Programme structure: Policy Research (PG Dip) - what's running in 2015/16

The programme can also be studied on a part-time basis over 2-5 years.

Unit name	Unit code	Credit points	Status	Teaching Block
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SPS)	SPOLM0013	20	Mandatory	TB-1
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS)	SPOLM0014	20	Mandatory	TB-1
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS)	SPOLM0015	20	Mandatory	TB-1
Further Quantitative Methods	SPOLM0016	20	Mandatory	TB-2
Students take two from the following:
Further Qualitative Methods	SPOLM0017	20	Optional	TB-2
Researching Health and Social Care	SPOLM5004	20	Optional	TB-2
Researching Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion	SPOLM5011	20	Optional	TB-2
Researching Child and Family Welfare	SPOLM0011	20	Optional	TB-2
Domestic Violence: Research, Policy and Activism	SPOLM5010	20	Optional	TB-2
Inclusive Research with Disabled People	ACHSM0001	20	Optional	TB-2
Citizenship and Participation	ACHSM0002	20	Optional	TB-2
The Economics of Public Policy	SPOLM1062	20	Optional	TB-2
Supervised Independent Study	SPOLM4300	20	Optional	AYEAR
		120

Progression/award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Exit awards

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.

Degree classifications:

An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.

Diploma/certificate stages:

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.