University Calendar 2016/17
Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social, Human and Mathematical 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 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
ARCHIVE 2014/15
ARCHIVE 2015/16
Academic Unit Psychology
Final Award Doctor of Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice
Programme(s) PhD Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice
Last modified May 2016

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.

1. Admissions
 
1.1 For admission to the programme, students:
  1. must satisfy the Regulations for the degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy as specified in Section V of the University Calendar;

  2. must satisfy the necessary programme requirements as set out in the PhD Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice Handbook..
1.2 The requirements for candidature shall be a good undergraduate degree (First or Upper Second class) which confers the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and a BPS accredited MSc in Health Psychology, or a pass in an equivalent B examination in health psychology. The minimum average overall mark for MSc work should be at least 65%, including 65% for dissertation and an average of 65% for research methods modules collectively. MSc modules studied must meet pre-requisite basic knowledge and understanding requirements.
1.3 Experienced students who do not meet these requirements, but who are considered to be particularly well qualified in other respects, may be individually considered for admission via a supplementary application process in which prior study and achievement at MSc level will be assessed.
1.4 Students may apply for exemption from elements of the Thesis or Portfolio of Competence requirements of the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning.
1.5 The offer of a place on the programme is conditional upon the candidate securing suitable and approved health-related work and meeting fitness to practice requirements.
1.6 Students satisfying the requirements for candidature may be admitted subject to satisfactory approval of their chosen subject for research and the supervisory and health-related work arrangements. A formal supervision plan, research proposal, supervision agreement, job description and workplace agreement, will be submitted for approval at the outset of the candidature and any changes to these plans and arrangements will also be submitted in writing for approval in advance.
1.7 English language entry level: average of 7.0 IELTS and minimum of 6.5 in each IELTS component, or equivalent.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
2.1 The Regulations for the degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy as specified in Section V of the University Calendar apply to this programme.
2.2 The programme to be followed shall be one of supervised practice in research, consultancy, teaching and training, behaviour change interventions and generic professional competence, and shall be either part-time or full-time. The Thesis and Portfolio of Competence in each of those elements shall be presented in the form specified for examination by scrutiny and viva voce at the end of the programme of study.
2.3 The period of study for the PhD in Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice ends when the Thesis and Portfolio of Competence are submitted.


3. Progression
 
3.1 Students must successfully complete the full PhD to be eligible to apply for BPS Chartered Psychologist status. However, students who exit with an award of MPhil or PhD may be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Health Psychologist.


4. Assessment
 
4.1 Students are required to satisfy the examiners with regard to the Thesis, the Portfolio of Competence, and the viva voce.
4.2 For each individual student, normally one internal and one external examiner shall be appointed to examine the thesis. The examiners will normally be Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Health Psychologists who are also BPS Chartered Psychologists. If this is not possible, then two external examiners must be appointed; a suitable examiner for the PhD thesis (who need not be an HCPC registered Health Psychologist or BPS Chartered Psychologist), and an HCPC registered Health Psychologist who is also a BPS Chartered Psychologist, who will examine only the Portfolio of Competence.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
5.1 All elements of the portfolio must be passed at the prescribed level in order for the degree to be awarded.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
6.1 Students must undertake a minimum of two years (full time, or part time equivalent) supervised practice in health-related work. All sustained periods of health-related work will need to be approved and monitored annually to ensure the ongoing suitability of the work setting to meet HCPC Standards.
7. Other
 
7.1 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).
7.2 Continuation on your programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Equality Act [2010]). Students are required to inform the Faculty of any health problems, throughout their period of enrolment, relevant to their future employment as a professional. In cases where a student's behaviour, health and/or professional conduct raises concern, the procedures associated with the University's Fitness to Practise Policy will be invoked.
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.

Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 17-Jul-2016
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