1. Candidates must satisfy the regulations for admission to degree programmes as specified in the General Regulations. In addition, the normal requirement for entry to all programmes is a good first degree (First or Second Class), or equivalent, in a relevant subject of an approved university or institution of higher education.
   
   
2. Candidates without a good first degree may be admitted to the programme but will be expected to provide evidence of a relevant professional qualification at a suitable level plus several years' post-qualifying professional experience.
   
   
3. All candidates must satisfy the Programme Director that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the appropriate School. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the relevant Programme Director.
   
   
4. Candidates may apply for exemption from up to 40 credits of taught modules on the basis of prior certificated learning (APL) at Master's (M) level. The acceptance of such credit towards the award of a qualification shall be at the discretion of the Programme Director. No application for APL may be made towards the dissertation.
   
   
5. Candidates may register for one of the following:
   
   
   • MSc
     
   • Postgraduate Diploma
     
   • Postgraduate Certificate
     
   • Individual module(s)
     
     
6. The programme structure is as follows:
   
   
   • MSc: 180 credits at M level (120 taught credits plus a research dissertation of 60 credits)
     
   • Postgraduate Diploma: 120 credits at M level
     
   • Postgraduate Certificate: 60 credits at M level
     
   • Individual Modules: specified credits at M level
     
     
7. The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The maximum periods of study are as follows:
   
   

   Postgraduate Certificate:	Full-time	6 months
   	Part-time	18 months
   Postgraduate Diploma:	Full-time	12 months
   	Part-time	36 months (3 years)
   MSc	Full-time	15 months
   	Part-time	60 months (5 years)

   
   
8. Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed twelve months. Save in exceptional circumstances, permission to suspend will only be granted where the candidate can still complete the programme within the time limit defined by the regulations.
   
   
9. The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, course work, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Director.
   
   
10. Candidates for the MSc will be required to undertake a research dissertation that will normally be between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Director. Full-time candidates must submit their dissertation within a timescale agreed with the Programme Director. Part-time candidates must submit their research dissertation within a maximum of 24 months.
    
    
11. Academic staff within the Faculty, and other staff approved for this purpose, will supervise candidates for the MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate programmes. The Programme Directors will manage the appointment of supervisors.
    

12. Candidates registered for the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma may apply to transfer to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc as appropriate. No candidate may proceed to study for a higher award without first satisfying the requirements of the lower award as specified in regulation 6.
    

13. Each module will be assessed according to the module description. Assessment may include written assignments, examinations, practical work and a dissertation (MSc candidates only). In addition, candidates for the MSc may be required to attend a viva voce examination.
    
    
14. The module pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate is 50%.
    
    
15. Candidates who fail in any taught module(s) (up to a maximum of 40 credits) shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion.
    
    
16. Any further opportunity for re-assessement (in a taught module or the dissertation) shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
    
    
17. Candidates who have failed a module or modules worth 40 credits will be granted one attempt only at any subsequent module. Candidates who fail this module will be deemed to have failed the programme and will have their registration terminated.
    

18. Candidates who have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits shall be awarded the qualification for which they have registered.
    
    
19. Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.
    
    
20. No candidate may be awarded more than one qualification (Certificate, Diploma or MSc) for the same programme of study.
    
    
21. Candidates for the degree of MSc who achieve an overall average of at least 70%, and who have passed each module at the first attempt, may be awarded the qualification with Distinction.
    
    

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