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| Academic Unit |
Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Bachelor of Science (Hons) |
| Programme(s) |
BSc (Hons) Public Health Practice |
| Last modified |
July 2011 |
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 |
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Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar and meet the entry requirements for either school leaver or mature applicants stipulated for this profession.
Additional Criteria
- Be able to demonstrate financial and practical support for your studies.
- The normal requirement for entry is 120 HE4 and 120 HE5 credits in place.
- You should normally have at least two years relevant work experience some of which must be at a senior level.
- You must be able to satisfy the Programme Leader that you are competent to pursue the programme.
Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act [1995]). Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1986]. Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Equality Statement
The Faculty wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study and practice of public health practitioner/nursing. The University and the Faculty 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 and whether at the end of the programme, the graduate would meet the competencies set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for APL as well as NMC regulations.
Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing
These are as follows:
- You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor) or (School Nurse) [NMC 2004]. You must be registered on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the NMC Register.
- You should have attended an interview by the selection panel. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing, a senior representative of the Health Visitor/School Nursing service, and a representative of the sponsoring/seconding employer.
- The programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1960]. This means that you will be subject to an enhanced check by the Criminal Records Bureau and any Police cautions and civil or criminal convictions will be revealed. You must disclose any Police record and discuss it, in confidence, with your employer/programme sponsor. Having a record will not necessarily prevent you from entering the programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.
It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability for eventual registration on Part 3 of the NMC Register. The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. In addition, registration with the NMC on Part 3 of the Register does not guarantee employment. Employers will evaluate all applications for employment on an individual basis in relation to organisational policies and procedures.
Specific Criteria for Admission - International Students
These are as follows:
- Provide evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in the English language.
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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This modularised programme can be achieved by gaining 120 credits at level HE6 through one of two distinct pathways:
- Generic pathway designed for all public health workers.
- Specialist community public health nursing for registered nurses and midwives seeking a specialist community public health nursing (health visiting) or (school nursing) registration with the NMC.
Both pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and require you to be in practice.
There are four core modules which must be completed on both pathways. A further 20 credits are achieved through optional modules – the choice will be dependent on field of practice. Students on the specialist community public health nursing pathway must complete the specialist community public health nursing module. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. Where it is necessary, due to the requirements of the Department of Health, Regulatory, Professional and Statutory bodies, that they differ, this is described below.
The pass mark for each module will be 40% for all levels. Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and practice experience to pass overall.
Second attempts
Failure at second attempt(s) will result in failure which normally leads to discontinuation from the programme. This is outside of the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. |
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and, when required, practice assessment to pass overall. Non-assessed work may also be a course requirement.
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules, students must achieve proficiencies in practice which are verified in the practice setting. He/she must pass all assessment components to pass the module overall.
Assessed Coursework
Candidates who exceed the specified word limitation (+/-10%) within a module will incur a 10% penalty reduction in their assessment mark.
When attending for an examination you must produce either your university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which you are clearly identifiable. Students without photographic ID will not be permitted entry to the examination.
Work submitted up to 5 days after the deadline will be marked as usual. The final agreed mark is then reduced by the factors detailed in the relevant University Policy. http://www.soton.ac.uk/quality/docs/Extensions_and_Late_Submission_Penalties.doc”. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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In order to qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Public Health Practice candidates must have:
- satisfied the entry requirement;
- followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations achieving a minimum of 120 CATS points at level 6.
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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| Practice experience forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded. |
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| 7. |
Other |
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The specialist community public health nursing pathway is funded through NHS sponsorship/secondment and is only available through pre-purchased NHS contracted places. Sponsorship/secondment must be in place before university application is returned by July. Otherwise application deadlines are as for all the programmes.
These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.
Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme.
Special Considerations
Students are guided to the Special Considerations guidance in the University Calendar in particular the guidance relating to the deadlines for submission of Special Considerations forms.
The treatment of special considerations is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.
A student's performance may be worthy of special consideration if their performance in a relevant assessment has been adversely affected by exceptional circumstances outside their control and there is evidence to support such a claim.
Special considerations shall only apply to circumstances which can be clearly related to performance in particular elements of assessment.
The authority of the Special Considerations Board to make allowance for exceptional circumstances may be restricted in some programmes subject to Professional, Statutory or Regulatory requirements or because of the special requirements of particular programmes. In such cases, this will be made clear to students in programme documentation.
Fitness to Practice
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the Faculty Fitness to Practise Policy which is used within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Academic Integrity
Where issues of Academic Integrity are detected, the Faculty will follow the published Academic Integrity Regulations. Where a case remains active prior to an examination board, a mark of 0 will be presented to the examinations. This mark will then be amended by Chairs Action depending on the outcome of the Academic Integrity process.
The Faculty is moving to the use of Turnitin software as an educational resource to help students to help evaluate the originality of their own work. Where Turnitin submission is required of work that will contribute to summative assessment and the student fails to submit, they will be awarded a mark of 0 for the component in question.
Academic Appeals
Students are guided to the Academic Appeals Regulations in the University Calendar. |
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