PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be
Archives & Records Management
MA, PG Diploma, PG Certificate detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
Teaching institution:
Faculty:
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the programme:
N/A
From 2002-03; revised from 2012-13
University College London
University College London
Arts & Humanities
Department of Information Studies http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dis
Full-time
Modular/flexible
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry)
In addition to standard UCL entrance requirements:
Normally a year (or more) of paid or voluntary employment in an archive or records service, or in a post with management responsibility for archives or records.
MA
Full-time: one calendar year (12 months)
Modular: min. two years, max. five years
PG Diploma
Full-time: one academic year (9 months)
Modular: min. two years, max. five years
PG Certificate
Full-time: one term/ semester
Modular: up to two academic years
Masters Level (Level 7) Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes )
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
From March 2015:
Librarianship, Information, Knowledge, Records and Archives
Management http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-andguidance/publication/?PubID=2918

Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
Please see: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/dis/taught/pg/TMAARMSING01B
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Name of Board of Examiners:
Archives & Records Management/Records & Archives
Management (International)
Archives & Records Association Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
2018
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The purpose of the programme is to provide a foundation education for graduates who are seeking to enter the profession of archivist/records manager. The Diploma and MA are approved by the Archives & Records
Association as suitable programmes for those seeking professional registration in the UK. The Certificate is a programme with some professional elements, but is not wide-ranging enough for recognition as a professional qualification.
The programme is structured around the principle of the records continuum: students will learn about key processes of records and archives management that occur at all stages of the life-cycle, including their organization, storage and preservation, reading and interpretation, and making them accessible to users. Digital, paper and other format records will be discussed as appropriate throughout the programme. There is a strong emphasis on practice as well as theory and full use is made of the many archival repositories in the London area to assist student learning.

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: principles of archives and records management including theories of provenance and original order, the records continuum and life-cycle; the professional context of British archives, including government policy and
Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, student presentations and group work, visits to record offices, practical placement(s), lectures and demonstrations from visiting speakers, private reading and research, essay and report writing and practical computer work. legislation, the structure and organization of record repositories, and the structure of relevant professional bodies; a range of formats of records and archives, including paper, digital and audio-visual. the intellectual control of records and archives, including their creation, capture, organization, identification, interpretation, description, exploitation and retrieval; the physical control of records and archives, including their storage and preservation, presentation and accessibility to users; cultural, ethical, economic, legal, political, security and social issues surrounding the use of records and archives by individuals and groups, in organisations and society management and ICT skills appropriate to the records and archives professions in the 21st century.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include essay and report writing, written accounts of practical placements, oral presentation arising from visits and field work, practical computer work, one synoptic examination, and a 10,000-
12,000 word dissertation.

Intellectual (thinking) skills: able to: research, analyze and represent the relationships between records and their creating bodies interpret, analyze and represent the content and structure of records meaningfully and accurately make informed choices between different professional approaches and methodologies
3. undertake leadership and advocacy for records and archives management;
4. assess and meet user needs;
5. develop management, planning and strategy.
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures, seminars, class room discussion and private reading enable students to develop a basic intellectual framework; visits, field work and practical placements provide opportunity for reflection and evaluation in order to encourage a more thorough understanding critically evaluate the role of ICT in a range of professional contexts critically evaluate the role of government policy in a range of professional contexts research skills, information gathering, synthesis and analysis and writing skills
Practical skills (able to):
1. organize, arrange and describe records and archives using a range of media;
2. make appropriate decisions relating to the selection, destruction, retention and preservation of records;
Assessment:
Reports and essays, commentaries on practical placements, a synoptic examination and the dissertation should all demonstrate these intellectual skills.
C: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies: field trips and placements involve practical work; lectures and seminars, particularly from practising professionals, emphasize case studies as the basis for discussion and problem solving;
a foundation course introduces students to some study and self-management skills;
individual coursework projects require library-based research; coursework deadlines throughout the year require time management.
Assessment:
Practical work is formally assessed through essays, reports and presentations; other practical skills (time management, accuracy, research abilities) are assessed through coursework submitted throughout the programme.

Transferable skills (able to):
6. organize, arrange and describe records and archives using a range of media;
7. make appropriate decisions relating to the selection, destruction, retention and preservation of records;
8. undertake advocacy for records and
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies: field trips and placements involve practical work; lectures and seminars, particularly from practising professionals, emphasize case studies as the basis for discussion and problem solving;
a foundation course introduces students to some study and self-management skills;
individual coursework projects require library-based archives management;
9. communicate in a clear, systematic and concise way for a range of different purposes and audiences, using written and oral presentation skills
10. assess and meet user needs; research; coursework deadlines throughout the year require time management.
11. manage time, projects and team work effectively.
Assessment:
The skills are assessed in the following ways: essays, reports, and presentations based on individual and team project work; use of ICT software such as archival packages and
PowerPoint; commentaries and presentations based on practical placements, field trips, etc.
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-qualitycode/subject-benchmark-statements ); and http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-andguidance/publication/?PubID=2918

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):
Dr Andrew Flinn
Date of Production: 2002
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
30 April 2015
20 May 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
20 May 2015
05 June 2015