University of Southampton Calendar 2009/10


University Calendar 2009/10 Section VI : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Winchester School of Art

School	Winchester School of Art
Final Award	Master of Arts Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma
Programme(s)	MA Design and MA Fine Art
Last modified	April 2009

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where the School has been granted an opt-out by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

Admissions

1.1	In addition to the University of Southampton Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes, specific requirements regarding admissions can be found in the MA Arts programme specifications. These are available through the School’s intranet. The School of Art has exemption from University Regulations pertaining to English Language requirements and has an IELTS entry score of 6.0.
1.2	All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedure as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs.
1.3	Accreditation of prior learning. If candidates have completed modules at other places of learning and can demonstrate the equivalence of their learning outcomes to a relevant module of the programme, the School may permit such a candidate to join a degree programme at an appropriate level. Such admissions must also comply with the University's regulations on Credit Transfer.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1	The full-time MA programmes operate over 12 months of study. Part-time MA programmes will normally be taken over a period of 24 - 26 months and not more than 30 months.
2.2	All modules involved in the MA taught programmes are credit-rated at M level in accordance with the principles contained in the CATS Guide and Regulations; ECTS equivalents are also shown. Details of how CATS arrangements apply to each programme are included in the relevant programme specifications.
2.3	The taught modules during semesters 1 and 2 leading to the award of postgraduate diploma total 120 CATS credits (60 ECTS) at M level.
2.4	The final major project, or its equivalent, totals 60 CATS Credits (30 ECTS).
2.5	A total of 180 CATS Credits (90 ECTS) at M level are required for the award of Master of Arts.
2.6	Alternative modules will be offered at different times in the programme so as to provide candidate choice; for example, a range of employability-orientated Core Choice modules. Selection of such modules by each candidate shall be subject to the prior approval of the Programme Leader. It may not always be possible for a candidate to study a preferred option module due to availability or capacity.
2.7	Candidates in MA Design choose to study a specialist pathway to the MA award from the commencement of their programme.
2.8	Candidates in MA Fine Art so not study a pathway, but the subject of Fine Art and its specialisms. The award is MA Fine Art.

Progression

3.1	Progression in the MA programmes is marked by the development of learning outcomes, moving the candidate from taught modules towards studying and reporting independently, leading to a major project outcome such as a dissertation or exhibition.

Assessment

4.1	The pass mark for all modules is 40%.
4.2	All modules must be passed to complete the degree programme.
4.3	Failure to submit work for assessment at notified dates and times, taking into consideration any written deadline extensions granted to the individual candidate, will lead to a penalty being imposed. Work submitted up to 5 working days late will be assessed using the normal criteria but will have the mark that may have been awarded reduced by 5% for each day late; ie: by a maximum of 25%. If the piece of work was deemed to warrant a grade of 40% or higher, it cannot be reduced below 40% by this penalty.
4.4	If a candidate has failed an assessment due to circumstances outside their control, the Special Considerations Board may recommend to the School Assessment Board that the candidate can re-submit and be assessed as if for the first time. Alternatively, the School Assessment Board can recommend that a candidate has passed on the basis of previously submitted work.
4.5	Work submitted more than 5 working days after the notified submission date, amended by any written deadline extensions granted to the individual candidate, will be classed as non-submitted work and will be given a mark of zero. If this leads to the candidate failing the module they will be able to re-submit their work as outlined in 4.3; i.e.: not able to achieve higher than 40%.
4.6	Candidates may be granted an extension to all assessments as a result of significant Special Considerations, or changes to long term medical conditional that, following advice from the Learning Differences Centre are deemed to warrant assessment at a later date.
4.7	Candidates are required to pass all the taught modules and the final major project to qualify for the MA award. The MA award will indicate which specialist pathway a candidate has followed.
4.8	Candidates who fail initially to satisfy the assessors in the taught modules will normally be permitted to refer assessments and if successful be permitted to undertake further study and research and to submit a dissertation. Referral assessments may only be taken on one occasion.
4.9	Candidates who fail initially to satisfy the assessors will normally be permitted to refer the dissertation. At the discretion of the School Board candidates who fail referral assessments for the taught programme may be permitted to repeat the programme of study as an External Candidate.
4.10	Candidates who fail the final major project and choose not to re-submit will be eligible to receive the Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma is available in the generic programme title only as insufficient specialist practice will have been completed to receive a named award.
4.11	The MA award is calculated using the weighted average of all marks.

Award of Qualification(s)

5.1	There are two exit awards available: Postgraduate Diploma (120 CATS/60 ECTS) MA (180 CATS/ECTS) Marking Scheme for MAs: Distinction : 70% - 100% Pass : 40% - 69% Fail : 0-39%
Notification of Results
5.2	Candidates will be able to collect their final results in person at a time and date advertised in advance.
5.3	If a candidate has failed an assessment due to circumstances outside their control, the Special Considerations Board may recommend to the School Assessment Board that the candidate can re-submit and be assessed as if for the first time. Alternatively, the School Assessment Board can recommend that a candidate has passed on the basis of previously submitted work.
5.4	Semester 1 results will remain provisional until confirmed by the School Assessment Board in Semester 2. Candidates will not be eligible to progress to the final major project until they have received confirmation of Semester 1 and 2 results. Master of Art awards will be confirmed by the School Assessment Board.
5.5	The final award is granted by the University of Southampton's Senate on the recommendation of the relevant School Board. It is only awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved programme of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements.
5.6	The School follows the University’s regulations and procedures for appeals and complaints (Section IV of the University Calendar).

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

6.1

Opportunities for candidates to engage in professional experience may be available subject to availability and requirements from participating professional organisations. To undertake professional experience, candidates follow the published Winchester School of Art guidelines on placements. Suitability for work placement is at the discretion of the Head of School or nominated other. The exact nature of an experience will need to be negotiated with the Module Convenor and based on guidelines that will be outlined to candidates.

Other

Attendance and Behaviour
7.1	Candidates are expected to attend all sessions timetabled for their programme, pathway and selected modules. If they are aware that they will be absent for any session, they should inform the relevant Module Tutor immediately.
7.2	In terms of absence through sickness, candidates are permitted to self-certificate for up to five days after which they are encouraged to seek a medical certificate. They should inform their Module Tutor of the circumstances of their illness as soon as possible, and make efforts to make up any work that they have missed.
7.3	In the case of illness persisting for more than five days, candidates should confer with their Programme Leader, if their absence is liable to impact seriously on their study.
7.4	In the case of absence arising from other causes, for example bereavement, illness of a dependant, etc., candidates should contact their Module Tutors as soon as possible to alert them to these developments, and confer with them and, when appropriate, the Programme Leader regarding ameliorating the effects of the absence on their study.
7.5	In accordance with the university’s regulations on attendance, student participation in the programme of study will be subject to periodic monitoring.
7.6	Whilst studying at the School whether on its campus, on visits, whilst on exchange or professional experiences or via online facilities including email, candidates should act in a manner which is appropriate to the highest professional standards with particular attention to avoiding behaviour which lessens the study experience of their fellow candidates. Candidates falling below these standards of behaviour are liable to be called to account by their Module Tutors, Programme Leader, the Deputy Heads or the Head of School and asked to reflect on their continued study at the School.
Regulations
7.7	Candidates who commenced their study from the academic year 2009/10 onwards will have to comply with these regulations.
7.8	Candidates who commenced study on their current programme of study before 2009/10 can seek to have previous regulations apply in cases in which these differed from these regulations. Such candidates are advised to refer to the regulations in the University Calendar for the academic year in which they commenced study at the School.
7.9	These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.