University of Southampton Calendar 2007/8


University Calendar 2007/08 Section VIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Nursing and Midwifery

Regulations for the BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice

Criteria for Admission

The School adheres to the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and to those statutory/professional obligations associated with practice. In this capacity the School welcomes applications from health and social care professionals who meet the following entry criteria:

Satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations.
Funding arrangments itentified.
Support from clinical manager to achieve outcomes of units.
Opportunity and managerial support to access a mentor in practice for appropriate units.

In addition candidates should:

normally have evidence of appropriate study in a health or social care related discipline;
possess 120 credits at HE1 or equivalent;
possess 120 creedits at HE2 or satisfy entry requirements via the Experienced Practitioner route.

The right to refuse admission to the programme shall be reserved by the Programme Director. If you satisfy all the entry requirements, and with the agreement of the Head of School, a recommendation will be made that you should be accepted. Formal notification of acceptance will be made through the School Registry. The right to refuse admission to the programme shall be reserved by the Head of School.

You will be considered on an individual basis for transfer of credits in accordance with University regulations and the School's Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) procedures. Reasonable adjustments will be made to enable applicants with disabilities to undertake the programme in line with the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act [1995]. Exceptionally, and subject to the approval of the relevant Post Qualifying Board, an applicant possessing other qualifications may be admitted. These candidates will normally be interviewed.

Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialst Community Nursing Pathway

You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for specialist practice (district nursing or community children's nursing) [UKCC 2001]. You must be registered on Part 1 (adult or child) of the NMC Register.
You should have attended an interview by the selection panel. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Nursing, a senior representative of the District Nursing/Community Children's Nursing service, and a representative of the sponsoring/seconding employer.
You should normally have one year's experience post qualifying.
The programme pathway for specialist community nurses is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1960]. This means that you will be subject to an enhanced check by the Criminal Records Bureau and any Police cautions and civil or criminal convictions will be revealed. You must disclose any Police record and discuss it, in confidence, with your employer/programme sponsor. Having a record will not necessarily prevent you from entering the programme pathway for Specialist Community Nursing.

It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability for eventual registration on Part 3 of the NMC Register. The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. In addition, registration with the NMC on Part 3 of the Register does not guarantee employment. Employers will evaluate all applications for employment on an individual basis in relation to organisational policies and procedures.

Specific Criteria for Admission - International Students

International students must provide evidence of their ability to communicate effectively in the English language.

It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability, where a recordable qualification is applicable, for eventual registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. You are required to inform the Head of School of any health and other problems relevant to your education and training or employment as a health professional.

Assessment Rules and Honours Classification

Marking

1.1

Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and, when required, practice assessment to pass overall. Non-assessed work may also be a course requirement.

1.2

Students will gain credits for each module which is successfully completed subject to meeting the requirements of 1.1.

1.3

Condonement of failure is not permitted under these regulations. The treatment of special considerations/mitigation is dealt with under Section 4.

1.4

The pass mark for each module is 40% for all levels.

1.4.1

Assignments should meet the specific word limit indicated in the assessment guidelines plus or minus 10%. If an assignment is below the word limit it will be marked and feedback given. However, work which falls significantly below the word count may not demonstrate the depth and breadth required to secure a pass mark.

1.4.2

When students submit an assignment which exceeds the word limit the assignment is marked in its entirety, feedback is given and a penalty of 10% (of the awarded mark) imposed.

1.5

Assessments will be graded as follows:

	1st attempt	=	Pass/Refer
	2nd attempt	=	Pass or Fail

1.6

Non-submission of an assessment by the published deadline will normally result in Refer or Fail. In exceptional circumstances, students can negotiate an extension of up to two weeks with the Module Leader. Longer extensions may be granted where special considerations apply (see Section 4). Late requests for extensions will be considered under Special Considerations.

1.7

Referral at the first attempt: In the event of referral at the first attempt, students will normally be expected to retake the assessment at the next available opportunity. Any student who elects not to make a second attempt will forfeit any further attempt. The Assessment Office must be informed in writing of the student's intention not to re-submit/resit.

1.7.1

Second attempts: The maximum score which can be recorded for a second attempt is 40%.

1.7.2

Awards failure of three assignments at the second attempt will normally lead to discontinuation from the Award. Failure of a core module will normally lead to discontinuation of the Award.

Assessed Coursework

2.1

Extensions and penalty for late submission in cases of special consideration (see Section 4); students may apply for an extension to a submission deadline of up to two weeks (see 1.6)

2.1.1

Students must apply direct to their Module Leader for an extension.

2.1.2

In no circumstances can the Module Leader authorise extensions which exceed two weeks.

2.2

Assessment of Practice:
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules, students must achieve competencies in practice which are verified in the clinical setting. He/she must pass all assessment components to pass the module overall.

Reviews and Appeals

The Regulations Governing Reviews and Appeals by undergraduate and postgraduate students on taught courses are available from the University of Southampton Calendar.

3.1

In relation to 'appeals', the term 'degree' includes any degree or diploma awarded by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Extensions, Special Considerations and Mitigation

4.1

Extensions and Special Considerations
A student may miss an examination or be unable to meet an assignment submission date due to ill health or for other reasons. In these circumstances, the submission deadline can be extended for a maximum of two weeks and the date of an examination can also be re-scheduled.

4.2

Mitigation
Adverse circumstances may be considered serious enough to have affected a student's performance in an assignment or an exam. In these cases an examination or assignment attempt may be declared 'null and void' and a further attempt awarded.

4.3

In no circumstances will any mark obtained in an examination or assignment be amended to take account of the candidate's mitigation claim. Assignments and exams may be re-submitted or re-taken under these circumstances.

4.4

The School will only uphold mitigation if sufficient academic evidence shows that mitigating factors may have affected the student's performance.

4.5

Once registered for an award, students are expected to maintain progress and to proceed without interruption or suspension to the end of the course.

Eligibility for Award

To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, students must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 3 (including core and required modules) plus 120 credits at Level 1 and 120 credits at Level 2, or demonstrate equivalent learning (eg: through the experienced practitioner route).

Classification of Degrees

6.1

The Assessment Board will determine the honours classification using an average weighted mark based on all Level 3 credits. The average weighted mark will be calculated as follows:

Taking the final marks from each Level 3 module result, weight each module result according to its percentage value for the level (ie: a 20-credit module result will be weighted at one-sixth) and calculate the result. The result determines the provisional degree classification.
If a student has achieved more than 120 credits at Level 3, the lowest mark will be discounted. This does not apply to core modules.
The provisional degree classification is confirmed by being no higher than one degree classification above the dissertation module result.

Only borderline classification results within 1% of the next highest classification band are eligible for consideration for a discretionary upgrade.

6.2

The class marks are:

First class	70% - 100%
Second class (upper division)	60% - 69%
Second class (lower division)	50% -59%
Third class	40% - 49%

Invigilation and Unacceptable Behaviour

7.1

Invigilation will be in accordance with current University policies.

7.2

Unacceptable Behaviour:
In assessments, evidence of disruptive behaviour, cheating, copying and/or collusion may result in students being referred/failed. Any such incident will be reported to the Assessment Board. An investigation will normally be undertaken involving the student(s) concerned. If the alleged/suspected unacceptable behaviour is subsequently proven, the student(s) will be asked to attend a formal meeting to determine an outcome.

Specific Criteria for Assessment - Specialist Community Nursing Pathway

Candidates who successfully complete the specialist community nursing pathway of the programme and achieve 120 HE3 credits in the required units, and submit a proficiency-based portfolio passed in practice by a Practice Teacher, may apply for recording on the NMC register for specialist practice.

SOBS	School of Biological Sciences
SHPRS	School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences
Medicine	School of Medicine
Nursing Index	School of Nursing and Midwifery
Psychology	School of Psychology