ABSTRACT
The BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies (by Independent Study) at Crewe and Alsager Faculty, Manchester Metropolitan University was approved by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) in 1981. Determined effort by the course team convinced largely traditionalist validators of the legitimacy of undergraduate honours-level independent study, conducted in an ‘ex-teacher training college’. This persistence and subsequent successful implementation received an early recognition when the Royal Society of Arts bestowed its Education for Capability Award on the course in 1982. After ten years of successful operation, the course received a glowing report following a substantial inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate (HMI) during the Autumn term 1991.
