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



PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
 
ARCHIVE 2003/4
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
 
Biological Sciences
Health Sciences
Medicine Index
Psychology
School School of Health Sciences
Final Award Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s) MSc Public Health Practice
Last modified 14 May 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.

1. Admissions
 
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) in a relevant subject of an approved University or institution of higher education and
  • Be able to demonstrate financial and practical support for your studies.

  • The normal requirement for entry is a first degree in a related subject (2:2 class or above) or equivalent qualification of an approved University.

  • Opportunity and employer support to access a Practice Teacher/Mentor in practice.

  • You should normally have at least two years relevant work experience some of which must be at a senior level.

  • You must be able to satisfy the programme leader that you are competent to pursue the programme.
An offer of a place will be conditional on meeting any outstanding academic requirements, health and criminal records checks.

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

Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

These are as follows:
  • You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor) or (School Nurse) [NMC 2004]. You must be registered on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the NMC Register.

  • You should have attended an interview by the selection panel. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing, a senior representative of the Health Visitor/School Nursing service, and a representative of the sponsoring/seconding employer.

  • The programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health 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 Public Health 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.

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 public health. 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.

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.

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.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme structure is as follows;
  • Postgraduate certificate – three taught modules at 20 credits each
  • Postgraduate diploma – six taught modules at 20 credits each
  • MSc – six taught modules at 20 credits each and plus the 60 credit dissertation
Pathway options : This programme offers two pathways:
  • Generic – for all public health workers

  • Specialist community public health nursing – for registered nurses and midwives seeking a specialist community public health nursing (health visiting) or (school nursing) registration with the NMC Both pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and require you to be in practice.


3. Progression
 
The programme allows students to exit at three different points:

Postgraduate Certificate: 60 HEM credits (three core modules).

You may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice and a professional qualification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing by successfully completing six core modules and the proficiency-based portfolio (120 HEM credits).

The module pass mark and overall average programme pass marks for the award of MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate is 50%. You will not have the opportunity to increase your assessment mark by re-submission except in the case of failure at first submission.

Failure to submit an assignment within the allocated time, and without prior arrangement from the module leader or Programme Director, will generally result in a failed module. You will normally have the chance to re-submit a failed module on one occasion. The maximum mark awarded for a re-submission is 50%. Any further opportunity to satisfy the examiners in any module, including the dissertation, after the second attempt is at the discretion of the Assessment Board and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Extensions for the submission of assignments must be agreed with both the Module Leader and the Programme Director well in advance of the published submission date.

Specialist Community public health Nursing Pathway
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing module you must achieve proficiencies in practice which are verified in the workplace. You are required to pass all components of the assessments to pass the module overall. If you are referred on first submission you will have a second attempt. The maximum mark awarded for a re-submission is 50%. If you are referred on a second attempt, this counts as a failed module. You will exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate but without a professional qualification in Specialist Community public health Nursing.

On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, you may choose to either exit at this point or complete the 60 credit dissertation to achieve the MSc in Public Health Practice (see University Regulations for Masters awards) (180 HEM credits).


4. Assessment
 
Each module will be assessed by an assignment or assignments based on the learning outcomes. All assignments across the programme carry credit towards the final outcome of each module. A range of assessment methods allows you to benefit from a rounded educational experience. Continuing assessment allows you to demonstrate your achievement of the learning outcomes throughout the programme. Each module is assessed by an assignment or assignments based on specific learning outcomes.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
The MSc may be awarded a Pass or Pass with Distinction. To qualify for a Distinction you must have achieved an overall mean mark of at least 70% in the taught modules and at least 70% for the dissertation.

Specialist Community public health Nursing Pathway
You will complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice with a professional qualification in Specialist Community public health Nursing on successful completion of all modules. You must also submit a proficiency-based portfolio passed in practice by the Practice Teacher.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Not applicable.


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


Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 25-Aug-2009
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