1. Candidates must satisfy the regulations for admission to degree programmes as specified in the General Regulations. In addition, the normal requirement for entry to all programmes is a good first degree (First or Second class) or equivalent in a relevant subject of an approved university or institution of higher education. Candidates must satisfy the British Psychological Scoiety's 'graduate basis for registration' rule.
   
   
2. All candidates must satisfy the Programme Director that they are competent to pursue the programme. The Programme Director reserves the right to refuse entry.
   
   
3. Candidates may apply for exemption from up to 40 credits of taught modules on the basis of prior certificated learning (APL) at Master's (M) level. The acceptance of such credit towards the award of a qualification shall be at the discretion of the Programme Director. No application for APL may be made towards the dissertation.

4. This programme is governed by the University's General Regulations.
   
   
5. The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The maximum periods of study are as follows:
   
   

   1.	Postgraduate Certificate
   	Full-time:	6 months
   	Part-time:	18 months
   2.	Postgraduate Diploma
   	Full-time:	12 months
   	Part-time:	36 months (3 years)
   3.	MSc
   	Full-time:	15 months
   	Part-time:	60 months (5 years)

   
   
6. Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed twelve months. Save in exceptional circumstances, permission to suspend will only be granted where the candidate can still complete the programme within the time limit defined by the regulations.
   
   
7. The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, course work, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Director.
   
   
8. Candidates for the MSc will be required to undertake a research dissertation on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Director. Full-time candidates must submit their dissertation within a timescale agreed with the Programme Director. Part-time candidates must submit their research dissertation within a maximum of 24 months, deemed to have started once proposal has been accepted.
   
   
9. The Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Health Psychology full-time programme runs for a full year from the end of September to the end of September. The taught (Postgraduate Diploma) component is completed by Easter and the rest of the time is devoted to the dissertation.

10. Each module will be assessed according to the module description. Assessment may include written assignments, examinations, practical work and a dissertation (MSc candidates only). In addition, candidates for the MSc may be required to attend a viva voce examination.
    
    
11. The module pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate is 50%.
    
    
12. Candidates who fail in any taught module(s) (up to a maximum of 40 credits) shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion.
    
    
13. Any further opportunity for re-assessment (in a taught module or the dissertation) shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
    
    
14. Candidates who have failed a module or modules worth 40 credits will be granted one attempt only at any subsequent module. Candidates who fail this module will be deemed to have failed the programme and will have their registration terminated.
    
    
15. Candidates must pass the written (Postgraduate Diploma) component of the programme with an overall mark of at least 50% in order to undertake the MSc. A re-submission of one piece of work with a mark below 50% is permitted after feedback and tutorial guidance. Candidates who attain an overall mark of 40-49% for the Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma but will not be permitted to progress to MSc.
    
    
16. Candidates who have passed the Postgraduate Diploma component but fail to satisfy the examiners for the dissertation, that is gaining a mark of 50% or higher, will be given one opportunity to re-submit their dissertation. However, if on re-submission the candidate fails to satisfy the examiners, the candidate will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.
    
    
17. A Distinction will be awarded to candidates with an overall Postgraduate Diploma mark of 67% and two or more component marks of 70% or over, and a mark over 70% for the research report.
    
    
18. Candidates who progress to the MSc will submit a dissertation which needs to achieve an overall mark of 50%.
    
    
19. Candidates who have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits shall be awarded the qualification for which they have registered.
    
    
20. Candidates for the degree of MSc who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.
    
    
21. Candidates for the degree of MSc who achieve an overall average of at least 70% and who have passed each module at the first attempt may be awarded the qualification with Distinction.
    
    
22. The degree of Master of Science in Health Psychology is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the School of Psychology Board to postgraduate students who have successfully pursued a course of study as prescribed above to the satisfaction of the School of Psychology Board and have fulfilled any other University requirements.
    
    

Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 04-Feb-2008
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