Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the relationship between media and modernity.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the politics of representation.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

MEDIA AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS (CXPT36):

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 120)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 60)

Two optional modules must come from semester 1 and two must come from semester 2.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP399.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP399 and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP399 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environment through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digitilisation of media and cultural industries.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the political economy of media and cultural industries.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

GLOBAL MEDIA AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES (CXPT46):

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 135)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 45)

One optional module must come from semester 1 and two must come from semester 2.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP398.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP398 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP398(Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environment through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digital culture.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digital economies.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate  their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

DIGITAL MEDIA AND SOCIETY (CXPT47):

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 135)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 45)

One optional module must come from semester 1 and two must come from semester 2.                                                  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP397.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP397 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP397 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

These programmes are designed to produce graduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are well equipped to progress onto being high level researchers in their chosen field of study. 

Students will

• gain understanding of key epistemological and ontological debates that frame social science research;
• gain advanced knowledge of the methodologies, processes, designs and practices involved in social science research;
• acquire in-depth training in the conduct and management of research, from its commencement to its conclusion;
• explore and reflect on their developing research skills in the context of their areas of research interest and their growth as creative and independent researchers;
• critically analyse ethical aspects of academic research and gain advanced ability to deal with ethical problems and challenges;
• be able to apply all of the above in the context associated with their chosen programme. 

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

The Economic and Social Research Council’s requirements for Doctoral Training Pathways (see http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/call-for-doctoral-training-partnerships-dtps/). 

UK Quality Code for Higher Education, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012 (Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards). 

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ), the QAA, August 2008. 

Master’s Degree Characteristics, QAA, March 2010.

The Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, 2008. 

The Quality Code, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Ability 

Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval 

Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching 

Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement 

Chapter B6: Assessment of Students

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 use a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods in investigating social processes and phenomena;

P2 use appropriate technology to assist in the generation, collation and analysis of research data;

P3 communicate and publish the results of their research, on the basis of the formative and summative feedback delivered through the programme.

P4 analyse the theoretical foundations and research methods used in their research areas.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1 communicate ideas, arguments, research rationales and findings effectively to a range of academic and non-academic audiences;

T2 interact positively with their peers, and a range of academic colleagues, acknowledging challenges in or limitations to their work and thinking;

T3 demonstrate self direction in tackling and solving research problems, act autonomously in pla.nning research tasks

4. Programme structure

C=compulsory

O=optional

*NB Students will choose two 10 credit optional modules from four Advanced Methods modules listed above. 

^#MSc Social Science Research Methods (Business Management) students should choose either the Specialist Research Methods (Finance) module or the Specialist Research Methods (Management) module.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

Each module in the programme will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in Regulation XXI.

Candidates who have studied a particular module, completed the relevant assignments according to a timetable agreed with the School and passed in accordance with XXI are eligible for the award of credit in that module. 

In order to be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master, the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but also: 

1. to be eligible for the award of PG Cert in Social Science Research candidates must have, over a period of not more than three years, accumulated minimally 60 credits in the following core modules: Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011) and Research Design and Practice (EUP132);
   
   
2. to be eligible for the award of PG Dip in Social Science Research candidates must have, over a period of not more than five years:
   
   
   • studied the core modules Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011), Research Design and Practice (EUP132) and Qualitative Research Methods (PSP510), two 10 credit advanced training modules and the subject specific module relevant to their programme pathway AND
     
     
   • accumulated minimally 100 credits, excluding the 60 credit major project, and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 20.
     
     
3. to be eligible for the award of MSc in Social Science Research (Pathway) candidates must have, over a period of not more than eight years:
   
   
   • studied the core modules Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011), Research Design and Practice (EUP132) and Qualitative Research Methods (PSP510), two 10 credit advanced training modules, the subject specific module relevant to their programme pathway and dissertation AND
     
     
   • accumulated minimally 150 credits and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 30 are eligible for the award of MSc in Social Science Research (Pathway) where the Pathway is Communication and Media, Education, Business and Management, Social Policy or Sports and Exercise Science.

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

Not applicable

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

To enable students to gain a systematic knowledge of research and practice at the nexus of social media, political influence, and political power.

To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.

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

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies: Draft for consultation, April 2016: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Communication-Media-Film-and-Cultural-Studies-consultation-16.pdf

SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education 2016: http://www.seec.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SEEC-descriptors-2016.pdf

UK QAA Quality Code for Higher Education, 2014, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/quality-code-part-a

Loughborough University Academic Quality Procedures Handbook: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/registry/pqtp/aqphandbook/

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms, productively employ insights in the form of essays, case studies, reports, and/or student research blogs containing text, images, infographics, and video.

P2. Work effectively in teams to mind map the main themes of topic areas in social media and political communication.

P3. Present effectively in class the results of analysis, using presentation software.

P4. Work effectively as a member of a team on social media data analysis and/or designing a simulated online campaign.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and public communication sector case studies and sources and apply these evaluative skills as if working as a professional in the public communication sector.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in the public communication sector.

T3. Effectively design online campaigns as if working in the public communication sector.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displaying a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Use skills and abilities expected of a professional in the public communication sector.

4. Programme structure

SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION CXPT53

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 135)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 45)

One optional module must come from semester 1 and two must come from semester 2.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to accumulate the following: 

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP396 Dissertation. 

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP396 Dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules. 

(iii) MA – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a rich understanding of children and young people’s lives across the globe and related social policy debates 

• To develop students’ ability to critically analyse current advanced research on children, young people and families with reference to relevant theories and concepts in human geography and the social sciences 

• To advance students’ skills in a comprehensive range of research methods, including those relevant to the investigation of children and young people’s lives 

• To enhance students’ employability in diverse professional environments and/or increase their competitiveness for PhD studentships

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

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially: 

• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
• Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
• Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008 

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality, especially:
  • Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval
  • Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching
  • Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement
  • Chapter B6: Assessment of Students and the Recognition of Prior Learning 

• Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Policy, QAA, February 2016

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        The key concepts and theorisations of childhood and youth across the social sciences

K2        The diverse spaces of children, young people and families’ everyday lives in the Global North and Global South

K3        The range of research methods available to collect and analyse data on children and young people’s lives, especially those attentive to young people’s ‘voice’

K4        The role of social policy and social policy research in shaping wider policy processes and professional practice

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1        Critically evaluate key concepts and theorisations of childhood and youth. 

C2        Critically examine the contested socio-spatial relationships that shape children, young people and families’ everyday lives across the globe, and examine inequalities in the lives of children, young people and families

C3        Assess the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods in researching themes related to childhood, youth and/or families 

C4        Critically reflect on their independent research and its implications for wider social policy

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        Formulate research questions and implement strategies to conduct an independent research project 

P2        Use appropriate methods for the collection and analysis of data.

P3        Apply relevant concepts and theories in the interpretation of empirical evidence 

P4        Observe appropriate risk assessment and ethical guidelines involved in undertaking independent research projects, including considerations of research related to themes of childhood, youth and/or families 

P5        Employ an awareness of the diverse strategies for communicating research findings to academic and non-academic audiences

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        Critically evaluate information and data from a wide range of sources 

T2        Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form. 

T3        Manage personal learning efficiently and effectively. 

T4        Design and conduct original independent research. 

T5        Develop quantitative and qualitative research skills. 

T6        Demonstrate collaborative working and leadership skills.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme)

4.1       Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

  4.2      Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES

4.3          Semester 3 (Summer)

PART TIME (2 year programme – 90 credits per year) 

Year One

4.4       Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

  4.5       Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES

Year Two

4.6     Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULE

4.7      Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULE 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

With the exclusion of module GYP700 (Dissertation in Childhood, Youth and Social Policy), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

N/A

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• develop an integrated advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of theories and issues in financial and political development, beyond bachelor degree level;
• introduce applications of theory, beyond bachelor degree level;
• give students general training that is vocationally relevant to employment in government, commerce and industry;
• equip students with appropriate tools of analysis that will allow them to undertake applied research for their employers in the areas of financial and political development.

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

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

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 functions and operations of institutions, financial markets and systems, with reference to central and commercial banks and other financial intermediaries, and the significance of financial institutions and markets in international financial and political development;
• the core principals of economic geography, with reference to financial globalization, the regional agglomeration of financial services and the significance of trends in globalization for international financial and political development;
• the core principals of politics and international relations, with reference to political communication, international institutions and the governance of the world economy, and the significance of trends in international relations for international financial and political development;
• independent applied research in the core disciplines of the degree, using basic research tools and quantitative methods appropriate to the conduct of independent research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• analyse theoretical and practical problems in banking and the operation of financial markets, the development of financial markets in a global economy, international relations and the governance of the global economy, by using the appropriate theories and research methods;
• analyse the impact of developments in banking, financial globalization, international political relations on international financial and political development;
• synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in the disciplines of the degree;
• use the professional and academic literature of the disciplines of the degree to formulate questions suitable for research;
• critically analyse professional and academic research papers in the disciplines of the degree.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree;
• collect and analyse statistical and qualitative data, interpret such data, and carry out statistical hypothesis testing and other research analysis, appropriate to the professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• apply skills in analysis (including statistical analysis) and problem formulation to areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree;
• use skills in synthesis to formulate key issues in areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree.

More generally, students should have further developed skills in:

• numeracy;
• logical thinking and problem solving;
• use of information technology (retrieval of data, web-based information searching, handling of data in computer files, basic word-processing and spreadsheet methods);
• written and oral communication;
• time management and decision-making;
• independent study;
• group study.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 60)

4.2 Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 75)

(ii)       FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE

Semester 2

for the award of MSc only                   (total modular weight 45)

The subject of the dissertation will be come from one of the three disciplines of the degree.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than the dissertation.

(ii) PGDip – 105 credits from modules other than the dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module(s).

With the exclusion of module GYP600 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme will enable students to develop an understanding of national and international contemporary security challenges, and of the theoretical and practical frameworks which inform decision-making over conflict resolution and contemporary crises.

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

UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards

Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality 

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Politics and International Relations, February 2015

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1   demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic understanding of knowledge at the forefront of scholarship in the field of Security;

K2   articulate a critical understanding of contrasting security challenges in the Global North and Global South;

K3   recognise and evaluate rising threats in the international arena;

K4  identify potential solutions and resolutions to conflict;

K5   understand the ethical frameworks which should govern the behaviour of states as laid out in international laws and norms.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1  critically evaluate and synthesise key concepts, theories and frameworks relating to Security;

C2   flexibly and creatively apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts and generate transformative solutions in the field of Security;

C3   critically evaluate alternative sources of evidence relating to contemporary conflict;

C4  differentiate between methodologies relating to War Studies and Peace Studies;

C5   respect and be sensitive to different perspectives on political violence, including political stance, gender and ethnic diversity, and human rights.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1  engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the field of Security, productively employing the insights gained in their own work;

P2  design and undertake a substantial independent investigation relating to Security using appropriate methods for the collection and analysis of data;

P3  apply the knowledge gained to produce documents relevant to public policy;

P4   observe appropriate risk assessments and ethical guidelines involved in undertaking an independent research project.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1   communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form to specialist and non-specialist audiences

T2   plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project

T3   critically evaluate information and data from a wide range of sources

T4   negotiate different viewpoints and facilitate debate and cooperation within a group discussion

T5   apply skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme)

Semester 1 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Semester 2/Summer 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

PART TIME (2 year programme – 90 credits per year) 

Year One 

Semester 1 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Year Two

Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

Semester 1, 2 and 3/Summer 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

With the exclusion of modules EUP704/EUPXXX (Dissertation in Security), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

N/A

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in strategic communication and related disciplines; 

• To develop students’ skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of strategic communication and related disciplines; 

• To enable students to interpret, evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discipline in an innovative way; 

• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through a combination of independent work and industry exposure; 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about strategic communication in relation to a range of corporate and non-corporate organisations; 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about communication strategies in relation to particular places and controversial issues.

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

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially: 

• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
• Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
• Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008 

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies, QAA, October 2016

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        The major traditions, theories and frameworks of inquiry relevant to the analysis of strategic communication and associated disciplines;

K2        The historical expansion of communication media, the institutionalisation of media systems, various audiences’ use of the media, and the implications of digital media for socio-economic and cultural life;

K3        The range of relevant research methods employed in the analysis of media, communication and culture;

K4        The major arguments and issues in contemporary debates about the strategic use of communication by a range of social, economic and political actors;

K5        The relationships and tensions between old and new socio-economic practices and structures in the global, digital environment.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1        Independently organise, classify and critically evaluate information gathered in the course of their projects and assignments; 

C2        Use advanced concepts and theories drawn from the field of strategic communication and related disciplines to analyse relevant empirical evidence; 

C3        Critically reflect upon their research and the issues that it raises, drawing on insights from the field of strategic communication and related disciplines; 

C4        Analyse and interpret communication practices by actors and organisations in and across a range of socio-economic and cultural environments.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the field of strategic communication and related disciplines, productively employing the insights gained in their own work; 

P2        Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects; 

P3        Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry;

P4        Generate research data according to set procedures and methods within the discipline of media, communication and cultural studies.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources; 

T2        Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, both working independently and as part of a group; 

T3        Employ qualitative and quantitative research techniques; 

T4        Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project; 

T5        Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displaying a high degree of self-direction and initiative; 

T6        Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION (CXPT54):

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 120)

MA students must also attend SSA306, a media landscapes module. 

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 60)

One optional module must come from semester 1 and three must come from semester 2.                                                  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP394.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP394 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP394 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to UG degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are to enable students to: 

• acquire the necessary skills for measuring, analysing and evaluating data, as appropriate for the specific applications of environmental monitoring, research and management;
• gain a deep theoretical understanding of natural processes and systems operating across a variety of environments;
• develop abilities in a range of advanced monitoring and research methods applicable to understanding different aspects of the environment with a view to achieving management goals;
• enhance their employment opportunities for the consultancy sector and government organisations, and improve their competitiveness for PhD studentships.

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

UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

• Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards
• Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality

Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014

Subject Benchmark Statement for Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies, QAA October 2014

Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) through the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) accreditation documents

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        how environmental data informs monitoring of, research into and management of environmental systems;

K2        a range of field and computer-based methods, tools and techniques for collection and analysis environmental data for research and scientific problem solving;

K3        the theories explaining the dynamics of key environmental systems including rivers, lakes and atmosphere.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1       select, execute and evaluate research methodologies in environmental sciences;

C2       critically assess the theories and concepts that underpin the management of environmental processes and systems;

C3       critically interpret data to make scientifically rigorous arguments;

C4       conduct an original piece of research on environmental processes which demonstrates theoretical rigour and robust data analysis.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        design experiments and deploy a variety of instruments to collect environmental data in the field, including appropriate laboratory analytical techniques;

P2        employ geospatial data techniques (e.g. GIS and modelling) for analysis and presentation of environmental data;

P3        use industry standard analytical software tools, and employ computer programming-led approaches to tackle environmental questions;

P4        access and evaluate a wide range of secondary environmental data sources;

P5        interpret, write-up and present quantitative and qualitative environmental research.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        work effectively individually and in teams to meet deadlines and solve complex problems;

T2        relate their own practice as learners and researchers to the requirements of private and public-sector employment in environmental science and management;

T3        critically analyse numerical data from a variety of sources;

T4        identify, retrieve, organise and exchange relevant information from conventional and web sources;

T5        plan the resource allocation (e.g. cost, time, equipment) for a research proposal;

T6        evaluate the risks involved in collecting environmental data for monitoring and research purposes, and develop safe work mitigation strategies to reduce this risk;

T7        effectively assimilate and communicate material of a technical nature in written, oral and graphical form, appropriately incorporating the use of ICT.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme) 

Semester 1 and 2 

Compulsory modules  (15 credits) 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules  (45 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Semester 3

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

PART TIME (2 year programme) 

Students must choose a minimum of 15 modular credits in each semester, and no more than 45 in any one semester excluding GYP040 (Research and Professional Practice) and GYP500 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management). Over the two year part-time programme, students must take a total of 120 modular credits excluding GYP500 Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management. 

YEAR ONE 

Semesters 1 and 2

YEAR ONE 

Semester 1

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits

Semester 2

Student must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits

YEAR TWO

Semesters 1, 2 and 3

YEAR TWO 

Semester 1

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

Semester 2

Students must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

With the exclusion of module GYP500/GYP800 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

Not applicable

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the relationship between media and modernity.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the politics of representation.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1, 2020/2021 (January/February 2021) 

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) and Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 10)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) 

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 30)

Two optional modules must be taken from the list below.

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021) 

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 50)

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 30)

Two optional modules must be taken from the list below

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP399.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP399 and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP399 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• develop an integrated advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of theories and issues in financial and political development, beyond bachelor degree level;
• introduce applications of theory, beyond bachelor degree level;
• give students general training that is vocationally relevant to employment in government, commerce and industry;
• equip students with appropriate tools of analysis that will allow them to undertake applied research for their employers in the areas of financial and political development.

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

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

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 functions and operations of institutions, financial markets and systems, with reference to central and commercial banks and other financial intermediaries, and the significance of financial institutions and markets in international financial and political development;
• the core principals of economic geography, with reference to financial globalization, the regional agglomeration of financial services and the significance of trends in globalization for international financial and political development;
• the core principals of politics and international relations, with reference to political communication, international institutions and the governance of the world economy, and the significance of trends in international relations for international financial and political development;
• independent applied research in the core disciplines of the degree, using basic research tools and quantitative methods appropriate to the conduct of independent research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• analyse theoretical and practical problems in banking and the operation of financial markets, the development of financial markets in a global economy, international relations and the governance of the global economy, by using the appropriate theories and research methods;
• analyse the impact of developments in banking, financial globalization, international political relations on international financial and political development;
• synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in the disciplines of the degree;
• use the professional and academic literature of the disciplines of the degree to formulate questions suitable for research;
• critically analyse professional and academic research papers in the disciplines of the degree.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree;
• collect and analyse statistical and qualitative data, interpret such data, and carry out statistical hypothesis testing and other research analysis, appropriate to the professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• apply skills in analysis (including statistical analysis) and problem formulation to areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree;
• use skills in synthesis to formulate key issues in areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree.

More generally, students should have further developed skills in:

• numeracy;
• logical thinking and problem solving;
• use of information technology (retrieval of data, web-based information searching, handling of data in computer files, basic word-processing and spreadsheet methods);
• written and oral communication;
• time management and decision-making;
• independent study;
• group study.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semester 1, 2020/21 (January / February 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 15)

4.2 Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 75)

4.3 Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

for the award of MSc only                   (total modular weight 45)

The subject of the dissertation will be come from one of the three disciplines of the degree.

4.4       Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to February 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 45)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than the dissertation.

(ii) PGDip – 105 credits from modules other than the dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module(s).

With the exclusion of module GYP600 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are to enable students to: 

• acquire the necessary skills for measuring, analysing and evaluating data, as appropriate for the specific applications of environmental monitoring, research and management;
• gain a deep theoretical understanding of natural processes and systems operating across a variety of environments;
• develop abilities in a range of advanced monitoring and research methods applicable to understanding different aspects of the environment with a view to achieving management goals;
• enhance their employment opportunities for the consultancy sector and government organisations, and improve their competitiveness for PhD studentships.

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

UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

• Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards
• Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality

Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014

Subject Benchmark Statement for Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies, QAA October 2014

Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) through the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) accreditation documents

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        how environmental data informs monitoring of, research into and management of environmental systems;

K2        a range of field and computer-based methods, tools and techniques for collection and analysis environmental data for research and scientific problem solving;

K3        the theories explaining the dynamics of key environmental systems including rivers, lakes and atmosphere.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1       select, execute and evaluate research methodologies in environmental sciences;

C2       critically assess the theories and concepts that underpin the management of environmental processes and systems;

C3       critically interpret data to make scientifically rigorous arguments;

C4       conduct an original piece of research on environmental processes which demonstrates theoretical rigour and robust data analysis.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        design experiments and deploy a variety of instruments to collect environmental data in the field, including appropriate laboratory analytical techniques;

P2        employ geospatial data techniques (e.g. GIS and modelling) for analysis and presentation of environmental data;

P3        use industry standard analytical software tools, and employ computer programming-led approaches to tackle environmental questions;

P4        access and evaluate a wide range of secondary environmental data sources;

P5        interpret, write-up and present quantitative and qualitative environmental research.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        work effectively individually and in teams to meet deadlines and solve complex problems;

T2        relate their own practice as learners and researchers to the requirements of private and public-sector employment in environmental science and management;

T3        critically analyse numerical data from a variety of sources;

T4        identify, retrieve, organise and exchange relevant information from conventional and web sources;

T5        plan the resource allocation (e.g. cost, time, equipment) for a research proposal;

T6        evaluate the risks involved in collecting environmental data for monitoring and research purposes, and develop safe work mitigation strategies to reduce this risk;

T7        effectively assimilate and communicate material of a technical nature in written, oral and graphical form, appropriately incorporating the use of ICT.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme) 

Semesters 1 and 2, 2020/2021 (January to June 2021)

Compulsory modules  (15 credits) 

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

Compulsory modules  (45 credits) 

PART TIME (2 year programme) 

Students must choose a minimum of 15 modular credits in each semester, and no more than 45 in any one semester excluding GYP040 (Research and Professional Practice) and GYP500 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management). Over the two year part-time programme, students must take a total of 120 modular credits excluding GYP500 Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management. 

YEAR ONE 

Semesters 1 and 2, 2020/2021 (January/February 2021)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

Student must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits

Semester 1, October 2021 to January 2022

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits

YEAR TWO

Semesters 2, 3 and 1

Semester 2, 2022/2023 (February to June 2022)

Students must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

Semester 1, 2022/2023 (October 2022 to January 2023)

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

With the exclusion of module GYP500/GYP800 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

Not applicable

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in strategic communication and related disciplines; 

• To develop students’ skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of strategic communication and related disciplines; 

• To enable students to interpret, evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discipline in an innovative way; 

• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through a combination of independent work and industry exposure; 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about strategic communication in relation to a range of corporate and non-corporate organisations; 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about communication strategies in relation to particular places and controversial issues.

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

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially: 

• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
• Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
• Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008 

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies, QAA, October 2016

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        The major traditions, theories and frameworks of inquiry relevant to the analysis of strategic communication and associated disciplines;

K2        The historical expansion of communication media, the institutionalisation of media systems, various audiences’ use of the media, and the implications of digital media for socio-economic and cultural life;

K3        The range of relevant research methods employed in the analysis of media, communication and culture;

K4        The major arguments and issues in contemporary debates about the strategic use of communication by a range of social, economic and political actors;

K5        The relationships and tensions between old and new socio-economic practices and structures in the global, digital environment.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1        Independently organise, classify and critically evaluate information gathered in the course of their projects and assignments; 

C2        Use advanced concepts and theories drawn from the field of strategic communication and related disciplines to analyse relevant empirical evidence; 

C3        Critically reflect upon their research and the issues that it raises, drawing on insights from the field of strategic communication and related disciplines; 

C4        Analyse and interpret communication practices by actors and organisations in and across a range of socio-economic and cultural environments.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the field of strategic communication and related disciplines, productively employing the insights gained in their own work; 

P2        Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects; 

P3        Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry;

P4        Generate research data according to set procedures and methods within the discipline of media, communication and cultural studies.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources; 

T2        Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, both working independently and as part of a group; 

T3        Employ qualitative and quantitative research techniques; 

T4        Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project; 

T5        Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displaying a high degree of self-direction and initiative; 

T6        Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1, 2020/2021 (January / February 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) and Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 10)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 45)

Three optional modules must be taken from the list below.                                                  

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 50)

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 15)

One optional module must be taken from the list below.                                                  

MA students must also attend SSA306, a media landscapes module. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP394.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP394 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP394 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to UG degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

To enable students to gain a systematic knowledge of research and practice at the nexus of social media, political influence, and political power.

To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.

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

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies: Draft for consultation, April 2016: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Communication-Media-Film-and-Cultural-Studies-consultation-16.pdf

SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education 2016: http://www.seec.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SEEC-descriptors-2016.pdf

UK QAA Quality Code for Higher Education, 2014, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/quality-code-part-a

Loughborough University Academic Quality Procedures Handbook: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/registry/pqtp/aqphandbook/

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms, productively employ insights in the form of essays, case studies, reports, and/or student research blogs containing text, images, infographics, and video.

P2. Work effectively in teams to mind map the main themes of topic areas in social media and political communication.

P3. Present effectively in class the results of analysis, using presentation software.

P4. Work effectively as a member of a team on social media data analysis and/or designing a simulated online campaign.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and public communication sector case studies and sources and apply these evaluative skills as if working as a professional in the public communication sector.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in the public communication sector.

T3. Effectively design online campaigns as if working in the public communication sector.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displaying a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Use skills and abilities expected of a professional in the public communication sector.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1, 2020/2021 (January / February 2021) 

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) and Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 10)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 30)

Two optional module must be taken from the list below.

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 50)

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 15)

One optional module must be taken from the list below.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to accumulate the following: 

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP396 Dissertation. 

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP396 Dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules. 

(iii) MA – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environment through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digital culture.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digital economies.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate  their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1, 2020/2021 (January/February 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 15)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) and Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 10)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 30)

Two optional module must be taken from the list below.                                                  

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULE (Total modular weight 50)

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 15)

One optional module must be taken from the list below.                                                  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP397.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP397 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP397 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic and critical awareness of current issues and debates in communication media studies and related disciplines.
• To develop students' skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of media communications and related disciplines.
• To enable students to interpret evaluate and apply advanced knowledge in the discpline in an innovative way.
• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environment through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about digitilisation of media and cultural industries.
• To foster students' ability to critically analyse current research and advanced scholarship about the political economy of media and cultural industries.

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

The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. Engage with major thinkers, debates and intellectual paradigms within the fields of media, communication and culture, productively employing the insights gained in their own work.

P2. Demonstrate their capacity to develop appropriate research strategies to address the issues they have selected for sustained investigation in self-chosen projects.

P3. Analyse new and emerging trends and interrogate both common sense understanding and received wisdom in relevant areas of inquiry.

P4. Discuss historical transformations in media, communication, and culture and wield this understanding in appraising current patterns of development, such as cultural globalisation and media convergence.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.

T2. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

T3. Deploy qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

T4. Plan, organise and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.

T5. Work flexibly, creatively and independently, displayhing a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

T6. Demonstrate skills and abilities learned in relation to their own continuing professional development.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1, 2020/2021 (January / February 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULE (Total modular weight 15)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) and Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULE (Total modular weight 10)

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021) 

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 30)

Two optional modules must come from the list below.

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

COMPULSORY MODULE (Total modular weight 50)

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

COMPULSORY MODULES (Total modular weight 30)

OPTIONAL MODULES (combined modular weight 15)

One optional module must come from the list below.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than CXP398.

(ii) PGDip – 100 credits from modules other than CXP398 and not less than 40% in remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

With the exclusion of module CXP398(Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

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

This section relates to undergraduate degrees only.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide an intellectually stimulating environment and academic context in which critical analysis of written texts is valued;

• to enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of  language and literature through specialist study and research, culminating in their design of a substantial, automonous research project addressing a significant aspect of literary study;

• to extend students’ command and understanding of relevant concepts, theories, cultural contexts, and critical terminology appropriate to specialist areas of English studies;

• to enhance students’ ability to question, appraise, and analyse literature, theory, and research findings;

• to develop students’ skills and competences in a range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of language and literature;

• to nurture students’ enthusiasm and passion for their special subject area and enhance their career and employability skills.

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

• The English Benchmark Statement
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
• SEEC Level Descriptors
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy

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

K1  how different social, historical, and cultural contexts affect the nature of literary forms,  genres, and meaning, textual production and reception;

K2  how key concepts, ideas and concerns in the production and analysis of literary texts alter over time;

K3   contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks, theories, and modes of analysis in literary studies;

K4  the different approaches to texts taken by specialists in different historical periods, literary or linguistic fields;

K5  several specific research areas under academic guidance, including one of their devising;

K6  the different modes of research possible in literary and linguistic study, including digital developments.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1  critically analyse and evaluate literary texts;

C2  critically analyse and evaluate research findings;

C3  apply and adapt conceptual frameworks to literary texts;

C4  recognise and analyse new and emerging trends in the study of  English;

C5  engage with and evaluate major philosophies and doctrines and the impact these have   on texts.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1  identify appropriate areas for research;

P2  develop appropriate strategies and research methodologies to address ideas or themes in self-chosen projects;

P3  construct a written argument, using close-reading skills;

P4  assess the relevance of current critical thinking to the interpretation of texts;

P5  employ bibliographic skills appropriate to the discipline, including accurate citation of texts and scholarly conventions of presentation. 

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1  demonstrate well-developed writing skills; 

T2  conduct effective research and evaluate research findings; 

T3  manage and direct their own research project, including effective time management, self-study, drafting and editing; 

T4  participate effectively in group and one-to-one discussions; 

T5  present complex ideas in concise ways; 

T6  reflect upon and analyse their own learning, research and writing.

4. Programme structure

4.1     To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory and optional modules.

Compulsory modules account for a total of 60 credits in Semester 1 and 120 credits in Semester 2 which includes the Dissertation, making a total of the required weighting of 180 credits overall.

4.2       The subjects for the Dissertation module (EAP018) must be approved in advance by the Programme Leader or nominee, and dissertations must be submitted by a specified date in the first half of September. The dissertation should be a maximum of 15,000 words in length.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1      In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements of Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide an encouraging and stimulating environment in which students can develop their creative writing;

• to develop students’ skills in major genres of writing, including scriptwriting, radio writing, prose writing and poetry, and to encourage them to develop specialisms in these.

• to develop students’ critical skills and self-critical skills;

• to give students the opportunity to mix critical and creative writing in new ways;

• to develop students’ research skills, particularly with reference to the kinds of research demanded by creative writing;

• to develop students’ knowledge of contemporary trends in writing and in the writing industries.

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

• The Benchmark Statement for English and for Drama

• The Creative Writing Subject Benchmark Statement

• Framework for High Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

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 research methods relevant to the production of original, creative work;
• contemporary developments in creative writing;
• the usefulness of workshops to develop creative skills;
• key characteristics of the writing industries.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

•  demonstrate an awareness of generic conventions;
•  develop a qualitative framework through which to judge their own and others’ work;
•  understand how to make use of academic research in creative writing;
•  understand how to produce writing in a structured and consistent way

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• demonstrate a capacity to provide constructive feedback on other writers’ work;
• demonstrate an enhanced ability to produce good writing in their chosen genre or genres;
• develop the ability to write self-reflexively about their own work;
• assess the connections between their own work and the current state of the literary marketplace

c. Key transferable skills:

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

•  retrieve relevant information from both electronic and hard-copy sources and evaluate such sources;
•  demonstrate well-developed skills in communicating to an audience, both orally and on paper;
•  demonstrate well-developed writing and inter-personal communication skills;
•  deliver required work to a given brief, format, length and deadline.

4. Programme structure

4.1     To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory modules.  

Compulsory modules account for a total of 60 credits in Semester 1 and 120 credits in Semester 2 including the Dissertation, making a total of the required weighting of 180 credits overall. 

 4.2       The subjects for the Dissertation module (EAP018) must be approved in advance by the Programme Leader or nominee, and dissertations must be submitted by a specified date in the first half of September. The dissertation should be a maximum of 15,000 words in length.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1      In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide an encouraging and stimulating environment in which students can develop their creative writing;

• to develop students’ skills in major genres of writing, including scriptwriting, radio writing, prose writing and poetry, and to encourage them to develop specialisms in these.

• to develop students’ critical skills and self-critical skills;

• to give students the opportunity to mix critical and creative writing in new ways;

• to develop students’ research skills, particularly with reference to the kinds of research demanded by creative writing;

• to develop students’ knowledge of contemporary trends in writing and in the writing industries.

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

• The Benchmark Statement for English and for Drama

• The Creative Writing Subject Benchmark Statement

• Framework for High Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

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 research methods relevant to the production of original, creative work;
• contemporary developments in creative writing;
• the usefulness of workshops to develop creative skills;
• key characteristics of the writing industries.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

•  demonstrate an awareness of generic conventions;
•  develop a qualitative framework through which to judge their own and others’ work;
•  understand how to make use of academic research in creative writing;
•  understand how to produce writing in a structured and consistent way

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• demonstrate a capacity to provide constructive feedback on other writers’ work;
• demonstrate an enhanced ability to produce good writing in their chosen genre or genres;
• develop the ability to write self-reflexively about their own work;
• assess the connections between their own work and the current state of the literary marketplace

c. Key transferable skills:

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

•  retrieve relevant information from both electronic and hard-copy sources and evaluate such sources;
•  demonstrate well-developed skills in communicating to an audience, both orally and on paper;
•  demonstrate well-developed writing and inter-personal communication skills;
•  deliver required work to a given brief, format, length and deadline.

4. Programme structure

4.1     To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory modules.  

Compulsory modules account for a total of 60 credits in Semester 1 and 120 credits in Semester 2 including the Dissertation, making a total of the required weighting of 180 credits overall. 

 4.2       The subjects for the Dissertation module (EAP018) must be approved in advance by the Programme Leader or nominee, and dissertations must be submitted by a specified date in the first half of September. The dissertation should be a maximum of 15,000 words in length.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1      In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide an intellectually stimulating environment and academic context in which critical analysis of written texts is valued;

• to enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of  language and literature through specialist study and research, culminating in their design of a substantial, automonous research project addressing a significant aspect of literary study;

• to extend students’ command and understanding of relevant concepts, theories, cultural contexts, and critical terminology appropriate to specialist areas of English studies;

• to enhance students’ ability to question, appraise, and analyse literature, theory, and research findings;

• to develop students’ skills and competences in a range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of language and literature;

• to nurture students’ enthusiasm and passion for their special subject area and enhance their career and employability skills.

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

• The English Benchmark Statement
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
• SEEC Level Descriptors
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy

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

K1  how different social, historical, and cultural contexts affect the nature of literary forms,  genres, and meaning, textual production and reception;

K2  how key concepts, ideas and concerns in the production and analysis of literary texts alter over time;

K3   contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks, theories, and modes of analysis in literary studies;

K4  the different approaches to texts taken by specialists in different historical periods, literary or linguistic fields;

K5  several specific research areas under academic guidance, including one of their devising;

K6  the different modes of research possible in literary and linguistic study, including digital developments.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1  critically analyse and evaluate literary texts;

C2  critically analyse and evaluate research findings;

C3  apply and adapt conceptual frameworks to literary texts;

C4  recognise and analyse new and emerging trends in the study of  English;

C5  engage with and evaluate major philosophies and doctrines and the impact these have   on texts.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1  identify appropriate areas for research;

P2  develop appropriate strategies and research methodologies to address ideas or themes in self-chosen projects;

P3  construct a written argument, using close-reading skills;

P4  assess the relevance of current critical thinking to the interpretation of texts;

P5  employ bibliographic skills appropriate to the discipline, including accurate citation of texts and scholarly conventions of presentation. 

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1  demonstrate well-developed writing skills; 

T2  conduct effective research and evaluate research findings; 

T3  manage and direct their own research project, including effective time management, self-study, drafting and editing; 

T4  participate effectively in group and one-to-one discussions; 

T5  present complex ideas in concise ways; 

T6  reflect upon and analyse their own learning, research and writing.

4. Programme structure

4.1     To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory and optional modules.

Compulsory modules in Semesters 1 and 2 account for a total of 105 credits , with optional choices in Semesters 1 and 2 accounting for a total of 75 credits, bringing the total number of credits to the required weighting of 180 credits across both semesters.          

4.2       The subjects for the Dissertation module (EAP018) must be approved in advance by the Programme Leader or nominee, and dissertations must be submitted by a specified date in the first half of September. The dissertation should be a maximum of 15,000 words in length.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1      In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2      Students will normally be permitted to proceed to the Dissertation module (EAP018) only after successfully accumulating 120 credit units. 

5.3      Students taking the Dissertation module may also be required to take an oral examination on the work submitted. 

5.4      In accordance with Regulation XXI, candidates who have the right of reassessment in a module will be offered an opportunity to be reassessed in the University’s special assessment period.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme will provide an innovative, high quality and comprehensive training programme to equip

students with knowledge, skills, and expertise to identify and address complex environmental challenges and cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Excellence in research, directly informed by knowledge exchange with end-users, will underpin a multidisciplinary training environment that will support the development of skilled scientists to benefit future science, policy and the economy.

The programme provides transferable management, personal, and research impact skills alongside science and technical skills and will maximise the employability and long-term career prospects of students.

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

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degrees Doctoral Degree Characteristics Statement (QAA)

Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education

(SEEC) Loughborough University Quadrennial Reviews Research Council mid-term review

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

On completion of the PhD studies, students should:

• Lead on the creation, development and implementation of a significant programme of research that will lead to new knowledge disseminated through the production of a PhD thesis;
• have a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of relevant methods and techniques applicable to their research;
• be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• have developed the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• acquire and develop a range of transferable skills beyond those specific to their research field (for example, exposure to the public understanding and engagement of science);
• experience at least one placement in an organisation not directly related to their field of study for a period of at least 2 weeks;
• have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems;
• have knowledge of and be able to apply appropriate methods used in their field;
• be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research; and
• have the ability to report research outcomes in an appropriate way for the intended audience.

4. Programme structure

All students must complete 100 CENTA2 Training credits through participation in CENTA2-provided and ‘free choice’ external training during the programme. A timetable of CENTA2 provided training opportunities will be made available to all students at the start of their studies and is updated each new academic year.

All students must complete a minimum 2-week placement in an organisation not directly related to their field of study. This can be completed at any time during R1, R2 or R3.

Part R1

Students will complete the following:

The following research training activities (on a pass/fail/attendance basis only):

• Students should aim to complete 40 CENTA2 training credits in R1.  
• Attendance at the Speed PhD residential field trip
• Submission of a prospective poster and/or oral presentation at the annual CENTA conference.
• Submission of a research poster or oral presentation at the annual School PGR seminar day (if requested by the School)

Submission of a 1,000-word research report after 6 months (part-time students only)

Submission of a 2,000-word research report at the mid-way point of Part R1 and submission of a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R1 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Part R2

Students will complete the following:

The following research training activities (on a pass/fail/attendance basis):

• Students should aim to complete 60 CENTA2 training credits during parts R2 and R3.
• Submission of a research results poster or oral presentation at the annual CENTA conference (if not completed in R1).
• Submission of a research poster or oral presentation at the annual School PGR seminar day (if requested by the School) 

PhD candidates - Submission of a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R2 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI. Part-time students will also have a mid-Part review as set out in Regulation XXVI,

MPhil candidates: Submission of their formal MPhil thesis for examination in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Part R3

Students will complete the following

The following research training activities (on a pass/fail/attendance basis)

• All students are expected to have completed a total of 100 CENTA2 Training credits by the end of R3
• Submission of a research results poster or oral presentation at the annual CENTA conference (if not completed in R1 or R2).
• Submission of a research poster or oral presentation at the annual School PGR seminar day (if requested by the School)

Submission of a written report detailing the plan for submission (mid-Part report, expected 12 months into R3 for full-time students and at 12 months and 24 months into R3 for part-time students).

At the end of R3, submission of a formal PhD thesis for examination in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

To progress from Part R1 to Part R2 and from Part R2 to Part R3 and to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the assessment requirements set out in Regulation XXVI. Candidates must complete all the requirements for each Part outlined above in order to progress to the next Part. If an end of Part report does not meet the standards required for progression, candidates may undertake further work and resubmit the report on one occasion only in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

The arrangements for revision of final theses which may be required by the examiners are also set out in Regulation XXVI.

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

Not applicable