How is my Degree Structured? A guide for Undergraduate Students

1. How is my DegreeStructured? A guide for UndergraduateStudents • ►DOES THIS APPLY TOME?? • This guidance applies toall degreesexcept4 yearBAQTSstudents; • The guide applies to students studying Undergraduate Bachelors Awards either with or without a Foundation Year; • The guidance includes how Placement Years fit into the structure of your degree. • The “typical structures” may not apply in all cases – seek advice from your lecturers if you are not sure how your degree isstructured. 1

2. Levels ofStudy • During your studies, you will move through 2 or 3or 4 Levels,asfollows. • Bachelors degrees [eg BA, BSc, Beng.]involve progressing through 3 levels [each level normally takes 1 year full- time or 2 yearspart-time]: • CertificateIntermediate Honours; • you MUST pass one level in fullbefore progressing tothe nextlevel. • Bachelors degress [BA, BSc, BEng] Four Year with Foundation Year involve progressing through 4 levels of study [each level normally takes 1 year full- time or 2 yearspart-time]: • Foundation CertificateIntermediate Honours; • you MUST pass one level in fullbefore progressing tothe nextlevel. • .

3. Blocks, Credits and LearningHours At each Level, you take one or two credit-ratedblocks. The credit rating for each block indicatesroughly how much work is involved [each credit is worth 10 learning hours, including private study, attending classes, and so on]. A 60-credit block requires on average 600 learninghours. At Foundation level your blocks add to 120 credits. At Certificate level your blocks add to 120 credits. At Intermediate level your blocks add to 120 credits. At Honours level your blocks add to 120credits.

4. Typical Structure at Foundation Level At Foundationlevel, you typically follow a curriculum made up of 3 blocks of study, each with a value of 40 credits. The structure of Foundation awards can differ from this and you should ensure that you are aware of the structure of the curriculum relevant to your route. Your Departments will explain the curriculum in moredetail

5. Typical Structure at CertificateLevel • At Certificate level, you typicallyfollow: either a Double Majorcurriculum • students take two blocks, each from a different subject, andeach comprising 60credits • EG students registered for BA History and Politicstake • Foundations in History,and • Foundations inPolitics • or a Single Honourscurriculum • students take two blocks, typically from the same subject, andeach comprising 60credits • EG students registered for BSc Psychologytake • Foundations in Psychology [core],and • Foundations in Psychology[additional]. • Your Departments will explain the curriculum in moredetail.

6. Typical Structure at IntermediateLevel • At Intermediate level, you typicallyfollow: either a Double Majorcurriculum • students take two blocks, each from a different subject, andeach comprising 60credits • EG students registered for BA History and Politicstake • Explorations in History,and • Explorations inDemocracy • or a Single Honourscurriculum • students take two blocks, typically from the same subject, andeach comprising 60credits • EG students registered for BSc Psychologytake • Explorations in Psychology [core],and • Explorations in Psychology[additional]. • Your Departments will explain the curriculum in moredetail.

7. Placement Year Students have the opportunity to undertake a year long placement year. This placement takes place after successful completion of Level I; you will return to study Level H at the end of the placement. Undertaking a placement year requires careful planning throughout Level I, you will be advised on how to go about setting up a placement.

8. Typical Structure at HonoursLevel • At Honours level, you typicallyfollow: either a Double Majorcurriculum • students take two taught blocks, each from a different subject,and each comprising 45credits • EG students registered for BA History and Politicstake   Advanced Studies in History, and Advanced Studies inPolitics  students also take a 30-creditResearchBlock. Thisnormally, comprises 2 Research Projects, one for each subject, butstudents can apply to do a single dissertation integrating their twosubjects. •  • or a Single Honourscurriculum • students take two blocks, typically from the same subject, andeach comprising 45credits • EG students registered for BA Historytake   Advanced Studies in History [core],and Advanced Studies in Historyadditional].  students also take a 30-credit Research Block, comprising asingle Dissertation. Your Departments will explain the curriculum in moredetail.

9. Understanding SomeJargon You can refer to Foundationlevel as either Level F or [if you want to describe your courses in relation to National Standards] Level3. You can refer to Certificate level as either Level C or [if you want to describe your courses in relation to National Standards] Level4. You can refer to Intermediate level as either Level I or [if you wantto describe your courses in relation to National Standards] Level5. You can refer to Honours level as either Level H or [if you want to describe your courses in relation to National Standards] Level6. •

10. Where do I find moreinformation? • This information is for GuidanceOnly. • Further information about the curriculum is availableat: • www.hope.ac.uk/gateway/students • If you have any queries, please contact your Faculty Office and ask for an appointment to talk to a Senior AcademicAdviser. • Please seek advice immediatelyif you thinkyou • have mitigatingcircumstances.