University of Southampton Calendar 2015/16


University Calendar 2015/16 Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences

Academic Unit	Psychology
Final Award	Doctor of Clinical Psycholoty
Programme(s)	Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Last modified	July 2015

Academic regulations for research degree programmes (without taught elements) are written and maintained by the University and can be found in Section V of the University Calendar.

Admissions

1.1	Specific entry criteria are detailed within the programme specification.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1	The General Regulations for Research Degrees with a Major Taught Component apply to this programme. In addition:
2.2	Students for the Doctorate will be required to follow a three year training programme of supervised clinical experience, academic teaching and research leading to a doctoral degree, dated as from their registration. Year 1 is at Level 7 and Years 2 and 3 are at Level 8.
2.3	The programme to be followed shall be full-time.
2.4	Students are expected to attend all teaching sessions unless absence has been agreed in advance, with the exception of absence due to sickness or other unavoidable commitments.
2.5	All modules are core.
2.6	The programme is for clinical psychology trainees and meets the requirements for chartered status with BPS, and is approved for registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The curriculum is based on the standards of proficiency specified by the HCPC and the core competencies outlined by the BPS.
2.7	The programmes structure is published within the programme specification.

Progression

3.1	Entry to years 2 and 3 of the programme is normally contingent upon satisfactory academic and clinical performance in the previous year.
3.2	All modules are core. In order to progress formally from one year to the next, trainees are expected to have received a pass mark (50%) in every module.
3.3	Referrals: The module profile provides details about referral for failed pieces of work. In most cases, only one re-submission is allowed for any one piece of work. This will be within an agreed timescale.
3.4	A candidate who fails three modules must attend a Formal Performance Review with the Programme Director.
3.5	The Board of Examiners will normally deem a candidate to have failed the programme on one or more of the following grounds: Failure to complete successfully all parts of the programme within five years or first registration (allowing for suspensions) or by such a date as will have been agreed by the Board. Failure of two clinical practitioner placements. Up to four failures of modules during the programme may redeemed. A fifth failure (including clinical placements) will result in failure of the Programme. In exceptional circumstances, such as gross misconduct or a serious breach of the Code of Conduct of the British Psychological Society, or if a clinical placement is terminated or suspended after disciplinary action. All circumstances of termination or suspension will be discussed at the Board of Examiners where extenuating circumstances may be taken into account. Further information on University guidelines for appeals and complaints can be found at http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionIV/sectIV-index.html. In cases where a student's behaviour, health and/or professional conduct raises concern, the procedures associated with the University's Fitness to Practice Policy will be invoked.

Assessment

4.1

The schedule of assessments will comprise of three parts, as specified in the programme specification, to cover:

Part One	Assessment of Academic Competence
Part Two	Assessment of Clinical Competence
Part Three	Assessment of Research Competence including submission of a research thesis and viva voce examination.

4.2

All elements of Parts One, Two and Three shall normally be completed no later than the end of September of the third year of the programme.

4.3

A pass mark of 50% shall apply to each taught assessment.

4.4

Placements shall either be passed or failed.

4.5

The Doctorate is awarded following successful completion of all three parts (as set out in 4.1 above).

Award of Qualification(s)

5.1	The final award is Doctor of Clinical Psychology.
5.2	The programme follows the General Regulations for Research Degrees with a Major Taught Component.
5.3	There is no exit or interim award.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

6.1	Candidates will be required to undertake placements in years 1, 2, and 3 as Trainee Clinical Psychologists. These placements are normally in the NHS, but may also be in voluntary and third-sector organisations.
6.2	All placements must meet BPS accreditation requirements in terms of duration and range of activities.

Other

7.1	For the purposes of these regulations, the University shall be deemed to include clinical institutions where the Psychology academic unit is satisfied that University staff can arrange proper supervision of clinical practice and research.
7.2	Students are required to satisfy the academic and the Attendance and Completion of Programme Requirements as set out in section IV of the University calendar, the programme specification and the programme handbook. Those failing to do so may have their programme terminated (see University Calendar Section IV: Transfer, Suspension, Withdrawal and Termination.
7.3	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.
7.4	Fitness to Practise: Students must satisfy the University's Fitness to Practise Policy and adhere to the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2010) and the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct.