PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
for a Programme Leading to an Award of
MSc Animal Welfare (Equine Behaviour and Welfare)
The University of Northampton
1 Awarding Institution
The University of Northampton
2 Teaching Institution
Moulton College and The University of
Northampton
3 Programme Accreditation
N/A
4 Final Award
MSc/ Post Graduate Diploma/ Post
Graduate Certificate
5 Title of
Programme/Route/Pathway
MSc Animal Welfare (Equine Behaviour
and Welfare)
6 UCAS Code
Not Applicable
7 Benchmarking Group (QAA or
other) where appropriate
MSc Specifications
8 Educational aims of Programme
The aims of this programme are;
To provide training for students in skills associated with postgraduate learning,
particularly the approaches, methods and techniques required for research in the
equine field.
To develop the student’s abilities in terms of independent thinking, analytical
rigour, critical evaluation, professional development and employability skills.
To develop in the student a critical awareness of the principles on which the
assessment of equine behaviour and welfare are based so that new or unusual
situations can be appraised and evaluated and justified recommendations made.
To provide the opportunity for students to pursue their particular interest by
studying some aspects of equine behaviour and welfare in greater depth at masters
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degree level.
To provide a learning environment and community in which students can develop
and pursue their own learning within a sound framework of study leading to a
common body of advanced knowledge.
To develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional
development
9 Learning outcomes of a programme and teaching, learning and
assessment strategies
State the learning outcomes for the award and the teaching, learning and
assessment methods used to enable students to achieve and demonstrate these
outcomes.
A Knowledge and understanding
Teaching/learning methods
A1 Critically evaluate the ways in which
moral and ethical frameworks influence
attitudes to equines in different cultures
and historical periods
Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions,
field work and student centred learning
A2 Integrate detailed knowledge of
brain function with the assessment of
behaviour, temperament and personality
in animals, specialising in equines
A3 Synthesise and apply theoretical
knowledge relating to equine welfare in
applied settings
A4 Critically evaluate current research
and equine management strategies and
demonstrate their appropriate
application to new situations
Assessment

Essays

Time constrained assessment

Seminar presentations

Written assessments

Practical Fieldwork projects

Research Thesis
B Subject specific/practical skills
Teaching/Learning methods
B1 Critically evaluate the range of
methods available for the assessment of
equine behaviour and welfare
Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions,
field work and student centred learning
B2 Critically assess the link between
animal cognition and animal welfare
B3 Justify improvements and changes to
equine management systems to improve
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March 2009
Assessment

Essays

Time constrained assessment
welfare, based on theoretical principles
and research findings
B4 Relate skills acquired throughout the
course to the critical assessment of
equine welfare in unfamiliar settings.

Seminar presentations

Written assessments

Practical Fieldwork projects

Research Thesis
C Key skills
Teaching/learning methods
C1 Demonstrate self-direction and
originality in tackling and solving
problems and act autonomously in
planning and implementing tasks in
complex and unpredictable situations
Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions,
field work and student centred learning
C2 Engage confidently in academic and
professional communication with
specialist and non-specialist audiences
C3 Develop the independent learning
ability required for continuing
professional study
C4 Manage the ethical issues associated
with research involving animal subjects
and work proactively to achieve
appropriate solutions
Assessment

Essays

Time constrained assessment

Seminar presentations

Written assessments

Practical Fieldwork projects

Research Thesis
C5 Work effectively in group situations
and make appropriate use of the skills of
group members
C6 Demonstrate the ability to
understand, interpret and use numerical
and graphical information accurately and
effectively
10 Key skills strategy
Key skills development is integrated and holistic throughout the modules of the
programme. Students will have a number of opportunities to develop these skills
through taught activities, field work, case studies, assessments, tutorials and group
activities. Key skills are assessed through the completion of module assignments.
The tutorial process and personal development portfolio are also used to embed key
skills and to encourage students to reflect on their performance and further develop
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March 2009
their abilities as life long learners.
See Key Skills Map in Appendix 2
11 Assessment strategy
All modules available for the MSc in Equine Behaviour and Welfare are assessed by
coursework. There are no formal examinations although time constrained
assessments are used as a means of assessing factual knowledge of theories and
concepts. The course work takes a variety of forms with between 2 and 3 items of
assessment per module.
Assessment methods are varied and include
Reports – written assessments requiring a critical evaluation of underpinning
concepts and theories, an assessment of current practice or evaluation of specific
aspects of animal welfare.
TCA – a time constrained assessment that may take the form of a test of
knowledge and understanding or an activity requiring a response within a fixed
timeframe.
Essay – a written assessment generally requiring evaluation and critical review of
established theoretical frameworks and the application of theory to practical
contexts
Fieldwork projects – practical activities, that may involve aspects of group work,
requiring the design and implementation of a fieldwork plan. These generally
require some form of individual report of outcomes.
Seminar – a student led session involving presentation of material in a variety of
forms and the stimulation of debate or discussion. Seminars may be led by
individuals or groups.
Research Thesis – a major part of the MSc programme. Requires the design,
implementation and reporting of an extended practical research project with
evaluation and critical review of the current status of knowledge in a selected
subject area. .
Emphasis is principally on individual work although some data collection and
fieldwork exercises may require group collaboration. The module assessments
have been designed so that students can demonstrate achievement of the specified
learning outcomes.
See the Assessment map at Appendix 3
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12 Programme structure
See award map.
13 Admissions Policy and criteria
The University of Northampton admissions policy applies.
Applicants will normally be expected to have a lower second-class honours degree
or better in a relevant discipline (such as animal science, animal management,
equine science etc) but applicants from other disciplines may be admitted where
they can demonstrate a willingness and ability to tackle the programme. Practical
competence with regard to the husbandry and management of a range of animal
species will be an important criterion for entry to this programme. International
students will need to demonstrate an equivalent level of qualification as well as
meeting the University’s requirements in terms of English Language proficiency
(IELTS 6.5).
Within the existing University framework for APL/APEL, candidates who can
demonstrate an appropriate level of learning and achievement will be considered.
The essential element is for a candidate to demonstrate that, through prior learning
and experiential learning, they have achieved a level of knowledge and
understanding, both general and subject specific, together with the range of key
skills that might be expected of an honours graduate in a relevant discipline.
14 Assessment Regulations
Modular framework (UMF) regulations apply, including any proposed supplementary
regulations.
15 Support for learning
Student learning and individual support is provided by the following mechanisms

Tailored induction programme at the start of the programme

Allocation of personal tutor, individual and group tutorial sessions

Allocation of research project tutors to support the research thesis

Specialist resources including equestrian centre, commercial mixed farm
enterprise, animal unit and therapy centre, equine unit, Oakham veterinary
practice, equine therapy centre, specialist library and IT resources.
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March 2009
Careers advice sessions and wider college support systems including wardens,
counsellor, chaplain and student services team.
At institutional level support includes those services offered by Learning Resources,
IT Services and Student Services (please refer to The University of Northampton’s
website: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/ and click on current students). In
addition, the Centre for Achievement & Performance provides support for study
skills.
16 Evaluation and quality enhancement
The University of Northampton has several methods of monitoring and enhancing
academic quality and standards, these include:
External Examiners
Boards of Study with student representation
Boards of Examiners
Annual Review at Field and School level
Periodic Subject Review
Student Evaluation
Moderation Policies
QSEC/SSEC
HE Academic Board
17 Date of approval or revision
New pathway approved at PAC (May
2011)
Reviewed PSR – 14/15
18 Appendices
Appendix 1
Award Map (Curriculum Team official
version ONLY)
Appendix 2
Key Skills Map (use templates when
available)
Appendix 3
Assessment Map
Guidance on preparing programme specifications is available on the QAA website
at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/programSpec/default.asp.
The University of Northampton
Academic Quality and Standards Handbook – Appendix 3J
March 2009