UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Burnley College
3. University Department/Centre
School of Art, Design and Fashion
4. External Accreditation
5. Title of Final Award
HND Furniture: Design & Make
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full and Part Time
7. UCAS Code
24WJ
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
9. Other external influences
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
11. Aims of the Programme
February 2014
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to provide an educational foundation for appropriately qualified students.
to develop their future careers in a number of related but diverse directions.
to develop an understanding of the design processes which will contribute to the improvement of
our living environment.
to develop an awareness of the importance of the ecological issues facing the human race and
the particular responsibilities of those using renewable and non-renewable resources.
to develop students' abilities in coping with the various constraints imposed on them in providing
viable design solutions to economic technological and social problems.
to provide a basis, through appropriate achievement, for continuing education and career
development
to provide students with the necessary skills, vocational, intellectual and personal, to be effective
in immediate employment
to allow students to develop into Furniture designer/makers/producers
to develop the students' powers of analysis and synthesis in relation to the formulation of design
solutions
to broaden the students' outlook, through the course of study, to the application of gained skills to
areas other than paid employment
The use of appropriate teaching and learning strategies as detailed in the modules will be important in
the success of the achievement of these aims.
The course is designed to include flexible routes to achievement for the various possible career
progressions and continuing education.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Explain design processes that will contribute to the improvement of our living environment.
A2. Evaluate constraints and develop strategies for the application of viable design solutions.
A3. Apply appropriate furniture making skills to resolve design or production problems.
A4. Apply innovation to the resolution of design/production problems.
A5. Explain the importance of designing and manufacturing with sensitivity to issues surrounding
sustainability.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Throughout the course there is a balance of theoretical and practical studies. Teaching is student
centered and project based, with the complexity and scope of the project work increasing throughout
the course. A variety of methods are employed including lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussions,
group activities, on-line learning and individual contact with staff in the workshops and design studios.
Assessment methods
Each module is assessed through a combination of coursework and practical work. Project work,
assignments, tests, presentations and end of module examination may be used.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Apply practical making skills using hand tools, power tools and machinery.
B2. Undertake research in materials, construction, techniques, designers, designer/makers, bespoke
furniture, batch production, and mass production.
B3. Apply design principles to a specified brief.
B4. Produce furniture designs within time and cost constraints.
B5. Apply safe machine workshop practices.
B6. Apply finishing materials to completed furniture pieces.
B7. Generate and record ideas, research and design solutions visually through two and threedimensional forms.
B8. Use sketchbooks to record observations of areas of interest.
B9. Plan, draw and colour render design drawings.
B10. Use a broad range of specialist materials and processes to express ideas and realise creative
intentions.
B11. Identify and explain the function of a range of hand, power and machine tools.
B12. Identify and describe the characteristics of materials commonly used in furniture making.
B13. Apply conventions used in technical drawing.
B14. Produce accurate working drawings using hand and computer aided methods
B15. Explain upholstery frame construction.
B16. Undertake traditional and modern upholstery techniques.
Teaching and Learning Methods
 The delivery process is primarily workshop and design studio based, with complementary studies
in Design, Visual Communication, Materials, Manufacturing production and Production
Technology based on workshops, lectures and student centered learning, including tutor
supported use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
 Learning support material may come from the tutor and by research in the Learning Resource
Centre, libraries, and via the Internet (VLE).
 Integration of theory and practice will be achieved and student centered learning experiences
facilitated through project work.
 Health and Safety requirements in the workshops will necessitate direct tutor supervision.
 Project briefs will be discussed and explained and ‘Design & Making’ project briefs will be
negotiated and agreed with the tutor to facilitate aims and learning outcomes of the relevant
module.
 Individual projects and assignments will progress from being staff-determined to being negotiated
with the student.
Assessment methods
The learning outcomes will be assessed through continuous assessment of workshop practice and on
completion of projects.
Main assessment times are shown on the year plan given to all students, and assessment dates for
individual projects are shown on project briefs.
Distribution, identification and weighting of assessment criteria are shown on individual project briefs.
Criteria may vary depending on individual project aims. Criteria and weighting of marks will be clearly
communicated to students.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Apply planning and research skills and organise and manipulate information.
C2. Present, explain and summarise historical and contextual information.
C3. Apply skills of critical appraisal and analysis.
C4. Present and communicate ideas, research, and design solutions verbally and in written form.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Self and peer evaluation, critiques, discussion and tutorial support centred on Personal Development
Planning plays a central role in development of intellectual skills and skills in problem solving and
innovation.
Assessment methods
Intellectual skills are assessed through formal examination (student delivered seminar presentations
and essays), critiques, and learner generated documentation relevant to project work (evaluations,
logs of processes).
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Application of design skills that have a marketable, commercial value.
D2. Appreciation of the links between design concepts in the commercial market and modern
production environments
D3. Awareness of the constraints placed upon design concepts to ensure commercial value in the
current market.
D4. Application of skills in marketing and promotion.
D5. Production of a business plan.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The delivery process will be classroom based, with an opportunity for students to conduct selfdirected research. Students will devise their own business plan, working to an agreed format
The summation of the programme will be by an oral presentation to the tutor, another member of staff
and peers. NB Discretion will have to be exercised here due to the possible private nature of
the business plan.
Assessment methods
The learning outcomes will be assessed through continuous assessment and on completion of
projects. Main assessment times are shown on the year plan given to all students, and assessment
dates for individual projects are shown on project briefs.
Distribution, identification and weighting of assessment criteria are shown on individual project briefs.
Criteria may vary depending on individual project aims. Criteria and weighting of marks will be clearly
communicated to students.
Learner presentations (oral and in one-to-one interview) are assessed as detailed in individual project
briefs.
13. Programme Structures*
14. Awards and Credits*
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
Level 5
FD2201
FD2202
FD2203
FD2204
Visual Communication 2
Design Analysis 2
CAD/CAM
Production methods and
Techniques 2
Project (40 credits)
Design and Make 2
20
20
20
20
Visual Communication 1
Design Analysis 1
Materials Technology
Production methods and
Techniques1
Furniture Design and Make 1
Business, Planning and Marketing
Production Science and Technology
20
20
20
20
FD2205
FD2206
Level 4
FD1201
FD1202
FD1203
FD1204
FD1205
FD1206
FD1207
Credit
rating
HND Requires 240 credits
including a minimum of 80 credits
at Level 5 or above.
40
20
20
20
20
15. Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is ongoing with scheduled input through provision of a weekly tutorial
hour. Learners are encouraged to record academic learning and development and skills development.
Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in self-reflection, target setting, action planning and
monitoring.
Included in tutorial provision are induction activities, personal tutoring (one to one), visits and trips
focused on engagement with the workplace and professional progression and surgeries in academic
skills based on individual need and the needs of the cohort.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
1 GCSE ‘A’ level in appropriate subject plus 4 GCSE A, B or C grade or equivalent;
BTEC National Diploma in Furniture Studies or;
BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design or;
GNVQ Art and Design or;
NVQ Level 3 Furniture Studies or;
City and Guilds Advances Furniture Studies or;
Demonstrable relevant experience and commitment demonstrated through interview.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire Student Handbook
Module and Project Descriptions Booklets
Burnley College Prospectus
Burnley College Website
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Core
Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
(C),
Comp.
(COMP)
or
Option
(O)
Knowledge and
understanding
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
A1
FD2201
Visual Communication 2
FD2202
Design Analysis 2
FD2203
CAD/CAM
FD2204
FD2205
Production methods and
Techniques 2
Project (40 credits
FD2206
Design and Make 2
FD1201
Visual Communication 1
FD1202
Design Analysis 1
FD1203
Materials Technology
FD1204
FD1205
Production methods and
Techniques
Furniture Design and Make
FD1206
Workplace Module
FD1207
Production science and
Technology
Business, Planning and
Marketing
FD1208
Note:
A2
A3
A4
Subject-specific Skills
A5
B1B6
B7B10
B11
B12
B13
B14
B15
B16
Thinking Skills
C1
C2
C3
C4
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Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal
development
D1
D2
D4
D5
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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