Programme Specification for Refugee Studies MA
|
Final award |
MA |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PGDip, PGCert |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
N/A |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
November 2011 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
Analysis of key issues in the field of forced migration, with the option to specialise in the cultural, political, legal and psycho-social fields. Dedicated research methods module to develop advanced analytical skills and prepare for the independent research dissertation.
Refugee Studies at UEL
- adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of forced migration
- examines global and local dimensions of forced migration
- encourages independent critical approaches to contemporary refugee issues
- views forced migration as a lived experience
- adopts a refugee-centred perspective
- considers links between theoretical and applied/policy issues in forced migration
- encourages interest in refugee communities of East London
Admission requirements
Applicants are normally required to have a good first degree in a cognate area of study. Under special circumstances applicants without a relevant first degree but with substantial professional experience may be considered.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS *** (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Programme structure
One year full-time; two years part-time. Two compulsory taught modules; choice of two taught modules from seven options; research dissertation.
Learning environment
Lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Group work is encouraged.
Assessment
All assessment is by coursework: essays, reports, presentations, research proposal, and dissertation. All modules are assessed. The final award takes account of all modules marks.
Relevance to work/profession
The programme is especially relevant to employment where there is engagement with refugees and other migrants, including in education, health, welfare, human rights, law and legal advice, advocacy, counselling and community work. It has general relevance to public-sector employment. Projects, including the dissertation, may draw extensively on work experience.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
All modules give opportunities for group work, especially when assessment includes student presentations. Dissertations provide the opportunity for focused independent research.
Added value
The programme equips students with key transferable skills. By the end of the programme students should have acquired:
- high levels of competence in library and bibliographical research;
- advanced critical and evaluative abilities;
- research management skills;
- capabilities to design and deliver substantial written reports;
- capabilities to design and execute social research projects;
- enhanced abilities in verbal presentation;
- skills in data collection and analysis;
- familiarity with means of dissemination and mobilising research findings;
- advanced abilities to collaborate in research groups and teams.
Your future career
Prepares students for employment in areas related to refugee needs, notably in the fields of education, welfare, health, employment, housing, community development, counselling, human rights, and immigration and asylum law. Also develops skills appropriate for further academic research in migration, diasporic and ethnic studies, legal studies, and in social, political, psycho-social and cultural theory.
How we support you
All students benefit from work in small groups, from an active tutorial system, from training in research methods, and from access to a dedicated archive on refugee issues
Bonus factors
All students benefit from access to the Refugee Archives at UEL, to seminars and workshops organised by Research Centres at the University, and to internships with refugee agencies and refugee communities.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- develop a comprehensive understanding of forced migration today, using a multi-disciplinary approach with insights from politics, international relations, development studies, sociology, anthropology, social policy, psychology, and cultural and legal theory. It includes specialist options on social, cultural, political, legal and psycho-social aspects of refugee studies.
- embrace a refugee-centred perspective, examining circumstances associated with displacement, flight and exile. The course focuses on the lived experience of the refugee, with special attention to life in camps and urban centres in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, and in refugee communities in Europe and North America. It examines the new refugee diasporas.
- Consider links between theoretical and applied/policy issues in forced migration. The programme looks at global and local causes and outcomes of forced migration, the implications for refugees and wider communities, and the approaches of governments and agencies. Pays special attention to refugee community life in London.
- Develop independent critical approaches to contemporary refugee issues. The programme questions dominant discourses of the refugee, and media images and popular conceptions of forced migrants. It examines critically regimes of exclusion, and the marginalisation of refugee communities. It encourages independent research drawing directly on refugee experiences. It facilitates dissemination of such research through seminars, workshops, conferences and publications.
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- develop understanding of the causes and outcomes of forced migration;
- understand patterns of displacement and flight;
- appreciate the impact of relations of social inequality and of gender relations upon forced migration;
- understand legal concepts and regimes relating to refugees, human rights and asylum;
- understand the social, cultural and psycho-social impacts of forced migration; upon refugees and the wider community;
- understand relationships between theory and strategy/policy-making in relation to refugee issues;
- understand key approaches to research in vulnerable communities.
Thinking skills
- analyse key issues and debates;
- formulate strategies for problem solving;
- select and apply theories and methodologies to specific areas of study;
- formulate relevant research questions;
- interpret research findings;
- reflect on and critique research practice.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- develop advanced skills in multi-disciplinary and comparative work;
- develop advanced skills in use of libraries and archives;
- develop skills in social research;
- interpret quantitative and qualitative data;
- develop abilities to relate theory and strategy/policy-making.
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- develop abilities to articulate complex ideas
- develop analytical and writing skills to an advanced level;
- develop verbal skills to an advanced level;
- develop abilities in collaborative work to an advanced level;
- develop advanced skills in independent research.
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 credits for the Masters in Refugee Studies, 120 for the PG Diploma in Refugee Studies, and 60 for the PG Certificate in Refugee Studies.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two-years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical full-time student will study two 30 credit modules per semester on two evenings each week. A typical part-time student will study one 30 credit module per semester on one evening each week.
The dissertation is normally completed at the end of the second semester and submitted in September of the final period of study.
What you will study when
Full-time students must complete 180 credits (includes dissertation) in Year 1; part-time students must complete 60 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits (includes dissertation) in year 2.
The following are the core and optional requirements for this programme
|
Year 1 F/T |
Year 2 P/T |
Module title |
credit |
status |
|
1 |
1 |
Introduction To Forced Migration |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
2 |
Research Methods |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
1-2 |
Migration, Citizenship & Social Policy |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
International Human Rights |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
International Refugee Law |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
Psycho-Social Perspectives On Forced Migration |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
Cultures Of Exile |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
The Representation of Refugees, Migrants and Diasporas in Contemporary European Cinema |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
Exploring Gender & Forced Migration |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
Current Issues in Forced Migration |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
1-2 |
*University Wide Option |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
2 |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
Requirements for gaining an award
- In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
- In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
- In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- tutorials
- day schools
- study visits
Thinking skills are developed through
- seminars
- small-group discussions
- workshops
- tutorials
- day schools
Practical skills are developed through
- library and archive research
- essay and report writing
- workshops
- group presentations (may used mixed media)
- research seminars
- independent research dissertation
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- essay and report writing
- group presentations
- research methods module/research proposal
- independent research dissertation
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- essays
- reports
- presentations
- research proposal
- dissertation
emphasis is placed upon familiarity with a wide range of relevant literature and with key debates in the relevant field
Thinking skills are assessed by
- essays
- reports
- presentations
- research proposal
- dissertation
emphasis is placed upon understanding of topic/s; application of knowledge in making an argument; clarity of arguments; evidence of synthesis and creativity; evidence of independent thought; and originality and distinctiveness of the student's own viewpoint.
Practical skills are assessed by
- presentations, including use of mixed media
- research proposal
- research project, concluding with the dissertation
emphasis is placed upon evidence of systematic preparation; coherent structure and form of the assessed work; and clarity of expression. In the case of verbal presentations, clear articulation and positive interaction with other members of the class are of importance. In the case of collaborative work, including presentations, emphasis is placed upon positive mutual engagement with other members of the assessed group.
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- essays and reports
- group presentations and use of media
- research methods module/research proposal
emphasis is placed upon coherence of assessed work and clarity of expression, whether written or verbal. Students are encouraged to become familiar with various media and visual aids: video, photographs, slides, OHP, Powerpoint etc and to use these in assessed presentations. The research proposal is assessed as an exercise in development of general research skills.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University’s Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- module evaluations
- providing opportunities for discussion at Day Schools, which are held at least once each semester
- student representation on programme committees (meeting at least once each semester)
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
- reporting from programme committee to Day Schools
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Questionnaires with former students
- group discussion with former students
Further Information
Where you can find further information
Further information about the MA Cultural Studies programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The University Post Graduate Studies Page http://www.uel.ac.uk/programmes/lss/postgraduate/summary/refugeestudies.htm
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/lss/postgraduate/a-zcourselist/
For details please contact: Julia Layzell via email: j.layzell@uel.ac.uk.
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
