CURRICULUM PLANNING
Module Planning Manual
SECTION 1: about module planning
Curriculum Planning
Module Planning Procedure
Central Use of Module Data
SECTION 2: how to plan modules in the student record system
Module Structure on the Student Record System
Module Planning via eVision
SECTION 3: information required for module planning
‘Plan Module’ Section
‘Plan Module Availability’ Section
‘Plan Student Workload’ Section
‘Plan Module Assessment’ Section
‘Plan Module Teaching & Learning’ Section
SECTION 4: Module Reports
Section 5: Further Information
Amendments to Modules after the Curriculum Planning Period
Who to Contact
Index
SECTION 1: about module planning
Curriculum Planning
‘Curriculum Planning’ is the process of creating curriculum data in the Student Record System. Curriculum Planning includes both course and module planning. Currently only module planning is in use.
Module Planning Procedure
Module planning takes place in March each year for all undergraduate, taught postgraduate and distance-learning modules.
Central Use of Module Data
Module data is used by central administration for a wide range of purposes.
SECTION 2: how to plan modules in the student record system
Module Structure on the Student Record System
Modules are made up of a number of records on the Student Record System. The list of modules you view in Module Planning will include all occurrences and periods for a chosen availability (i.e. academic year).
eVision Module Planning ‘module list’ screen
Module Planning via eVision
eVision is the web version of the Student Records System.
All amendments to module data in Module Planning are made to planning records (copies of live records). These planning records only become live when you ‘deploy’ them.
Accessing Curriculum Planning (Module Planning)
Each department assigns one or more members of staff to be Module Planners. These Module Planners have an eVisionlogin which gives them access to Curriculum Planning and to the modules that they are responsible for updating.
- Login to eVision at
- Please note: eVision is undergoing a security update that will come into effect in March 2011, either slightly before or during the module planning period. Once updated you will be able to login at
The Assessments Office will inform departments when the update has been completed.
Your login is linked to your cfs id and password. If you need your password reset contact IT Services on x2253.
Click on the ‘Module Planning’ link on the eVision home page.
If you cannot see the ‘Module Planning’ link please contact the Assessments Office.
Planning Instances
A ‘Planning Instance’ holds module planning data for a specified academic year.
Normally you will have access to three planning instances. The primary Planning Instance (P1) lists modules rolled forward from the current academic year plus any that have been added through the Programme Approvaland Curriculum Changeprocesses. The primary Planning Instance is split by department, eg, P1AM, P1AR, P1BS, etc. The second and third (P2 & P3) are empty but will allow you to resurrect modules from previous academic years.
See the ‘Resurrect an Old Module’ guidelines below for more details on using Planning Instances P2 & P3.
To begin Module Planning select the relevant Planning Instance from the drop down box and click ‘Retrieve’.
EVision Module Planning Home Page – Selecting a Planning Instance
Createa New Module
Choose the ‘P1 – Planned Modules’ Planning Instance from the drop down box and click the ‘Create New Module’ button
Add the new module information
Click the ‘Store’ button to save your changes
Click the ‘back’ button to return to the Module Planning list
See ‘SECTION 3: Information Required for Module Planning’ for more details on the type of information that should be entered on this screen.
If you do not know all the information required to complete the module details you can leave sections blank and return to complete them later.
Resurrect an Old Module
As your department can choose to run modules in alternate years it may be necessary to resurrect modules from previous academic years.
You are automatically provided with Planning Instances from the past 2 academic years. However, if you need to resurrect a module from earlier years please contact the AssessmentsOffice who will set up additional Planning Instances for you.
Choose a ‘P2 or P3 Resurrected Modules’ Planning Instance from the drop down box applicable to the year of the module you wish to resurrect.
Click the ‘Resurrect Old Module’ button.
Type in the retrieval criteria in order to find the module you wish to resurrect.
Use the wildcard* character to retrieve part of a title. For example, entering “*landscapes*” in the ‘Module Name’ field will retrieve all modules from that year that had “landscapes” in the title.
Select the tick box next to a module and click the ‘Resurrect’ button.
When you next retrieve the ‘Resurrected Modules’ Planning Instance this module will be listed and available for you to edit if necessary.
Delete a Module
Choose a planning instance from the drop down box and click the ‘Retrieve’ button.
Select the tick box next to one or more modules and click the ‘Delete’ button
The message bar will display the message ‘Are you sure you wish to continue?’
Click the ‘Delete’ button again to continue.
This process will only delete the module year, period and occurrence selected. If you wish to delete a module completely you must delete all occurrences/periods of that module.
Duplicate a Module
As a module may have a number of occurrences or periods you can use this facility to quickly duplicate extra module records.
Choose a planning instance from the drop down box and click the ‘Retrieve’ button.
Select the tick box next to one or more modules and click the ‘Duplicate’ button
You will then need to edit the duplicated module to the new occurrence or period.
When updating a duplicated module care should be taken to ensure module information is consistent between modules that have more than one period/occurrence.
Edit an Existing Module
Choose a planning instance from the drop down box and click the ‘Retrieve’ button.
Select the tick box next to one module and click the ‘View/Edit’ button
Add or amend information in the fields.
Click the ‘Store’ button to save your changes.
Click the ‘back’ button to return to the module planning list
See ‘SECTION 3: Information Required for Module Planning’ for more details on the type of information that should be entered on this screen.
When editing modules care should be taken to ensure module information is consistent between modules that have more than one period/occurrence.
Editing Teaching and Learning Text
Each module within an academic year has 6 Teaching and Learning records:
- Intended Learning Outcomes
- Teaching and Learning Methods
- Assessment Methods
- Pre-requisites (optional)
- Co-requisites (optional)
- Excluded Combinations (optional)
As the Teaching and Learning text is linked to the academic year of the module you need only amend the text of a single occurrence/period – this change will then be reflected in all occurrences/periods of that module. The ‘Title’ description should not be amended.
See ‘SECTION 3: Information Required for Module Planning’ for more details on the type of information that should be entered on this screen.
Planning Module Teaching and Learning screen
Creating and Editing Module Assessment Patterns
Plan Module Assessment screen
To change an assessment element, add/amendfields and click the ‘store’ button
To add new assessment elements click the ‘add new’ button. This will create a new line of assessment to which you can enter the details into the blank boxes, then click the ‘store’ button
To remove an assessment element, click the ‘remove’ button.
See ‘SECTION 3: Information Required for Module Planning’ for more details on the type of information that should be entered on this screen.
Deploying Modules
When all amendments have been made to a module you need to make the module live in the Student Record System.
Choose a Planning Instance from the drop down box and click the ‘Retrieve’ button.
Select the tick box next to one or more modules and click the ‘Lock’ button. The status of the module in the list will change to ‘locked’
Select the tick box next to one or more modules and click the ‘Deploy’ button. The status of the module in the list will change to ‘deployed’
Only lock and deploy modules that you are confident are completely updated
You cannot reverse the deployment process.
Consider running a Module Reportto check that you have amended module data correctly before you run the Deployment process. See ‘SECTION 4: Module Reports’ for guidelines.
Don’t forget to lock and deploy modules in all Planning Instances, including the ‘P2 & P3 Resurrected Modules’ Planning Instances and any others that have been made available to you.
SECTION 3: information required for module planning
The information below provides guidelinesas to the information that should be entered into each of the sections of the Module Planning ‘Edit’ screen.
Sections that are asterisks indicate data that is mandatory.
‘Plan Module’ Section
Code*
When creating a new module assign a code according to the module coding structure below. A previously used code may not be reused.
The ‘Module Numbering’ report will tell you what codes have already been used. See ‘SECTION 4: Module Reports’ for details on how to run a report.
AR1005
Department PrefixAM / American Studies / HS / Historical Studies
AH / Ancient History / IT / Italian
AR / Archaeology / LM / Labour Market Studies
BS / Biological Sciences / LW / Law
CH / Chemistry / AE / Life Long Learning
CO / Computer Science / MA / Mathematics
CR / Criminology / MN / Management
EC / Economics / MS / Media & Communication
ED / Education / MB / Medical Bioscience
EG / Engineering / MD / Medical School
EN / English / MU / Museum Studies
EL / English Language Teaching Unit / PA / Physics & Astronomy
FR / French / PL / Politics & International Relations
GY / Geography / PS / Psychology
GL / Geology / SW / Social Work
GN / German / SY / Sociology
HA / History of Art / SP / Spanish
HM / Humanities
Level / Number Range
0 / Foundation / 0 - 499 / Foundation
1 / Undergraduate Level 1 / 0 - 499 / Undergraduate Campus-Based
2 / Undergraduate Level 2 / 500 - 999 / Undergraduate Distance Learning
3 / Undergraduate Level 3 / 0 - 499 / Postgraduate Campus-Based
4 / Undergraduate Level 4 / 500 - 999 / Postgraduate Distance Learning
7 / Postgraduate
DL / Undergraduate and Postgraduate Distance Learning
Name*
Use capitalization of module title; do not use upper case.
You do not need to create a new module for a change of title.
Type*
Choose ‘standard’ or ‘dissertation’.
‘Plan Module Availability’ Section
Occurrence*
The occurrence of a module refers to the instance a module runs within an academic year.
Undergraduate and taught postgraduate modules: Most have an occurrence of ‘A’. Occasionally a module will have an occurrence of ‘B’ – this is where the module is assessed by a different mark scheme.
Distance Learning modules: All these modules have an occurrence of‘D’.
Scheme*
Choose ‘UNDERGRAD’ undergraduate or ‘POSTGRAD’ postgraduate.
Period*
Undergraduate modules are normally offered by semester.
Postgraduate modules may be offered either by semester or by term.
Distance learning modules will always have a period of ‘DIST LEARN’ regardless of when they are offered for study.
Where a module must be taken in both semester one and semester two (or term 1, 2 and 3) choose "YEAR" - the credit rating will apply to the whole year.
Where a module may be taken either in semester one or semester (or term 1, 2 or 3) you must create two module availability records, one for each semester/term (use the duplicate process outlined in ‘SECTION 1: How to Plan Modules in the Student Record System’).
Period Coverage (approximately)Semester 1 / September – January
Semester 2 / January – June
Year / Whole academic year (semester 1 and 2)
Autumn Term / October – December
Spring Term / January – March
Summer Term / May - July(also use for modules taken in the summer vacation)
DL / Undergraduate and Postgraduate Distance Learning
Please see for exact dates.
Module Coordinator
This must be an academic member of staff, not a postgraduate student.
The Student Record System can only hold one module coordinator name.
As the list of names is provided by the Personnel record system the Registry is unable to add or amend name information.If the name of a member of staff is missing please leave this field blank.
Department*
The student FTE load will be allocated to the department named on the Module Specification. If the load is to be shared between departments, please inform the Assessments Office.
‘Plan Student Workload’ Section
Mark Scheme*
Undergraduate modules are normally assessed under the ‘pass for credit’ mark scheme. Exceptionally modules may be assessed by the ‘honours level’ mark scheme. Modules may also be assessed as ‘attendance only’ where only a pass/fail grade is recorded for the module.
Modules are designated as‘honours level’in exceptional cases - usually when they are required topass at this level for an external body. This must be agreed by the relevant committee and recorded in the Regulations and Module Specifications.
Postgraduate modules only have a ‘postgraduate’ mark scheme.
Student Workload*
Enter the hours that each type of Teaching and Learning method takes, making sure these add up to the total hours (which should equate to the figures below)
Credits / Hours5 / 37.5
10 / 75
15 / 112.5
20 / 150
30 / 225
60 / 450
120 / 900
In cases where a module is non credit bearing please use your judgment as to what the appropriate Student Workload hours should equate to.
‘Plan Module Assessment’ Section
Module Assessment Pattern*
Each module has an ‘Assessment Pattern’which determines how a module is assessed.
Assessment Patterns are broken down into one or more assessment elements. When changing assessment patterns you must ensure that the ‘weight’ totals 100%.
Each assessment element within a module must be included for undergraduate modules.
If the assessment elements each represent a third of the total, put ‘111’ into the ‘weight’ field. This will ensure that each piece of assessment is calculated at 33.3%. In these cases it is total weighting will equal 333.
If an Assessment Pattern is entered incorrectly this will create an error in the calculation of students overall module marks. If in doubt about how an assessment pattern is structured please contact your departmental Marks Entry contact for advice (the Assessments Office can provide you with contact details if you do not know who this is).
Assessment Groups
Within a module, groups of students may be assessed differently.
The Assessment Group field should be completed with a ‘B’ for University of Leicester students and ‘E’ for exchange students (Erasmus/JYA).
Seq. / Description / Weight / Ass'tGrp / Alt Reass’t / Exam Duration (hrs)001 / Coursework / 50
002 / Examination / 50 / 1.50
003 / Coursework / 50 / E
004 / Coursework / 50 / E
In the aboveassessment pattern the majority of students are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% examination. However, Erasmus students (who will have returned to their home country before the semester 2 examinations) will be assessed by two pieces of coursework, at 50% each. These students are assigned to group E.
All modules that are offered to Erasmus students must have an E Assessment Group, even if the assessment pattern is identical.
All modules that are offered to JYA students must have aJ Assessment Group, even if the assessment pattern is identical.
Alternative Reassessment
Where students are unable to retake the piece of assessment they failed (normally fieldwork or a laboratory exercise) they may take an ‘Alternative Reassessment’.
The Alternative Reassessment field should be completed with a ‘Y’.
Seq. / Description / Weight / Ass't Grp / Alt Reass’t / Exam Duration (hrs)001 / Coursework / 50
002 / Fieldwork / 50
003 / Examination / 100 / Y / 2.00
In the above assessment pattern students are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% fieldwork. However, because students who fail the fieldwork element are unable to retake it, they must complete an alternative reassessment of an examination. The Alternative Reassessment(s) should always total 100%.
Qualified Fail
Where students must pass one or all elements of assessment (i.e. the module has qualifying elements) write the phrase ‘qualifying element’ in the description field.
Seq. / Description / Weight / Ass'tGrp / Alt Reass’t / Exam Duration (hrs)001 / Coursework (qualifying element) / 50
002 / Fieldwork (qualifying element) / 50
Qualifying elements of assessment are usually specific to certain departments. For the majority of modules it is assumed that whilst a student must pass the module overall, they are not required to pass each assessment element separately.
Departments Who Return One Overall Module Mark for Postgraduate Taught Modules
If your department returns one overall module to the Registry you must only create one assessment element (so that only one mark record is created for each student).
To make the actual assessment structure clear, write the full assessment details, with weightings, into the ‘Description’ field.