Which courses is London College of Communication (LCC) phasing-out in 2013/14?

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1 Student FAQs on Course Closure Updated September 2012 Why is the LCC phasing-out some courses in 2013/14? LCC has considered its portfolio of courses over the last year, aiming to consolidate its portfolio around key strengths in Design, Media and Communication subjects. The College is also acutely aware of the changing context in which it operates, including the new fees environment. We are therefore proposing to do the following: Assess where we can compete strongly and be a world leader in our subjects/courses; Assess where there is greatest demand from applicants and make changes to our portfolio of courses so that we can meet this demand; Reflect on the types of awards/courses that our applicants and students wish to study and create more opportunities for students to study on these courses; Assess whether our current courses are sufficiently flexible and offered in the right study mode for our increasingly diverse population of students; By offering a more focused portfolio, invest more in the facilities that our students need. The curriculum of many of the courses we are proposing to phase-out will continue albeit in different forms as we believe we can find better, alternative ways of delivering these subjects. Which courses is London College of Communication (LCC) phasing-out in 2013/14? The last intake for these courses will be October 2012 and there will be no new intake in October The courses are: Postgraduate MA Design Writing Criticism Undergraduate FdA Digital Media Design FdA Print Media Management (Top-Up degree 12/13) FdA Graphic and Spatial Communication FdA Sports Journalism BA Digital Media Design FdA Games Design (Top-Up degree in 14/15) FdA Production for Live Events (Top-Up degree in 14/15) FdA Media Practice (Top-Up degree in 14/15) FdA Animation (Top-Up degree in 14/15) FdA Design for Graphic Communication (Top-Up degree in 14/15) BA Interior Design FdA Interior Design 1

2 BA Surface Design FdA Surface Design BA Book Arts and Design There has been wide consultation with current students, staff and other stakeholders between October-December 2011 to ensure that there is a solid case for closing these courses and that current students are re-assured that their experience will be minimally effected by the process of closure and that we have highly effective plans to maintain the student experience on these courses over the period of time they will be running out. Will the LCC be continuing with these areas of study? Will there be new courses? Yes. The LCC is looking to continue many of these areas of study and will be introducing new courses to replace the ones being phased-out in October New course proposals are as follows: BA (Hons) Design Cultures The Design Cultures course at LCC will be unique in combining the study of design history and theory with design management skills and applied practice. The course examines the interrelationship and dynamics between design artefacts, the work of designers, design production, circulation and consumption. Students will undertake comparative critical enquiry into the role of design in contemporary global societies using a range of theoretical and conceptual approaches that develop design writing and creative thinking skills. The course encourages in-depth analysis of design as a structuring device for formulating and communicating information and provides a platform for students to address current design issues and complex social meanings in a range of contexts. BA (Hons) Spatial Design The Spatial Design course at LCC will be unique in combining a focus on the design of branded, exhibition, environmental and interior spaces with an emphasis on strong industry links and collaborative working practices. A central concern of the course is to respond to the growth in working across disciplines such as interiors, surfaces, products and graphics to provide integrated design solutions for customers and audiences. The course offers students an opportunity to work on combined spatial and surface design projects that address current social issues and industry needs using both experimental and traditional techniques. A lively studio culture is enhanced by studies in relevant contextual, theoretical and critical units and the development of business, enterprise and management skills, essential for graduates in today s competitive workplace. BA (Hons) Games Design The BA (Hons) Games Design course will offer the opportunity to study the theory of Game Design in a practical context, enabling students the knowledge and skills to conceptualise, design and test original game ideas. The course focus on designing the experience of play, in terms of the challenge presented by the game, enables students to acquire the skills and knowledge to design the formal systems that create the dynamics of play and conscious / unconscious responses from the player. BA (Hons) Games Design at LCC is unique in that it 2

3 includes both logical design of cause and effect and that of the audio / visual feedback system, allowing students to test and evaluate original and experimental designs. Game Design theory, in relation to the psychology and history of games and their immersive properties, can be applied to digital and non-digital games and across all gaming platforms, and in particular is effective for web-based development. BA (Hons) Animation BA (Hons) Animation at LCC recognizes animation as a discipline, tool, technique and cultural phenomenon central to contemporary visual culture. The course aims to strike a balance between the development of creative skills and the acquisition of technical knowledge. The experience of animation is taught as collaborative, analytical and hands-on. Teaching is project and team based, preparing students to be versatile and ready for a diverse and changing industry across a variety of subject areas that include animation, games design and digital media. LCC BA (Hons) Animation has a strong focus on drawing, digital design, film language, narrative structure and storytelling. With close ties to major London animation/creative studios and other organisations that include Passion Pictures, Foreign Office, Nexus, Animate Projects, the British Animation Awards, this course is the only undergraduate animation provision within the University of the Arts London. BA (Hons) Interactive Media The philosophy of the BA (Hons) Interactive Media course is in creating industry-prepared practitioners fully equipped with the relevant transferable skills for employment within the increasingly convergent digital and media industries. Through the exploration of physical interaction, interactive installation, projection mapping and web-mobile content development, this course offers a challenging and rigorous practice-focused and academic environment. BA (Hons) Interactive Media introduces the concepts and theories that underpin disciplines within the disciplines encompassed by interactive media, enabling the development of creative practice through collaborative projects and workshops with industry partners. BA (Hons) Sports Journalism This innovative course provides the essential skills and in-depth knowledge to prepare students for careers in the sports media industries. Traditional practices such as covering real sports news events, interviewing athletes, profiling sports stars and generating original investigations are taught alongside the new skills of digital production, multimedia and social networking. While this degree is highly practice-based it is supported by lectures and seminars where key themes in sports journalism - from corruption to racism; the state of grassroots football to globalisation - are debated and critiqued. Students will hear from a wide range of guest speakers drawn from the sports media, governing bodies, sports clubs and fan groups and be taught by practitioners with extensive industry experience. Graduates leave the course with a strong portfolio of sports journalism to impress future employers. BA (Hons) Film Practice The outstanding distinctive feature of the BA Film Practice, and what sets it apart from other BA courses, is its close integration with the wider industry. This two-way relationship goes well beyond simulation bringing students into the workplace and industry support directly onto the course. 3

4 Industry involvement enables the course to offer a rigorous and focused curriculum that reflects the strategies, disciplines and realities of contemporary professional digital film production. To that end, students also benefit from seminars with agents, development executives and exhibitors. A sophisticated work based learning programme, giving students direct industry experience, allows them the opportunity to establish links and develop close working relationships with future employers. BA (Hons) Live Events and Television An increasingly popular and distinctive subject, already recognized as part of the academic provision at LCC, that remains unique because it has no true like for like competitors internally or externally. Perfectly fitted to be at LCC as it relates and integrates many aspects of LCC disciplines. By design the course embeds and synergises the thematic, technological and research linkages across the portfolio opportunities; being supported by and supporting collaborative practice and work based learning opportunities. It utilises a broad base of knowledge, awareness of technological advancement and links to industry to offer students a chance to attain comprehensive understanding. Additionally the course encourages explorative research opportunities into new territories. How were the proposals for closing courses at the LCC considered and determined? The College Management Team was responsible for developing the proposals for course closure. Your Dean (Karin Askham, Media, and Lawrence Zeegen, Design) discussed with students and staff the rationale and case for closure at meetings during October and November As well as these meetings the College took discussions about the portfolio through our regular formal committees, including Course Committees, Boards of Studies and College Academic Committee where students have their own representatives. The Executive Board of the University received the final proposals at its meeting on 14 th December 2011 where it deliberated on and approved the proposals for closing courses. The following link contains the University policy and procedures on course closure: How many staff will be affected? In most cases our courses will continue until 2015/16 and in many cases we will be developing new courses that will offer opportunities for current staff. For these reasons we cannot say at this stage whether any staff will be affected in the longer term and, if so, how many. The process for agreeing a course closure must be accompanied by a full staffing plan for the remaining years of the course. This is designed to give the University, 4

5 staff and students re-assurance that there is proper staffing in place for the remainder of the course. What will it mean for my studies if I am on a course that will be phased-out from 2013? The College will ensure that course suspension or closure has minimal impact on the student experience. If you are applying for a course that will close in 2013 it will mean that as a new student in 2012 you will be the last entry cohort for that course. Your course will be phasing-out or running-out over a three-year period. It means that: As a first year student (or in your subsequent years on the course) you will not be able to take a year out or a partial year out from your studies; You will have the usual opportunities for deferrals and referrals, but not the option to re-sit units by taking them again in the following year. This only applies to the students that are the last entry cohort. Students in year two or three of their studies will not be affected by these changes and will still have the opportunity for year out or partial year out. For details of the University Regulations on Courses Running-Out, please refer to 4.8 of the University Regulations: Or for students applying for 2012, information on the University s Regulations on Courses Running-Out can be found on the website at: If I cannot complete my year one studies (see above) will I be able to transfer to a different course? Many of the courses we are phasing-out will be replaced with similar provision. So in the event that a student is unable to successfully complete their studies on a closing course we will provide every possible support to arrange for a student to transfer to a different course. Transferring to another course will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the suitability of the course and any credit already achieved. Does the fact that my course is/will close devalue my degree? No. Subject to successful progression and achievement, you will still receive your University of the Arts London degree. We will also ensure that information about the course is properly archived and kept accessible so that employers find reference to the course, its aims, unique features and achievements. It is normal for universities 5

6 to regularly review and revise their portfolio of courses in this way and this in no way undermines the value of the qualification. I am a student studying or applying for an FdA course and I intend to apply for a Top-Up BA (Hons) Degree. Will I still be able to do this? Yes. LCC will ensure that Top-Up degrees will exist as they do currently and will be available to students currently studying FdAs and those joining FdAs in October Students will be able to progress to Top-Up degrees in the usual way so long as they meet the criteria for entry. Who can I contact if I have any queries or concerns about course suspension or closure? If you would like more information about course LCC s proposals for course closure, please lodge your query with staff in the Information Centre (to the left of the main entrance) or via [email protected]. Staff in the Information Centre will take your details and ensure that a member of the senior team makes contact with you. 6