University Calendar 2014/15
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 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
Academic Unit Health Sciences
Final Award Postgraduate Diploma
Programme(s) Public Health Practice (Specialist Community Public Health Nursing)
Last modified July 2014

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.
  • 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 (Faculty Nurse) [NMC 2004]. You must be registered on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the NMC Register.

  • You should have attended an interview. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing, a senior representative of the Health Visitor/Faculty 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for RPL, as well as NMC regulations.

The right to refuse admission to the programme shall be reserved by the Programme Lead approved by the Dean of Faculty. Formal notification of acceptance will be made through the Faculty Registry.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme structure is as follows:
  • three taught modules at 20 credits each at level 7
  • two pathway specific modules at 20 and 30 credits each at level 7
  • two practice modules at 20 and 10 credits each at level 6
Pathway Options
The programme offers four options:
  • health visiting
  • school nursing
  • ocupational health nursing
  • sexual health nursing
All pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and require you to be in practice.


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

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.

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.


4. Assessment
 
Each module will be assessed according to the module profile.

The module pass mark is 50%.

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.

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. https://sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/ese/quality_handbook/Handbook/Assessment%20Framework.aspx.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
The Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded a Pass or Pass with Distinction. To qualify for a Distinction you must have achieved an overall mean mark of at least 70% in the taught modules.
  1. satisfied the entry requirement;

  2. followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations achieving a minimum of 110 CATS points at level 7 and 30 CATS points at level 6.
You will complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice with a professional qualification in Specialist Community public health Nursing on successful completion of all modules. You must also submit a proficiency-based portfolio passed in practice by the Practice Teacher.


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


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.

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 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: 23-Jul-2014
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