How do I write a programme specification?

The purpose of this guidance is to provide advice on the writing of programme specifications, not to be prescriptive.  The guidance centres around the minimum core content required in all the University’s programme specifications: working through the list of contents and producing text for each section will lead to the completion of a programme specification.  The programme specification should address each section in the list of contents but the University does not prescribe any particular format for the presentation of the resulting information; there is no specific template to be completed.  

This guidance should be used for all new undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes and for research degrees that involve a significant taught component which is formally assessed, e.g. professional doctorates.  Existing programme specifications should be reviewed by programme teams during periodic review and consideration must be given to re-presenting them according to this guidance.  However Schools may decide to continue with their current programme specification format if they prefer, as long as it can be shown that this is the best way of communicating the content to their students.  Programme specifications can also be reviewed when programme handbooks are updated or as part of annual monitoring. 

Please note that any substantial changes to learning outcomes, teaching, learning or assessment methods or programme delivery during such reviews will require School and/or Faculty approval.  Faculty Quality Administrators will be able to provide advice on what types of change require formal approval.  Schools are requested to inform their Faculties when they replace existing programme specifications with a new format.

It should be noted that this University review of and guidance on programme specifications is part of a larger exercise including also a review of the guidance the institution provides on programme handbooks and unit descriptors.