Credit-bearing Short Courses

Credit Bearing Short courses are seen as a key feature of the University’s business-facing strategy and are provided in response to business demand for workforce development. They are credit-rated in order that participants may have the opportunity to achieve HE credit and the potential to build credit to an award. For information on awards available see 'Awards available on flexible study routes' ). Zero credit short courses are not part of the Flexible Credit Framework.

Credit-bearing short courses at the University are flexible, focused courses designed to help learners develop specific skills or knowledge in a short period of time, often ranging from a few days to several weeks. Unlike full degree programmes, they are tailored for people who may be working, changing careers, or simply interested in personal development. They can cover a wide range of subjects and can be delivered through face to face or online learning.

Short courses provide a practical and accessible way for individuals to upskill, explore new interests, and enhance their career prospects without committing to long-term study.

UPR GV08 defines a short course as a self-contained unit of study, with defined intended learning outcomes, curriculum and assessments which measure these outcomes. A short course is not part of a defined programme of study leading to a University of Hertfordshire award but the credit achieved may contribute to a University of Hertfordshire award.

In designing a short course UPR AS 14 provides useful detail about the permitted size, credit points and permissible shape of short courses as well as the assessment regulations associated with short courses including short course external examiner appointment and responsibilities (Section E1.3 refers).

The process by which the university develops, approves and accredits external provided short courses and continuously monitors and evaluates arrangements associated with short course provision can be found in UPR AS 17. Finally UPR AS 12 and 13 (for partner organisation delivered provision) details the regulations and procedures that apply to all examinations and assessments associated with short course provision.

There are some differences between a credit bearing short course and module. A module is defined as a self-contained unit of study which is part of a validated programme of study. A short course should therefore only be developed if it is not already delivered as part of a University programme, or if it is intended to have non-standard units of credit (i.e. 5, 10, 20 or 25 credits). If it is intended that an existing module attached to a University programme is also offered as a standalone course, then the existing Definitive Module Document (DMD) should be used rather than developing a separate short course descriptor (SCD).

Short course development and approval

The key to the rapid approval of credit-bearing short courses is the creation of a short course descriptor (SCD).  This document:

• Enables the course to be formally approved;
• Provides the necessary data for the student record system; and
• Provides the information for a website entry.

The generic level descriptors, SEEC Level Descriptors 2021 are used to indicate   the level of the short course.

The short course approval process is shown in the flow chart below. Please work with your Head of Curriculum who can contact with the Academic Quality team in the Centre for Education and Student Success if they  need any further information. The team can also be contacted if an accessible version of this diagram is needed.

All forms referred to are available to Herts staff on HertsHub (requiring login).

Short Course Admissions, Delivery and Quality Assurance

A flowchart for Short Course admissions, delivery and quality assurance is presented here. Please get in contact with the Academic Quality team in the Centre for Education and Student Success if you need any further information.

All short courses have a record on the student record system, enabling them to be viewed through the University’s website.  Learners can select, register and pay for the course on-line, which then creates a student record on the student record system. Downloads of learner data are made overnight, so that learner accounts can be created (so allowing the option of StudyNet, short course-specific websites, Student ID card and a UH e-mail account to be accessed).

External Examiners

External Examiner SC responsibilities and fees can be found: External Examiner Fees . The fee is payable by the School.

A  short course external examiner is expected to carry out the following duties:

• Approve proposed assessments prior to publication (plus model solutions);
• Review a sample of marked assessments  following internal moderation (but have the right to see all scripts);
• Be consulted about any proposed changes to the short course;
• Report to the University annually (using the standard Module external examiner’s report template, maintained by Academic Services).

For short courses that are delivered several times a year, then not all instances need to be externally moderated:

• One instance should be moderated for 1-2 instances of the short course per annum;
• Two instances should be moderated for 3-5 instances of the short course per annum;
• Three instances should be moderated for 6+ instances of the short course per annum.

Credit awarded for short courses will be confirmed through the Short Course Board identified on the SCD. Regulations for operation of Short Course Boards, award of credit, etc. are described in UPR AS14.Short Course Boards can be operated in conjunction with Module Boards, unless volume warrants separate Short Course Boards (see C2.1 and C2.2 of UPR AS14.

Annual Monitoring of Credit-Bearing short courses

For the purposes of annual monitoring of credit-rated short course activity, an Annual Short Course Monitoring Report (ASCMR) is used. A model template is available for Herts staff on HertsHub, for use by (i) UH Schools and (ii) externally-accredited partners of UH, to annually report on credit-rated short course activity the normal expectation is that one ASCMR per School or per partner is completed. The template can modified to meet the school or partner’s needs following approval of the Ads ESS or nominee and the ADAQ. It should be completed by the appropriate Course leader/PL.CPL in consultation with the ADoS ESS or nominee and the ADAQ.model  for consideration and approval. The reports are risk based and written on an exceptional basis with reference to short course performance data. These ASCMRs will be submitted to SEG Part 2 (Feb/March) Any significant and recurring issues may be reported in the School’s annual report to the Educational Student Experience Committee (ESEC) and to the  Standards, Regulations and Audit Committee (SRAC).

All forms referred to are available for Herts staff on the HertsHub site (Herts login required)

Appendix 2B:  Short Course Descriptor (Levels 4/5/6/7 and non-credit bearing)

Appendix 2C:  Short Course Instance Form

Appendix 2D:  Short Course Descriptor - Guidance Notes

Appendix 2F:  Accredited short course review template

Appendix 2G: Short Course External Examiner Approval Form

For further information, please email cats@herts.ac.uk.