Progression Rules for Taught Masters Programmes
The following rules for taught Masters programmes were approved by Academic Quality and Standards Committee on 26 May 2004, and modifications approved on 26 April 2006. They apply to students entering Masters programmes in 2004-5 and subsequent years.
1. Definitions
1.1 Referral
The retaking of all or part of the assessment or an alternative assessment of a failed module in order to achieve the pass mark. Referral examinations are usually taken in the August/September following the academic year in which the module was failed, but may be taken at other times by agreement with the School concerned.
1.2 Resit
The retaking of assessments as an external student during the following academic year. The number and type of assessments to be re-taken are defined in each programme specification. A candidate's registration is suspended until the resit has been successfully completed. University regulations only allow one resit during the whole duration of a student's programme.
If there are special circumstances, a Board of Examiners may allow a candidate to repeat as an alternative to resitting. In the absence of special circumstances, an internal resit may be permitted if this is considered to be in that candidate's best interests. In either of these cases, normal fees are payable.
1.3 Repeat
Taking an academic year for the second time. This is normally only permitted when there are special circumstances which precluded the candidate from successfully completing it at the first attempt. Any assessments from the first attempt are set aside and (in contrast to an internal resit) any resit right is not affected. Normal fees are payable.
1.4 Module Pass Mark
The minimum mark required in order to pass a module. This will be 40% or such higher mark as is required by the programme specification.
2. MA/MSc and MRes Programmes
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| 2.1 |
The MA/MSc and MRes degrees consist of two parts: the taught element and the project. For the MA/MSc, the taught element is normally weighted at 120 credit points and the project at 60 credit points. For the MRes, the taught element is weighted at 60 credit points and the project at 120 credit points. An MSc/MA may also have this weighting, and the programme title in this case will normally include the words “by research”.
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| 2.2 |
Candidates are required to achieve the module pass mark (normally 40% or as specified in programme specifications) or more on each module, except as specified in 2.7 below.
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| 2.3 |
A candidate who successfully completes the taught element and achieves 50% or more on aggregate, and passes the project at the appropriate level as defined below, is eligible for the MA/MSc/MRes degree.
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| 2.4 |
A candidate who successfully completes 60 credit points and achieves 40% or more on aggregate, and who does not proceed for any reason to qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma, MA/MSc or MRes as relevant, is eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.
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| 2.5 |
A candidate who successfully completes 120 credit points and achieves 40% or more on aggregate, and who does not proceed for any reason to qualify for the MA/MSc/MRes, is eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
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| 2.6 |
Only one award may be made under 2.4 and 2.5 above.
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| 2.7 |
Candidates achieving the required aggregate pass mark and showing strong performance, but failing to achieve the pass mark in non-core modules totalling not more that 30 credit points, may be allowed to progress. The definition of 'strong performance' differs from one programme to another, and is detailed in individual programme specifications.
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| 2.8 |
Referral procedures will be available to candidates who fail to achieve the required aggregate by 3% or less, or who achieve the aggregate pass mark but fail to achieve the pass mark in core modules, or who fail non-core modules and do not quality to progress under 2.7 above. The procedures differ from one programme to another, and are detailed in individual programme specifications.
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| 2.9 |
Resit procedures will be available to candidates not achieving the aggregate pass mark or failing at referral and who have not previously resat. The procedures differ from one programme to another and are detailed in individual programme specifications. An aggregate mark of 50% for the taught element will be recorded for candidates progressing following a resit.
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| 2.10 |
The project dissertation for the MRes or the MA/MSc “by research” is assessed according to the criteria appropriate to research degrees. These degrees are not awarded with any classification or with Distinction.
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| 2.11 |
The MA/MSc project dissertation shall be marked on a percentage scale or an equivalent letter grade scale. The pass mark for the dissertation shall be 50% or Grade C. A candidate failing to achieve this may submit a revised dissertation on one occasion only. Such a candidate will not be eligible for Distinction.
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| 2.12 |
A candidate on an MA/MSc programme, which is not “by research”, achieving 70% or more aggregate on the taught element, and 70% or more (Grade A) on the dissertation, is awarded the MA/MSc with Distinction. The Board of Examiners may also recommend the award of Distinction to a candidate whose dissertation is outstanding (80% or more) and whose aggregate mark on the taught element is at least 68%.
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(24 May 2006)
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