University of Southampton Calendar 2015/16


University Calendar 2015/16 Section X : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Health Sciences

Academic Unit	Health Sciences
Final Award	Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Programme(s)	Healthcare Management, Policy and Research
Last modified	July 2015

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

Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. Specific entry criteria are detailed in the programme specification.

English Language Requirements
For those whose first language is not English, the programme will follow the University policy that applicants will be required to provide evidence of competency in English by reaching an appropriate standard. Acceptable secure English language tests are detailed in the University Admissions Policy. International students are required to have the equivalent overall minimum IELTS score of 7.0 and no less than 6.5 in any section prior to starting the course.

Selection process: UCAS application and interview; DBS self-disclosure.

All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedure as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs.

Structure of Programme(s)

The programme is only available on a full time basis. The programme is 4 years in duration.

In total students completing the degree will undertake a total of 240 ECTS:

Year 1 requires the completion of 60 ECTS credits
Year 2 requires completion of 60 credits (to include placement application)
Year 3 requires completion of 60 ECTS credits (perform placement)
Year 4 requires the completion of 60 ECTS credits

The programme consists of 7 or 8 modules per year. These are usually worth 7.5 ECTS but there is also one double research module in Year 1 and Year 4 (15 ECTS). Additionally, in years one and two, students may choose one optional module from the approved list of modules. Permission to study a specific module must be agreed with the Programme Leader.

During the degree all students will undertake a work placement in year 3 in a healthcare management, policy or research organisation. This element is a core assessed part of the programme. It is the responsibility of each student to secure their own placement with support from the programme team.

The outline of the content of each module shall be specified in the module profile and made available to students on Blackboard (web based learning resource).

Progression

Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV: General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes.

The pass mark for all modules will be 40% for all levels.

The Faculty operates a policy/process whereby students may request to transfer to another programme. Transfers between academic programmes are confined to specific points in the programme journey and are governed by the programme structure in the Faculty and available capacity.

Assessment

Assessment of examinations and coursework is in accordance with University regulations (see University Calendar section IV) and are subject to confirmation by the Faculty.

Where examinations form part of the method of assessment these will normally take place during the University exam period at the end of each semester, however some exams will take place during the semester as part of the module. Students who are referred in exams will re-sit during the University referral examination period which takes place during the summer vacation. Referred students must make sure they are available to sit these exams at the University.

When students repeat modules externally, it may be impractical for them to undertake the normal assessment activities, for example assessed group work. In such cases they will be provided with an alternative but equivalent form of assessment which will meet the required learning outcomes.

Award of Qualification(s)

The class of honours awarded is determined by the weighted final average mark in accordance with University regulations as detailed in Section IV Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes.

Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare: Systems, Policy and Research
Students will be eligible for this award if they successfully complete 60 credits at academic level 4, equivalent to the first year of the programme.

Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare: Systems, Policy and Research
Students will be eligible for this award if they successfully complete 120 academic credits at level 4, 5 or 6. Placement credit is not included in the calculation of this exit award.

Students who have successfully completed all four years of the programme may leave with a BSc (Hons) Healthcare: Management, Policy and Research.

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Systems, Policy and Research
Students will be eligible for this award if they successfully complete all the academic elements of the programme, but who, for good reason are not able to complete the placement year. This option is offered at the University's discretion if students can provide evidence that they have tried but failed to secure a placement or evidence of other extenuating circumstances which prevents participation in the placement year. Students are not permitted to choose to transfer to this award. If students are allowed to transfer to this award they will progress straight to Year 4 on completion of Year 2, joining students in the cohort a year ahead of them. NB: Students in the first cohort of the programme will not be able to transfer to Year 4 immediately after completing Year 2 as there will be no preceding cohort and will therefore be required to suspend for one year.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

A placement forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to acquire and pass their placement year in order to be awarded a BSc (Hons) Healthcare: Management, Policy and Research.

Other

As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.

In accordance with the university's regulations on attendance, student participation in the programme of study will be subject to periodic monitoring

Candidates are expected to attend all sessions timetabled for their programme, pathway and selected modules. If they are aware that they will be absent for any session, they should inform the relevant Module Tutor immediately.