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


PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2009/10
ARCHIVE 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
ARCHIVE 2014/15
Academic Unit Health Sciences
Final Award Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s) MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration]
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.

1. 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 a 2:1 honours degree (or higher). This will have been awarded within the last 3 years in a human biological or behavioural science, sports science or a health related profession in which human sciences, anatomy and physiology were included within the final year of your programme.  Previous experience in Health and Care and other qualifications will be taken into consideration in support of their application.

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act [2010]). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 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 Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

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

Transfer of Programme
Transfer from a BSc pathway is possible under the following circumstance; a student, who already satisfies the entry requirements for a pre-registration MSc programme may seek to transfer from the BSc pathway during the first quadrimester of their programme. This will be managed in accordance with the detail contained within the programme specification.


2. 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 clinical work and placements. Students will not normally progress from one part of the programme to the next with assessments outstanding.

The first year of the curriculum shall extend over one calendar year (January-January) and include 15 ECTS at level 6, 30 ECTS at level 7 and 30 ECTS obtained through successful completions of placement experiences.

The second level of the curriculum shall extend over one calendar year (January-January) and includes 60 ECTS credits at level 7 and 20 ECTS credits obtained through successful completion of placement experiences.

All modules are core.

The programme leading to the degree of Master of Science Physiotherapy [pre-registration] shall normally be of two years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall be four years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.


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

Standard University progression regulations apply, except for the following variations, to meet PSRB and HCPC professional requirements.

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 50% 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.

Failure to declare good health and character at the beginning of the academic year may result in termination of the programme.


4. 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.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and 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 Master of Science Physiotherapy [pre-registration], candidates must:
  1. have satisfied the entry requirements as set out in the programme regulations;

  2. have followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;

  3. have completed all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;

  4. 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 year one assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Studies (30 ECTS credits at level 7). 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 assessment except the Critical Inquiry Research Report and all the required Clinical Placements shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Studies (60 ECTS credits at level 7). 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 assessment except the Critical Inquiry Research Report but who have successfully completed all of the required Clinical Placements shall be eligible for the exit award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (60 ECTS credits at level 7).  This award provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Students who are successful at all year two assessments but are unable to successfully complete all the required clinical placements shall be eligible for the exit award of a Master of Science in Health Studies (90 ECTS credits at level 7). 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 MSc in Health Studies. The award cannot be named as MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration] since the term 'Physiotherapist' 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.

Merit or Distinction
These boundaries refer to the final average mark (weighted by credits) rounded to the nearest integer.

To qualify for a Distinction at Masters level the final average mark (weighted by credits) will be 70% or higher from the level 7 modules of study.

To qualify for a Merit at Masters level the final average mark (weighted by credits) will be between 60 and 69% from the level 7 modules of study.

The class awarded shall be that within which the average falls or the next higher class if the unrounded average is within 2% of the higher class and at least 50% of the credit points are derived from Module marks in the higher class or above.


6. 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 the MSc Physiotherapy [pre-registration].

Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body.


7. 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.

Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 25-Jul-2015
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