The following terminology is used to describe the University's modular structure for taught programmes:
Programme - (or 'route')
A specified structure of study which leads to a degree, certificate or diploma. The name of the programme indicates the main subject or subjects of study.
Unit - (or 'module')
Units are the building blocks of programmes and are either mandatory or optional for a particular programme. Each unit must be capable of being separately assessed. Each curriculum year of a programme will be built up from one or more units. Units can also contain Elements which are a self-contained body of teaching (for instance, groups of lectures, tutorials, examples classes or laboratory studies) on a particular topic. Each unit consists of one or more elements. Elements may be either mandatory or optional within units.
The Student Systems and Information Office provide a very useful glossary of SITS terms (UoB sign in).
Details of units and programmes are held in the University catalogues. The Unit Catalogue lists information for all units running in the current academic year and provisionally lists units for future years. The Programme Catalogue holds details of all taught programmes - this includes information on the aims, intended outcomes, and structure of the programme (i.e. the units that make up the programme). This information supplements that in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate prospectuses and is supplied and maintained by the schools using the Unit and Programme Management System (UPMS).
Must pass unit
A unit for which a student must obtain the credit points by achieving the pass mark and any additional criteria (i.e. it cannot be compensated). A unit may be deemed ‘must-pass’ by the faculty either for entry onto a subsequent unit(s) or because it is determined to be an integral part of the programme for pedagogic or for professional accreditation reasons.
Must pass units must be identified on the relevant programme specification in the Programme catalogues.
What is the difference between an optional unit and an open unit?
Typically, programmes are comprised of two types of units: mandatory and optional. Students are automatically enrolled onto their mandatory units and choose their optional units from one or more approved lists of units.
An ‘open unit’ is a type of optional unit that is available to students from other disciplines. For more information on open units, see the Open Unit Information page.
For full support and guidance videos for using UPMS please visit the UPMS BEAM page. Other relevant information can be found on the UPMS homepage
Who can I discuss my new approval proposal with in the Academic Quality and Policy Office?
If you have a query related to unit and programme approval, please email approval-help@bristol.ac.uk or contact a member of AQPO.
What is the Unit and Programme Management System (UPMS)?
The Unit & Programme Management System is used for creating new and editing existing units and programmes. The System is the primary way for Schools to manage unit availability in SITS and programme and unit information that is published in the Programme and Unit Catalogue. It is essential to ensure that the information held here is kept up-to-date as it is also used to inform many other systems, including Syllabus+, Hobsons and online unit registration.
