PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION :
1
2
3
BA with Industrial Experience
9
Awarding Institution:
School(s)/Teaching Institution:
Programme accredited/validated
by:
Final Award(s):
Programme Title:
UCAS Code (if relevant):
FHEQ Level of Final Award(s):
QAA Subject Benchmarking
Group:
Date of Production/Revision:
10
Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
4
5
6
7
8
University of Exeter
University of Exeter Business School
BA (Hons)
xxxx with Industrial Experience
H
(as appropriate for main subject)
June 2009
The programmes ‘with Industrial Experience’ are studied over four years and are University-based for years
1, 2 and 4. Year 3 is spent on an approved work placement. The programme comprises 480 credits,
divided into units of study (modules) which have credits ratings of either 15 or 30 credits. The year on
placement equates to 120 credits at level 3. Students taking the Honours degree may take no more than
150 credits of level 1 modules and no fewer than 210 credits of level 3 modules.
The programmes will follow the structure of the three-year BA programme, with a year’s placement
following Year 2.
Assessment at Stage 1 does not contribute towards the overall mark for the degree programme, although
an overall pass is necessary for progression to Stage 2. Students are normally required to achieve a
minimum overall weighted average of 50% in Year 1 to progress to the industrial experience placement
(some placements may required an average of 60%). The overall classification for the degree is calculated
from the marks for Stages 2, 3 and 4, which are weighted 4:2:8.
Stage 1
Students study modules in accordance with the specific ‘mother’ programme.
Students who have registered on one of the ‘with Industrial Experience’ programmes will be required to
attend compulsory preparation planning sessions, held during Term 3 of Year 1 [see separate paper].
Stage 2
Students study modules in accordance with the specific ‘mother’ programme.
Students who have registered on one of the ‘with Industrial Experience’ programmes and who have met the
requirement to pass Year 1 with a minimum overall weighted average of 50% in order to remain on the 4
year programme, will be required to attend compulsory preparation planning sessions, held during Terms 2
& 3 of Year 2 [see separate paper].
Stage 3
Module BUS3002 Business School Industrial Experience module (120 credits): Students spend this stage
in an approved placement (to be managed by the Employability Academic Lead and the Placements
Coordinator). The placement year comprises 120 credits at Level 3, with assessment as defined in the
module descriptor.
Stage 4
Students study modules in accordance with the specific ‘mother’ programme.
Ordinarily the School wouldn’t recommend students take the Business Project module as the ILOs would
have been met in the year placement. However students could take this module if the focus of the work is
different or the placement is with a different company. Students may be able to make use of their
experience as part of their dissertation module as long as the dissertation topic doesn’t overlap with the
Year 3 assessment. In all cases such a module choice will require approval (normally given by the
Placements Coordinator) to ensure there is no overlap.
In addition, students will be expected to meet with prospective ‘with industrial experience’ Year 2 students
to describe their experience, and to act as mentor (if appropriate) for a student due to go on a placement.
Further details are available on the School’s website, http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/
Some modules have been designated ‘non-condonable’ by the School for individual BA programmes, and
these constraints will apply also to the programmes ‘with industrial experience’. At each stage (apart from
the placement year), students have the right to choose modules worth up to 30 credits from outside the
Business School.
Modules and other study components can be taken only with the approval of the School (normally given by
the Placements Coordinator and/or Personal Tutor). Option modules are not all available every year;
options are offered each year at the discretion of the School. A module may be taken only if the necessary
prerequisites have been satisfied, if the timetable allows, and if the module or an equivalent module has not
been taken previously.
Whilst everything will be done to support the student in finding a suitable work placement, we cannot
guarantee that each student will be successful in finding an appropriate placement. In such a case, the
student will revert to the three-year version of the programme.
11
Educational Aims of the Programme
In addition to the aims of the mother programme , the programme ‘with Industrial Experience’ aims to
 provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, putting into practice theory
learned during years 1 and 2 of the programme.
 provide the opportunity for students to develop work-related skills
 enrich a student’s understanding of the commercial/business environment
 enhance a student’s employability and employment prospects upon graduation
12 & 13
Programme Outcomes and Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods
The Programme Outcomes, Teaching,
Learning and Assessment methods are
identical to those of the ‘mother’
programme, with the following additions:
On successfully completing the programme, a
graduate should be able to demonstrate:
A

Subject-specific skills
[as indicated in the relevant mother
programme]
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
n/a
Assessment
n/a
B

Core academic skills
Students will learn to apply theoretical
concepts to practical situations
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
These skills will be developed within the context of
the placement.
Assessment
(4-year programme only)
Assessment of the placement will be as described
in the Industrial Experience module
C Personal and key skills




The confidence, maturity and ability to
operate effectively in a business
environment
The key interpersonal skills that graduate
employers value – including verbal and
written communication, problem solving,
leadership, team work, & flexibility.
The ability to appreciate the professional
skills required for different environments
and audiences.
The capacity for reflection and analysis in
relation to personal development
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Personal and key skills will be developed by
studying in a year-long approved work placement
Assessment
Personal and key skills will be assessed as
described in the Industrial Experience module.
The programme broadly conforms to the QAA benchmark statement for the major subject area.
14 Support for Students and Students’ Learning
The Employability Academic Lead, supported by other teaching staff from within the School or from the
Careers and Employability Service, together with the Placements Coordinator, will provide preparatory
support for students on the range of ‘with industrial experience’ programmes, and for those thinking of
transferring onto the 4-year pathway. A number of compulsory and optional sessions will be offered, some
from within the School, others University-wide, that will help students seeking a placement. Students will
be responsible for finding their own placement, although support is provided to help them in the process.
Final approval of each placement must be gained from the Academic Lead. The Academic Lead and the
Placements Coordinator together will determine whether the placement is appropriate and whether it will
provide the opportunity for the student to gain relevant experience and undertake the required assessment.
The Placements Coordinator will also ensure that support systems are in place within the organisation,
including an appropriate lead contact from with the organisation; and that there are satisfactory
mechanisms in place for issues such as Health and Safety, monitoring, and review.
There will be regular contact with the student during the placement year, normally via telephone or
electronic means, but also by a visit, if necessary or if concerns are raised that can’t be dealt with from a
distance. Students will be required to participate in web-based activities and discussions with the rest of
the placement cohort. These sessions will be mediated and monitored by the Academic Lead and the
Placements Coordinator. There will also be regular events to bring together students on placements, to
check on progress, review the year to date, plan for the rest of the placement, and plan for the return to
university.
Each student will have a lead employer contact within the placement organisation who will provide workbased support, maintain contact with the student and the Placements Coordinator, and monitor the
student’s contribution to the workplace.
In accordance with University policy, the University of Exeter Business School has in place a system of
academic and personal tutors for its students. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in
the University’s TQA Manual. The student’s Personal Tutor will continue to support the student during the
placement, including general support, and maintaining contact via, and ensuring continuing regular use of,
the e-pdp system.
At Exeter, the University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the
Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Schools.
The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions. The
library’s resources can be accessed remotely while students are away from campus.
Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses
including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. One of
these is sited within Streatham Court. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke’s
campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University’s campus network.
Additionally, the following units at Exeter between them provide a wide range of student support services:
- Student Counselling Service
- Study Skills Service
- Student Advice Centre (Guild of Students)
- International Office
- Study Abroad Office
- Student Health Centre
- Family Centre (Streatham campus)
- Chaplaincy
- English and Foreign Language Centres
- Disability Resource Centre
The University Careers Advisory service provides expert advice to all students to enable them to plan their
futures, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice
job interviews and CV preparation.
In accordance with University policy, the University of Exeter Business School runs a Student/Staff Liaison
Committee, which allows students to contribute directly to the enhancement of educational and other
provision at discipline level.
[Sections 15-18 are identical to those of the ‘mother’ programme.]
July 2009