UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
University of Kent Certificate in Humanities & Social Sciences
1. Awarding Institution/Body
2. Teaching Institution
University of Kent (UoK)
Chaucer College Canterbury (CCC) and
UoK
3. Teaching Site
Canterbury
5. Final Award
Certificate
4. Programme accredited by:
n/a
6. Programme
University of Kent Certificate in the
7. UCAS code (or other code)
n/a
Humanities and Social Sciences
8. Relevant QAA subject
n/a
9. Date of production/revision
June 2006
benchmarking group/s
10. Applicable cohort/s
2006-7
1. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. Prepare Japanese students for the academic and linguistic demands of Stage 11 at
a British University by integrating English language and study skills support in a
balanced programme of lectures and tutorials in selected subjects in the
humanities, political science and social sciences.
2. Give the students a transitional learning experience involving study at both the UoK
campus and the CCC campus. The modular programme will consist of a
combination of UoK modules and modules developed by CCC. The UoK modules
will involve attendance at lectures at the UoK campus with seminar and tutorial
support being held at the CCC campus. Lectures (and supporting seminars and
tutorials) for CCC modules will be held at the CCC campus, and will be open to
3.
UoK students.
The programme will consist of four 15 credit UoK modules (Dept. of Politics and
International Relations) one 30 credit module offered by SSPSSR and two 15 credit
CCC modules.
4.
The aim of the programme is to enable students to acquire a sound knowledge
of the concepts, approaches and methods in a variety of subject areas in the
humanities and social sciences, and learn to relate this knowledge to questions of
public concern
5. Produce a mature awareness and tolerance of cultural diversity in the world, as
well as an understanding of Japan’s place in the contemporary world.
12.
Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate
knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following
areas. The programme outcomes have references to the subject benchmarking
statement for Politics and International Relations
Knowledge and Understanding
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
1. Key facts, concepts, approaches,
methods, and subject specific
terminology in the humanities and
social sciences.
Teaching/learning and assessment
Methods and strategies used to enable
outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated
Teaching/learning
Lectures and seminars (1 hour each p.w.) ;
subject tutorials (half an hour p.w.) backed
up by English language support tutorials (1
hour p.w.) and IELTS classes (4 hours per
week)
Assessment
Various coursework assignments depending
on the module, including some or all of the
following: group presentations,
diaries,book/film reviews,essays,analyses.
Summative evaluation (per subject): One 2hour
examination per subject at the end of
the programme.
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual skills:
Listening skills
1. Identify and note down the main
points in a lecture. Distinguish
Teaching/learning
from unimportant asides
courses and tutorials; IELTS preparation
these from supporting details, and
Lectures ; subject and English/study skills
Reading skills
1.
Efficient reading of texts: skim for
gist, scan for information,
distinguish main ideas from
supporting details, and these from
Assessment
the task set.
examinations; IELTS
information that is not relevant to
2.
3.
Identify the author’s arguments and
distinguish them from and compare
them with the arguments of others.
Search efficiently in a number of
sources for information that is
relevant to the tasks set, and
record this information in note-form
so that it can be retrieved easily
4.
later.
Synthesise, paraphrase and
summarise this information for
learning purposes and in
preparation for essay assignments
Coursework assignments and final
Writing skills
5. Interpret essay questions.
6. Communicate knowledge in a
format, logical structure and
discourse appropriate to the
subject.
7. Cite sources and write
bibliographies in an appropriate
format.
Oral skills
8. Discuss issues and argue a point
of view while observing the
conventions and etiquette of
academic discussion and debate
9. Adapt and develop ideas in the
light of
new or contradictory
information or
opinions
10. Make an effective oral presentation,
using appropriate linguistic and
para-linguistic techniques, and
audio-visual aids.
C. Subject-specific skills:
11. Master the academic conventions
and methodologies of each subject
Teaching/learning
Coursework assignments; seminars; oral
presentations; English language/study skills
course (EUS) and tutorials
Assessment
Coursework assignments and final
examinations
D. Transferable skills:
12. Integrate new ideas with existing
Teaching/learning
knowledge to create a new
synthesis
13. Think critically: classify and
evaluate ideas. Distinguish facts
from ideas and opinions
14. Use a library effectively.
Coursework assignments; seminar
presentations; seminar discussions; English
language/study skills course (EUS) and
tutorials; computer lessons; library orientation
sessions
15. Use basic computer programmes
(word processing; internet
searches, email)
16. Work and learn independently of
the teacher/lecturer: Set own study
Assessment
confidence in expressing personal
examinations
ends and means. Develop
ideas and defending them.
Coursework assignments and final
17. Manage time, prioritise workloads
and recognise and manage
personal emotions and stress.
18. Evaluate his/her performance and
take appropriate action to remedy
any shortfalls
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The UoK Certificate programme has been amended in line with recommendations
made by the Periodic Review Committee in their report dated March 2002. The main
change being made to the programme is that it is to be modularised and that most
of the modules taken by the students will be UoK modules offered by SSPSSR, and
the Department of Politics and International Relations. CCC students will attend
lectures for these modules at UoK. Follow-up seminars and tutorials will be held at
CCC, as before. However, two modules have been developed by CCC, and all the
teaching for these will be at CCC. Just as CCC students will attend lectures at UoK,
so UoK students who are given the option to do the CCC modules by their Faculty
will be welcome to attend the lectures at CCC.
The weekly timetable will normally consist of a one hour lecture, a one hour
seminar. Each student will also have a one-hour language/study skills tutorial per
week, a two hour per week English language and study skills course (‘English for
University Studies’), and two hours of IELTS-related study. In-house subject tutorials
are available if needed.
Successfully completing all the required modules and gaining 120 credits will entitle
the student to the award of the University of Kent
Certificate in the Humanities and
Social Sciences. A student with this Certificate may then continue to study for a
further two years (Stage II) at UoK or other university to achieve a degree, subject to
gaining sufficient grades in IELTS. They are normally expected to achieve a minimum
of 6.5 overall (with 6.0 in reading and 6.0 in writing) in the IELTS test of English.
Assessment
Assessments, including for work done in connection with the UoK modules, will be
conducted by CCC. Assessment requirements will be based on UoK practice: i.e.
through (i) coursework (see 12. 1. above for examples) (ii) a two or three-hour
examination. The weighting between coursework and examinations will vary
depending on the module. To be awarded the UoK Certificate Students must pass
all modules with a minimum of 40% average marks in each
A Board of Examiners will meet at the end of the academic year to agree
assessments of students based on coursework and examination results. No student
may repeat a course.
13. Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
Code
Title
Level
Credits
Term(s)
PO315
Introduction to
Stage 1
15
Autumn
PO311
Politics and
Stage 1
15
Spring
Stage 1
15
Autumn
Modules
Government
Popular Culture in
Modern Japan
PO305
International
History and
International
Relations
SO300
Sociology
Stage 1
30
Autumn/Spring
PO310
Introduction to
Stage 1
15
Spring
International
Politics
CCC
Contemporary East
Stage 1
15
Autumn
CCC
East Meets West:
Stage 1
15
Spring
Asia
Contemporary
Debates in the
Media of Britain
and Japan
14. Support for Students and Their Learning
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Formal pre-course meeting
Student/lecturer ratio (at CCC): 6:1
Programme co-ordinator/student adviser
One hour seminars (an hour per week)
In-house subject tutorials available as and when the students request them.
One-to-one language and study skills tutorials (one hour per week)
Handbook
Templeman Library (N.B. CCC pays subscriptions for CCC students to use the
Templeman library)

Chaucer College Library
- access to the Internet, and Templeman library catalogues
- a CD-ROM facility, and a printer
- over 8000 books (including some not available at the Templeman library)
- past examination papers and course outlines.
- cassettes and videos
- a photocopier for student and staff use
- subscriptions to 35 journals; 7 newspapers (English and Japanese)
- a Special Collection of books connected with Japanese Studies
N.B.
Chaucer College will ensure that all the resources required by the revised
programme will be purchased and made available to the students. Essential
reading for each module will be purchased as soon as the requirements of the
modules are known and made available to the students from the beginning of
the next academic year. These resources will be available to UoK registered
students doing CCC modules.

Computer Facilities at Chaucer College
The College network has 16 PCs running Windows XP Professional for
students to use in class and for private study.
The network offers Microsoft
Office 2003 Professional as the main software applications package: this
includes Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Powerpoint.
Also available are
several CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) programmes.
Each student at the College has training in using the computer system and
software and has their own Chaucer login. Students have access to the
internet from their study bedrooms. Access to the UoK’s WebCT and WARD
servers has been negotiated.
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Study Centre at Chaucer College
Resources available for language learning include:
-VCR
-audio-cassette players
-audio-cassettes and worksheets
-Grammar and vocabulary books
-Dictionaries and thesauruses
15. Entry Profile
Entry Route:-

The Chaucer
College
Foundation
Course
NB This is the only
The course is accepted by the University of Kent as providing
suitable preparation for entry to the UoK Certificate Course.
In order to pass the Foundation Course and gain entry to the
UoK Certificate programme, students must get
entry route to the
either:
programme
assessed courses (i.e three subject courses plus ‘English for
UoK Certificate
(a)a final mark of 40 or more for each of the four
University Studies (EUS)’)
or
(b)a final mark of 40 or more in three out of the four
courses (i.e.one fail is permitted – but not in EUS*) plus an
aggregate mark of at least 168
*Students must get a final mark of 40% or more in EUS . A
mark out of 100 is given for each of the three subject papers,
and an average is taken to give the final mark.
Students achieving marks over 60 are awarded MERIT; those
over 70, DISTINCTION.
What does this programme have to offer?

A very generous student/staff (max. 1:10) ratio for seminars, and one-to-one tutorials
in each module as well as for English language and study skills tuition.
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A protected academic and social environment which aims to help students adjust to
living and studying in Britain
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The language and study skills required to perform successfully on an undergraduate
course at a British university.
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An essential introduction to the concepts, facts, methodologies and conventions of
subjects that will prepare the students for selected modules at Stage 11 of their
chosen undergraduate course.
Personal Profile
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A desire to do an undergraduate course in Britain
A willingness to work hard
An open and enquiring mind
An ability and willingness to adapt to a new environment and culture
A desire to improve their academic and social English
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
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Student evaluations through informal discussion and module and programme
questionnaires
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Staff development meeting early in the first term.
Monitoring of teaching performance in the classroom
Mock examinations to provide feed-back to staff and students on progress.
Use of moderators for examinations and essays
Appointment of convenors to give guidance to teaching staff
External examiners appointed by UoK monitor assessment standards
Final examination board meeting at the end of the year.
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
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Board of Studies
Student progress sub-committee
Vice-Chancellor and UoK Certificate Co-ordinator meet weekly to discuss all aspects of
the course and student welfare.
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning
experience
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A staff/student liaison committee which will include one student representative. This
committee, which will report to the Board of Studies, will meet once a term.
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Students will complete a module questionnaire at the end of each module taken. A
summary of the responses will be offered to the module convenors.
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Students will complete a programme questionnaire at the end of the academic year.
The Board of Studies will decide on any action to be taken in response to the student
evaluations, and the students will be informed of any such action through the
staff/student liaison committee.

Students and staff have access to the UoK Co-ordinator at any time to discuss
matters that are affecting their respective performances.
Staff development priorities include:

Raising awareness of the students’ learning behaviour and expectations, and the
cultural differences that may hinder the development of an effective learning/teaching
environment.
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Evaluating methods of teaching a subject through the medium of English that are
appropriate for students whose level of English proficiency is limited.
17. Indicators of quality and standards
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The qualifications and teaching experience of the teaching staff
Standards set by convenors and external examiners
External examiners’ reports
Comments made by students about the modules and programme, the quality of
teaching, resources, and administrative and pastoral support (See 16. above)
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Comments made by teaching staff about the students’ behaviour and performance
Attendance record of students and staff
The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
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The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Handbook for Academic Review
UoK Programme Specifications Template with Exemplar Information (Annex 3)