University Calendar 2012/13
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 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
Academic Unit Health Sciences
Final Award Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s) Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care
Last modified July 2012

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 Lead 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 Director.

Candidates may register for one of the following:
  • MSc Leadership and Management
  • Individual module(s)
Equality Statement
The Faculty wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study of leadership and management in health and social care. 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.

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:
  • 180 credits are HE7 level (120 taught credits plus an evidence-based project/dissertation of 60 credits)
  • Individual modules: specified credits at HE7 level.
The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The full-time period of study is two years and a maximum of five years for part-time study.

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 lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, coursework, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Director.

Candidates will be required to undertake an evidence-based dissertation that will normally be between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length on a topic to be agreed with the Programme Director. Full-time candidates must submit their dissertation within a timescale agreed with the Module Leader or Programme Director. Part-time candidates must submit their evidence-based dissertation within a maximum of 12 months of commencement.


3. Progression
 
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results.

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


4. Assessment
 
Each module will be assessed according to the assessment guidelines within the module description. Assessments may include written assignments, including case studies, critical reports and reflective assignments, and a dissertation. In addition, candidates may be required to attend a viva voce examination.

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”.


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 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.

Candidates who elect to exit the programme after achieving 60 credits at HE7 level in the three stated required modules may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.For the award of Post Graduate Certificate (60 credits) students must complete the following (at least one of the optional modules should have a Leadership and Management focus):
  • Evidence Based Practice (20 credits)
  • Strategic Management (20 credits) or other optional module
  • Leadership of Change (20 credits) or other optional module
Candidates who elect to exit the programme having achieved 120 credits at HE7 level may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care. For the award of Post Graduate Diploma (120 credits) students must complete the following:
  • Applied Decision Making (20 credits)
  • A further 40 credits from a list of optional modules, suggested modules are:
    • Managing People and Self in Organisations (20 credits)
    • Governance in Action (20 credits)
    • Work Based Learning (20 or 40 credits)
Merit or Distinction
For the purposes of calculating the average mark carried forward to determine the award of merit or distinction, the pass mark will be capped at 50%.


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


7. Other
 
Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally rejoin the programme up to two years after the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.

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 at http://www.soton.ac.uk/quality/assessment/special_pol.html.

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 University 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.


Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 27-Jul-2012
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