Regulations for Postgraduate Certificates in 'Planning and Control', 'Market Management', 'Organisation Management' and 'Strategic Management'.

Admission

1. The standard entry requirement is a good honours degree from a UK university, the CertBA with Merit from the University of Southampton, or an equivalent professional or overseas qualification, and at least three years of relevant managerial experience. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of competency in English by reaching the appropriate standard in an approved test such as IELTS,TOEFL or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English. Applicants may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Scheme of Study

2. The scheme of study will comprise lectures and other coursework.
3. A candidate is required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not more than one year of part-time study, from first registration.

4. Subject to approval of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a candidate may be required or permitted to take alternative units from the list of option units in the DipBA scheme of study on the basis of previously accumulated CATS points in appropriate subjects.

Examination

5. All components of the scheme of study will be examined during and/or at the end of the period of study as specified by the School of Management.

6. A candidate who fails to satisfactorily complete any unit on the first occasion will normally be permitted to repeat the unit within a time prescribed by the School of Management.

7. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in any unit on the first occasion will normally be permitted to take supplementary examinations at dates specified by the School of Management.

Award

1. The Postgraduate Certificates in 'Planning and Control', 'Market Management', 'Organisation Management' and 'Strategic Management' of the University of Southampton are awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed the scheme of study and passed the examinations prescribed. Each Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded with Merit or Distinction.

Regulations for the Diploma in Business Administration

Stream for Experienced Managers

Admission

1. The standard entry requirement is a good honours degree from a UK university, the CertBA with Merit from the University of Southampton, or an equivalent professional or overseas qualification, and at least three years of relevant managerial experience. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of competency in English by reaching an appropriate standard in an approved test such as IELTS,_TOEFL_or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English. Applicants may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Scheme of Study

2. The scheme of study will comprise of lectures and other course work. Provision may also be made for specialised study and options within the scheme of study.

3. A candidate is required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not less than two semesters of full-time study and normally not more than four years of part-time study, from first registration.

4. Subject to the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a candidate may be required or permitted to take alternative units from the list of option units in the DipBA scheme of study on the basis of previously accumulated CATS points in appropriate subjects.

Examinations

5. . All components of the scheme of study will be examined during and/or at the end of the period of study as specified by the School of Management.

6. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners on the first occasion will normally be permitted to take supplementary examinations at dates specified by the School of Management.

Award of the Diploma in Business Administration

7. The award of Diploma in Business Administration of the University of Southampton is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed the scheme of study and passed the examinations prescribed. The Diploma may be awarded with Merit or Distinction.

8. The Diploma in Business Administration of the University of Southampton may also be awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences to a candidate who has obtained Postgraduate Certificates in 'Planning and Control', 'Market Management','Organisation Management' and 'Strategic Management' of the University of Southampton. Such a candidate shall forgo the Postgraduate Certificate awards on award of the Diploma.

Regulations for the Master of Business Administration

1. A candidate who has qualified for the award of the Diploma in Business Administration (DipBA Soton) may with the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences be permitted to undertake further study and research and submit a dissertation. In the case of a full time student, the period of study shall be three months and the dissertation shall be submitted by 30 September of the year of qualifying for the award of the Diploma. In the case of a part-time student, the period of further study shall be six months and the dissertation shall be submitted between 1 January and 30 June of the year following the year of qualifying for the award of Diploma. In exceptional cases, the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences may approve a later date for the submission of the dissertation. In all cases, the award of the Diploma shall be withheld pending the outcome under regulations 9 and 10 below.

2. A candidate who satisfies the examiners in the dissertation shall forego the award of the DipBA Soton and be awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). The list of successful candidates will be published in alphabetical order within each of three divisions: pass with distinction, pass with merit, pass.

3. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation may either be awarded the DipBA Soton, or be permitted by the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences on the recommendation of the Head of School to resubmit a dissertation in a bound form within a period of six months for full-time candidates and twelve months for part-time candidates.

Regulations for the Diploma in Business Administration

Stream for Recent Graduates

Admissions

1. The standard entry requirement is a good honours degree from a UK university, the CertBA with Merit from the University of Southampton, or an equivalent professional or overseas qualification. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of competency in English by reaching an appropriate standard in an approved test such as IELTS, TOEFL or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English. Applicants may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Scheme of Study

2. The scheme of study will comprise of lectures and other course work. Provision may also be made for specialised study and options within the scheme of study.

3. A candidate is required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not less than two semesters of full-time study.

4. Subject to the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a candidate may be required or permitted to take alternative units from the list of option units in the DipBA scheme of study on the basis of previously accumulated CATS points in appropriate subjects.

Examinations

5. All components of the scheme of study will be examined during and/or at the end of the period of study as specified by the School of Management.
6. . A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners on the first occasion will normally be permitted to take supplementary examinations at dates specified by the School of Management.

Award of the Diploma in Business Administration

7. The award of Diploma in Business Administration of the University of Southampton is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed the scheme of study and passed the examinations prescribed. The Diploma may be awarded with Merit or Distinction.

Regulations for the Master of Business Administration

1. A candidate who has qualified for the award of the Diploma in Business Administration (DipBA Soton) may with the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences be permitted to undertake further study and research and submit a dissertation. In the case of a full-time student, the period of study shall be three months and the dissertation shall be submitted by 30 September of the year qualifying for the award of Diploma. In exceptional cases, the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences may approve a later date for submission of the dissertation. In all cases, the award of the Diploma shall be withheld pending the outcome under regulations 2 and 3 below.

2. A candidate who satisfies the examiners in the dissertation shall forgo the award of the DipBA Soton and be awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). The list of successful candidates will be published in alphabetical order within each of three divisions: pass with distinction, pass with merit, pass.

3. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation may resubmit a dissertation in a bound form within a period of 6 months. A candidate who subsequently fails to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation may be awarded the DipBA Soton.

Regulations for the Degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Business Administration within the School of Management

Degrees and Entry

1. The degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) may be awarded by the Senate to postgraduate students who have successfully pursued a course of study as prescribed below to the satisfaction of the Board of Faculty of Social Sciences (hereafter the Faculty Board), and have fulfilled any other University requirements.

2. The requirement for candidature shall normally be a degree of any approved university or the CNAA. Candidates with other qualifications approved by the Head of the School of Management (hereafter Head of School) may be accepted by the Faculty Board.

3. Candidates satisfying the requirement for candidature may be admitted provided the Board of the Faculty is satisfied as to both their chosen subject for research and the supervisory arrangements.

4. In approving candidature the Faculty Board shall state the effective starting date which may not normally be backdated beyond the day after the previous meeting of the Board.

Candidature

5. The course to be followed shall be one of coursework, supervised study and research and may be part-time or full-time.

6. Research and Teaching Fellows may, with the approval of the Faculty Board, be admitted to staff candidature, but shall normally by virtue of their status and experience be in part-time candidature and shall pay the appropriate fees.

7. Research and Teaching Assistants shall be in part-time candidature, except that in special circumstances the Faculty Board, on the recommendation of the Head of School, may approve full-time candidature. Research and Teaching Assistants shall pay the appropriate fees.

8. The Faculty Board may approve arrangements for an individual candidate to receive supervision provided jointly by the University and another institution. In such a case the Faculty Board may permit a period or periods of study to be undertaken at the other institution provided that a period of not less than eighteen months full-time or twenty-four months part-time is spent in research study at the University.

9. The University may from time to time formally admit an appropriate institution to a special relationship for the purpose of furthering co-operation in teaching and research. A person holding an appointment in such a link institution may be registered in part-time candidature for a higher degree by research. If a candidate so registered leaves the employment of the link institution, candidature shall be reviewed by the Board of the Faculty and, if permission is given for its continuance, the general provisions for part-time candidature shall normally apply.

10. A candidate is normally required to register initially for the degree of MPhil. A candidate for the degree of MPhil may be permitted by the Board of the Faculty to transfer not less than six months before submission of thesis to a course leading to the degree of DBA. A candidate for the degree of DBA may be permitted at any time prior to submission of thesis to transfer to a course leading to the degree of MPhil. The whole or part of the period spent in candidature may be counted towards the period of study required for the degree to which transfer is made.

Supervision and Progression

11. Each student has a supervisor and an Advisory Group. The supervisor shall be appointed by the Faculty Board on the recommendation of the Head of School, and shall be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the student's progress. The Advisory Group shall consist of the supervisor, and two or three other members. The members shall be chosen in consultation with the supervisor and student, as having interests and expertise relevant to the topic of the student's research. Where appropriate a mentor from another organisation (such as the individual's employing firm) will be designated. The mentor will be invited to review meetings of student progress but control of the academic direction of the research will remain with the staff of the University.

12. A candidate may be required to take part in a programme of graduate studies, including lectures, seminars and associated assessments, to the satisfaction of the Head of School.

13. The Faculty Board may at any time review the progress of an individual candidate. If this is unsatisfactory and if, after due warning, there is insufficient improvement, the Board may recommend termination of candidature to Senate. The candidate may appeal against the decision by using the procedure set out in the General Regulations.

Duration of Research Courses

1. The period of supervised study for the MPhil/DBA degree shall be:
   MPhil
   Full-time candidates: not less than twelve months
   Part-time candidates: not less than twenty-four months
   DBA Full-time candidates: not less than twenty-four months
   Part-time candidates: not less than thirty six months
   

2. The period of study for a research degree ends when the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) is submitted. The maximum period of study in full-time candidature is four years (48 months) and in part-time candidature six years (72 months). A candidate who fails to submit a thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) by the end of the maximum period of study shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the course.

Temporary Suspension and Nominal Registration

16. Candidates for either degree must continue in registration for the degree until such time as they submit their thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) in full or withdraw, except that the Faculty Board may, on the recommendation of the Head of School, permit temporary suspension of candidature. Periods of temporary suspension shall not count towards the maximum period of study.

17. If, having completed not less than the minimum period of supervised study, a candidate ceases to receive supervision, the Faculty Board may allow transfer to nominal registration for a period not exceeding twelve months in the first instance. A candidate wishing to extend the period of nominal registration beyond twelve months must apply in writing to the Social Sciences Faculty Office.

18. Candidates in nominal registration shall, on transfer, pay the fee prescribed in the Fees Regulations.

19. Periods of nominal registration count towards the maximum period of study.

Submission of Thesis and Case Study

20. After the completion of the necessary period of study a thesis shall be submitted for examination in accordance with the instructions in the leaflet "The Completion of Research Degree Candidature" issued to candidates by the Academic Registrar, except that theses should be restricted to 65,000 words exclusive of any bound appendices. A case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) not exceeding 10,000 words shall also be submitted.

21. The submission following full-time candidature shall be made not later than four years from the date of first registration; and the submission following part-time candidature shall be made not later than six years from the date of first registration. In cases where there have been periods of full-time and part-time candidature, the maximum permitted period of candidature shall be determined by the Academic Registrar, on the basis that periods of part-time candidature shall be deemed to be equivalent to two-thirds of an equal period of full-time candidature. This time-limit may be extended by the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board in special circumstances only.

22. A candidate who is about to submit shall give to the Academic Registrar at least two months' prior notice in writing which shall include the full title of the thesis. Such notice of intention to submit a thesis shall be given not later than 1 February if the candidate seeks award of the degree by the following July.

23. With the exception of restrictions on access as defined in paragraph 25 below, research work submitted as a thesis for a higher degree shall be openly available and subject neither to security classification nor to restriction on access, and candidates may publish the whole or part of their work prior to its submission as a thesis, provided that in the published work it is nowhere stated that it is in consideration for a higher degree.

24. In exceptional circumstances access to a thesis but not the case study may be restricted by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board for a period normally of not more than twelve months from the date of examination, where such restriction is regarded as desirable on commercial grounds or pending patent applications, or as necessary to maintain confidentiality. A period of restriction of up to three years may be permitted.

25. On submission of a thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) a candidate shall be required to sign two documents:
    1. a form of consent that the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material), if successful, may be made available for inter-library loan or photocopying from a date stipulated (subject to the law of copyright);
    2. a declaration stating:that the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) is the result of work done wholly or mainly while the student was in registered candidature; that where the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) is based on work done by the candidate jointly with others, a substantial part is the original work of the candidate; the extent to which the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) incorporates material already submitted for another degree.

Examination

26. For each candidate an internal and an external examiner shall be appointed to examine the thesis and case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material).

27. Candidates for the DBA will normally be required, and candidates for the MPhil may be required, to attend for an oral examination.

28. The examiners for each candidate shall recommend one of the following courses of action:
    that the degree be awarded, subject if necessary to minor amendments to the thesis and/or case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) being made by a date specified;
    that the candidate be required to attend for a further oral examination;
    that the candidate be permitted to submit by a date specified a revised thesis and/or case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) for the same degree for re-examination on one subsequent occasion;
    that, in the case only of a DBA candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners, permission be given to the candidate to apply within a specified time for the award of the degree of MPhil. This may be allowed without re-examination, subject to any minor amendments of the thesis which may be required by the examiners, or may be subject to re-examination of a revised thesis;
    that the degree be not awarded and that resubmission of the thesis or case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) be not permitted.

29. A candidate who fails to submit a corrected or revised thesis or case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) by the date set by the examiners shall normally be regarded as having failed the examination and the recommendations of the examiners shall lapse.

30. Where the examiners recommend that the degree be not awarded and that submission of a revised thesis or case study (or equivalent body of research generated teaching material) be not permitted, the candidate may ask for the case to be reviewed in accordance with procedures laid down by the Senate. A copy of the procedures may be obtained from the Academic Registrar.