PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA Transnational Studies
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
Postgraduate Diploma available as stopping off point for students
completing the taught elements.
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2012 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Social and Historical Sciences
Parent Department:
History
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
www.ucl.ac.uk/history
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time or Part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
2.1 degree in relevant arts and humanities or social sciences
discipline
Length of the programme:
1 year
(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)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 7: Masters
There is no relevant subject benchmark statement at M level
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
Structure:
The programme comprises the following 4 elements:
(see guidance notes)
1
A compulsory core course comprising a 15 credit research
skills module and a 15 credit theoretical module: ‘Transnational
Approaches’ (30 credits total)
2.
A compulsory 15 credit language module (15 credits)
3
Optional modules of study chosen from a range offered by
the Departments of History, Anthropology, Geography, Hebrew and
Jewish Studies and the School of Slavonic and East European
Studies, School of European Languages and Culture and the Centre
for International Health and Development. (45 credits total)
4
A research dissertation of 15,000 words (90 credits).
Assessment:
1 and 3 will be assessed mainly by coursework, with an examination
in the theoretical module of the core course. 2 will be assessed by
examination.
Board of Examiners:
i) Name of Board of Examiners:
History Graduate Board of Examiners
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This degree programme will take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the transnational movement of ideas,
people and goods as well as the causes and consequences of globalisation in historical as well as contemporary
perspective. Students will familiarise themselves with the work of transnational agents and organisations.
It aims to enable students to acquire relevant research skills and a critical awareness and understanding of current
problems and/or new insights in the field of transnational studies, resulting in a substantial piece of transnational
research.
It will equip students either for further academic study of transnational developments or for careers with international
organisations, the development sector and Non-Governmental Organisations.
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:
1.A body of knowledge relating to the
process of globalisation, and the
impact of transnationality on social,
cultural and economic life.
2.The use of different disciplines in
addressing transnational issues.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquired through the compulsory core course
‘Transnational Approaches’ and option modules in
various disciplines. Teaching will be by means of
lectures and seminar discussions. Guest lecturers from
NGS will contribute to the ‘Transnational Approaches’
core module.
Assessment: Students will be assessed by a variety of
methods including ‘unseen’ examinations, oral
presentation, written course work and a research
dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The programme aims to help students
learn to
These skills will be developed throughout the
programme by means of the core courses and option
modules and the final dissertation.
1. Evaluate evidence including that
from conflicting sources
2. Evaluate current research and
advanced scholarship in the
disciplines studied
3. Deal with complex issues
systematically and creatively
4. Evaluate new methodologies and
develop critiques of them
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by a variety of methods
including ‘unseen’ examinations, written course work and
a research dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Practise appropriate research
techniques in one or more disciplines
2. Acquire a knowledge of a foreign
language
3.
Demonstrate
self-direction
and
originality in tackling and solving problems
Transferable skills (able to):
1. Plan and execute an independent
research project;
2. Present the results of their
research in written and oral form;
3. Take responsibility for their own
independent learning;
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Research skills will be taught by means of the
compulsory core module.
2.Students will be required to take a 15 credit module in
a relevant foreign language. Depending on the student’s
interests and level of existing language competence, this
may take the form of improving fluency in an existing
language, or commencing a new language ab initio.
3. Will be acquired through participation in seminars and
in coursework and the dissertation.
Assessment:
1 and 3: Assessed through coursework essays and the
dissertation
2: Assessed by written/oral examination
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 and 3: The dissertation will be supported by
individual expert supervision as well as group
workshops on research methods.
2 and 4: Students will be expected to give
presentations and contribute to discussion in
seminars for the option courses. They will also
present their research topic at a student conference
in the summer term.
4. Participate constructively in
debates and discussions.
Assessment:
1 and 3 will be mainly assessed by means of the
dissertation.
2 will be assessed through coursework essays, the
dissertation and a presentation on the research topic.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A1.aspx);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A2.aspx);
 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 Axel Körner
Name(s):
Date of Production:
March 2011
Date of Review:
July 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee