TEMPLATE FOR MODULE DESCRIPTION
A summary of headings is given on this page: a detailed template follows.
MODULE TITLE:
Full title and short title if over 30 characters
MODULE CODE:
allocated by Module Office
MODULE LEVEL:
A, 1, 2, or 3 for sub-degree and undergraduate modules; M for postgraduate
taught modules
CREDIT POINTS:
SEMESTER:
LOCATION:
PREREQUISITE(S)
COREQUISITE(S)
MODULE CO-ORDINATOR(S): Other A N (Dr), [Campus, School]
TEACHING STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR MODULE DELIVERY
HOURS
Indicate total notional student effort hours and division between
lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, private study etc (10 hours
= 1 credit point)
ACADEMIC SUBJECT
as required for module database: see Appendix 18
RATIONALE
State the general purpose of the module in the context of the
subject area as a whole
AIMS
State the educational aims of the module
LEARNING OUTCOMES
State the knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities whose
acquisition a successful student should be able to demonstrate
CONTENT
Ensure that the content relates to the aims and intended learning
outcomes of the module
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS Specify the methods to be used
ASSESSMENT
Specify the methods to be used with examples as appropriate.
Indicate relationship to aims and learning outcomes.
Give the distribution of marks between
% Coursework
READING LIST
% Examination
Divide into required and recommended reading to include
Author, Title, Publication, Publisher, Place, Year
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Up to 480 characters (for use in module database and related publications)
1
Module Description Template
This description is drawn up in a standard format to facilitate the production of programme
specifications. It is designed to describe the level of the module, what the student learns to
do by undertaking it and how that performance is assessed.
The template is laid out in table format, which you may choose to follow. Please type within
the cells of the table to facilitate the maintenance of the standard format which you may
choose to follow. Add or delete rows if necessary but it should not be necessary to add
columns.
Please fill in and then delete all italic text before you print it out.
IN COMPLETING THIS MODULE SPECIFICATION PLEASE USE THE ARIAL FONT AND
FONT SIZE 10
MODULE TITLE:
Full title and short title if over 30 characters
MODULE CODE:
MODULE LEVEL:
A, 1, 2, or 3 for sub-degree and undergraduate modules; or
M or 3 for postgraduate modules. The level should be
determined by reference to the level descriptors.
CREDIT POINTS:
1 credit point per 10 hours of notional student effort. 10, 15,
20, 30 points for taught modules or 60 for postgraduate
dissertation or project.
SEMESTER:
1/2/3 or 1 and 2 (“long thin”).
LOCATION:
Campus (including Campus One for e-learning) or outcentre.
PREREQUISITE(S)
This relates to a module or modules which must be
completed prior to start of this module.
CO-REQUISITE(S)
This relates to a module or modules which must be taken
alongside this module.
MODULE CO-ORDINATOR(S):
Surname; Initials;
TEACHING STAFF RESPONSIBLE
FOR MODULE DELIVERY
Surname; Initials;
HOURS:
Indicate total notional student effort hours and their division
between lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, private
study, etc (10 hours = 1 credit point)
Lectures
hrs
Seminars
hrs
Tutorials
hrs
Practicals
hrs
Independent study
(including assessment)
hrs
TOTAL EFFORT HOURS:
This is the number of credit points multiplied by 10. It must
match the total of effort hours detailed above.
ACADEMIC SUBJECT:
This is a code from the University of Ulster subject list. It
could determine the first three letters of the module code and
should relate to School or Sub-division of a School offering
the module.
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RATIONALE
Please state the general purpose of the module in the context of the subject area as a whole .
AIMS
Please state the essential aims of the module. These aims should lay the foundation for the learning
outcomes, the learning and teaching methods and assessment outlined in this description.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes should be statements of the minimum that a student will be able to do when they
have completed the module.
Learning outcomes should:

be written in the future tense;

identify important learning requirements;

be achievable and assessable; and

use language that students can understand.
Further advice is available from the University of Ulster Assessment Handbook.
Adapt the following table to suit your needs. The categories are those used in the Course
Specification. Not all categories need be addressed in each module and the number of learning
outcomes is not fixed. Learning outcomes should be compatible with the level descriptors. See
Appendix 7 of the Course Approval, Management and Review handbook for further information.
Follow a numbering scheme since these will be referred to in the Assessment section and will assist
in drawing up a course specification.
You may wish to identify learning outcomes that are not essential (i.e. above the minimum) but which
nevertheless add value. These need not be assessed. Do not number them.
A successful student will be able to show that he/she can:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
K1
K2
K3
K4
INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES
I1
I2
I3
I4
3
PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
P1
P2
P3
P4
TRANSFERABLE/KEY SKILLS
S1
S2
S3
S4
CONTENT
Ensure that the content relates to the aims and intended learning outcomes of the module
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Explain why these methods are being employed from a student perspective. Where appropriate,
cross-reference the teaching methods to the intended learning outcomes.
Lectures will…
Seminars will…
Tutorials will…
Practical exercises will…
Students will be directed to read…
Students will be expected to …
Add extra Learning and Teaching Methods as relevant
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ASSESSMENT
Indicate the methods to be used, with examples as appropriate. Cross-reference each assessment
method to the learning outcomes to indicate how the achievement of each learning outcome is being
assessed.
Coursework 1:
This should comprise a

short description of the type of work involved

an indication of its percentage contribution

the module learning outcomes assessed (cross reference to the Learning Outcomes Section)
Do not be too specific since you may wish to vary the methods from time to time. Appropriate use of
exemplars will be useful here. The emphasis should be on how this method indicates a student’s ability to
achieve the specified learning outcomes.
This assignment will measure the student’s achievement of module learning outcomes insert the
appropriate learning outcome number from your list of this module’s learning outcomes
Coursework 2: if relevant
As above
Examination: if relevant
This might comprise a short description of the examination in terms of:

how many questions in how long?

the extent of choice within the paper?

how many sections?

open or closed book?

compulsory sections etc.
Exemplars:
A 3-hour paper with between 5 and 8 questions in which there will be an element of choice. Learning
outcome K1, I2 and P2 will be assessed
OR
A 2-hour paper in two sections. Section one will be compulsory and assess Learning Outcomes K1-3,
P1 and S1. Section two will contain an element of choice and assess learning outcomes K2-4, I1-3 and
S2
The examination will measure the student’s achievement of learning outcomes cross-reference to your
list of this module’s learning outcomes
Give the distribution of marks between coursework and examination
% Coursework
% Examination
READING LIST
List all required and indicative recommended reading. These should include electronic sources. Use the
Harvard referencing system throughout.
Required
Recommended
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Up to 480 characters (for use in module database and related publications)
5