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 & Humanities, 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 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 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.

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