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| Academic Unit |
Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Clinical Research (PhD)
(with intermediate award of MRes) |
| Programme(s) |
Integrated PhD in Health and Clinical 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.
| 1. |
Admissions |
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Admissions requirements will be as stated in the University's General Regulations, the Programme Specification, the Admissions Policy and the University Prospectus.
In addition, the normal requirement for entry to the Integrated PhD is a good first degree (first or second class) in a relevant subject from an approved University or institution of higher education. Applicants for the Clinical Academic Pathway must be registered health professionals, with a minimum of one year's post-qualification work experience, working in clinical and/or clinical research settings. Applicants for the Health Research Pathway must have a relevant first degree.
In accordance with University policy, applicants for whom English is a second language must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English. The minimum requirement for direct entry on the programme is 6.5 IELTS overall and a minimum of 5.5 in each discipline (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Entry requirements via the University's pre-sessional English language programme are available at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/postgraduate/research_degrees/degrees/mphil_phd_research.page.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be granted up to a maximum of one third of a Masters programme (30 ECTS). Please note, candidates 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 cannot be accepted. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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The Faculty follows the University General Regulations for Integrated PhD in Named Subjects as laid down in the University Calendar except where variations have been permitted.
Please see University regulation Section V: Integrated PhD in Named Subjects Scheme of Study regulation 4 with the following addition:
In the first year candidates will be required to follow a prescribed programme of modules which will be taught in the University. Candidates who complete these modules and pass the required module assessments at an appropriate standard at the end of the first year will be permitted to proceed to the second year of the programme. This will lead to the award of Master of Health and Clinical Research (MRes) as defined in the relevant programme specification.
Please see University regulation Section V Integrated PhD in Named Subject Scheme of Study regulation 5 with the following addition:
In the second, third and fourth years candidates complete a programme of supervised research and skills training sessions leading to the preparation of a thesis.
The programme can be taken either full- or part-time. The minimum time for completion of the programme will be 4 years (full-time) and 7 years (part-time). The maximum time will be 5 years (full-time) and 8 years (part-time).
Part 1 of the programme (Year 1 full-time, Years 1-2 part-time) focuses on research training modules and has two pathways:
- Clinical Academic (CA)
- Health Research (HR)
Part 1 consists of a total of 6 core modules carrying 10 ECTS points per module, and a Dissertation module (also core) which carries 30 ECTS points. One of the six 10 ECTS points modules is selected from a group of available modules, and once selected, becomes core. Modules may be specific to the chosen pathway.
Upon successful completion of Part 1, candidates are eligible for an intermediate award of MRes Clinical and Health Research.
Part 2 of the programme (Years 2-4 full-time, Years 3-7 part-time) integrates professional and transferable skills training with the process of research and thesis preparation.
Progression from Year 1 to Year 2 (full-time) or Year 2 to Year 3 (part-time) is dependent on passing all Level 7 modules (60 ECTS credit points) and completion of the level 8 Research Dissertation module (30 ECTS credit points).
For further details, please see Programme Specification. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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The programme follows the University's Regulations for the Degree of Integrated PhD in Named Subjects as set out in the University Calendar, Section V : Higher Degree Regulations.
In order to exit with an MPhil (Level 7) candidates must complete the taught element and submit a thesis (normally not exceeding 50,000 words) for examination (including an oral examination) (http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionV/mphil-phd.htm).
Candidates will be eligible for an interim exit award upon completion of part of the programme but not all of it, as follows:
| Qualification |
Minimum overall credit in ECTS credits |
Minimum ECTS credits required at level of award |
| PGCert in Clinical & Health Research |
at least 30 |
20 |
| PGDip in Clinical & Health Research |
at least 60 |
50 |
| MRes in Clinical & Health Research |
at least 90 |
80 |
For details of the University's progression regulations relating to Part 2 of the programme, please see University Calendar, Section V : Higher Degree Regulations (including Code of Practice for Research Candidature and Supervision). |
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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The Faculty's Boards of Examiners are responsible for the setting, approval and marking of all items of assessment relevant to the programmes of study or parts thereof under its remit, within the relevant University policy and guidance on assessment matters. Each Board of Examiners is responsible for the consideration and final determination of module and year results for all taught programmes of study that are under its remit, for ensuring that the standards of awards are maintained and that all the requirements for assessments that contribute to the gaining of an academic award are fulfilled, as set out in the relevant regulations.
An external examiner will be appointed, in accordance with University regulations, to moderate the standard of work submitted for the modular taught component of the programme. Additional external examiners may be appointed to moderate work with a specific clinical focus as required.
The relevant Programme Leader will give guidance on the taught component of the programme. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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Candidates for the degree of Integrated PhD in Health and Clinical Research must complete the requirements of the taught component of the programme before submitting their research thesis and attending an oral (viva voce) examination. Please see University Calendar, Section V : Higher Degree Regulations (including Code of Practice for Research Candidature and Supervision). Please see also University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results.
A candidate who fails to submit corrected coursework or a revised thesis by the date set by the examiners shall normally be regarded as having failed the examination and the recommendations of the examiners shall lapse. In exceptional circumstances a revised date for submitting corrections may be approved by the Faculty Graduate School directorate.
On submission of a thesis a candidate shall be required to sign two documents: (a) a form of consent that the thesis, if successful, will be made available electronically through the University of Southampton Research Repository from a date stipulated (subject to copyright); and (b) a declaration stating that the thesis is the result of work done wholly or mainly while the candidate was in registered candidature and that, where the thesis is based on work done by a candidate jointly with others, a substantial part is the original work of the candidate.
Where the examiners recommend that the degree be not awarded and that the re-submission of a revised thesis be not permitted, the candidate may ask for the case to be reviewed in accordance with the procedures laid down by Senate. A copy of the Regulations Governing Academic Appeals by Candidates may be obtained from Section IV of the University Calendar.
The final award is awarded by Senate on the recommendations of the relevant Faculty Board of Examiners to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements. |
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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| 7. |
Other |
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Candidates who elect to leave the programme with an intermediate award (see above) may normally rejoin the programme up to two years after the date of their exit.
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.
Further information concerning temporary suspension of candidature, nominal registration, extension of candidature, submission of thesis can be found in the Regulations for the degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy (University Calendar Section V).
Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme. |
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