University of Southampton Calendar 2015/16


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

Academic Group	Health Sciences
Final Award	Master of Research
Programme(s)	Clinical and Health 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 must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in the General Regulations. 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.

Candidates without a good first degree may be admitted to the programme but will be expected to provide evidence of suitable professional experience and supporting qualifications.

All candidates must satisfy the Programme Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the Programme Leader.

Candidates may register for the following:

MRes Clinical and Health Research

English Language Requirements
Candidates whose first language is not English are required either:

to reach a satisfactory standard in an approved test in English. The Faculty of Health Sciences' International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement is 6.5 overall with each component at 6.0 or higher. Other Secure English Language Tests (SELT) are accepted as identified on the university website, or
to offer a first degree from a UK university, or
to have been instructed in English and come from a country which appears on the list of those exempt from testing.

If the candidate cannot provide any of the above requirements, they must otherwise demonstrate to the Faculty that they have an adequate command of both written and spoken English language to follow the proposed course. An original English language certificate is required as evidence in all cases except where online verification is available; ie: IELTS results.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for prior learning. Students may apply for RPL for any of the modules they select to study with the exception of the Dissertation module for which no RPL applications will be accepted.

Structure of Programme(s)

The programme requires the successful completion of 90 ECTS credits. Modules normally consist of 10 ECTS credits plus one dissertation module of 30 ECTS. The programme consists of core modules which must be taken and passed. Students can select one module from a defined group of modules or, with the approval of both the Programme Leader and, when necessary, the Module Leader, from outside the defined group. Once selected, all modules are core.

The programme may be taken as full or part-time study. The full-time period of study is a minimum of one year and a maximum of 18 months. The part-time period of study is a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years.

Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed 12 months in accordance with the University regulations for suspension. Save in exceptional circumstances, permission to suspend will only be granted where the candidate can still complete the programme within the time limit defined by the regulations.

The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, coursework, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Leader.

Candidates will be required to undertake an independent research project as specified within the dissertation module profile on a topic to be agreed in advance with the Programme Leader and for submission within the timeframe specified by the Faculty.

Progression

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

Assessment

Assessment of examinations and coursework is in accordance with the University Regulations (see University Calendar, Section IV).

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.

When students repeat modules externally, it may be impractical for them to undertake the normal assessment activities, for example assessed field or 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)

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 in accordance with the University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Standalone Masters Programmes.

Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally rejoin the programme up to two years after the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.

Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical and Health Research

Candidates who elect to exit the programme after achieving 30 ECTS credits at level HE7 in:

Designing, Communicating and Implementing Research (Core module, 10 ECTS credits)
Applied Qualitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits) and
Applied Quantitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits)

may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical and Health Research.

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical and Health Research (Academic Pathway)

Candidates who elect to exit the programme having achieved 60 ECTS credits at HE7 level may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical and Health Research.

For the award of Post Graduate Diploma (60 credits) students must earn 30 ECTS credits at level HE7 in:

Designing, Communicating and Implementing Research (10 ECTS credits)
Applied Qualitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits) and
Applied Quantitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits)

Plus: for the Postgraduate Diploma (Clinical Academic Pathway): 30 ECTS credits as follows:

Clinical Research in Practice (10 ECTS)
Developing Research Skills (core module, 10 ECTS) and
One choice of core module agreed with the Programme Leader (Core module, 10 ECTS)

Or: for the Postgraduate Diploma (Health Research Pathway): 30 ECTS credits as follows:

Clinical Research in Practice (10 ECTS)
Research Methods for Improving Health Services (10 ECTS) and
One module agreed with the Programme Leader (10 ECTS)

For the award of MRes Clinical & Health Research (90 ECTS credits) students must earn 90 ECTS credits at HE7 level as follows:

Designing, Communicating and Implementing Research (10 ECTS credits)
Applied Qualitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits) and
Applied Quantitative Methods (Core module, 10 ECTS credits)

Plus: for the MRes (Clinical Academic Pathway): 60 ECTS credits as follows:

Clinical Research in Practice (10 ECTS)
Developing Research Skills (core module, 10 ECTS)
One choice of module agreed with the Programme Leader (10 ECTS) and
Dissertation module (empirical project) (30 ECTS)

Or: for the MRes (Health Research Pathway): 60 ECTS credits as follows:

Clinical Research in Practice (Core Module 10 ECTS)
Research Methods for Improving Health Services (10 ECTS)
One module agreed with the Programme Leader (10 ECTS) and
Dissertation module (empirical project) (30 ECTS)

The final award is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty Board to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved programme of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Not applicable.

Other

Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally re-join the programme up to two years after the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.

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.