Programme design

• Define programme aims in relation to the institution’s mission, graduate attributes, and strategic priorities.
• Articulate the educational philosophy** guiding the programme (e.g. learner-centred, interdisciplinary, inclusive).
• Engage stakeholders** (students, alumni, employers, academic staff) to inform direction and relevance.

• Conduct a needs analysis: disciplinary trends, societal demands, labour market needs.
• Consider student demographics, prior knowledge, and lived experiences.
• Review professional body requirements, accreditation standards, and institutional policies.

Stakeholder mapping is useful to consider at this stage. You can see an example of thisLink opens in a new window as part of the Curriculum Essentials Moodle short course.

• Develop clear, measurable outcomes that articulate what students should know, understand, and be able to do upon completion.
• Align outcomes with national qualification frameworks and graduate attributes.
• Ensure outcomes reflect diverse knowledge systems and enable equity of participation and success.

See the section on how to write effective aims and intended learning outcomes for further guidance

• Define core and optional modules, progression pathways, and credit distribution.
• Map learning outcomes across the curriculum to avoid duplication and ensure development over time (constructive alignment).
• Embed interdisciplinarity, inclusivity, and flexibility to accommodate varied student journeys.

• Create an assessment map showing how outcomes are assessed across modules.
• Use a mix of formative and summative methods that reflect diverse ways of demonstrating learning.
• Ensure assessments are transparent, inclusive, and scaffolded to support student success.

You can find further guidance on designing assessment within ADC's Assessment and Feedback ToolkitLink opens in a new window

• Identify theory and evidence-informed pedagogies relevant to the discipline(s).
• Integrate active, authentic, and inclusive learning approaches.
• Support students’ development as independent learners, critical thinkers, global citizens, and collaborative participants.

• Align learning with real-world applications, professional practice, and transferable skills.
• Include opportunities for placements, community engagement projects, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Foster student resilience, adaptability, and action-oriented reflection.

• Use a curriculum map to visualise how programme-level outcomes align with module outcomes, assessments, and learning activities.
• Check for vertical and horizontal coherence, progression, and balance of workload.

• Use internal and external review processes, including student and stakeholder feedback.
• Align with institutional quality assurance and curriculum approval procedures.
• Embed mechanisms for ongoing review and enhancement.

• Clearly document programme specifications, module descriptors, and curriculum rationale.
• Communicate the curriculum logic to students, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Provide accessible and engaging materials that help students navigate their learning journey.