academic year that contains the most up to date information. We hope that you will find this information useful.

If you would like to comment on the handbook contents, or have comments about how to improve the information provided, please forward these by email to:

[contact name, email address]

Also include:

  1. Where updates to the handbook will be found and how they will be communicated
  2. Other relevant sources of information
  3. Who students can ask if they don’t understand something in the handbook

Disclaimer

The information in this [Handbook] is correct at the time of going to press in [July 2015]. The University reserves the right to make amendments to:

a)the contents of the Programme Handbook and in particular to the timetable, location and methods of delivery or the content, syllabus and assessment of any of its programmes as set out in the programme and module specifications in this Handbook and/or on the University's website; and

b)its statutes, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures and fee structures,

provided that such amendments are (i) as a result of student demand (or lack thereof), (ii) as a result of unforeseen events or circumstances beyond the University's control or (iii) are deemed reasonably necessary by the University.

In the event that amendments are made, the University shall take reasonable steps to notify you as soon as is reasonably possible.

The University is currently reviewing its student terms and conditions which may result in changes to the information above.

Who’s who

To include:

  1. Academic staff, Administrative staff, Technical staff, Visiting staff, Academic Partnership Coordinators (City and Partner)
  2. Information e.g. title, role and responsibilities, contact details, office hours

Key information about the academic year

Academic Year

The Academic Year governs the University’s academic operations and service provision. Within this, we have set term dates and examination periods.

The undergraduate term dates for [PROGRAMME] in 2015-16 are:

Induction for new students / 21-25 September 2015
Autumn Term / 28 September-11 December 2015
Winter break / 14 December 2015-08 January 2016
Spring Term / 04 January-15 April 2016
(Assessment Period) / (11-22 January 2016)
Spring break / 11 April-06 May 2016
Summer Term / 09 May-24 June 2016
(Assessment Period – where applicable) / (09 May-03 June 2016)
Graduation / Week beginning 18 July 2016
Resit Period / 15-26 August 2016

OR

The postgraduate term dates for [PROGRAMME] 2015-16 are:

Induction for new students / 21-25 September 2015
Autumn Term / 28 September-11 December 2015
Winter break / 14 December 2015-08 January 2016
Spring Term / 04 January-15 April 2016
(Assessment Period) / (11-22 January 2016)
Spring break / 11 April-06 May 2016
Summer Term / 18 April-26 August 2016
(Assessment Period) / (09 May-03 June 2016)
Study, including dissertation completion/ placement / 06 June-26 August 2016
Resit Period / 15-26 August 2016
Study, including dissertation completion/placement OR holidays / 29 August-16 September 2016

Insert the programme’s own term dates if the programme is running a concurrent academic year.

Insert the programme’s own graduation date if the programme is not graduating during the given period. Also insert any additional information on graduation, including information for partnership students detailing whether graduation will be held at City or at the partner institution.

Student timetable for 2015-16

To include information on the student timetable for the year (where additional to above)

Your programme

Programme specification

Provide in full

Module specifications

Module specifications must be provided in full in the handbook or a URL to where they can be found in full included in the handbook. (Module specifications should not appear in abbreviated form).

Credits

Credit is gained for the successful completion of the specified learning outcomes of a module of study which are listed in the “what will I be expected to achieve?” section in your module specifications. Normally, ten notional study hours are associated with one credit. Those notional study hours incorporate all the time you have dedicated to the achievement of the specified learning outcomes, including contact time, private study time and time spent preparing for and undertaking assessments. Information about the credits for your programme is contained in the programme and module specifications.

You can also refer to the University’s Credit Framework Policy:

Assessment & Feedback

The University Assessment & Feedback guidance for students is provided [at the end of this Handbook/ via Moodle] and should be referred to in conjunction with the specific information provided below about your programme of study.

Where possible and appropriate, build on text within the programme specification and include:

  • A timetable of submission and feedback types including timescales. It may be helpful to present this in a table. E.g.

  • Module code
/
  • Module title
/
  • Assessment task
/
  • Submission date
/
  • Feedback date
/
  • Type of feedback

  • AB1234
/
  • Module A
/
  • Essay
/
  • 01/11/12
/
  • 22/11/12
/
  • Written comments

  • Where turnaround times differ from the schedules set out in the policy (e.g. where it is integral to the nature of the assessment or where there are holidays), the rationale should be made clear to students.
  • Programme-wide assessment criteria or grade-related criteria
  • Extensions – what they cover; whether they are available and to what extent; the process for asking for an extension and/or having one approved
  • The processes for informing staff if it is not going to be possible for the student to attempt an assessment at the first opportunity.

Coursework-related

  • Information on undertaking assessments (e.g. agreeing coursework topics; guidelines on the presentation of coursework materials; word-limit guidelines and penalties for deviating)
  • Information on submitting assessments (e.g. procedures and deadlines; receipting; penalties for late or non-submission; samples of coversheets (coversheets could be linked to an Appendix at the back) )
  • Use of plagiarism detection technologies [e.g. whether these are used, what and how]

Examination-related

  • Information on undertaking examinations (e.g. publication of timetable, processes for written examinations, outcome if non-attendance at examinations).

Placement-relatedUse this section only if relevant.

  • Processes around assessment of placements

Dissertation/Project*-related (if relevant) Use this section only if relevant. *Amend as applicable

  • Information on undertaking the dissertation/project* (e.g. agreeing topic and title; guidelines on presentation; word limit guidelines and penalties for deviating; ethics considerations if relevant)
  • Information on submission (e.g. procedures and deadlines; receipting; penalties for late or non-submission; samples of coversheets)
  • Use of plagiarism detection technologies (e.g. whether these are used, what and how)

Results

  • Timetable of Assessment Boards
  • Timescale and method of release of results
  • Names of external examiners

Name / Institution / Role

Module Selection

To include:

  • Structure
  • Process for changing modules
  • Pre-requisite modules

Include the section on Language breadth modules if applicable (see optional sections below).

Good Academic Practice, Plagiarism Prevention and Referencing

Guidance regarding Good Academic Practice, Plagiarism Prevention and Referencing is provided [at the end of the handbook/via Moodle]. Students should also visit the StudyWell pages provided by our Learning Enhancement & Development team (

Research integrity

We expect our staff and students to seek to maintain the highest achievable standards in their research conduct. Guidance regarding research integrity is provided [at the end of the handbook/ via Moodle].

Student copyright and intellectual property rights

Copyright and other intellectual property in a student’s work normally lies with the student, although there are some exceptions which are detailed in the City University London IP Policy. The student may refuse to allow others access to their work, although requirements for completing the programme must be met. It is standard academic practice for student research projects or dissertations to be available for inspection by others within the library. However, students should be mindful of the risks of placing their works in the public domain, particularly where disclosure may affect intellectual property protection or commercial value. Where a taught student has developed intellectual property (IP) that may have commercial value, they may choose to take advantage of the support provided by the University Enterprise Office.

For more information on the IP Policy ( and the support available for commercialisation, contact the City University Enterprise Office (

Learning Resources

To include:

  • Library, including any local arrangements
  • Other programme/discipline-specific resources

Online resources – including Moodle

Moodle is City University London’sOnline Learning Environment. Moodle is accessible online 24/7 (apart from an ‘at risk’ period between 7-9am each Tuesday morning when maintenance may be undertaken). Your lecturers design your Moodle modules to enhance your learning experience by providing online access to module content, activities and communication tools. You will also use Moodle to submit assignments and review feedback and provisional grades online. Your lecturers will tell you how Moodle will be used on your programme and how you are expected to engage with it to support your learning. Step-by-step guidance on using Moodle is available from:

Lecture Capture

Lecture capture technology (video- and/or audio-recorded sessions) is enabled in over 40 rooms in the University. This technology allows lecturers to record their lectures and share them with you to support your learning, reflection and revision. For the full Lecture Capture Policy see the Student Information and Support Section of the Quality Manual (

While the system is in place to record lecturers rather than students, there is a possibility that you may be recorded to some degree during captured sessions, but you will be notified at the start of a lecture series or session by the session leader if the lecture capture system is in use. If you feel that you do not want to be recorded even momentarily for your own privacy or safety, please make this known to your lecturer. You may wish to sit slightly away from the teaching pod to ensure you do not feature in the video recording, if it is in use.

School, departmental or programme prizes

Insert relevant information about School/Department/Programme prizes here if applicable.

Student Support

Academic support

Our Student Contact with Teaching Staff policy outlines what you can expect from interaction with academic staff beyond formal learning opportunities including personal tutoring, academic tutorials and responses to queries:

Also include:

  • Who provides academic support – including the names and contact details
  • What can students expect from different individuals/groups
  • Statement regarding a student’s need to declare disabilities/learning support needs to that support can be discussed
  • Statement regarding Personal Tutoring where arrangements are adapted from the Personal Tutoring Policy and a link to the Personal Tutoring Policy

Other Student Support Services

Student Centre

The Student Centre at Northampton Square is City University London’s “one stop shop” for students to visit with any kind of problem or query and receive a resolution straight away, or be linked up with the correct department to get the appropriate answer. It provides a range of specialist support services to enhance your student experience and to help you succeed at University.

Services that are provided include:

  • Student Adviser team – general enquiries on any aspect of University life
  • International Student Advice – visa’s and immigration
  • Accommodation – Halls of Residence and private sector accommodation
  • Financial Support – student loans, bursaries and scholarships

Other services that are linked with the Student Centre are:

  • Student Health Service
  • CitySport
  • Chaplaincy Service

The Student Centre is located on Level 2 of the University Building. Contact details are:

  • /
  • Tel: +44 (0) 20 7040 7040; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7040 6030

Learning Success Team

The Learning Success Team provides a range of specialist services aimed at enhancing the learning experience for students across the University. These services include:

  • Disability Servicesoffering individual advice and support to disabled students or those with long term medical conditions as well as liaising with Schools and University Departments over the provision of appropriate reasonable adjustments to enhance the learning experience
  • Dyslexia Support Services working with students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs), offering screenings, diagnostic assessments and individual support sessions as well as liaison with Schools on the provision of reasonable adjustments and the development of an inclusive learning environment.
  • Academic Learning Support offering a range of 1:1 support and group workshop sessions to help develop skills such as critical thinking, effective academic writing skills, revision techniques aimed at enhancing academic performance and enabling students to fulfil their potential. Online support is available via a Moodle module: tiny.cc/learningsuccess

The Team is located in the Student Centre. Contact details are:

  • or /
  • Tel: +44 (0)20 7040 0246; Fax: +44 (0)20 7040 6030; Textphone: +44 (0)20 7040 5080

Student Counselling and Mental Health Service

The Student Counselling and Mental Health Service can offer emotional and practical supportin a confidential settingfor students with personal or academic matters that are causing them distress.

A member of the team will meet with the student for an initial consultation, to discuss support needs and options available.

These include:

  • Group work
  • Workshops
  • Brief individual counselling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Mental health advice
  • Mentoring

The team is experienced in working with students from diverse backgrounds, with a range of support needs.

For self-help resources and further information about the service, please visit the webpages at and

Careers, Student Development & Outreach team

The Careers, Student Development & Outreach team offers advice, guidance and support on careers-related activities. Services include:

  • One on one careers guidance interviews, CV checks, mock interviews and practice psychometric tests.
  • The Buddy Scheme, which connects incoming first years to second year students on their course to help them integrate into university life.
  • A range of skills workshops, many of which are delivered in partnership with employers, along with tailored activities including a community volunteering programme, the Professional Mentoring Scheme, and Snapshot – our insight into industry.
  • Advice on how to use extracurricular activities to develop the skills and competencies that employers look for.
  • A comprehensive vacancy board for placements, internships and graduate jobs.
  • Advice on how to use extracurricular activities and the Experience City portal to identify and develop the skills and competencies that employers look for.
  • Unitemps, City’s in-house temping agency which offers part time paid temporary work in and around the University.
  • City’s Widening Participation activities, which include opportunities for students to work as WP Ambassadors, promoting the benefits of Higher Education to young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

[insert information on School or programme-specific careers information].