Level Descriptors
Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors (April 2021)
| Indicator | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and understanding Knowing about and understanding the subject |
Show that you know and understand principles, concepts and terms central to the subject. | You demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the subject. | You demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of the subject, some of it in specialist areas, and informed by current thinking and developments. | You have a deep and systematic understanding within a specialised field of study and its interrelationship with other relevant disciplines. You demonstrate an understanding of current theoretical and methodological approaches and how these affect the way the knowledge base is interpreted. |
| Cognitive skills Description, application, analysis and synthesis of knowledge |
Use your knowledge and understanding to describe, analyse and interpret defined aspects of your subject | Apply your knowledge and understanding accurately to a range of issues, questions and problems relevant to your subject. You apply established techniques to evaluate critically and interpret your subject in a range of contexts. |
You work with ideas at a level of abstraction, arguing from competing perspectives. You identify the possibility of new concepts within existing knowledge frameworks and approaches. You demonstrate confidence and flexibility in identifying and defining complex problems. You identify, select and use investigative strategies and techniques to undertake a critical analysis, evaluating the outcomes. |
You use ideas at a high level of abstraction. You develop critical responses to existing theoretical discourses, methodologies or practices and suggest new concepts or approaches. You design and undertake substantial investigations to address significant areas of theory and/or practice. You select appropriate advanced methodological approaches and critically evaluates their effectiveness. |
| Key Skills Addressing issues and problems. Awareness of context and environment |
You know about, and begin to address, issues and problems central to the subject. | You critically compare and use different approaches to issues and problems within the subject. | You identify and ask questions appropriately to explore relevant issues or problems within the subject. | You flexibly and creatively apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, synthesise ideas or information in innovative ways, and generate transformative solutions. |
| Communication Communicating clearly, effectively and appropriately with others (including inter-personal skills, collaborative and group working) |
Develop your skills in communicating information accurately and appropriately to the subject, purpose and audience. | You communicate information, arguments and ideas effectively, using the styles and language appropriate to the subject, purpose and audience. | You communicate complex information, arguments and ideas effectively and appropriately to the subject, purpose and audience. | You identify, evaluate and maintain capabilities and qualities to support effective communication in a range of complex and specialised contexts. |
| Information literacy Finding, critically evaluating and using information |
Develop your skills in finding, selecting and using information or data in defined contexts | You find, critically evaluate and use information or data accurately in a range of contexts. | You find, critically evaluate and use information or data accurately in complex contexts. | You undertake analysis of complex, incomplete or contradictory evidence/data and judge the appropriateness of the enquiry methodologies used. You recognise and argue for alternative approaches. |
| ICT and number skills Using appropriate ICT and numerical skills |
Develop your use of ICT tools and your numerical skills as appropriate to support your studies. | Use ICT tools and numerical skills, as appropriate, to help you learn effectively. | Select and use ICT tools to improve your learning and extend your numerical skills, as appropriate. | Develop understanding of multiple ICT tools and selection and deploy those most appropriate to the analytical task in question. |
| Learning how to learn Managing and improving your own learning |
Develop your understanding and use of the resources available to help you learn, and begin to develop as an independent learner. | Plan, monitor and review your progress as an independent learner. | As an independent learner you plan, monitor and evaluate your own learning and seek ways to improve your performance. | You use personal reflection to analyse yourself and your own actions. You make connections between known and unknown areas, to allow for adaptation and change. |
| Practical and professional skills Developing practical skills and professional awareness |
You develop, as appropriate, practical and professional skills and awareness of relevant ethical issues. | You engage, as appropriate, with practical and professional skills and demonstrate an awareness of relevant ethical issues. | You engage, as appropriate, with practical and professional skills. You are familiar with ethical issues relevant to both your work and the wider discipline. | You incorporate a critical ethical dimension to your practice, managing the implications of ethical dilemmas. You work proactively with others to formulate solutions. |
| Personal and career development Using personal and career planning and development resources |
You plan your study pathway to link your learning with your personal and/or career goals. | Recognise and record your skills and knowledge to support your personal and/or career goals. | Recognise, record and communicate your skills and knowledge to achieve your personal and/or career goals. | You use personal reflection to analyse yourself and your actions. You apply abstraction and critical dimensions to shape your personal and/or career goals. |