Version 1.0 - Last Updated: 08 Jul 2025

Creating LLE courses

Creating Module Variants

Variant module information covers the elements of a module that may change from year to year, such as:

  • start dates
  • fees
  • intake patterns

These details allow us to record each distinct version of a module accurately in CMS.

From the module record, you can add a new variant by selecting the Add New Variant option. This opens the variant creation page, where you can enter the details for that version of the module.

There is validation built into CMS to guarantee that you can only create subjects that are eligible to be modularised.

We’ll capture the following module variant information:

  • Study Mode
  • HEP Identifier (optional)
  • Delivery Method
  • Location
  • HECoS Codes
  • Available Module Years
  • Taught Credits
  • Taught Fee
  • Specialist Study
  • Specialist Study Credits
  • Specialist Study Fee
  • Study Periods

Delivery Method, Location, HECoS Code and Available Course Years

The Delivery Method records how you’ll teach the module variant. This means CMS correctly identifies whether learning takes place on campus or via distance learning.

Delivery Method and Location must align with LLE eligibility definitions. Refer to the Courses Guidance Chapter if you’re unsure how to classify your provision.

The Location details specify where you’re delivering the teaching. It should reflect the primary site or campus associated with the module.

You can find more information on HECoS codes in the Courses Guidance Chapter. This includes how to assign HECoS codes where a Level 6 parent course at a module approved provider has multiple subject codes. The guidance helps to make sure that  the majority of those codes fall within approved subjects for the course to be modularised.

Available Course Years identify the specific you’ll offer the module variant. This information allows us to record the delivery pattern of the module in CMS. It also means that students can only apply for years that you’ve confirmed the module variant will run.

Module Fee and Credits

Taught Credits and Taught Fee

Taught Credits record the number of credits delivered through taught learning for the module. You can set Taught Credits for each module between 30 and 180 credits. The number of credits depends on how you structure learning and delivery.

Modules can be ‘bundled’ to meet the minimum 30 credits, provided they’re  derived from the same parent course. To understand the designation rules, please refer to the Courses Guidance Chapter.

The total taught credits must not exceed the overall qualification credit value recorded during the core module set up. This is to make sure that the qualification definition and the credit distribution are consistent.

The Taught Fee records the tuition fee you charge for the taught learning delivered in the module. The fee you enter must not exceed the maximum cost per credit limit, which is determined by calculating your fee cap/120 and applying that to the number of Taught Credits recorded for that year. For full accuracy, you should calculate the taught fee using the formula:

  • Fee Cap ÷ 120 × Module Year Credits
  • For example, £9,790/120 x 30 credits = £2447.50

This gives the exact maximum fee permitted for the taught component of the course year. While CMS includes validation to support you in entering the correct fee, we ask for full precision at the point of entry. You should complete this calculation in advance to make sure you record the correct fee and to avoid delays during module submission.

 

Specialist Study

Specialist Study is a feature of a module that forms part of the overall designated module. The only specialist study that’s applicable to modules is Study Abroad.

 

Specialist Study Credits and Specialist Study Fee

You must enter Specialist Study Credits in the year specialist study component is studied in.

The specialist study component must not exceed 120 credits across the full duration of the module. This it to make sure that specialist learning remains compliant with LLE funding rules.

The Specialist Study Fee records the tuition fee you charge for the specialist study component of the module.

As with taught learning, fee limits for specialist study are based on the principle that credits form the basis of fee limits and tuition fee loans. Therefore, the fee you charge must align with the credit value you allocate to the specialist study period.

CMS includes validation to support you in making sure the specialist study fee does not exceed the allowable limit. You remain responsible for entering the correct fee, underpinned by the correct credit allocation.

If the maximum fee limit per-credit fee limit for the specialist feature you are entering is £1200 and you have entered 60 specialist study credits, your specialist fee cannot exceed £600.00. The calculation is (£1200/120) x 60 credits = £600.00.

Study Periods

Study Periods define the blocks of time in which the student is actively studying the module during the academic cycle. These periods replace traditional ‘term dates’ and allow you to map actual teaching and learning patterns. Modules can contain between 1 and 6 study periods, following the approach used for course variants.

Study periods must reflect the actual delivery pattern of the course or module, as these dates are used in student support assessments.

Making created modules active

Once you’ve saved your module and are satisfied that you’ve entered all details correctly, you must change its status from Draft to In Review. You can do this by selecting the Edit option under the Actions tab for the newly created variant.

Updating the status and selecting Save Changes will move the variant into the In Review stage.

When a module variant is in review, we’ll validate it by assessing the information and checking for any potential anomalies.

During this stage, the module will be locked for editing, and you won’t be able to make any changes.

If we identify an issue during validation, we’ll return the variant to Draft status so that you can correct the details and resubmit.

If the module passes all checks, we’ll update the status to Active.

 

Copying created courses

Core Course

  1. To copy a core course, slect Select Action then View on the core course you’d like to copy:

This will show the details previously entered for the core course.

  1. Select Copy This Course in the top right corner:

This screen will appear with a pop-up message in the bottom left corner.

You can edit the course details on any field that’s not greyed out.

  1. Scroll down and select Continue.

Any previously entered course attributes will show at this stage.

You can add or remove course attributes here.

  1. Select Create New Course once you’ve entered all the necessary course details. The new core course will show in your course list as being in Draft status.

Please note, if you try to save a core course with the exact same details as the one you’ve copied from, you’ll get an error message at step 2:

You can copy a core course whether its draft, in review or active.

Course Variant

  1. To copy a course variant, select Select Action then View against the variant you want to copy:

This will show the details previously entered for the course variant.

  1. Select Copy This Variant in the top right corner:

A pop-up message will appear confirming that the course variant has been copied successfully. Please review before saving.

On the copied variant, some data will be copied over, and the rest of the fields will reset. You’ll need to review all the data fields to make sure they’re completed correctly. You can edit the details on any field that’s not greyed out.

  1. Select Create New Variant. If any details are incomplete, an error messages will show next to the incomplete data fields for you to review before you can save it.

The new course variant will show under the core course in your course list in Draft status.

You can copy a core course whether its draft, in review or active.

Module Course

  1. To copy a module, select Select Action then View against the variant you want to copy:

This will show the details previously entered for the course module.

  1. Select the Copy This Module button:

A pop-up message will appear that states: The module has been copied successfully. Please review before saving.

On this page you can edit the module details on any field that’s not greyed out.

  1. Select the Create New Module The new module will show in your module list as being in Draft status.

If you try to save a module with the same details as the one you’ve copied from, you’ll get an error message that says: Another module with the same information already exists. Please make it unique.

You can copy a core course whether its draft, in review or active.