University of Southampton Calendar 2010/11


University Calendar 2011/12 Section XI : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine

Academic Unit	Faculty of Medicine
Final Award	Master of Science
Programme(s)	MSc Allergy MSc Public Health Nutrition
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.

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 provided they have other suitable qualifications or 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 Faculty. 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 Faculty. 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	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. 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 Faculty 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 on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Director.

2.8

Academic staff within the Faculty, 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 Faculty.

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 Faculty.
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 Faculty 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	A candidate passing all core modules but failing to achieve the pass mark in non-core modules totalling no more than 30 credits (15 ECTS) points for a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma, or no more than 20 credit points (10 ECTS) for a Postgraduate Certificate, may be awarded credit provided the mark obtained is equal to or greater than 48% (qualifying mark).
4.5	Candidates who fail in any taught module which is not eligible for compensation under Section 4.4 above shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion (referral). Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion. The mark for a referred assessment will be capped at 50%.
4.6	A candidate unable to gain an award after referral may repeat the programme internally or externally as chosen by the candidature following academic counselling from the Faculty. The repeat will normally include all modules. Marks from any previous attempt will be set aside.
4.7	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 degrees of MSc and Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded the qualification with Merit or Distinction if they have achieved the following weighted final average mark:

	Merit	60% - 69%
	Distinction	70% and over

The class awarded shall be that within which the unrounded average fall or the next higher class if the unrounded average is within 2% of the higher class and at least 50% of the credit points are derived from module marks in the higher class or above.

5.4

The final award is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Taught Programmes Board 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 Faculty.
7.2	These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.