Academic Quality Procedures Handbook

2.2.1. Credit Framework - How Loughborough's Higher Education awards are credit rated.

All Loughborough University awards are fully compatible with the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (the FHEQ) and the Higher Education Credit Framework for England, as well as the qualifications framework adopted at the Bergen Summit of the Bologna Process for the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

This compatibility is mapped out in Table 1 (below), which identifies the credits required for each level of award, and the relationship with the FHEQ level and the FQ-EHEA cycle.

Undergraduate modules should be credit weighted in multiples of 10, with a maximum module size of 30 credits, except for project / dissertation modules or credit exemptions.

Postgraduate modules (including those delivered in Part D of undergraduate Master's degrees) should be credit weighted in multiples of 10 or 15, with a maximum module size of 30 credits, except for project / dissertation modules or credit exemptions. 

The credit framework is supplemented by Table 2 (below), which provides a framework for the use of subject titles in undergraduate awards.

 

Table 1: Credit Values of Loughborough University Awards
Higher education awards FHEQ5 level Total credit value 1 Normal minimum credit at level of qualification FQ-EHEA6 cycle ECTS7 credit equivalence
Research Doctorate (PhD) 8 Not credit rated Third cycle (end of cycle) Not credit rated
Professional Doctorate (EngD) Not credit rated 2
Master's Degree by research (MPhil) 7 Not credit rated Second cycle (end of cycle) Not credit rated
Master's Degree (MA, MSc, MBA, MDes, MRes) 180 150 90
Integrated Master's Degree with Honours (MEng, MChem, MComp, MMath, MPhys) 3 480 120 60
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 90    
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 4 60 45    
Bachelors Degree with Honours (BA, BSc, BEng) 6 360 90 First cycle (end of cycle) 180
Foundation Degree (FdA, FdSc, FdEng) 5 240 90 Short cycle (within the first cycle) 120
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) 240 90 120
Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) 4 120 90    

Notes:

  1. Modules in the University-wide Language Programme (UWLP) are not assigned to the HE credit levels but are credit rated on the basis of notional workload and may contribute to the total credit value of awards (see Table 3 below). 
  2. The EngD incorporates a taught programme of study not exceeding the equivalent of one full-time calendar year which may lead to the award of an MSc at level 7; the taught element only is credit rated.
  3. Integrated Master's Degrees incorporate study equivalent to at least one full-time academic year at level 7. Thus study at Bachelor's level is integrated with study at Master's level and the programmes are designed to meet the expectations of the descriptors of both first and second FQ-EHEA cycles.
  4. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is at FHEQ level 7 and of 36 weeks' duration. It includes modules with a credit value of 60, plus two 'Practical Teaching' modules which are not credit rated.
  5. The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) was first published in 2001 and is developed and maintained by QAA, which published the revised second edition in August 2008. The FHEQ describes the achievement represented by higher education qualifications and applies to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards (other than honorary degrees and higher doctorates) granted by UK higher education providers in the exercise of their degree awarding powers.
  6. The Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (FQ-EHEA) was adopted at the Bergen Summit of the Bologna Process for the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The QAA has independently certified that the FHEQ is compatible with the FQ-EHEA. 
  7. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

The table below outlines minimum credit requirements for the following awards:

  • Single subject (with title naming a subject or related subjects)
  • Joint (with title naming two distinct subjects as ‘x and y’)
  • Major/Minor (with title naming two distinct subjects as ‘x with y’)
  • Multidisciplinary (with title naming three distinct subjects as x, y with z’) 

 

Table 2: Credit Framework for the use of Subject Titles in Undergraduate Awards
Award Total credit value of the award
Minimum number of credits in subject area 1
Programme structures must require students to take at least the following number of credits in each subject 2
Single Joint Major/Minor Multidisciplinary
Certificate of Higher Education 120 90 credits in subject 50 credits in each subject 60 credits in major subject, 30 credits in minor subject 30 credits for each subject listed
Diploma of Higher Education 240 180 credits in subject  90 credits in each subject  120 credits in major subject, 60 credits in minor subject  60 credits for each subject listed 
Honours Degree 360 270 credits in subject  140 credits in each subject  180 credits in major subject, 90 credits in minor subject  90 credits for each subject listed 
Integrated Master's Degree 480 360 credits in subject  180 credits in each subject  240 credits in major subject, 120 credits in minor subject  120 credits for each subject listed 

 

Notes:

  1. All awards should also satisfy the requirements for the total credit value of the award (column 2)
  2. Where a module involves more than one subject, all the credits from that module may count towards satisfying the minimum requirements for each subject. A module comprising material which, while not directly related to the subject, provides knowledge or skills necessary for its study, may also count towards satisfying the minimum requirements for that subject.

University-wide Language Programme (UWLP)

  1. UWLP modules are designed and delivered in accordance with the expectations of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
  2. Where Programme Specifications allow the study of UWLP modules:
  • Students are eligible to enrol on UWLP modules at levels above the level of prior equivalent qualification specified in Table 3 (below).
  • Schools are not able to prohibit the study of UWLP below a certain level.
  • The Language Centre has sole responsibility for determining student competence.
  • While pedagogically desirable, students are not required to take UWLP modules consecutively across their programme (either within or across Parts).
  • UWLP credits contribute to the total credits required for an award.
  • UWLP credits contribute to the overall programme mark for the classification of award. 

 

Table 3: Equivalence table – Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) / LU language modules / FHEQ levels
UK Qualification equivalent required for entry UWLP modules CEFR Level achieved on completion of module Language competence descriptors (productive / receptive skills) FHEQ Level
Post A level qualification 11 – 12 C1 (C2)   Proficient User Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstruct arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. Level 6    
Post A level qualification 9 – 10 B2/C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. Level 5    
A Level   7 – 8 B2   Independent User Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible, without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Level 4
AS Level     5 - 6 B1 Can understand the main points of clear, standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple, connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. N/A
GCSE   3 - 4 A2   Basic User Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic, personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks, requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and similar matters in areas of immediate need. N/A
None   1 - 2 A1 Can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details, such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. N/A
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