Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Credit values of Loughborough University awards

Origin: Programme Quality Team

Programme Quality Team at its meeting on 20 October 2008 considered a draft table setting out the credit values of Loughborough University awards which had been drawn up in the light of the final version of the Higher Education Credit Framework for England as recently published -

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/england/credit/default.asp

The Credit Framework document included a table setting out the credit values typically associated with the design of programmes leading to the main HE qualifications in England. All institutions were encouraged to implement the credit arrangements as indicated by the table by the start of academic year 2009/10, and to include the credits associated with their programmes in the descriptions of each of the programmes which they offer.

The Loughborough table closely mirrored the national framework.

It was emphasised to PQ Team that the table set out the credit values designed into programme structures, not the credits that individual students must achieve for the completion of awards. Programme regulations governing modular options, however, should not allow students to navigate a route through a programme which did not include the study of the specified minimum credit at the level of the qualification.

It was now believed to be the case that the vast majority of MEng programmes would be able to comply with the proposals in terms of the number of credits at level 7. There might be difficulties for some joint Bachelor’s degree programmes in meeting the requirement for 90 credits at level 6.

It was resolved to recommend the proposed table of credit values to LTC.

It would be the expectation, once the table was approved, that all programmes would be required to comply. Departments would be advised to adjust existing programme structures and regulations as necessary, for approval during the 2009 update process ready for 2009/10, or otherwise produce a rationale for approval by CSC.

Author – Robert Bowyer