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
Medicine Index
Psychology
School School of Health Sciences
Final Award Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s) MSc Mental Health 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
 
This programme is available to students who have successfully completed the PG Dip Mental Health Studies (Mental Health Practitioner) award at the University of Southampton. Students undertaking this route to mental health studies have an opportunity to achieve a full masters award, through the undertaking of a ‘top up’ masters dissertation.

Equality Statement
The School wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study and practice of nursing. 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.

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.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential/Certificated Learning (APEL/APCL)
This award is only available to students who successfully completed their PGDip Mental Health Studies (Mental Health Practitioner) programme at the University of Southampton.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The MSc Mental Health Studies is a modular postgraduate programme aimed at Graduate mental health practitioners who have completed the University of Southampton Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Studies (Mental Health Practitioner) programme and therefore have already gained 120 credits.

The dissertation module equates to 600 hours of student learning commitment. This normally includes 10 hours of academic supervision and three days of study as a group.

It will normally be undertaken over six months full time and 18 months part time study. The maximum period of registration shall normally be two years and will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

The programme comprises one compulsory academic module. This is a 60 credit module at Level 7. You will be required to write a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. The pass mark is 50%.

Students choose between three dissertation modules:
  • Promoting evidence based practice
  • Empirical study
  • Practice inquiry


3. Progression
 
These regulations should be read in conjunction with the University regulations located in Section V : Higher Degree Regulations, Regulations for the postgraduate degrees of Master by Taught Course.

Candidates who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion. Any further opportunity for re-assessment shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Module Referral and Retrieval
The criteria for module assessment referral are:
  • Failure to achieve a Pass/Fail assessment.
  • The minimum pass mark is 50%.
  • 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 49 or below on a re-submitted/resit attempt.
  • Fails a Pass/Fail assessment on a re-submission/resit.
  • Submits a written further attempt assessment more than 24 hours after the stated deadline.


4. Assessment
 
This award consists of one module. The assessment is a dissertation. In addition, candidates may be required to attend a viva voce examination.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of the degree of MSc Mental Health Studies candidates must have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits.

There is no exit award as entry to the Award requires the candidate to have a postgraduate diploma (Postgraduate Diploma Mental Health Studies [Mental Health Practitioner]).


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Not applicable.


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


Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 25-Aug-2009
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