What are benchmark statements?
Benchmark statements describe the attributes, skills and capabilities that a graduate with an honours degree* in a specific subject might be expected to have. Each statement has been written by a group of academics and other specialists (such as representatives from professional bodies, industry and commerce) from the subject area.
Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will be using these statements in a number of ways. They will be using them as a reference for writing programme specifications and for internal quality assurance purposes. The benchmark statements help to ensure that the standards of degree programmes across the UK meet an agreed level.
Benchmark statements are not a national curriculum in a subject. They have been written in a way that allows ample scope for diversity amongst programmes. Different universities and colleges will carry on offering different types of education to give students a good range in the types and content of courses that they choose to follow. The benchmark statements will not stifle these differences, but will make it easier to understand the broad standard required for a qualification in a specific programme of study.
*see accompanying leaflet on the frameworks for higher education qualifications
Benchmark statements are available in the following subject areas:
Accounting
Agriculture, forestry, agricultural sciences,
food sciences and consumer sciences
Anthropology
Archaeology
Architecture, architectural technology
and landscape architecture
Area studies
Art and design
Biomedical science
Biosciences
Building and surveying
Business and management
Chemistry
Classics and ancient history
Communication, media, film and cultural studies
Computing
Dance, drama and performance
Dentistry
Earth science, environmental sciences
and environmental studies
Economics
Education studies
Engineering
English
Foundation degree
Geography
Health studies
History
History of art, architecture and design
Hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism
Languages and related studies
Law
Librarianship and information management
Linguistics
Masters awards in business and management
Materials
Mathematics, statistics and operational research
Medicine
Music
Optometry
Pharmacy
Philosophy
Physics, astronomy and astrophysics
Politics and international relations
Psychology
Social policy and administration and social work
Sociology
Theology and religious studies
Town and country planning
Veterinary science
Welsh/Cymraeg
Academic and professional standards for the health professions:
Dietetics
Health visiting
Midwifery
Nursing
Occupational therapy
Orthoptics
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Prosthetics and orthotics
Radiography
Speech and language therapy
What are programme specifications?
Programme specifications focus on single programmes of study (or courses), and outline the intended knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes of a student completing that course. A programme specification should also give details of teaching and assessment methods as well as linking the course to the framework for HE qualifications. Universities and colleges of HE should have programme specifications for the courses that they offer.
Not all programme specifications need to look the same. But whilst there is no template for the designer of the programme to follow, programme specifications will be published. Universities and colleges may make these available on their web sites.
With both programme specifications and benchmark statements there has been concern that 'specifying' what a student will have learnt at the end of the course or programme might inhibit innovation within that course. For this reason it is important not to see programme specifications or benchmark statements as 'tick lists'. They offer broad indications of the types of things students might be expected to learn and the types of skills and abilities they might be expected to gain. This shouldn't reduce any of the flexibility of HE programmes or courses but should give a broad idea of what might be expected from a student's time in higher education.
If you would like a copy of any of these benchmark statements, contact the QAA or go to our web site.
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