University Calendar 2010/11
Section X : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Health Sciences



PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
 
Academic Group Faculty of Health Sciences
Final Award MRes
Programme(s) Clinical Research
Last modified June 2010

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

1. Admissions
 
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) in a relevant subject of an approved University or institution of higher education. Candidates without a good first degree may be admitted to the programme but will be expected to provide evidence of suitable professional experience and supportive qualifications.

All candidates must satisfy the Programme Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the Programme Leader.

In addition to any of the above qualifications, candidates whose first language is not English are required either:
  • to reach a satisfactory standard in an approved test in English (see Appendix 2 of the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes) or

  • to offer a first degree from a UK university, or

  • to have been instructed in English and come from a country which appears on the list of those exempt from testing.
If the candidate cannot provide any of the above requirements, the candidate must otherwise demonstrate to the Faculty that they have an adequate command of both written and spoken English language to follow the proposed course. An original English language certificate is required as evidence in all cases except where online verification is available; ie: IELTS results.

Candidates may register for one of the following:
  • Master’s in clinical research
  • Individual unit(s) (stand-alone), except for RSHCII or dissertation module
  • PG Cert in clinical research
  • PG Dip in clinical research
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for APL.



2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme structure is as follows:

Four core modules on research skills
One optional clinical module
One open module in a research group
Research dissertation

The programme is available in full time and part time modes. The minimum period of study is two years and the maximum five years.

Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed 12 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.

The programme may include action learning groups, lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, coursework, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will be required to undertake an empirical research dissertation that will normally be between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Leader.

Academic staff within the Faculty, and other staff approved for this purpose, will supervise students’ research projects. The Programme Leader will manage the appointment of supervisors.

Students completing work that incorporates patient/client involvement will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure Form. Students will be required to pay for this CRB check. All other students will be required to complete a Self-Disclosure form.


3. Progression
 
Research Skills in Health and Social Care I and II, or equivalent, must be completed prior to progression onto Applied Research Skills (quantitative and qualitative) modules.

The module pass mark, and overall pass mark for the award of MRes, is 50%.

Candidates who are referred in any taught module at the first attempt (up to a maximum of two modules) shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. Candidates who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion.

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.

A student who fails a third module at the first attempt will normally be deemed to have failed the programme and will have their registration terminated.


4. Assessment
 
Each module will be assessed according to the assessment guidelines within the module description. In addition, candidates may be required to attend a viva voce examination.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
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. Candidates who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

Candidates who elect to exit the programme after achieving 60 credits at HE7 level in the three stated required modules may normally be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research

Candidates who elect to exit the programme having achieved 120 credits at HE7 level may normally be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research

Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally rejoin the programme within two years from the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.

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.


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 Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 29-Jul-2010
© University of Southampton