| |
| Academic Unit |
Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Studies |
| Programme(s) |
Mental Health Studies
Programme Pathway 1 Mental Health Practitioner
Programme Pathway 2 Low Intensity Worker |
| Last modified |
July 2010 |
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 |
| |
All 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), or equivalent, in a relevant subject of an approved university or institution of higher education.
All candidates must satisfy the Programme Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the relevant Programme Leader.
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 mental health. 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 as a mental health practitioner or low intensity worker.
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 required competencies.
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.
It is not possible to claim exemption on the basis of prior learning or experience for the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Studies Mental Health Practitioner pathway. However it is possible to claim exemption from some parts of the programme on the basis of prior learning or experience for the Low Intensity Worker pathway. |
|
| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
| |
The programme structure is as follows:
120 credits (60 ECTs)
1 taught module of 20 credits at HE6
5 taught modules, each of 20 credits, at HE7
The programme will be undertaken part-time. The minimum and maximum periods of study for PGDip in Mental Health Studies are as follows:
Part-time: Minimum 2 years: Maximum 5 years.
(Note: The maximum time allowed by the University to complete the full programme may be longer than that required by the students’ employer.)
The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials practical work, course work, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules.
Individual modules may be taken by students registered on other programmes of study or on a stand-alone basis. These students may not be required to complete the practice competencies within the Mental Health Practitioner pathway modules which are a requirement for students undertaking the full-programme leading to employment as a mental health practitioner. |
|
| 3. |
Progression |
| |
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results.
The module pass mark is 40% for Module 1 (HE6 level) and 50% for Modules 2 - 6 inclusive (HE7 level).
Candidates who fail in any taught module (up to a maximum of 2 modules) shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion.
Any further opportunity for re-assessment shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and the student's employer and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
|
|
| 4. |
Assessment |
| |
Each module will be assessed according to the module profile. Assessments may include written assignments, examinations, seminar work, simulated practice, poster presentations, practice portfolios.
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”. |
|
| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
| |
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.
Candidates may register for the Postgraduate Diploma, however the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Studies may be awarded if candidates wish to exit and have successfully completed three modules and met the appropriate Assessment of Practice requirements for either pathway. (Postgraduate Certificate: 60 credits [1 taught module of 20 credits at HE6 and 2 taught modules, each of 20 credits at HE7]).
Candidates pursuing the low intensity worker pathway will, on successful completion of the four designated IAPT modules, have achieved Low Intensity Worker Trained Status as well a postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Studies.
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%. |
|
| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
| |
|
| 7. |
Other |
| |
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. |
|
|
