Programme Specification and Regulations 2011-2012 - MRes

Table of Contents

1. Programme Specification and Regulations for the MRes degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate in and for the provision of individual modules related to Educational and Social Research
2. Important information regarding the Programme Specification and Regulations
3. Programme Specification
   1. Title and name of awards
   2. Programme structures
   3. Educational aims and learning outcomes of the programmes
   4. Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
   5. Student support and guidance
   6. Quality evaluation and enhancement
4. Detailed Regulations
5. Summary of provision for individual modules
6. Detailed regulations for the provision of individual modules
7. Annex A - Structures
8. Annex B - Module Outlines
9. Annex C Assessment Criteria
10. Glossary of terms
11. Related documents and other sources of information

Programme structures

The MRes consists of six modules and a dissertation, which total 180 credits, as follows:

• three, 30 credit modules plus
• two, 20 credit modules plus
• one, 10 credit module plus
• a dissertation (40 credits).

The Postgraduate Diploma students may choose up to five modules from a list of options and must achieve a minimum of 120 credits. The dissertation is not an option.

The Postgraduate Certificate students may choose up to three modules from a list of options and must achieve a minimum of 60 credits. The dissertation is not an option.

The modules do not have any pre-requisites and may be attempted in any order. However, a preferred structure for completion is outlined in the student handbook and on the University of London International Programmes website. All students are required to complete a portfolio as evidence of having participated in the online activities.

In order for an MRes degree student to be allowed to submit the final dissertation they must first have had a research proposal approved.

There is also the provision for students to register for individual modules of the degree on a stand-alone basis.

Students are not permitted to apply for accreditation of prior learning for this programme. All applications for credit will be considered on a discretionary basis.

The maximum and minimum periods of registration, from a student's effective date of registration, are:

Awards are given on the following basis:

MRes degree, students must have attempted, and passed in six modules and a dissertation (which total 180 credits), and must have also satisfied all portfolio requirements for the individual modules.

Postgraduate Diploma, students must have attempted, and passed in modules to the value of 120 credits, and must have also satisfied all portfolio requirements for the individual modules.

Postgraduate Certificate, students must have attempted, and passed in modules to the value of 60 credits, and must have also satisfied all portfolio requirements for the individual modules.

In each module a grade of 'C' or above is considered to be a pass. The MRes, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate may be given with the following class of award: Pass or Fail. The MRes may be awarded with a mark of distinction. To achieve distinction students will be required to achieve an 'A' grade in the dissertation and will normally be required to achieve an 'A' grade in the majority of modules. Examiners have discretion to take into account a student's overall performance.

In order to be able to progress from the Postgraduate Certificate to the Postgraduate Diploma, students must pass modules to the value of at least 60 credits.

In order to be able to progress from the Postgraduate Diploma to the MRes, students must pass modules to the value of at least 120 credits.

At the discretion of the Board of Examiners, a student registered for the MRes who does not pass all six modules and/or the dissertation may be awarded either

• the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Social Research provided they have passed modules to the value of at least 120 credits or
• the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Social Research provided they have passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits.

Credit value of modules

Where credits are assigned to each modules of a programme, credit indicates the amount of learning undertaken, and a specified credit level indicates the relative depth of learning involved.

The credit value indicates the amount of learning in terms of notional study hours, and the level of learning in terms of depth, complexity and intellectual demand.

For the MRes, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Social Research programme, credits are assigned to the modules as follows:

• Writing and presenting educational research (10 credits)

• Qualitative data analysis (20 credits)
• Quantitative data analysis (20 credits)

• Approaches to educational research (30 credits)
• Research methods (30 credits)
• Research and the theoretical field (30 credits)

• Dissertation (40 credits) [REM200]

A student awarded the Postgraduate Certificate will have accumulated 60 credits.

A student awarded the Postgraduate Diploma will have accumulated 120 credits.

A student awarded the MA degree will have accumulated 180 credits.

Entrance requirements

An applicant must satisfy the relevant entrance requirements given in this section. In order to be considered for admission as an International Programmes student, applicants must also submit an application that is in accordance with the procedures and deadlines set out in the appropriate prospectus.

For the MRes, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate an applicant must have:

• a minimum of a second class honours degree or the equivalent from an institution acceptable to the University of London.

Applicants with other qualifications and/or work experience will be considered by the University on an individual basis.

English language proficiency (General requirements)

For awards at FHEQ level 7, students must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:

• IELTS with an overall grade of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub test; or
• TOEFL with a score of 640 or 275 on the computerised test plus a Test of Written English (TWE of at least 4.5)

English language proficiency requirements for the Educational and Social Research programme

In addition, students applying for the Educational and Social Research programme must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:

• IELTS with an overall grade of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub test; or
• TOEFL with a score of 650 or 280 on the computerised test plus a Test of Written English (TWE of at least 4.5)

Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.

Internet access

All students are required to have regular internet access, allowing them to access the following resources:

• The student portal
• The University of London email address
• Details of their student records
• Programme resources on the VLE (as applicable)
• Programme resources on the University of London International Programmes website
• The Programme Specification and Regulations for their programme of study
• The University Regulations and the University of London International Programmes Student Charter

Students are also required to have the necessary computer hardware and software as described in the Prospectus and Student handbook.

Once registered, all students are advised to complete the VLE Induction session before beginning their studies

There is a limit to the number of students who can be registered each year, in each module and overall. The registration of an applicant will only be confirmed if there is still a place available for that study year otherwise a conditional offer of registration will be made for the following year.