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| Academic Unit |
Faculty Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Master of Science (MSc) |
| Programme(s) |
Public Health Practice |
| Last modified |
July 2011
Reviewed in July 2012; no changes made
Reviewed in July 2013; no changes made |
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 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) in a relevant subject of an approved University or institution of higher education and:
- Be able to demonstrate financial and practical support for your studies.
- The normal requirement for entry is a first degree in a related subject (2ii class or above), or equivalent qualification of an approved University.
- Opportunity and employer support to access a Practice Teacher/Mentor in practice.
- You should normally have at least two years relevant work experience some of which must be at a senior level.
- You must be able to satisfy the Programme Leader that you are competent to pursue the programme.
An offer of a place will be conditional on meeting any outstanding academic requirements, health and criminal records checks.
The right to refuse admission to the programme shall be reserved by the Programme Leader approved by the Dean of Faculty. Formal notification of acceptance will be made through the Faculty Registry.
Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing
These are as follows:
- You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor) or (School Nurse) [NMC 2004]. You must be registered on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the NMC Register.
- You should have attended an interview by the selection panel. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing, a senior representative of the Health Visitor/School Nursing service, and a representative of the sponsoring/seconding employer.
- The programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1960]. This means that you will be subject to an enhanced check by the Criminal Records Bureau and any Police cautions and civil or criminal convictions will be revealed. You must disclose any Police record and discuss it, in confidence, with your employer/programme sponsor. Having a record will not necessarily prevent you from entering the programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.
It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability for eventual registration on Part 3 of the NMC Register. The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. In addition, registration with the NMC on Part 3 of the Register does not guarantee employment. Employers will evaluate all applications for employment on an individual basis in relation to organisational policies and procedures.
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 public 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.
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.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for APL. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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The programme structure is as follows;
- Postgraduate certificate – three taught modules at 20 credits each
- Postgraduate diploma – six taught modules at 20 credits each
- MSc – six taught modules at 20 credits each plus the 60 credit dissertation
Pathway options :
This programme offers two pathways:
- Generic – for all public health workers
- Specialist community public health nursing – for registered nurses and midwives seeking a specialist community public health nursing (health visiting) or (school nursing) registration with the NMC. Both pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and require you to be in practice.
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| 3. |
Progression |
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Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results.
The module pass mark and overall average programme pass marks for the award of MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate is 50%.
Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Pathway
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing module you must achieve proficiencies in practice which are verified in the workplace. You are required to pass all components of the assessments to pass the module overall.
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, you may choose to either exit at this point or complete the 60 credit dissertation to achieve the MSc in Public Health Practice (see University Regulations for Masters awards) (180 HE7 credits). |
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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Each module will be assessed by an assignment or assignments based on the learning outcomes.
The module pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc is 50%.
Candidates who exceed the specified word limitation (+/- 10%) within a module will incur a 10% penalty reduction in their overall module mark.
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. https://sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/ese/quality_handbook/Handbook/Assessment%20Framework.aspx. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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The MSc may be awarded a Pass or Pass with Distinction. To qualify for a Distinction you must have achieved an overall mean mark of at least 70% in the taught modules and at least 70% for the dissertation.
The programme allows students to exit at three different points.
Postgraduate Certificate: 60 HE7 credits (three core modules).
You may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice and a professional qualification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing by successfully completing six core modules and the proficiency-based portfolio (120 HE7 credits).
Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Pathway
You will complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice with a professional qualification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing on successful completion of all modules. You must also submit a proficiency-based portfolio passed in practice by the Practice Teacher. |
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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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 University 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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