UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme 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.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
UCLan
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
UCLan, Preston
3. University School/Centre
Centre for Excellence of Learning and Teaching
4. External Accreditation
No
5. Title of Final Award
MA Education and Religion in Society
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Part-time and full-time
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Education and RiS subject benchmarks as well as the
Descriptor for HEQ at level 7 (QAA, 2008)
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of
this form
March 2015
11. Aims of the Programme

To critically reflect on past experience, educational scholarship and knowledge
developments in Religion Culture and Society and assess emerging developments in the
field relevant to practice and their significance for professional development.

To provide opportunities for critical engagement with educational theory and concepts within
the context of subject specialism to develop professional practice.

To be able to assess the appropriateness of different research methodologies, research
methods, key ethical concepts and demonstrate analytical skills in order to plan and
implement a piece of research relevant to practice.

To enhance key skills in data collection, analysis, academic writing and oral presentations.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
A1. Critically reflect on personal and professional development as a practitioner.
A2. Evaluate and respond to current policy, literature and professional debates influencing
the professional role.
A3. Develop and update discipline knowledge.
A4. Plan and execute a piece of research whilst demonstrating a critical appreciation of
methodological and epistemological issues.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, seminars, guided research, group presentation
skills and independent study as well as the use of eLearn.
Assessment methods
The assessment methods will include academic essays, oral presentations, group presentations,
short answer questions, case study analysis research proposal and a dissertation.
B. Subject-specific skills
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
B1. Critically engage with relevant sources related to the study of Education and Religion
and in assessed work demonstrate an understanding of how this can enhance professional
practice.
B2. Select valid and reliable methods of data collection and assess the appropriateness of
different research methodologies, research methods, plan and implement a piece of
research relevant to supporting the development of professional practice.
B3. Process, analyse, synthesise and evaluate evidence from a range of sources to examine
the relationship between theory, policy and practice.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, seminars, guided research, group presentation
skills and independent study as well as the use of eLearn.
Assessment methods
The assessment methods will include academic essays, oral presentations, group presentations,
short answer questions, case study analysis research proposal and a dissertation.
C. Thinking Skills
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
C1. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements
in the critical analysis and evaluation of data, and communicate their conclusions clearly.
C2. Exhibit autonomous learning and research skills in identifying and evaluating source
materials.
C3. Engage in debate and discussion surrounding specific issues raised within the
programme, demonstrating conceptual understanding that enables evaluation and critical
analysis.
C4. Recognise own assumptions and standpoint and its impact on professional practice.
C5. Demonstrate high level decision-making skills, professional judgement and problem
solving skills necessary for working effectively in a complex and dynamic environment.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, seminars, guided research, group presentation
skills and independent study as well as the use of eLearn.
Assessment methods
The assessment methods will include academic essays, oral presentations, group presentations,
short answer questions, case study analysis research proposal and a dissertation.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
D1. Reflect on professional practice in the context of relevant theory, concepts and policy.
D2. Initiate, negotiate and carry out independent learning showing self direction, autonomy
and initiative in planning and implementing Masters level work.
D3. Express, organise and articulate opinions and arguments through prose, visually and
orally and to use ICT for locating, gathering and presenting data in a range of contexts.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, seminars, guided research, group presentation
skills and independent study as well as the use of eLearn.
Assessment methods
The assessment methods will include academic essays, oral presentations, group presentations,
short answer questions, case study analysis research proposal and a dissertation.
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level
7
Module
Code
EH4106
Module Title
EH4119
Developing Innovation in
Teaching, Learning and
Assessment
The Critical Professional
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
20
MA in Education and Religion in
Society requires 180 credits at
Level 7.
20
Exit Award
PG Diploma in Education and
Religion in Society requires 120
EH4107
Curriculum Design
20
ED4995
Designing and Planning Your
Research Project
20
ED4019
Dissertation
60
RB4000
Religion & Society
20
RB4001
God, Sex & Contemporary
Britain
20
RB4003
Issues in Contemporary
Paganism
20
RB4004
Reason, Faith & Logos
20
RB4005
Introduction to Conceptuallybased Research
20
RB4006
Dissertation
60
credits at level 7 including at least
2 modules in the additional
subject (Education or Religion)
route.
Exit Award
PG Certificate in Education and
Religion in Society requires 60
credits at Level 7 including at
least one module in the additional
subject (Education or Religion)
route.
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is developed throughout the programme through the encouragement of personal reflection and
self-awareness to help students to interrogate their own skills, progress and planning. The personal
tutor, as well as helping more generally, will introduce such opportunities as the PDP portfolio, which
students may choose to use to document their achievements and aims.
Personal tutorials, for example to discuss assessment feedback, can be scheduled for students on
individual and group basis throughout the taught element of the programme. There is also 6 hours of
individual supervision built into the dissertation module.
Students may also utilise the ESS and Combined Honours Personal Development Planning Activities
via eLearn.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
A class 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
Non-native speakers of English need to demonstrate a level of English broadly equivalent to IELTS 7.5
or upper Band C1 on the Common European Framework. Applicants must be able to produce original
certificates to prove their English language level. Please note that a UCLan English Language
Examination is also available via the School of Languages & International Studies.
APL for the programme will be available for participants with previous appropriate Level 7 credits in
education or a closely related field, but the extent of APL/credits will be agreed on an individual case
by case basis.
17. Key sources of information about the programme





University Website, School of Education and Social Science website
Programme Handbook
Undergraduate Education subject Benchmarks
Undergraduate Religion subject Benchmarks
Descriptor for HEQ at Level 7 (QCA, 2008)
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compulsory
Module
(COMP) or
Knowledge and
Subject-specific
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding
Skills
Thinking Skills
A1
A2
A3
C
X
x
X
C
Core for
Religion
x
x
x
X
A4
B1
EH4106 The Critical Professional
x
B2
B3
x
X
C1
Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal
development
C2
C3
C4
C5
D1
D2
D3
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
x
x
X
X
EH4119 Developing Innovation in TLA
EH4107 Curriculum Design
Designing and Planning Your
ED4995 Research Project
e.g. LEVEL 7
ED4019 Dissertation
RB4000
Religion & Society
RB4001
God, Sex & Contemporary
Britain
Core for
Education
Core for
Education
x
C
C
RB4003
Issues in Contemporary
Paganism
RB4004 Reason, Faith & Logos
O
Introduction to Conceptuallybased Research
Core for
Religion
RB006
Dissertation
Core for
Religion
x
x
x
X
X
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
x
X
x
X
x
Core for
Education
RB4005
x
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X