THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
- ARCHIVE as at 13 January 2011 for reference only
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Home : Regulations : Postgraduate Degree Programme Requirements

8. Higher Professional Degrees in Medicine: General Regulations— MD and DDS

8.1 (a) A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) must:
(i) be a graduate in Medicine and Surgery (MB ChB) of the University of Edinburgh, or a graduate of the Polish School of Medicine in Edinburgh, and must have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly on the candidate’s profession, or in the practice of Medicine or Surgery, or
(ii) hold a qualification which is registrable with the General Medical Council and must have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly on the candidate’s profession, or in the practice of Medicine or Surgery, and will perform their work in the South East of Scotland, either employed as a member of staff of the University of Edinburgh; or as an NHS employee or as a research worker employed or self-financed or grant-funded, in the University of Edinburgh or an Associated Institution or an NHS establishment.
(b) A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) must:
(i) be a graduate in Dental Surgery (BDS) of the University of Edinburgh and must have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly on the candidate’s profession, or in the practice of Dentistry, or
(ii) hold a qualification which is registrable with the General Dental Council and must have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly on the candidate’s profession, or in the practice of Dentistry, and will perform their work in the South East of Scotland, either employed as a member of staff of the University of Edinburgh; or as an NHS employee or as a research worker employed or self-financed or grant-funded, in the University of Edinburgh, or an Associated Institution or an NHS establishment.
8.2 (a) A thesis for the degree of MD must deal with one or more of the subjects of study in the curriculum for the degrees of MB ChB of the University or with subjects arising directly from contemporary medical practice.
(b) A thesis for the degree of DDS must deal with one or more subjects of study in the curriculum for the degree of BDS of the University or with subjects arising directly from contemporary dental practice.
8.3. The grounds for the award of the degrees of MD and DDS are:
(a) the candidate must have demonstrated by the presentation of a thesis and by performance in an oral examination (unless this is exceptionally waived) that the candidate is capable of pursuing original research in the field of study, relating particular researches to the general body of knowledge in the field, and presenting the results of the researches in a critical and scholarly way.
(b) the thesis must be an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in or understanding of the field of study; contain material worthy of publication; show a comprehensive knowledge and a critical appreciation of the field of study and related literature; show that the candidate’s observations have been carefully made; show the exercise of independent critical judgment with regard to both the candidate’s work and that of other scholars in the same general field; contain material which presents a unified body of work; be satisfactory in its literary and general presentation, give full and adequate references and have a coherent structure understandable to a scholar in the same general field with regard to intentions, background, methods and conclusions. A concise and informative summary should be included with the thesis.
8.4 (a) An intending candidate shall submit to the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine) a suggested topic and description of the work on which the thesis will be based. Candidates who do not hold the degrees of MB ChB or BDS, as appropriate, from the University of Edinburgh should submit applications through their identified adviser(s), and receive the approval of the head of an appropriate University School. The College Postgraduate Studies Committee must approve the thesis proposal before the application is accepted. Where the research proposal involves work on human subjects or animals, proof must be submitted that study protocols have been approved by the appropriate ethical committee or regulatory body. Additionally, in the case of studies involving laboratory animals, the candidate should confirm that animal care, welfare and procedures will be conducted under an appropriate Home Office Licence. Candidates will become matriculated students. A fee to cover registration and matriculation is payable when the suggested topic and description of the work have been accepted by the College. A registration fee is paid upon initial registration, an annual advisory fee is paid at the beginning of each year of study (Including the first year) and an examination fee is paid at the time of thesis submission. An annual progress report will be submitted jointly by the adviser, the candidate and the Head of School or his/her nominee. After formal acceptance of the suggested topic and description normally a period of at least 18 months must elapse before a candidate may submit a thesis for the degree concerned. It is expected that the thesis would normally be submitted within a period of five years following registration. Late submissions will require approval from the College Postgraduate Studies Committee.
(b) A period of two years must have elapsed since obtaining the primary degrees or registrable qualifications referred to in clause 6.1 above before an intending candidate may submit a suggested topic and description.
8.5 Registration may be suspended by the Committee for a specified period, if good cause is shown. The total period of suspension of studies for any candidate may not exceed two years.  No fees are payable during any full year in which suspension has been continuous.
8.6 If the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine) accepts a prospective candidate, an adviser, who will be a member of the academic staff of the University or an honorary member of staff, will normally be appointed from whom the prospective candidate should seek advice. Students performing work outwith the University would normally have project approval from and an additional adviser in the host institute. These appointments will be subject to ratification by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee.
8.7 A candidate must submit a thesis specially written for the degree concerned and must not have submitted it in candidature for any other degree, postgraduate diploma or professional qualification. Material to be included in a thesis may be published before the thesis is submitted. The thesis must record the fact of such publication. The thesis must conform to the Regulatory Standards laid down by the Senatus Academicus (See the Postgraduate Research Degree Assessment Regulations).
8.8 A candidate must incorporate in the thesis a signed declaration:
(a) that the thesis has been composed by the candidate, and
(b) either that the work is the candidate’s own or, if the candidate has been a member of a research group, that the candidate has made a substantial contribution to the work, such contribution being clearly indicated in the declaration, and
(c) that a candidate who does not hold the degrees of MB ChB or BDS, as appropriate, from the University of Edinburgh has undertaken a substantial proportion of the work (greater than 75%) contributing to the thesis while in post in South-East Scotland**, and
(d) that the candidate has not submitted the thesis in candidature for any other degree, postgraduate diploma or professional qualification
8.9 Two copies of the thesis, together with three additional copies of the abstract, must be submitted to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee. Both copies of the thesis shall remain the property of the University.
While author’s copyright subsists in the thesis and in the abstract of the thesis, each candidate will be asked to grant the University the right to publish the abstract of the thesis approved and/or to authorise its publication for any scholarly purpose with proper acknowledgement of authorship.
8.10 On the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine), the Senatus Academicus shall appoint one internal examiner, who shall not have been the candidate’s adviser, and one external examiner of the thesis. External examiners shall be of recognised eminence in the subject matter of the thesis and their appointment shall be subject to the approval of the University Court. In special circumstances more than one internal or external examiner may be appointed.
8.11 The candidate will be required to undertake an oral examination in the subject matter of the thesis unless the examination is exceptionally waived by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine). An oral examination will be mandatory for candidates who do not hold the degrees of MB ChB or BDS, as appropriate, of the University of Edinburgh.
8.12 The examiners report to the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine). They may judge a thesis satisfactory subject to specified modifications. In such circumstances the candidate will be permitted to graduate only after the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine) has received a statement, signed by the internal examiner, that the modifications have been made.
8.13 If in the opinion of the examiners the thesis is not of sufficient merit to justify the award of the degree, the candidate may be given the opportunity to resubmit the thesis provided that effect is given to any recommendation the examiners and the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine) may make regarding further studies or the format or content of the thesis.
8.14 If the thesis is deemed to be sufficiently worthy the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine) may recommend to the Senatus Academicus that the Degree of MD or DDS be conferred either with Distinction or with Distinction and the award of a Gold Medal.
8.15 Candidates may, at the discretion of the Senatus Academicus, be permitted to graduate in absentia.
** For this purpose, South-East Scotland is the areas covered by the Borders, Fife and Lothian Health Boards.

9. Higher Professional Degree in Veterinary Medicine: General Regulations—DVM&S

9.1 A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (DVM&S) must normally be:
(a) a graduate of the University of Edinburgh of at least two years’ standing, or a graduate of another approved University of at least three years’ standing who has served as a member of staff (ordinary or honorary) of the University of Edinburgh for a continuous period of not less than two years, and
(b) registered to practise Veterinary Medicine within the United Kingdom, and
(c) have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly upon the candidate’s profession or in the practice of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
9.2 A thesis for the degree of DVM&S must deal with one or more of the subjects of study in the curriculum for the degree of BVM&S of the University or with subjects arising directly from contemporary veterinary practice.
9.3 The grounds for the award of the degree of DVM&S are:
(a) the candidate must have demonstrated by the presentation of a thesis and by performance in an oral examination (unless this is exceptionally waived) that the candidate is capable of pursuing original research in the field of study relating particular researches to the general body of knowledge in the field, and presenting the results of the researches in a critical and scholarly way.
(b) the thesis must be an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in or understanding of the field of study; contain material worthy of publication; show a comprehensive knowledge and a critical appreciation of the field of study and related literature; show that the candidate’s observations have been carefully made; show the exercise of independent critical judgement with regard to both the candidate’s work and that of other scholars in the same general field; contain material which presents a unified body of work; be satisfactory in its literary and general presentation, give full and adequate references and have a coherent structure understandable to a scholar in the same general field with regard to intentions, background, methods and conclusions.
9.4 An intending candidate shall submit to the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine) a suggested topic and description of the work on which the thesis will be based. A registration fee is paid upon initial registration, an annual advisory fee is paid at the beginning of each year of study (Including the first year) and an examination fee is paid at the time of thesis submission. The candidate must also matriculate. After formal acceptance of the suggested topic and description, a period of normally at least 18 months must elapse before the thesis is submitted.
9.5 If the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine) accepts a prospective candidate, an adviser, who will be a member of the academic staff or an honorary member of staff, will normally be appointed from whom the prospective candidate should seek advice.
9.6 A candidate must submit a thesis specially written for the degree and must not have submitted it in candidature for any other degree, postgraduate diploma or professional qualification. Material to be included in a thesis may be published before the thesis is submitted. The thesis must record the fact of such publication or take the form of bound publications with appropriate introduction and discussion. The thesis must conform to the Regulatory Standards laid down by the Senatus Academicus (See the Postgraduate Research Degree Assessment Regulations).
9.7 A candidate must incorporate in the thesis a signed declaration:
(a) that the thesis has been composed by the candidate and
(b) either that the work is the candidate’s own or, if the candidate has been a member of a research group, that the candidate has made a substantial contribution to the work, such contribution being clearly indicated in the declaration, and
(c) that the candidate has not submitted the thesis in candidature for any other degree, postgraduate diploma or professional qualification.
9.8 Two copies of the thesis, together with three additional copies of the abstract, must be submitted to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee. Both copies of the thesis shall remain the property of the University.
  While author’s copyright subsists in the thesis and in the abstract of the thesis, each candidate will be asked to grant the University the right to publish the abstract of the thesis approved and/or to authorise its publication for any scholarly purpose with proper acknowledgement of authorship.
9.9 On the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine), the Senatus Academicus shall appoint one internal examiner, who shall not have been the candidate’s adviser, and one external examiner of the thesis. External examiners shall be of recognised eminence in the subject matter of the thesis and their appointment shall be subject to the approval of the University Court. In special circumstances more than one internal or external examiner may be appointed.
9.10 The candidate will be required to undertake an oral examination in the subject matter of the thesis unless the examination is exceptionally waived by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine).
9.11 The examiners report to the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine). They may judge a thesis satisfactory subject to specified modifications. In such circumstances the candidate will be permitted to graduate only after the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine) has received a statement, signed by the internal examiner, that the modifications have been made.
9.12 If in the opinion of the examiners the thesis is not of sufficient merit to justify the award of the degree, the candidate may be given the opportunity to resubmit the thesis provided that effect is given to any recommendation the examiners and the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Veterinary Medicine) may make regarding further studies or the format or content of the thesis.
9.13 Candidates may, at the discretion of the Senatus Academicus, be permitted to graduate in absentia.

10. Master of Clinical Dentistry (Oral Medicine/ Orthodontics/ Paediatric Dentistry/ Prosthodontics/ Oral Surgery)*

10.1 Postgraduate Students may at the discretion of the Committee be registered as candidates for the degree of Master of Clinical Dentistry in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Medicine). Registration will date from 1 October.
10.2 All registered candidates for the degree must satisfy Section B, Regulations 2.1-2.8 and 3-4 and the additional entrance requirements prescribed by the Committee.
10.3 The period of study will be 24 months full-time or 36 months part-time. This period may not be reduced, and may be extended only in exceptional circumstances.
10.4 Registration for part-time study will be permitted only to suitably qualified candidates who can show to the satisfaction of the Committee that they will be able to attend the prescribed courses and taught clinical practice, and have sufficient time to undertake the necessary studies.
10.5 Candidates will pursue their studies in Edinburgh under the direction of a University supervisor nominated by the Director of the Postgraduate Dental Institute and appointed by the Committee. The Committee must approve additional supervisors outwith the University. For the purposes of the taught clinical practice component candidates will be based in the Edinburgh Dental Institute and other NHS facilities approved for the purpose.
10.6 Leave of absence is not normally permitted, but may be granted on special application to the Committee by the candidate’s University supervisor.
10.7 Candidates will pursue an integrated programme of teaching and taught clinical practice. Work for an independent research dissertation will commence during the first year and will be spread over the duration of the course. The Director of the Postgraduate Institute will approve the research dissertation topic. Details of the individual programme contents and assessment are shown in the relevant Degree Programme Table.
10.8 Candidates may, if good cause is shown, suspend their studies after six months for a maximum period of 12 months. No fees are payable during any full year in which suspension has been continuous.
10.9 On the recommendation of the Director of the Postgraduate Dental Institute, and after seeking the views of the candidate, the Committee may suspend or discontinue a candidate’s studies.
10.10 The examiners in the subjects of the examinations for the degree shall be (a) those professors, readers, lecturers and honorary staff who conduct courses of instruction qualifying for the degree and who are appointed to act as examiners in accordance with such procedure as shall be prescribed by the Senatus Academicus from time to time; and (b) one or more external examiners appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the Senatus Academicus.
10.11 Candidates will be formally examined on the theoretical and practical components of the programmes of study, as specified in the relevant Degree Programme Table. The theoretical aspects will be examined through written and oral examinations. Clinical dentistry will be examined by formal written case presentations, oral examinations and examination of treated patients where appropriate. Examinations will be held towards the end of the first year and in the middle and end of the final year. Candidates will have an opportunity to resit examinations of the theoretical and practical components once only. Candidates who, having resat failed examinations, have an aggregate mark of less than 40% for the first year will be asked to discontinue their studies. The independent research component will be assessed by examination of the written dissertation and subsequent oral examination. The research dissertation must be submitted by a date in early September of the final year which will be specified by the Director of the Postgraduate Dental Institute. (Two typewritten copies of each dissertation must be submitted. See the Postgraduate Research Degree Assessment Regulations) Extensions will be granted by the Committee in exceptional circumstances only. The opportunity to resit does not apply to the independent research component.
10.12 The degree may be awarded with distinction.
10.13 A candidate for the degree who fails to complete a final, written, coursework examination, and who can produce satisfactory evidence that the failure was due to reasons beyond the candidate’s control, may be deemed by the Committee to have satisfied the requirements for that written examination, or be permitted to resit the examination. If these circumstances are medical and are such that the Board of Examiners does not believe that the candidate will be able to complete the work, even after suspension of studies for a period, the Board may propose to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee the award of a degree aegrotat. The report to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee should contain such evidence from medical and welfare agencies as is necessary to support the case and also, so far as is practicable and appropriate, the views of the candidate, the postgraduate supervisor, and the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. If the case is supported by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee, the recommendation shall be referred to the Senatus Postgraduate Studies Committee.
10.14 If a dissertation is judged to be marginally unsatisfactory, the Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, agree that the candidate satisfies the requirements for the award of degree provided that the candidate either (i) makes editorial corrections to the dissertation or (ii) corrects stated deficiencies in the dissertation within a period of the equivalent of two weeks full-time. Any such corrections must be certified by the internal examiner(s) and, if required, by the external examiner.
10.15 To be awarded the Masters degree, candidates must achieve a pass mark (50% or greater) in the examinations in the second year and a pass mark (50% or greater) in the research dissertation.
* This Degree is also available by part-time study.
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