G1
These regulations apply to the MPharm programme and the MPharm programme with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year.
G2
In order to proceed from one year to another, a candidate must accumulate 120 credits and pass all assessment components of the zero-credit modules.
In Year 0 (Level 3), students must achieve 40% or more to pass modules, but in order to progress to Year 1 (Level 4) of the MPharm Pharmacy degree, students must also achieve an overall average of 60% or above in Year 0 as well as 60% or above in the modules “Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry” and “Foundations in Pharmacy”.
Candidates in Year 0 who, following supplementary assessments, fail to achieve 60% or above in the two specified modules and/or a Year 0 average of 60% or above overall will NOT be permitted to progress to Year 1 of the degree or repeat the year.
In Years 1 – 3 (Levels 4 – 6), in order to progress to the next year of study, students must achieve either a mark of 40% or more OR for standard set assessments at or above the cut score, in all assessment components or combined components, as outlined in module proformas. Students must also pass all components of the 0 credit modules.
In Year 4 (Level 7), in order to graduate, students must achieve either a mark of 50% or more OR for standard set assessments at or above the cut score, in all assessment components, as outlined in module proformas. Students must also pass all components of the 0 credit module.
Students in Years 0 to 4 (levels 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) will be permitted supplementary attempts in up to 120 credits per year. Students who fail the supplementary assessments will NOT be permitted to progress to the following year of study.
Students in Year 0 and 1 (Levels 3 and 4) who fail the supplementary assessments will NOT be permitted to repeat the year and will be deemed to have failed the degree.
Zero-credit modules are assessed on a competency pass/fail basis and thus do not contribute to students’ degree classification. However, students cannot progress through the programme or be awarded an MPharm degree without successful completion of these modules.
G3
The modules which make up the MPharm and MPharm with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year programmes are considered “core” and must be passed before a candidate can progress from one year to another.
G4
In addition, candidates must meet the required standard of professional conduct as outlined in the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
G5
Candidates must satisfy the engagement and assessment requirements of all modules. Engagement will be monitored in accordance with the University’s Engagement Monitoring Policy for Taught Students.
G6
Candidates who have qualified to proceed from one year of study to another, shall not be allowed to elect to repeat any module or assessment component which has already been passed in order to improve their performance, except for Year 0.
G7
Candidates who are permitted supplementary examinations or required to undertake supplementary work, provided they satisfy the examiners, shall be awarded a mark capped at 40% in levels 5 - 6 and 50% in level 7 for the individual assessment component/combined component. The capped mark shall be used for classification purposes in each such module irrespective of their actual level of performance. The University Progression and Awards Board shall refer to the capped mark in determining the average for a level of study.
This does not apply to candidates repeating modules at Levels 3 and 4 (Years 0 and 1) since the actual mark scored will be recorded in their case.
G8
Candidates who are required to submit supplementary coursework shall be informed by the Medical School of the coursework required. Details of supplementary coursework will NOT be included in the results published by Education Services on the individual student record.
G9
Candidates shall normally be expected to complete a year of study within ONE academic session.
G10
Candidates (with the exception of Year 0 (Level 3) and Year 1 (Level 4)) who fail to qualify to proceed to the next year of study after the supplementary assessment period may, at the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board, be permitted to repeat the year of study provided the repeat year of study can be completed within the maximum candidature period. Such candidates shall be required to forfeit any credit and award points already gained, and no further reference can be made to these. Candidates will be expected to repeat the entire year of study as an internal candidate and the marks achieved for the first assessment sitting of the repeat year will NOT be capped.
G11
Candidates (with the exception of Year 0 (Level 3) and Year 1 (Level 4)) shall be awarded an academic decision of “Repeat the Year of Study” on ONE occasion only, if they fail to achieve 120 credits in any year of study (i.e. Years 2, 3 and 4) and/or fail to pass the 0 credit module.
Candidates in Year 0 who fail the supplementary assessments or who fail to achieve 60% or above in the two specified modules and/or a Year 0 average of 60% or above overall will NOT be permitted to progress to Year 1 of the degree or repeat the year.
Candidates in Year 1 who fail the supplementary assessments will not be permitted to repeat the year and will be deemed to have failed the degree.
G12
Candidates who are repeating the year shall be monitored closely by the Pharmacy Health and Conduct Sub-Committee.
G13
Candidates who are repeating the year of study and fail to achieve sufficient credit to progress to the next year of study will be given one further opportunity to redeem any failure during the supplementary assessment period in order to complete their programme of study. Candidates who fail to achieve sufficient credit or fail the zero credit module to progress to the next year of study after the supplementary assessment period shall be deemed to have failed their degree.
G14
An Extenuating Circumstances Policy is in operation for the MPharm and the MPharm with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year programmes in relation to assessment. A candidate who attends and completes any assessment will be presumed to be fit to take the assessment and evidence of extenuating circumstances produced afterwards in respect of circumstances existing before the assessment will not be accepted or considered by the Examination Board. Full details of this policy shall be published for students on Canvas.
G15
It is possible that some candidates will not be able to attend examinations e.g. due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. It is therefore recognised that these students should be allowed to defer the opportunity and undertake the assessment, where the result is uncapped, normally during the supplementary assessment period. If these candidates are subsequently unsuccessful during the supplementary assessment period, they will be provided with a further opportunity to redeem the failure. Such candidates will be required to attempt the assessment at the next available opportunity, this would usually be during the following academic session as an external candidate.
G16
Candidates should notify the Medical School of their extenuating circumstances and submit a request to defer an assessment prior to or within 5 working days of the date of the assessment. Applications to defer an assessment shall be considered in accordance with the Policy on Extenuating Circumstances.
G17
Candidates who fail to undertake the deferred assessment during the supplementary assessment period in August may be permitted to repeat the year provided the candidate has not previously repeated a year (see G11).
G18
The rules outlined in the Specific Progression Rules will normally influence the University Progression and Awards Board in arriving at decisions for candidates. However, candidates must not expect, as of right, that they will be allowed to undertake supplementary assessment or allowed to repeat the year of study. The Progression and Awards Board may take into account other circumstances relating to the candidate’s case before taking any progression decision The Progression and Awards Board would not be expected to allow a candidate to progress to the next year or qualify for an award unless they had satisfied the minimum criteria.
G19
A candidate who is admitted to the MPharm or the MPharm with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year programme may be eligible for an exit qualification provided that they:
- Have accumulated the minimum number of credits required for the award;
or
- Have satisfied the academic requirements of the programme but have failed to achieve the required standard of professional conduct.
Such candidates shall be eligible, depending on the number of credits accumulated, on the recommendation of the appropriate Examining Board, for one of the following the award:
Foundation Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (120 Credits at Level 3)
Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (120 credits at Level 4)
Diploma of Higher Education in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (240 credits)
Bachelor of Science (Hons in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (360 credits)
Master’s of Science in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (480 credits)
See Regulation 26 on Exit Qualifications for both the MPharm and MPharm with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year programmes.