Academic Regulations: Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
| School | Health Sciences |
| Final Award | Postgraduate Certificate Postgraduate Diploma Master of Science Intermediate exit awards: Postgraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Health Studies Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education in Health Studies |
| Programme(s) |
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| Last modified | April 2023 |
The Academic Regulations apply to and regulate the programme(s) 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.
These regulations should be read in conjunction with the relevant Programme Specification and the General Regulations. Numbering of paragraphs in this section corresponds to the paragraph numbers in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes.
Where a paragraph is marked Exemption or Not Applicable, the corresponding paragraph in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master’s Programmes does not apply to students on the above programmes.
Where a paragraph is marked Variation, the text here supersedes the corresponding paragraph in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master’s Programmes for students on the above programmes.
Where a paragraph is marked Applies Unchanged, the corresponding paragraph in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master’s Programmes applies to students on the above programmes.
Where a paragraph is marked Addition, it indicates an extra requirement which applies to students on the above programmes to that given in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master’s Programmes.
| Clause number | Standard regulation | Variation |
| 1. | Introduction | |
| 1.1 | These Regulations apply to the following University of Southampton postgraduate awards:
| Applies unchanged |
| 1.2 | Any approved variations and exemptions to these Regulations are specified in the Programme Regulations in the University Calendar (see Section 10). | Applies unchanged |
| 1.3 | Integrated Master’s are covered by the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes. | Applies unchanged |
| 1.4 | The Regulations should be read in conjunction with the Regulations and Definitions Applying to Progression for all Credit-Bearing Programmes. Defined terms are capitalised in the regulations. | Applies unchanged |
| 1.5 | In the case of part-time programmes the Regulations, including provision for Compensation and Referral, apply for the programme as a whole and not for each academic year over which the programme is taken. | Applies unchanged |
| 1.6 | A Board of Examiners, on the recommendation of a Special Considerations Board, has the authority to apply a variation to aspects of these Regulations where a student has exceptional circumstances as defined in the Regulations Governing Special Considerations (including Deadline Extension Requests) for all Taught Programmes and Taught Assessed Components of Research Degrees. Detailed guidance is given in the Quality Handbook. | Applies unchanged |
| 2. | Programme Structure | |
| 2.1 | Postgraduate master’s programmes are constructed from Modules, the majority of which are set at level 7 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. However, some study may be at other levels as permitted by the Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) Scheme. A detailed programme structure will be provided in the Programme Specification. | Applies unchanged |
| 2.2 | A Pass in a Module, including a Pass by Compensation, leads to the award of the Credit associated with the Module. | Applies unchanged |
| 2.3 | Postgraduate master’s programmes typically consist of a taught element made up from a defined number of Modules and an independent study element normally consisting of a dissertation. For programmes where the independent study element is assessed by means other than a dissertation, specific guidance will be given in the Programme Regulations in the University Calendar or the Programme Specification. The dissertation module/independent study element is Core. | Variation Not applicable for: Postgraduate Diploma Adult Nursing (8376), Postgraduate Diploma Children’s Nursing (8377), Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing (8378), Master of Science Adult Nursing (8373), Master of Science Children’s Nursing (8374), Master of Science Mental Health Nursing (8375), Master of Science Occupational Therapy (8326), and Master of Science Physiotherapy (8325). These Pre-registration Masters programmes are two calendar years in length and consist of two Parts with a progression point from Part 1 to Part 2. The Modules and Parts are specified in the Programme Specification. |
| 3. | Passing a Module | |
| 3.1 | Where a numerical mark is awarded, the Module Pass Mark for students on postgraduate master’s programmes is 50. Some Modules are marked only as Pass or Fail. | Applies unchanged |
| 3.2 | Where a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requires a Pass Mark that is higher than the University standard Module Pass Mark, this will be stated in the Programme Regulations. | Applies unchanged |
| 4. | Compensation | |
| 4.1 | A Pass by Compensation may be given in a non-Core Module when a student has:
| Not applicable |
| 4.2 | The standard Qualifying Mark for Modules on postgraduate master’s programmes is 35. Where a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requires a Qualifying Mark that is higher than the University standard Qualifying Mark, this will be stated in the Programme Regulations in the University Calendar. | Not applicable |
| 4.3 | A Pass by Compensation can only be given in a limited number of Credits as follows:
| Not applicable
|
| 4.4 | The Compensation criteria apply at both the first and Referral attempts. | Not applicable |
| 4.5 | The compensated mark will not be raised to the Module Pass Mark, but full Credit will be awarded for the Module. The Module Mark awarded will be included in the student’s classification calculation, where applicable. | Not applicable |
| 4.6 | A student will not be required or permitted to Refer in a Module once the Board of Examiners awards a Pass by Compensation in that Module. | Not applicable |
| 4.7 | Where a student fails more Modules than can be Passed by Compensation, the student can select which Modules to Refer, with the constraint that Core Modules and all Modules in which the mark obtained is less than the Qualifying Mark must be Referred. | Not applicable |
| 5. | Referral | |
| 5.1 | A student who fails a taught Module, after the application of Compensation, may take Referral assessments in failed taught Modules totalling at most 15 ECTS (30 CATS) Credits, subject to the following exemptions:
| Variation Not applicable for the following programmes: Postgraduate Diploma Adult Nursing (8376), Postgraduate Diploma Children’s Nursing (8377), Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing (8378), Master of Science Adult Nursing (8373), Master of Science Children’s Nursing (8374), Master of Science Mental Health Nursing (8375), Master of Science Occupational Therapy (8326), and Master of Science Physiotherapy (8325). Students in Part 1 of their programme may take Referral assessments in failed taught Modules totalling at most 30 ECTS (60 CATS) Credits. Students who are eligible to Refer in Part 1 may, with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education), conditionally progress to the first practice placement module in Part 2 of their programme. Students may not commence any further Part 2 modules until Part 1 has been achieved. There is no limit on the total number of credits that a student can Refer in Part 2. In Part 2 of their programme, it may be in the student’s best interests to take Referrals at the earliest opportunity, which may be outside the normal assessment periods. For such students, Referrals may be permitted while they are still completing their other taught Modules. A student who has not achieved a pass in a practice placement module may have that mark confirmed prior to the ratifying board. In addition, for MSc Occupational Therapy only: For the MSc in Occupational Therapy only, which leads to registration with the following Professional, Statutory & Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs): the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Referral is allowed in Failed academic/theory modules (not practice modules) in that Part/Year totalling at most 22.5 ECTS (45 CATS). RCOT requires that only one retrieval (Referral) attempt can be allowed for practice placement modules. If a student fails placement because of professional unsuitability, they have no right of retrieval (Referral). Only one attempt at retrieval (Referral) is permissible for each practice placement. If the first attempt at two consecutive placements are not successful, the requirements of the pre-registration, as detailed by the RCOT have not been achieved and you will be withdrawn from the programme. A student will also be denied a retrieval (Referral) attempt if the failure originally occurred on grounds of professional unsuitability. The practice hours of failed practice education will not count towards the minimum requirement of 1000 hours. |
| 5.2 | The mark obtained at Referral will be Capped at the Module Pass Mark. | Applies unchanged |
| 5.3 | The Capped Mark achieved at Referral will be used for calculating the Final Average Mark and determining award eligibility and final classification, where applicable. | Applies unchanged |
| 5.4 | Where a student is undertaking their programme through part time study, it may be in the student's best interests to take Referrals at the earliest opportunity, which may be outside the normal assessment periods. For such students, Referrals may be permitted while they are still completing their other taught Modules. The arrangements will be communicated via the Programme Handbook. | Applies unchanged. Arrangements will be communicated via the University’s virtual learning environment. |
| 6. | Repeat | |
| 6.1 | A student who has not passed at the first attempt or is not eligible to Refer, or who has Referred and not passed, may Repeat the taught part of the programme Internally or Externally as chosen by the student following academic advice from within the School. | Variation applies to: Postgraduate Diploma Adult Nursing (8376), Postgraduate Diploma Children’s Nursing (8377), Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing (8378), Master of Science Adult Nursing (8373), Master of Science Children’s Nursing (8374), Master of Science Mental Health Nursing (8375), Master of Science Occupational Therapy (8326), and Master of Science Physiotherapy (8325). Repeat attempts may only be taken externally and may not include repeat of any practice modules. The programmes of students who fail practice modules, following any permitted Referral attempt, will therefore be terminated. |
| 6.2 | Students choosing an External Repeat should ensure they are aware of the constraints related to dissertation completion as specified in Section 7 of these Regulations. | Applies unchanged |
| 6.3 | Paragraph 3 of the Regulations and Definitions Applying to Progression for all Credit-Bearing Programmes should be consulted regarding the right to Repeat for students sponsored by the University to enter the UK under the points-based visa system. | Applies unchanged |
| 6.4 | Internal Repeat: An Internal Repeat will consist of all taught Modules, including those passed at the first attempt. Marks for Modules in which the Pass Mark was not obtained at the first attempt will be Capped at the Pass Mark; for all other Modules the actual mark obtained at Repeat will be used to calculate the Final Average Mark. | Not applicable for the following programmes: Postgraduate Diploma Adult Nursing (8376), Postgraduate Diploma Children’s Nursing (8377), Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing (8378), Master of Science Adult Nursing (8373), Master of Science Children’s Nursing (8374), Master of Science Mental Health Nursing (8375), Master of Science Occupational Therapy (8326), and Master of Science Physiotherapy (8325). |
| 6.5 | External Repeat: An External Repeat will include only those taught Modules in which the Pass Mark was not obtained at the first attempt or at Referral. Existing Module Marks for Modules not Repeated will be used to calculate the Final Average Mark. Marks for Modules taken at External Repeat will be Capped at the Pass Mark to calculate the Final Average Mark | Variation applies to: Postgraduate Diploma Adult Nursing (8376), Postgraduate Diploma Children’s Nursing (8377), Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing (8378), Master of Science Adult Nursing (8373), Master of Science Children’s Nursing (8374), Master of Science Mental Health Nursing (8375), Master of Science Occupational Therapy (8326), and Master of Science Physiotherapy (8325). In Part 2 of their programme, it may be in the student's best interests to take Repeats at the earliest opportunity, which may be outside the normal assessment periods. For such students, Repeats may be permitted while they are still completing their other taught Modules. |
| 6.6 | The Pass criteria for a student Repeating are the same as for the first attempt excluding the right of the Referral. The taught part of a programme may be Repeated only once. Should a student Fail the Repeated Modules, their registration with the University will end. The student will be provided with a record of any Modules passed and an exit award if eligible. | Applies unchanged |
| 6.7 | Where a student is undertaking their programme through part time study, it may be in the student's best interests to Repeat Modules at the earliest opportunity, which may be outside of the normal assessment periods. For such students, Repeats may be permitted while they are still completing their other taught Modules and Referrals. The arrangements will be communicated via the Programme Handbook. | Applies unchanged. Arrangements will be communicated via the University’s virtual learning environment. |
| 7. | Dissertation | |
| 7.1 | The dissertation is not considered to be a taught Module and Compensation, Referral and Repeat are not applicable. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.2 | The Pass Mark for the dissertation is 50. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.3 | A student failing to achieve the Pass Mark may submit a revised dissertation on the same subject on one occasion only. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.4 | A student revising their dissertation will be given three months from the date the outcome of the Board of Examiners is published, to revise and resubmit their dissertation. If deemed appropriate by the Board of Examiners, a student revising their dissertation may be allowed access to facilities and/or resources for practical work during this time. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.5 | A student revising their dissertation will have access to two instances of supervision:
| Applies unchanged |
| 7.6 | The mark for a revised dissertation will be Capped at the Pass Mark. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.7 | No Internal or External Repeat of the dissertation Module is allowed. | Applies unchanged |
| 7.8 | The dissertation Module can only be undertaken as an internal student. If a student has not passed sufficient taught Modules at the first attempt such that they will need to Repeat the taught part of their programme to achieve the award , they can choose one of the following options following academic advice from within the School:
| Applies unchanged |
| 8. | Award Requirements | |
| 8.1 | When students have accumulated sufficient Credits, as described under paragraphs 8.2 to 8.4, they become eligible for an award of the University. | Applies unchanged |
| 8.2 | Master’s Degree (See list of awards in 1.1) To be considered for a Master’s degree a student must pass a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above. | Applies unchanged |
| 8.3 | Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) To be considered for a Postgraduate Diploma a student must pass a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above. | Applies unchanged |
| 8.4 | Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert/PGCE) To be considered for a Postgraduate Certificate a student must pass a minimum of 30 ECTS (60 CATS) Credits and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above. | Applies unchanged |
| 8.5 | If a student is unable to achieve their intended award having taken all permissible reassessment opportunities, the University will make an exit award, if permitted by the Programme Specification, based on the Credits the student has achieved. | Applies unchanged |
| 9. | Classification of Awards | |||||||||||
| 9.1 | Some awards are classified. The classification bands for Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma awards are set out in the table below. These boundaries refer to the Final Average Mark rounded to the nearest integer.
| Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.2 | Master’s Degree | |||||||||||
| 9.2.1 | A student will be awarded a Master’s degree with distinction if:
| Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.2.2 | A student will be awarded a Master’s degree with merit if:
| Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.2.3 | A student will be awarded a Master’s degree if a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is 50 or above, but the requirements for distinction or merit are not met. | Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.3 | Postgraduate Diploma | |||||||||||
| 9.3.1 | A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with distinction if:
| Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.3.2 | A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with merit if:
| Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.3.3 | A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is between 50 or above, but the requirements for distinction or merit are not met. | Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.4 | Postgraduate Certificate There is no classification for a Postgraduate Certificate regardless of whether it is a standalone award or an exit award. | Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 9.5 | Study Abroad/Exchange Students For programmes involving a period of study outside the UK, unless the programme has an approved translation of marks scheme, a student’s classification will be calculated solely on marks obtained in Modules studied at the University of Southampton. Please refer to the Quality Handbook for the Translation of Marks/Transfer of Credit Policy. | Applies unchanged | ||||||||||
| 10. | Variations and Exemptions | |
| 10.1 | Some programmes may require variations to the Regulations, for example to meet Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements or the requirements of legislation in another country for a programme delivered under the University’s collaborative provision policy. Approved variations to the Regulations will be stated in the relevant Programme Regulations in the University Calendar. In order to maintain oversight, Academic Quality and Standards Committee will review all variations on an annual basis for compliance with the criteria. | Applies unchanged |
| 10.2 | With the approval of Academic Quality and Standards Committee, some programmes may operate an exemption from the Regulations. Approved exemptions will be stated in the relevant Programme Regulations in the University Calendar. | Applies unchanged |
Additional Requirements
The clause(s) listed below are in addition to the Regulations.
Programmes:
Programmes which lead to registration with the following Professional, Statutory & Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), and The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require applicants and students to be of good health and good character and worthy of professional registration. All students will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on admission. Continuation on your programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions, cautions and pending criminal investigations. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1986]. All students are required to inform the School of all criminal convictions both prior to and throughout their period of enrolment, at the earliest opportunity. A satisfactory Occupational Health assessment is a condition of entry to the programme. 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 School of any change in health status that may impact on practice or their studies, throughout their period of enrolment, at the earliest opportunity. The maximum duration for the programme is the standard length of the programme plus 2 years, inclusive of any period of suspension and/or repeat. Should the student fail to complete their programme within that time, their candidature will be terminated with an exit award commensurate with the credit attained. In exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education) or delegate, a student may be permitted up to a maximum of one additional year to complete the programme. |
Programmes:
The maximum duration for the programme is the standard length of the programme plus 2 years, inclusive of any period of suspension and/or repeat. Should the student fail to complete their programme within that time, their candidature will be terminated with an exit award commensurate with the credit attained. In exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education) or delegate, a student may be permitted up to a maximum of one additional year to complete the programme. |
Programmes:
Part time MSc/MRes Programmes The maximum duration for the part-time MSc programmes is 5 years inclusive of any period of suspension and/or repeat. Should the student fail to complete their programme within that time, their candidature will be terminated with an exit award commensurate with the credit attained. In exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education) or delegate, a student may be permitted up to a maximum of one additional year to complete the programme. Part time PGDip Programmes The maximum duration for the part-time PGDip programmes is 4 years inclusive of any period of suspension. Should the student fail to complete their programme within that time, their candidature will be terminated with an exit award commensurate with the credit attained. In exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education) or delegate, a student may be permitted up to a maximum of one additional year to complete the programme. Part time PGCert Programmes The maximum duration for the part-time PGCert programmes is 3 years inclusive of any period of suspension. |
Programme: Master of Science Neonatology Part time (8091) The maximum duration for the part-time MSc Neonatology is 3 years inclusive of any period of suspension and/or repeat. Should the student fail to complete their programme within that time, their candidature will be terminated with an exit award commensurate with the credit attained. In exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Deputy Head of School (Education) or delegate, a student may be permitted up to a maximum of one additional year to complete the programme. |
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.