The Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MA in Local and Regional Studies
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Awarding and Teaching Institution: University of Bradford
Final Award:
Postgraduate Certificate; Diploma; MA
Programme Title:
Local and Regional Studies
Benchmark Statement:
not applicable
Duration:
Minimum 2 years
Course Type:
Part-time
Date:
December 2003
Introduction
The MA in Local and Regional Studies is intended to provide you with opportunities
for study at a higher level if you already possess an appropriate qualification and
have an interest in the subject area. It will allow you to extend your knowledge by
studying regions and localities from a variety of perspectives. You will be able to
access a range of modules (units of study) examining this subject area from
historical, cultural, religious and political perspectives. Individual modules are worth
20 credits. Once you have accumulated 120 credits by successfully completing the
required number of modules and are registered for the award, you will then need to
complete a dissertation for an MA to be awarded. The dissertation may be on a
subject of your own choosing (in consultation with course tutors) and is worth 60
credits
If you do not wish to submit a dissertation, but successfully complete modules worth
60 credits you may be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Local and Regional
Studies. If you attain 120 credits then you may be awarded the Postgraduate
Diploma in Local and Regional Studies.
This is a part-time course. You would normally be expected to complete it in two or
three years, but it is possible to extend study over a longer period.
Course Aims and Outcomes
The aims of the course are to provide a broad knowledge of the development of
Yorkshire and the Central Pennines against which background problems and
debates about regionality will be raised. The dissertation offers MA students the
opportunity to pursue a detailed local study, but one in which broader theoretical and
methodological considerations will figure.
We expect tutors to effect these aims by encouraging you to explore in an
interdisciplinary way relationships between historical, cultural, religious and political
aspects of regions and regionality. Critical engagement with the subject is an
important characteristic of the course and you should expect to be asked to consider
viewpoints different from your own.
On completion of the course you should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding:
 Demonstrate a broad and systematic understanding of the development of
Yorkshire and the Central Pennines
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
Demonstrate a detailed understanding of a specific area of knowledge and
provide a critique of the issues raised and/or current debates
Discipline Skills:
 Critically evaluate current research and scholarship in the study of regions and
localities
 Develop and be able to assess methodologies relating to the study of regions
and localities
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Personal Transferable Skills:
 Take personal responsibility for learning
 Demonstrate the ability to work independently
 Demonstrate communication skills at specialist and non-specialist levels
 Demonstrate organisational skills in planning and implementing tasks at a
professional level
 Use information technology to capture data and present work
And on completing the dissertation you should also be able to:
 Exercise initiative and personal responsibility
 Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively
 Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems
 Make sound judgements even in the absence of complete data
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The award has been designed so that you will be given the opportunity to develop a
range of skills appropriate to the area of study. Teaching styles will provide you with
varied approaches to learning and will include work in groups, discussions, individual
presentations and seminars. You will be encouraged to pursue individual projects as
well as joining with whole class objectives - both team-working and active,
autonomous learning are important parts of our approach.
Assessment is seen as an integral part of the learning process. Modes of
assessment will not be based simply on essays, but will include a range of
assignments. In other words the assessment is embedded in the content of the
course and should extend knowledge, experience and skill. All assessment is by
coursework; there are no examinations.
Curriculum Design
The curriculum has been designed both to provide you with a grounding in research
in local and regional studies and to stimulate an interest in some of the issues and
debates arising out of this subject area. The award is composed of modules giving
20 credits on successful completion. There are two core or compulsory modules, as
detailed below. The dissertation is required, if you are taking the MA. The
curriculum consists of:
Code
Credit
Semest
er
Unit Title
Core/Option
LED5601D
20
1 or 2
Local and Regional Studies: 20th
Century Themes and Perspectives
O
LED5602D
20
1 or 2
Regions and Beliefs
O
20
1 or 2
Yorkshire and the Pennines 17502000: Industry and Urbanisation
O
20
1 or 2
The Political Geography of Northern
England 1832-1997
O
LED5603D
LED5604D
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20
1 or 2
Yorkshire and the Pennines 16001900: Cultural Landscapes
O
20
1or 2
Sources and Research Methods in
Local and Regional Studies
C
60
20
2
1 or 2
Dissertation
Students may also import up to 20
credits from modules at level three of
the BA in Local and Regional Studies.
Details of these may be found at:
C
LED5605D
LED5606D
LED5607Z
O
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/conted/cf
a/lrsba.html
Credit from other degrees may be
considered where this is appropriate.
Quality Management
The School is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of its courses. To
this end a number of procedures are in place to ensure quality. Courses are
periodically reviewed to ensure modules and course structures remain relevant and
that knowledge remains current. Two examiners consider assignments which are
further scrutinized by an external examiner. When modules have been completed,
you will be given the opportunity to evaluate the module in terms of teaching quality,
learning environment, support and resources. In addition to this there is a StaffStudent Liaison Committee which meets twice each semester. The Committee is
student led and student representatives may raise questions or make suggestions
about courses or other issues. The outcomes of this committee are scrutinized by
the School’s Academic Courses Committee and in turn reported to the School Board
and the Senate of the University.
Student Guidance ,Progression and Support
The course leader will advise you on the course. In addition to this, the School has a
Student Guidance Tutor who will be able to give further help and advice. On attaining
the MA in Local and Regional Studies you will have opportunities of further research
either at MPhil or PhD level. There is also a University counselling service available.
Admission Requirements and the Award
Access to the course is by direct application. The entrance requirement is the
possession of an honours degree of 2:2 classification or above, or an appropriate
professional qualification and an interest in local and regional studies. A short
interview to discuss these requirements will be arranged, and each application will be
considered on its individual merits.
Assessment regulations: a summary (the text of the progression regulations is
maintained on the Web http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html)
To be eligible for a Masters Degree,
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
You must achieve at least 40% in 160 credits and 35% in the other 20 credits.
If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 60.0% at the initial attempt,
including at least 60.0% at the initial attempt in any dissertation, you will be eligible
for the award of the Degree of Master with Merit.
If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt,
including at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in your dissertation, you will be eligible
for the award of the Degree of Master with Distinction.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma,

You must achieve at least 40.0% in 100 Credits and at least 35.0% in the
other 20 Credits.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate,

You must achieve at least 40.0% in 40 Credits and at least 35.0% in the other
20 Credits.
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