Generic Regulations for Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas - College of Social Sciences

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 awards listed in §9.

1.2   These regulations apply also to the awards listed in §10 subject to alternative requirements described in the relevant Programme Document. The requirements for these awards may vary only in respect of duration of study (§3), requirements for the award (§7) to reflect the requirements of professional or statutory bodies, or progress to a Masters degree (§8).

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 Certificate or Diploma is one semester and one academic session respectively. The maximum period for full-time study is 12 calendar months of registered study. The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is four years from the date of initial registration.

4.   Programme Components

4.1   In order to qualify for an award in respect of the programmes specified in §9 - §10, a candidate must complete minimum credits[1] as follows:

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

b)   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.

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[2] and §8 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.   Requirements for the Award of a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate and Rules for Award of Distinction and Merit

7.1   The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma is a grade point average[3] of at least 9.0 in 120 credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above.

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

7.3   §7.4 and §7.5 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]

7.4   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.

7.5   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.