Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both geography and the core sport sciences;
• to provide students with the opportunity to study a broad curriculum in both human and physical geography and in the fields of sport and exercise science and physical education;
• to develop appropriate professional practice;
• to achieve, through the student learning process, a progressive improvement in academic performance over the degree programme;
• to enhance students’ career and employment prospects on graduating by developing a range of transferable skills embedded in the programme.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statements for Geography and Sport Science (within Unit 25 Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
• the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of data;
• the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader frameworks of the sciences and humanities;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

• a range of environments, in the broadest sense, of environmental processes and the impacts of these processes on human activities and vice versa;

• the ways in which representations and interpretations of the world are socially-constructed, and the forms of geographical difference;

• the determinants of temporal and spatial variation in the physical, social, economic and political worlds; and the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and on their interactions;

• past patterns of environmental and social changes, and of the processes and conditions that have determined those changes, and the implications for the future;

and within the Sport Science portion of the programme:

• physical and psychological development and its impact on participation and performance in sport and physical education
• the importance of sport and/or physical education through a scientific, social, political and ethical lens;
• the breadth of disciplines, such as psychology, physiology, physical activity/sport and health, sociology and sport pedagogy, which support a variety of potential careers in sport and/or education

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Develop a reflexive approach to learning.
2. Abstract and synthesise information.
3. Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments.
4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including data and text.
5. Undertake problem-solving and decision-making.
6. Develop a reasoned argument.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Combine and interpret different types of evidence.
2. Recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries.
3. Undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work.
4. Employ a range of survey skills for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and to use appropriate methods for the analysis of these data.
5. Design and execute a piece of research and produce a report.

Additionally, within the Geography portion of the programme: 

6. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies.

Additionally, within the Sport Science portion of the programme:

7. Plan and execute appropriate techniques and skills in the practice of sport activities.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should show competence in:

1. Verbal and written communication skills.
2. Numeracy and computational skills.
3. Field and laboratory skills.
4. Spatial awareness and observational skills.
5. IT and information handling and retrieval.
6. Independent study and group work.
7. Time management.

4. Programme structure

Modules with a total modular weight of 60 must be studied in each academic year (Parts A, B and C) from both Geography and Sport Science. 

Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  Individual modules taught and assessed over both semesters with a modular weight of 10 may count against either semester 1 or semester 2, depending on the balance of other modular weights between semesters.  Where the modular weight of a module taught and assessed over both semesters is 20, this shall be split equally between semesters.

Due to timetabling constraints, not all option combinations may be available.

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                     (total modular weight 50)

Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                   (total modular weight 30)

Semester 2 

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                     (total modular weight 40)

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which a minimum of 40 must be from Group 1 (20 if GYB327 is selected).  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  In addition, candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Sport Science modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which at least 20 must be from Group 3 (PSB752 [Semester 1], PSB753  and PSB754 [Semester 2]).

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

4.3       Part I

Four year programme – Candidates registered on the four-year programme will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI. 

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2.  GYC400 and GYC401 (instances 1 & 2) are mutually exclusive, as are fieldcourse modules.  Candidates must also choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Sport Science modules over semesters 1 and 2.

The modular weight of GYC400 may be split between semesters in the ratio of either 20:10 or 10:20 depending on the balance of other modular weights selected.

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES 

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.