The current version of the programme specification will be published at the start of each academic year. The 2012-13 specification applies to all new and returning students on all stages of the programme in 2012-13 regardless of their original year of entry. The 2011-12 specification no longer applies (except to students who have not yet progressed – see FAQ below).
When new and returning students enrol or re-enrol they are sent an email through MAP about the Regulations that apply to them. From September 2012 this email will provide a link to a School web page where students can find the current programme specification for their programme. Schools may make specifications available in other ways in addition to this e.g. on Blackboard.
It is very common for a few modules to change from year to year without any change to the overall learning outcomes of the programme.This helps keep programmes up-to-date for example, particular option modules may not be available every year. The specification is designed to be accurate for all Stages in the current year and may not be exactly the same as what students studied last year. Please see the FAQ on *major and minor modifications for more information on changes to programmes.
No, continuing students are on the new revised programme regulations (in the up-dated programme specification) along with the new students. The School should point out minor changes to programme regulations to students at the start of the year. Any major changes proposed should be flagged up to continuing students in the year before a change is made.
Major changes normally involve a difference from General Regulations. Exemptions to General Regulations are approved by Regulation Sub-Committee).
For changes that impact on other parts of the programme specification such as the programme title or learning outcomes please see *major modifications.
Each School has a School programme specification Web Page. The following school programme specifications WILL be on the page:
1. All undergraduate programme specifications including BSc, BA, Integrated Master’s such as MEng or MPharm, Graduate Diploma, and Foundation Degree plus any stand-alone CertHE and DipHE that have been approved (intermediate awards do not require a separate specification). Graduate Diploma specifications are uploaded as undergraduate programmes.
2. All postgraduate programme specifications including MSc, MA, MRes, specialist Masters titles such LLM plus any stand-alone PgCert and PgDip that have been approved (intermediate awards do not require a separate specification).
· Research degrees such as PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research or Professional Doctorates.
· Aston Certificates and Diplomas.
· Module Specifications.
· Courses which are not credit-rated.
· Courses which have not yet been approved by the University.
For further information on any of these please contact the School.
Students taking referred assessments or awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary process relating to their academic progression (ie students who have not yet progressed) will be ‘under’ the programme specification and regulations for the previous year for progression purposes until a decision on that programme stage is made. This may mean that the previous year’s specification applies to a few students for a number of weeks following the 1 September publication of the up-dated specifications. Referred Boards (September) will use the specification for the correct (previous) year.
These should never appear on the School web page before full approval by the University.
A final version of the specification, taking into account comments made by the university during the approval process, may be published on the School programme specification page once it is fully approved by the School. Some new programme specifications may appear on the webpage before their start year. The School programme specification page is not designed to provide all the information applicants to the University need. If you are a new applicant or a parent please look at the course information on http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/
All programme specifications are reviewed and up-dated annually (September) regardless of the date when the first specification was made available.
What happens when a programme is withdrawn?
Schools should remove the specification from the external facing page once a programme has been withdrawn for new entrants. Schools are responsible for ensuring that any ‘running out’ students on withdrawn programmes have a copy of the correct specification (e.g. using Blackboard).
Programme specs for programmes that are temporarily not recruiting but have not been formally withdrawn should remain on the web-site.
For information for staff on withdrawal of programme see: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/registry/for-staff/regsandpolicies/prog-approval/
What happens when there is a major modification to a programme?
If a major change has been made that applies only to new students while current students continue to finish the old programme then the specification for the new programme will be on the School programme specification page. Schools are responsible for ensuring that any students ‘running out’ on the old programme have a copy of the relevant specification (e.g. using Blackboard or similar).
For information for staff on withdrawal of programme see: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/registry/for-staff/regsandpolicies/prog-approval/
Where can I find programme specifications for collaborative programmes?
Specifications for most collaborative programmes will be available on the Aston School programme specification page. This includes most Aston Foundation Degrees including Fd Business and Education Management. A small number of specifications are provided by partner institutions due to national guidance related to how programmes are funded. If you can’t find your programme specification please check with the programme team.
- Proforma for programme specification
- Proforma for subject specification
- Programme specification Guidance Notes
- For any questions relating to programme approval, click here
- View all Programme Specifications
- If the programme specification you require is not on the page above, please contact the appropriate School directly for further information.
- For help regarding programme design and learning outcomes, please visit the CLIPP programme design web page (TBA)
- Click the link below to access the Aston programme specification store (staff only) \\nas\shared\progspec
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