PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Engineering for International Development (EFID)
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc/PG Diploma
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2015 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Engineering
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Departmental web page address:
http://www.cege.ucl.ac.uk
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Full time/Part time/Flexible
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
2:1 in relevant subjects such as engineering, architecture, geography,
urban planning, mathematics.
Length of the programme:
UCL standard requirements for language
1 year full time, 2 year part time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7
NA
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Students will take 8 core courses and submit a 10000 word
dissertation.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
ICE
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This MSc program will expose engineers and built environment students and professionals to the challenges and
complexities of working in a global context, and equip them with necessary skills and knowledge and to place these
in the frameworks and paradigms in which they might work. Students will be exposed to the ethical dilemmas that
engineering professionals face when working for governments, non-governmental organisations or International
Financial Institutions. Some of the tensions might exist between serving these organisations and serving local
communities as clients. Given the gap in infrastructure provision as highlighted previously this programme will
discuss the provision of sustainable and resilient infrastructure in low-middle income countries.
This MSc program aims to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to:
1. Understand infrastructure delivery and design processes in resource limited settings
2. Mobilise technical expertise to develop solutions in a global context
3. Engage with local stakeholders effectively
4. Tackle engineering challenges in a sustainable way
5. Think critically about the role of the engineer and the dilemmas of serving multiple potential clients
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Understand infrastructure delivery and
design processes in resource limited
settings
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures, group projects, workshops, Guest speakers,
field trip
Assessment:
Coursework, exams, essays and dissertation
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Think critically about the role of the
engineer and the dilemmas of serving
multiple potential clients
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Group projects, workshops, Role play in class room
Assessment:
Coursework, group project report, classroom
participation
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Mobilise technical expertise to develop
solutions in a global context
2. Engage
with
local
stakeholders
effectively
3. Tackle engineering challenges in a
sustainable way
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Collaborative project, Engineers Without Borders
projects, Know Before You Go (KNBY) Workshop
Assessment:
Collaborative report and presentation, dissertation,
participation in KBYG
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Scientific writing, critical thinking, team
work, communication, adapting to nontypical settings
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Group projects with Engineers Without Borders, Field
trip to CAT Wales.
Assessment:
Project work, dissertation
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This 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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr. Priti Parikh
Name(s):
Date of Production*:
September, 2014
Date of Review:
March 2016
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
January 2015
January 2015
* Note: this should be date the programme specification was first created. The dates of review and approval by
the Head of Department, DTC and FTC should be the most recent dates, as part of the Annual Monitoring
process (see the AM Guidelines). The latter two may be approved by Chair’s action.