2021-22

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, the provisions of which are as follows:

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, 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 Regulations.

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 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 §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 at least 12.0 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 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. 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 at least 12.0 in all the taught courses within the programme, as specified in §3, 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 dissertation.

8.2   §8.4 and §8.6 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained across the 240 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[4]

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 240 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 dissertation.

8.4   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.3 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 240 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 240 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 dissertation.

8.6   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.5 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 240 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.

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 9.0 in 120 credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above. 

9.2   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.

9.3   §9.4 and §9.5 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained on the contributing credits at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[4]

9.4   A candidate who has achieved a grade point average of 14.5 at the first sitting will be eligible for the award with Merit. Where the grade point average 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.

9.5   A candidate who has achieved a grade point average of 17.5 at the first sitting will be eligible for the award with Distinction. Where the grade point average 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.

Schedule A

Subjects in which the Degree may be offered are:

College of Arts

Master of Science (MSc) Translational Studies: Translation & Professional Practice

College of Social Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) Environmental Science

Master of Science (MSc) International Relations

Master of Science (MSc) Urban & Regional Planning


[1] In compliance with the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework for a Masters Degree 150 credits must be gained from Masters level courses (level M/SCQF level 11).

[2] Except for §9.2 and §9.3 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.

[3] 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.

[4] Illustrations of weighted grade profiles are given in the Guide to the Code of Assessment.

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