PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Diploma in Academic Research and Methods (DARM)
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
PGDip
(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 session 2013-14 onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Office for International Affairs
Parent Department:
UCL Qatar
(the department responsible for the administration
of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
In addition to standard UCL entrance requirements:
For admission to this PGDip, candidates must have a
Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or an
equivalent qualification.
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 6.0 in the writing and reading
components.
Length of the programme:
Eight months of the calendar year full-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)
Level 7
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark
statement (SBS)
Not Applicable
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment
methods:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar/study/diplomas/diploma-inacademic-research-and-methods
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
UCL Qatar Academic Research and Methods Board
(UCLQGDARM)
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Not applicable
Date of next
scheduled
accreditation
visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of:
1. Comprehensively understanding and critically engaging with concepts, theories and academic
debates relevant to the field of cultural heritage. Key concepts such as community and identity;
knowledge and knowledge construction; ethics and values; collective memory and contemporary
societies’ relation to their past will be considered from an interdisciplinary approach.
2. Allowing students to develop special expertise at postgraduate level of how these theoretical
frameworks and the context of these debates can be applied to the Arab and Islamic world.
3. Developing and applying academic and research skills required at master’s level according to
sound methodological principles and to UCL standards: critical reading; analysis and interpretation
of texts; object-based learning; research skills and academic argumentation.
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:
Understand some of the main perspectives
and theoretical issues surrounding cultural
heritage through an interdisciplinary approach.
Analyse and critique academic literature
relevant to the field of cultural heritage.
Consider in particular disciplines such as
sociology, history, cultural studies and
anthropology. Identify key debates and
develop original, scholarly positions and
arguments
Conceptually understand and critically engage
with areas such as:
Theories of community
Power and authority in relation to
communities
Academic communities and ethics of
research
Collective memory and contemporary
societies’ relation to their past
Develop and apply cohesive interdisciplinary
responses to real-world issues and questions,
Teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Independent study (reading, research)
Lectures and seminars
Structured reading and text analysis
Seminar presentations and discussions
Supervised mini-dissertation work
Oral presentations and group discussions
particularly in relation to the Islamic and Arab
World
Evaluate and apply postgraduate level
research approaches and methods in a sound
and ethical manner
Assessment:
Portfolios (essays, summaries, reports)
Research proposal & mini-dissertation
Oral examination
Oral presentations (individual / group)
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Construct sound academic arguments in an
interdisciplinary perspective
Organise and conduct complex independent
research
Teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Independent study (reading, research)
Seminars/workshops
Structured reading and text analysis
Supervised mini-dissertation work
Assess the strengths and limitations of one’s
own intellectual positions, academic
approaches and research methods
Critically evaluate primary and secondary texts
and materials
Interpret and question the core concepts and
constructs in fields relevant to cultural heritage
(e.g. sociology, history, cultural studies and
anthropology)
Apply theory to case studies and justify
approaches and conclusions
Contextualise concepts and debates (e.g. to
the Islamic and Arab world)
Assessment:
Portfolios (essays, summaries, reports)
Oral presentations
Research proposal & mini-dissertation
Oral examination
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Develop, conduct, and manage independent
and original research while keeping tight
deadlines
Take accurate and useful notes from lectures
and texts at master’s level
Summarise and interpret complex academic
ideas and debates (e.g. from lectures and
Teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Seminars instructions and discussions
Writing workshops
Structured reading and text analysis
Individual Tutorials
texts), and identify implications for specific
situations or problems
Evaluate and critique various theories,
academic ideas and debates while select
appropriate methods in order to address realworld issues
Learn with and from objects
Develop and write coherent and wellsupported academic arguments
Orally present and defend a sophisticated
position and analysis within an academic
debate
Assessment:
Essays
Research proposal & mini-dissertation
Oral presentations
Oral examination
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Work independently and innovatively, and be
self-reliant
Self reflect critically on decisions, learning
styles, and the research process to be able to
improve one’s own engagement in
independent work
Work as a team
Teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Seminar instructions and discussions
Feedback on essays
Independent self study sessions
Students-led consolidation/wrap-up
sessions)
Oral presentations
Self-assessments
Guidance on essays and mini-dissertation
Narrative self-evaluation
Critically evaluate ideas and information in
order to identify best-fit approaches to issues
Make clear oral and written reports and
present sophisticated arguments and positions
Use complex databases in information analysis
and research
Develop cultural awareness and linguistic skills
Assessment:
Portfolios (essays, summaries, reports)
Research proposal & mini-dissertation
Oral examination
Narrative self-evaluation
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 can be found in the
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):
Dr Christine Hoffmann
Dr Ariane Smart
Ms Sara Felix
Date of Production:
6 September 2013
Date of Review:
3 March 2015
Date approved by Head of
Department:
31 March 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching Committee:
Date approved by Faculty Teaching
Committee
31 March 2015