1. The programme leading to the degree of Master of Science Physiotherapy shall be of two years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be four years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
   
   
2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations. They must normally offer at least a 2:1 honours degree or better in a biological or behavioural science, a sports science or a health related profession in which the foundation sciences and research methods were covered; two A level passes and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above. English Language, Mathematics and a science subject must be offered either at A level or GCSE. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit.
   
   
3. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
   
   
4. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
   
   
5. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Science Physiotherapy, candidates must:
   
   
   1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
      
   2. have followed the two-year curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
      
   3. have completed to pass-level all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
      
   4. be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.
      
      
6. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements.
   
   
7. The first level of the curriculum shall extend over one year (January-January) and comprise of the following units of study:
   
   
   • Foundation of Physiotherapy Practice Unit
     
   • Common Learning Programme Unit - Collaborative Learning
     
   • Clinical Management Unit
     
   • Clinical Placement 2
     
   • Clinical Placement 3
     
   • Integrated Clinical Management Unit
     
   • Critical Enquiry Protocol
     
     
8. Students who are successful at all year one assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Allied Health Studies (60 M level credits).
   
   
9. The second level of the curriculum shall extend over one year (January-January) and comprise the following units of study:
   
   
   • Clinical Placement 4
     
   • Common Learning Programme Unit - Interprofessional Team Working
     
   • Complex Clinical Management Unit
     
   • Clinical Placement 5
     
   • Clinical Placement 6
     
   • Common Learning Programme Unit - Interprofessional Problem Solving
     
   • Common Learning Programme Unit - Enabling Change in Practice
     
   • Critical Inquiry Research Report
     
     
10. Students who are successful at all year two assessments apart from their Critical Inquiry Research Report shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Diploma of Allied Health Studies (120 M level credits).
    
    
11. Students who are successful at all year two assessments but are unable to successfully complete all the required Clinical Placements shall be eligible for the exit award of a Master of Science in Allied Health Studies (180 M level credits).
    
    
12. Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named MSc in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as MSc Physiotherapy since the term 'physiotherapist' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for whose who are fully qualified and registered as physiotherapists.
    
    
13. The outline of the content of each unit shall be specified in the Unit Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks.
    
    
14. In each year, students shall be examined by means of in-programme assessments, clinical assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners will normally be re-examined during the second semester or the following summer vacation. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of programme. Under normal circumstances, only one opportunity to re-take assessment will be permitted.
    
    
15. In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next, students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, practice placement and other practical work in the particular level of study.
    
    
16. In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may allow the retake of an entire academic level, although this opportunity will be permitted on only one occasion and is subject to the payment of fees through the normal contract arrangements.
    
    
17. Where a fail mark has been recorded by the Board of Examiners, and where medical or other exceptional and substantial circumstances have affected a candidate's performance, the candidate may be granted a concessionary attempt at the examination or part thereof without recording the previous attempt.
    
    
18. To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice placement hours.
    
    
19. To qualify for a Distinction at Masters level the mean programme mark will be 70% or higher from the M level units of study. In addition, the student will achieve a mean critical fieldwork mark of 70% or over in the final two clinical placements, and will have met all the programme completion requirements.
    
    
20. Following the Board of Examiners, a list of successful candidates will be issued with their full names in alphabetical order arranged in the following classes and divisions: MSc Physiotherapy (Distinction) (pre-registration), MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration.

Submitted by the Editors
on behalf of the the Secretariat.
Last reviewed: 30/06/06
© University of Southampton