Programme Specification Every taught course of study leading to a UAL award is required to have a Programme Specification. This summarises the course aims, learning outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment methods, and course structure. Programme Specifications are developed through course validation and are formally approved by UAL Validation Sub Committee (VSC). They are available to prospective students through the course web page, and must be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure currency of information (for example, following any minor modification or local developments). Awarding Body University of the Arts London (UAL) Teaching Institution London College of Communication Final Award Relevant QAA Benchmark Statement Diploma in Professional Studies Art and Design Date of production/revision May 2015 The Diploma in Professional Studies is a period of professional internship of at least 24 weeks duration. The internships and work experience occurs after two years of study in the third year of a four year full-time undergraduate degree. Course Aims This course aims to: Develop your appreciation of the culture and practice of working life (Career); Enable you to put the content of the course and your area of study into perspective (Educational); Develop your transferable skills (Personal Achievement); Enhance your opportunities for career progression (Career). Course Objectives The objectives that you will have demonstrated upon completion of the course, are: Objective: Demonstrate a critical understanding of business and professional practice (Subject Knowledge); (Collaborative and/or Independent Professional Working); (Technical Competence) Objective: Demonstrate enhanced transferable skills of communication, analytical presentational and enterprise skills appropriate to the demands of a career in 1
industry (Communication and Presentation); (Subject Knowledge); (Analysis); (Experimentation) Objective: Formulate and initiate a personal and informed career plan (Personal and Professional Development); (Research) Objective: Demonstrate reflective ability in identifying your strengths and weaknesses, in utilising current skills and determining strategies for further skills enhancement (Personal and Professional Development); (Analysis). Learning and Teaching Methods: The procedures for the supervision of placement students are as follows: Supervision is shared between the Host employer and the course placement tutor The employer/host organisation will nominate a workplace supervisor to monitor your progress. They will be involved with your induction on the first day. The employer and placement tutor will agree a programme for the duration of attachment. This will comprise: a work programme and job description including agreed hours of work and salary. During the period of placement you will be subject to the rules of employment with the host organisation and will also be covered by their Health and Safety cover. The placement tutor will arrange visits to the work place, where practical to do so and agree with you regular dates for the monitoring of your progress. You will be in constant contact with your placement tutor by email when on national or international placement. At any time you may be required to come into LCC for support and advice from staff or your personal tutors or to use the library or IT facilities. Assessment Methods: Industry Report Progress report(s) Reflective Diary / Blog Presentation Reference Points List any policies, descriptors, initiatives or benchmark statements used in the development of the course. The following reference points were used in designing the course: The Learning and Teaching policies of the University of the Arts London The College policies and initiatives Level descriptors 2
Benchmark statements Programme Summary Programme structures, features, units, credit and award requirements: Unit 1.1: Diploma in Professional Studies Level: 5 Duration: 1 Year / 12 weeks (ideally three three-month placements) Credits: 120 Distinctive features of the course: The Diploma in Professional Studies Course is a nationally and internationally distinctive educational opportunity. It offers you the possibility to study design for four years, instead of the conventional three. Students spend the third year of a four year BA (Hons) degree working in or with the design Industry. After defining and researching a proposal, you are offered a bespoke programme of internships and professional opportunities across a variety of design disciplines enabling you to undertake a year of 'experiential learning' in or with the design profession. You are offered the experience of working in the design profession both in London and Internationally with design mentors and professionals who are able to give your education a highly contemporary and 'real' perspective. The experienced course team draw from a unique database of contacts and LCC alumni, built on the global reputation and heritage of graphic design education at LCC, which actively reflects the diverse and multidisciplinary nature of the profession. You have the opportunity to experiment in various areas of the profession and in a series of capacities allowing you to determine your postgraduate ambitions. You are encouraged to be enterprising, to work freelance, to selfinitiate projects, to enter competitions, to collaborate, to volunteer your skills and to even experience periods of self-employment. The Course capitalises on its strong relationship with Industry and offers specialist provision. It is reactive, flexible, contemporary and future-facing. The Course has a proven track record of employment after graduation, of progression to Postgraduate study and high performance and attainment at Degree level. Recruitment and Admissions Admission Policy/Selection Criteria 3
You are selected on your portfolio of work from the first two years of your current course, which will include projects that you undertake in your two term preparation period. Your performance on the first two years of study on your current BA course will also be taken into consideration. This will include consideration of your past studentship, attendance, commitment and past performance on your current course. The overriding concern will be to ensure that, as far as possible, if you are chosen, you will have the inter-personal skills, motivation and commitment to meet an employer s needs or to undertake freelance work or develop self-initiated projects. It is vital that you are self-motivated enough to initiate projects and steer the quality of your experience. Your client / employer is likely to be paying you a salary, so you must be able to demonstrate that you will be of value to a company or organization. It may be that you work largely on a freelance basis and therefore we need to be convinced that you will be highly self-motivated and well organised enough to practice independently. Key requirements are: A good level of general creative ability; A sufficient level of technical and craft skill in your chosen area of interest; An ability to articulate and express your creative ideas; A clear Proposal of intent and ambition; An ability to work as part of a team; Evidence of motivation and commitment through past performance; Attendance and fulfilment of the requirements of the two term second year DPS preparation period; Engagement with personal and professional development activities on your current programme of study. Entry Requirements To see the University s Regulations on Admissions, please go to the following link: http://www.arts.ac.uk/course-regulations/admissions/ Admission onto the Diploma in Professional Studies placement year requires students to have completed 2 years previous study up to Level 5 (or equivalent) in the subject area of this course. Normally, around 40 to 45 placements in total (per academic year) are offered to students who have completed their second year on a relevant undergraduate course. These are selected using the selection criteria detailed above, using the admission procedures detailed below. Admission Procedures 4
The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London. If you wish to be considered for the Diploma in Professional Studies, you are required to submit an application form, a CV and a written proposal, listing the type of experiences you wish to be considered for. You must also attend preparation and awareness sessions (in the Spring and Summer Term of the second year of your current course) with the relevant staff. During the selection process you will be interviewed and asked to discuss your proposal and plans by a minimum of two members of academic staff which will normally include: The placement tutor(s); Year 2 lead tutor or pathway leader At the end of the Summer Term, you will be asked to submit a portfolio of work demonstrating your achievements to date on the programme. 5