Degree of Master of Science

(The Degree may be awarded by the University of Glasgow alone or a degree may also be awarded by the Collaborating Institution, Nankai University.)

RESOLUTION

The Degree of Master of Science is governed by Resolution No. 649 of the University Court, which at the time of publication was in draft form, with provision that:

1.   The Degree of Master of Science (MSc) in the subjects listed in Schedule A of the Regulations may be awarded by the Senate of the University of Glasgow in the Colleges of Arts, Science & Engineering, and Social Sciences.

2.   The Senate may make regulations governing the award of the Degree which are subject to the approval of the University Court - these are set out in the section entitled ‘Regulations’.

3.   The awards of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate are also included in the Regulations.

REGULATIONS

A student admitted onto the programme must follow the instructions issued by the relevant School and be aware of the content of the Programme Specification and the Programme Document (often referred to as the Programme or ‘Course’ Handbook) which will contain further details on the Programme and may include further requirements associated with the award.

1.      Admission

Before being considered for admission to study for an award to which these Regulations apply, a candidate must normally have obtained a degree or equivalent.

2.      Duration of Study

The minimum period of study for the award of the degree is 24 calendar months. The maximum period for full-time study is 48 calendar months of registered study. The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is five years from the date of initial registration.

3.      Programme Components

In order to qualify for the award of the degree a candidate must complete a minimum of 240 credits[1] including taught courses and a 60 credit dissertation.

4.      Minimum Requirement for the Award of Credits

Credits for courses contributing to a candidate’s curriculum shall be awarded subject to the fulfilment of required conditions. The minimum requirements for the award of credits are set out in the Code of Assessment at §16.40 – §16.44 in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Calendar.

5.      Assessment

5.1    For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, in so far as not modified by these regulations, governed by the Code of Assessment which is contained in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Calendar published for that session.

5.2    Courses for which the candidate has registered must be counted towards the calculation of the candidate’s grade point average for the purposes of §8, and §9[2] unless other provision is justified by good cause circumstances affecting the candidate.  

This regulation applies where course registration continues:

a)   on the date on which the first summative assessment for that course is to be submitted; or

b)   on such other date as may be specified in the course document for that course.

6.      Progress

A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the dissertation only if they have obtained a grade point average[3] of 12 (equivalent to C3) or above in the taught courses referred to in §3 with at least 75% of the credits at grade D3 or better and all credits at grade F3 or above. The Programme Document may specify a course or courses in respect of which a specific grade is a minimum requirement of progression.

7.      Reassessment of Dissertation

Where a candidate requires a higher grade in the dissertation or other substantial independent work to satisfy the requirements set out in §8.1, reassessment of that dissertation or other substantial independent work will be permitted on one occasion only, under such conditions as the Examiners may prescribe in each particular case. Normally, resubmission should be no later than three months after the date of the meeting of the Board of Examiners. There is no automatic entitlement to repeat any previous practical work associated with the dissertation or substantial independent work or to undertake further practical work.

8.      Requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree and Rules for Award of Distinction and Merit

8.1    A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree on obtaining a grade point average[3] of 12 (equivalent to C3) or above in all the taught courses within the programme, as specified in §3, with at least 75% of these credits at grade D3 or better, and all credits at grade F3 or above, and obtaining a grade D3 or better in the dissertation.

8.2    A candidate who has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average of 15 (equivalent to B3) or above for the taught courses and grade B3 or above for the dissertation or other substantial independent work will be eligible for the award with Merit. Where the grade point average for the taught courses falls within the range 14.1 to 14.9 the Board of Examiners shall have discretion to make the award with Merit. No discretion can be applied in relation to the grade required for the dissertation or other substantial independent work.

8.3    A candidate who has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average of 18 (equivalent to A5) or above for the taught courses and grade A5 or above for the dissertation or other substantial independent work will be eligible for the award with Distinction. Where the grade point average for the taught courses falls within the range 17.1 to 17.9 the Board of Examiners shall have the discretion to make the award with Distinction. No discretion can be applied in relation to the grade required for the dissertation or other substantial independent work.

9.      Requirements for the Award of a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate and Rules for Award of Distinction and Merit

9.1    The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma is a grade point average[3] of 9 (equivalent to D3) in 120 credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above.