Description
Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MSc Sustainable Development with International Placement
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Sustainable Development with International Placement | Programme code | PTS1GOAGOACB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This programme offers you the opportunity to study sustainable development in an international, multi-disciplinary and holistic context. It provides a rigorous theoretical training in core issues surrounding sustainable development, and an opportunity to specialise in study of key areas, including environment and human health, climate change, energy policy and governance. A wide range of optional modules enables you to explore aspects of sustainable development from different disciplinary perspectives, with academics based in geography, politics, biosciences, health and the humanities. The programme provides a practical and problem-based approach to learning focused on both the academic study of sustainable development and the implementation of sustainability in a range of professional contexts. This is achieved through thorough intellectual grounding in academic work, training in research methods for sustainability and the opportunity to apply such knowledge and skills within community and work-based locations.
Undertaking an international research placement or internship offers you a fantastic opportunity to expand your educational and cultural experiences, and will enable you to work with leading scientists at the forefront of sustainability research, or gain professional experience with an international organisation or NGO working towards sustainable development. Research indicates that 64% of employers consider an international experience important for recruitment and report that graduates with an international background are given greater responsibility more frequently. 92% of employers involved in a study conducted in 2014* indicated that they look for skills such as openness to and curiosity about new challenges, problem-solving and decision-making skills, confidence, and tolerance towards other personal values and behaviours. The study revealed that studying abroad had a positive impact on the development of these skills and concluded that the employability and competences of students greatly benefit from mobility.
*European Commission (2014) The Erasmus Impact Study, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
This programme is designed to respond to the emerging sustainable development agenda, approaching the subject from a holistic and multi-disciplinary perspective. It offers a thorough grounding in the principles that underlie sustainability and the means by which to implement these in a range of international geographical settings.
The particular educational aims of the programme are to:
- Provide you with a holistic perspective on sustainable development within a range of international contexts (thereby straddling conventional notions of ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ world);
- Enable you to make links across disciplinary boundaries and professional sectors within sustainability, as well as related areas of climate change, energy policy and human geography, that seek to make explicit the cross-cutting nature of sustainability issues;
- Develop a rigorous theoretical grounding in the principles of sustainable development and to assist you in appreciating the diverse debates concerning both the definition and measurement of sustainable development;
- Develop a practice-based learning approach to sustainability, using a range of professional methods, such as work-based learning and contact with professionals during contact hours and through project and community-based assessments;
- Provide a vibrant learning environment, which combines traditional forms of delivery (lectures, seminars and tutorials) with practice-based learning (work-placements, guest expert speakers and linked project work);
- Assist you to make professional contacts with potential employers through both mixing with fellow students and also through contacts made during the programme;
- Enable you to develop your career path throughout the programme through these means.
The Dissertation with International Internship or Research Placement modules will provide you with the opportunity to study some aspects of Sustainable Development in a university abroad, and give you an insight into international policy-making and cutting edge research related to sustainability in the host country.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take up to 30 credits of elective modules outside of the programme in the first, second and final stages as long as you have obtained the explicit permission of the Programme Director, any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You are also permitted to take the five-credit module LESM910 Professional Development Experience in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.
a You must select either GEOM416 or GEOM417 (you cannot take both of these modules).
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeoP GEOM416-GEOM417 [See note a above] | |||
| GEOM416 | Dissertation with International Research Placement | 90 | Yes |
| GEOM417 | Dissertation with International Internship | 90 | Yes |
| GEOM407 | Perspectives on Sustainable Development | 15 | No |
| GEOM408 | Transdisciplinary Methods for Sustainability Science | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| [GeoP MSc SD opt 2023-4] | |||
| BIOM4025 | Statistical Modelling | 15 | No |
| GEOM403 | Independent Work-based Learning | 15 | No |
| GEOM418 | Marine and Coastal Social-ecological systems | 15 | No |
| GEOM363B | Themes in Climate Change | 15 | No |
| HPDM029 | Nature, Health and Wellbeing | 15 | No |
| HPDM030 | Environmental Science and Population Health | 15 | No |
| POLM016 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption | 15 | No |
| BEPM002 | Biomimicry and Circular Economy Design Principles | 15 | No |
| GEOM424 | Governing the Seas in a Changing World | 15 | No |
| SOCM044 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 15 | No |
| POC3103 | The Resource Paradox: Blessing or Curse? | 15 | No |
| GEOM247 | Transforming Energy Systems | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Compare and contrast the key principles and perspectives informing concepts of sustainable development in an international context | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical and field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 1-8: Dissertation module assessed via research proposal, literature review and main dissertation report, all containing relevant subject-specific context and content, data handling and evidence of primary research. ILOs 1-6: Non-dissertation modules assess subject specific skills using a range of assessment methods, including: policy briefs; essays; learning diaries; presentations; posters; and discussion groups. ILO 7: Assessed explicitly through the 90 credit Dissertation module. ILO 8: Research training module contains assessment of data handling skills. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Demonstrate a cross-disciplinary approach to learning | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 9-14: Dissertation module assessed via proposal, literature review and main dissertation report, all containing relevant core skills and knowledge. ILOs 9-11: Non-dissertation modules assess subject specific skills using a mixture of assessments including: policy briefs; essays; learning diaries; presentations; posters; and discussion groups ILO 12-13: All modules contain interdisciplinary emphasis and multi-method awareness in assessments. Scholarly rigour and ethical awareness are also promoted in all modules. Explicitly assessed during dissertation and research training modules. ILO 14: Dissertation and research training modules assess self-reflection; other modules contain reflective group discussions. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
15. Write and communicate orally subject-based knowledge and academic and research skills effectively | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical and field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 15-18, 20: Assessments in all modules designed to promote transferable skills, e.g. report writing, presentations, focus groups, posters. ILO 19: Several modules include assessment of group work in form of group discussions, group presentations. Research training module includes group project. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Award Rules
GEOM416 Dissertation with International Research Placement and GEOM417 Dissertation with International Internship are not condonable; you must pass either module to graduate with the degree title of MSc Sustainable Development with International Placement. If you fail either module, you may be permitted to exit with PGCert Sustainable Development, providing you have passed 60 credits in total.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
You will be located in the Geography Department (Penryn campus), where close working relationships are fostered. You can expect reasonable access to all teaching staff through appointments and will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion groups/in-lecture exercises throughout the delivery of each module and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Project supervisors provide academic and tutorial support once you move on to the research component of the programme. In addition, the Programme Director will offer every student a meeting each term with an academic who provides guidance and feedback on assessment performance. Your progress will be monitored and you can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
During the international placement you will be registered with an international university where you will have a local point of contact to provide guidance. Your dissertation research will be supervised by a University of Exeter staff member, and co-supervised by either a member of staff at the organisation where you undertake your placement (Dissertation with International Internship), or an academic at the overseas university (Dissertation with International Research Placement).
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
University of Geneva
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MSc Sustainable Development with International Placement
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 30/07/2019 |
Date of last revision | 29/04/2022 |
|---|