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The FHEQ forms part of the academic infrastructure of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in England and Wales.
Awarding body
University of London
Registering body
University of London, through the External System
Lead College
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Centre for Development Environment and Policy (CeDEP)
Mode of study
There are no exemptions for courses at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc level. Students who are permitted to transfer to one of the other degrees, diplomas or certificates, offered by CeDEP, may apply for credit for relevant modules already passed. Applications for credit will be considered on an individual basis. Applications for credit from other students and graduates of the University of London will be considered on a discretionary basis. A student who successfully completes one or more of short courses may be considered for progression to the related MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate. Students permitted to progress may be credited with any short course they successfully complete. The maximum and minimum periods of registration, from a students effective date of registration, are: Minimum MSc Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate Two calendar years Two calendar year One calendar year Maximum Five calendar years Five calendar years
To be considered for the award of an MSc a student must have attempted and passed all nine modules and the research report. To be considered for the award of Postgraduate Diploma, a student must have passed the assessment in all eight modules. To be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate, a student must have passed the assessment in all four modules. Examinations for the MSc are marked on the following scale:
Examinations for the Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate are marked on the following scale: Mark range Class equivalent 70+ Distinction 50 69 Pass Below 49 Fail Students registered prior to 1 January 2005 should refer to the Detailed Programme Regulations for details of the relevant Scheme of Award. The award is normally given on the basis of achieving marks within the appropriate range in each module. All modules are weighted equally. The Board of Examiners retains the right to use its discretion and to take into account the students overall performance when determining a students results. In order for a Postgraduate Certificate student to proceed to the related Postgraduate Diploma or MSc, the student must normally obtain a pass in all four of the Postgraduate Certificate modules and receive a recommendation from the Board of Examiners that they may proceed. In order for a Postgraduate Diploma student to proceed to the related MSc the student must normally obtain a pass in all eight of the Postgraduate Diploma modules and receive a recommendation from the Board of Examiners that they may proceed. A student who accepts one of the awards (Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma) will not be permitted to re-register for the related Postgraduate Diploma or MSc at a later date. At the discretion of the Board of Examiners, a student who does not complete or achieve a pass at Masters level overall may in recognition of the passes obtained in the modules for the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma be awarded the related Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
Entrance requirements
An applicant must satisfy the relevant entrance requirements given in this section. In order to be considered for registration as an External Student, they must also submit an application in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the appropriate prospectus. In order to be considered for registration for the MSc an applicant must have: A good degree agriculture, horticulture, agricultural economics, economics, or other appropriate disciplines from a university or other institution acceptable to the University (qualifications in other subjects will be assessed on their merits) In order to be considered for registration for the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate an applicant must have: A first degree in agriculture, horticulture, agricultural economics, economics, or other appropriate disciplines, which has, in the opinion of the University, included suitable preliminary training Or Previous education and experience without a first degree, which satisfies the University as a qualification on the same level as a first degree, and which has included suitable preliminary training.
The prospectus gives details of the application process, alternative qualifications that may be accepted and English Proficiency tests. Students with special needs should refer to section 12 of the Detailed Regulations.
All students must have: A high level of English language ability in reading, writing and study skills. This is equivalent to a score of 6.0 overall in the IELTS text or a score of 580 (or 237 on the computerised test) in the TOEFL test of English. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of language ability as tested by the British Council, GMAT or another registering body.
government ministries and other public sector organisations concerned with policy analysis and implementation for poverty reduction international and non-governmental organisations concerned with issues of poverty reduction consultancies and development projects involved in activities promoting poverty reduction
The purpose of this programme is to enable students to acquire and build multidisciplinary knowledge which integrates scientific, technological and economic insights and skills to enable them to analyse and address the poverty reduction challenges of this millennium. The programme will give students the opportunity to develop
a critical, inter-disciplinary, integrative and global perspective on poverty reduction issues a theoretical approach to intellectual enquiry of poverty reduction issues, which nevertheless emphasises the integration of theory and practice broad understanding of ideas and approaches for managing organisations within their cultural, political, technological, social, and institutional contexts, to solve problems related to poverty reduction practical issue-oriented research skills, drawing on knowledge and understanding developed in their studies
Successful completion of a Postgraduate Certificate may allow progression to the related Postgraduate Diploma and on to the related MSc. Successful completion of an MSc may allow a student to undertake postgraduate research in a related subject. There is a natural progression through these programmes from the core modules through the further modules and on to the research methods and research report (MSc only). The further modules may not in themselves more difficult than the core modules. However, as students progress through the programmes they will develop a greater understanding and a sophistication of thinking. Students taking the MSc and the Postgraduate Diploma can choose elective modules within a particular specialism. Students will be able to develop skills relevant to specific professional interests. Learning outcomes of the programmes Subject specific - knowledge and understanding On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to: understand the relationship between climate change and development; understand the application of economics by institutions for development; understand poverty understand sustainable development.
In addition depending on the specialism and modules selected MSc and Postgraduate Diploma students will understand issues of agribusiness, development management, environmental analysis, environmental economics, environmental management, natural resource management, and rural development and change. In addition MSc students will develop skills associated with research methods and be able to write a research report. Intellectual and transferable skills On successful completion of these programme, students should be able to: Think creatively; Gather, question and analyse information; Develop arguments in a systematic fashion; Express ideas clearly in written work and to develop problem solving skills by applying theory and theoretical models in practical situations; Pursue effective research; Manage their own learning, including working effectively to deadlines, plan, organise and prioritise tasks.
achieved.
Assessment methods
For all programmes each module, with the exception of the Research report and Research methods, will be assessed by one two-hour unseen written examination. Examinations will take place in October each year and are held at examination centres throughout the world. Research methods (MSc only) is assessed by the submission of two written assignments. The Research report on a specified topic will be assessed by the submission of a research proposal (10%) and a written report of 10,000 words (90%) including tables and figures, excluding appendices and references.
Full details of the assessment and the scheme of award are sections 4 and 5 of the Detailed Regulations.
Every programme of study is developed and approved by a Lead College, or Consortia, to the same standards and requirements as would be applied in the Lead College(s); Learning materials are written and examinations are set and marked by academic staff employed or chosen by the Lead Colleges, who are required to apply the Universitys academic standards.
For further information please refer to: http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/quality/ Review and Evaluation Mechanisms Annual programme reports are prepared in order to enhance individual programmes and to plan ahead; Periodic programme reviews are conducted on a 4-6 year cycle to review how a programme has developed over time and ensure that it remains current and up-to-date; Annual External Examiner reports are prepared by Independent External Examiners and confirm that a programme has been assessed properly and meets the appropriate academic standards; Thematic reviews report on specific issues to ensure that the External System is up-to-date in the light of developing knowledge and practice in the Higher Education sector; Data on student numbers, examination performance, completion rates and other statistics are reviewed annually and feed into all systematic reporting within the External System.
Student Feedback Mechanisms Annual Student Experience Surveys collect programme level feedback according to the student lifecycle and the stages reached by students in their learning. In addition some Lead Colleges schedule their own modular or unit level surveys; An External programmes Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides the opportunity for informal feedback and discussion; External System committees and sub-committees include student membership where appropriate. Some External programmes recruit their own student representatives at the programme level.
For further information on the External System governance structure, including Terms of Reference, Agendas and Papers, please refer to the Committee Zone at: http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/quality/comte_zone/index.shtml This Programme Specification is presented in support of our commitment to the nationally agreed reference points for assuring the quality and standards of higher education, known as the Academic Infrastructure. Further information can be found at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/default.asp