2019-20

Generic Regulations for Taught Masters Degrees - College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

The Masters degrees listed in §11 and §12 are governed by Resolution No. 552 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:

1.   The Masters Degrees listed in §11 – §12 of the section entitled ‘Regulations’ may be awarded by the University of Glasgow in the Colleges with which these Degrees are identified in these Regulations. Degrees listed in these clauses under the title ‘SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College)’ may be awarded by the University on the recommendation of that College.

2.   The Senate may make Regulations, which are subject to the approval of the University Court, governing the award of these degrees - these are stated in §1 – §10 of the section entitled ‘Regulations’.

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

REGULATIONS

A student admitted onto a programme leading to an award must follow the instructions issued on behalf of 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 including, in some cases, further requirements associated with the award.

1.   Application of Regulations

1.1   These regulations apply without modification to the degrees listed in §11.

1.2   These regulations apply also to the degrees listed in §12 subject to alternative requirements described in the relevant Programme Document. The requirements for these degrees may vary only in respect of duration of study (§3) or progress (§7) to reflect the requirements of professional or statutory bodies.

2.   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.

3.   Duration of Study

The minimum period of study for the award of a Masters degree is 12 calendar months. The maximum period for full-time study is 24 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.[1]

4.   Programme Components

4.1   In order to qualify for an award in respect of the programmes specified in §11 and §12, a candidate must complete minimum credits[2] as follows:

i)    For the award of a Masters degree: 180 credits,[3] which includes both taught courses and a 60 credit (or more) substantial independent work which should be appropriately supervised and may take the form of a dissertation or project.

ii)   For the award of a Postgraduate Diploma: 120 credits of taught courses.

iii)  For the award of a Postgraduate Certificate: 60 credits of taught courses.

4.2   The taught courses will normally be undertaken during the academic session (September – June) and are specified in the relevant Programme Document. The length and nature of the substantial independent work is as specified in the relevant Programme Document.

5.   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 of the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section in the University Regulations.

6.   Assessment

6.1   For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, insofar 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 Regulations published for that session.

6.2   Courses for which the candidate has registered must be counted towards the calculation of the candidate’s grade point average for the purposes of §7, §9 and §10[4] 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.

7.   Candidates for a Masters Degree: Progress

7.1   A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the substantial independent work required by the degree, only if they have obtained a grade point average[5] of 12.0 or above in the taught courses described in Regulation 4 with at least 75% of the credits at grade D3 or above 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. Exceptionally, a candidate may be permitted to progress to the substantial independent work where it is judged[6] that the candidate’s performance offers a reasonable prospect of that candidate’s reaching the standard required for the award of the Masters degree following any outstanding assessment opportunities (including reassessment and remedying incomplete assessment due to Good Cause).

7.2   A candidate who has commenced study midway through an academic session will be permitted to progress to preparation of the substantial independent work, only if they have obtained a grade point average of 12.0 or above in the taught courses assessed by the end of the session in which study was commenced, with at least 75% of the credits at grade D3 or above 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. Exceptionally, a candidate may be permitted to progress to the substantial independent work where it is judged that the candidate’s performance offers a reasonable prospect of that candidate’s reaching the standard required for the award of the Masters degree following any outstanding assessment opportunities (including reassessment and remedying incomplete assessment due to Good Cause).

7.3   A candidate may be required to commence work on the substantial independent work before the assessment of the taught courses referred to in §4 has been completed. Such a requirement shall not indicate that the candidate has satisfied the requirements for award in relation to the taught courses. In the event that subsequently after all opportunities at assessment have been exhausted the candidate does not achieve the standard required in relation to the taught courses specified in §9.1, the candidate will not be eligible for the award of the Masters degree, and the following will apply:

  • If the substantial independent work has been submitted, it will be marked and a grade published.
  • If the substantial independent work has not been submitted but is substantially complete and no further supervisory input is required, the candidate may submit the work by the published deadline. The work will be marked and a grade published.
  • If the substantial independent work is not substantially complete or requires further supervisory input, the work should be discontinued and no submission made. No grade will be published for the candidate.

8.   Reassessment of the Substantial Independent Work

8.1   Where a candidate requires a higher grade in the substantial independent work to satisfy the requirements set out in §9.1, reassessment of that 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.

8.2   Where at the time of publication of the grade achieved on the substantial independent work a candidate has exhausted all assessment opportunities on the taught courses referred to in §4 and has failed to satisfy the standard required in relation to the taught courses specified in §9.1 for the award of the degree, a resubmission of the substantial independent work will only be permitted where the Board determines that no further supervisory input is required.

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

9.1   A candidate will be eligible for the award of the degree on obtaining a grade point average[5] of 12.0 or above in the taught courses described in Regulation 4, with at least 75% of these credits at grade D3 or above, and all credits at grade F3 or above, and obtaining a grade D3 or above in the substantial independent work.

9.2   A candidate will be eligible for the award of Merit on achieving at the first attempt:

a)   a grade point average of at least 15.0 in the 180 or more credits completed on the programme; and

b)   a grade point average of at least 14.0 in the taught courses, and

c)   a grade of at least C1 in the substantial independent work.

9.3   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §9.2 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 180 or more credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 14.1 to 14.9 the Board of Examiners shall have discretion to make the award with Merit.

9.4   A candidate will be eligible for the award of Distinction on achieving at the first attempt:

a)   a grade point average of at least 18.0 in the 180 or more credits completed on the programme; and

b)   a grade point average of at least 17.0 in the taught courses; and

c)   a grade of at least B1 in the substantial independent work.

9.5   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §9.4 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 180 or more credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 17.1 to 17.9 the Board of Examiners shall have discretion to make the award with Distinction.

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

10.1  The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma is a grade point average[5] of 9.0 in 120 credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above. 

10.2  The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate is a grade point average of 9.0 in 60 credits, with not less than 40 of these credits at grade D3 or above.

10.3  A candidate who has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average of 15.0 or 18.0 will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate with Merit or Distinction respectively.

10.4  Where a candidate has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average of between 14.1 and 14.9 or between 17.1 and 17.9 the Exam Board shall have discretion to make the award of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate with Merit or Distinction respectively.

11.   Degrees[7] to which these Regulations Apply

The following degrees are governed by the above regulations:

College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Master of Public Health (MPH (Data Science))

Master of Public Health (MPH (Epidemiology))

Master of Public Health (MPH (Health Economics))

Master of Public Health (MPH (Health Promotion))

Master of Public Health (MPH) Sun Yat-Sen

Master of Science (MSc) Advanced Nursing Science

Master of Science (MSc) Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law

Master of Science (MSc) Bioinformatics

Master of Science (MSc) Biomedical Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) Biotechnology

Master of Science (MSc) Biotechnology and Management[8]

Master of Science (MSc) Brain Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) Cancer Research & Precision Oncology

Master of Science (MSc) Clinical Trials & Precision Medicine

Master of Science (MSc) Critical Care

Master of Science (MSc) Critical Care, Leadership & Management

Master of Science (MSc) Developing & Evaluating Interventions

Master of Science (MSc) Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Resistance

Master of Science (MSc) Food Security

Master of Science (MSc) Global Mental Health

Master of Science (MSc) Global Mental Health (Health Promotion)

Master of Science (MSc) Global Mental Health (Health Technology Assessment)

Master of Science (MSc) Global Mental Health (Research Methods)

Master of Science (MSc) Health Services Management

Master of Science (MSc) Immunology & Inflammatory Disease

Master of Science (MSc) Infection Biology

Master of Science (MSc) Infection Biology (Microbiology)

Master of Science (MSc) Infection Biology (Parasitology)

Master of Science (MSc) Infection Biology (Virology)

Master of Science (MSc) Medical Physics

Master of Science (MSc) Molecular Pathology

Master of Science (MSc) Oral Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Conservation & Epidemiology

Master of Science (MSc) Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine

Master of Science (MSc) Stem Cell Engineering for Regenerative Medicine

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Advanced Practice in Health Care

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Advanced Practice in Health Care (Acute & Critical Care)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Advanced Practice in Health Care (Advanced Lymphoedema)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Advanced Practice in Health Care (Healthcare Chaplaincy)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Advanced Practice in Health Care (Nursing Science)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Applied Neuropsychology

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Cardiovascular Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Clinical Genetics

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Clinical Neuropsychology

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Clinical Neuropsychology Knowledge & Practice

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Clinical Nutrition

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Clinical Pharmacology

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Diabetes

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Forensic Toxicology

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Genetic & Genomic Counselling

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Health Professions Education

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Human Nutrition

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Human Nutrition (Clinical Nutrition)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Human Nutrition (Obesity & Weight Management)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Human Nutrition (Public Health Nutrition)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Human Nutrition (Sport & Exercise Nutrition)

Master of Science in Medical Science (MSc (Med Sci)) Medical Genetics & Genomics

12.   Degrees[7] which include Variations to Clauses 3 and 7

College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) Conservation Management of African Ecosystems[9]


[1] For programmes with a minimum period of study of three years, the maximum period within which candidates must complete the programme is six years from the date of initial registration.

Where a candidate has progressed to study under §8 of the Generic Regulations for Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas that candidate’s duration of study for the Masters degree shall be counted as the period since first registration for the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.

[2] In compliance with the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework a minimum component of the total credit must be gained from Masters level courses (level M/SCQF level 11) as follows: 150 credits for a Masters Degree, 90 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma, 40 credits for a Postgraduate Certificate.

[3]For any degree programme requiring more than 180 credits for the award of the Masters degree, the credit requirement will be stated in the Programme Specification and Programme Document.

[4] Except for §10.2 and §10.3 where only 60 credits will be counted in the calculation of the grade point average for a Postgraduate Certificate, and any excess credit will be discarded in such a way as to maximise the grade point average while meeting all other requirements of the regulations.

[5] The grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A and Schedule B of the University’s Code of Assessment. The grade point average is calculated by taking the product of each course’s weight and the candidate’s grade points and dividing the sum of these products by the sum of the courses’ weights. The weights shall correspond to the courses’ credit ratings unless specified otherwise in the relevant programme documentation. The grade point average is expressed to one decimal place (§16.34(a) of the Code of Assessment). In determining whether a candidate has satisfied requirements in relation to progress and award, no further rounding is permitted. For example, a grade point average of 11.9 would not satisfy a requirement for a grade point average of 12.0.

[6] This judgment is normally made by the Board of Examiners or in cases where there is no scheduled meeting, the Convener of the Board of Examiners.

[7] Each of these degree programmes also offer awards of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate with the same title (see §10).

[8] Full information about exit awards for this degree is contained in the programme documentation.

[9] Taught jointly with Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science & Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania. Students may also be awarded the degree of Master of Science by NM-AIST on satisfying the requirements stipulated by NM-AIST.Delivered by online distance learning.