This version includes guidance on the completion of Programme Specifications
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
The Programme Specification is the primary description of the course; it is aimed at prospective and current students, a range of external audiences such as PSRBs and employers, and is also used by validation and periodic review panels for approval purposes.
Programme Specifications provide concise and explicit information about the primary characteristics of the course, the aims and intended learning outcomes, the learning, teaching and assessment methods which enable the learning outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated.
Programme Specifications are open and public documents, published on the University website. In addition, they form part of our contractual arrangements with students and must therefore accurately describe the programme of study.
Changes to Programme Specifications can only be made under the authority and approval of Validations, Periodic Reviews, or School Academic Scrutiny Committees (SASCs).
PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION
Course summary
Final award / The final award and course title must precisely correspond with the title approved by the University’s Portfolio Planning Group (PPG)e.g “BA (Hons) Politics”.
The final award is typically the award to which your students are recruited.
Intermediate award / Please list the intermediate awards and titles as approved by PPG.
e.g. “BA Politics / Dip HE Politics / Cert HE Politics”.
Intermediate awards can have direct entry. In such cases, please include the UCAS code for each award with direct entry in the section “Course codes/categories” below.
Course status / SELECTValidatedProposedWithdrawnPlease select the relevant option from the drop down menu (Validated/Proposed/Withdrawn)
Awarding body / University of Brighton
School / Owning University of Brighton School – every course must have a School which provides the academic home and has ultimate responsibility for the quality assurance and enhancement of this course
Location of study/ campus / Please add the name of the site / campus where the course is to be delivered.
Partner institution(s)
Name of institution / Host department / Course status1. / SELECTValidationFranchiseJointPlease select the relevant option from the drop down menu (Validated/Franchise/Joint)
2.
3.
Admissions
Admissions agency / SELECTUCASGTTRNMASDirect to SchoolEntry requirements
Include any progression opportunities into the course. / The following opening statement should be included:
“Check the University’s website for current entry requirements”
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements, including grades/subjectsshould be specified
In addition, specify how an applicant without the formal entry qualifications may demonstrate their suitability to be admitted to the course.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The University has a policy for managing the Recognition of Prior Learning,accessible via Staffcentral. If there are any specific arrangements for RPL that need to be highlighted, please include here.
Selection process
If there is a selection process such as interview include here
Progression routes
Where appropriate, all courses should have a progression route fromthe University of Brighton International College (UBIC) - please include here.
Start date (mmm-yy)
Normally September / This is the month/year start date of the cohort for which this programme specification applies. If this prog spec remains unchanged for consecutive years, the start date should be the most recent / current cohort start date.
Mode of study
The mode of study refers to the mode to which students are recruited and the maximum period of registration for the course, in accordance with the Common Academic Framework, bearing in mind curriculum currency. The maximum registration period is approved at course validation.
Sandwich year should be identified, and if it is an optional or compulsory year, this can be described in the Course Structure box in Part 3 of the Programme Specification.
Mode of study / Duration of study (standard) / Maximum registration periodFull-time / Select4 months8 months12 months1 year2 years2.5 to 3 years3 years4 years5 yearsOther: / Select3 years4 years5 years6 years7 years8 years10 yearsNot specifiedOther:
Part-time / Select4 months8 months12 months1 year2 years2.5 to 3 years3 years4 years5 yearsOther: / Select3 years4 years5 years6 years7 years8 years10 yearsNot specifiedOther:
Sandwich / Select4 months8 months12 months1 year2 years2.5 to 3 years3 years4 years5 yearsOther: / Select3 years4 years5 years6 years7 years8 years10 yearsNot specifiedOther:
Distance / Select4 months8 months12 months1 year2 years2.5 to 3 years3 years4 years5 yearsOther: / Select3 years4 years5 years6 years7 years8 years10 yearsNot specifiedOther:
Course codes/categories
UCAS code / Please include course code for each final awardContacts
Course Leader (or Course Development Leader)Admissions Tutor
Examination and Assessment
External Examiner(s)
/Name
/Place of work
/Date tenure expires
dd/mm/yy
Examination Board(s) (AEB/CEB)
Approval and review
Approval date / Review dateValidation / [1] / [2]
Programme Specification / [3] / [4]
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 1 (if applicable): If the programme is accredited / approved / endorsed by a PSRB, please insert the name of this body here, andensure that Part 2 (PSRB section) of this template is completed, with specific details of the relationship as defined in that section. / [5] / [6]
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 2 (if applicable):
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 3 (if applicable):
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This version includes guidance on the completion of Programme Specifications
PART 2: COURSE DETAILS
AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
AimsThe aims of the course are:
This section should set out the brief generic aims of the course.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points where appropriate[7].
The learning outcomes should articulate what a student should be able to do on successful completion of the course, and should be aligned with the relevant qualification descriptor in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), and should be differentiated by each stage (i.e. by intermediate award levels)
Knowledge and theory
e.g. demonstrate knowledge of, be aware of, have an understanding of
Skills
Includes intellectual skills (i.e. generic skills relating to academic study, problem solving, evaluation, research etc.) and professional/ practical skills(e.g. fieldwork, laboratory, design, clinical skills).
QAA subject benchmark statement (where applicable)[8]
PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable)
Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external requirements, and what students are required to undertake, areincluded.This section of the Programme Specification contains primary information used for populating the website (Course Finder), and must be accurate. This information is also provided on Unistats and should be in accordance with HESA guidance.
This section must include detail regarding the exact nature of the relationship of the PSRB to the course, what added value this gives (e.g. student will be eligible for registration with the PSRB, or exemptions from professional exams), and any specific rules related to this – i.e. whether the accreditation is dependent upon student module choice.
Please include the detailed requirements for each award this programme specification encompasses and each PSRB.
For example:
The course is accredited / approved / recognised/ by the following PSRB(s) [PSRB name(s)]. Students successfully completing the course will achieve registration with the body / eligibility to / exemption from /
Where accreditation is dependent upon student module choice, if this is clearly identified in the course structure / module list in Part 3, please include explicit reference here.
For example:
“Students must complete specific modules in order to be eligible for exemption from exams. Please refer to the Module List on pg X for full details.”
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Learning and teaching methodsThis section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours and any specific requirements in terms of practical/clinical-based learning. The indicative list of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course.
This section should
- Indicate how the learning and teaching methods support the broad aims and learning outcomes of the course
- articulate the values and philosophy that underpin the teaching;refer to the variety of learning and teaching strategies and activities which will create an inclusive learning environment;
- include a description of formative assessments
- include an overview of how students will receive feedback on their formative and summative assessment, and how they will be encouraged to engage with it
- include any distinctive or innovative features of the course.be written in an accessible way that students will understand
- align learning and teaching methods to the undergraduate Curriculum Design Framework, where applicable;
Placement opportunities should be included here, including whether optional or compulsory (and cross ref to course structure) and length of time
Study abroad (work or study)
Opportunities for study abroad (e.g. Erasmus) should be indicated here including whether optional or compulsory and length of time . E.g. “there are opportunities for year abroad study as we are signed up to the Erasmus programme”.
Scheduled teaching hours
For undergraduate courses, this section does not need to reference learning hours. The following statement should be used instead: “Further information on total learning hours and proportions of the course delivered by each method is available on Unistats”
ASSESSMENT
Assessment methodsThis section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details on where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also provides an assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the volume of assessment in the course.
The assessment methods should demonstrate how the aims and learning outcomes of the course can be achieved
If formative assessment is a feature of this course, please describe this within the Learning and Teaching methods above.
Please make explicit if this course includes any non-credit assessment:
Non-credit assessment is an assessment that students are required to pass, but does not have a credit-weighting. This could either be:
An assessment which students are required to take for the award, but is not associated with a credit bearing module;
Or
Pass/fail assessment within a credit-bearing module, which does not contribute to the aggregate module grade (and therefore does not in itself have credit weighting). For example: assessment task 1 is 2000 word essay (60%); assessment task 2 is 1 hour unseen exam (40%); assessment task 3 is completion of placement (pass/fail).
If this course does include any non-credit assessment as described above, please include a statement to the following effect as appropriate:
this course contains compulsory assessments not associated with a credit-bearing module /
some modules include pass/fail assessments which do not contribute to the aggregate grade.
Course Learning Outcome / Assessment method / Module / Number of credits
For undergraduate courses, assessment should align to the Curriculum Design Framework
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
Institutional/ University / All students benefit from:University induction week
Student Contract
Course Handbook
Extensive library facilities
Computer pool rooms (indicate number of workstations by site)
E-mail address
Welfare service
Personal tutor for advice and guidance
Course-specific
Additional support, specifically where courses have non-traditional patterns of delivery (e.g. distance learning and work-based learning) include: / In addition, students on this course benefit from:
Please refer to information held in studentcentral.
PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
COURSE STRUCTURE
This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here.Provide information on the structure and curriculum, i.e. how the various components of the course come together to form a coherent 'whole' and enable the course learning outcomes to be met.
The following should be included
- stages of study and progression points
- a sandwich / placement year compulsory or optional
- Year abroad – optional /placement
- you may choose to include a structure diagram in this section and must make sure this aligns with the module table below
Modules
* All modules which are part of the formal course structure (mandatory/compulsory/optional) must be listed in the table below.
* Modules should be listed by stage of study.
* If the course includes an extensive range of optional modules (i.e. students could potentially choose from a range of 50 or more optional modules), then list the most popular range and include a reference to where students can locate the full list of options.
* Please refer to the validated module specifications in order to complete details in the table below
*Please refer to the Curriculum Design Framework for guidance on undergraduate modules
Status:
M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award)
C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award)
O = Optional (optional modules)
A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)
* Optional modules listed are indicative only and may be subject to change, depending on timetabling and staff availability
Level[9] / Module code / Status / Module title / Credit
Status:
M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award)
C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award)
O = Optional (optional modules)*
A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)
* Optional modules listed are indicative only and may be subject to change, depending on timetabling and staff availability
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This version includes guidance on the completion of Programme Specifications
AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION – Refer to Common Academic Framework (here)
Award type / Award* / Title / Level / Eligibility for award / Classification of awardTotal credits[10] / Minimum credits[11] / Ratio of marks[12]: / Class of award
SelectFinalIntermediate / Select045678 / Total credit Select3060120180240300360480540780Other: / Minimum credit at level of award Select20406090120150270440Other: / SelectLevel 4 marks Level 5 marksLevel 6 marksLevels 5 and 6 (25:75)Level 6 and 7 (50:50)Level 7 marks / SelectFoundation degreeHonours degreePostgraduate degreeNot applicable
SelectFinalIntermediate / Select045678 / Total credit Select3060120180240300360480540780Other: / Minimum credit at level of award Select20406090120150270440Other: / SelectLevel 4 marks Level 5 marksLevel 6 marksLevels 5 and 6 (25:75)Level 6 and 7 (50:50)Level 7 marks / SelectFoundation degreeHonours degreePostgraduate (taught) degreeNot applicable
SelectFinalIntermediate / Select045678 / Total credit Select3060120180240300360480540780Other: / Minimum credit at level of award Select20406090120150270440Other: / SelectLevel 4 marks Level 5 marksLevel 6 marksLevels 5 and 6 (25:75)Level 6 and 7 (50:50)Level 7 marks / SelectFoundation degreeHonours degreePostgraduate (taught) degreeNot applicable
SelectFinalIntermediate / Select045678 / Total credit Select3060120180240300360480540780Other: / Minimum credit at level of award Select20406090120150270440Other: / SelectLevel 4 marks Level 5 marksLevel 6 marksLevels 5 and 6 (25:75)Level 6 and 7 (50:50)Level 7 marks / SelectFoundation degreeHonours degreePostgraduate (taught) degreeNot applicable
SelectFinalIntermediate / Select045678 / Total credit Select3060120180240300360480540780Other: / Minimum credit at level of award Select20406090120150270440Other: / SelectLevel 4 marks Level 5 marksLevel 6 marksLevels 5 and 6 (25:75)Level 6 and 7 (50:50)Level 7 marks / SelectFoundation degreeHonours degreePostgraduate (taught) degreeNot applicable
*Foundation degrees only
Progression routes from award:
Award classifications / Mark/ band % / Foundation degree / Honours degree / Postgraduate[13] degree (excludes PGCE and BM BS)
70% - 100% / Distinction / First (1) / Distinction
60% - 69.99% / Merit / Upper second (2:1) / Merit
50% - 59.99% / Pass / Lower second (2:2) / Pass
40% - 49.99% / Third (3)
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This version includes guidance on the completion of Programme Specifications
EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral).Specific regulations which materially affect assessment, progression and award on the course
e.g. Where referrals or repeat of modules are not permitted in line with the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses. / ONLY COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS SHOULD BE INCLUDED HERE. These are course specific regulations which are in adherence with GEAR, e.g. modules where referrals are not permitted (repeat only), or Level 6 only degree classification algorithms.
Exceptions required by PSRB
These require the approval of the Chair of the Academic Board / Course regulations which are contrary to GEAR should be set out here, and these will require approval by the Chair of Academic Board.
Programme Spec Guidance Template V2, Feb 2017 Page 1 of 10
[1] Date of original validation.
[2] Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years).
[3] Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September).
[4] Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is applicable to a particular cohort, please state here.
[5] Date of original approval by the Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB)
[6] Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body.
[7] Please refer to the Curriculum Staffcentral site or QAA website for details.
[8]Please refer to the QAA website for details.
[9]All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module.
[10] Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award.
[11] Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award.
[12] Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding class of award.
[13]Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters.