Swansea University and IITM Joint Postgraduate Degrees

1. Introduction

1.1
The following Postgraduate General Regulations shall apply to all students undertaking a joint postgraduate degree programme awarded by Swansea University (SU) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). 

Students may qualify for an award of SU and the IITM under these regulations upon successful completion of one of the following approved programmes of study: Master’s Degree (MA, MSc, LLM, MBA).  Students may pursue a programme on a full-time basis over two years.  

1.2
All Master’s Programmes shall be assessed by examination/coursework and submission of piece/pieces of directed independent learning. 

Directed independent learning is defined as a single piece or pieces of self-directed learning (undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor), totalling 60 SU credits/ 80 IITM credits, which provide(s) an opportunity to engage in extended research on one or more aspects of the syllabus relating to the programme.  The independent work can take a variety of forms, chosen to be the most appropriate for the programme, and/or to enhance the employability prospects of the students.  This can be defined at programme approval and will be equivalent to the effort required to prepare a dissertation of up to 20,000 words. 

1.3
All students must enrol as students of SU and IITM and pay the appropriate fees prescribed by the institutions.  As enrolled students, students must comply with the agreed academic and general regulations agreed by both institutions published in the programme guidance. 

1.4
Full-time Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s   Students may not normally* concurrently be enrolled on another Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s degree programme** leading to the award of a qualification in this or another university/institution.  

*Staff members enrolled on the PGCtHE as a condition of employment or probation are exempt from the above concurrent enrolment regulation. 

**Students enrolled on joint programmes between Swansea and another institution(s) are exempt from the above concurrent enrolment regulation in so far as it relates to concurrent enrolment at the partner institution(s) for the same programme. 

1.5
The candidature of students found to be in breach of Regulation 1.3 above, shall normally be cancelled with immediate effect. 

1.6
Programmes which are subject to professional accreditation and/or Sponsorship Body requirements, may apply stricter regulations provided that the students have been duly notified in advance and that it is a requirement of a Professional/Sponsorship Body. 

1.7
The policies and procedures of the host institution will apply in relation to the modules undertaken in that institution. 

1.8
The medium of instruction for MSc Materials and Manufacturing and MSc Sustainable Engineering in both institutions will be English. Examination and project reports in IITM will be English and either English or Welsh for modules undertaken in SU, in accordance with the SU Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy 

1.9
The MSc Materials and Manufacturing and MSc Sustainable Engineering programmes will be offered with two mobility routes: 

• • Track 1 – Semester 1 July in IITM. Semester 2 January in SU. Directed independent study June-December in SU. 

• • Track 2 - Semester 1 July in IITM. Semester 2 January in SU. Directed independent study June-December in IITM. 

Students will select their track at the point of enrolment. Students enrolling on Track 1 will require a Student Route visa before travelling to the UK. Students on Track 2 may enter the UK using a Student Visitor Visa. 

2.1
A student on the postgraduate taught award must hold one of the qualifications included in the published entry requirements. 

2.2
Applicants for taught postgraduate programmes, who do not have an undergraduate degree, must instead have significant relevant work or other experience, which has been assessed by the Admissions Selectors as appropriate for admission to the relevant programme. 

2.3
A prospective student who already holds a doctoral level qualification (including PhD, the Engineering Doctorate and Taught Doctorates etc.) shall show that the postgraduate taught programme to be pursued is in a different field of study from that for which the Doctoral degree was awarded. 

2.4
Irrespective of a student's entry qualifications, SU and IITM reserve the right to satisfy itself that a student is of the required academic standard to complete the programme of study proposed.  

2.5
Prior to admission to the programme of study, Faculties/Schools must ensure that a student can communicate effectively in English, in both speech and writing.  TOEFL or IELTS tests (or the equivalent) are applicable and guidance can be obtained from the Admissions Office as regards the pass level appropriate to a given study or the pre-course teaching that may be necessary to allow a student to proceed to postgraduate studies.  A minimum of 6.0 IELTS (or equivalent), with no less than 5.5 in each component, is set for these programmes. The equivalencies for this from the Indian Standard XII English are: 

• 75% from ISC, CBSE, and Maharashtra 

• 75% from West Bengal 

• 80% from Other State boards 

Applications may be made to the Admissions Committee for a lower or higher equivalent. 

2.6
Conditions of offer may include requirements relating to matriculation  

Matriculation is the process to confirm that the student has met the formal admission criteria (e.g. by producing relevant documentation and certificates). Normally this takes place prior to the formal admission of a student to a programme of study leading to a joint degree from both institutions. Students who have not previously matriculated must complete the appropriate form and provide evidence of their degree or equivalent qualification in the form of an original certificate or an official statement from the awarding institution or other body. Unless a student matriculates they are not eligible for examination and may be prevented from continuing with the candidature at an appropriate stage within the academic year. 

2.7  
Students will be deemed ineligible to enrol where they do not meet the partnership’s requirements for matriculation (see Regulation 2.6 above). Where the student is deemed ineligible to enrol and/or fails to enrol within a prescribed enrolment period, this will result in the student’s candidature lapsing and the withdrawal of the student from both institutions (see also Regulation 4).  

Monitoring new policy 

The right to monitor the policy is reserved and without limitation to independently verify evidence of qualifications using Qualification Check Service or Higher Education Degree Datacheck or equivalent. For the purpose of assessing the introduction of the new policy, 5% of the newly enrolled intake will be independently verified. The results will be reported at the February Recruitment and Admissions Committee to ensure that the policy is fit for purpose. 

2.8
SU shall notify the relevant authorities, within a prescribed period in accordance with United Kingdom laws governing study in the UK, of students who have been withdrawn for failure to enrol on a programme of study within the prescribed enrolment period.

3.1
Faculties/Schools will offer entry dates for programmes based on the IITM academic calendar.  Faculties/Schools must specify entry dates in all programme literature. 

4.1
In order to be recognised as a student, all students are required to enrol in accordance with the enrolment instructions for the particular programme of study and within the prescribed enrolment period.   

4.2
Students will be expected to enrol at both institutions within the prescribed enrolment period, pay the appropriate fees at the start of each semester to the host institution and to enrol with IITM at the start of each semester.   

Students enrolling on the MSc Materials and Manufacturing or MSc Sustainable Engineering must select whether to enrol on Track 1 or Track 2 (see Regulation 1.9) and ensure they are eligible for the relevant visa, if required. It will not be possible for students to change from Track 2 to Track 1 after arrival in the UK.  

4.3
In order to enrol with SU and IITM, students, where applicable, are required to provide evidence of entitlement to study at both institutions in accordance with: 

• The specific programme requirements. 

• The SU and IITM regulations governing matriculation. 

• The laws governing study in the United Kingdom and India. 
  
  Each partner institution shall record details of students for degrees in accordance with their procedures and shall exchange details regularly. 

4.4
Where the student does not provide satisfactory evidence of entitlement to study at each institution in accordance with Regulation 4.3 above and by the deadline stipulated by the partnership, the student will be deemed ineligible to enrol (unless Regulation 4.5 below applies). 

4.5
Where the student meets all requirements to enrol (in accordance with Regulation 4.3) except for the SU and IITM requirements governing matriculation, the student may, at the discretion of the Admissions Office, be permitted to provisionally enrol for a specified period of time, conditional upon the student agreeing to meet the SU and IITM requirements governing matriculation by the deadline stipulated by the Admissions Office. If the student then fails to meet the requirements governing matriculation by the deadline stipulated, the provisional enrolment will lapse, the student will be deemed ineligible to enrol and Regulation 4.6 below shall apply. 

4.6 
Where the student fails to enrol within a prescribed enrolment period, this will result in the student’s candidature lapsing and the withdrawal for non-enrolment of the student from both institutions.  

4.6.1  Reinstatement of the candidature and permission to enrol late 
The decision to approve or not approve permission to enrol late will be made by the Programme Directors from both institutions for the programme on which they are studying (or their nominee). Students will be required to complete the process for late enrolment outlined to them via their pre-enrolment communications which may include completion of a late enrolment form.  

In considering such applications the Programme Directors, or their nominee, shall consider: 
The timing of the application; the circumstances relating to the late application; recommendations from the student’s faculty/school; the legal and financial requirements of enrolment; laws governing right to study in India/ the UK; the conditions and/or curtailment of the student’s visa (where appropriate); recommendations from admissions/compliance/finance/student records managers and relevant teams in each institution (where appropriate). 

4.6.2  Final review 
To request an admin review of the decision to not approve reinstatement of candidature and permission to enrol late, students must submit an Admin Review Form. A review and final decision will be made by the Programme Directors from both institutions or their nominee. 

4.7
SU shall notify the relevant authorities, within a prescribed period in accordance with United Kingdom laws governing study in the UK, of students who have been withdrawn for failure to enrol on a programme of study within the prescribed enrolment period. 

4.8 
Students pursuing programmes delivered in partnership with other institutions shall be required to enrol with SU and the partner institution in accordance with the enrolment procedures published by the individual partner institution and SU. 

4.9
By completing the enrolment process, student shall confirm that they will abide by the regulations of the relevant institution(s), including published, joint regulations. Thereby confirming that they will abide by the regulations of both institutions, reflecting their status as enrolled at both/all institutions. 

5.1
A Taught Masters’ programme is a collection of discrete educational components of the academic level and content deemed to be appropriate for the award in a particular subject area.  

5.2  
Students may qualify for an award upon successful completion of an approved modular programme of study provided on a full-time basis.   

5.3
The structure of Postgraduate Awards shall be as follows: 

5.4
The programmes under these regulations will be of 18 months/ 4 semesters duration and will follow the IITM and SU academic calendars which are published annually and detailed within programme guidance. 

5.5
All Swansea University Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes must offer 60 SU credits of directed independent learning or an approved alternative authorised by the SU Regulations, Quality and Standards Board. 

6.1
The following categories of students will be recognised: 

• • Full-time students. 

7.1
A module is a distinct educational component of a programme.  Each programme shall consist of taught modules. For Master’s programmes there shall also be additional 60 SU credits/ 80 IITM credits of directed independent learning/approved alternative. 

7.2
In addition, each module: 

• Is assigned a unique SU reference code. 

• Is assigned to a level of study which reflects the academic standard of a module and its learning outcomes. 

• Shall also be assigned European Credit Transfer System Credits (10 ECTS credits is roughly equivalent to 20 SU credits). 

• May have pre-requisites and/or co-requisites. 

7.3
Modules may be grouped into the following categories: lecture based; practical based; external practice based; directed independent learning; dissertation based; computer based; fieldwork based; placement based, work based or an appropriate combination of these categories (composite module). 

7.4
All modules for any qualification offered under these regulations shall be equivalent to the Framework for Higher Education (FHEQ) Level 7.   

8.1
To supplement the compulsory modules, students may be expected to pursue optional modules from a prescribed list of options in the specialist subject area(s).   Students should seek the guidance of the 'host' Faculty/School when choosing the optional modules. 

9.1 
Faculties/Schools might identify modules which are fundamental to a programme.  
Faculties/Schools can stipulate that such 'Core' modules must not only be pursued but also passed before a student can proceed to the next part of study or qualify for an award.  Failures in core modules must be redeemed.

10.1 
Substitute modules are not permissible for the joint SU and IITM programmes.  

11.1 
Students shall be permitted to transfer from one optional module to another provided that the transfer is approved by the relevant host Faculty/School(s) within the following time-scale: 

• Short intensive modules (2 weeks) before the end of the second day of teaching on the module concerned. 

• Short modules (11 weeks) before the end of the 2nd week of teaching on the module concerned. 

• Long modules (22 weeks) before the end of the 4th week of teaching on the module concerned. 

11.2
Only in exceptional cases and with the approval of the host institution will transfers outside those deadlines be approved.

11.3
Students will be expected to follow the procedures for transfers in force at the time for that institution and adopted by the Senate of the University.

12.1
It is not possible for students undertaking a degree jointly awarded by SU and IITM to transfer to an SU or IITM only award. 

13.1
Each programme has a maximum period of candidature. These are full-time programmes which will normally be completed in 18 months/ 4 semesters. The maximum period of candidature is 2 years/ 6 semesters.   The maximum period is designed to enable students, whose studies have been interrupted for whatever reason, to complete their degree.  Students must aim to complete their programme by the deadlines given for the programme.  A candidature shall lapse (and examination be thereby precluded) if the programme is not completed within the SU and IITM agreed time limits. 

13.2
Time limits may be extended, but in exceptional cases only, and in accordance with the following criteria:  

• Normally, extensions will be granted only on compassionate grounds, or in cases of illness, serious domestic difficulties or exceptional professional commitments which can be demonstrated to have adversely affected the student.  A full and reasoned case, supported by a work plan, appropriate medical or other independent evidence must be submitted by the host Faculty/School, to Education Services, for consideration.  Such cases will be processed administratively on behalf of the Regulations, Quality and Standards Board for SU. 

• In cases which arise as a result of illness: 

• Satisfactory medical evidence, including a medical certificate, must be supplied. (The extent and nature of the illness as described in the certificate are invaluable in assessing the case.). A certified translation must be provided for any evidence not originally in English. 

• A clear statement must be supplied, showing that the host Faculty/School concerned has evaluated the situation in which the  student finds himself/herself as a result of the illness and that it considers the requested extension to be appropriate.  Such a statement will, wherever possible, follow direct contact between student and the host Faculty/School.

13.3
Applications for extensions must be routed via the student's supervisor or in the case of postgraduate certificates and Diploma’s the Programme Director, to Education Services, where the case will be considered administratively on behalf of the Regulations, Quality and Standards Board for SU. 

13.4
Extensions of candidature for students who are resubmitting their piece of directed independent learning will not be permitted. 

14.1
The level of study shall be at level 7 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

15.1
Programme guidance shall be issued to each student at or before the commencement of studies through a handbook and/or the digital learning platform.  
The guidance will meet minimum requirements outlined by both institutions.  

16.1
Suspension of studies shall be considered by the Programme Director in accordance with the IITM regulations. 
Suspension of studies shall normally be for a maximum continuous period of two semesters. 

17.1
Students shall be expected to attend all scheduled learning sessions associated with each module which they have elected to pursue. 

17.2
Attendance shall be monitored in accordance with the engagement monitoring policy for the host institution – for SU this is the Engagement Monitoring Policy for Taught Students, for IITM this is the Ordinances and Regulations MSc from 2015 (R.14). 

17.3
Progress shall be monitored through regular discussion sessions with tutors and through Joint Examination Boards. 

18.1
Students whose work is interrupted by illness for more than seven days are required to inform the host Faculty/School in writing and to submit a medical certificate. A certified translation must be provided for any evidence not originally in English.  

18.2
A student who has been absent from an examination is required to submit an application for extenuating circumstances within five working days of the examination taking place.  In the case of illness, he/she shall also be required to submit a medical certificate. A certified translation must be provided for any evidence not originally in English. The process by which to submit is outlined in the programme guidance.  

18.3
All students shall note that it is their responsibility to submit an application as soon as possible for any extenuating circumstances which could have an effect on their performance either during the academic year or during examinations, in accordance with the SU Policy on Extenuating Circumstances. Academic appeals based on extenuating circumstances which could have been brought to the attention of the appropriate host Faculty/School prior to the meeting of examination boards shall not be considered. 

19.1 
In accordance with the SU Reasonable Adjustment Policy for Learning and Assessment, SU and partner institutions will take positive steps – known as reasonable adjustments – to ensure disabled students can fully participate in their education. Students should disclose disabilities or medical conditions as soon as they are able and may request reasonable adjustments without a formal diagnosis. Where a student appears to be struggling, staff should consider whether the student may have a disability.  

Supporting evidence is encouraged but not required before initial support is offered. Students may be requested to provide certified translations for any evidence not originally in English.  

Once a student discloses a disability (formally or informally), the University and partner institutions must consider reasonable adjustments based on the information available. 

Students may disclose a disability to staff in IITM or SU in a number of different ways. Disclosures may be made:  

• • directly to the SU Wellbeing and Disability Service (WBDS), either as a prospective or current student, using the Student Support Form 

• • by telling a member of staff elsewhere in SU or IITM (for example, personal tutor, lecturer, PGR supervisor, HWB staff).  

• • by sharing information through other academic and non-academic processes (for example, by disclosing needs related to student accommodation or as part of an application for extenuating circumstances). 

Disclosures will be shared between the partner institutions on a need-to-know basis, in compliance with data protection legislation, to ensure all institutions are aware of individual needs and to enable reasonable adjustments to be put in place. The procedures of the institution at which the student is studying will apply.  

19.2 
The University has a duty to put reasonable adjustments in place no matter how a disability is disclosed. Where possible, students should engage with the SU Wellbeing and Disability Services to ensure that SU and IITM can make a full assessment of their needs and ensure that appropriate adjustments are recommended. However, the duty to make reasonable adjustments applies in any case when there is knowledge of a student’s disability and is not dependent on a full assessment by Wellbeing and Disability Services.   

Where disclosure is made to a member of staff, the staff member is deemed to have received the information on behalf of SU and has a duty of care to report the student’s sharing of a support need or disability to the Wellbeing and Disability Service as soon as possible by completing the Student Disability Status and Reasonable Adjustments form. 

19.3 
Where an adjustment is agreed, the host Faculty/School shall be responsible for implementing the adjustment.  

19.4 
To receive examination adjustments, a student must be assessed by WBDS and have a Reasonable Adjustments Proforma (RAP) in place. The adjustments recommended in the RAP are automatically applied to in-person exams that a student sits during their time at Swansea University, unless the student informs the University otherwise. Further details are available via the HWB.  

Where exam duration plus adjustments would exceed 4 hours 22 minutes, alternative assessments should be considered. 

20.1
It shall be the student’s responsibility to inform the relevant host Faculty/School of any extenuating circumstances which might require specific support or consideration for assessment in accordance with the SU Policy on Extenuating Circumstances . 

20.2 
Students shall be required to complete the appropriate extenuating circumstances form, along with appropriate supporting independent evidence, in support of their circumstances. Extenuating circumstances requests must be submitted within 5 working days of the original assessment.  

21.1 
International students who need a visa to study at SU should be aware that their continued study on the programme is dependent upon them meeting the conditions of their visa and the time-limits set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). For more information, please refer to Visas and Immigration - Swansea University. 

International students who need a visa to study at IITM should be aware that their continued study on the programme is dependent upon them meeting the conditions of their visa, as required by the Government of India. For more information please refer to India Visa Online. 

21.2
Decisions taken by SU with regard to a student’s enrolment status, academic performance, progression and award shall be made in accordance with the SU academic and financial regulations and shall not be informed by visa restrictions set by the UKVI. However, continued study is conditional upon meeting the University’s requirements and holding a valid visa. Students who have any concerns or queries regarding their visa should contact VISA Advice. 

22.1
Faculties/Schools shall set deadlines for the submission of assessment. The SU Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy details information relating to the scheduling, submission and late submission of assessment for modules undertaken in SU.

23.1
Each partner institution is responsible for the academic standards of the award and hence, decisions relating to the award of marks, grades and degrees shall be taken by the appropriate Examination Board within the partner institution following review and confirmation the Joint Examination/Progression and Awards Board. The partners will establish a Joint Examination Board but this Board shall act in an advisory capacity and make recommendations to institutional Examination Boards, unless authority is delegated to act on behalf of the partner institutions.    

All SU examinations shall be conducted under the jurisdiction of the SU Regulations and Procedures for the Operation of Examinations. The operation of Examining Board shall be conducted in accordance with the Joint Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Taught Awards. 

23.2
Every Joint Examination Board shall nominate a Chair who shall be responsible for ensuring that the correct administrative procedures for the submission and examination of the work have been carried out. 

23.3
Examination Boards shall be responsible for ensuring that the rules and regulations relating to progression have been applied consistently, and that standards are maintained.   

23.4 
Examination Boards should be minuted, and the minutes retained by the relevant departments in both institutions. The minutes should include the general comments of the External Examiner, if relevant.   

23.5
Due to the nature of international partnerships, it is recognised that the practice of appointing External Examiners may not be common practice and therefore possibly not a requirement for partner institutions. However, for marks and degrees awarded in Swansea University’s name, the appropriate External Examiner must be involved in the assessment process, in accordance with the SU policies and procedures.   

23.6
External Examiners shall be nominated and appointed in accordance with the procedures detailed in the SU Code of Practice for External Examining. Appointments will be considered through the Joint Academic Board with both institutions approving nominations and appointments.  

23.7
Associate tutors/examiners must possess recent or current demonstrable professional standing in an area of practice closely relevant to the programme of study.  

23.8
A full curriculum vitae will be provided to the SU Education Committee for the approval of Associate Examiner status. 

24.1
Students shall be assessed at the Institution at which they have pursued the programme of study. 

24.2
The medium of instruction in both institutions will be English and examination and project reports in IITM will be English. Any student who is following an SU programme of study may request - regardless of whether the main language of assessment of the programme in question is English or Welsh - to submit examination scripts or assessed work in either English or Welsh for the SU delivered modules.  Such requests shall be dealt with in accordance with the Guidelines on Assessment and Examination in Welsh or another Language Other than the Language of Tuition.   

25.1
It is not possible to transfer credits for programmes jointly awarded by SU and IITM.  

26.1
The degree shall be conferred upon successful students in accordance with the agreed procedures of the awarding institutions. Students shall be invited to an awards ceremony at a later date to celebrate their award.

27.1
Students who are not recommended by the Examining Board for the award may appeal against the decision reached and request an academic appeal.  All appeals for modules undertaken in SU shall be conducted in accordance with  SU Accuracy of Published Marks or Academic Appeals procedures. Appeals against a decision reached for a module undertaken in IITM shall be conducted in accordance with IITM Ordinances and Regulations MSc from 2015. 

28.1
Any allegation of unfair practice for a module undertaken in SU shall be considered in accordance with SU Academic Misconduct procedures and in accordance with the Ordinances and Regulations MSc from 2015 for a module undertaken in IITM. 

29.1
Requests from Faculties/Schools for SU Aegrotat Awards shall be considered in accordance with the SU procedures for the Award of Aegrotat Degrees.  

30.1
Requests from Faculties/Schools for SU posthumous awards shall be considered in accordance with the SU procedures for the Award of Posthumous Awards.  

The following Postgraduate Assessment Regulations shall apply to all students undertaking a joint postgraduate degree programme awarded by Swansea University (SU) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). 

2.1   General Principles 

2.1.1 Presentation of Marks  
Joint Examination Boards shall be presented with all marks of assessment undertaken during the academic year (or in the case of students who are yet to complete the full programme of study, marks for modules taken so far).  
All marks which have not yet been presented to the Joint Progression and Awards Board are considered provisional and therefore may be subject to change. 

2.1.2 Progression Decisions 
The decision as to whether a student is permitted to proceed from Part One to Part Two will be taken at a Part One Joint Progression and Award Board. Students who fail to qualify to proceed at the initial attempt will normally be allowed to redeem failures by undertaking supplementary assessment. Re-sits may only be awarded by the Joint Progression and Awards Board.  
All progression decisions are taken by the Joint Progression and Awards Board with reference to the Joint Assessment Regulations. In accordance with these guidelines and the progression rules, for students starting their programme in July, supplementary assessments and the representation of assessed work for failed modules will normally take place at the end of each Semesternext examination/ supplementary opportunity. The Joint Progression and Awards Board will normally be expected to re-consider the cases of students who take supplementary assessments or represent assessed work as appropriate. 

2.1.3 Anonymous Marking 
Please refer to the SU Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy 

2.1.4 Disclosure of Identity 
Please refer to the SU  Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy. 

2.1.5 Disclosure of Results 
A distinction should be drawn between provisional marks and confirmed marks. 
Please refer to the SU  Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy. 

2.1.6 Appeals against decisions 
Students who do not qualify to proceed to Part Two may request that the decision of the Joint Progression and Awards Board be reviewed in accordance with the SU Academic Appeals and/or Accuracy of Published Marks Procedure, which are published in the Academic Regulations. 

2.2 GENERAL ASSESSMENT RULES - JOINT TAUGHT MASTER’S DEGREES 

G1
Taught modules will adhere to the grading and resit regulations for the host institution, with taught modules delivered by IITM following the IITM regulations and SU delivered taught modules following the SU regulations.  
The Pass mark for modules will be set at 50% (within the SU scale) or variable, per module, for IITM. IITM will award letter grades to modules, as follows: 

Students are considered to have passed if they achieve a letter grade of S, A, B, C, D, E or P. A letter grade U, F or W is a failure for that module.  
Credits will be awarded to students who pass a module (compensation regulations will not apply to core modules). 

G2
In order to proceed from Part One to Part Two a student must aim to accumulate credits as outlined below: 
Taught Masters (MSc/MA/LLM) 120 SU credits (= 60 ECTS credits)/ 118 IITM credits). 

G3
Faculties/Schools may identify 'core' modules as appropriate for individual programmes, which must be passed with a mark of at least 50% (SU scale) or IITM pass grade before a student can progress. The 'core' modules for each programme must be clearly identified in programme guidance and on the associated assessment software used for the Partnership. Compensated failures cannot be awarded for core modules. Students' performance in 'core' modules must be monitored by the Joint Examination Board. A module containing the piece/pieces of directed independent learning or its equivalent, by its very nature, shall be regarded as being a 'core module', and a pass mark of 50% (SU scale) or IITM pass grade will be applied uniformly.  

G4
Students undertaking a joint SU and IITM award are not eligible for compensation at the end of Part One. At the discretion of the Joint Progression and Awards Board, such students may be permitted two further attempts to redeem their failure in each failed module, provided that this can be achieved within the time limit for the degree.  

G5
Students, who satisfy the examiners at an attempt to redeem a failure, shall only be eligible for a mark up to the capped threshold of 50% (SU scale) for SU delivered taught modules, irrespective of their actual level of performance. 
 
Students undertaking IITM delivered modules who have received an E grade (pass) and have been permitted to resit the assessment shall be eligible for a grade capped at D grade, irrespective of their actual level of performance. Students who receive an I or W grade who have been permitted to resit shall be eligible for an uncapped grade. 

G6
Students who fail to redeem a failure in a module taken at Part One, and hence fail to proceed to Part Two, will be required to withdraw from the University, which will apply to both institutions. Such students shall have no further opportunity to complete their programme of study and shall only be eligible to be considered for an exit qualification. Students awarded a decision of required to withdraw from the University will be given no further attempts to redeem their modules and will not be eligible to transfer credits to another programme of study at SU or IITM and their studies will be terminated. Normally, a student with a decision of "Required to withdraw from the University" shall not be re-admitted to that same programme of study, or to a cognate programme, without the approval of the Joint Academic Board, with agreement of both Programme Directors (or their representatives).

G7
Full-time students who do not attempt to redeem failed modules during the supplementary point will normally be awarded a mark of 0% (SU) or fail (IITM) in such modules. The best mark principle shall apply at the Joint Examination Board; the Board will refer to the semester one/semester two mark where a higher mark is scored. The best mark principle will only apply within an academic session.

G8
In exceptional circumstances, and in accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessments, students who fail to redeem their module(s) because of extenuating circumstances (i.e. as a deferral) may be eligible to be reassessed at a further assessment/supplementary point. Students will be permitted a maximum of three attempts to pass the module/s (a first sit and two supplementary attempts), with a deferred attempt classed as a first/postponed attempt. The re-assessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules concerned. 

G9
A student who is to be re-examined in set projects or other forms of course assessment shall not be permitted to re-submit modified versions of their original work but shall be required to submit for assessment new work on different topics from those which originally failed to satisfy the examiners. 

G10
Students who have qualified to proceed to Part Two shall not be allowed to elect to repeat any SU delivered module which has been passed, in order to improve their performance.

G11
A student who is absent for the whole or part of a written assessment (or who fails to submit set projects or coursework by the required date(s)) will be deemed to have failed the modules(s) in question. In the case of part one students who are unable to undertake assessments due to extenuating circumstances, an extenuating circumstances application must be submitted as detailed in the programme guidance by the prescribed deadline. The application will consider for approval with reference to the SU Policy on Extenuating Circumstances. Students granted deferrals will be required to undertake assessments at the next scheduled assessment point for the module(s) concerned. 

G12
Joint SU and IITM awards will not include a classification. Students will pass every module to qualify for an award. IITM will calculate a CGPA/GPA for each semester, calculated in accordance with the IITM agreed formula. The credit earned by modules with a pass/fail outcome will not be considered for CGPA/GPA calculation. 

G13
The rules outlined in the Specific Progression Rules will normally influence the Part One Joint Progression and Award Boards in arriving at a progression decision for students. However, students must not expect, as of right that they will be allowed to undertake supplementary assessments, or be allowed to continue. The Joint Progression and Awards Board may take into account other circumstances relating to the student’s case before confirming any progression decision. The Joint Progression and Awards Board would not be expected to allow a student to formally progress to Part Two unless they had satisfied the minimum criteria and demonstrated competence to undertake work required at Part Two, however provisional progression may be permitted subject to the criteria outlined in regulation 2.4 S3.

G14
Programmes which are subject to professional accreditation can apply stricter progression rules provided that the applications of such rules are required by the Professional Accreditation Body as a condition for accreditation of the programme. The stricter rule shall be applied for accreditation purposes only. Students should be notified in student programme guidance of any additional requirements.

G15
Students who fail to complete Part One and/or withdraw from both institutions may, depending on the number of credits accumulated, be entitled to an exit qualification. 

G16
Students who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment by the deadline will fail Part Two of the programme and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma as an exit award. No resubmission will be given. 
Where there are one or more assessment components in respect of the directed independent learning module, students who have submitted at least one assessment component by the deadline and fail to obtain an overall module pass mark, will normally be permitted to resubmit all failed components in accordance with the appropriate time limit.  

G17
Students who submit their piece of directed independent learning by the deadline and who fail to obtain a pass mark will normally be permitted to resubmit in accordance with the appropriate time limit.

G18
Students who fail Part Two of the programme and who are permitted to resubmit will have the following periods of time in which to resubmit. Resubmission will not be capped

G19
Students who are unable to meet their submission deadline may apply for an extension to their submission deadline in accordance with Partnership regulations.

G20
The Partnership reserves the right to charge a re-examination fee in respect of the re-submission of the piece of directed independent learning.

2.3 Specific Progression Rules - Completion of Part One Full-Time Joint Programmes

S1
Students who pass at least 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits, at 50% (SU scale)/ IITM pass grade or above, in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to Part Two.

S2
Students who pass fewer than 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits at 50% (SU scale)/ IITM pass grade or above will be required to undertake supplementary assessments in all failed modules. 
Students, who choose not to re-sit a failed module, or an assessment component, will be awarded a mark of 0%. However, the best mark principle shall apply. At the Supplementary (re-sit) Board, the Board will refer to the TB1/TB2 mark where a higher mark has previously been scored (refer to G9). 

S3
All students who do not complete Part One and/or progress to Part Two have the right of appeal in accordance with the SU Accuracy of Published Marks and/or Appeals Procedure.

S4
Students may exit at this point with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma, provided that they have accumulated the required number of credits, i.e.

*Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.

2.4 Specific Full-Time and Part-Time rules to be applied at the end of Part One Re-sit Board for Joint Programmes

S1 Completion of Part One
Students, who pass at least 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits, at 50% (SU scale)/ IITM pass grade or above, in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to Part Two. 

S2
Students who pass fewer than 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits at 50% (SU scale)/ IITM pass grade or above at the second attempt will be required to undertake one further supplementary assessment in all failed modules.

S3
Students who are attempting to redeem a failure and who fail to qualify to formally proceed to Part Two at the third attempt will be required to withdraw from the University, which will apply to both institutions, and will be considered for an exit award where appropriate. This will also apply to students who have provisionally progressed to Part Two and have started the directed independent learning module. Such students will be required to withdraw from the University, applicable to both institutions, and will not be permitted to continue on the directed independent learning module or to submit the directed independent learning assessment(s).

S4
All students who fail to complete Part One and/or progress to Part Two have the right of appeal in accordance with the SU Academic Appeals and/or Accuracy of Published Marks Procedure.

S5
In exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment, candidates who fail to redeem their module(s) at the second attempt because of extenuating circumstances or who fail the module at the second opportunity (i.e. as a deferral) may submit evidence of such circumstances to the Partnership for consideration. At the discretion of the Joint Progression and Awards Board, such candidates may be permitted one further and final opportunity to be reassessed. The reassessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules concerned in the next academic year.

2.5 Rules for Awarding Joint Taught Masters Degrees (Part Two)

2.5.1 Specific Regulations for Awarding Credit at the End of Part Two

S1
The pass-mark shall be 50% (SU scale)/ IITM pass grade. 

S2
Students who accumulate 60 SU credits/ 80 IITM credits in their piece of directed independent learning module (Part Two) and have secured a CGPA of 5.0, calculated across all successfully completed modules, may qualify for the award of a degree.  

S3
Students who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment by the deadline will be required to withdraw from the University, applying to both institutions, and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma as an exit award. No resubmission will be permitted. 
Where there are one or more assessment components in respect of the directed independent learning module, students who have submitted at least one assessment component by the deadline and fail to obtain an overall module pass mark, will normally be permitted to resubmit all failed components in accordance with the appropriate time limit.  

S4
Students awarded a resubmission by the Joint Progression and Awards Board will normally be permitted to resubmit their piece of directed independent learning in accordance with the appropriate time limit.

S5
Students who fail Part Two of the programme and who are permitted to resubmit will be subject to the deadlines outlined in the programme guidance. Resubmission will not be capped.

S6
Students who fail their piece of directed independent learning at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University, applying to both institutions. Such students may be considered for a Postgraduate Diploma. 

S7
Students who are unable or not permitted to complete at Part Two may be eligible for consideration for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma.

1.1   INTRODUCTION 

The University operates a campus-wide assessment system. The system is intended to deal with progression issues at all levels and with the awarding of qualifications. 

1.2   AN OUTLINE OF THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE 

The model below represents Swansea University’s structure for managing student progression and awards for programmes delivered in partnership with one or more partner institutions. The University’s Senate delegates the responsibility for managing the bestowing of Swansea University Awards and ensuring the quality and standards of awards made in the name of the University Education Committee. The University Progression and Awards Board, under the authority delegated to it by the University Education Committee has responsibility for overseeing the University’s assessment process and confirming progression and award decisions submitted to it by the Joint Examination Boards. 

1.3   EXAMINATION BOARDS

1.3.1 Joint Examination Boards

The Partnership is responsible for arriving at the module marks for each student studying its modules. Initially, and following strict marking conventions, provisional marks shall be determined. Partnerships will be required to record provisional marks on the SU assessment system. These marks, coupled with the end of session results, or in the case of Flexible masters programmes at the end of Semester One and end of programme results, will be considered by Partnerships at Joint Examination Boards, which have membership from SU and the partner institution(s). Careful consideration should be given to the award of borderline marks (marks ending in ‘8’ and ‘9’.) The provisional marks and decisions will then be submitted to the Joint Progression and Awards Board which shall confirm the progression and award decisions.

The Joint Examination Board will also consider evidence of extenuating circumstances relating to individual students (Schools should be aware of the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment).

Joint Examination Boards should ensure that full and thorough consultation with both/all partner institutions.

1.3.2 Membership of Joint Examination Boards

1.3.3 Joint Examination Boards -Terms of Reference

Joint Examination Boards

• To ensure that the rules and regulations relating to progression are applied consistently, and those standards are maintained;
• To confirm marks for modules taught for programmes within the Partnership;
• To receive recommendations on extenuating circumstances and finalise marks;
• To determine progression issues, with reference to the rules and regulations, and to award supplementary assessments;
• In the case of students at the end of their programme of study;
• To make recommendations on provisional awards for degrees/certificates/diplomas and other qualifications to the Joint Progression and Award Boards;
• To make recommendations on exit qualifications;
• To nominate representatives to attend, on behalf of the programme/ Partnership, the Joint Progression and Awards Board;
• To draw up subject level pass lists/result endorsement forms and ensure that these are signed by a Chief External Examiner.

Joint Examination Boards will meet to finalise the marks of students at the end of their programme. The External Examiner(s) must be available for consultation at this meeting and are also required to sign the result endorsement forms following the meeting.

1.4   Joint Progression and Awards Board

1.4.1

The Joint Progression and Award Board will act under the authority delegated to it by the University Education Committee, and oversee the University’s assessment process and confirm marks and all progression and award decisions for the Partnership. In addition, the Board will be responsible for monitoring the quality and standards of awards made in the University name. All awards recommended by an Examining Board must be conferred by the Joint Award and Progression Board before Certificates and Transcripts can be issued.

1.4.2 Joint Progression and Awards Board – Terms of reference

• To monitor and ensure adherence to the requirements of the University’s or Partnership’s academic and assessment regulations by progression and award boards;
• To approve recommendations on the awarding of degrees and other qualifications;
• To report to the University Education Committee on all awards bestowed by the University;
• To approve recommendations from Joint Examination Boards and other relevant boards, on progression issues with reference to the assessment regulations;
• To receive and consider reports from all Joint progression and award boards and other relevant boards;
• To determine cases where a procedural irregularity has occurred during the proceedings of progression and award boards and where a recommendation has been made contrary to Regulations;
• To make recommendations on the revocation of awards;
• To review, on an annual basis, issues relating to the assessment process;
• To approve recommendations on the award of prizes;
• To oversee the approval of nominations for the Examining Board for postgraduate research students;
• To make recommendations on the bestowing of aegrotat and posthumous awards;
• To consider External Examiners’ reports and ensure appropriate responses are made and to report to the University Education Committee any issues of concern.

1.5   ISSUES REQUIRING APPROVAL BY SENATE

1.5.1 Recommendation on the revocation of an award

At an Examination Board every effort shall be made to reach a consensus. If a disagreement arises between the External Examiner and the relevant Examining Board regarding issues of standards, the views of the External Examiner shall be noted in the minutes of the Board and in the external examiners’ report. The External Examiner may appeal, in exceptional circumstances, to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) or another Pro Vice-Chancellor (where the PVC (Education) is unavailable or is in conflict of interest). The decision of the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall be final.

When the decision of an External Examiner gives rise to a case of dispute between the External Examiner(s) and internal examiners it is within the power of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) to decide on the matter, at their discretion, or to appoint another External Examiner to provide an independent opinion. The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) may take into account any written reports submitted by members of the Examining Board.

In choosing a second External Examiner the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) may also take into account, but need not be bound by, the nomination (if any) of an Examining Board for a second External Examiner. A decision on whether or not to reconvene the Examining Board shall be at the discretion of this second External Examiner whose decision on this matter shall be final.

1.3.3 Joint Examination Boards -Terms of Reference

Joint Examination Boards

• To ensure that the rules and regulations relating to progression are applied consistently, and those standards are maintained;
• To confirm marks for modules taught for programmes within the Partnership;
• To receive recommendations on extenuating circumstances and finalise marks;
• To determine progression issues, with reference to the rules and regulations, and to award supplementary assessments;
• In the case of students at the end of their programme of study;
• To make recommendations on provisional awards for degrees/certificates/diplomas and other qualifications to the Joint Progression and Award Boards;
• To make recommendations on exit qualifications;
• To nominate representatives to attend, on behalf of the programme/ Partnership, the Joint Progression and Awards Board;
• To draw up subject level pass lists/result endorsement forms and ensure that these are signed by a Chief External Examiner.

Joint Examination Boards will meet to finalise the marks of students at the end of their programme. The External Examiner(s) must be available for consultation at this meeting and are also required to sign the result endorsement forms following the meeting.

1.4   Joint Progression and Awards Board

1.4.1

The Joint Progression and Award Board will act under the authority delegated to it by the University Education Committee, and oversee the University’s assessment process and confirm marks and all progression and award decisions for the Partnership. In addition, the Board will be responsible for monitoring the quality and standards of awards made in the University name. All awards recommended by an Examining Board must be conferred by the Joint Award and Progression Board before Certificates and Transcripts can be issued.

1.4.2

Joint Progression and Awards Board – Terms of reference

• To monitor and ensure adherence to the requirements of the University’s or Partnership’s academic and assessment regulations by progression and award boards;
• To approve recommendations on the awarding of degrees and other qualifications;
• To report to the University Education Committee on all awards bestowed by the University;
• To approve recommendations from Joint Examination Boards and other relevant boards, on progression issues with reference to the assessment regulations;
• To receive and consider reports from all Joint progression and award boards and other relevant boards;
• To determine cases where a procedural irregularity has occurred during the proceedings of progression and award boards and where a recommendation has been made contrary to Regulations;
• To make recommendations on the revocation of awards;
• To review, on an annual basis, issues relating to the assessment process;
• To approve recommendations on the award of prizes;
• To oversee the approval of nominations for the Examining Board for postgraduate research students;
• To make recommendations on the bestowing of aegrotat and posthumous awards;
• To consider External Examiners’ reports and ensure appropriate responses are made and to report to the University Education Committee any issues of concern.

1.5   ISSUES REQUIRING APPROVAL BY SENATE

1.5.1 Recommendation on the revocation of an award

At an Examination Board every effort shall be made to reach a consensus. If a disagreement arises between the External Examiner and the relevant Examining Board regarding issues of standards, the views of the External Examiner shall be noted in the minutes of the Board and in the external examiners’ report. The External Examiner may appeal, in exceptional circumstances, to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) or another Pro Vice-Chancellor (where the PVC (Education) is unavailable or is in conflict of interest). The decision of the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall be final.

When the decision of an External Examiner gives rise to a case of dispute between the External Examiner(s) and internal examiners it is within the power of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) to decide on the matter, at their discretion, or to appoint another External Examiner to provide an independent opinion. The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) may take into account any written reports submitted by members of the Examining Board.

In choosing a second External Examiner the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) may also take into account, but need not be bound by, the nomination (if any) of an Examining Board for a second External Examiner. A decision on whether or not to reconvene the Examining Board shall be at the discretion of this second External Examiner whose decision on this matter shall be final.

1.5.2 Disputes between the Joint Examination Board and the Joint Progression and Awards Board

Decisions made by the Joint Progression and Awards Board or by the Chair/Deputy Chair of that Board shall normally be made in accordance with the regulations and therefore, such decisions will normally be final. In exceptional circumstance where there is a disagreement between the Joint Examination Board and the Joint Progression and Awards Board or the Chair/Deputy Chair of that Board with regards to the application of the regulations, the Chair of the Joint Examination Board may appeal to the Pro-Vice Chancellor responsible for Standards and Quality. The decision of the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall be final.

The following Specific Regulations shall apply to all students undertaking a joint postgraduate degree programme awarded by Swansea University (SU) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM).

*DEFINITION: Directed Independent Learning 

Directed independent learning is defined as a single piece or pieces of self-directed study (undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor), totalling 60 SU credits/80 IITM credits, which provide(s) an opportunity to engage in extended research on one or more aspects of the syllabus relating to the programme.  The directed independent learning can take a variety of forms, chosen to be the most appropriate for the programme, and/or to enhance the employability prospects of the students.  This can be defined at programme approval and will be equivalent to the effort required to prepare a dissertation of up to 20,000 words.

Postgraduate Taught Masters Degrees 

1. Introduction

These regulations shall apply to the programmes leading to the award of MSc. 

1.1 
Masters degrees and Postgraduate Certificate and Diplomas are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.
• A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
• Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
• Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
  • to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline;
  • to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to: 

• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
• Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.

And holders will have:

• The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
  • the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
  • decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations;
  • the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

2. Structure of Programme

2.1
SU and IITM Joint Taught Masters’ programmes are structured as follows:

A full-time programme of study consisting of modules totalling 180 SU credits/ 198 IITM credits, with 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits of taught modules at Part One and 60 SU credits/ 80 IITM credits of directed independent learning at Part Two. 

2.2 
Students are not permitted to pursue more than 120 SU credits/ 118 IITM credits at Part One.

2.3 
Part One shall normally be completed in the first 9 months/ 2 semesters, with students undertaking Part Two during months 9 to 18/ the following 2 semesters.

2.4
Learning outcomes shall be specified for each Master's programme and for any programme intended to provide an intermediate or fall-back qualification.

3. Time Limits

3.1 
Taught modules shall be completed as prescribed by the relevant Faculty/School and assessment completed by the dates set by Faculties/Schools. The full degree programme shall be completed within the following periods from the date of the initial registration:

3.2 
Students must normally complete Part One studies by the following deadlines unless alternative times are approved for a given programme by the Joint Academic Board in agreement with both Programme Directors.

Full-time students - end of the 12th month or, if supplementary examinations are taken, by 16th month of candidature.

3.3 
A student who fails to complete Part One within the period indicated may not proceed to Part Two of the programme unless a formally authorised extension to the period for completion of Part One has been agreed or unless provisional progression has been agreed by the Progression and Award Board, subject to completion of agreed supplementary opportunities for any failed modules. Without an authorised extension or agreed provisional progression, the student is eligible only for the appropriate exit qualification. It should be noted that such an extension will not automatically extend the period of study for the entire programme.

4. Extension to the Submission Deadline

4.1 
Applications for extension to the deadline for submission of the piece/pieces of directed independent learning must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the host institution for that module and must be routed via the candidate's supervisor to the Joint Academic Board in accordance with the stated deadlines.

5. Teaching and Assessment Structure

5.1
The teaching pattern for these programmes shall be outlined in the programme guidance.

6. Assessment Regulations

6.1 
Students shall be required to complete the programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as published in the SU and IITM Joint Taught Masters Degrees Assessment Regulations.

6.2 
The pass mark for a module shall be 50% (within the SU scale) or variable per module, for IITM. 

6.3 
Students must pass Part One of the programme of study successfully before being permitted to formally proceed to Part Two and to be eligible for the intended award.

The directed independent learning shall embody the methods and results of a research project. 

6.4 
Both parts of the programme must be completed successfully before a student may qualify for the award of a degree. 

7. Exit Qualifications 

7.1 
A student who is admitted to a Master’s programme but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion may, depending upon the number of credits attained at the time of exit, qualify for one of the following awards as follows:

7.2 
The award of a named Postgraduate Certificate, following the completion of modules offering not less than 60 SU credits/45 IITM credits at Level 7, will only be available if the relevant modules constitute an approved programme. Approval of a certificate programme, under this regulation, shall be made by the relevant Joint Progression and Award Board.

8. Part Two - directed independent learning (60 SU credits/ 80 IITM credits).

8.1 
Each candidature shall be completed by the presentation of a piece or pieces of directed independent learning and the approval of such work by the examiners.

8.2 
Candidates may begin preparatory work on their directed independent learning during Part One of the programme but will only be permitted to submit following successful completion of Part One.

8.3 
Following submission of the directed independent learning assessment(s), students will undertake a viva voce examination in the host institution.

9. Supervision of directed independent learning

9.1
For the MSc Materials and Manufacturing and MSc Sustainable Engineering joint programmes, students can undertake the directed independent learning in either SU (for Track 1) or IITM (for Track 2). All students will be jointly supervised by staff from SU and IITM.  

Supervisors will oversee each student’s research project and dissertation preparation. Supervisors must be nominated and approved by both institutions for each dissertation or research topic, with supervision duties divided appropriately. Supervisors shall be selected based on their expertise in the relevant content area and discipline, and they will jointly and regularly review the student’s progress. The primary supervisor will be based in the host institution for the directed independent learning module and the secondary supervisor will be based in the partner institution.

9.2 
Students shall be supervised in accordance with the supervision policy or approach for the host institution. For SU this will be the Supervision Policy for Postgraduate Taught Masters students.

10. Responsibilities of the Partnership

10.1 
Proposals to be feasible in terms of the timescale and resources available and to be allocated to supervisors with suitable expertise.

10.2 
Supervisors to be allowed sufficient time to discharge their duties, particularly where the cohort is large.

10.3 
Research Council guidance to be followed, when appropriate, in respect of facilities to be made available (study space, library, appropriate research environment, etc.).

10.4 
Written guidelines to be issued with regard to attendance/ engagement, frameworks for meetings and general expectations, in accordance with the host institution’s policy or approach, for example SU Supervision Policy for Joint Postgraduate Taught Masters Students on Collaborative Partnership Programmes.

10.5 
The implementation of all such guidelines to be monitored on a regular basis.

10.6 
Where students require additional help with language skills, this advice to be provided as a service separate from the duties of the supervisor. 

10.7
A mechanism to be in place whereby a student is able to request a change of supervisor, and whereby an alternative member of staff is made available should either supervisor be absent for a prolonged period of time.

10.8 
The number of students allocated to a supervisor to be such that he/she will have the capacity to fulfil the responsibilities noted in section 11.

11. Responsibilities of the Supervisors 

11.1
Advice and guidance to be provided to the student with the aim of facilitating the production of a piece of work of the requisite standard for a Taught Master’s degree.

11.2 
The proposal to be within the supervisors' fields of expertise, the selected topic to be defined in consultation with the student and approved by the Programme Directors in the Partnership. 

11.3 
The proposal to be suitable for completion within the allotted time span. 

11.4 
A timetable for the submission of work to be agreed in accordance with the programme’s deadlines. 

11.5
A minimum of three meetings to be held in accordance with the SU Supervision Policy for Joint Postgraduate Taught Masters Students on Collaborative Partnership Programmes for students undertaking the directed independent learning module in SU. 

11.6 
Agree with the student a record of all such formal meetings, including dates, action agreed and deadlines set.  The record shall be maintained by the student and submitted to the Programme Directors on submission of the work via the submission process outlined in the programme guidance. 

11.7 
Work to be returned according to specified deadlines and accompanied by constructive comment. 

11.8 
A Feedback session to be given to any student who fails and is permitted by the Joint Progression and Awards Board to resubmit their work.  

12. Responsibilities of the Student 

12.1
The work produced to be first and foremost the student’s own work, albeit achieved with benefit of advice and guidance from the supervisors.

12.2
Full-time students in Part Two are expected to be in attendance at the host institution (either SU or IITM) during Part Two of the Programme (please refer to point 1.3 of the SU Supervision Policy for Joint Postgraduate Taught Masters Students on Collaborative Partnership Programmes). 

12.3 
A timetable for the submission of work to be agreed in accordance with programme deadlines. 

12.4 
A minimum of three meetings to be attended in accordance with the SU Supervision Policy for Joint Postgraduate Taught Masters Students on Collaborative Partnership Programmes for students undertaking the directed independent learning module in SU. 

12.5 
A careful record to be maintained, agreed between supervisors and student, of all formal meetings, including dates, action agreed and deadlines set. In accordance with the SU Supervision Policy for Joint Postgraduate Taught Masters Students on Collaborative Partnership Programmes, a copy of this record should be submitted to the Programme Directors when the work is submitted for students undertaking the directed independent learning module in SU. 

12.6 
Supervisors to be contacted should additional meetings be considered necessary. 

12.7 
Work to be completed within the agreed framework, with any problems relating to late (or unsatisfactory) submission to be brought to the supervisor's attention in writing as soon as possible. 

13. Examination of directed independent learning 

13.1
For every Joint Examining Board there shall be a Chair who shall be responsible for ensuring that the correct administrative procedures for the submission and examination of the work are carried out.   

13.2 
All work shall be marked by two members of staff, one of whom should normally be the supervisor for that particular student, with one marker from each institution. However, in certain circumstances it may not be appropriate for the Supervisors to act as marker. 

13.3 
The role of the External Examiner is specified in SU Code of Practice for External Examining. 

13.4
However, if it is impossible to allocate two internal markers then the host institution should pay an external marker to act in the capacity as the second marker and the External Examiner should be asked to oversee that moderation has occurred. 

13.5 
Although it is customary for the same external examiner to examine a student for Part One and for Part Two, an independent examiner may be appointed to examine the work where specialist knowledge or expertise is required. 

13.6 
The Joint Academic Board may opt to use sampling regulations if the cohort is greater than 10, in accordance with the process outline in SU Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy. In addition, all failed pieces of work must be sent to the External Examiner. 

13.7 
The marks shall be ratified at the SU Part Two Joint Examination   Boards / Progression and Awards Board. 

13.8 
For dealing with disputes or disagreements, see the SU Code of Practice for External Examining. 

14. Submission of directed independent learning 

14.1 
Directed independent learning must be submitted in accordance with the Partnership’s requirements.  The Joint Academic Board may choose one of the following options:

• To accept an electronic copy of the work
• To accept two soft bound copies and an electronic copy. 

Faculties/Schools must inform students of the method of submission in the programme guidance. 

Each copy shall contain:

• A statement that it is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree.
• A summary of the work not exceeding 300 words in length.
• A statement, signed by the student, showing to what extent the work submitted is the result of the student’s own investigation.  Acknowledgement of other sources shall be made by footnotes giving explicit references.  A full bibliography should be appended to the work.
• A declaration, signed by the student, to certify that the work has not already been accepted in substance for any degree, and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree.
• A signed statement regarding availability of the thesis. 

14.2 
Detailed instructions on the presentation of work shall be available to students in the Academic Regulations. 

14.3 
Submission of the work shall be defined as submission of a piece or pieces of work submitted in accordance with the requirements specified under submission of directed independent learning (above) and should also meet the requirements (format, word limits, etc.) specified by the Partnership.   The Programme Directors shall have the discretion to determine whether a submission fails to meet these requirements. 

14.4 
Submission of directed independent learning shall be at the end of the fourth semester, as detailed in the student programme guidance.

14.5      
Students who fail to submit their work by the deadline will fail Part Two of the programme and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma as an exit award.

14.6          
Each degree has a maximum period of candidature.  The maximum period is designed to enable students whose studies have been interrupted for whatever reason to complete their degree.  Students must aim to complete their programme by the deadlines as given in Section 3. A candidature shall lapse (and examination be thereby precluded) if the programme is not completed within the Partnership time limits outlined in Section 3.

15. Resubmission

15.1      
If the work is not accepted by the examiners by the set deadline, the student may be allowed to resubmit it once only within the as detailed in the programme guidance.

15.2      
A fee shall be payable to the host institution for the re-examination. The mark will not be capped for the resubmission.

15.3      
Students resubmitting should be given written feedback on the reasons for failure immediately following confirmation of the result by the Joint Progression and Awards Board.  Faculties/Schools should ensure that feedback reflects all comments from the Examiners (Internal and External) and that the student is informed of the necessary changes required. 

15.4      
Students re-submitting are only permitted to make minor changes to the title of their work with the permission of their supervisors.  Such changes should not require any further original research.

15.5
Students resubmitting their work for the SU based module will remain subject to the requirements of the SU Engagement Monitoring Policy for Research Students and will be expected to be fully engaged with their studies during the resubmission period. Students will be monitored on a four-weekly basis (one formal feedback session followed by welfare check ins, students are not entitled to additional supervision) up until the point of resubmission within the time limit set for full and part time students and will still be subject to the escalation process for reasons of non-engagement. The Faculty/School or VISA team will assume responsibility for recording student engagement during the resubmission period.  

16. Publication of Work

16.1
A student shall be at liberty to publish the whole or part of the work produced during their period of registration on the Joint Award, prior to its submission as a whole, or as part, provided that in the published work it is nowhere stated that it is in consideration for a higher degree. Such published work may later be incorporated in the piece of piece of directed independent learning submitted for examination.

17. Bar on Access

17.1
Notwithstanding the provisions in the regulations relating to the availability of directed independent learning, Programme Directors may be permitted, on a special recommendation approved by and in agreement with both partnership Programme Directors,  or nominee, to place a bar on photocopying and/or access to a student’s work for a period of up to five years.  It shall be the responsibility of the student’s primary supervisor in the host institution to make an application to the Programme Directors or nominee as soon as is reasonably practicable.  This bar would also apply to members of both institutions.

17.2
The summary and title shall be freely available.

17.3
Any recommendation for a bar on access must be made to the Programme Directors or nominee, after consideration by a student’s supervisors.  It shall be the responsibility of the primary supervisor in the host institution to make the application as soon as is reasonably practicable.  The recommendation must include a statement of the grounds on which the request is being made.  Most requests of this nature are made on the grounds of the commercial sensitivity of the research, which may have been partially sponsored by a commercial or industrial organisation.

17.4
When a bar on access has been granted the student’s supervisors should be notified.  In the case of work which is deemed to be of relevance to Wales, the Faculty/School shall inform the librarian of the National Library of Wales that the work is to be withheld from access for a specified period.

17.5 
Although the bar shall be regarded as operative as soon as the work is submitted, the period approved shall be calculated from the date on which the student is formally notified by both institutions that he/she has qualified for a degree.

17.6
On submission, a student shall be required to incorporate a signed statement within the work to indicate either:

• That the work, if successful, may be made available for inter-library loan or photocopying (subject to the law of copyright), and that the title and summary may be made available to outside organisations; or
• That the work, if successful, may be made so available after expiry of a bar

18. Joint Examining Boards

18.1
The following Joint Examining Boards shall meet to assess candidates:

• • Joint Examination Boards.
  • Joint Progression and Awards Board (Part One: end of Semester Two; Part Two: end of Semester Four).

18.2      
Further details on the constitution, roles and responsibilities of Examining Boards are contained in the SU and IITM Joint Taught Masters Degrees Assessment Regulations.

19. Disposal of directed independent learning following examination

19.1
One copy should be stored by the Faculty/School for not less than two years.  Where a student has submitted two soft bound copies the other copy should be made available for collection by the student, unless the content is deemed to be relevant to Wales, in which case the copy should be deposited in the Swansea University Library.