PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
History
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
Intake from 2012
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
SHS
Parent Department:
School of Slavonic and East European Studies
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
http://www. ucl.ac.uk/ssees
Method of study:
Full time / part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
(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)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/taught/degrees/history-east-european-ma
One year – full time
Two years – part time
Masters Level (Level 7)
N/A
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
The MA in History provides a unique range of options in the history of
Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe from the early modern
period to the present. The SSEES area covers lands where mighty
empires and many nations and peoples have interacted and
competed over the centuries: the Russian Empire, the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Ottoman
Empire, the German Empire, and their successor states.
The MA programme is especially rich in courses exploring the
relationship between power and culture, offers a wide range of
thematic and chronological courses on historical topics and related
subjects, as well as the optional study of a language of the region.
Students are encouraged to choose a range of courses that is as
diverse in geography as it is varied in approach.
Students must take 180 credits in total: 120 credits of which are
taught courses. The taught courses comprise a total of 30 credits for
the core Historical Methods and Approaches course, and 90 credits
from a list of available papers (at least 45 credits must be from history
courses). In addition, all students must undertake a free-standing
dissertation worth 60 credits and a Dissertation Preparation Module
(0 credits)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ssees/prospective-students/postgraduatetaught/history-ma
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
SSEES MA Umbrella Board of Examiners
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme introduces theoretical approaches to the study of history as a discipline, and help students develop
transferable skills. It offers courses in the history of Russia, central, eastern and south-eastern Europe, including
Germany, but all students have access to courses covering an extensive chronological and geographical range,
available within the college and through intercollegiate arrangements.
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:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Aspects of the history of Central &
Eastern Europe
Dissertation preparation, requiring research on aspects
of the history of Central and Eastern Europe. Supported
by 15-credit optional module.
Knowledge and Understanding of
research methodologies
Knowledge and Understanding of a
language of the region
Introduction to historical methods and approaches,
pertinent to Masters level study.
Acquisition of language skills
Assessment:
Assessment of dissertation, weighted to give priority to
research skills and knowledge. Assessment by
coursework of understanding of research
methodologies. Assessment of content understanding
and language-acquisition skills
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Ability to integrate knowledge obtained
from a variety of sources within a broad
conceptual framework.
Through dissertation preparation and through
compulsory skills-based module, which develops critical
reasoning and intellectual capacities.
Assessment:
Through dissertation and coursework assessment.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Language learning and intercultural
citizenship
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Communicate in a language of the region as preliminary
to enhanced intercultural awareness
Assessment:
Examination of language skills
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Effective research skills, suitable for PhD
work or advanced research outside the
academic sector
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All of the above
Assessment:
All of the above
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.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 by UCL
and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr Bojan Aleksov
Date of Production:
2015
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
5 October 2015
Jan Kubik, 23 September 2015
Anne White, 4 October 2015
October 2015