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 (Honours)
Programme(s)	BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
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, the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

Admissions

Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. They must normally offer at least three A level passes (AAA) and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Candidates aged over 21 years and those who have other academically equivalent qualifications completed in the three years prior to commencing a programme are also considered. Information about those qualifications most commonly accepted is published in the Faculty prospectus and updated annually. Candidates with other qualifications outside of these are considered on an individual basis. The level of English proficiency accepted for the programme is IELTs at grade 7 with no component below 7.

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Equality Act [2010]). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Care Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.

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 Physiotherapy. 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 student should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and registration as a professional Physiotherapist.

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 standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Care Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Students holding a professional qualification in Physiotherapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for RPL.

Structure of Programme(s)

Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of practice placements. Students will not normally progress from one part of the programme to the next with assessments outstanding.

In level 4 students will study 70 ECTS credits (Certificate level)
In level 5 students will study 65 ECTS credits (Diploma level)
In level 6 students will study 65 ECTS credits (Honours level)

All modules are core.

The full-time programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Physiotherapy shall normally be of three years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years and will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

The part-time programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Physiotherapy shall normally be of four years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be seven years and will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

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.

For all programmes which lead to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, statutory regulations apply. For this reason, this programme is partially exempt from section 3.1 with regard to practice modules. In exceptional circumstances, and in order to achieve the practice hours required by PSRB standards, students may conditionally progress to the next part of a Programme before all practice modules have been successfully completed. Any outstanding practice modules must be successfully completed by the end of the following placement period.

The pass mark for all practice modules is 40% and satisfactory achievement of designated competencies, skills and criteria. Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and practice experience to pass overall. All practice placements must be passed and the level maintained during unassessed periods. There is no compensation between any modules as all modules are core.

Failure to declare good health and character at the beginning of the academic year may result in termination of the programme. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements. Students will not normally progress from one part of the programme to the next with assessments outstanding.

Assessment

To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all assessment components including the required practice placement hours.

The performance of candidates shall be assessed by the Board of Examiners in accordance with the University's regulations governing examinations for the relevant programme(s) of study. Details of the assessment for individual modules are given in module descriptors held on the programmes Blackboard site.

Transfer between Programmes
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.

Award of Qualification(s)

All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as a physiotherapist.

Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HCPC Register.

In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Physiotherapy candidates must:

have satisfied the entry requirement as set out in the programme regulations;
have followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
have completed all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health and Care Professions Council's register.

Students who are successful at all level 4 assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Health Studies. This does not confer eligibility to register with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists nor the HCPC as a Physiotherapist.

Students who are successful at all level 5 assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Health Studies. This does not confer eligibility to register with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists nor the HCPC as a Physiotherapist.

Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named Certificate in Health Studies or Diploma in Health Studies. The award cannot be named 'Physiotherapy' since the term 'Physiotherapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Physiotherapists. This does not confer eligibility to register with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists nor the HCPC as a Physiotherapist.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Practice placements form an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body.

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.

Fitness to Practise
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the University Fitness to Practise Policy.