Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme will train graduates who wish to develop careers and new knowledge about sustainable water, sanitation, waste management services and infrastructure for the poorest and most marginal people in the world. The programme will provide training in research methods appropriate to water and waste infrastructure and services, and allow students to become well acquainted with the general field of knowledge to which their research project relates.

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

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK degrees.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1     To demonstrate in depth, extended or specialist knowledge of techniques relevant to the discipline or to demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts, information and techniques informed by knowledge at the forefront of the discipline;

K2     To exhibit competence in the exercise of advanced generic and subject specific intellectual abilities; and

K3     To demonstrate an advanced understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1     The skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;

C2     Evaluate their own achievement and that of others;

C3     Self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;

C4     Independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continued professional development;

C5     To critically engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundary and norms.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1     Take a self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;

P2     Formulate ideas and hypotheses and to evaluate these; and

P3     Critically evaluate current research and issues within the discipline.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        Demonstrate the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area

T2        Draw on a range of perspectives on an area of study;

T3        Evaluate received opinion;

T4        Make sound judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements in the absence of complete data; and

T5        Work in a team environment.

4. Programme structure

Up to 120 credits of suitable Post Graduate modules which will be assessed in accordance with Regulation XXI.   These will be studied in years 1 and 2 of the programme with a minimum of 60 credits in year 1 and up to 60 credits in year 2.

* indicates some modules have a Distance Learning option which may, if agreed with the CDT Management Board, be studied instead of the Loughborough based version.  Students should attend Loughborough based modules for which they are registered.

4.1       Post Graduate Diploma 

Students will be required to accumulate a minimum of 120 credits from any of the following modules.

4.2       Post Graduate Certificate 

Students will be required to accumulate a minimum of 60 credits from any of the following modules.

In the event that a student has already studied these or similar equivalent modules, then suitable alternative Post Graduate modules from within the School or wider University may be selected and agreed at the discretion of the Programme Director and the AD(T).  The modules selected for the structured training programme must be agreed by the Programme Director and the CDT Management Board via the Programme Director.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award students must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

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

Not applicable.