Academic Regulations 2004/05
School of Social Sciences

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science in the Social Sciences and Postgraduate Diploma Courses

Note: See the individual Course Regulations for the exceptions to the following:

Admission
  1. A candidate must normally be a graduate of an approved university or of CNAA; a candidate who is not may be admitted to a course on the approval of the Board of the School of Social Sciences.

  2. A candidate may be required to undertake a period of preliminary study and to pass examinations as specified by the department concerned before undertaking the scheme of study.
Scheme of Study
  1. The scheme of study will comprise lectures and other coursework. Provision may also be made for specialised study and options within the scheme of study.

  2. A candidate is required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not less than three terms of full-time study or six terms of part-time study.
Examinations
  1. 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.

  2. A candidate who fails initially to satisfy the examiners will normally be permitted to take supplementary examinations at dates to be specified by the School and, if successful at the appropriate level, be allowed eligibility to proceed to a Master's degree. Students who pass first time at Diploma only level are allowed to retake examinations and, if successful at the appropriate level, will be allowed eligibility to proceed to the Master's degree.
Diploma
  1. The Diploma of the University of Southampton (DipSoton) is awarded by Senate to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed the scheme of study and passed the assessment prescribed. The Diploma may be awarded with distinction.
MSc (Social Sciences)
  1. A candidate who has qualified for the award of the Diploma at a satisfactory level may, with the approval of the Board of the School of Social Sciences, be permitted to undertake further study and research and to 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 by 30 December of the year following the year of qualifying for the award of the Diploma. In exceptional cases, the School Board may approve a later date for the submission of the dissertation. In all cases, 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 Diploma and be awarded the degree of Master of Science in the Social Sciences. The degree may be awarded with a distinction.

  3. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation may either be awarded the Diploma of the University of Southampton or be permitted by the Board of the School of Social Sciences, on the recommendation of the Head of Teaching Programme, to resubmit a dissertation in a bound form within a period of six months (full-time candidates) or twelve months (part-time candidates).