2023-24
Degree of Master of Research in Economics
RESOLUTION
The Degree of Master of Research in Economics is governed by Resolution No. 662 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:
1. The Degree of Master of Research (MRes) in Economics may be awarded by the Senate of the University of Glasgow in the College of Social Sciences (The College).
2. The Senate may make Regulations governing the award of the Degree, which are subject to the approval of the University Court. These shall be stated under 'Regulations'.
3. The early exit awards of Master of Science, Postgraduate 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. Admission
Before being considered for admission to study for the degree a candidate must normally have obtained a degree or equivalent.
2. Duration
The minimum period of study for the award of the degree is two years. 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 a candidate must complete a minimum of 360 credits,[1] consisting of 260 credits of taught courses, a 40 credit research project and a 60 credit dissertation, 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 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 Where a candidate remains enrolled on a course either:
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;
that course must normally (unless other provision is justified by good cause circumstances affecting the candidate) be counted towards the calculation of their grade point average for the purposes of §6 and §8.
6. Progress
6.1 A candidate will be permitted to progress to undertake the 40 credit research project if they have obtained a grade point average[2] of at least 12.0 in the 140 credits of taught courses completed in year 1 of the curriculum with at least 75% of the credits at D3 or above and all credits at grade F3 or above.
6.2 A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the 60 credit dissertation if they have obtained a grade point average of at least 12.0 in the 300 credits completed in year 1 and 2 of the curriculum (comprised of 260 taught credits and the 40 credit research project) with at least 75% of the credits at D3 or above and all credits at grade F3 or above.
6.3 Exceptionally, a candidate who does not achieve the requirements set out under §6.1 or §6.2 may be permitted to progress where it is judged[3] 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).
6.4 A candidate may be required to commence work on the 60 credit dissertation before the assessment of the courses referred to in §6.2 has been completed. Such a requirement shall not indicate that the candidate has satisfied the requirements for award in relation to those 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 §8.1, the candidate will not be eligible for the award of the Masters degree, and the following will apply:
- If the dissertation has been submitted, it will be marked and a grade published.
- If the dissertation 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 dissertation 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 Dissertation
7.1 Where a candidate requires a higher grade in the 60 credit dissertation to satisfy the requirements set out in §8.1, reassessment of the dissertation will be permitted on one occasion only, under such conditions as the Examiners may prescribe in each case. Normally resubmission shall 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 to undertake further practical work.
7.2 Where at the time of publication of the grade achieved on the dissertation a candidate has exhausted all assessment opportunities on the 300 credits (comprised of 260 taught credits and the 40 credit research project) and has failed to satisfy the standard in relation to the taught courses specified in §8.1 for the award of the degree, a resubmission will only be permitted where the Board determines that no further supervisory input is required.
8. Requirements for the Award of Master of Research and Rules for the Award of Distinction and Merit
8.1 A candidate will be eligible for the award of the degree on obtaining 300 credits (comprising 260 credits of taught courses and a 40 credit research project) as set out in the programme specification with a grade point average[2] of at least 12.0, with at least 75% of those credits at grade D3 or above, and all credits at grade F3 or above, and obtaining 60 credits from the dissertation at grade D3 or above.
8.2 §8.4 and §8.6 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained across the 360 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 360 credits completed on the programme; and
b) a grade point average of at least 14.0 in the 300 credits comprising taught courses and research project; 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 360 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 360 credits completed on the programme; and
b) a grade point average of at least 17.0 in the 300 credits comprising taught courses and research project; 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 360 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 Exit awards of Master of Science in Quantitative Economics, Postgraduate Diploma in Economics and Postgraduate Certificate in Economics and Rules for the Award of Distinction and Merit
9.1 The requirements for the award of Master of Science in Quantitative Economics are 180 credits (drawn from the 260 taught credits and the 40 credit research project set out in the Programme Specification) with a grade point average[2] of 12.0 with at least 75% of these credits at grade D3 or above, and all credits at grade F3 or above.
9.2 The requirement for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Economics is a grade point average of at least 9.0 in 120 taught credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above.
9.3 The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Economics is a grade point average of at least 9.0 in 60 taught credits, with not less than 40 of these credits at grade D3 or above.
9.4 §9.5 refers 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]
9.5 A candidate who has achieved a grade point average of 14.5 at the first sitting will be eligible for the awards listed in §9.1, §9.2 and §9.3 respectively 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. A candidate who has achieved a grade point average of 17.5 at the first sitting will be eligible for the awards listed in §9.1, §9.2 and §9.3 respectively 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.
[1] 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.
[2] The grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A 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.
[3] 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.
[4] Illustrations of weighted grade profiles are given in the Guide to the Code of Assessment.