Degree of Master of Accountancy Professional Pathway 1

RESOLUTION

The Degree of Master of Accountancy is governed by Resolution No. 675 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:

1.   The Degree of Master of Accountancy (MAcc) may be awarded by the University of Glasgow in the College of Social Sciences.

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 – §9 of the section entitled ‘Regulations’.

3.   The exit award of Postgraduate Diploma is 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.   Admission and Recognition of Prior Learning

The following requirements must be satisfied before a candidate will be considered for admission to study for an award to which these Regulations apply:

a)   The candidate must have obtained a degree or equivalent.

b)   The candidate must have secured passes in Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) advanced level examinations accepted by the Programme Director as equivalent to 60 credits at SCQF Level 11. Passes in these examinations will be recognised at the commencement of the programme by the award of 60 credits at Level 11 towards the award of the Degree of MAcc.

2.   Duration of Study

The minimum period of study for the award of a Masters degree is nine calendar months. The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is five years from the date of initial registration.

3.   Programme Components

3.1   In order to qualify for award of the Degree, in addition to the 60 credits of Prior Learning recognised in accordance with §1.(b), a candidate must complete a minimum of 60 SCQF level 11 taught credits and a 60 credit Independent Work Portfolio.

3.2   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 Independent Work Portfolio is as specified in the relevant Programme Document.

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

5.   Assessment

5.1   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.

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 §6, §8 and §9 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.   Candidates for a Masters Degree: Progress

6.1   A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the Independent Work Portfolio required by the degree, only if they have obtained a grade point average[1] of at least 12.0 in the 60 credits of taught courses described in §3 with at least 65% 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 Independent Work Portfolio where it is judged[2] that the candidate’s performance offers a reasonable prospect of that candidate’s reaching the standard required for the award of the MAcc degree following any outstanding assessment opportunities (including reassessment and remedying incomplete assessment due to Good Cause).

6.2   A candidate may be required to commence work on the Independent Work Portfolio before the assessment of the taught courses referred to in §3 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 MAcc degree, and the following will apply:

• If the Independent Work Portfolio has been submitted, it will be marked and a grade published.
• If the Independent Work Portfolio 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 Independent Work Portfolio 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.

7.   Reassessment of the Independent Work Portfolio

7.1   Where a candidate requires a higher grade in the Independent Work Portfolio to satisfy the requirements set out in §8.1, reassessment will be permitted on each element of the portfolio 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 Independent Work Portfolio or to undertake further practical work.

7.2   Where at the time of publication of the grade achieved on the Independent Work Portfolio a candidate has exhausted all assessment opportunities on the taught courses referred to in §3 and has failed to satisfy the standard in relation to the taught courses specified in §8.1 for the award of the degree, resubmission of the Independent Work Portfolio will only be permitted where the Board determines that no further supervisory input is required.

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[1] of at least 12.0 in the 60 credits of taught courses described in §3, with at least 65% of the credits at grade D3 or above, and all credits at grade F3 or above, and obtaining a grade D3 or above in the Independent Work Portfolio.

8.2   §8.4 and §8.6 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained across the 120 or more credits completed on the programme at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[3]

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

a)  a grade point average of at least 14.5 in the 120 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 C1 or above in the Independent Work Portfolio.

8.4   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.3 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 120 or more credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 14.1 to 14.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Merit where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises grades of B or above.

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

a)  a grade point average of at least 17.5 in the 120 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 B1 or above in the Independent Work Portfolio.

8.6   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.5 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 120 or more credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 17.1 to 17.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Distinction where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises A grades.