PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA Central and South East European Studies
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:
From 2012 entry
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
SHS
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
School of Slavonic and East European Studies
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ssees.ucl.ac.uk
(if applicable)
Method of study:
The programme can be taken either full-time or part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/taught/degrees/central-south-east-europeanstudies-ma
One calendar year full-time, two years 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)
Masters Level (Level 7)
N/a
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
Students must take 120 credits of taught courses (assessed by either
coursework and/or written exam) and submit a dissertation
(10-12,000 words), which is worth 60 credits.
(see guidance notes)
The programme requires that students complete at least one of
three courses on relevant theories and methods. All SSEES MA
students are required to attend a Dissertation Preparation
Module.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ssees/prospective-students/graduatetaught/central-south-east-european-studies-ma
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
SSEES MA Umbrella Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
Students develop an advanced knowledge of Central and South-Eastern Europe from a multidisciplinary perspective,
focusing on aspects of history, politics and culture. They develop generic research skills, interdisciplinary and
discipline specific research skills, area specific research skills and language skills oriented towards carrying out
research in the region.
The programme aims:
a) to provide students with knowledge and understanding of Central and South-Eastern Europe from a
multidisciplinary perspective and at an intellectually demanding level, and is designed for students who have little or
no prior experience of the study of Central and South-Eastern Europe as well as those who have undertaken Central
and South-East European studies at BA level;
b) to enhance students’ understanding of the ways in which these disciplines interrelate;
c) to introduce students to, and/or enhance students’ mastery of, skills essential for research in their chosen
discipline(s), and to enable students to carry on to doctoral research;
d) to give students opportunity for training in and application of these skills;
e) to develop allied skills of self-expression and communication;
f) to enable students to follow careers that draw on the skills and expertise gained through the MA.
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:
1. How to engage critically with materials
in the domains of politics, history, and
culture. To solve problems of conflicting
sources or interpretations, locate primary
and secondary materials, use research
aids and resources (such as library,
archive, on-line catalogues and
inventories) effectively.
1, 2, and 3: Through seminars and classes. Students are
required to attend all classes, study extensively on their
own, prepare presentations for class discussion and
complete assessed and non-assessed course-work as
directed. Use of sources will also be developed through
the optional SSEES-based course Research Skills for
Area Studies.
4: Through specialist language classes.
2. The broad context of theoretical
writings on and approaches to the study
of the chosen disciplines; also necessary
technical skills (bibliographical notation,
transliteration).
5: The dissertation is an independent piece of research
undertaken with guidance from a supervisor in outlining
the topic and planning the work.
3. Aspects of the history, politics, and
culture of Central and South-Eastern
Europe.
4. Optionally a course in one of the
languages of Central and South-Eastern
Europe.
5. In-depth knowledge and understanding
of the topic chosen for the dissertation.
Assessment:
Students are assessed by a variety of methods: including
‘unseen’ examinations, long essays, course work and a
dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
The programme aims to help students:
a) to be rigorous and critical in their
assessment of historical, political and
cultural phenomena
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of a) and b) is fostered in all courses offered
in the programme: all courses introduce information that
requires critical evaluation and present students with
conflicting assessments arising from the same material.
Students are encouraged to offer constructive critiques
and discussion of each other’s findings.
b) to question interpretations, to take an
independent approach to cultural,
historical and political problems, and to
be aware of their own values and
assumptions
Assessment:
Assessment is carried out through ‘unseen’
examinations, long essays, course work and a
dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
This programme aims to help students
with the following practical skills:
a) effective communication in writing and
improvement of their mastery of written
English;
b) as an option, acquisition of knowledge
of a language of Central and SouthEastern Europe;
c) use of data bases, digital resources,
word-processing programmes and audiovisual materials;
d) presentation of non-assessed seminar
papers;
e) comprehension and discussion of ideas
introduced in seminars;
f) practice of research techniques in
varying contexts;
g) development of time-management and
work-organization skills;
h) independent choice of long essay and
dissertation topics;
i) flexibility in structuring written work in
the light of new information discovered
while preparing it.
a) through the writing of long essays and dissertations
b) through intensive language teaching by specialist staff
c) through instruction and consultation with tutors and
library staff
d) through regular seminar presentations
e) through seminar discussion
f) through work in libraries and collections
g) through the setting of clear deadlines for the
completion of tasks and the submission of written work
h) & i) through advice to and discussion with students
These skills are fostered in the work of all the constituent
courses.
Assessment
a)-(c), (f)-(i) by ‘unseen’ examination, long essays,
course work, oral examination and dissertation. (d) & (e)
are not formally assessed in the programme.
D: Skills and other attributes
D Transferable skills
The programme will encourage students
to:
a) write good essays and dissertations;
b) optionally, learn a new foreign
language;
c) use computer resources and
information technology
d) present material orally;
e) listen and contribute in discussion;
f) be open to ideas, attitudes & values
different from their own, and use these to
reflect on their own values and
assumptions;
g) study and process a wide variety of
written and digital materials;
h) make original contributions to
scholarship by following through their
ideas;
i) assess evidence for themselves and
challenge previous interpretations;
j) learn to engage positively with other
individuals in group situations, to be
aware of group dynamics and the skills
(tact, flexibility, supportiveness) required
for collaborative and collective work.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
a) long essays, course work, dissertation
b) classes with specialist teachers
c) submitting word-processed written work; using data
bases, web sites, on-line resources
d) -j) preparation for and participation in seminars and
classes and work on the dissertation
Assessment:
(a)-(c), (f)-(i) by ‘unseen’ examination, long essays,
course work, oral examination and dissertation. (d), (e)
and (j) are not formally assessed on this programme.
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 annually by
UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Tim Beasley-Murray
Name(s):
Date of Production:
Date of Review:
2 September 2015
Date approved by Head of
Jan Kubik, 23 September 2015
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Anne White, 14 September 2015
October 2015