UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
1. Awarding Institution / Body
The University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
3. School
The University of Central Lancashire: Preston campus
4. External Accreditation
School of Language, Literature and International
Studies
British Council Accreditation
5. Title of Final Award
Cert HE in Academic English (Stage 2)
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full time
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
9. Other external influences
Common European Framework for Languages
10. Date of production/revision of
this form
11. Aims of the Programme
Cambridge UCLES / IELTS
British Council
June 2013

To improve students’ communicative competence in English by focussing on key language
skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening;

To improve students’ competence in academic English by focussing on the requirements of
academic reading, writing, speaking and listening;

To prepare students effectively for the demands of their future undergraduate or
postgraduate degree course, by introducing them to a wide range of genres and activity
types characteristic of academic study; enable them to practice these effectively at the
standards required by UK universities in preparation for their future course;

To introduce students to the language, genres and academic conventions and practices of
particular areas of study relevant to their future degree programme;

To increase students’ knowledge of aspects of contemporary culture and civilization,
including topics in the field of science, economics, technology, arts and humanities,
relevant to their future degree programmes;

To increase students’ confidence, ability and willingness to participate effectively in
individual and group work, discussion and debate in multicultural learning contexts;

To help them become independent critical thinkers and learners, capable of taking
responsibility for their future studies and their own intellectual development; help them
develop reflective skills in order to identify personal strengths and weaknesses and devise
an action plan to assist their own progress;

To raise students’ competence in a range of transferable skills required for successful
progress at undergraduate/postgraduate level, as well as for future employment.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Knowledge of English language and English for Academic Purposes at the appropriate level
(upper-intermediate and advanced)
A2. Knowledge of appropriate use and cultural conventions of language in context (social &
academic)
A3. Knowledge and understanding of aspects of culture, civilization and science, including topics
in areas related to future degree programme
A4. Knowledge of study skills and conventions used in UK HE
Teaching and Learning Methods
Class work, lectures, seminar discussion, oral presentations, note-taking, essay writing, guided
independent study, portfolio work
Assessment methods
Written examinations and tests; practical assessments (assessed oral presentations & seminar
discussion); coursework: assessed essays and portfolios of independent work
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Confidence in using the English language across the target academic language skill areas
(understanding & producing oral and written academic English as appropriate)
B2. Increased confidence in using English language in a subject-specific area
B3. Learner strategies for dealing with unknown areas of language and communication
B4. Basic research skills relevant to future degree programme.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Class work, lectures, seminar discussion, oral presentations, note-taking, essay writing, guided
independent study, portfolio work
Assessment methods
Written examinations and tests; practical assessments (assessed oral presentations & seminar
discussion); coursework: assessed essays and portfolios of independent work
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Ability to formulate and adhere to a personal action plan in order to pursue independent study
C2. Ability to engage in self-evaluative and critical practice
C3. Ability to engage in skill transfer
Teaching and Learning Methods
Class work, lectures, seminar discussion, oral presentations, note-taking, essay writing, guided
independent study, portfolio work
Assessment methods
Written examinations and tests; practical assessments (assessed oral presentations & seminar
discussion); coursework: assessed essays and portfolios of independent work
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Develop skills in reflecting on personal strengths and weaknesses; using past learning
experience to promote independent learning skills
D2. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in order to solve problems, ability to set
and pursue goals and work against deadlines
D3.Increased abilities and confidence in the area of communicative competence, intercultural
communication and interpersonal skills
Teaching and Learning Methods
Class work, lectures, seminar discussion, oral presentations, note-taking, essay writing, guided
independent study, portfolio work
Assessment methods
Written examinations and tests; practical assessments (assessed oral presentations & seminar
discussion); coursework: assessed essays and portfolios of independent work
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 4
14. Awards and Credits*
Module
Code
EF1422
Module Title
Credit
rating
Academic Reading & Writing 2
20
EF1423
Academic Reading & Writing 3
20
Cert HE in Academic English
(Stage 2)
Requires 120 credits at level 4 or
above
EF1412
Academic Listening & Speaking 2
20
EF1413
Academic Listening & Speaking 3
20
EF1402
English Grammar and Vocabulary for
Academic Study 2
20
English Grammar and Vocabulary for
Academic Study 3
15. Personal Development Planning
20
EF1403
PDP will be implemented through the Academic Reading & Writing modules and the Academic
Listening & Speaking modules, which include a substantial component of general study skills practice,
aimed at giving international students the necessary key skills required to succeed in a UK university,
as well as encouraging them to reflect on their progress and possibilities for improvement. All modules
encourage collaboration and team-work, as well as independent learning style. They develop written
and oral communication skills, research and IT skills, and aim to increase students’ confidence in
themselves, their ability to work efficiently and in an organized manner under time constraints, and
thus prepare them effectively for their chosen degree path.
16. Admission 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.
Admission criteria
Completion of Higher Education / A Levels or equivalent AND
A minimum score of IELTS 5 in all skills, OR
An equivalent score in an internationally recognised English Language examination or the UCLAN
English language entrance test
17. Key sources of information about the programme


Fact sheet
School of LLIS webpages
18. Curriculum Skills Map
LEVEL 4
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compuls
ory
(COMP)
or Option
(O)
Knowledge and
understanding
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
Other skills
relevant to
employability and
personal
development
A1
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
C1
C2
C3
D1
D2
EF1422
Academic Writing & Reading L2
COMP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EF1423
Academic Writing & Reading L3
COMP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EF1412
Academic Listening & Speaking
L2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EF1413
Academic Listening & Speaking
L3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EF1402
Grammar & Vocabulary for
Academic Study L2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EF1403
Grammar & Vocabulary for
Academic Study L3
D3
X
COMP
X
COMP
X
COMP
COMP
X