| 1. |
Admissions |
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1.1 |
In addition to the University of Southampton General Regulations (Section IV), the portfolio is the priority in selecting all candidates. Candidates may be offered an interview to substantiate their application further. International candidates who are unable to attend an interview in person may be offered a telephone interview; the portfolio in these circumstances is to be sent by post or another form of delivery to the School or provided in an electronic format, ie: CD-ROM or DVD compatible with UK systems. |
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1.2 |
Winchester School of Art embraces the University of Southampton's equal opportunities policy. Candidates with specific requirements or disabilities are advised to bring relevant matters to the attention of the School before commencing a programme of study to ensure that appropriate support can be provided. |
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1.3 |
Accreditation of prior learning. If candidates have completed units at other places of learning and can demonstrate the equivalence of their learning outcomes to a relevant unit of the programme, the School may permit such a candidate to join a degree programme at an appropriate level. Such admissions must also comply with the University's regulations on credit transfer. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme |
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2.1 |
The full-time MA programmes typ[ically operate over 12 months of study. Part-time MA programmes will normally be taken over a period of 24 - 26 months and not more than 30 months. |
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2.2 |
All units involved in the MA taught courses are credit-rated at M level in accordance with the principles contained in the CATS Guide and Regulations; ECTS equivalents are also shown. Details of how CATS arrangements apply to each course are included in the relevant student handbooks. |
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2.3 |
The taught units during semesters 1 and 2 leading to the award of postgraduate diploma total 120 CATS credits (60 ECTS) at M level. |
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2.4 |
The final major project, or its equivalent, totals 60 CATS Credits (30 ECTS). |
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2.5 |
A total of 180 CATS Credits (90 ECTS) at M level are required for the award of Master of Arts. |
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2.6 |
The programme may specify that certain core units must be taken. |
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2.7 |
Alternative units will be offered at different times in the programme so as to provide candidate choice; for example, a range of employability-orientated Core Choice units. Selection of such units by each candidate shall be subject to the prior approval of the Programme Leader. It may not always be possible for a candidate to study a preferred option unit due to availability or capacity. |
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2.8 |
Candidates choose to study a specialist pathway to the MA award from the commencement of their programme. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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3.1 |
Progression in the MA programmes is marked by the development of learning outcomes, typically moving the candidate from taught units towards studying and reporting independently, leading to a major project outcome such as a dissertation or exhibition. |
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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4.1 |
The pass mark for all units is 40%. |
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4.2 |
All units must be passed to complete the degree programme. |
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4.3 |
Failure to submit work for assessment at notified dates and times, taking into consideration any written deadline extensions granted to the individual candidate, will lead to a penalty being imposed. Work submitted up to 5 working days late will be assessed using the normal criteria but will have the mark that may have been awarded reduced by 5% for each day late; ie: by a maximum of 25%. If the piece of work was deemed to warrant a grade of 40% or higher, it cannot be reduced below 40% by this penalty. |
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4.4 |
Work submitted more than 5 working days after the notified submission date, amended by any written deadline extensions granted to the individual candidate, will be classed as non-submitted work and will be given a mark of zero. If this leads to the candidate failing the unit they will be able to re-submit their work as outlined in 4.3; ie: not able to achieve higher than 40%. |
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4.5 |
Deadline extensions for individual candidates may be granted for individual assessments by the relevant Unit Convenor or Programme Leader, a Deputy Head of School or the Head of School and will be written. |
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4.6 |
In addition, candidates may be granted an extension to all assessments as a result of a letter from the Learning Differences Centre staff regarding the challenges of their learning differences and outlining a set duration of extension that the candidate will receive for all of their assessments. Candidates encompassed by such a letter will normally inform their unit tutor that they will be making use of their extension ahead of an assessment but will not be penalised if they fail to do so. |
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4.7 |
Candidates are required to pass all the taught units and the final major project to qualify for the MA award. The MA award will indicate which specialist pathway a candidate has followed. |
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4.8 |
Candidates who fail the final major project and choose not to re-submit will be eligible to receive the Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma is available in the generic programme title only as insufficient specialist practice will have been completed to receive a named award. |
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4.9 |
Candidates who have failed to achieve the pass mark in one or more units will be offered the opportunity to re-submit new work in all units in which they have failed. The highest grade that this re-submitted work may achieve is 40%. Failure to attain 40% on re-submission will result in the candidate's study on the programme being terminated; they may still be entitled to a lower award. |
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4.10 |
The MA award is typically calculated using the weighted average of all marks. |
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| Marking Scheme for MAs |
| Distinction |
70% - 100% |
| Pass |
40% - 69% |
| Fail |
0 - 39% |
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| 5. |
Notification of Results |
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5.1 |
Candidates will be able to collect their final results in person at a time and date advertised in advance. |
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5.2 |
If a candidate has failed an assessment due to circumstances outside their control, the Special Considerations Board may recommend to the School Assessment Board that the candidate can re-submit and be assessed as if for the first time. Alternatively, the School Assessment Board can recommend that a candidate has passed on the basis of previously submitted work. |
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5.3 |
Semester 1 results will remain provisional until confirmed by the School Assessment Board in Semester 2. Candidates will not be eligible to progress to the final major project until they have received confirmation of Semester 1 and 2 results. |
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5.4 |
Master of Art awards will be confirmed by the School Assessment Board. |
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5.5 |
The final award is granted by the University of Southampton's Senate on the recommendation of the relevant School Board. It is only awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements. |
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| 6. |
Professional Experience |
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6.1 |
Opportunities for candidates to engage in professional experience may be available subject to availability and requirements from participating professional organisations. To undertake professional experience, candidates must make an appropriate written proposal in line with prevailing procedures and undergo an interview process. Selection is at the discretion of the professional organisation and the Head of School. The exact nature of an experience will need to be negotiated with the Unit Convenor and based on guidelines that will be outlined to candidates. Before a professional experience is approved, the host professional organisation must be monitored and approved; eg: in terms of health and safety. |
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| 7. |
Attendance and Behaviour |
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7.1 |
Candidates are expected to attend all sessions timetabled for their programme, pathway and selected units. If they are aware that they will be absent for any session, they should inform the relevant Unit Tutor immediately. |
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7.2 |
In terms of absence through sickness, candidates are permitted to self-certificate for up to five days after which they are encouraged to seek a medical certificate. They should inform their Unit Tutor of the circumstances of their illness as soon as possible, and make efforts to make up any work that they have missed. |
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7.3 |
In the case of illness persisting for more than five days, candidates should confer with their Unit Tutors regarding the situation, and with their Programme Leader, if their absence is liable to impact seriously on their study. |
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7.4 |
In the case of absence arising from other causes, for example bereavement, illness of a dependant, etc., candidates should contact their Unit Tutors as soon as possible to alert them to these developments, and confer with them and, when appropriate, the Programme Leader regarding ameliorating the effects of the absence on their study. |
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7.5 |
Whilst studying at the School whether on its campus, on visits, whilst on exchange or professional experiences or via online facilities including email, candidates should act in a manner which is appropriate to the highest professional standards with particular attention to avoiding behaviour which lessens the study experience of their fellow candidates. Candidates falling below these standards of behaviour are liable to be called to account by their Unit Tutors, Programme Leader, the Deputy Heads or the Head of School and asked to reflect on their continued study at the School. |
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| 8. |
Regulations |
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8.1 |
Candidates who commenced their study from the academic year 2007/8 onwards will have to comply with these regulations. |
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8.2 |
Candidates who commenced study on their current programme of study before 2007/8 can seek to have previous regulations apply in cases in which these differed from these regulations. Such candidates are advised to refer to the regulations in the University Calendar for the academic year in which they commenced study at the School. |
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| Valid as of 26 July 2007 |
