University Calendar 2009/10
Section VIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
School of Health Sciences



PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
 
ARCHIVE 2003/4
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
 
Biological Sciences
Health Sciences Index
Medicine Index
Psychology
School School of Health Sciences
Final Award Foundation Degree (Science)
Certificate in HE
Programme(s) Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care Studies
Last modified 23 July 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.

1. Admissions
 
Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes in Section IV of the University Calendar and meet the entry requirements for either school leaver or mature applicants stipulated for this professional route.

Candidates may be accepted with a range of vocational and academic qualifications or relevant experience. All candidates are considered on their merit and must be aged 18 or above by the commencement of the course.

Admission to, and continuation on, the course is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999). Prospective students are given the opportunity to declare health problems or disabilities on application. All students will be subject to an Occupational Health check and must be declared fit for practice placement.

Admission to, and continuation on, the course is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999). Prospective students are required to declare any criminal convictions on application. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Equality Statement
The University and the School are committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in which students are recruited on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective or current students should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and state registration as a professional physiotherapist.

The University's Disability Equality Scheme includes an Action Plan which identifies the steps that the University is taking to improve the opportunities available to disabled students. Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and needs undertaken sensitively.

Decisions are based on whether or not the applicant meets the admission criteria, whether the programme can be delivered to the applicant in a way that meets their requirements, making reasonable adjustments if necessary and whether at the end of the programme, the graduate would meet the HPC Standards of Proficiency.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential/Certificated Learning (APEL/APCL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for APCL.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme leading to the Foundation Degree (Science) in Health and Social Care shall be of two years' duration if studied full time or three years' duration if studied part-time using the recommended flexible organisation of modules. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

Students employed in health or social care settings may register for individual modules as part of a Continuing Professional Development Plan and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.

Both years of the programme shall normally extend over one academic year although a flexible study route is available enabling completion over three years in total. In level 1 all modules are core. In level 2 a range of pathways and modules are available. Students are referred to the Programme Handbook for guidance on pathway and module selection.


3. Progression
 
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV: General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. Progression from one year of the course to the next will depend on the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements and the satisfactory completion of all work-based learning placements.

The pass mark for each modules will be 40% for all levels. Students must meeting the pass criteria in both academic and practice experience to pass overall.

Module Referral

The criteria for module assessment referral are:
  • Failure to achieve a Pass/Fail assessment.

  • Where an assessment comprises of two or more components the minimum pass mark for one part must be 35%.

  • In order to meet NMC requirements in drug calculations, specified assignments in Year 1 and Year 3 must achieve 100% pass mark for this component.

  • Non-attendance or late arrival more than half an hour after the start of an examination/presentation, or is required to leave the examination room.

  • Submission of an assignment 24 hours or more after the published deadline.
Termination of Registration

A student’s registration will normally be terminated following resit/retrieval assessments if he/she:
  • achieves a mark of 39 or below on a re-submitted/resit attempt;

  • fails a Pass/Fail assessment on a re-submission/resit;

  • does not attend, or is more than half an hour late for a resit examination or is requested to leave the examination room;

  • submits a written further attempt assessment more than 24 hours after the stated deadline.
In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, work-based learning placements and other practical work in the particular level of study.


4. Assessment
 
In each year students will be examined by means of in-course assessments, work-based learning assessments and formal examinations.

Compensation: Exam Board may decide that a strong performance (likely to be 60% or over) by a student in one part of level 2 may be used as the basis for the award of credit in respect of a failed performance elsewhere, with the exception of work-based modules up to a maximum of 20 CATS points. No compensation may be awarded in level 1 as all modules are core.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of the Foundation degree (Science) in Health and Social Care candidates must have:
  1. satisfied the entry requirement;

  2. followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;

  3. completed to pass-level all practical work, work-based learning placements and other coursework as required.
Students who are successful at all level 1 assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Higher Education in Health and Social Care Studies.

Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving graduation can be offered a posthumous or aegrotat award named Certificate of Higher Education in Health and Social Care Studies.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Work placements are assessed within existing module guidance. Students are advised to refer to module handbooks. Little negotiation is possible although special circumstances will be taken into account when placing students. Modules suitable for APEL are marked as such in module handbooks. Successful completion of all work-based learning modules is essential to pass the programme requirements.


7. Other
 
These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.

Special Considerations
Compensation is not permitted on this programme. The treatment of special considerations is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.


Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 20-Aug-2009
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