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Each level of programming will comply with international standards and reference the learning outcomes and competencies that students are expected to achieve at a satisfactory level of performance to graduate successfully with the degree. These learning outcomes are consistent with the approach taken at the main campus of Royal Roads University in British Columbia (Canada). They are also consistent with the definitions provided by The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Awarding Bodies and the use of learning outcomes for top-ranked universities in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Bachelor's degrees with honours (level 6)

Bachelor’s degrees with honours are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

  • A systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including the acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline
  • An ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline
  • Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
    • To devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline
    • To describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in the discipline
  • An appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
  • The ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline). Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:
    • Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects
    • Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution—or identify a range of solutions—to a problem
    • Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Graduates will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
    • The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
    • Decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts
    • The learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

Master's degrees (level 7)

Master’s degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

  • A systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice
  • A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship
  • Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
  • Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
    • Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
    • Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
  • Graduates from master’s programs will be able to:
    • Deal with complex issues—both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
    • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
    • Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding and to develop new skills to a high level
  • Graduates from master’s programs will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
    • The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
    • Decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
    • The independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

Doctoral degrees (level 8)

Doctoral degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

  • The creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication
  • Systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice
  • The general ability to conceptualize, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems
  • Graduates from doctoral programs will have a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry
  • Doctoral graduates will be able to:
    • Make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences
    • Continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches
  • Doctoral graduates will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations in professional or equivalent environments