Programme and Module Specification Review Guidance
Version:
March 2015
Date last
amended:
File name:
Programme and module
Refer to:
Review_Summary_March_2015Final
March 2015
Introduction
This Programme and Module Review Specification Review Guidance contains 3 supporting documents:
(i) Document 1 - Programme and Module Specification Review Summary Pro Forma (Pages 3-5)
(ii) Document 2 - Module Specification Review Checklist (Page 6)
(iii) Document 3 - Programme Specification Review Checklist (Page 7)
Requirement
The University’s annual quality enhancement cycle requires all revised programme and module specifications to
undergo proper scrutiny and review. As part of this annual cycle programme teams must screen proposed changes to
programmes and modules prior to their scrutiny and approval by the FTLC, UTLC, and Senate as well as by validating
institutions.
The process
1. Programme teams: Review programme and module specifications to ensure that the programme structure is
coherent and appropriately benchmarked, ILOs and assessment strategies appropriate and with no duplication
of assessments, material or modules. In addition, programme teams will ensure that feedback from Subject
Advisors, External Examiners, validating institutions, Staff, Students, industry and business has been taken
into consideration.
2. FTLC: Scrutinises and approves programme and module changes and submits to UTLC.
3. UTLC: Reviews and approves programme and module changes and submits to Senate.
4. Senate: Approves revised programme and module specifications.
5. Q&V: Submits revised programme and modules to validating inistutions.
Documentation required
The attached summary pro forma should be completed by the programme team and submitted to both the FTLC and
UTLC with the supporting documentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Curriculum map to show ILO coverage across the programme
Matrix of assessment to show coverage of assessment
Programme specification – current and revised version
Module specifications – current and revised versions
Programme and module review checklists
Programme and module review summary pro forma
1
Guidance on completion of the summary pro formas
All changes must be identified by the programme team and a rationale provided. Changes to programme or module
specifications will include, but not be limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Changes to ILOs.
Changes in content including freedom of modular choice.
Changes in structure.
Changes in progression and degree qualification regulations and rules.
Changes in the sequence of delivery of modules be it within a study year or between levels.
The creation of new modules or amendments to existing modules.
The introduction of a different type of assessment.
Changes to assessments and assessment strategies.
2
Document 1 - Programme and Module Specification Review Summary Pro Forma
Section 1 – Programme details
Programme title:
Revised version number:
FTLC scrutiny members:
Date of review 1:
Date final version agreed:
Section 2 – Key documents
Key document
Approved
Action
required
Comments
Revised programme specification
All module existing and revised module specifications
Assessment matrix for revised programme
ILO matrix for revised programme
Section 3 – Summary of revisions made to the programme specification
(Extend table as required)
#
Key change
Rationale for change
1
2
3
4
5
6
Section 4 – Summary of revisions made to module specifications
(Extend table as required)
Existing
module
code
New
module
code
Key change
Rationale for change
3
Existing
module
code
New
module
code
Key change
Rationale for change
Section 5 – Resources and consultation
Key document
Y/N
Action
required
Comments
Appropriate staffing in place to deliver revised modules based
on projected student numbers
Appropriate classrooms, labs and workshops available
Appropriate software and other learning resources available
Library has been updated of any new requirements
Subject Advisor/Link Tutor has been consulted as appropriate
External Examiner has been consulted if appropriate
4
Section 6 – Staffing requirements to support delivery
(Extend table as required)
This should list all staffing required, academic and administrative, to support programme growth and delivery up to 2013. Please list
all posts that are required by their start date.
Start date
Role
List the start date:
List the month &
year for the start
date
Grade/
Level
Status
New or existing
post?
Identify the grade:
Priority areas for the post
holder
Identify which criteria are
priorities for the post holder:
Academic
TA
Full time
Admin
Assistant Lecturer
Part time
Lecturer
Assistant Prof
Is this a new post
or is it to replace
an existing post
holder? If new
explain,
justification.





UK HE experience
Industrial experience
Research experience
Teaching and learning
experience
Work experience
Prof
Secretary
PA
Section 7 – Approval of revised programme and module specifications
Committee
Date approved
Signature
FTLC
UTLC
Q&V
Senate
5
Document 2 - Module Specification Review Checklist
Module code:
Reviewer:
Date of review 1:
Date final version agreed:
#
Area
Yes
No
Comments
Format
1
Appropriate module specification proforma used with the correct
coming academic year clearly written in top the right hand corner
2
Correct font and size used – Arial 12
3
Headings in bold
4
UK spelling used
Module Information Section
5
All fields filled out correctly
Aims Section
6
Aims clearly and concisely stated
Intended Learning Outcomes Section
7
ILOs clearly and concisely written. All ILOs:
are effective and describe what the student should know,
understand and be able to do on completion of the module, are
specific to the individual module, and are useful to whoever is
reading the module specification
8
Appropriate number of ILOs – not excessive - in each of the
categories as appropriate
Methods of Learning, Teaching and Assessment Section
9
Total student effort required is correct (normally 10 hours per
credit unit)
10
All elements of assessment specified using the agreed specified
assessment types
11
The % of each element of assessment is specified and all
elements add up to 100%
12
Length (in hours) of formal exams is stated
13
Length (in words) of written coursework assignments is stated
14
Assessment is varied, balanced and not excessive i.e.:




There are not too many class based, mid-term examinations
There is a variety of assessment
There is not too much repetition of the same type of assessment, e.g.
modules with only final and mid-term examinations
There is not too much assessment in general
15
Assessment is correctly linked to the ILOs in the module
specifications
Reading List Section
16 Items are current with not more than six items
Relationship to the Programme Specification
17 Do the changes in the module have an impact on the
programme, and if so has the Programme Specification been
adjusted?
6
Document 3 - Programme Specification Review Checklist
Programme title
Reviewer:
Date of review 1:
Date final version agreed:
#
Area
Yes
No
Comments
Format
1
Appropriate programme specification proforma used with the
correct coming academic year clearly written in the right hand
corner
2
Correct font and size used – Arial 12
3
Headings in bold
4
UK spelling used
Programme Information Section
5
All fields filled out correctly
Section 1 - Aims
6
Aims are concise and clear
Section 2 – Subject benchmarks
7
Benchmarks are appropriate and include:
 UKQAA - Benchmark Statements
 NAQAAE – NARS
 Statutory/Regulatory Bodies
Section 3 - Intended Learning Outcomes
8
ILOs clearly and concisely written. All ILOs:
are effective and describe what the student should know,
understand and be able to do on completion of the programme
9
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable ILOs to
be achieved/demonstrated are clearly listed
Section 4 – Programme structure
10 Matches appropriate regulations
Section 5 – Criteria for admission
11 Up to date information is provided
Section 6 – Information about assessment regulations
12 Concise and up to date
Section 7 – Indicators of quality
13 Appropriate indicators listed
Section 8 – Support for learning
14 Support services identified
Section 9 – Methods for evaluating and improving quality
15 Methods identified
Section 10 – Migration strategies
16 Outlines migrations strategies from old to revised versions
7