The regulations in the Code have primacy over these regulations, should there be a conflict in policy, with regard to students newly registered on the following programmes: MBChB, BDS, BVSc, Diploma in Dental Hygiene, Diploma in Dental Therapy, Foundation Degree in Counselling, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, MSc in Social Work.
1. The failure of any student to show satisfactory progress in a unit or element of the MBChB programme or to attend regularly any prescribed activity (including such lectures, discussion periods, tutorial and practical classes, clinical commitments, field work and vacation courses as may be required) or to undertake prescribed written or other work or to attend any examination or to reach a satisfactory standard in any terminal, sessional or degree examination, or any part or parts thereof, shall be reported to the Examination Board of the Faculty which may, at its discretion and in line with the regulations for progression (see section 28) and the programme’s standing orders, require the student concerned to repeat a unit or element or to re-sit an examination or to withdraw from the MBChB programme.
A candidate prevented by illness or other sufficient cause from attending or completing all or part of a degree examination may with the consent of the Board of the Faculty be admitted to an examination on a subsequent occasion. A medical certificate is needed if an examination is missed because of illness. For such a medical certificate to be valid, it must be issued prior to, or on the day of, the examination. It may be replaced by a written statement from the student if, under exceptional circumstances, it is impractical to see a doctor.
2. The degrees may be awarded with Honours to a student on the basis of overall performance in the MBChB programmes, including both core aspects and self selected components (SSCs). Eligible students will be notified normally before 1 March of their final year and be invited to submit a portfolio of their SSC projects. Students will be expected to pass all subjects at the first attempt (subject to concessions on the grounds of extenuating circumstances). The Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry has responsibility to review the criteria for honours and approve changes to this criteria.
Distinctions or Merits may be awarded in the following twelve assessments:
Human Basis of Medicine, Molecular and Cellular Basis of Medicine, Systems I, Systems II, Medicine and Surgery A, Medicine & Surgery B, Musculoskeletal Diseases and Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry & Ethics, Community Oriented Medical Practice A, Community Oriented Medical Practice B, Reproductive Health and Care of the Newborn, and Applied Clinical Sciences, Distinction being the higher award.
3. To be eligible for admission to the (standard) MBChB programme, candidates shall have passed the pre-medical examination or shall have such qualifications as the Board of Medicine and Dentistry shall from time to time determine. To be eligible for admission to the (fast-track) MBChB programme, candidates shall have obtained an honours degree (class 2.1 or better) in one of the medical sciences (e.g. Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology) or professional degrees allied to medicine (e.g. dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy).
The standard curriculum of the MBChB programme shall extend over not less than five years from the commencement of professional study in the University or other institution approved for that purpose by the University. The graduate fast-track MBChB programme shall extend over not less than four years from the commencement of professional study in the University or other institution approved for that purpose by the University. Students must attend their courses in the correct order and in the years of the curriculum in which they are scheduled. The next year shall not normally be entered upon until that which precedes it has been successfully completed. Candidates who have failed examinations or assessments may be referred for a further period of study in the subject or subjects in which they have failed.
4. The pre-medical programme shall extend over at least one year. The subjects studied shall be Physics, Chemistry (Inorganic, Physical and Organic) and Anatomical Science. A student exempt from any of these subjects, on the basis of previous studies undertaken to a satisfactory standard, must take another approved unit(s) of equal credit point rating.
5. The pre-medical programme shall be completed by the passing, as a whole, of an examination in the three subjects (for students taking the premedical programme a pass will be considered to be a mark of 40out of 100 or greater for each of the three subjects taken), which shall be held in May/June. A student whose performance in May/June is unsatisfactory in one or two subjects may be allowed to offer him/her self at the next examination, but not in subsequent examinations, for re-examination only in the subject(s) in which s/he has failed.
A candidate shall not proceed to the MBChB programme unless he or she has satisfied the examiners in all the subjects of the pre-medical programme within one year from the date of admission to the programme.
6. The curricula will be divided into 5 years, (4 years for the graduate fast-track MBChB programme) each of which will comprise a number of units or elements as shall be determined from time to time by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Students will be admitted to units or elements only at the beginning of those units or elements. Students must attend the units or elements in the correct order and in the years of the curriculum in which they are scheduled. Students may not take courses elsewhere in place of units or elements provided unless approved by the University.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry shall maintain a register of students approved for admission to the clinical components of the standard and graduate fast-track MBChB programme. The Board of the Faculty shall have power, on the recommendation of the Dean or his/her nominated deputy, to remove from that register the name of any student recommended to it for withdrawal by the Fitness to Practise Committee. Students removed from the register shall be required to withdraw from the MBChB programme.
7. The examination in each year shall comprise a range of assessments, and shall cover those units or elements studied during the year. The Board of Examiners shall determine whether a candidate has satisfactorily completed a unit or element for the purpose of proceeding to the next year of the curriculum. Candidates shall be required to pass in all subjects of an examination at the same time, except that a candidate who is taking the examination for the first time and who satisfies the examiners in one or more subjects may, at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners, be permitted a further attempt, at the next examination only, in the subject(s) failed.
A student, on the standard MBChB programme, whose performance is unsatisfactory in Year 3 or 4 may, at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners, be allowed to progress to Year 4 or 5 of the programme on the understanding that the deficit must at the first opportunity be made good in order to meet the requirements of the degree.
8. Studies equivalent to any of those of the curriculum which have been pursued in other universities or schools of medicine approved for the standard MBChB programme may be accepted in lieu of studies pursued in the University, and the period occupied by them or any part of it may be regarded as part of the period prescribed by Ordinance provided that not less than three years of study in the curriculum as a whole, including the final two years, have been pursued in the University.
9. For the purpose of these regulations ‘the University’ shall include those hospitals and general practices that the University may use regularly or occasionally.
10. The award of an MBChB by the University of Bristol shall in all cases be contingent on the candidate passing the final year examination in Bristol. However, examinations held by other bodies which are declared by Senate to be equivalent to the pre-medical or the year 1 and year 3 of the standard MBChB programme examinations, as the case maybe, of the University or to any part thereof may be accepted in lieu of that examination or such part thereof.
11. The unclassified degree of Bachelor of Science in the Science of Medicine may be awarded at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners. The BSc will only be obtainable by a student registered for the standard MBChB programme who has acquired sufficient credits and has passed the year 3 written examination, but who chooses to leave or is required to leave the programme after this point.
12. A candidate who has completed satisfactorily year 1 of the standard MBChB Degree, but who either does not proceed or does not complete year 2 satisfactorily, may be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education. Similarly, a candidate who has completed year 2 of the standard MBChB degree satisfactorily, but who either does not proceed or does not complete year 3 satisfactorily, may be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education.
1. The failure of any student to show satisfactory progress in a unit or element of the BDS programme or to attend regularly any prescribed activity (including such lectures, discussion periods, tutorial and practical classes, clinical commitments, field work and vacation courses as may be required) or to undertake prescribed written or other work or to attend any examination or to reach a satisfactory standard in any terminal, sessional or degree examination, or any part or parts thereof, shall be reported to the Board of the Faculty which may, if it thinks fit, require the student concerned to repeat a unit or element or to re-sit an examination or to withdraw from the BDS programme. The Common University Rules for the Progression of Students on the Professional Programmes apply.
A candidate prevented by illness or other sufficient cause from attending or completing all or part of a degree examination may with the consent of the Board of the Faculty be admitted to an examination on a subsequent occasion. A medical certificate is needed if an examination is missed because of illness. For such a medical certificate to be valid, it must be issued prior to, or on the day of, the examination. It may be replaced by a written statement from the student if, under exceptional circumstances, it is impractical to see a doctor.
2. To be eligible for admission to the BDS programme, candidates shall have such qualifications as the Board of Medicine and Dentistry shall from time to time determine. The curriculum of the BDS programme shall extend over not less than five years from the commencement of professional study in the University or other institution approved for that purpose by the University. Students must attend their courses in the correct order and in the years of the curriculum in which they are scheduled. The next year shall not normally be entered upon until that which precedes it has been successfully completed. Candidates who have failed examinations or assessments may be referred for a further period of study in the subject or subjects in which they have failed.
3. The curriculum will be divided into 5 years each of which will comprise a number of units or elements as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Students will be admitted to units or elements only at the beginning of those units or elements. Students must attend the units or elements in the correct order and in the years of the curriculum in which they are scheduled. Students may not take courses elsewhere in place of units or elements provided unless approved by the University.
The BDS curriculum consists of the following twenty three units examinations, Distinction being the higher award:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
4. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry will maintain a register of students approved for admission to the clinical components of the BDS programme. The Board of the Faculty shall have power, on the recommendation of the Dean or his/her nominated deputy, to remove from that register the name of any student recommended to it for withdrawal by the Fitness to Practise Committee. Students removed from the register will be required to withdraw from the BDS programme. Such a student will have the right of appeal against exclusion in accordance with the procedure for appeals against decisions of the Faculty Boards.
5. For the purpose of these regulations ‘the University’ shall include those hospitals and outreach practices that the University may use regularly or occasionally.
6. The examination in each year will comprise a range of assessments, and shall cover those units or elements studied during the year. The Board of Examiners will determine whether a candidate has satisfactorily completed a unit or element for the purpose of proceeding to the next year of the curriculum. Candidates will be required to pass in all subjects of an examination at the same time, except that a candidate who is taking the examination for the first time and who satisfies the examiners in one or more subjects may, at the discretion of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, be permitted a further attempt, at the next examination only, in the subject(s) failed.
7. As specified in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes the award of a degree with merit and distinction will be determined by the final BDS programme mark in relation to the overall performance in the cohort, as follows:
8. Distinctions and Merits for units will be awarded as follows:
9. The unclassified degree of Bachelor of Science in the Science of Dentistry may be awarded at the discretion of the Faculty Board. The BSc will only be obtainable by a student registered for the BDS programme who has passed the year 1, year 2 and year 3 unit examinations, but who chooses to leave or is required to leave the programme after this point.
10. A candidate who has satisfactorily completed year 1 of the standard BDS Degree, but who either does not proceed or does not complete year 2 satisfactorily, may be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education. Similarly, a candidate who has completed year 2 of the BDS degree satisfactorily, but who either does not proceed or does not complete year 3 satisfactorily, may be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education.
1. The consent of the Board of the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences shall be necessary for the admission of a student to any stage of the programme. Except by special leave of the Board a candidate shall not proceed to any part of the programme until he or she has satisfied the examiners in all the subjects of the preceding part of the programme.
2. All practical classes shall be compulsory. The failure of any student to show satisfactory progress in a unit of study or to attend regularly any prescribed unit (including such lectures, directed self-education (DSE), clinical commitments, field work and vacation units as may be required) or to undertake prescribed written or other work or to present himself or herself for any assessment or to reach a satisfactory standard in any assessment, shall be reported to the Programme Committee, which will make a recommendation to the Board of the Faculty, which may, if it thinks fit, require the student concerned to repeat a unit, to sit an examination or to withdraw from the programme. A candidate prevented by illness (the board will normally require a medical certificate in respect of such illness) or other sufficient cause from attending or completing an assessment or from completing a DSE assignment may with the consent of the Board of the Faculty be admitted to an examination on a subsequent occasion.
3. The entrance requirements for admission to the curriculum shall be developed by the Programme Committee and ratified by the Board of the Faculty.
The Pre-veterinary programme
4. The Pre-veterinary programme shall extend over at least one year. The subjects studied shall be Physics, Chemistry (Inorganic, Physical and Organic) and Anatomical Science. A student exempt from any of these subjects, on the basis of previous studies undertaken to a satisfactory standard, must take another approved unit(s) of equal credit point rating.
The Pre-veterinary examination
5. The Pre-veterinary programme shall be completed by the passing as a whole of an examination in the 3 subjects (for students taking the pre-veterinary programme a pass will be considered to be a mark of 40 out of 100 or greater for each of the 3 subjects taken), which shall be held in May/June. A student whose performance in May/June is unsatisfactory in 1 or 2 subjects may be allowed to offer him/herself at the next examination, but not in subsequent examinations, for re-examination only in the subject(s) in which he or she has failed.
A candidate shall not proceed to the BVSc programme unless he or she has satisfied the examiners in all the subjects of the Pre-veterinary programme within one year from the date of admission to the programme.
6. The assessment for subjects that contribute formally to the curriculum for the degree of BVSc may comprise several elements which may include a mid-sessional examination, directed self-education assessment and a final examination, together with practical or other assessments. Assessment in other subjects shall be as the Programme Committee shall from time to time decide. Students shall be informed at the start of any academic year of the assessments they will be required to undertake in that year and the distribution of marks between the assessments. Students shall be required to pass the practical component of clinical studies units.
7. Candidates shall be required to pass in all subjects of an examination at the same time, except that a candidate who is taking the examination for the first time and who satisfies the examiners in one or more subjects may, at the discretion of the Board of the Faculty, and provided that a minimum standard has been achieved in each subject of the examination, be permitted a further attempt, at the next examination only, in the subject(s) failed.
8. The curriculum for the degree of BVSc involves a number of different units taught by different departments. The curriculum shall be divided into five parts, and shall extend over not less than five years from the commencement of study in the University or other institution approved for that purpose by the University.
8.1 First Part
During this part the candidate shall pursue units, including directed self education (DSE) and practical instruction where provided, in the following subjects:
Anatomy I
Physiology I
Biochemistry
Animal Management
8.2 Second Part
During this part the candidate shall pursue units, including DSE and practical instruction where provided, in the following subjects:
Anatomy II
Physiology II
Integrated DSE
Animal Health & Husbandry
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Parasitology & Environmental Science
8.3 Third Part
During this part the candidate shall pursue units, including DSE and practical instruction where provided, in the following subjects:
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Microbiology
Pathology
Clinical Veterinary Science I (Farm Animal Science including Reproduction)
Basic Clinical Science
Veterinary Public Health
Clinical Veterinary Science II (Companion Animal Science)
8.4 Fourth Part
During this part the candidate shall pursue units, including DSE and practical instruction where provided, in the following subjects:
Pathology
Veterinary Public Health
Clinical Veterinary Science I (Farm Animal Science including Reproduction)
Clinical Veterinary Science II (Companion Animal Science)
8.5 Final Part
During this part the candidate shall pursue units, including DSE and practical instruction where provided, in the following subjects:
Veterinary Public Health
Clinical Veterinary Science I (Farm Animal Science including Reproduction)
Clinical Veterinary Science II (Companion Animal Science).
Extramural rotation
9. Before entering the third part of the programme a candidate must produce satisfactory evidence that he or she has received extramural instruction in accordance with arrangements approved by the programme's Committee for Extramural Studies for a total period of not less than 12 weeks. Before presenting him/herself for the final examination a candidate must produce satisfactory evidence that he or she has, subsequent to passing the second examination, received extramural instruction in accordance with arrangements approved by the programme's Committee for Extramural Studies, for a further total period of not less than 26 weeks. A candidate shall be required to keep records of procedures seen during this period.
Merit and Distinction
10. A candidate taking a degree examination for the first time and passing in all subjects of the examination may, at the discretion of the examiners, be awarded merit or distinction in any or all of the subjects of the examination, distinction being the higher award.
Degree with Distinction
11. A student shall be awarded the degree of BVSc with distinction if s/he gains a high average mark in examinations contributing to the BVSc degree programme and gains a minimum mark above the pass mark in these examinations (subject to concessions on grounds of illness) and has been awarded at least one distinction in individual subject examinations at any stage of the course.
Degree of BSc
12. The unclassified degree of Bachelor of Science may be awarded at the discretion of the Faculty Board. The BSc will be obtainable by a student registered for the BVSc programme who has passed the third BVSc examinations but who chooses to leave or is required to leave or who is unable to complete the programme after this point.
Certificate and Diploma of Higher Education
13. A candidate who has completed satisfactorily Year 1 of the degree, but who either does not proceed or does not complete satisfactorily Year 2, may be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education. Similarly, a candidate who has completed satisfactorily Year 2, but who either does not proceed or does not complete satisfactorily Year 3, may be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education.
1. The programme shall extend over not less than 1 year of full-time study under the direction of the School of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry.
2. Candidates for the Diploma must at the time of entry upon the course have satisfied the Programme Director as to their suitability for the programme of study.
3. The failure of any student to attend regularly at classes and to submit prescribed work may lead to the student being required to withdraw from the programme. A student whose work during the first year fails to reach satisfactory standard may be refused admission to the second year of the programme.
4. The Diploma shall be awarded to candidates who satisfy the examiners in written examinations and in assessment of work produced throughout the period of the programme.
5. The Examination Regulations shall form part of these regulations.
The Diploma in Dental Hygiene (‘the Diploma’) will be subject to the General Regulations within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes except in the case of the specific regulations below:
1. In addition to those approved by Senate, to be eligible for admissions to the programme of study candidates must have obtained entrance qualifications acceptable to the General Dental Council.
2. To be eligible for the award the Diploma students must successfully gain 240 credits with at least 80 at Level I (Intermediate). A total of 240credit points must be achieved in order for candidates to be awarded the Diploma in Dental Hygiene.
3. The Diploma in Dental Hygiene may be awarded with Distinction to candidates of special merit. These candidates must obtain a minimum of 65% in their end of first year examination and 75% or above in their final examination.
4. Candidates who leave the programme before sitting the final Diploma and have gained 120 credit points from modules passed will be awarded a Certificate in Higher Education in Dentistry.
5. The normal length of the programme will be 21 months of full time study or equivalent. The maximum length of enrolment for the award is 39 months.
6. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in a key unit of assessment shall be permitted to re-present the failed work or to present themselves for re-examination on one further occasion only at one time specified by the examiners. Key units are defined as the end of first year examination and the Project module.
7. Candidates may not proceed to the second year of study carrying a fail mark in any key unit. Candidates must pass specified units before proceeding to other specified units; as specified in the programme specification.
8. The Examination Regulations shall form part of these regulations.
The Foundation Degree in Counselling (‘the Foundation Degree’) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law will be subject to the General Regulations within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes except in the case of the specific regulations below.
1. The normal length of study for the programme will be 3 years of part-time study, equating to 2 years of full-time study. The maximum length of enrolment for the award is 6 years of part-time study, equating to 4 years of full-time study.
2. The programme consists of two stages, levels 4 (stage 1) and 5 (stage 2), each of which contains 120 credits. A stage is equivalent to 1 year of study for a full-time student.
3. The award of 120 credit points at level 4 (stage 1) is a pre-requisite of entry to level 5 (stage 2) and of the award of the Certificate.
4. To be eligible for the award of the Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling Skills students must successfully complete 120 credits at Level 4 or above.
5. To be eligible for the award of the Foundation Degree students must successfully complete 240 credit points of which at least 120 credit points must be at level 5. Students must pass all units at both levels 4 and 5. In cases of failure in any unit at either level, students may be permitted the opportunity of reassessment at the discretion of the Faculty Examination Board on the recommendation of the Programme Examination Board, in accordance with the Faculty’s undergraduate standing orders.
6. The Foundation Degree may be awarded with Distinction to students who to have achieved 240 credit points of which at least 120 credit points are at Level 5 and the mean grade for the level 5 units is greater than 70 out of 100. Students who fail to satisfy the requirements of any unit at the first attempt shall not be eligible for the award of a mark of distinction.
1.1 The Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes (referred to throughout these Regulations as "the Code") will apply to this degree, except where separate provision is made below.
1.2 Candidates for the programme will be issued with a programme handbook, and are bound by the contents of the handbook in addition to these Regulations. Handbooks contain detailed information on the expectations placed upon candidates. Handbooks addressing the experience of the individual candidate will be produced by the University. These may differ for candidates studying for the same award but undertaking placements in different professional environments. This is due to the variety of environments and regulatory structures under which Initial Teacher Education may now take place (via. Academies and associated chains/federations; Free Schools; TeachFirst School Partners; Local Authority Schools; School Direct Partner Schools; and Independent Schools or any other structures as appropriate).
1.3 Successful completion of the programme will lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status, based on successful completion of both the programme and other requirements as set by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (or any future successor to this agency).
2.1 A candidate for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall hold a qualification deemed by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (or any future successor to this agency) to entitle a qualified teacher to be classified as a graduate for salary purposes, or shall have qualifications or experience deemed equivalent to the above. In addition a candidate shall, at the time of admission to the programme, normally hold a GCSE at Grade C or above, or its equivalent (for applicants from outside the UK), in both English and Mathematics and have passed the National College for Teaching and Leadership Numeracy and Literacy Skills Tests (or any future successor assessments).
3.1 Application for admission is made through one of three routes:
a) either through the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry, or any other agreed future successor process) at any time during the period October to August preceding commencement of study. Candidates registering via this route will be known as “Student Teachers”;
b) or normally through the GTTR application route for School Direct allocated places (or any agreed future successor process). Candidates registering via this route will be known as “Student Teachers”;
c) or through participation in a TeachFirst Assessment Centre (or any agreed future successor process operated by the University under contract from the national teaching charity “TeachFirst”). Candidates registering via this route will be known as “TeachFirst Participants”.
Recruitment will close when each subject is deemed full by the Head of School.
3.2 The University of Bristol upholds legal responsibility for determining academic, medical and professional suitability for all candidates permitted to register on its programmes.
4.1 In cases of failure in a unit, any piece of assessed work may be resubmitted once only. The resubmitted piece of work will receive a capped mark.
4.2 Student Teachers may undertake a repeat school placement once only, subject to a two year time limit. The two year time limit is counted from the date of the Board of Examiners.
4.3 TeachFirst Participants may not undertake a repeat school placement.
4.4 In addition to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes , a candidate who is absent from any part of the programme for 10 days or more will be referred to the Board of Examiners and may be required to complete additional time or other requirements.
4.5 A candidate who, without good cause, fails to take up a school placement offered to him or her or who withdraws from a school placement will be deemed by the Board of Examiners to have withdrawn from the entire programme.
4.6 A candidate who is required to withdraw from a school placement by the regulating authority for that placement will be deemed to have failed practical teaching by the Board of Examiners.
4.7 If a Student Teacher’s placement is withdrawn or they are required to undertake a repeat placement the University will approach a maximum of three schools within the two year time limit to secure a placement. If, after approaching three schools, the University is unable to secure a placement the candidate will be required to withdraw from the entire programme by the Board of Examiners.
4.8 A candidate whose continuance on the programme causes serious concerns may be referred under the Procedure for Termination for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
5.1 A candidate who is deemed by the Board of Examiners to have passed all level 6 and level 7 requirements of the programme will be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate of Education (in specialty subject) with 60 level 7 credits, and with Qualified Teacher Status.
5.2 A candidate who is deemed by the Board of Examiners to have passed all level 6 requirements of the programme, but not all level 7 requirements of the programme will instead be awarded the Professional Certificate of Education (in specialty subject), with Qualified Teacher Status.
5.3 A candidate who has not met the requirements of the programme will be deemed by the Board of Examiners to have failed.
5.4 As a consequence of failure, the Board of Examiners may require the candidate to re-sit or withdraw, as outlined in section 4 (above) as deemed appropriate.
5.5 Candidates meeting the requirements of either 5.1 or 5.2 (above) will be eligible for the award to be made with a passing classification.
5.6 Candidates meeting the requirement in 5.1 (above) may additionally be eligible for the award to be made with a classification of distinction or merit.
a) Classification will be derived from achievement in level 7 units associated with the programme only, using a fixed-point scale.
b) Candidates with an overall grade profile of AAB or better may be eligible for the award with the classification of distinction.
c) Candidates with an overall grade profile below AAB, and above BBB, and who have not been required to re-sit any module, may be eligible for the award with the classification of merit.
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma shall be holders of a degree (or other appropriate qualification) of any university (or other comparable institution) approved by the relevant Faculty Board. The qualification for the award of the Graduate Diploma shall be the pursuance of a curriculum consisting of 120 credit points with at least 80 at level 6, during not less than 1 year of full time study or 2 years of part-time study.
Regulations for the Graduate Diploma
1. A candidate for the Graduate Diploma must at the time of entry have satisfied the Head of School as to his or her suitability to undertake the programme.
2. The curriculum shall consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials and directed study.
3. The Graduate Diploma shall be awarded to a candidate who satisfies the examiners on an assessment of prescribed work undertaken in connection with the programme of study.
4. The Graduate Diploma may be awarded with distinction.
5. The University's Examination Regulations shall form part of these regulations.
6. The Graduate Diploma may be awarded in subjects approved from time to time by Senate. The subjects available at present are:
Economics
Social Work with Children and Young People (post qualifying award in specialist social work)
Professional Practice with Children and Young People
Theology (Trinity and Bristol Baptist Colleges)
1. The Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes (referred to throughout these Regulations as "the Code") will apply to this degree, except where separate provision is made below.
2. Application for admission to the degree of MSc in Social Work shall be subject to section 7 of the Code, and the relevant admissions statement which can be found at www.bristol.ac.uk/pg.
3. The curriculum for the degree shall extend over a period of not less than two academic years and shall consist of lectures, seminars, placements, fieldwork and training periods as specified by the school. The curriculum aims to develop candidates' practical, theoretical and applied social work skills and knowledge in line with professional requirements.
4. Students will normally be required to have gained 120 credit points in order to progress from year 1 to year 2.
5. The degree of Master of Science in Social Work shall be awarded to a candidate who satisfies the examiners in the following areas:
(a) satisfactory completion of prescribed work for the taught curriculum;
(b) satisfactory completion of social work practice placements;
(c) satisfactory completion of the dissertation. A candidate may be examined orally on the subject of the dissertation. The Registrar shall give at least 10 days’ notice to any candidate who may be required to attend an oral examination; and
(d) obtains a total of 320 credits at level 7 for the degree of Master of Science including 260 credits for the taught /practice learning component and 60 credits for the dissertation.
6. The school will establish a Practice Assessment Panel with the following responsibilities:
(a) monitoring the assessment of students’ practice, and making recommendations to the school Examinations Board in individual cases where special circumstances have occurred;
(b) monitoring the quality of placement provision.
Composition and terms of reference of the Panel will be determined by the school, and it will normally include a balanced representation of practice educators and university staff.
7. A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation or who exceptionally chooses not to proceed to the dissertation may be recommended for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work subject to the following conditions:
In the case of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, candidates must obtain 260 credits in total through successful completion of all the taught and practice learning components of the programme.
8. In addition to the final programme marks thresholds specified in the Code, regarding the award of Merit or Distinction, the following condition will apply to the MSc in Social Work.
To be granted the award with Merit or Distinction, candidates for the MSc in Social Work must normally pass both practice placements at the first attempt. Exceptions to this rule will normally be made only where the failure to achieve the necessary standard was demonstrably outside the control of the student concerned. Where appropriate, the school’s Practice Assessment Panel may act as an Extenuating Circumstances Committee to consider such cases and make recommendations to the Examinations Board.
9. Students who satisfy the academic requirements and achieve 60, 120, or 180 credit points, but who:
(a) fail the practice learning components or are otherwise deemed unsuitable for professional social work, or
(b) choose not to proceed to the postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Social Work,
will be eligible respectively for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science in Social Welfare Studies.
10. A candidate whose continuance on the programme causes serious concerns in terms of academic or placement work may be required under the Procedure for Termination to withdraw from the programme.