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Award: Any formal qualification awarded by the University under this regulation to an individual student, which may be either an End Qualification or Intermediate Award.

Clinical Placement: A placement in a healthcare setting supervised by clinical educators and qualified clinicians.

Core Module: A module which is compulsory for students registered on a specified course.

Co-requisites: Modules which must be studied concurrently by students registered on a specified course.

Course: A collection of modules grouped under a specific title, the details of which have been approved by Senate as leading to appropriate End Qualifications and Intermediate Awards.

Course Regulations: The regulations governing one or more specified courses.

Credit: The unit of academic value by which successful completion of a module contributes to a student's programme of study.

End Qualification: The qualification aim for which the student is registered.

Examination: A written assessment with fixed time-limit conducted under examination conditions in an examination hall designated by the Head of Records and Examinations for the purpose. Examinations which are not "unseen" may be either "seen", where the student is advised of the content of the paper prior to the examination although the paper is written under normal examination conditions, or "open-book" for which students may bring into the examination specified material which can be highlighted or underlined but not annotated.

Examination Period: A period which is set aside for the conduct of examinations.

Distinction Points: Points which may be credited by the Examination Board at the end of a Phase and which may be used in the classification of an Award.

In-Course Assessment: Any assessment which is not an examination and which shall not exceed such maximum requirements as may be determined by Senate from time to time.

Intermediate Award: The highest level of award which a student achieves who has not successfully completed the End Qualification.

Level: The designation of a module within a given course as follows:

Level I (FHEQ Level 4): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is appropriate to the award of a one-year full-time University Certificate of Higher Education;

Level II (FHEQ Level 5): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is higher than modules at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) and which are appropriate to the award of a two-year full-time University Diploma of Higher Education;

Level III (FHEQ Level 6): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is higher than modules at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) and which are appropriate to the award of a three-year full-time honours degree.

Marking Criteria: The guidelines for marking, approved from time to time by Senate, which are to be interpreted by examiners in the context of the subject.

Module: A separate identifiable self-contained unit of study at a specified level, which is assessed and given a credit value.

Module Assessment: The processes by which it is ascertained whether, and at what standard of performance, a module has been completed and the learning outcomes thereof achieved.

Module Catalogue: Documentation which describes the modules available to students.

Option Module: A module which is optional for students registered on a course.

Phase: Part of a Course, comprising one or more Sessions, at the end of which an assessment is made which may contribute to the classification of an Award.

Placement: A planned period of supervised practical learning, normally outside the University, for which the learning outcomes are an intended part of a programme of study.

Precursor: A module, the study hours of which a student shall be required to have completed in order to proceed to a subsequent specified module or modules, but for which credit may not necessarily have been awarded.

Prerequisite: A module in which a student shall be required to have received credit in order to proceed to a subsequent specified module or modules.

Programme of Study: The specific modules pursued by individual students within the context of an approved course.

Semester: A specified period of teaching, study and assessment as defined by Senate.

Session: One academic year.

Any reference in these regulations to Senate shall be deemed to include a reference to any committee of Senate designated by Senate for the purpose.

Any reference in these regulations to the Director of Planning and Academic Administration, Head of School, or other named officer of the University shall be deemed to include a reference to any person designated by that officer for the purpose.

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2. Admission

2.1 Any student offered admission under these regulations shall be required to, as a minimum:

i) meet such general entrance requirements as may be specified by Senate from time to time; and

ii) meet any particular requirements for the course applied for, as specified in the relevant Course Regulations; and

iii) enrol in each session with the University by a date to be determined by the Head of Records and Examinations; and

iv) comply with the requirements under the provisions of Regulations 11 & 12 to provide a valid UK contact address at all times whilst enrolled as a student; and

v) in the case of international students, provide a valid passport and visa for inspection upon enrolment and at any other time requested by the University for which they will be given notice.

Please note that students who do not abide by points i-v will be withdrawn from the University

2.2 The Head of Planning and UK/EU Admissions, in consultation with the relevant Head(s) of School, is authorised to offer applicants admission with advanced standing (for definitions, see section 1) who already hold up to 240 credits at level I (FHEQ Level 4) or above, provided always that no exemption shall be accorded for level III (FHEQ Level 6) modules.

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3. Course Regulations

3.1 There shall be Course Regulations in a form approved by Senate.

3.2 In Course Regulations, any proposed deviation from, or modification to, Regulation 1G in respect of any course shall require the approval of Senate.

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4. Modules

4.1 The credit value for any module shall be determined by reference to a common currency

whereby one unit of credit represents the typical outcome of 10 hours of study. All modules shall have a credit value which is a multiple of 5, and no module shall have a value of less than 10.

4.2 Where a module is available for more than one course, its status as a core or option may vary between courses.

4.3 Precursors, prerequisites and/or co-requisites may be defined for any module.

4.4 Any requirements for placement shall form part or all of one or more specified modules subject to any timetabling or other constraints. Any placement may be scheduled either within the approved semester dates or at other times.

4.5 In respect of periods of placement or periods of study/work experience either in UK or abroad, modules shall be allocated to the appropriate level.

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5. Structure of University Awards

5.1 A programme of study in medicine leading to a University Certificate of Higher Education in Applied Medical Sciences shall consist of modules to the value of at least 120 credits at Level I or higher in such modules as may be prescribed by Senate from time to time. The University Certificate of Higher Education in Health and Rehabilitation is an intermediate award.

5.2 A programme of study in medicine leading to a University Diploma of Higher Education in Applied Medicial Sciences shall consist of modules to the value of 240 credits, including the following:

at least 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher as in 5.1 above; and

at least 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher in such modules as may be prescribed by Senate from time to time.

The University Diploma of Higher Education in Applied Medical Sciences is an intermediate award.

5.3 A programme of study in medicine leading to the award of a University Honours Degree BSc in Applied Medical Sciences shall consist of modules to the value of at least 360 credits, including the following:

at least 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher as in 5.1 above; and

at least 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher as in 5.2 above; and

at least 120 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) or higher in such modules as may be prescribed by Senate from time to time.

The University Honours Degree BSc in Applied Medical Sciences is an intermediate award.

5.4 A programme of study in medicine leading to the award of a University Honours Degree

MBChB shall conform to statutory and professional requirements for medical degrees (including European Council Directive 93/16/EEC as amended by 2001/19/EC and any subsequent amendments) and shall consist of modules to the value of at least 600 credits, including the following:

at least 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher as in 5.1 above;

at least 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher as in 5.2 above;

at least 360 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) or higher in such modules as may be prescribed by Senate from time to time.

The University Honours Degree MBChB is an end qualification.

5.5 Where a programme of study has been approved in the part-time mode, students registered on such programmes shall be permitted a maximum of three sessions to pursue the modules which are equivalent to a session of full-time study.

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6. Courses and Programmes of Study

6.1 All students shall be required to register for their programmes of study for the coming academic session by such a date in the Autumn Semester as shall be determined by the Head of Records and Examinations.

6.2 No student shall be permitted to commence or to change his/her course later than:

i) four weeks from the start of the Autumn Semester in his/her first year of study; or

ii) prior to the start of the second year of study, subject to the approval of the Head of Records and Examinations who, acting on the advice of the relevant Heads of School, will normally require the student to undertake Level I (FHEQ Level 4) study on the new course(s).

6.3 No student shall be permitted to change his/her course without the prior formal approval of the Head(s) of School responsible for the new course(s) into which the student wishes to transfer.

6.4 No student may undertake additional modules outside of his/her approved programme of study without the prior approval of the Head of Records and Examinations.

6.5 Subject to the professional and statutory requirements for the intended award and to the approval of the Head of School, students may substitute studies undertaken at other institutions of higher education for Keele-based modules where such studies constitute part of an exchange scheme or formal credit transfer agreement, the terms and conditions of which have been approved by Senate.

6.6 For the purposes of honours classification, courses leading to the end qualification MBChB shall be divided into phases comprising one or more sessions, the number of phases, and conseituent sessions to be specified in Course Regulations.

6.7 Students may intercalate a one-year Modular Medical Intercalated BSc course after successful completion of session two, or session three or session four of a course leading to the end qualification MBChB.

6.8 Students may intercalate a one-year Modular Medical Intercalated MA or MSc course after successful completion of either year three or year four of a course leading to the end qualification MBChB.

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7. Time-Limit

7.1 The normal time-limit for a student to complete his/her programme of study shall be seven sessions not counting sessions of study on intercalated degrees.

8. Assessment

8.1 All modules shall be assessed in accordance with marking criteria approved by the Senate, either by:

8.1.1 in-course assessment conducted during the semester(s) in which the module(s) is/are completed; or

8.1.2 examination during an examination period; or

8.1.3 a combination of both 8.1.1 and 8.1.2.

8.2 The method of assessment for each module, including the weighting for each element of the assessment, shall be notified to students. Notification to students is the responsibility of academic Schools.

8.3 The minimum mark for a pass in each module shall be determined by rigorous standards as set out in the Course Regulations. Where a student satisfies the examiners in a module, he/she shall be awarded the appropriate credits at the specified level.

8.4 A student who passes a module in which he/she has previously failed, shall be credited with the minimum mark for a pass irrespective of the actual mark achieved, unless the Board of Examiners has deemed the reassessment to be a first attempt following an appeal.

8.5 Where a module contributes to the final result for an honours degree, the assessment shall be a University assessment.

8.6 Where a programme of study includes one or more placements or periods of study/work experience either in UK or abroad, the student's performance may also be assessed in these periods and may contribute to the final assessment.

8.7 A student who has been awarded credit in a module shall not be permitted to be reassessed in that module with a view to improving his/her mark, save under the provisions of 12.1 (iv) below.

8.8 In respect of the MBChB course, a student shall be awarded appropriate distinction points at the end of each phase of the course on criteria specified in the Course Regulations.

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9. Appropriate Engagement With Studies

9.1 Any undergraduate persistently failing to maintain a satisfactory standard of work may be required by the Senate to withdraw from the University at any stage in the programme.

9.2 Persistent failure to maintain a satisfactory standard of work shall include the following situations:

i) failure to maintain a satisfactory standard of work for at least four calendar weeks from the date of despatch of a warning to a student;

ii) dangerous and/or unethical and/or unsatisfactory professional performance in a professional or clinical placement or attachment. Such a circumstance shall incur the student's immediate suspension and, subject to an investigation, may result in the student being required to repeat a period of study, or to undertake such remedial activity or to accept such academic sanction as may be deemed appropriate by the Head of Records and Examinations acting on the advice of the Head of School, or to transfer to a different programme of study, or to withdraw from the University.

iii) failure to pass or failure to be deemed to have fulfilled the requirements for the assessment for any module at the second attempt.

9.3 A student may appeal against a decision to withdraw the student under the terms of Regulation 7.

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10. Student Health

10.1 Students must be in an adequate state of physical and mental health to enable them to continue with their studies or placement. If there is sufficient evidence that ill health will prevent a student from satisfactorily completing his/her studies or placement, the University may at any time require the student to undertake a full medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner of the University's choice, and, if appropriate, and on the recommendation of the medical practitioner, require a student to suspend or curtail his/her studies or placement. Such a suspended student shall be permitted to resume his/her studies at a time deemed appropriate by the University Medical Officer, and only on a recommendation by a qualified medical practitioner, that he/she is fit to continue with his/her studies. Such referrals will be a matter for the Head of Records and Examinations acting on advice received.

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11. Determination of Results

11.1 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine for Level I (FHEQ Level 4) the student's mark for each module and, for the MBChB programme, the students’ Distinction points for phase 1.

11.2 The relevant Progress Committee shall determine for level I (FHEQ Level 4) that:

i) the student has achieved 120 credits and has complied with professional requirements and is, therefore, permitted to progress to the next academic session of the programme; or

ii) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme; or

iii) the student be recommended to Senate to withdraw from the University.

11.3 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine for Level II (FHEQ Level 5) the student's mark for each module.

11.4 The relevant Progress Committee shall determine for level II (FHEQ Level 5) that:

i) the student has achieved 120 credits and has complied with professional requirements and is, therefore, permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme; or

ii) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme; or

iii) the student be recommended to Senate to withdraw from the University.

11.5 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine at the end of each session at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) (except for the final session at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)) the student's mark for each module, and, for session 4 of the MBChB course, the student’s Distinction points for phase 2.

11.6 The relevant Progress Committee shall determine for Level III (FHEQ Level 6) (except for the final session at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)) that:

i) the student has achieved 120 credits and has complied with professional requirements and is, therefore, permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme; or

ii) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme; or

iii) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic session of the programme and be recommended to Senate for an intermediate award; or

iv) the student not be recommended for any qualification and be required to withdraw from the University.

11.7 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine at the end of the final session at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) the student's mark for each module and, for session 5 of the MBChB course, the student’s Distinction points for phase 3.

11.8 The relevant Progress Committee shall determine for the final session at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) that:

i) the student be awarded the end qualification or an intermediate award and with what classification, if any; or

ii) the student not be awarded any qualification; or

iii) the student not be awarded any qualification and be required to withdraw from the University.

11.9 A student shall only be permitted to continue to pursue a programme of study provided that it remains possible for him/her to complete the programme within the approved time limit. In addition:

i) a student who has failed one or more core modules within a course on two occasions shall be required to withdraw from the University;

ii) a student who has failed any option module on two occasions shall not be permitted to be reassessed in that module but may be offered the facility set out in 12.1(iv) below;

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12. Action to be Taken in Respect of Academic Failure by Students

12.1 The School Progress Committee shall determine whether a student who:

a) has not been permitted to proceed; or

b) has not been recommended for the award of the end qualification or an intermediate award; and

c) is not required to withdraw;

be required to:

i) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) at the next opportunity; or

ii) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) without attendance on the module(s) during the following session; or

iii) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) with attendance on the module(s) during the following session; or

iv) pursue one or more alternative option modules if such are available which shall not be subject to the limitation imposed by 8.4 above, during the following session; or

v) repeat the year with full attendance, in which case the outcomes of the programme of study for the repeat year shall be used for determining progression, award and classification as appropriate and shall not be subject to 8.4 above. In all cases students' programmes shall constitute a full year's academic load.

12.2 In all cases students’ programmes are subject to the time-limit specified in section 7.

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13. Award

13.1 To qualify for an award, a candidate must:

i) have enrolled with the University before proceeding to the prescribed programme of study; and

ii) have paid all prescribed fees and charges; and

iii) in accordance with 13.2 - 13.7 below, have satisfactorily completed a full-time or part-time programme of study, within the maximum period of time defined in section 7.

13.2 A student who has satisfied the examiners in at least 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher shall be eligible for the award of a Certificate of Higher Education in Applied Medical Sciences, which is an unclassified award. This award implies no eligibility for professional recognition or registration, or fitness to practice.

13.3 A student who has satisfied the examiners in at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at Level I or higher and a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher in accordance with 5.2 above, shall be eligible for the award of a University Diploma of Higher Education in Applied Medical Sciences which is an unclassified award. This award implies no eligibility for professional recognition or registration, or fitness to practice.

13.4 A student who has pursued a programme of study consisting of at least 360 credits in accordance with 5.3 above and who has satisfied the examiners in:

a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)

shall be eligible for the award of a University BSc Honours Degree in Applied Medical Sciences which is an unclassified award. This award implies no eligibility for professional recognition or registration, or fitness to practice.

13.5 A student who has pursued a programme of study consisting of modules to the equivalent of at least 360 credits and has satisfied the examiners in at least 330 credits including:

a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher; and

a minimum of 90 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)

may be recommended to Senate for the award of a University BSc Honours Degree in Applied Medical Sciences which is an unclassified award. This award implies no eligibility for professional recognition or registration, or fitness to practice.

13.6 A student who has pursued a programme of study consisting of at least 600 credits in accordance with 5.4 above and who has satisfied the examiners in:

a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher; and

a minimum of 360 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6) or higher

and has complied with all statutory and professional requirements for a first degree in medicine shall be recommended to Senate for the award of a University Honours Degree MBChB, which may be a classified award.

13.7 Students who register for certain end qualifications may be required by the Course Regulations to satisfy the Boards of Examiners in all those modules identified as requirements for the purposes of professional registration or qualification.

13.8 Unless otherwise agreed by Senate in respect of specific courses, no student may receive more than one award for study on a course. If a student receives an intermediate award but later returns to the University to complete the relevant end qualification, the student will be required to return the certificate of the intermediate award to the University.

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14. Honours Classification

14.1 The BSc Honours degree in Applied Medical Sciences is an unclassified Honours degree.

14.2 Medical MBChB Honours degree

14.2.1 The award of the qualification with Distinction may be made in the MBChB degree.

14.2.2 To be eligible for the award of a Distinction in the MBChB degree a student must have satisfied the requirements of the award and achieved the number of Distinction points specified in the Course Regulations.

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15. Structure and Content of Re-Assessments

15.1 Where a student is required to be reassessed for one or more modules prior to the start of the following session, the re-assessment shall, unless the relevant Board of Examiners decides that this is not practical, be of the same structure and be based upon the same syllabus as the assessment at the time of the initial failure, but need not include those elements of assessment in which the student has already satisfied the examiners.

15.2 Where a student is permitted to be re-assessed in one or more failed modules without attendance on the module(s), the following arrangements shall apply:

i) for re-assessment within one year of the initial failure, the reassessment shall, unless the relevant Board of Examiners decides that this is not practical, be of the same structure and be based upon the same syllabus as the assessment at the time of the initial failure;

ii) for re-assessment beyond one year of the initial failure, where the structure of the assessment is different from that at the time of the initial failure and/or the reassessment is to be based upon a different syllabus, the Head of School concerned shall make arrangements for the student to be:

a) informed of changes in the structure of the assessment and the syllabus content; and

b) offered, at an appropriate charge, the opportunity of attending relevant classes.

15.3 The timing, structure and content of and eligibility for re-assessment of modules within the course of study leading to the award of the degree MBChB shall conform to the relevant professional and statutory requirements for that award.

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Regulation 1G: Modular Medical Bachelors Degrees, Including Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education and MBCHB but Excluding Intercalate Degrees

1. Definitions

2. Admission

3. Course Regulations

4. Modules

5. Structure of University Awards

6. Courses and Programmes of Study

7. Time-Limit

8. Assessment

9. Appropriate Engagement With Studies

10. Student Health

11. Determination of Results

12. Action to be Taken in Respect of Academic Failure by Students

13. Award

14. Honours Classification

15. Structure and Content of Re-Assessments

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