Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a systematic understanding of contemporary processes of globalization and urbanization and their mutual relations. 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current advanced research on globalization and cities with reference to relevant theories and concepts. 

• To develop students’ skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods relevant to the investigation of globalized urbanization. 

• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through cultivating initiative, decision-making and independent learning.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially:
  • The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
  • Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
  • Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008
• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality, especially:
  • Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval
  • Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching
  • Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement
  • Chapter B6: Assessment of Students and the Recognition of Prior Learning
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1 The key conceptualizations of globalization as both an increase in global interdependencies and as a contested political and economic project.

K2 The uneven and multi-scalar geographies produced by globalization.

K3 The major arguments and issues in contemporary debates about globalized urbanization, including changing theorizations of ‘the city’ and ‘the urban’.

K4 The wide range of research methods employed in the study of globalization and cities.

K5 The ways in which study of a complementary subject deepens the understanding of contemporary processes of globalization.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1 Assess different conceptualizations of globalization and appreciate their contested nature.

C2 Identify, synthesize and critically evalsuate key debates and theories on globalization and cities.

C3 Understand the merits and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in researching globalized urbanization.

C4 Discuss their independent research and the issues it raises reflexively.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 Formulate research questions and implement strategies to conduct an independent research project.

P2 Use appropriate methods for the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

P3 Apply relevant concepts and theories in the interpretation of empirical evidence.

P4 Observe appropriate risk assessment strategies and recognize ethical issues involved in undertaking an independent research project.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1 Critically evalsuate information and data from a wide range of sources.

T2 Communicate clearly and effectively in written form.

T3 Design and conduct original independent research.

T4 Manage their own self-directed learning.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semesters 1 & 2 

COMPULSORY MODULE 

4.2       Semester 1 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

 4.3       Semester 2 

(i)            COMPULSORY MODULE 

(ii)           OPTIONAL MODULE 

Candidates must choose one optional module. 

(iii)          FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE 

Semester 2 

For the award of MSc only. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following: 

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than the dissertation. 

(ii) PGDip – 105 credits from modules other than the dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules. 

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module(s). 

With the exclusion of module GYP400 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

N/A