University of Southampton Calendar 2009/10


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

School	School of Medicine
Final Award	Master of Science
Programme(s)	MSc Allergy MSc Public Health Nutrition
Last modified	July 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

1.1	The normal requirement for entry to all programmes is a good first degree (first or second class), or equivalent, in a relevant subject of an approved University or institution of higher education.
1.2	Candidates without a good first degree may be admitted to the programme but will be expected to provide evidence of a relevant professional qualification at a suitable level, plus several years post-qualifying professional experience.
1.3	All candidates must satisfy the Programme Director that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the School. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the Programme Director.
1.4	Candidates may apply for exemption from up to 20 ECTS (40 CATS) credits of taught modules on the basis of prior certificated learning (APL) at Masters (HE7) level. The acceptance of such credit towards the award of a qualification shall be at the discretion of the Programme Director and subject to approval by the School. No application for APL may be made towards the dissertation.
1.5	Candidates may register for one of the following: MSc Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate Individual module(s)
1.6	Candidates will be required to obtain appropriate clearance from the Criminal Record Bureau or equivalent, as determined by the needs of the programme.
1.7	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. 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.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1

The programme structure is as follows:

MSc: 90 ECTS (180 CATS) credits at level HE7 (60 ECTS (120 CATS) taught credits plus a research dissertation of 30 ECTS (60 CATS) credits)
Postgraduate Diploma: 60 ECTS (120 CATS) credits at level HE7
Postgraduate Certificate: 30 ECTS (60 CATS) credits at level HE7
Individual modules: specified credits at level HE7

2.2

The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The maximum periods of candidature are as follows:

	FT Candidature	PT Candidature
Postgraduate Certificate	8 months	12 months
Postgraduate Diploma	8 months	24 months
MSc	12 months	36 months

2.3

A candidate who fails to complete their studies by the end of the maximum period of candidature shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the course (see Regulations 3.2 and 3.3 below).

2.4

Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed 12 calendar months in the first instance. The period spent in suspension will not be counted towards the period of candidature. The School may allow such suspension after considering a request from the students accompanied by a written justification and supported by the Programme Director.

2.5

The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, course work, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules.

2.6

Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Director.

2.7

Candidates for the MSc will be required to undertake a dissertation that will normally be between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Director.

2.8

Academic staff within the School, and other staff approved for this purpose, will supervise candidates for the dissertation project of the MSc. The Programme Directors will nominate supervisors for the dissertation which will be subject to approval by the School.

Progression

3.1	Candidates registered for the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma may apply to transfer to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc, as appropriate, on the basis of their previous performance. No candidate may proceed to study for the MSc without first satisfying the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma as specified in regulation 6. The period spent in candidature up to the point of transfer will be counted towards the period of candidature for the new programme. All applications to transfer to another programme shall be subject to approval by the School.
3.2	Candidates are required to complete their programme within the maximum time allowed. Extensions of candidature beyond the maximum period of time will be granted only to students at the dissertation stage and where there is good cause.
3.3	Extensions may be approved at School level by the PG Selection and Approvals Sub-Committee. Extensions should be requested only exceptionally, when unforeseen circumstances arise, and such circumstances must be demonstrated in each case. Specific applications by the candidate may be made before the candidature is due to expire. An action plan should be agreed with the candidate setting out what needs to be achieved during the extension period.

Assessment

4.1	Each module will be assessed according to the module description.
4.2	The module pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate is 50%.
4.3	The performance of candidates shall be assessed by the Board of Examiners.
4.4	Candidates who fail in any taught module shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion.
4.5	Any further opportunity for re-assessment (in a taught module or the dissertation) shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
4.6	Students who fail a module will exit from the programme with the credits that they have already gained and will be eligible for a lower award if sufficient credits have been obtained in a relevant pathway.

Award of Qualification(s)

5.1	Candidates who have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits shall be awarded the qualification for which they have registered.
5.2	Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.
5.3	Candidates for the degree of MSc will be awarded the qualification with Distinction if they have passed each module at the first attempt and have achieved the following: at least 70% in every taught module or at least 70% in all taught modules with the exception of one, providing that the average across all the taught modules is still 70% or over at least 70% for the dissertation.
5.4	The final award is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Board of the School of Medicine to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Not applicable.

Other

7.1	Candidates registered on the Allergy programmes are required to complete 12 hours of clinic attendance per year at a clinic that has been approved by the School.
7.2	These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.