UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
Degree and Programme Title: Two-Year Master’s in (one of the following pathways):
•
Sociology
•
International Social Policy
•
Methods of Social Research
•
Criminology
•
Criminology with a semester abroad
1. Awarding Institution
University of Kent
2. Teaching Institution
University of Kent
3. School responsible for management of
the programme
SSPSSR
4. Teaching Site
Canterbury
5. Mode of Delivery
Full-time
6. Programme accredited by
N/A
7. Final Award
MA/Graduate Diploma
8. Programme
Two-Year Master’s in (one of the following
pathways):
•
Sociology
•
International Social Policy
•
Methods of Social Research
•
Criminology
•
Criminology with a semester abroad
9. UCAS Code (or other code)
N/A
10. Credits/ECTS value
300 Kent/150 ECTS
11. Study Level
Masters
12. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking
group(s)
Subjects relating to Programmes in SSPSSR
i.e. Sociology (SBM), Social Policy and
Administration (SPBM), Criminology (CBM). In
addition Languages and related studies
(LRSBMBM).
University of Kent Credit Framework for
Taught Programmes (CFTP)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQ
uality/subject-guidance/Pages/Honoursdegree-benchmark-statements.aspx
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfo.html
13. Date of creation/revision (note that
April 2013
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Postgraduate programme specification
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
dates are necessary for version control)
14. Intended Start Date of Delivery of this
Programme
September 2013
15. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. Prepare international students for the academic challenges of postgraduate study in
SSPSSR
2. Offer a range of SSPSSR modules which will provide a solid grounding for further study at
3.
4.
5.
6.
Master’s level in the UK
Develop academic and research skills in Social Science degrees taught through Social
Sciences
Increase students’ proficiency in English for general academic purposes and English for
study in SSPSSR to a standard which is equivalent to C1 on CEFR or 6.5 in IELTS
Enable students, on completion, to study successfully alongside others who have
completed a full UK Social Sciences degree
Enable students to develop their independent study and research skills in the context of
postgraduate study associated with SSPSSR
16 Programme Outcomes (See also MA Sociology, International Social Policy, Methods of Social
Research, Criminology and Criminology with a semester abroad programme specifications for details)
A. Knowledge and Understanding of:
A.EAP – English for Academic Purposes CFTP (LRSBMBM 5)
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
A.EAP.1 - The structures, registers and varieties of English to a level sufficient for them to be
successful on a University of Kent post-graduate degree programme. (LRSBMBM 2.2, 5.1,
5.3, 6.3 & 6.4)
A.EAP.2 - The inter-disciplinary nature of Academic Skills in Social Sciences (LRSBM 3)
A.EAP.3 - Academic literacy and skills - in particular, the use of English for Academic
Purposes (LRSBMBM 4.1)
A.Soc - Sociology (SBM 3.2)
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of:
A.Soc.1 - Key concepts and theoretical approaches within sociology
A.Soc.2 - Awareness of social context, the nature of social processes and of social diversity
and inequality
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:
A.Soc.3 - comparative analysis
A.Soc.4 - the relationship between individuals, groups and social institutions
A.Soc.5 - the role of culture in social life
A.Soc.6 - the social processes underpinning social change
A.Soc.7 - a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods
A.SPol - Social Policy (SPBM 3.2, 3.3)
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of:
A.SPol.1 - contemporary activities and organisation of the main institutions of the UK welfare
systems, including the provision, financing and regulation of social security, education, health
and social care, and housing
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A.SPol.2 - operation and impact of non-governmental sources of welfare including the
informal, voluntary and private sectors, and of how these interact within mixed economies of
welfare
A.SPol.3 - ways in which other countries organise their social policies and welfare institutions
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:
A.SPol.4 - the key concepts and theories of welfare, including human needs and social
welfare; inequality, poverty and exclusion; citizenship, social difference and diversity; theories
of the state and policy making; theories and methods of comparative analysis
A.SPol.5 - how different social groups and individuals experience, respond to and contest
social policies
A.SPol.6 - the political economy of welfare and how values and principles are related to
political and economic interests
A.SPol.7 - the strengths, weaknesses and uses of social research and research methods
A.Crim - Criminology (CBM 4.2)
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
A.Crim.1 - The development of criminology as a distinct area of study and inquiry; its
interdisciplinary nature; alternative theoretical approaches within criminology; contemporary
debates about the content and scope of criminology
A.Crim.2 - How crime, deviance and victimisation are socially and legally constructed;
relationships between crime, deviance and offending, victimisation, and social divisions such
as age, gender, social class, race and ethnicity
A.Crim.3 - The social and historical development of public policing; the organisation and
powers of the police in different locations; functions, methods and strategies of policing; the
practice and implications of particular policing strategies
A.Crim.4 - The development, role, organisation and governance of efforts to reduce and
prevent crime and harm, and to ensure personal and public safety and security in different
locations
A.Crim.5 - The social and historical development of the main institutions involved in crime
control in different locations; the philosophy and politics of criminal justice and modes of
punishment; the use of discretion in relation to justice processes including issues of
discrimination and diversity
A.Crim.6 - Representations of victimisation, crime and deviance, and of the main agents and
institutions which respond to crime and deviance, as found in the mass media, in official
reports and in public opinion
A.Crim.7 - How to develop a reflective approach and a critical awareness of the values of local
cultures and local politics, and of the student's own values, biography, and social identity, and
how to bring these skills to bear in an informed response to crime and victimisation
A.RM - Research Methods
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
A.RM.1 - An understanding of the process and debates surrounding how researchers learn
more about the social world
A.RM.2 - Gain an understanding of the techniques and approaches that social researchers
draw upon to organise, structure and interpret research evidence
A.RM.3 - Develop knowledge of how to judge the quality of research concerning strengths and
weaknesses of the range of frameworks and methodologies
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Acquisition of A.EAP, A.Soc, A.SPol, A.Crim, A.RM are achieved, according to the pathway of
study in SSPSSR, through a combination of taught classes, lectures, seminars and group
work, depending on and appropriate to the modules being studied. Throughout the
programme, students are provided with the opportunity to develop subject-specific skills and
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generic skills (as per the benchmark statements which relate to SSPSSR).Teaching is studentcentred, involving collaborative work as well as the encouragement of learner autonomy.
Assessment takes place through a combination of written and oral coursework, presentations,
portfolios and unseen written exams as well as individual and group project work (as per
benchmark LRSBM 4.1, 4.2 ). There is regular and ongoing feedback on the development of
knowledge and skills in SSPSSR subject areas and language proficiency.
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual Skills:
B.EAP - English for Academic Purposes CFTP (LRSBM 5)
B.EAP.1 - Engage in critical reflection
B.EAP.2 - Verbal discussion and written and interpretative analysis of key material
B.EAP.3 - Present, evaluate and interpret a variety of data using defined techniques in a
logical and systematic fashion
B.Soc - Sociology (SBM 4.2)
B.Soc.1 - judging and evaluating evidence
B.Soc.2 - appreciating the complexity and diversity of social situations
B.Soc.3 - assessing the merits of competing theories and explanations
B.Soc.4 - gathering, retrieving, and synthesising information
B.Soc.5 - making reasoned arguments
B.SPol - Social Policy (SPBM 3.5)
B.SPol.1 - problem-solving skills: social policy encourages imagination and flexibility in
seeking solutions to social problems
B.SPol.2 - research skills: to discover information, to manipulate data and to discover their
meaning
B.SPol.3 - evaluative and analytical skills: social policy teaches students to summarise and
analyse arguments, reports, documents and other written and verbal data
B.SPol.4 - sensitivity to the values and interests of others: the teaching of social policy
contributes to the development of students' capacity for self-reflection and in particular their
ability to listen and interact with others, and to take account of their own normative and moral
positions in order to understand how human needs are experienced and met
B.Crim - Criminology (CBM 5.2)
B.Crim.1 - appreciating the complexity and diversity of the ways in which crime is constituted,
represented and dealt with
B.Crim.2 - assessing the merits of competing theories relevant to crime, victimisation and
responses to crime and deviance
B.Crim.3 - assessing the merits and diversity of objectives of competing responses to crime
and deviance, including the protection of human rights
B.Crim.4 - gathering, retrieving and synthesising data and information
B.Crim.5 - making ethical judgments about published research
B.Crim.6 - making reasoned arguments
B.Crim.7 - interpreting quantitative and qualitative evidence and texts
B.RM - Research Methods
B.RM.1 - general research skills, especially bibliographic and computing skills
B.RM.2 - gather, organize and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of
secondary and some primary sources
B.RM.3 - identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems
B.RM.4 - develop reasoned arguments, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical
judgement
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Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Acquisition of B.EAP, B.Soc, B.SPol, B.Crim, B.RM is achieved , according to the pathway of
study in SSPSSR, through a mix of lectures, tutor- and student-led seminars, group tutorials,
workshops and presentations, depending on and appropriate to the modules being studied (as
per benchmark statement LRSBM 6). Key skills of Analysis, Synthesis and Critical thinking are
embedded within a wide range of the programme’s modules. Learning and teaching is studentcentred, involving collaborative work, as well as the encouragement of learner autonomy. This
aims to make the process satisfying, stimulating, inclusive, challenging and productive.
Assessment takes place through a combination of written and oral coursework, presentations,
portfolios, written reports, practical assignments and written exams and a dissertation (as per
benchmark statement LRSBM 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, 6.15 and 6.18. There is regular and on-going
feedback on content, language and the presentation of factual interpretative content.
C. Subject-specific Skills:
C.Soc - Sociology (SBM 4.3)
C.Soc.1 - the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
C.Soc.2 - competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, and
their application to social life
C.Soc.3 - the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
C.Soc.4 - the ability to identify a range of qualitative and quantitative research strategies and
methods and to comment on their relative advantages and disadvantages
C.Soc.5 - the ability to understand and evaluate sociological research
C.Soc.6 - the ability to understand the ethical implications of sociological enquiry
C.Soc.7 - the ability to recognise the relevance of sociological knowledge to social and public
policy
C.SPol - Social Policy (SPBM 5.4)
C.SPol.1 - well-developed descriptive skills and basic analytic skills
C.SPol.2 - an ability to distinguish between some of the core theories, concepts and
approaches in social policy
C.SPol.3 - a basic ability to understand and evaluate data derived from social surveys and
other research publications
C.SPol.4 - a basic ability to understand and evaluate investigations on social questions and
problems
C.SPol.5 - a sufficient understanding of research methods and to make comments on research
evidence
C.Crim - Criminology (CBM 5.3)
C.Crim.1 - the ability to identify criminological problems, formulate questions and investigate
them
C.Crim.2 - competence in using criminological theory and concepts to understand crime,
victimisation and responses to crime and deviance
C.Crim.3 - competence in using criminological theory to elucidate representations of crime,
victimisation, and responses to these, as presented in the mass media and official reports
C.Crim.4 - competence in explaining complex social problems in terms of criminological theory
C.Crim.5 - the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical information about
crime, victimisation, responses to crime and deviance, and representations of crime
C.Crim.6 - the ability to identify human rights issues in responses to crime and deviance
C.Crim.7 - the ability to recognise a range of ethical problems associated with research and to
take action in accordance with the guideline
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C.RM - Research Methods
C.RM.1 - applying concepts, theories and methods used in the study of Sociology, Social
Policy & Criminology
C.RM.2 - the ability to analyse data including indexing and retrieval of qualitative data, and an
understanding of basic statistics
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Subject-specific C.Soc, C.SPol, C.Crim, C.RM skills are acquired, according to the pathway of
study within SSPSSR, through tasks, activities and learning opportunities built into both the
SSPSSR modules and the skills and language-related modules. A wide range of topics from
SSPSSR will be accessible and key emphasis will be placed on developing skills in
communication for SSPSSR degrees which will enable Postgraduate study alongside students
who have followed a more traditional route.
D. Transferable Skills:
D.1 - Team and independent working
(LRSBMBM 5.16) (SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) (CBM 5.4) Collaborate effectively as team and in
group activity for a common goal. The ability to work with others. Independent working and
study skills
D.2 - Communication Skills
(LRSBMBM 5.14 - 5.16) (SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) Present material in written and oral form and
make effective and appropriate forms of visual presentation. Understanding the dynamics of
communication
D.3 - Critical Thinking
(LRSBMBM 5.13 & 14) (SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) (CBM 5.4) Evaluate and reflect on critically
one's own and others' opinions. To analyse and critically examine material as well as identify
and describe problems
D.4 - Research
(SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) (CBM 5.4) Develop research skills, including the ability to understand
and evaluate research material, including qualitative and quantitative data. Process
information (reading) and use libraries
D.5 - IT/ICT
(LRSBMBM 5.15) (SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) (CBM 5.4) Make effective and appropriate use of
IT/ICT both for communication and as a means of learning
D.6 - Planning and time management
(LRSBMBM 5.15 & 6.7) (SBM 4.4) (SPBM 5.5) (CBM 5.4) Planning effectively, meeting
deadlines and managing own learning
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Transferable skills (D1-D6) are incorporated within each of the modules, and taught in the way
described above. Assessment takes place through a combination of written and oral
coursework, presentations, portfolios, written reports, practical assignments and written
exams. There is regular and on-going feedback on language and the presentation of content
associated with the particular area of study in SSPSSR.
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For information on which modules provide which skills, see the module mapping
The module mapping is best presented as a table and should be attached to the programme
specification. See end of this document for an example.
17 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
The programme is a two-year MA, only offered on a full time basis, with pathways in
Sociology, International Social Policy, Methods of Social Research, Criminology, and
Criminology with a semester abroad. The programme is composed of three stages.
Stage 1, completed in the first year of study, requires students to undertake the 120 credits.
The 120 credits comprise two compulsory modules (45 credits), common to all pathways,
and an additional compulsory module (30 credits) specific to the students’ selected pathway
(see module table below for further details). Students are also required to select a number
of optional modules (accounting for the remaining 45 credits). Optional module lists are
provided in the module table below according to the student’s selected pathway. These
comprise recommended modules; however students may select other SSPSSR modules to
account for these credits with the approval of the programmes’ director of studies (so long
as the level and credit weighting remain appropriate). The 45 credits compulsory to all
programme pathways consist of the modules ‘Advanced English for Postgraduate Academic
Study in Social Sciences & Humanities,’ and either ‘Advanced Academic Skills for Social
Sciences & Humanities’ or ‘Advanced Academic Skills for Scientific Research’. One credit
corresponds to approximately 10 hours of “learning time”.
Following successful completion of the first stage/year, students will progress to the second
stage/year of the programme.
Stages 2 and 3 are completed in the second year of study. Stage 2, completed in autumn
and spring terms, comprise 120 credits of compulsory and optional modules specific to the
students’ chosen pathway i.e. Masters in Sociology, International Social Policy, Methods of
Social Research, Criminology and Criminology with a semester abroad (these specifications
are available from the Social Sciences Faculty website:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/socsci/studying/pos-specs/2013-2014/sspssr/index.html?tab=taughtpostgraduate-programmes). Students are required to successfully complete all 120 credits
at Stage 2 in order to proceed to Stage 3. Stage 3, completed in the summer term,
comprises 60 credits consisting of a supervised dissertation. Therefore, in order to be
eligible for any of the aforementioned two-year Masters, students must obtain at least 300
credits, 120 credits at Stage 1, 120 credits at Stage 2, and 60 credits at Stage 3. These
include 180 credits at level M. Students that successfully complete Stage 1 of the
programme, and meet the University’s Credit Framework requirements (i.e. 120 credits, at
least 60 credits at level H), will be eligible for Graduate Diploma in their selected pathway as
a fallback award. At its discretion the University allows for narrow failure in a small
proportion of modules to be compensated by good performance in other modules or, in
case of documented illness or other mitigating circumstances, condoned. Asterisked
modules below are not able to be compensated, condoned or trailed.
The programme is managed by SSPSSR, in terms of administration and pastoral care,
however programme planning, monitoring, quality assurance and recruitment will be
managed on a collaborative basis between both SSPSSR and CEWL. This will be essential
given the differing areas of expertise which will contribute to the operation of this route of
study.
Students will be provided with academic guidance on appropriate module choice selection
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for a specified pathway by the appropriate Programme Director in SSPSSR. Optional
module lists should be viewed as a sample of what would be made available to students on
this programme, as they can choose from a range of modules offered by SSPSSR.
Students will also be able to select from new modules offered by SSPSSR as these become
available.
The structure of the programme and the modules which constitute it, their levels, credits,
and the terms in which they are taught are shown below:
Two-Year Master’s with pathways in Sociology, International Social Policy, Methods of
Social Research, Criminology and Criminology with a semester abroad
Code
Title
Level
Credits
Term(s)
Year One Required Modules (Amounting to 45 credits)
Either
LA508*
Advanced Academic Skills
for Research in Social
Sciences & Humanities
H
15
Autumn or Spring
Or LA511*
Advanced Academic Skills
for Research in Social
Sciences & Sciences
H
15
Autumn or Spring
And LZ605*
English for PG Academic
Study in Social Sciences
and Humanities
H
30
Autumn & Spring
http://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/modulecatalogue/index.html
Year One Required – Criminology Pathway (to the value of 30 credits)
SO505*
The Sociology of Crime
I
30
Autumn & Spring
and Deviance
Year One Options – Criminology Pathway (to the value of 45 credits)
SO533
SO594
SO689
Gender, Crime and
Criminal Justice
Terrorism and Modern
Society
Drugs, Culture and Control
H
15
Autumn
H
15
Spring
H
15
Autumn
Year Two– Criminology Pathway
See MA Criminology programme specification for details
Year One Required – Criminology with a semester abroad Pathway (to the value of 30
credits)
SO505*
The Sociology of Crime
I
30
Autumn & Spring
and Deviance
Year One Options – Criminology with a semester abroad Pathway (to the value of 45
credits)
SO533
Gender, Crime and
Criminal Justice
H
15
Autumn
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SO605
Crime , Media and Culture
H
15
Spring
SO689
Drugs, Culture and Control
H
15
Autumn
Year Two– Criminology with a semester abroad Pathway
See MA Criminology with a semester abroad programme specification for details
Year One Required – Methods of Social Research Pathway (to the value of 30 credits)
SO602*
Social Research Methods
I
30
Autumn & Spring
Year One Options – Methods of Social Research Pathway (to the value of 45 credits)
SO537
SO657
SO684
Racism
H
Digital Culture
H
Globalisation and
H
Development
Year Two– Methods of Social Research Pathway
15
15
15
Spring
Spring
Autumn
See MA Methods of Social Research programme specification for details
Year One Required – International Social Policy Pathway (to the value of 30 credits)
SA503*
A Future for the Welfare
H
30
Autumn & Spring
State? Social Change,
Challenge and Crisis
Year One Options – International Social Policy Pathway (to the value of 45 credits)
SA525
SO575
SO603
Education, Training and
Social Policy
Poverty, Inequality and
Social Security
Health and Health Policy
H
15
Autumn
H
15
Spring
H
15
Autumn
Year Two– International Social Policy Pathway
See MA International Social Policy programme specification for details
Year One Required – Sociology Pathway (to the value of 30 credits)
SO500*
Concepts and Theories in
I
30
Sociology
Year One Options – Sociology Pathway (to the value of 45 credits)
SO537
Racism
H
15
SO657
Digital Culture
H
15
SO684
Globalisation and
H
15
Development
Year Two– Sociology Pathway
Autumn & Spring
Spring
Spring
Autumn
See MA Sociology programme specification for details
18 Work-Based Learning
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N/A
19 Support for Students and their Learning
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School and University induction programme

Graduate School (Provision of (i) skills training (workshops and online courses) (ii)
institutional level induction and (iii) student-led initiatives such as social events,
conferences and workshops) www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/index.html
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Information Services (computing and library services) www.kent.ac.uk/is/
Programme/module handbooks
Disability and Dyslexia Support Services (DDSS) www.kent.ac.uk/ddss/
Student Learning Advisory Service http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
Counselling Service www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/
Kent Union www.kentunion.co.uk/
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/community/woolf.html
Postgraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levels
Centre for English and World Languages www.kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.html
Careers and Employability Services www.kent.ac.uk/ces/
International Office www.kent.ac.uk/international/
Medical Centre www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/menu/Medical-Centre.html
Library services, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/
PASS system, see https://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/quality/code2001/annexg.html
20 Entry Profile
The minimum age to study a degree programme at the university is normally at least 17 years
old by 20 September in the year the course begins. There is no upper age limit.
20.1 Entry Route
For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus
International students can qualify with the following:
 Undergraduate study at an overseas University or institution in a relevant social
sciences field
 A undergraduate degree from a UK institution where the particular area of intended
SSPSSR study has represented a component but not the principal focus of study
 A relevant Foundation degree, ordinary (Bachelors) degree, Diploma of Higher
Education or other higher diploma
 Average 6.0 in IELTS test, minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing (Students will need
to meet the SSPSSR linguistic entry requirement by gaining an equivalent grade in
LZ605, the Programme’s Advanced English for Postgraduate Academic Study in
Social Sciences and Humanities module).
20.2 What does this programme have to offer?

A structured and supportive learning environment to develop both academic and
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language skills
A strong and rigorous foundation for postgraduate study that will enable students to
pursue academic study in SSPSSR
The opportunity to study a wide range of SSPSSR modules delivered by a highly
prestigious University school
The development to transferable skills including time management, team work,
research and IT skills, library and bibliographic research skills and problem-solving
skills.
Tuition by experienced and talented academics both in the field of SSPSSR and in
the teaching of Research skills and English for Academic purposes
The opportunity to progress to a Postgraduate SSPSSR degree on successful
completion of the programme and meeting the rules of progression
20.3 Personal Profile

A high level of interest and motivation in developing subject knowledge as well as linguistic
and academic skills in SSPSSR

A suitable level of English proficiency, in line with UKBA visa requirements for pathway
programmes, which also facilitates the realistic attainment of the linguistic entry
requirement of Master’s in the receiving UoK School. There should also be a discernible
willingness to develop proficiency through reading and writing, listening and speaking both
inside and outside the classroom.

A willingness to develop independent learning skills associated with postgraduate study

Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to develop critical thinking, analytical and problemsolving skills and to use them appropriately in a higher-education context.
21 Methods for Evaluating and Enhancing the Quality and Standards of Teaching and
Learning
21.1 Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the
curriculum and outcome standards
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Quality Assurance Framework http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/index.html
Periodic Programme Review http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexf.html
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External Examiners system http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexk.html
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QAA Institutional Review, see http://www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/types-ofreview/IRENI/Pages/default.aspx
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Annual programme and module monitoring reports
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexe.html
Student module evaluations
Annual staff appraisal
Peer observation
Ongoing programme review
Observations by Representatives from SSPSSR and Director of CEWL
21.2 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
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Board of Examiners
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School Graduate Studies Committee
Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
Faculty Board
Graduate School Board
Staff/Student Liaison Committee
21.3 Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their
learning experience
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Staff-Student Liaison Committee
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Student module evaluations
Postgraduate Student Representation System (School, Faculty and Institutional level)
21.4 Staff Development priorities include:
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Annual Appraisals
Institutional Level Staff Development Programme
Study Leave
Academic Practice Provision (PGCHE, ATAP and other development opportunities)
PGCHE requirements
ILT membership
Professional body membership and requirements
Programme team meetings
Research seminars
Conferences
22 Indicators of Quality and Standards
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Annual External Examiner reports
Results of periodic programme review (state date of last PPR)
Annual programme and module monitoring reports
Graduate Destinations Survey
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) results
QAA Institutional Audit 2008
In addition the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research retained its
leading position within its discipline areas in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
Its submission was rated fourth equal in the subject (after LSE, Bath and Leeds) in
proportion of the work graded at the highest level, as world-leading. It was also graded
fourth equal after LSE, Bath and the Southampton A Sociology and Social Policy
submission by grade point average. Social Work, Social Policy and Social
Administration is one of the largest units of assessment, and received 67 submissions.
Kent made the largest submission to it, including all 55.7 eligible staff.
-Both The Guardian and The Times newspapers rank Kent 29th, with the Independent
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Postgraduate programme specification
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
online rating the University 28th for its overall research activity.
-Results of the School’s most recent Periodic Programme Review 2011:
‘The Review Panel determined during the course of the review that the School of Social
Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR) provided their undergraduates and
taught and research postgraduates with excellent teaching, supervision, training and
support. Students commended SSPSSR staff members for their knowledge, research
expertise and approachability’.
-External Examiners reports have also consistently commended the School for its high
quality teaching and the quality of feedback it provides to students on assessed work.
22.1 The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
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QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education
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School and Faculty plan
QAA Benchmarking statement/s for Sociology (SBM), Social Policy and Administration
(SPBM), Criminology (CBM). In addition Languages and related studies (LRSBMBM).
University Plan/Learning and Teaching Strategy
Staff research activities
Programme specifications for Sociology (S), Social Policy (SP), Criminology (C),
Research Methods (RM), and Criminology with a semester abroad
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Postgraduate programme specification
Approved 14/06/13