UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
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 passes the programme. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the
programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this specification is reviewed by
the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
1. Awarding Institution/Body
University of Kent
2. Teaching Institution
Partners universities with whom the University of
Kent has exchange agreements in various countries
3. School responsible for management
of the programme
SSPSSR
4. Teaching Site
Canterbury and Medway
5. Mode of Delivery
Full-time
6. Programme accredited by
N/A
7. Final Award
Degree Title ‘with a Year Abroad’
8. Programme
UG degrees offered by SSPSSR
9. UCAS Code (or other code)
10. Credits/ECTS Value
480 Credits/240 ECTS
11. Study Level
Undergraduate
12. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking
group(s)
Sociology (2007)
Social Policy and Administration (2007)
Psychology (2010)
History (2014)
Criminology (2014)
Communication, media, film and cultural studies
(2008)
– see QAA benchmarking statements at
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/
subject-guidance/Pages/Subject-benchmarkstatements.aspx
13. Date of creation/revision
March 2015/July 2015
14. Intended Start Date of Delivery of this
Programme
September 2015
1
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
15. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. Provide knowledge and understanding of key areas of social sciences in different cultural and
national contexts
2. Develop students’ critical, analytical and interpretative skills so they can engage in key debates
with cross-cultural awareness and understanding
3. Provide opportunities for students from different educational backgrounds to enhance their
intellectual development in more than one national educational setting
4. Enable students to specialise in a wide range of areas of social sciences exposing them to
different intellectual, educational and cultural approaches
5. Provide enjoyable learning opportunities and experiences across a range of international
contexts
6. Equip students with transferable knowledge, skills and experience which will enable them to
succeed in the employment market regionally, nationally and internationally into the future
7. Further develop Kent’s international links and networks to increase the range of opportunities for
students during and beyond their studies
16 Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and
understanding, qualities, capacities, skills and other attributes in the following areas.
The programme outcomes have references to the QAA subject benchmarking statement for
Sociology (QAA 2007) referred to as SB, Social Policy and Administration (QAA 2007) referred to as
SPB, Criminology (QAA 2014) referred to as CB, Psychology (QAA 2010) referred to as PB, History
(QAA 2014) referred to as HB, and Communication, media, film and cultural studies (QAA 2008)
referred to as CSB.
A. Knowledge and Understanding of:
In addition to the programme outcomes in the primary degree the student is studying, students
taking the programme ‘with a year abroad’ will also achieve the following specific knowledge and
understanding:
1. Knowledge of the international and global contexts of social sciences (SB 2.4; SPB3.2;
CSB4.1; CB4.2).
2. An appreciation of the complexity and diversity of the ways in which fields of study are
constituted, change over time, and are researched and represented across different national
contexts and intellectual traditions (CB4.2; CB5.2; PB4.2; PB5.4; SB 2.3; SPB3.2).
3. Recognition and understanding of the variety and specificity of intellectual debates by context
(SPB2.1; SPB3.2).
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Students will undertake coursework as set by the module convenors and programme directors of
the programmes on which they register in universities abroad. The type of work required of them
may vary and this will be one element of their learning to recognise culturally diverse practices.
Whilst abroad, students will also be able to draw on guidance, advice and resources for their
learning from Kent, e.g. from their Academic Advisers, the SSPSSR Director of International
Programmes, and the convenor of the Year Abroad Module.
Skills and Other Attributes
2
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
B. Intellectual Skills:
In addition to the programme outcomes in the primary degree the student is studying, students
taking the programme ‘with a year abroad’ will also achieve the following specific intellectual skills:
1. Capacity to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of key social sciences theories
and concepts drawing on disciplinary teaching from a country outside the UK (SB 4.2; CSB5.2;
CBS5.3).
2. Capacity to critically assess the production of new knowledge based on empirical research
drawing on wider international perspectives (CSB5.3).
3. In depth appreciation of comparative analysis as seen within different national contexts
(SPB3.3; SB3.2).
4. (Where applicable) understanding of the target language including oral and written elements.
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
See above under A.
C. Subject-specific Skills:
In addition to the programme outcomes in the primary degree the student is studying, students
taking the programme ‘with a year abroad’ will also achieve the following subject-specific skills:
1. Capacity to successfully work collaboratively across national-cultural as well as other social
differences including sensitivity to values and practices of others (CB5.2; PB5.5; SPB3.5;
CSB6.1; SPB4.4; SPB3.5; SB 4.4).
2. Critical and reflective capacities arising from the experience of living and studying outside of a
context of taken for granted social and cultural norms and practices (CB5.4; PB5.4; SPB3.2;
SB3.2).
3. Written and verbal communication, including effective listening and ‘cultural flexibility’ (CB5.4;
PB5.5; CB5.4).
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
See above under A.
D. Transferable Skills:
In addition to the programme outcomes in the primary degree the student is studying, students
taking the programme ‘with a year abroad’ will also achieve the following transferable skills:
1.
2.
3.
Capacity to communicate effectively within an international context, showing the ability to
understand and present different points of view and arguments in written and verbal form
(HB3.3; SPB3.6; PB5.5; CSB6.1; SPB4.4, SB4.4).
Capacity to work independently within an HE framework different from that of the UK (HB3.3;
SB4.1).
(Where applicable) Proficient communication and appropriate use of the target language (both
orally and in writing).
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
See above under A.
3
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
17 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
This programme is studied over four years full-time or six years part-time plus one full-time year
abroad. The programme is divided into four stages, each stage comprising modules to a total of 120
credits. Students must successfully complete each module in order to be awarded the specified
number of credits for that module. One credit corresponds to approximately ten hours of 'learning
time' (including all classes and all private study and research). Thus obtaining 120 credits in an
academic year requires 1,200 hours of overall learning time. For further information on modules and
credits
refer
to
the
Credit
Framework
at
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfo.html
Each module and programme is designed to be at a specific level. For the descriptors of each of
these levels, refer to Annex 2 of the Credit Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfoannex2.html. To be eligible for the award of an honours degree students with a
year abroad, students must obtain 480 credits, at least 210 of which must be at Level 5 or above,
including at least 90 credits at level 6 or above at Stage 3.
A student who successfully completes one or more stages of an Honours degree programme but
who does not successfully complete the whole programme will be entitled to receive an appropriate
fallback award from the relevant Board of Examiners i.e. award of a Certificate, Diploma or nonHonours degree, where he/she has achieved sufficient credit required for the appropriate award. For
further information refer to the Credit Framework at https://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfo.html#fallbackawards.
Compulsory modules are core to the programme and must be taken by all students studying the
programme. Optional modules provide a choice of subject areas, from which students will select a
stated number of modules.
Where a student fails a module(s) due to illness or other mitigating circumstances, such failure may
be condoned, subject to the requirements of the Credit Framework and provided that the student has
achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information refer to the Credit Framework at
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/credit-framework/creditinfo.html. Where a student fails a
module(s), but has marks for such modules within 10 percentage points of the pass mark, the Board
of Examiners may nevertheless award the credits for the module(s), subject to the requirements of
the Credit Framework and provided that the student has achieved the programme learning
outcomes. For further information refer to the Credit Framework.
In order to be eligible to enrol on the relevant UG programme ‘with a ‘year abroad’, students must
achieve a 2:2 standard at Stage 2; including in their language module where relevant, and
demonstrate satisfactory attendance and coursework submission records. Where required, language
achievement will be expected to be 40% or above as the programmes the module contributes to are
not language programmes. Students will also be required to enter into a Learning Agreement
negotiated with the Director of Studies for the programme or the SSPSSR Director of International
Programmes and the convenor of the Year Abroad Module.
The Year Abroad will follow the structure of the academic year of the institution the student attends.
If insufficient credit is gained in the period of study aboard, students will be given the opportunity to
retrieve credit as follows:
-
For up to 25 per cent of credit, one essay of 3000 words which compares different approaches
(intellectual traditions and cultural practices) to teaching and research in a chosen field that the
student studied both at Kent and abroad.
- For up to 50 per cent of credit, one essay of 4000 words which compares different approaches
(intellectual traditions and cultural practices) to teaching and research in a chosen field that the
student studied both at Kent and abroad; and one reflective essay of 2000 words on the student’s
personal experience of studying abroad.
These assignments will be marked by the module convenor and moderated by the relevant Director
of Study of the programme within which the generic Stage A is being taken. If students fail to obtain
4
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
at least 50 per cent of credit during their year abroad, they will automatically be reregistered on the
relevant programme without the year abroad. This means they can obtain a degree but will gain no
recognition for this year. Overall, the year abroad will be assessed on a pass/fail basis
Code
Title
Level
Credits
Term(s)
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
As per relevant programme specification
Optional Modules
As per relevant programme specification
Stage 2
Compulsory Modules
As per relevant programme specification
Optional Modules
As per relevant programme specification
Year Abroad
SO606
Year Abroad Module I
6
60
Autumn and
Spring
SO607
Year Abroad Module II
6
60
Autumn and
Spring
Stage 3
Compulsory Modules
As per relevant programme specification
Optional Modules
As per relevant programme specification
18 Work-Based Learning
Disability Statement: Where disabled students are due to undertake a work placement as part of this
programme of study, a representative of the University will meet with the work placement provider in
advance to ensure the provision of anticipatory and reasonable adjustments in line with legal
requirements.
Where relevant to the programme of study, provide details of any work-based learning element,
inclusive of employer details, delivery, assessment and support for students:
SSPSSR students on a UG programme ‘with a year abroad’ will spend one academic year studying
in a University with whom Kent has agreements for such exchanges, either a ‘Memorandum of
Understanding’ (MoU) or a valid ‘Inter-institutional ERASMUS Agreement’ (IIEA). The specific
institutions will change over time but will normally include a range of institutions across Europe and in
selected countries elsewhere in the world. At present they include:
 The University of Tampere, International School of Social Sciences
 The Universidad Autonoma of Barcelona
 The Chinese University of Hong Kong
5
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
 University of Trento
 (VU) Free University of Amsterdam
Students are free to spend their year abroad at any of the institutions with which the University has a
current Memorandum of Association, but will be advised by the SSPSSR Director of International
Programmes and the convenor of the Year Abroad Module (usually the same person). The
curriculum will be dependent on the student’s selection of modules at the host institution. Students
will undertake study as directed by programme directors and module convenors in the institutions
where they are enrolled and be assessed accordingly. In addition, students will retain contact with
staff at Kent whilst abroad. They will have contact with their Academic Advisers as necessary and
refer to their Director of Studies for all questions related to their Stage 3 study when they return to
Kent. The International Development Office will provide administrative support. In addition, the
SSPSSR Director of International Programmes and the convenor of the Year Abroad Module will be
the key point of contact at Kent for students about the content of their study for the duration of the
year abroad. A student who successfully completes the ‘year abroad’ will gain 120 credits through
the ‘Year Abroad’ module and graduate with a degree ‘with a year abroad’. See above section 17 for
arrangements that will apply where the student does not gain the necessary credits.
19 Support for Students and their Learning


















School and University induction programme
Programme/module handbooks
Library services, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/
Student Support http://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/
Student Wellbeing www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing/
Centre for English and World Languages, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.html
Student Learning Advisory Service, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
PASS system, see https://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/quality/code2001/annexg.html
Academic Adviser system
Kent Union, see www.kentunion.co.uk/
Careers and Employability Services, see www.kent.ac.uk/ces/
Counselling Service www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/
Information Services (computing and library services), see www.kent.ac.uk/is/
Undergraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levels
International Development Office, see www.kent.ac.uk/international/
Medical Centre, see www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/menu/Medical-Centre.html
Director of International Programmes
Directors of Studies
20 Entry Profile
The minimum age to study a degree programme at the university is normally at least 17 years old by
20 September in the year the programme begins. There is no upper age limit.
20.1 Entry Route
For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus
Entry requirements will be the same as for the relevant SSPSSR degrees.
20.2 What does this programme have to offer?
6
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT












A stimulating and interesting degree programme within a School which has gained consistently
high ratings for the quality of its research and is judged ‘excellent’ for its teaching
The opportunity to learn about a broad range of topics including the central social issues in
today’s globalizing world from an international perspective
A grounding in sociological methods of data collection and analysis
The option to study abroad for a year
The opportunity to become highly proficient in a foreign language
Belonging to a cosmopolitan staff and student body
Research-informed teaching
Wide choice of specialised modules
Extra-curricular learning opportunities
A friendly campus with high student morale and dedicated teaching staff
The provision of a variety of important skills which open up a wide range of careers to graduates
in the public and private sectors in international settings
The vast majority of students are successful in finding employment within the first six months of
graduation or go on to further study
20.3 Personal Profile




An interest in bringing an international perspective to analysing social problems in contemporary
society
A commitment to thinking critically about issues such as diversity, exclusion, identity, citizenship
and social justice
An openness to consider a range of normative, theoretical, and political positions
A willingness to engage in informed debate about current, and often controversial, issues
21 Methods for Evaluating and Enhancing the Quality and Standards of Teaching and
Learning
21.1 Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum
and outcome standards








Student module evaluations
Annual programme and module monitoring reports, see
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexe.html
External Examiners system, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexk.html
Periodic programme review, http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexf.html
Annual staff appraisal
Peer observation
Quality Assurance Framework, http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/index.html
QAA Higher Education Review, see http://www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/types-ofreview/higher-education-review/Pages/default.aspx
21.2 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards




Staff-Student Liaison Committee
School Learning and Teaching Committee
Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee
Faculty Board
7
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT


Learning and Teaching Board
Board of Examiners
21.3 Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning
experience





Student module evaluations
Staff-Student Liaison Committee
Student rep system (School, Faculty and Institutional level)
Annual NSS
Liaison with Director of International Programmes
21.4 Staff Development priorities include:










PGCHE requirements
HEA (associate) fellowship membership
Annual appraisals
Institutional Level Staff Development Programme
Academic Practice Provision (PGCHE, ATAP and other development opportunities)
Professional body membership and requirements
Programme team meetings
Research seminars
Conferences
Study leave
22 Indicators of Quality and Standards




Results of periodic programme review (last in 2011)
QAA HER 2015
Annual External Examiner reports
Annual programme and module monitoring reports
22.1 The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:





QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education
QAA Benchmarking statements for Sociology (2007); Social Policy and Administration (2007);
Psychology (2010); History (2014); Criminology (2014); Communication, media, film and cultural
studies (2008)
School and Faculty plan
University Plan/Learning and Teaching Strategy
Staff research activities
8
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’– Compulsory Modules
Knowledge and Understanding
Programme
Outcomes
Programme Modules
SO606
SO607
A1
√
√
A2
√
√
A3
√
√
Skills and Other Attributes
Programme
Outcomes
Programme Modules
SO606
SO607
B1
√
√
B2
√
√
B3
√
√
B4
√
√
Subject-Specific Skills
Programme
Outcomes
Programme Modules
SO606
SO607
C1
√
√
C2
√
√
C3
√
√
Transferable Skills
Programme
Outcomes
Programme Modules
SO606
SO607
D1
√
√
D2
√
√
D3
√
√
9
SSPSSR UG Degrees ‘with a Year Abroad’