Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

1.1

Diplomas of Higher Education are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• knowledge and critical understanding of the well established principles of their area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have developed;
• ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context;
• knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in the subject(s) relevant to the named award, and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in the field of study;
• an understanding of the limits of their knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis;
• effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively;
• undertake further training, develop existing skills and acquire new competences that will enable them to assume significant responsibility within organisations.

And holders will have:

• the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

2.1

Undergraduate Diploma programmes shall be offered on the basis of a two-year full-time period of study (or part-time equivalent).  

2.2

Candidates shall normally be required to pursue the equivalent of 120 credits during each academic year.

2.3

The structure of programme shall be built on 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5 in modules designated as components of the named programme or modules in related disciplines at both levels.

3.1

Students are referred to the General Undergraduate Regulations – Credit Transfer (Regulation 29).

3.2

The maximum number of credits which may be accepted to count towards an Undergraduate Diploma shall be 120 credits.

3.3

Where the maximum number of transferable credits allowed has been accepted, the remaining credits to be pursued in Swansea shall normally be at Level 4 or above.

4.1

The maximum period of candidature for candidates pursuing an Undergraduate Diploma shall be as follows:        

Full-time mode: not more than three years from the start of the programme        

Part-time mode: not less than three years and not more than six years from the start of the programme

4.2

Within these overall time limits, Faculties/Schools may specify lower time limits for individual programmes of study.

4.3

The overall time limit may be extended in accordance with the regulations outlined in paragraph 27 of the General Regulations.

4.4

The above time limit may be reduced pro rata at the outset of the candidature by the Faculty/School concerned where a candidate has been admitted to study with transferable credit, as described in paragraph 3.

5.1

The progress of a candidate shall normally be assessed either during the course of a module and/or in the period immediately following its completion.  

5.2

Candidates shall be required to complete the undergraduate diploma programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

5.3

The pass mark for a module shall be 40%.

6.1 

A candidate who is admitted to an undergraduate diploma programme, but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion, may, depending upon the number of credits attained at the appropriate levels at the time of exit, qualify for an exit award. Details relating to exit qualifications are outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations. 

7.1 

In order to be eligible for consideration for an undergraduate diploma of Swansea University, candidates shall have:        

• pursued an approved programme of study for the period prescribed by the University;        
• pursued a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5, except as provided by Section 3;        
• fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the Faculty/School or University. 

7.2 

A candidate successfully completing an undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where they have attained an overall mark of 70% or above (or the equivalent grade-point) for the award in question. 

8.1 

The award of a Diploma of Higher Education shall be conferred upon candidates at a Swansea University awards ceremony. 

9.1 

An Aegrotat Award may be conferred upon a candidate on the presumption that a candidate, who is unable to continue their studies, would have satisfied the standard required for the award had they been able to continue. The award of an Aegrotat Diploma of Higher Education shall be made in accordance with Regulations for the Award of Aegrotat Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates. 

9.2 

Candidates pursuing professional programmes in health care who are subsequently awarded an Aegrotat degree, diploma or certificate will not be eligible for professional health care registration. 

10.1 

A posthumous qualification may be awarded to a deceased student who has completed sufficient study for the award. The award of a posthumous Diploma of Higher Education shall be made in accordance with the Posthumous Award Regulations.