University of Southampton Calendar 2017/18


University Calendar 2017/18 Section XI : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine

Academic Unit	Medicine
Final Award	Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Science (PhD) (with intermediate award of MRes) With exit awards of: Master of Research (MRes) Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Programme(s)	Integrated PhD in Biomedical Science
Last modified	May 2017

The General Academic Regulations which are in Section V (Regulations for Research Degrees and Higher Doctorates) and Section IV (General Information and Regulations) of the University Calendar apply to and regulate the programmes listed above.

On occasion, programmes can be exempted from one or more of the clauses in the Regulations; one or more of the clauses can be varied; and programmes can impose additional requirements.

Exemptions are characterised by the omission of the relevant clause.
Variations are characterised by the replacement of the clause with alternative wording.
Additions are characterised by requirements in addition to those detailed in the Academic regulations.
The programmes listed have approval from the Academic Quality and Standards Committee for the exemptions and/or variations and/or additions to the regulations noted below.

Exemptions

The clause(s) listed below describe where an exemption to the Regulations exists.
	Integrated PhD in Biomedical Science is exempt from clause 5.1 under section 5. Repeat of the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Standalone Masters Programmes.
	Students are not permitted to repeat Year 1.

Variations

The clause(s) listed below describe where a variation to the Regulations exists.

Existing University regulation Regulations for Research Degrees

Approved Variation

18.

The duration of research degree programmes is set out in the following table:

Programme	Minimum length of candidature		Maximum length of candidature
	Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time
PhD-Integrated route	48 months	72 months	60 months	96 months

The duration of research degree programmes is set out in the following table:

Programme	Minimum length of candidature		Maximum length of candidature
	Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time
PhD-Integrated route	48 months	-	48 months	-

17.

In the first year, research students will be required to follow a prescribed programme of units which will be taught in the University. Research students who complete these units and pass the required examinations at an appropriate standard at the end of the first year will be permitted to proceed to the second year of the programme. This may also lead to the award of MA, MSc or MRes as defined in the relevant academic regulations in Section VI-XIII of the University Calendar. Research students who fail to reach the required standard will be permitted to resit the first year units on one occasion only. In the event of failure to achieve the required standard at resit, their programme will be terminated, and such research students will be considered by the Faculty for transfer to a relevant diploma or masters level programme for the award of a Diploma or Masters Degree, as appropriate.
In the second and third years, research students will complete prescribed units, supervised research, and skills training sessions leading to the preparation of a thesis.
The research student's fourth year will be devoted to supervised research and preparation of a thesis.

Candidates who complete these units and pass the required examinations 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 Research (MRes).

Candidates must normally attend at least 80% of all taught components and all laboratory rotations in the first year to be eligible for consideration for progression to year 2.

Progression to year 2 will be dependent on successful completion of year 1 and satisfactory completion of progress reviews which will be held at three time points during year 1. The candidates have to pass one of the reviews held after rotations A and B, along with a pass at rotation C. If performance in the progress reviews is unsatisfactory and if, after due warning, there is insufficient improvement, the Faculty may recommend termination of candidature to Senate at the end of year 1 independently of whether or not they are awarded an MRes.

In the second and third and fourth years candidates complete a programme of supervised research and skills training sessions leading to the preparation of a thesis.

Existing University regulation Regulations for Integrated PhD in Named Subjects		Approved Variation
3.	Candidates are required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of four years full-time registration, to pass the required examinations, and to submit a thesis not more than 12 months later than the end of the fourth year of study. In exceptional circumstances the Faculty Graduate School directorate may approve a later date for submission. If part-time candidates are permitted, they are required to submit a thesis not more than 12 months later than the end of the seventh year of study.	Candidates are required to submit a thesis at the end of four years full-time registration. Part-time candidature is not permitted.
4.	In the first year candidates will be required to follow a prescribed programme of units which will be taught in the University. Candidates who complete these units and pass the required examinations at an appropriate standard at the end of the first year will be permitted to proceed to the second year of the programme. This may also lead to the award of MA, MSc or MRes as defined in the relevant programme specification. Candidates who fail to reach the required standard will be permitted to resit the first year units on one occasion only. In the event of failure to achieve the required standard at resit, their programme will be terminated, and such candidates will be considered by the Faculty for transfer to a relevant diploma or masters level programme for the award of a Diploma or Masters Degree, as appropriate.	Candidates who complete these units and pass the required examinations 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 Research (MRes). Candidates must normally attend at least 80% of all taught components and all laboratory rotations in the first year to be eligible for consideration for progression to year 2. Progression to year 2 will be dependent on successful completion of year 1 and satisfactory completion of progress reviews which will be held at three time points during year 1. The candidates have to pass one of the reviews held after rotations A and B, along with a pass at rotation C. If performance in the progress reviews is unsatisfactory and if, after due warning, there is insufficient improvement, the Faculty may recommend termination of candidature to Senate at the end of year 1 independently of whether or not they are awarded an MRes.
5.	In the second and third years candidates complete prescribed units and a programme of supervised research and skills training sessions leading to the preparation of a thesis. The candidate's fourth year will be devoted to supervised research and preparation of a thesis.	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.
7.	Candidates will normally be assigned a personal tutor during the coursework phase of the programme as appropriate.	Candidates will be assigned to a Year 1 co-ordinator during the coursework phase of the programme.

Existing University regulation Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Standalone Masters Programmes

Approved Variation

3.1

In order for credit to be awarded for a Module, the Module must be passed at the specified Module Pass Mark except as allowed in paragraph 3.2 below. The University standard Module Pass Mark for Standalone Masters students taking Modules at all levels is 50. Where a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requires a Pass Mark that differs from the University standard Module Pass Mark this will be stated in the Programme Regulations. The University standard Qualifying Mark for Standalone Masters programmes is 35, unless stated otherwise in the Programme Regulations. Where credit only is being imported from an exchange or outgoing study abroad, the Qualifying Mark is zero.

All modules are core. Module pass marks and the overall pass mark for the MRes in the first year is 50%.

4.1

A student who fails on a programme where all modules are core, may take Referral assessments in failed modules totalling not more than 30 ECTS (60 CATS).

A student who fails to progress where all modules are core may take referral assessments in all failed modules.

8.1

Classification: Degree classification for a Standalone Masters degree or Postgraduate Diploma is based on the 100 point Mark Scheme for the Final Average Mark as follows:

70 and over	Distinction
60 - 69	Merit

These boundaries refer to the Final Average Mark rounded to the nearest integer.

These boundaries refer to the Final Average Mark rounded to the nearest integer.

Candidates for the degree of MRes will be awarded the qualification with Distinction if they have passed each module at the first attempt and have achieved the following:

Pass Research Projects A, B & C with a minimum mark of 60% and an average mark of 70% or greater;
Pass Quantitative Cell Biology, Research Skills for Biomedical Sciences and the pathway specific module (Cancer Immunology, Immunity and Infection or Stem Cell Biology) with a minimum mark of 60% and an average mark of 70%.

Existing University regulation Code of Practice for Research Candidature and Supervision

Approved Variation

64.

Students who enrolled on their doctoral level studies after 1 August 2016 are required to undertake three Progression Reviews during the course of their studies. The second Progression Review is known as Confirmation (paragraphs 70-79 below). Two attempts at each review are permitted; failure to meet the criteria for a successful progression review will lead to a termination of a student's candidature in line with the Procedures for Circumstances that may lead to Withdrawal or Termination.

Students who enrolled on their doctoral studies before 1 August 2016 will follow the Progression Monitoring timings and procedures as determined by their Faculty which applied at the time of their admission. Students should refer back to their Faculty for further information. Students who enrolled before 1 August 2016 will also follow the timings for upgrade/transfer from MPhil to PhD registration that applied at the time of their admission. Paragraph 64 provides a summary of these timings depending on year of entry. The policy and procedure outlined in paragraphs 71-79 'Confirmation of PhD status', will apply to students who registered prior to 1 August 2016 when completing their upgrade/transfer from MPhil to PhD registration, rather than a confirmation of PhD status.

Summary of timings of confirmation of PhD registration/Upgrade from MPhil to PhD*
Time of Entry	Full-time	Part-time
After 1 Aug 2016	18 - 21 months	30 - 42 months
1 Aug 2015 - 1 Aug 2016	18 - 21 months	30 - 42 months
Before 1 Aug 2015	At least 6 months before final thesis submission	At least 6 months before final thesis submission

Summary of timings of confirmation of PhD registration/Upgrade from MPhil to PhD*
Time of Entry	Full-time	Part-time
After 1 Aug 2016	18 - 21 months	N/A
1 Aug 2015 - 1 Aug 2016	18 - 21 months	N/A
Before 1 Aug 2015	At least 6 months before final thesis submission	N/A

*These timings may be adjusted on a pro-rata basis for students registered on non-standard research programmes where other duties are a formal part of the programme; for example, the Clinical Doctorate Research Fellowship scheme or the Mayflower Scholarship scheme.

Faculties/the Accredited Institution will bring to the attention of research students, and relevant staff, clearly defined formats of assessment which inform the Progression Reviews, including the criteria to be used for defining outcomes from Progression Reviews. As a minimum, research students must submit a written report which should summarise progress made since the last report. Any particular problems encountered by the research student, (e.g. access to resources or facilities or other additional disability-related or language support requirements) should be indicated in this report and appropriate action taken. The report should also indicate whether any additional support requirements or facilities already being provided for a particular research student are continuing to meet that research student's needs, or if any adjustments for the coming period are required.

The Review must also include a viva. Following a Progression Review, a student will be given written feedback by the panel and, if necessary, guidance on actions to be taken to support progress in their candidature.

Decisions following Progression Reviews will be made according to the following timings for students on a standard research programme. In all cases, the time windows refer to periods in which progression decisions must be made. Students will be required to provide all the relevant material by a submission deadline stated in PGR Tracker, or equivalent system, as set by their faculty/discipline. This will normally be at least four working weeks in advance of the decision deadline to allow the panel to consider the material, hold meeting, and make a recommendation within the specified timeframe. Timings refer to the full month i.e. the decision from the first attempt at the first Progression Review should be made between the beginning of month 8 and the end of month 10. These timings may be adjusted for students following a non-standard pathway.

	Full-time		Part-time
	1st attempt	2nd attempt	1st attempt	2nd attempt
First Progression Review	Month 8 - 10	Before the end of month 12	Month 18 - 21	Before the end of month 24
Second Progression Review Confirmation	Month 18 - 21	Before the end of month 24	Month 30 - 42	Before the end of month 48
Third Progression Review	Month 30 - 33	Before the end of month 36	Month 61 - 66	Before the end of month 72

	Full-time
	Student Submission	First Attempt Decision	Student Submission Second Attempt	Student Submission Second Attempt
Year 1 Taught Modules
First Progression Review	By month 18	By month 20	By month 22	Before the end of month 24
Second Progression Review Confiration	By month 27	By month 30	By month 33	Before end of month 36
Third Progression Review	By month 39	By month 41	By month 43	Before the end of month 45

Additional Requirements

None.

Years 2 to 4 of this programme may be subject to DBS requirements, see clause 4 of the Procedures for Handling Applications for Students with Previous Criminal Convictions.

These regulations should be read in conjunction with the programme specification.

Disclaimer

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.