University Calendar 2013/14
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 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
Academic Unit Health Sciences
Final Award BMid (Hons)
Programme(s) Midwifery
Last modified July 2013

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 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. They must normally offer at least three A level passes(AAA) and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English language and Mathematics.

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Equality Act [2010]). 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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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 midwifery. 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 student should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and state registration as a professional midwife.

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 Certificated 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 the NMC regulations.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons) shall be of 156 weeks duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension or interruption of studies. In line with NMC regulations, the award must be completed within five years of the commencement date.

In Year 1 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 4 (certificate)
In Year 2 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 5 (diploma)
In Year 3 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 6 (honours)

The outline of the content of each module shall be specified in the module outlines and made available to students on ‘Blackboard’.


3. Progression
 
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. For all programmes which lead to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, statutory regulations also apply.

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.

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

  • Where an assessment comprises two or more components, 40% must be achieved in each component.

  • In order to meet NMC requirements in drug calculations, specified assignments must achieve 100%.

  • In order to progress to the next Part of a programme or to an award, each Part must be successfully completed before the next Part is commenced.

  • 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.
Practice Experience Referral
A student will normally be required to retrieve a practice experience by:
  • developing a retrieval action plan in partnership with a mentor and academic tutor;

  • implementing the retrieval action plan during a minimum of a four-week practice period as soon as possible.
Progress to the Next Year of the Programme
A student will normally progress to the next level of the programme if he/she achieves a mark of 40% or more in all assignments, a Pass in all Pass/Fail assessments and fulfils all module completion requirements.

Year 1 Conditional Progression into Year 2, Year 2 Conditional Progression into Year 3
Students cannot normally progress from Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 2 to Year 3 with any assessments outstanding.

Further Attempts/Second Attempts for Students off Award
All assessments must be submitted and successfully achieve a pass outcome in order for students to return to the award.

Termination of Registration
A student’s registration will normally be terminated following resit/retrieval assessments if he/she:
  • fails any assessment repeat attempt;

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


4. Assessment
 
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.

When attending for an examination students must produce either their university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which they 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. https://sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/ese/quality_handbook/Handbook/Assessment%20Framework.aspx.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons) with registration on the Midwives Part of the Nursing and Midwifery register, candidates must:
  • have satisfied the entry requirements as set out in the Programme Specification;

  • have undertaken all the levels of the curriculum as appropriate to the award and passed all the required assessments (theory and practice);

  • have completed satisfactorily all practice assessment, practice experience and other coursework as required;

  • have met all the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for progression;

  • have met the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements of 50% hours of academic study and 50% hours of practice experience;

  • have met the NMC requirements of European Directive 2005/36/EC;

  • be judged as of good health and good character and worthy of admission to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Students who are successful at all Level 4 assessments but are unable to complete the full award shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate in Health Studies.

Students who are successful at all Level 5 assessments but are unable to complete the full award shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma in Health Studies.

Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their award and achieving professional qualification, may be eligible for a posthumous award or aegrotat qualification named either Certificate in Health Studies, Diploma in Health Studies.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Practice experience forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to complete the programme successfully.

Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body.


7. Other
 
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.

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.


Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 30-Jul-2013
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