1. The normal requirement for entry to the degree programme shall be a good honours degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject awarded by an approved university or the CNAA. Candidates with other qualifications may be admitted by the Board of the Faculty of Arts on the recommendation of the Board of Studies concerned.

Structure

2. The full-time degree programme shall extend over a period of between twelve and twenty-four months from day one of semester 1 of the year of entry. Where degree programmes may be taken on a part-time basis, these will normally extend over a period of up to twenty-six months from day one of semester 1 of the year of entry.

3. For Masters Programmes:

   The degree course will consist of coursework, individual projects, seminars, tutorials, individual reading and research and where appropriate oral presentation and practical work. The degree course shall be structured as follows:

   1. The Faculty Masters programme structure is based on 8 units. (A unit is defined as consisting of a notional 2 hours contact time per week, for one semester). There are three types of taught units: core content units, option content units, and research skills units. Each named degree course normally includes a minimum of two core content units and two research skills units. Candidates may choose option units from lists approved by the Faculty.
   2. The normal balance of units will be as follows, but the balance of content option/skills units may be altered with the approval of the Faculty.
      Semester 1: 1 core content unit 1 option content unit 1 research skills unit
      Semester 2: 1 core content unit 1 option content unit Dissertation (equivalent to 3 units, including 1 research skills unit)
   3. Units are credit-rated as follows:
      Core unit 20 M level points
      Option unit 20 M level points
      Research skills
      units 20 M level points
      Dissertation 60 M level points

Examination and assessment

4. Examination will be by course work and seminar papers during the year and may include, where appropriate, written examination, oral presentation and viva voce examination when units are completed.
   - In order to satisfy the examiners in the taught part of the course, candidates must achieve a pass mark (of 40%) in each unit.

5. Candidates who attain a satisfactory standard in their units shall continue with supervised study, normally until the end of September of the academic year of entry (full-time) or the end of November of the year following (part-time), during which time they will work on individual projects. A dissertation on the approved project must be submitted by 30 September of the year following registration (full time) or 30 November of the second year following registration (part-time), except that in special cases and with the permission of the Board of Studies Co-ordinator, a candidate may submit by a date up to one week later. Dissertations for the MA in Musicology, MA in Composition and MA in Performance must be submitted by 1 September of the year following registration (full-time) or the second year following registration (part-time), except that in special cases and with the approval of the Masters Co-ordinator, a candidate may submit by a date up to one week later. Candidates should normally be available for viva voce examinations during the month of September.

6. Candidates who attain a satisfactory standard in their units and who do not proceed to a dissertation may qualify, subject to the approval of Senate, for the award of the Diploma of the University of Southampton (Dip Soton).

7. Students who fail the examinations for the taught part of the course will be allowed to resubmit the failed units on one occasion, to be determined by the Board of Examiners, and if they then satisfy the examiners, will be eligible to continue with supervised study as under Regulation 5.

   Students who do not satisfy the examiners in the dissertation will be eligible to resubmit on one occasion, to be determined by the Board of Examiners. Candidates whose resubmitted dissertation fails to satisfy the examiners remain eligible for the Dip Soton award.

8. Candidates whose dissertations satisfy the examiners will be recommended for the award of the degree of MA, MSc or MMus. The degree may be awarded with Distinction.