This paper contains a report of the review of programmes in the subject group Environment and Countryside at SRUC, held on 5 and 6 November, 2014. The subject review incorporated the revalidation of the programme below. The Review Panel highlighted a number of conditions (five) and recommendations (nine) throughout the report - see sections 6.3 and 6.4.

BSc/BSc (Hons) Countryside Management

The Review Panel agreed to the following five recommendations in particular:

1. The existing BSc in Countryside Management would be retained and the MSc in Countryside Management is not due for revalidation.
2. The BSc Countryside Management programme would continue to be built on a common foundation (Year 1) of HNC Environmental Studies, although the proposal that there should be two named HNC awards (separating Countryside Management and Environmental Studies yet retaining the existing content) would be explored with SQA.
3. The existing HND in Countryside Management would be retained and would continue to provide a progression route to the BSc/BSc (Hons) Countryside Management.
4. The revised HND in Environmental Management and Sustainability would continue to provide a progression route to the BSc/BSc (Hons) Countryside Management programme.
5. In the case of retained existing awards minor modifications to programme frameworks were proposed i.e. BSc Countryside Management and the HN awards (apart from the proposed change to award title at HNC level and the HND in Environmental Management and Sustainability both of which will be subject to approval by SQA in due course).

The conclusions of the Review Panel are contained in section 6.1 of the Report and the Review Panel have identified significant programme strengths in section 6.2.

The conditions (five) set by the Review Panel are contained in section 6.3 sub-sections c – g. The conditions relate to a review of the choice and viability of elective modules, enhanced marketing activities, the updating of module descriptors and funding of field trips.

The Committee is requested to note the conditions and recommendations contained in the report and to approve the revalidation of the programme above (BSc/BSc (Hons) Countryside Management) for a six year period commencing session 2015-16.

SRUC.

Not applicable.

Conditions to be met by programme teams prior to the commencement of session 2015-16.

SRUC has an Equality and Diversity policy in place.