University of Southampton Calendar 2012/13


University Calendar 2012/13 Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

Academic Unit	Southampton Education School
Final Award	Professional Doctor of Education [EdD] Exit awards: Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (PCES) Education Research Postgraduate Diploma in Education Research (PgDip) MSc Education Research MPhil (Research Methodology
Programme(s)	Professional Doctor of Education [EdD]
Last modified	July 2012

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

Entry requirements
We will offer a place to any applicant who can show evidence of ability and background adequate to undertake the course. Typically, applicants are expected to have a Bachelors degree (or equivalent professional qualification) plus a Masters Degree and a minimum of two years’ experience as a professional educator or educational administrator. Additionally, international students are required to have an overall score of 6.5 or above on IELTS (or equivalent), with no individual score lower than 6.0.

1.2

Equal opportunities
In line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy, individuals are treated on their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the module, School and University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective student or current student should receive any less favourable treatment on any grounds which are not relevant to academic ability and attainment. Every effort is made to ensure that disabled students are aware of and assisted in making use of the support provided by the University; to ensure access to lectures, classes, learning materials; and to ensure that where necessary appropriate variations to normal examining arrangements are made.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1

Modes of study
The scheme of study will comprise attendance at 12 modules comprising an appropriate mix of taught compulsory and taught elective modules, in research methods and substantive topics from the ESRC Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) and the Southampton Education School (SEdS) research training programme, and the completion of a research thesis.

All students will be assigned a personal tutor during the taught phase and a research supervisor who will be responsible for supervision of the student's progress in researching and writing his/her thesis.

Candidates are required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not less than three years' and not more than four years' full-time study, or not less than four years and not more than seven years' part-time study.

The Programme Specification provides further detail including modules, credits and content.

Progression

All students will be registered for EdD. To be able to progress onto the research phase students will be required to achieve 60% or higher in at least six of the assignments and no less than 50% in the remainder (120 CATS; 60 ECTS). In line with University regulations students will have only one opportunity to resubmit assessments to obtain the required pass. If students successfully complete all 12 assignments but do not achieve the required balance of grades needed for progression to the research phase they may be offered the option of undertaking a MSc dissertation (15,000 -17,000 words) and if successful exit with an award ‘MSc Education Research’.

Alternatively, students may choose to exit earlier following successful completion of six or twelve assignments at Grade C or above (or equivalent mark) with the prospect of a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (PCES) Education Research or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education Research, respectively.

Assessment

Candidates are required to complete successfully:

A portfolio of coursework of 30,000 words based on a range of 12 assignments from across the 12 taught modules. Permission to proceed to the thesis stage will be given by the School on the basis of meeting the progression requirements noted above.
A research thesis of 45,000 words.
An oral examination.

Students must attend 80% of each module. Those unable to meet this criterion will be asked to repeat the module(s) concerned.

Award of Qualification(s)

The Programmes follow the University Regulations for the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Not applicable.

Other

These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate. Students should comply with the University’s General regulations on attendance.