Application Procedure and Requirements for Accreditation of Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors and Integrated Masters) Programmes
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Application Procedure for Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Accreditation of all Earth Science degree programmes is approved by the Accreditation Committee. The Committee requires details about the host institution and the academic content of a degree programme before the case for accreditation can be evaluated. Once this is submitted, the Accreditation Officer’s role is to assemble the information prior to it being presented to the Committee for consideration.
For those Departments that have not been previously accredited by the Society, a small group of 2 Committee Members and the Accreditation Officer will liaise directly with members of the Department via either a visit or a remote meeting.
All Departments are requested to complete the requisite forms and matrices, and supply full documentation, as described below. Once awarded, accreditation lasts for 6 years from the date of approval.
There is no charge for the application for accreditation, other than covering any expenses necessary for any visit. The annual re-charge for accreditation of undergraduate programmes is currently £250 plus VAT for the first programme and £50 plus VAT for each subsequent programme. However, for industrial placement and study abroad variants of BSc and MSci, and Joint Honours combinations where the geoscience component is identical to the core programme, no charge is made.
The application pack is available directly on request from the Accreditation Officer, or it can be downloaded via the links below. Initially, all Departments are requested to undertake the full application procedure (Application Pack A). In future, departments seeking re-accreditation of previously accredited programmes will be asked to summarise changes to their programmes (Application Pack B).
The application packs are designed to be self-explanatory, but help can be sought at any time from the Accreditation Officer who acts as advisor and advocate on the applicant’s behalf.
Requirements for Accreditation of Undergraduate Degree Programmes
For a degree programme to be accredited, Departments must demonstrate that that the programme fulfils minimum skills and knowledge criteria as outlined in the accompanying documents (Forms A1 and A2, Matrices M1 and M2, and Appendices 2 and 3). The Department must also demonstrate that it provides an appropriate learning environment with due cognisance to staff and student support, equality and diversity (Form A3).
The Programme Specifications and Module Descriptions for any degree programme for which accreditation sought must have been approved in full by the host institution, and form part of the submitted package (along with External Examiners’ Reports, Key Points from External Reviews, Departmental Handbooks, Student Regulations, and Titles of Projects).
Although not presented here as a requirement for accreditation, in development and delivery of courses that are seeking accreditation, Departments may wish to take note of, and build towards, the competency requirements for Professional Chartership (CGeol or CSci) (Appendix 1). Candidates applying for Chartership after graduation from an accredited degree are required to demonstrate these competencies, on an individual basis. Full details of the required Chartership competencies are available on the Society Chartership page.
Departments should initially consider the following table which summarises the minimum requirement of Earth Science credits that the students must take in order to obtain an accredited undergraduate degree.
| Minimum Taught Earth Science Requirements for Accredited Earth Science Degrees (CATS Credits/Total Student Effort)¹ |
| |
FHEQ Level 4
(SCQF Level 8) |
FHEQ Level 5
(SCQF Level 9) |
FHEQ Level 6
(SCQF Level 10) |
FHEQ Level 7
(SCQF Level 11) |
Total |
| BSc Earth Science² |
120 (1200 hours) |
100 (1000 hours) |
|
220 (2200 hours) |
| MSci Earth Science² |
120 (1200 hours) |
100 (1000 hours) |
100 (1000 hours) |
320 (3200 hours) |
BSc Earth Science
and X³ |
120 (1200 hours) |
60 (600 hours) |
|
180 (1800 hours) |
MSci Earth Science
and X³ |
120 (1200 hours) |
60 (600 hours) |
60 (600 hours) |
2400 (240 hours) |
¹ If fewer than the required credits or hours of Earth Science are taken at a lower level, this may be compensated by an increased number at a higher level. ²Including single honours and 'Earth Science with’ programmes where Earth Science is the major subject. The title Earth Science may encompass but is not limited to Geology, Geological Science, Geoscience, Environmental Geology, Engineering Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Palaeontology, Planetary Geology, and Earth Science with X, where X is a minor component. Indicated credits for Levels 4 and 5 are shared between the levels.
³Joint honours programmes where an additional STEM subject may comprise up to 50% of the degree. |
Quick Links to Guides and Application Forms
Application Pack A for Accreditation of Undergraduate Degree Programmes:
Introduction and Guide
Cover Sheet
Form A1: General Information About Programmes
Form A2: Details about Individual Degree Programmes
Form A3: Details of Institution and Department
Skills Matrix M1
Knowledge Matrix M2
Submission Checklist
Appendices 1 through 5
Application Pack B for Reaccreditation of Undergraduate Degree Programmes:
At this stage all departments are requested to complete the full accreditation process. The guidance and forms for re-accreditation will be made available shortly.