University of Southampton Calendar 2009/10


University Calendar 2009/10 Section VIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Health Sciences

School	School of Health Sciences
Final Award	Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s)	MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration]
Last modified	12 March 2009

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

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

Admissions

Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. 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. Candidates with a previous degree in a relevant subject, completed in the previous three years, at a lower classification will be considered on an individual basis. Previous experience in health care and other qualifications will be taken into consideration in support of their application.

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.

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 physiotherapy. 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 Physiotherapist.

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)
Applicants will be considered on an individual basis for exemptions from modules through transfer of credits in accordance with University regulations if:

the modules have equivalent learning outcomes and credit ratings;
the topics contribute to a coherent pathway of study.

Structure of Programme(s)

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.

The first year of the curriculum shall extend over one calendar year (January-January) and include 30 credits at level 6, 60 credits at level 7 and 60 credits obtained through successful completions of placement experiences.

The second level of the curriculum shall extend over one calendar year (January-January) and includes 120 credits at level 7 and 40 credits obtained through successful completion of placement experiences.

The programme leading to the degree of Master of Science Physiotherapy [pre-registration] shall be of two years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall be four years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

The outline of the content of each module shall be specified in the module profiles and made available to students on the 'Blackboard' virtual learning environment.

Progression

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.

Module Referral and Retrieval

The criteria for module assessment referral are:

Failure to achieve a Pass/Fail assessment.
Where an assessment comprises of two or more components the minimum pass mark for each part must be 50%.
Non-attendance or late arrival more than half an hour after the start of an examination/presentation, or is required to leave the examination room.
Submission of an assignment 24 hours or more after the published deadline.

Termination of Registration

A student’s registration will normally be terminated following resit/retrieval assessments if he/she:

Assessment

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

Candidates who exceed the specified word limitation (+/- 10%) within a module will incur a 10% penalty reduction in their assessment mark.

Award of Qualification(s)

Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HPC Register. For more information, please see the HPC website.

In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Science Physiotherapy [pre-registration], candidates must:

have satisfied the entry requirements as set out in the programme regulations;
have followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
have completed all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.

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 credits at level 7).

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 credits at level 7).

Students who are successful at all year two assessments apart from their Critical Inquiry Research Report, but who have successfully completed all of the required clinical placements shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (120 credits at level 7). This award provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

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 credits at level 7).

To qualify for a Distinction at Masters level the mean programme mark will be 70% or higher from the level 7 modules of study. In addition, the student will achieve a mean practice placement mark of 70% or over in the final two practice placements, and will have met all the programme completion requirements.

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 [pre-registration] since the term 'Physiotherapist' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Physiotherapists.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Practice Placements form an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded the MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration].

Other

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

Special Considerations
Compensation is not permitted on this programme. The treatment of special considerations is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.