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ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
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Programme Specifications 2024-25
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Programme TitleBA Human Geography and Environment.
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This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:2024-25Award type BA (Hons)
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What level is this qualification?6Length of programme3 years
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Mode of study (Full / Part Time)Full Time
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Will the programme use standard University semester dates? yesFor York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?Semester dates as per the standard University semester dates
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Awarding institutionUniversity of YorkBoard of Studies for the programmeEnvironment and Geography
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Lead departmentEnvironment and GeographyOther contributing departmentsESAY - manage Sustainability Clinic module
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Language of study and assessmentEnglishLanguage(s) of assessmentEnglish
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Is this a campus-based or online programme?Campus-based
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Partner organisations
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If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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n/a
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Reference points

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Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme
(for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
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University guidance on programme design.
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Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
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Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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no
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Exceptions to Regulations
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Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
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n/a
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Internal Transfers
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Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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Transfers in:YesTransfers out:Yes
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Statement of Purpose
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Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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This BA in Human Geography & Environment degree programme is highly distinctive with a strong focus on justice dimensions related to current environmental and human geography issues and solutions. Themes include, but are not limited to, climate change, global development, social and environmental inequalities, sustainability, low carbon transitioning, and sustainable food systems. It is unique in its ability to integrate active applied research in human geography and provides students access to expertise that is highly interdisciplinary across natural and social sciences. You will be equipped with skills in Human Geography and Environmental Studies in a way that will enable you to evaluate current environmental and contemporary issues and develop your own solutions. You will be trained to critically review relevant literature in your field, to apply techniques and methods from these core disciplines so that by your final year of study you are well equipped to undertake an independent research project. You will be introduced to digital learning technologies and will participate in teamwork projects and fieldwork. Graduates from this degree are solution-oriented, inter-disciplinary thinkers who can communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences, the key environmental challenges facing humanity and their solutions. The course will appeal to students who are looking to move into career directions such as, policy officer within government, outreach and engagement related to the environment, international aid and development, non-governmental organisations, industry related to low carbon transitions, local government departments (housing, environmental services, regeneration and economic development), and education.
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If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
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Exit Award TitleIs the exit award also available as an entry point?Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
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Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4/Certificate).NoPartial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.120 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on the award of a Cert. of HE.
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Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate).NoPartial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.240 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on award of a Dip in H.
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Ordinary degreeNoAchievement of most PLOs, partial completion of independent research related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.300 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations for award of an ordinary degree.
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Programme Learning Outcomes
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What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
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1Debate, interpret and explain local to global sustainability, development and environmental issues occurring on a range of scales using appropriate methods and norms, and engage critically with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in human geography. [Knowledgeable and aware].
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2Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on human geography and related areas from a wide range of reliable sources. [Independent learner].
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3Cut across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to generate knowledge and understanding from experiences of the epistemologies of social sciences, development studies, human geography and environmental planning. [Interdisciplinary thinker].
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4Plan, design and execute research as an individual or as part of a team using critically-selected methods including social survey, focus groups, interviewing, observation, use of textual and archival sources. [Creator of new knowledge].
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5Critically analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate tools to draw meaningful conclusions from research in the field of human geography. [Analytical].
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6Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media. [Effective communicator].
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7Recommend sustainable solutions to environmental problems that consider the broader social, political and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from social, political, economic and environmental disciplines. [Problem solver].
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8Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals and make an important contribution to understanding the impacts of global sustainability, development and environmental issues. [Team player].
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Diverse entry routes
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Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
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We support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme through support from pastoral supervisors who direct students to additional sources of advice and help over and above the academic skills embedded into the design of our programmes. This includes our Skills Hub, an online resource that provides a wealth of guidance and suppoprt, including video tutorials, that students can use to further build their skills and knowledge.
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Inclusion
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Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under
the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
TRUE
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Employability
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Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
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The programme outcomes capture key employability skills that graduates of a Human Geography and Environment degree can be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in a range of fields of work. By providing a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes, and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills, e.g. via real world assessments, through our programme students will be able to draw out specific examples of work that they have undertaken to evidence their accomplishments to potential future employers. We have embedded an explicit set of employability principles in our programme which both ensures, and reflects, our commitment to developing students' employability.
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