UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
For the specification of the degree programme without a year in industry, see the relevant
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. It should be noted that the exact
outcomes depend on the type of placement undertaken. More detailed information on the
learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module
can be found by following the links provided or 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.
BSc (Hons) in Economics Degree with a Year in Industry
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Awarding Institution/Body
Teaching Institution
Teaching Site
Programme accredited by:
Final Award
Programmes
University of Kent
University of Kent at Canterbury
Canterbury Campus/Relevant Placement
Not Applicable
BSc (Hons)
Economics with a Year in Industry
Economics with Econometrics and a Year in
Industry
Economics with Spanish and a year in industry
Economics with Computing and a Year in Industry
Business and Economics with a Year in Industry
Financial Economics with a Year in Industry
Financial Economics with Econometrics and a
year in Industry
7. UCAS code (or other code)
There is no proposal to create new UCAS codes
for these degrees where they do not already exist.
Recruitment to such degrees would be done
using the existing codes for the related three
stage degree. This approach uses the principles
of the Strategic Recruitment Review
Where not already provided for, Programme of
Study (PoS) codes would have “-S” inserted
before the “:” in order to distinguish degrees with
a year in industry from the three stage equivalent
PoS.
Economics
8. Relevant QAA subject
benchmarking group
9. Date of production/revision
10. Applicable cohort/s
March 2007
2004 entry onwards
11. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims and outcomes have references to the Economics Subject Benchmarking
Statement, (these are denoted by EB), see
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/benchmark/economics.pdf.
The programme aims:
1. To provide structured developmental work experience in the industry.
2. To provide experience on working on a specified project in the industry.
1
3. To learn how to apply economic and business principles and analysis to a range of issues,
problems and policies. (this will not necessarily apply to all placement students) EB
4. To develop appropriate skills relevant to the specific industry of placement.
5. To develop management, communication, decision-making, creative, team working and
reliability skills
6. To develop skills of reflecting and evaluating own work, and being able to communicate this
reflection and evaluation. EB
7. To provide a well developed structure to support the student’s year in the industry.
12. Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge,
understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme
outcomes that have specific reference to the subject benchmarking statement for Economics
are indicated by EB. The outcomes listed here refer to those developed and used generally in
the Year in Industry.
Knowledge and Understanding
Teaching/learning and assessment methods
and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated.
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The working of a successful company.
2. Practical experience of business,
management and financial aspects of
an industry (not necessarily all).
3. Applied aspects of economic analysis.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Students are selected by the Department of
Economics at the beginning of their second year
(based on their performance in the first year) after
which a placement officer in the Department will
be responsible in helping the students choose the
industry in which they want to spend their third
year. However, it is mainly the student’s
responsibility to choose and confirm their
placement with the chosen company. The
specification of work for the year and specified
project(s) is determined by the chosen industry in
collaboration with the student and the Department
of Economics. Contact is maintained through site
visits by UKC staff, email and video conferencing.
Assessment
Students have to undertake a project under the
supervision of the chosen industry. The project is
assessed by the management of the chosen
industry in terms of the delivered work.
Students also prepare a written report on their
industry placement and deliver the report orally.
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual skills:
1. Ability to abstract the essential features
of a complex system. EB
2. Ability to think about what are the
important variables and fixed
parameters in solving a problem. EB
3. Ability to analysis complex issues using
deductive and inductive reasoning. EB
Teaching & Learning Methods and
Assessment
Intellectual skills are developed and assessed
through the teaching, learning and assessment
outlined above. The development of these
intellectual skills is organised in a progressive
2
4. Ability to organise and use information
to analyse complex issues. EB
5. Ability to review critically alternative
explanations and analyses of a
problem. EB
C. Subject-specific skills:
1. Analytical skills in Economics that can
be applied to business problems. EB
2. Ability to apply economic principles and
analysis to a range of issues, problems
and policies. EB
3. Ability to abstract the essential features
of a business/economic issue, problem
or system. EB
4. Ability to use and present numerical
information. EB
5. Be able to carry out economic/
Econometric analysis of
business/economic data. EB
D. Transferable skills:
1. Effective communication of analysis
and ideas both orally and in written
form.
2. Ability to assemble, analyse, use and
present data.
3. Understanding and ability to use
economic, mathematical and
quantitative methods to analyse
business issues and problems.
4. Ability to analyse and make decisions
using economic concepts, eg
opportunity cost and strategic
behaviour.
5. Development of skills associated with
the chosen/specific industry.
6. Independence in initiating and
executing work.
7. Ability to think critically about proposed
analyses and solutions to a problem or
issue.
8. Become responsible for managing own
performance.
structure through the core modules in the first and
second years and are extended, developed and
made use of in the Year in Industry.
Teaching & Learning Methods and
Assessment
Subject specific skills are developed and
assessed through the teaching, learning and
assessment outlined above. The development of
these skills is organised in a progressive structure
through the core modules in the first and second
years and developed, extended and made use of
in the Year in Industry.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Transferable skills are developed and assessed
through the teaching, learning and assessment
outlined above. Transferable/key skills are
integrated in a structured manner into all modules.
The programme structure is designed to
progressively provide training in these skills and
assess these skills. Specific guidance is provided
for all the transferable skills.
3
For more information on which modules provide which skills and on the specific learning
outcomes associated with the Certificate and Diploma awards, see the module mapping below.
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
4
The programme is studied over four full-time or six years part-time and one year full-time.
Details of the first, second and final years are given in the programme specification for the UKC
based part of the degree. The present programme specification just considers the industry
placement and resulting assessment. Each module is designated at one of three ascending
levels, Certificate (C), Intermediate (I) or Honours (H). Modules have a credit value of 15 or 30
credits. To be eligible for the award of with a Year in Industry honours degree students have to
obtain 480 credits, at least 240 of which must be Level I or above, and at least 90 of which must
be level H or above.
At its discretion, the University allows for failure in certain modules to be compensated by good
performance in other modules, or, in cases of documented illness or other mitigating
circumstances, condoned. Failure in certain modules, however, may not be compensated and
are indicated by the symbol * below.
The structure of the programme and the modules that make it up, their levels, credits and the
terms in which they are taught, are shown below. Details of each module can be found at
http://www.kent.ac.uk/economics/students/undergrad/degstruc.html#modlist.
Students successfully completing Stage 1 of the programme and meeting credit framework
requirements who do not successfully complete Stage 2 will be eligible for the award of the
Certificate in Economics and Social Sciences. Students successfully completing Stage 2 and
Stage 3 of the programme and meeting credit framework requirements who do not successfully
complete Stage 3 will be eligible for the award of the Diploma in Economics.
Stages 1, 2 and 3
These are as required in the programme specification for the main three stage programme to
which the placement year is added. (See appropriate programme specification for a, b, c and
n”).
Students are encouraged to make use of the placement experience in work in Stage 3. This
might be through citing examples drawn from the placement in seminar contributions,
presentations or written work, including the possibility of linking a final year project to the
placement. The usual rules preventing the same work being given credit for more than one
module would apply, but building on the Stage S work assessed in modules EC558 and EC559
would be encouraged.
Stage S
General Points about Stage S
The placement is a formal part of these degrees taken between Stages 2 and 3. Students are
required to keep a log of their training and work experience during the year. The portfolio
created is assessed as part of EC558, including employers’ views about the placement. A
reflective report has to be written by the end of the year (EC559) linked to the portfolio. A
Placement Co-ordinator will assist students in finding a suitable developmental placement
through advice and guidance but the search effort is primarily a student responsibility.
Prior Preparation for Stage S
The placement year has to be registered with the Local Authority and the University, and hence
has to be arranged as soon as possible. Students wishing to undertake a sandwich (year in
industry) placement must ensure that they are registered for a sandwich degree within twelve
months of their original registration. Failure to adhere to these deadlines may result in a Local
Education Authority terminating support. It is essential that students contact their LEA or other
funding body to ascertain their eligibility for funding before proceeding with any change of
programme.
Students should also note that government rules currently require the university to charge a
means-tested contribution to tuition fees for a placement year. The maximum is currently about
half that for UK or EU students in full-time study. The rules may well change with wider changes
in student finance. The university’s Student Finance web pages should provide further details.
Students should make contact with the relevant Placement Co-ordinator before starting Stage
5
2, or as soon as possible after the start of Autumn
Term. Briefing meetings will be held about
placement degrees before Stage 2 and 3 choices are registered in Stage 1, and near the start
Code
Title
Stage S
Required Modules
EC558
Industry Assessment*
Level
Credits
Term/s
I
1, 2 and 3
EC559
I
90
(Pass/Fail)
30 (Graded)
Final Report*
1, 2 and 3
The above programme may be changed.
14. Support for Students and Their Learning
 Designated staff in UKC and chosen industry to advise prospective and actual Placement
students
 Regular contact with UKC staff whilst on industry placement (email, video conferencing and
personal contact)
 Induction scheme for industry placement
 Accessible staff
 Personal tutor system providing academic advice at UKC
 Academic support system providing advice on module choice and programme structure,
academic difficulties, progression routes and individual progress.
 Personal support system linked to the University Support System providing advice on a
range of personal, health, career and other issues
 Handbooks explaining programme structure and sources of advice
 Department web site
 Good Library and IT resources and training in use of these resources
 Student:staff ratio of 20:1
 Thriving Economics Society (http://www.su.kent.ac.uk/societies/econ/) run by students.
 Careers Advisory Service with adviser dedicated to Economics students.
 Central support services, including a University learning and teaching centre, a medical
centre, a Students' Union (including its Advice and Information Service), Counselling
Service and Disability Support Unit.
15. Entry Profile
Entry Route: For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus.
 Minimum requirements:
 Five GCSE passes, including English Language or
Use of English and Maths GCSE Higher at Grade
C, and at least two A levels. See Curriculum 2000
(in prospectus) for details of our minimum
requirements for the new AS levels tariff.
 You must be at least 17 years old by 20 September
in the year you begin your programme. There is no
upper age limit to studying.
 A levels and AS levels (GCE
 280 points (21 units) including BC at A level or BC
and VCE):
in VCE double award and a pass in an approved
English Language qualification.
 Scottish Qualification (SQA)
 Five passes in approved subjects at Advanced
Higher or Higher Grade and a pass at Intermediate
2 Grade, these passes must include English
Language and Maths.
 Four passes in approved subjects at Advanced
Higher or Higher Grade and two approved subjects
at Intermediate 2 Grade, these passes must include
English Language and Maths.
What does this programme have to offer?
6
 Excellent and well developed opportunity to acquire practical business skills
 Links academic studies to industry work
 Chance to live and work in different places in the country
 Good future employment prospects
 Well developed support and induction into the chosen placement
 Development of initiative and self learning skills
Personal Profile
 A confident and enquiring mind.
 Successful student
 A desire to work in industry while completing the degree.
 A desire to develop practical work skills linked to academic study
 The aim of achieving your full educational and business potential.
 Suitable levels of numeracy and/or a willingness to develop them
 Suitable levels of key skills obtained in the first (and second) year and a willingness to
develop them
 A desire to develop general skills that can be used in many different occupations.
16. Methods for evaluating and enhancing the quality and standards of teaching and
learning
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum
and outcome standards
 Student evaluations of industry placement and feedback on these evaluations.
 Annual reports on teaching, learning and assessment in all programmes
 Feedback to designated staff at UKC and the chosen industry
 Student-Staff Liaison Committees that meet at least once a term and feedback to students
 External examiners from other Universities report on the teaching, learning and assessment
 Six yearly internal reviews of all Economics degree Programmes, teaching, learning and
assessment
 Six yearly external reviews of all Economics degree Programmes, teaching, learning and
assessment
 All staff are appraised annually.
 Monitoring by the chosen industry and UKC of student progress.
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
 Departmental Learning and Teaching Committee
 Department Director of Learning and Teaching
 Department Placement Officer
 Student-Staff Liaison Committee
 Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee
 Learning and Teaching Board of the University
 Board of Examiners
 Double marking and moderation of assessed work and examinations
 External Examiners vetting degree awarding.
 Evaluation of graduate destination statistics
 Department, Faculty and University Module and Programme Approval Committees
 Staff acting as external examiners and Subject Review assessors at other Universities
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning
experience
7
 Annual student evaluations and surveys of all programmes
 Regular contact between placement students and UKC staff
 Student-Staff Liaison Committee meet at least once a term and feedback to students
 Student representation for each year at Department Meeting
 Student representation at Faculty and University Committees
 Student feedback through tutorial system and Senior Tutor.
 Informal student-staff contact
Staff development priorities include:
 Training of all new staff
 Training of staff new to University teaching - completion of a Two Year Teaching Course
(PGCHE) is compulsory
 Training of part-time staff
 Mentoring of new and part-time teachers
 Minimum expected qualifications for appointments to teaching posts
 Development of the teaching skills of all staff
 Staff appraisal scheme
 Staff development courses
 Dissemination of good practice in Department and University
 Programme team and module meetings
 Annual Policy Day meetings
 Participation on learning and teaching innovatory projects
 Interaction with National Learning and Teaching Network for Economics
 Membership of national economic bodies/committees
 Attendance at conferences
 Study leave
 Research seminars
 All staff are research active
17. Indicators of quality and standards
 Independent review of the quality of educational provision of Economics by the
Government’s Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency Subject Review process in 2001
achieving an excellent grading of 23 out of a maximum 24 points.
 Curriculum Design Content and Organisation
=4
 Teaching Learning and Assessment
=4
 Student Support and Guidance
=4
 Student Progression and Achievement
=4
 Learning Resources
=4
 Quality Management and Enhancement
=3
 All staff are research active and the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise confirmed the
quality of the Department’s research at 4 (out of a maximum of 5).
 These teaching and research assessments rank the Department well within the top 20 in the
country.
 Number of staff specialising in Economics.
 The last Periodic Programme Review report on Economics concluded that “there is
evidence of very good practice in every area of the Department’s activities”.
8

External Examiners’ Reports have consistently praised the learning, teaching, assessment
system and curriculum, eg “The quality of teaching is very high”.
The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
 Subject Benchmarking statements for Economics
 2001 Subject Review report on Economics at the University of Kent
 2000 External Programme Review of Economics
 The Department’s and University’s Plans and Learning and Teaching Strategies
9
EC559
Economics Degrees with a Year in Industry
Programme Outcomes
Stage A
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The working of an industry.
2. Practical experience of economics, business, management
and finance (not necessarily all).
B. Intellectual Skills:
1. Ability to abstract the essential features of a complex
system.
2. Ability to think about what are the important variables and
fixed parameters in solving a problem.
3. Ability to analyse complex issues using deductive and
inductive reasoning.
4. Ability to organise and use information to analyse complex
issues
5. Ability to review critically alternative explanations and
analyses of a problem.
C. Subject-Specific Skills:
1. Analytical skills in Economics that can be applied to
business problems.
2. Computing skills
3. Ability to apply economic principles and analysis to a range
of issues, problems and policies.
4. Ability to abstract the essential features of a
business/economic issue, problem or system.
5. Ability to use and present numerical information.
6. Be able to carry out economic/econometric analysis of
business/economic data.
D. Transferable Skills:
1. Effective communication of analysis and ideas both orally
and in written form.
2. Ability to assemble, analyse, use and present data.
3. Understanding of and ability to use economic, mathematical
and quantitative methods to analyse business issues and
problems
4. Ability to analyse and make decisions using economic
concepts, eg opportunity cost and strategic behaviour.
EC558
Module Mapping:


































5. Development of industry related skills.
6. Independence in initiating and executing work.
7. Ability to think critically about proposed analyses and
solutions to a problem or issue.
8. Become responsible for managing own performance.
10







