Quality Handbook
AQH-K4 Minimum requirement for Programme
Handbooks
Version 1.0 March 2009
All students must have access to a Programme Handbook. The Handbooks may be
distributed in print, or electronically via Sunspace. Students must be given clear direction on
how to access the Handbook.
This document lists items which must be included in all Programme Handbooks. Programme
Leaders can and should add further information that is useful and pertinent to the operation
of individual modules.
Where a link to information elsewhere is suggested, those URLs are included in Appendix
One.
The following items must be included in all Programme Handbooks:
1. Introduction
This should be written ‘from’ the Programme Leader, welcome students to the programme,
give them a flavour of what the programme is about, and briefly highlight recent
achievements of students or staff, strengths of the programme, links to research, and
changes to the programme made in response to student feedback.
2. Contacts specific to the programme
This should list academic, administrative and technical contacts - location (office hours where
relevant), email address and telephone number.
3. Requirements
Anything that the student is required to have/have access to/engage with in order to
undertake the programme, for example:
 a programme reading list
 electronic equipment required
 other specialist materials required
 information on field trips
 PSRB requirements
 study skills
4. Study and learning support
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Advice on study skills needed for this programme
Links to relevant study skills support
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Practical considerations for this programme
5. Student support and guidance (where not covered in the programme specification), to
include more detail on:
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the programme leader’s role
academic tutorial support system
administrative support
technical support
where information can be found (e.g. Sunspace, noticeboards)
link to Faculty information
support for students with disabilities
what a student should do if considering leaving the programme (relevant
Faculty/programme process for counselling/support, direction to Students’ Union
Student Contact Officer http://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/pages/advice_and_support/student_retention/)
what a student must do if he or she wishes to take leave of absence or transfer
programme.
careers guidance and planning
6. Assessment

Student Guide to the Academic Regulations
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2780
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link to the Academic Regulations
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2779
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any programme specific regulations
any fitness to practise regulations
link to University Extenuating Circumstances Policy
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2995/AQH-F613+Procedures+for+Extenuating+Circumstances.pdf
detail of local Extenuating Circumstances arrangements
plagiarism/infringement statement
link to University Plagiarism Policy
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2994/AQH-F612+Policy+Statement+on+Plagiarism.pdf
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Student Handbook (for appeals/complaints/discipline)
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2779
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Guide for Students on the Supervision of Dissertations and Projects
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3001/AQHF8+Supervision+of+Dissertations+and+Projects+-+a+Guide+for+Students.pdf
blank hand-in cover sheets if applicable
importance of submission
importance of core modules
7. The programme specification - either in full or a link to an electronic version.
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APPENDIX ONE
Useful URLs
Note: as URLs for some individual documents may change from year to year, some of the
links are to folders within the Academic Quality Handbook which contain the relevant
documents and which will not change.
University Generic Assessment Criteria
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3101/AQHB5+Generic+Assessment+Criteria.pdf
University Academic Regulations (including the Student Guide)
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2780
University Student Handbook
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document3033/Student+Handbook-Regulations%2C+Policies+and+Procedures+2008.pdf
University Policy on Plagiarism
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2994/AQH-F612+Policy+Statement+on+Plagiarism.pdf
University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2995/AQH-F613+Procedures+for+Extenuating+Circumstances.pdf
Guide for Students on the Supervision of Dissertations and Projects
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3001/AQHF8+Supervision+of+Dissertations+and+Projects+-+a+Guide+for+Students.pdf
University Policies on Complaints, Appeals and Student Discipline
https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2784
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