Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

Within English the programme aims to:

• encourage in students a sense of enthusiasm for the study of English and foster engagement with reading, writing and visual sources, through a broad and diverse curriculum;
• encourage students to reflect critically upon acts of writing and reading in English, and on the history of textual production and reception;
• promote understanding of verbal creativity and appreciation of the aesthetic features of literary and non-literary texts;
• enable students to think independently, reason critically, analyse different forms of discourse, and weigh the importance of alternative arguments and perspectives;
• instill in students advanced competence in oral and written communication;
• develop a range of subject specific and generic skills of value in graduate employment, including highly developed critical, analytical and research skills. 

Within Sport Science the programme aims to:

• provide students with a broad understanding of the importance of Sport and Physical Education through a scientific, social, political and ethical lens;
• focus on integrated and multidisciplinary content, which allow students to develop their understanding of physical and psychological development and its impact on participation and performance in Sport and /or Physical Education;
• advance students’ understanding of the breadth of disciplines, such as Psychology, Physiology, Physical Activity/Sport and Health, Sociology, Skill Acquisition and Sport Pedagogy, which support a variety of potential careers in Sport and/or Education.
• provide students with real world practice, experiences and practical opportunities relating to Sport and Physical Education contexts.

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

• The QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for English
• The QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Leisure and Sport
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
• Science and Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences teaching and learning policies.
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
• The Association for Physical Education (afPE)

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: 

K 1.        distinctive characteristics of the different literary genres of fiction, poetry, drama and other kinds of writing and communication;

K 2.        a range of authors and texts from different periods of history;

K 3.        the role of critical traditions in shaping literary history, and the importance of the linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature is written and read;

K 4.        the appropriate and precise use of critical, linguistic and stylistic terminology;

K 5.        understanding the range and variety of contemporary approaches to literary study which may include creative practice and its origin.

and within the Sport Science portion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  

K 6.        key subject specific terminology, concepts, skills and models in underpinning disciplines;

K 7.        the key principles, techniques, strategies and skills associated with various sports, dance, games and gymnastic activities;

K 8.        the associations among societal and political developments, and research, policy and practice;

K 9.        key psychological (e.g. motivation), social (e.g. equity and inclusion) and health (e.g. sport injuries, depression, obesity) issues relating to sport and physical activity and teaching in varied setting and populations;

K 10.     the interactions of the skeletal and muscular structures of the body during human movement, exercise and sport and how these relate to physical activity participation and/or performance (e.g. skill development, physical fitness, adaptations to training).

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1.        use critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts;

C2.        show sensitivity to generic conventions and to the shaping effects on communication of circumstance, authorship, textual production and intended audience;

C3.         demonstrate awareness of how different social and cultural contexts affect judgments about the nature of language and literature;

C4.         show understanding of the critical and theoretical models that apply to their studies;

appreciate the central role of language in the creation of meaning;

C5.         demonstrate advanced and effective research and bibliographic skills, including the ability to access, work with and evaluate digital sources;

C6.         present cogent and persuasive arguments both in written and oral form and be able to respond to a range of texts through creative or analytical writing.

and within the sport science portion of the programme, students should be able to:  

C7.         demonstrate pedagogical skills in various sports, games and gymnastic activities;

C8.         critically evaluate pedagogical concepts, theories and philosophies and the impact of these on learning and teaching;

C9.         apply and critique a variety of assessment methods and approaches employed within Sport and Physical Education contexts;

C10.      critically analyse their own and others’ ability to plan, communicate and participate, deliver, evaluate and reflect on teaching sessions;

C11.      apply knowledge and understanding of evidence, policy and practice based facts, concepts,

principles and theories to critically examine and debate national and global pedagogical, social and health problems and issues;

C12.      apply knowledge and understanding of applied sport science including physical activity and health and principles of training and measurement.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T 1.             demonstrate advanced literacy, oral and written communication skills;

T 2.             demonstrate advanced analytical skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;

T 3.             understand and be able to interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh the importance of alternative perspectives;

T 4.             show the capacity to adapt and transfer the critical methods of English and Sport Science disciplines to a variety of working, professional environments;

T 5.             work independently and in groups, demonstrating high standards of academic scholarship and conduct to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals, and evaluate outcomes.

4. Programme structure

4.1 Part A 

Compulsory Modules (Total modular weighting 100 credits)

4.2 Part B

Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in each subject area across Part B.

Students must choose 20-credits from the list of Group 1 modules.The remaining credits may be chosen from modules in Groups 1, 2 and 3 over semesters 1 and 2 of which a maximum of 20 can be from Group 3.

Group 1  (total modular weight 20 credits)

English Optional Modules 

Group 2

Group 3 - (Maximum 20 credits)

Sport Science Modules

Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in each subject area across Part B.

Compulsory Module (Total Modular Weighting 20 Credits)

4.3 Part I 

Four Year Sandwich Programme (DPS/DinTS) route

Candidates will undertake an approved placement leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies or Diploma in International Studies.

4.4 Part C

Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in each subject area across Part C.

Students may also choose to do a Dissertation in English, concentrating on any topic in English, or some aspect of the connection between English and Sport Science (eg. the literature/language/cultural representation of sport).  

English Optional Modules

Sport Science Modules

Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in each subject area across Part C.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.

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

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