University Calendar 2008/9
Section VIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
School of Health Sciences



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School School of Health Sciences
Final Award Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Programme(s) Occupational Therapy
Last modified 30 June 2008

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Sections IV and V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where the School has been granted an opt-out by the University, the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.


1. Admissions
 
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 three A level passes and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English Language, Mathematics and a science subject. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit.

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.

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.

Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.

Equality Statement
The School wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study and practice of occupational therapy. The University and the School are committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in which students are recruited on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective or current students should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and state registration as a professional occupational therapist.

The University's Disability Equality Scheme includes an Action Plan which identifies the steps that the University is taking to improve the opportunities available to disabled students. Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and needs undertaken sensitively.

Decisions are based on whether or not the applicant meets the admission criteria, whether the programme can be delivered to the applicant in a way that meets their requirements making reasonable adjustments if necessary and whether, at the end of the programme, the graduate would meet the HPC Standards of Proficiency.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential/Certificated Learning (APEL/APCL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for APCL.

The decisions about the equivalence of applicant’s learning will be informed with reference to the BSc programmes’ specifications and statements of learning outcomes.

Students completing the University of Southampton Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care by following the dedicated progression route are also awarded advanced standing of 120 credits at HE level 1 (APCL).


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Occupational Therapy shall be of three years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

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 placement.

n year 1 students will study 120 credits at level 1 (certificate)
In year 2 students will study 120 credits at level 2 (diploma)
In year 3 students will study 120 credits at level 3 (honours)

The outline of the content of each module shall be specified in the Module Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks or in the 'Blackboard' environment.


3. Progression
 
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.

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.

Any student who fails more than 50% of the programme module assessments in an academic level will require the permission of the Examinations Board to resit/recoup those assessments.

Exceptionally, students who have not been successful at all assessment but are unable to resit/recoup those assessments before the beginning of the next academic level shall be allowed to proceed without progressing. Earlier level assessment should be completed, however, before the next level of assessment is undertaken.

Failure of more than one practice placement in any one calendar or academic year will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the programme.

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.


4. Assessment
 
To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice placement hours.

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.

Students should refer to the School Assessment Guidelines for more information.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Occupational Therapy candidates must:
  1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
  2. have followed the three-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.
All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as an occupational therapist.

Students who are successful at all level one assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Allied Health Studies.

Students who are successful at all level two assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Allied Health Studies.

Any student who accrues more than 300 credits (but less than 360) shall be eligible for the award of an ordinary degree named BSc Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as a BSc Occupational Therapy since the term ' Occupational Therapy ' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Occupational Therapists.

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 BSc with Honours in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy since the term 'occupational therapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for whose who are fully qualified and registered as occupational therapists.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Placements form an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy.


7. Other
 
These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.


School of Biological Sciences
School of Health Sciences
School of Medicine
School of Psychology


Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 17-Jul-2008
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