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Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended learning outcomes:

  • are required for programme and module specifications and are sometimes used for individual sessions 
  • set out for the student what they should expect from the programme and the modules that make up that programme
  • provide employers and other stakeholders information about the currency of programmes and modules and
  • are also important in quality assurance processes. 
  • are about what a student should be able to do after they have completed the learning activities - classes, assessment and private study - that make up the programme or module. 

These pages are to provide guidance on writing intended learning outcomes.  Baume (2009) provides a futher overview of writing and using good learning outcomes.

When writing intended learning outcomes it is important to consider their key characteristics and the types of learning to which they apply.  Once intended learning outcomes have been written they should also be evaluated.