Goldsmiths, University of London Credit Framework
Contents Page no. 1. Introduction 3 2. Glossary of Terms used in this Framework 3 3. Academic Regulations 5 4. Module Size 5 5. Academic Level 5 6. European Credit Transfer Scheme 5 7. Programme Structure 6 8. Free Choice Modules 6 9. Goldsmiths Credit and Qualifications Framework 7 Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 2
1. Introduction 1.1 The Goldsmiths Credit Framework provides a unified structure for all modules and programmes taught at Goldsmiths College and leading to awards of the College or of the University of London. 1.2 This document incorporates the requirements of the College s credit based Postgraduate Framework which was fully implemented in the academic year 2010-11. 1.3 Undergraduate programmes at the College were already unitised (equivalent to 4 x 30 credit points per year), as a result of the adoption of the Course Unit structure by Academic Board in 1994. The Goldsmiths Credit Framework retains a value of 30 credits for standard modules. 1.4 The credit framework serves a number of purposes: q to ensure that the College s provision is in line with the sector s general approach to the use of credit q to ensure consistency across programmes at the College q to clearly identify progression from one level to the next q to promote flexibility within the boundaries set by the department responsible for the programme q to facilitate greater interdisciplinarity through the sharing of modules across departments q to facilitate the introduction of interim exit awards q to facilitate student mobility through the portability of credit q to establish a common language which will facilitate the development of new partnerships with other institutions 1.5 The framework takes into account the Quality Assurance Agency s (QAA) Higher Education Framework for England: Guidance on Academic Credit Arrangements in Higher Education in England, the QAA s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (October 2014) and the Credit Guidelines published by the different credit consortia. 1.6 The framework should be read in conjunction with the College s Assessment Regulations and Associated Procedures and undergraduate and postgraduate Student Regulations. 1.7 The Goldsmiths Credit Framework is consistent with those adopted by most UK HEIs. 2. Glossary of Terms used in this Framework Credit Credit is a recognised and widely used means of quantifying learning and of expressing equivalence of learning. Learners are awarded credit on the basis of achieving learning outcomes at a particular level. One credit is equal to a notional 10 Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 3
hours of study time. This includes both contact hours and private study. A 30-credit module therefore involves a notional 300 hours of study time. Credit may also be awarded for learning that takes place outside of formal education. This is assessed and recognised via the College s procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes indicate what the learner should know, understand and be able to do upon successful completion of a module or programme. Learning Outcomes are expressed at programme and at module level. Level The levels used in this framework are consistent with the latest edition of the Quality Assurance Agency s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (October 2014). Each level marks the extent of the educational challenge facing the learner. Honours degrees are made up of modules at Levels 4-6, Masters programmes at Level 7 and Doctorates at Level 8. Module A module is a self-contained unit of study which has its own learning outcomes. Modules are designated as having a credit value and a level. Modules may be taught either over a whole academic year or completed within one or two terms. Core Module A core module is one that students must take and pass to obtain the award. Core modules on undergraduate programmes cannot be compensated (see Compensation below). Compensation In certain circumstances, credit may be awarded for a failed module where the failure is compensated by achievement in other modules. The precise criteria governing the award of compensation are detailed in the Undergraduate Student Regulations. Programme A programme is a coherent and structured suite of modules and has its own specific learning outcomes. Each module is at a specified level. Students must achieve the required number of credits at specified levels in order to successfully complete the programme and to obtain the award. Programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level may have interim exit awards. Award An award is an academic qualification conferred upon students who successfully complete an approved programme of study. Interim Exit Awards At undergraduate level, students who do not complete an honours degree programme may be eligible to exit with a Certificate of Higher Education or a Diploma of Higher Education. At masters level, students who do not complete the programme may be eligible to exit with either a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma. European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was introduced as part of the Erasmus framework in 1989 and is the common currency facilitating recognition of periods of study across Europe. It is now widely used throughout the European Union and other Bologna signatory countries. It assigns credits to Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 4
programmes and modules based on the student workload required to achieve the learning outcomes. The workload of a full-time student during one academic year is calculated to be 60 ECTS credits. This equates to 120 UK credits. Details of the Scheme are set out in the ECTS User Guide: http://ec.europa.eu/education/ects/users-guide/index_en.htm 3. Academic Regulations Programmes are governed by the Goldsmiths General Regulations; Regulations for Assessment for Taught Degrees and Associated Procedures and the undergraduate and postgraduate Student Regulations. 4. Module Size Modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are normally worth 30 credits. Half modules of 15 credits are also possible. Larger modules must be multiples of 15. The maximum module size is normally 60 credits and this size of module is usually reserved for dissertations and projects. 5. Academic Level The numbers used to describe the different academic levels in the Goldsmiths Credit Framework are consistent with the October 2014 edition of the QAA s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (FHEQ). The first year of an undergraduate degree is therefore Level 4, while a master s programme is Level 7. These numbers replace those used to describe academic levels under the course unit system and which were consistent with the 2001 edition of the FHEQ. The table below sets out the new and old numbering systems. Numbering used in the Goldsmiths course unit system and in the 2001 1 st edition of the FHEQ Numbering used in the Goldsmiths Credit Framework and in the 2 nd edition of the FHEQ (October 2014) 5 (D doctoral) 8 4 (M masters) 7 3 (H Honours) 6 2 (I Intermediate) 5 1 (C certificate) 4 0 3 6. European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) All modules and programmes at Goldsmiths will be validated with their ECTS value included as part of the approval documentation on the basis of one Goldsmiths credit being equivalent to 0.5 ECTS. This will be the case at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in line with the recommendations of the QAA Higher education credit framework for England: guidance on academic credit arrangements in higher education in England (2008). A 30 credit Goldsmiths module will therefore be worth 15 ECTS. Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 5
7. Programme structure Undergraduate programmes An Honours degree is made up of 360 credits: 120 at level 4, 120 at level 5 and 120 at level 6 1. A Diploma of Higher Education is made up of 240 credits: 120 at Level 4 and 120 at least at Level 5. A Certificate of Higher Education is made up of 120 credits at least at Level 4. Postgraduate programmes A Master s degree is made up of at least 180 credits, of which a minimum of 150 credits must be at Level 7. The remaining 30 credits cannot be lower than Level 6 2. An Integrated Masters is made up of 480 credits with 120 at Level 7, 120 at Level 6, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 4. The Bachelors degree with honours is the interim exit award. A Postgraduate Diploma is made up of 120 credits at Level 7. A Postgraduate Certificate is made up of 60 credits at Level 7. A Master of Fine Art degree is made up of 300 or 360 credits at Level 7. PGCE A Postgraduate Certificate in Education is made up of 120 credits: 60 at Level 7 and 60 at Level 6. A Professional Graduate Certificate in Education is made up of either 120 credits at Level 6 or 90 credits at Level 6 and 30 credits at Level 7. 8. Free Choice Modules Students may replace up to 30 credits of optional modules per level with modules from outside their programme or department, except in cases where PSRB restrictions would prevent this or in cases where the programme learning outcomes would not be met. Free choice modules must be approved in all cases by the Head(s) of Department concerned. 1 30 credits of beginners level foreign language study may be included at level 5 or level 6 and be given the same weighting as other modules at those levels in the calculation of the students final weighted average. 2 The remaining 30 credits may also include beginners level foreign language modules. Any request to include level 6 credit within a level 7 programme must be approved by the Programme Scrutiny Sub-Committee. The proposal will need to be considered in the context of the overall content of the programme to ensure that the overall learning outcomes are appropriate for a Masters degree. Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 6
9. Goldsmiths Credit and Qualifications Framework Goldsmiths Qualification level FHEQ level Number of credits Minimum number of credits at the level of the qualification 3 PhD 8 Not credit rated Professional doctorate 8 Not credit rated Master of Fine Art (MFA) 7 300/360 4 300/360 Taught master s degree (e.g. MA, MMT, MSc, MRes) 7 180 180 Integrated master s degree (e.g. MEng, MSci) 7 480 120 Postgraduate Diploma 7 120 120 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). 7 120 60 Postgraduate Certificate 7 60 60 Bachelor s degree with honours (e.g. BA/BSc/BMus Hons) Bachelor s degree without honours (Pass degree) Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) 6 360 120 5 6 300 60 6 120 120 Graduate Diploma 6 80 80 Graduate Certificate 6 40 40 Foundation Degree 5 240 90 Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) 5 240 120 4 120 120 3 For interim exit awards, credit at a level above that of the award may be included in this number. 4 An MFA programme of one academic year and one calendar year has 300 credits. An MFA programme of two calendar years has 360 credits. 5 May include 30 credits compensation. In order to obtain a bachelor s degree with honours students must obtain 360 credits: 120 at level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. A total of 60 credits compensation is allowed but no more than 30 credits at any one Level. In addition, at level 5 or 6, students are allowed to include 1 x 30 credit Level 4 course in a modern foreign language. Quality Office Approved by Academic Board March 2017 7