Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Housing Studies, Level 5, Asian Institute of Built Environment, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Welcome to the Course
This handbook provides you with information that you will need on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a Module Handbook for each module you study on your course.
The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful.
On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing.
Whether you are joining us as a new student or returning to continue your studies, and whether your course is on-campus, distance learning, degree apprenticeships or you are on one of our UK and overseas collaborative and franchise courses, we hope you will enjoy your experience and find your studies interesting, challenging and relevant to your development and future career plans.
Our aim is to provide students with a research informed, innovative and relevant curriculum that is linked to current industry practices and standards. Our courses are highly valued by employers, professional bodies and other stakeholders. Our School has a strong tradition of delivering programmes that provide students with the opportunity for academic and practical experience. This approach, coupled with our close involvement with employers, produces graduates who are highly regarded in the workplace.
Through our approach to student support and to teaching and learning we aim to place you, our students and apprentices, at the heart of everything we do. You will experience a diverse range of teaching approaches. We also use a variety of different methods of assessment and attach considerable importance to providing you feedback on your assessments.
As a School we strive to be student-centred and value your opinions and feedback. We want to hear about the things you enjoy and that you think we do well, but also want to know when you think there are ways in which we can improve your experience. There are many ways in which you can provide feedback including through your student academic representatives, through written or on-line module evaluation feedback forms and through student open meetings, forums with staff and student representative meetings with me.
We maintain a strong commitment to our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and our facilities are well equipped for each major area of our course provision. Our Built Environment, Planning, Geography and Civil and Building Services Engineering courses are situated in the heart of the City at Northern Terrace Building, with the Computing and Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses located in Leighton Building at our Headingley Campus.
If you are studying on campus, where possible, the majority of your teaching will take place at the School's buildings; however, some teaching sessions may be scheduled in other buildings on our City Campus and Headingley Campus. The City Campus library is located in the Leslie Silver Building, which is adjacent to Northern Terrace, while the James Graham Building houses the library at our Headingley Campus.
I wish you every success for this academic year.
Professor Akintola Akintoye, Dean of School
This document probably includes the most important steps for you to understand your course which is operated by the Asian Institute of Built Environment (AIBE) on behalf of Leeds Beckett University. Certainly, you have made the right choice. Here, you will be able to learn and apply your knowledge to the work place. Please go through this whole document. To draw your attention, I would like to stress several points.
Firstly, commitment is of course the first directive of yourself as you will need to sacrifice your free time to focus on your studies in order to successfully get the award. Class attendance is of utmost importance because only by attending classes that you could really learn all the knowledge and professional experience from your lecturers, or otherwise, you may just want to take a distance learning course. Listening to the oral explanation of your lecturers and taking notes are two key activities when you attend a lecture. Taking notes does not mean blind copying. You need to immediately digest what are delivered in class and summarize them in points making sense to yourself. Such notes will certainly help you a lot when you are preparing your coursework submissions and final examinations.
Secondly, we are here to support and help you make your dreams come true. Please ensure that you remain in contact with us at the AIBE, and all my friendly colleagues are delighted to provide guidance and advice as appropriate to help you successfully complete your studies.
Thirdly, I do hope that you will enjoy studying in AIBE and please feel free to contact me or other administrative staff regarding your concerns and needs. Once again, please remember that you are a student of both Leeds Beckett University and the Asian Institute of Built Environment. We are your bridge linking Hong Kong and England.
Finally, we shall be facing renewal exercises of accreditation of both courses, building services and housing studies. Please be prepared as your submissions will be assessed by the relevant panel and some of you will be selected to be interviewed by panel members. Having said that, you don't need to worry too much as all teaching and administrative staff of AIBE will always be by your side.
This handbook provides you with information that you will need to complete your course. You should find it helpful when you get started, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time when you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a module guide, for each module in your course, which will detail the module objectives, content and means of assessment.
The course team is looking forward to working with you in the coming year(s) and we hope that your time studying with us at the Asian Institute of Built Environment and Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful. On behalf of our Institute and the University and the whole course team, I would like to wish you all the best in your study.
Dr Albert So
Director, Asian Institute of Built Environment
Key Contacts & Keeping in Touch
Mr. Raymond Ha
Ir Dr Albert So (Chief)
Mr. Michael Leung
Reached by:
Online: Please leave in the pm to https://www.facebook.com/aibe.edu/
Phone: +852 23761933
Whatsapp: 55085538 (mainly for application enquiries)
Email: general@aibe-edu.org
Course Representatives are student volunteers who represent your views at course-level, in course forums and in meetings with academic and support staff. Details about being a Course Representative are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/course-representatives.htm. The Students' Union oversees Course Representatives and more information is available at www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk.
The Library and Student IT Advice Service is available by online chat, email or phone, and provides support on using the University's online and digital services, finding information, borrowing, Office, MyBeckett, online meetings, saving your work, passwords, etc.
- Online: Please leave in the pm to https://www.facebook.com/aibe.edu/
- Phone: +852 23761933
- Whatsapp: 55085538 (mainly for application enquiries)
- Email: general@aibe-edu.org
Further information on local course delivery arrangements will be provided to you in emails from AIBE. Any quick notices will also be made via social media e.g. AIBE's Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/aibe.edu/ ).
Timetable Information
Please check updated timetable from Moodle (AIBE student portal).
Course Overview
The BA (Hons) Housing Studies will enable students to:
- foster a critical and reflective understanding of contemporary housing policy and practice;
- develop an appreciation of the inter-relationships between the professions and specialisms involved in the built environment;
- equip students to engage in creative and innovative thinking about society using appropriate techniques, knowledge and skills;
- develop independent learning habits, promoting a commitment to lifelong learning for housing practitioners through a student-centred approach and to allow personal and career development;
- critically understand the rationale for housing policy, including considerations of effectiveness, diversity and difference, social justice and community engagement.
1 | Critically evaluate and assess the social, economic and political nature of housing; |
2 | Analyse the pursuit of community participation,development and theories of community action, class and marginalisation in neighbourhoods and communities; |
3 | Develop an awareness of the socially constructed ways housing and society is represented and interpreted at local and global levels |
4 | Understand the research processes and appropriate traditional and digital analytical/methodological skills that help interrogate society and public policy environments |
5 | Understand technical aspects of law, finance and construction in relation to the built environment |
6 | Demonstrate critical understanding about the ethical or vocational role of the modern housing professional |
1 | Analyse how people, space and place are represented in relation to housing and society at local and global levels.
|
2 | To gain a critical awareness of the processes of planning and managing place and space
|
3 | Understand and apply a range of research methods and applications in housing, including qualitative and quantitative techniques.
|
4 | Develop understanding of state, market and alternative responses to societal issues
|
Assessment & Feedback
Level 4 is assessed by coursework predominantly, with some practical assessments
Level 5 is assessed by coursework predominantly, with some practical assessments and examinations
Level 6 is assessed by coursework predominantly, with some examinations
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of examinations can be found on your timetable once the examination schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, on course noticeboards or in individual Module Handbooks/other module guides.
Course management team - Coordinator: Karis Wong -kariswong@aibe-edu.org
It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3 of the Academic Regulations at https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/. Please check the penalties that apply to this course as some Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements may mean that different penalties apply.
If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.
You may be required to submit your written work via Turnitin; further information on Turnitin is available here: http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/mybeckett/turnitin
Assessed work will normally be returned with appropriate feedback within four weeks of your submission. But note that this does not include periods of time when the University is closed, e.g. around Christmas and New Year. Each Module Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive this. The Course Specification explains how feedback will be provided on both formative and summative assessments.
Feedback can be in written form or verbal, formal or informal, and it is important that you understand what it can involve. Some key features of this are:
- Feedback is normally written on the work submitted and a separate feedback sheet providing typed comments relating to the assessment's specific marking criteria provided
- Feedback should be constructive and include an indication of how a piece of work could be improved
- Group feedback is often provided which summarises the key strengths and weaknesses of the assessment overall. This provides you with an opportunity to learn directly from your peers.
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (e.g., from Level 4 to Level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level) will be notified via email.
Results will be notified in five working days after the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.
Contact: Jamie Wong - jamiewong@aibe-edu.org
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised via email of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your Course Director, Course Administrator or Academic Advisor for any necessary clarification.
Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.
Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.
Teaching & Learning
In view of the broad nature of course content and the broad experiences of the students, Teaching and Learning Activities are based around a variety of methods listed below.
Lectures are used to introduce new topics and concepts and set the boundaries of the subject area. They are closely integrated with workshops, seminars and tutorials.
Seminars are an opportunity for students to present their own ideas for discussion by their peers and to reflect critically upon the issues exchanged and arising. They are often organised at the end of lecture sessions to reflect on or develop an aspect of the lecture theme.
Debates are an opportunity for students to research, reflect and present ideas critically in an engaging way. It encourages students to develop communication skills, research skills and allows students to think more deeply about their longstanding views.
Audio/visual sessions allow students time to think abstractly about lecture content and to link subject themes to wider academic or work-based debates/discussions. These often link with seminar sessions and debates particularly well.
Tutorials provide an opportunity for continuing discussion and dialogue between staff and individuals or small groups. They are mainly used in conjunction with group presentations.
Projects are used to carry out specific tasks often involving field investigation, analysis, conclusions and recommendations.
Level 4 Core Modules
Study Skills
The Context for Housing Organisations
Legal Frameworks and Regulation
Reflective Practitioner
Leadership in Practice
City and Society
Level 5 Core Modules
Research Methods
Housing Needs
Housing Markets
Neighbourhood Planning and Design
Level 5 Option Modules
The following option modules are indicative of a typical year. There may be some variance in the
availability of option modules.
Finance and Accounting for Housing Management
Fire Regulation and Safety in Domestic and Commercial Property
Level 6 Core Modules
The Housing Professional
Housing Policy
Dissertation (40 credits)
Level 6 Option Modules
The following option modules are indicative of a typical year. There may be some variance in the
availability of option modules.
Legal Studies for Housing Management
Geographical Imaginations
Housing Difference and Diversity
Facilities and Maintenance Management
Urban and Social Contexts
Overall Workload | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 182 hours | 252 hours | 224 hours |
Independent Study | 1018 hours | 948 hours | 976 hours |
Attendance & Absence
Please refer to Academic Regulations Section 8.
Students are well noted that they should provide sick leave certificate issued by doctor and fill in mitigation form.
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor / academic advisor to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, staff at your delivery provider or the University may be able to help. It may be possible to arrange suspension of studies from your course.
If you are considering withdrawing, permanently or temporarily, you must complete a withdrawal form, which you can obtain from the administrative staff at your delivery provider. This form must be submitted as soon as possible as withdrawals cannot normally be backdated. For further details see the Student Regulations.
Professional Accreditation or Recognition Associated with the Course
Chartered Institution of Housing (CIH)
Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to become a chartered member of the CIH.
Skills, Employability & Graduate Opportunities
During the course you will gain a range of employability and personal skills such as team-working, research, critical thinking and evaluation, presentation and independent learning. Many of these skills are linked to the development of Graduate Attributes which are assessed as part of the course.
There are three Graduate Attributes for Leeds Beckett University and these are tailored to suit your course. The three attributes you should achieve by the end of the course are for you to be digitally literate, have a global outlook and for you to be enterprising. Learning about these attributes and being assessed on them as part of your modules will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your future career and wider life as you move on from your studies here. You will be formally assessed on all the attributes in some of your modules at each academic level in each year of your course. For more information on graduate attributes please visit https://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/local/graduate_attributes/category_homepage.shtml
Information on your assessment is included in your Module Handbooks.
The Course Specification includes details of any accreditations, career paths, further study options and other opportunities for graduates.
Learning Support
BSc (Hons) Building Services Engineering / Level 4, Level 5 BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering course - Gary Fong - garyfong@aibe-edu.org
MSc Building Services Engineering - Jamie Wong - jamiewong@aibe-edu.org
BA (Hons) Housing Studies/ Level 6 BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering course - Michael Leung - michaelleung@aibe-edu.org
General email: general@aibe-edu.org
General hotline: (852) 23761933Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.
Librarian: Michael Leung - michaelleung@aibe-edu.org
IT Support: general@aibe-edu.orgContact: Jamie Wong - jamiewong@aibe-edu.org
There are student representatives and all students are invited to attend student focus group in each semester. They can express their opinions anytime.
Resources
AIBE students have local student portal called Moodle. As franchise students, you will also be advised the log in details for VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) called MyBeckett of Leeds Beckett University.
Student Voice
We are committed to working in partnership with you and nominated Student Representatives to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.
We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.
In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.
LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.
Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:
- Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
- Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
- Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
- Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
- Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
- Being an ambassador for your course.
Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:
We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor / academic advisor.
If you have a specific complaint about your course, you should initially follow the complaints procedure of your delivery provider.
If this does not resolve the matter, then you should make a formal complaint under the University's Student Complaints Procedure. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.
General Information
Certificate of Higher Education Housing Studies
Diploma of Higher Education Housing Studies
BA Housing Studies
Leeds Beckett University
Level 6
360 credits
Please refer to payment schedule on admission offer letter.
Policies, Standards & Regulations
There are no additional or non-standard regulations which relate to your course.
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.
Appendices
This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. See our Privacy policy.