Learning and Teaching Committee

 

Subject:        Proposal for the validation of additional pathways to the Foundation Degree in Sports Performance

 

Origin:           Loughborough College; School of Exercise and Sports Science

 

 

The attached proposal has been received from Loughborough College for the validation of additional pathways to the Foundation Degree in Sports Performance.  The University approved the framework for the Sports Performance Foundation Degree and an initial pathway in Motorsport last summer, when the College signalled its intention of bringing forward further versions of the programme in other sports.

 

Comments on the proposal from the School of Exercise and Sports Science are set out below.

 

The proposal and comments from SSES were submitted to the Executive Management Group (EMG) which has invited LTC to establish a validation panel to consider the proposal in further detail.

 

Comments from SSES

 

Alan Bairner, Director of Learning and Teaching

We would provisionally support the proposal going forward to validation not least because rather than offering an entirely new degree, they are proposing pathways within an existing validated programme.  However, the College should be told

·         that the documentation has to be much better than in the past;

·         that they must ensure the people identified as teaching staff on each pathway are qualified to deliver a foundation degree;

·         that there must be enough sport specific modules to justify talking in terms of pathways;

·         that, given the programme content, students could in reality progress only to the College top-up qualification and not to the BSc Sport and Exercise Science in the University.

 

Stuart Biddle, Head of School

I have no objection to this in principle.

I presume a more detailed proposal will be forthcoming as there are many questions, such as the distance learning option they suggest, and the need for documentary evidence of support from NGBs.

We would also want assurance/support for our need for staffing to liaise with the College.