PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Bachelor in Arts and Sciences; four Pathways (Science and
Engineering, Health, Societies, Cultures)
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed
here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
UCAS Y000
2012
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts & Humanities
Parent Department:
Arts and Sciences
(the department responsible for the administration of the
programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Full-time
Criteria for admission to the programme:
AAA plus a pass in a further subject at AS, with a broad
portfolio of subjects at AS / A2 equivalent.
IB diploma with 38 overall with a score of 17-18 in three
Higher Level subjects, or other equivalent qualification.
Length of the programme:
3 or 4 years (4 years –programme with study abroad)
(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)
Advanced Level (Level 6)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
No subject benchmark statement available
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment
methods:
See Appendices A and B
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
BASc Board of Examiners with possible Pathway Boards in addition.
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
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To provide a broad programme of study which encompasses a mixture of ‘arts’ and ‘science’ subjects
To enable students to develop broad contextual understanding alongside specialism and progression in
one / two subject areas
To provide students with experience of working across discipline boundaries
To ensure students develop an understanding of the ways in which knowledge is created, interpreted and
applied in a range of contexts (academic, media, industry and business)
To create an academic context in which students to develop a range of skills (team-working; project
management; research; communication) which will explicitly prepare them for future employment
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. Key methods, concepts and
intellectual trends within at least
two fields of study.
2. Concepts and methods
associated with an
interdisciplinary approach to
global issues.
3. Mathematical and statistical skills
necessary to support their working
across disciplines
4. Knowledge and in-depth
understanding of the principle
features of the two chosen subject
areas.
5. Knowledge and understanding of
the skills required for
interdisciplinary study.
6. Concepts, methodologies and
approaches in both arts and
science-based disciplines.
7. Understanding and proficiency
(spoken and written) in one
modern European language.
8. The mechanics of the work-based
environment.
1, 2, 5 & 6. A combination of lectures, seminars,
classes, groupwork and tutorials; key methods and
concepts are introduced in the first and secondyear core modules. Students are expected to
undertake independent reading throughout the
programme.
3. This is delivered through the relevant first year
core module, the level of which is geared to the
students’ prior knowledge of mathematics and
statistics
4. Lectures, seminars, small-group classes,
tutorials and regular (non-assessed) coursework,
with emphasis on group discussions.
7. Delivered through the compulsory modern
language modules in the first, second and final
year. There is additional support provided through
self-access facilities for language learning in the
Language Centre and Language Space. The
Study Abroad Year, when taken, may also provide
total immersion in the target language and culture.
8. Delivered through the compulsory work
placement at the end of the second year, and the
relevant third-year core module.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a combination of
unseen written examinations; assessed
coursework; seminar presentations; groupwork;
project work; reports; and oral examinations for
language skills. Given the wide range of modules
available to students on this degree programme,
the variety of assessment methods potentially
covers the whole range currently offered by UCL.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Reason critically
2. Apply appropriate analytical
concepts from both the arts and
sciences perspectives to issues
within the different fields of
studies.
3. Identify and solve problems.
4. Analyse and interpret.
5. Use interdisciplinary methods to
illuminate understanding of issues
within specific contexts.
6. Demonstrate and exercise
independence of mind and
thought.
Intellectual skills are developed through the
teaching and learning programme outlined above.
Each module, whatever the format of the teaching,
involves discussion of key issues, practice in
applying concepts both orally and in writing,
analysis and interpretation of material, and
feedback sessions for students on work produced.
Assessment:
The different assessment methods used all
emphasise the learner’s ability to demonstrate skills
1-6 above through the production of coherent
written and oral responses to problems and set
tasks.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Retrieve, sift and select
information from a variety of
sources.
2. Plan, undertake and execute an
extended research project.
3. Speak, understand, read and
write at least one modern
language.
4. Apply key analytical methods and
concepts within the chosen fields
of studies, with an emphasis on
the interdisciplinary approach
from both an arts and sciencesbased perspective.
5. Able to work as part of a team.
6. Project planning and management
skills.
7. Quantitative analysis.
8. Able to communicate across
discipline boundaries.
1. All students receive initial guidance on how to
identify, locate and use material available in
libraries, on line and elsewhere.
Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for
each module at the outset.
2. The core modules in Years 1 & 2 prepare
students for their final-year project. Students
also receive individual specialist guidance from
their project supervisor.
3. Throughout their studies, students take classes
in their chosen language(s). The Study Abroad
Year, if taken, may further promote the active
learning of the language to a high level.
4. Analytical and interdisciplinary methods and
concepts are introduced during the first-year
core modules, and then built upon in the
second year. Students will apply these
methods and concepts to their studies within
their chosen field.
5. In Year 1 all students engage in a compulsory
groupwork task with an interdisciplinary focus.
6. In their final year, all students are required to
produce a major research project.
Management skills are developed through the
work placement and the final-year core module.
7. Delivered through the relevant second-year
core module.
8. Fostered by ‘interdisciplinary spine’ of core
modules.
Assessment:
See assessment strategies detailed above.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Structure and communicate ideas
effectively both orally and in
writing.
2. Manage time and work to
deadlines.
3. Participate constructively in
groups.
4. Work independently.
5. Find information and use
information technology, including
statistical analysis.
6. Be self-reliant.
7. Assess the relevance and
importance of the ideas of others.
8. First hand experience of a
workplace environment.
All modules require regular written work, usually in
the form of coursework, essays presentations or
other tasks, and regular feedback on this enables
students to develop their understanding and ability
to express themselves (1). Skill 2 is learnt (rather
than taught) through the management of time to
meet the various and sometimes conflicting
deadlines (all notified at the outset of each module)
for submission, for example, of coursework. Skills
3 and 7 are developed in seminars, tutorials and
groupwork activity, which rely on discussion and
interaction, as well as presentations given and/or
work produced by individuals or groups of students.
Skills 4, 6 and 8 are particularly developed through
the compulsory work placement, the optional Study
Abroad and the independent final-year project, for
which students are prepared in advance. IT skills
(5) are largely developed through individual
learning and groupwork activities, as well as the
relevant second-year compulsory module.
Assessment:
See assessment strategies detailed 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
annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
Tbc
Date of Production:
16 July 2010
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