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| Academic Unit |
Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Master of Science (MSc) |
| Programme(s) |
MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration] |
| Last modified |
July 2011 |
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 an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.
| 1. |
Admissions |
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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 Faculty 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 Faculty 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 Learning (APL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for APL. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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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 'Blackboard'. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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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:
Achieves a mark of 49% or below on a re-submitted/resit attempt.
Fails a Pass/Fail assessment on a re-submission/resit.
Does not attend, or is more than half an hour late for a resit examination or is requested to leave the examination room.
Submits a written further attempt assessment more than 24 hours after the stated deadline.
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all assessment components including the required practice placement hours.
When attending for an examination you must produce either your university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which you are clearly identifiable. Students without photographic ID will not be permitted entry to the examination.
Work submitted up to 5 days after the deadline will be marked as usual. The final agreed mark is then reduced by the factors detailed in the relevant University Policy. http://www.soton.ac.uk/quality/docs/Extensions_and_Late_Submission_Penalties.doc”.
Candidates who exceed the specified word limitation (+/- 10%) within a module will incur a 10% penalty reduction in their assessment mark. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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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.
Merit or Distinction
For the purposes of calculating the average mark carried forward to determine the award of merit or distinction, the pass mark will be capped at 50%. These boundaries refer to the final average mark (weighted by credits) rounded to the nearest integer.
To qualify for a Merit at Masters level the final average mark (weighted by credits) rounded to the nearest integer will be between 60 and 69% for 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.
To qualify for a Distinction at Masters level the final average mark (weighted by credits) rounded to the nearest integer 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. |
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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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].
Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body. |
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| 7. |
Other |
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These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.
Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme.
Special Considerations
Students are guided to the Special Considerations guidance in the University Calendar in particular the guidance relating to the deadlines for submission of Special Considerations forms.
The treatment of special considerations is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.
A student's performance may be worthy of special consideration if their performance in a relevant assessment has been adversely affected by exceptional circumstances outside their control and there is evidence to support such a claim.
Special considerations shall only apply to circumstances which can be clearly related to performance in particular elements of assessment.
The authority of the Special Considerations Board to make allowance for exceptional circumstances may be restricted in some programmes subject to Professional, Statutory or Regulatory requirements or because of the special requirements of particular programmes. In such cases, this will be made clear to students in programme documentation.
Fitness to Practice
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the Faculty Fitness to Practise Policy which is used within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Academic Integrity
Where issues of Academic Integrity are detected, the Faculty will follow the published Academic Integrity Regulations. Where a case remains active prior to an examination board, a mark of 0 will be presented to the examinations. This mark will then be amended by Chairs Action depending on the outcome of the Academic Integrity process.
The Faculty is moving to the use of Turnitin software as an educational resource to help students to help evaluate the originality of their own work. Where Turnitin submission is required of work that will contribute to summative assessment and the student fails to submit, they will be awarded a mark of 0 for the component in question.
Academic Appeals
Students are guided to the Academic Appeals Regulations in the University Calendar. |
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