Ordinance IV: Awards and Conferment of Degrees - Keele University
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Ordinance IV - Award and Conferment of Degrees, Diplomas etc

1. The Degrees of Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Education, Master of Business Administration, Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery and Bachelor of Science or Master in Science (First Degree) (other than Honorary Degrees), Diplomas, Certificates, Fellowships, Scholarships, prizes and other distinctions of the University shall be awarded by the Senate and conferred at a degree congregation on candidates who have fulfilled all the conditions laid down in the Ordinances and Regulations.

2. Any Degree of the University may be conferred as an Honorary Degree on the joint recommendation of the Senate and the Council. Nominations of candidates for honorary degrees may be made by members of the Senate and of the Council and shall be considered by a Joint Committee consisting of five members of each. Recommendations of this Joint Committee will be considered by the Senate and the Council and approved provided the conditions of Statutes Section 21(21) and 23.8 are observed.

3. Examinations for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery and Bachelor of Science or Master in Science (First Degree) will lead to the award of either a classified honours degree or a pass degree depending on the standard reached by the candidate. (There is no separate examination for a pass or ordinary degree.)

4. The maximum registration periods are detailed below:

Award Normal period
of registration		 Maximum Overall
Registration Period (pro
rata for part time study mode)
Foundation Year 1 year 2 years
Any one year undergraduate programme 1 year 2 years
Undergraduate Honours Degree
(with placement)
(Medical Degree)		 3 years
4 years
5 years		 5 years
6 years
7 years
Postgraduate Certificate
(1 year work related study)		 1 year
2 years		 2 years
3 years
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (PG Cert) 2 years 3 years
Postgraduate Diploma
(1 year work related study)		 1 year
2 years		 2 years
3 years
Masters Degree
(1 year work related study)		 1 year
2 years		 2 years
3 years
Integrated Masters 6 years 8 years

 

The time scales appy equally to full-time and part-time students. Extension beyond the maximum period will only be allowed in exceptional cases by permission of the University Examination Board. A student is not normally permitted to repeat more than one level of study during their programme of study. In circumstances where the award is regulated by a Professional body (PRSB) the professional requirements will prevail.

5. A student who fails to satisfy the examiners in their final year assessments may be re-assessed on one further occasion only, provided that the re-assessment takes place within two years of the original assessment.

6. A student found to have cheated in their assessments/examinations may, by decision of the Vice-Chancellor be denied a degree and be denied the right to be re-examined/re-assessed. The student will also be liable to other action by the Vice-Chancellor.

7. If a candidate is prevented by illness or other good cause from being assessed in a part not exceeding three papers from the total required for the assessment of the award of a Masters Degree, Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the Senate may, upon a report from the internal and external examiners concerned, and upon such further evidence and subject to such conditions as it shall think fit, award a Masters Degree, Degree, Diploma or Certificate.

8. AEGROTAT DEGREES, DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES
If the candidate is prevented by illness or other good cause from being assessed in more than three papers from the total required for the assessment of the award of a Masters Degree, Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the Senate may, upon a report from the internal and external examiners concerned, and upon such further evidence and subject to such conditions as it shall think fit, award an aegrotat Masters Degree, Degree, Diploma or Certificate, which will not be classified. Such candidates shall not necessarily be prevented from going forward to a course for a Higher Degree where an honours Degree is prescribed by Regulation as a requirement, but candidates for the award of the B.Sc. Physiotherapy will not be awarded a licence to practice

9. Degrees shall be conferred at a Congregation of the University to be held for that purpose at such time and place as may be determined by the Council provided that a Congregation shall be held at least once in each year. The Degrees shall be conferred by the Chancellor, or, in the Chancellor’s absence, by the Vice-Chancellor, or, in the absence of both, by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

10. In accordance with Statute candidates for Masters Degrees, Degrees and Honorary Degrees shall be presented as determined by the Senate from time to time.

11. With the approval of the Senate, Masters Degrees, Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates may be conferred upon persons in absentia.

12. No Masters Degree, Degree, Diploma or Certificate shall be conferred unless the candidate has paid the fees prescribed by Regulation.