Introduction
These general regulations apply to
all undergraduate study within the University. Students
must also refer to the specific College degree programme requirements,
to the appropriate Degree Programme Table, and to the approved Taught
Assessment Regulations for the current academic session.
Where relevant, the University’s awards and degree programmes are consistent with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF, http://www.scqf.org.uk/). Any exemptions need to be approved by the Curriculum and Student Progression Committee.
A concession is required wherever a student’s programme
deviates from the prescribed norms. Minor concessions are
indicated in the Regulations and may be approved by the Head of
College.* Where a concession is not allowed by these Regulations
it must be approved by the College and the Senatus
Curriculum and Student Progression Committee. A concession is the granting of explicit permission
by the relevant University authority to permit the deviation of
a student’s programme of study from the prescribed norm.’
* Throughout these regulations, the Head of College is referred to as having the authority to grant permissions, concessions and exemptions. This authority may in practice often be delegated by the Head of College to appropriate nominees in the College or Schools. It is vital that students consult their Director of Studies as to the appropriate point of contact, and do not approach the Head of College in the first instance. |
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Compliance |
1. |
Every undergraduate student studying in the University
must comply with these regulations. In exceptional circumstances
a concession to allow relaxation of a specific regulation may be
granted by the appropriate Head of College*. |
2. |
The courses of instruction in each subject of study shall be
as approved by Senatus, on the recommendation of the appropriate
Head of College*. |
3. |
Assessment is subject to the provisions of the University’s
Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic session. |
Degree Programme Curricula |
4. |
Every student must, unless granted a concession in respect of
them, comply with the detailed requirements with regard to the
curriculum for the degree as set out in the appropriate Degree
Programme Table, the courses of study, the order in which courses are attended
and the assessment for the programme, which have been approved by
the Senatus and published in the University Degree Regulations
and Programmes of Study. |
5. |
Except with the permission of the Head of College* responsible
for the course, when selecting courses, students must comply with
the pre-requisite, co-requisite and prohibited combination requirements
shown in the Schedules of Courses. A ‘pre-requisite’
to Course X is a course, or a category of courses or relevant experience,
that must be successfully completed before the student can undertake
Course X. A ‘co-requisite’ course must be undertaken
in the same Academic Year as Course X. A ‘prohibited combination’ exists
where the content of two courses overlaps substantially; students
may be given credit for only one or other course from a prohibited
combination during their programme of study. Students must also comply
with any additional requirements specific to their degree programme
as set out in the appropriate School Programme Guide. No student
will be admitted to a course that is part of their degree programme
more than two weeks after the start of the semester in which the
course is taught without the permission of the Head of College*. |
6. |
Courses and Credits
Each year of study of an undergraduate programme is composed of
courses. Each course is a unit of teaching and learning formally
offered within the University, and carrying credit expressed as
a number of credit points in accordance with the Scottish Credit
and Qualification Framework [http://www.scqf.org.uk/]
(usually 10, 20 or 40 credit points) that may contribute towards
a University award (Certificate, Diploma or Degree), such that
a normal load for each year of full-time study is a set of courses
that total 120 credit points . Credit points are awarded to students
who satisfy the assessment criteria for a course. Credit loadings
on certain programmes may be in excess of those stipulated above
(e.g. MBChB). The Degree Programme Table for each degree programme
sets out the credit points required. |
7. |
Credit Levels
Each course has a specified credit level. For full-time undergraduate
programmes, normally, courses undertaken in years 1 and 2 have
a SCQF credit level of 7 or 8; courses undertaken in year 3 have
a SCQF credit level of 9 or 10; courses undertaken in year 4 have
a SCQF credit level of 9, 10 or 11; and courses undertaken in year
5 have a SCQF credit level of 10 or 11. A minimum number of credit
points at each level, within the total required for each year of
study, is stipulated for each degree programme. To gain a specific
degree award, students must achieve the credit point and levels
requirements of the particular programme, as set out in the appropriate
Degree Programme Table. |
8. |
Transitional arrangements
Where changes are being made to particular programmes of study,
details of any transitional arrangements that apply can be found
in the appropriate College section and School Programme Guide. |
9. |
Substitution of equivalent courses within one degree programme
curriculum
The Degree Programme Tables and School Schedules set out the regulations
governing each degree programme and course. In a limited number
of cases an alternative approved course equivalent in credit value,
level and appropriateness of content may be acceptable within degree
programmes or as pre-requisites for other courses. These courses
may be substituted only with the permission of the Head of College*
owning the degree programme, or his/her nominee. |
10. |
Permissible credit loads and progression |
10.1 |
Students are normally expected to attain passes totalling 120
credit points in each year of study. |
10.2 |
In the pre-Honours years, after receiving appropriate academic advice, a student may be allowed to take level 7 and 8 courses additional to the normal 120 credits, subject to the approval of the Director of Studies. |
10.3 |
Exceptionally, if there are sound pedagogical reasons, an Honours student may take a small amount of additional level 7 or 8 credit and, more rarely, up to 10 credits at levels 9-11 in the Honours years. These cases require College concessions.
* Note: specific College regulations
on courses taken in the Honours years apply in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science
and Engineering: see College regulations. |
10.4 |
The Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic
session describe the detailed procedures for progression and final
classification of degrees. |
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Note: Regulations 10.5 – 10.8 do not apply to students taking the MBChB or BVM&S, where the relevant College regulations apply. |
10.5 |
In order to ensure continuation from one year of study to the
next without the need for an extension to the total period of study,
a full-time student must achieve a minimum of: |
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- 80 credit points by the end of Year 1
- 200 credit points by the end of Year 2
- 360 credit points by the end of Year 3
- 480 credit points by the end of Year 4
- 600 credit points by the end of Year 5 for Integrated Masters
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10.6 |
Where the required credit points have not been attained by the
relevant stage, the student will have “failed to make adequate
progress” and will be reported to the Head of College* and
may be required to suspend studies and to take resit exams or additional
courses to make good the deficit. Illness or other extenuating
circumstances will receive special consideration. |
10.7 |
Part-time students must attain a minimum of 40 credit points
in any two year period, or a minimum of a third of the total credit
points for courses taken in any two year period, whichever is greater. |
10.8 |
Credit points awarded for entry with advanced standing will
not contribute to adequate progress status. |
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11. |
Recognition of prior learning |
11.1 |
The Head of College* shall have power to recognise prior certificated
learning and on this basis to admit a student to the second or
later years of a programme of study. Such recognition shall
be given only where the College is satisfied that the learning
to be recognised provides an adequate basis for the programme or
courses within the programme to be undertaken at the University
of Edinburgh, as set out in the appropriate Degree Programme Table
and Schedule of Courses. |
11.2 |
For a student admitted with recognition of prior learning, either
(a) credit points will be transferred from prior certificated learning,
or (b) 60 points will be credited for each semester of recognition
of prior learning awarded, towards the requirement for a University
of Edinburgh Degree. |
11.3 |
A student admitted with recognition of prior learning will not
be allowed to count in a qualifying curriculum any course passed
at the University of Edinburgh that has a substantial curriculum
overlap with any of the courses passed elsewhere that contributed
to the admission with recognition of prior learning. |
12. |
Normal minimum period of study for students transferring from
another institution.
For the award of a University of Edinburgh degree a student must
study in Edinburgh for a minimum period of two years or the pro-rata
equivalent in the case of part-time study. This regulation does
not apply to intercalating medicine and veterinary medicine students. |
13. |
Transfer to/from another University of Edinburgh programme |
13.1 |
A student may be allowed to transfer to a different degree programme
from another within the University by permission of the Head of
the receiving College*. |
13.2 |
Unless granted a concession by the Head of the receiving College*
in respect of them, students must comply with the pre-requisite
and co-requisite requirements of the new programme shown in the
Schedules of Courses. The total credit points required for the
award of the degree is that shown in the Degree Programme Table
for the new programme. |
14. |
Models for qualifications |
14.1 |
The University offers the following types of undergraduate degrees,
with the credit points required as listed below. The credit levels
required for each programme are specified within the appropriate
Degree Programme Table: |
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A. Single Honours in a named subject/discipline (480 credit points)
B. Single Honours with a subsidiary subject (480 credit points)
C. Combined Honours in two disciplines (480 credit points)
D. Group Honours, typically drawing on more than two disciplines (480 credit
points)
E. Non-Honours degrees, awarded at the end of the third year of study (360 credit
points)
F. General (360 credit points) and Ordinary (360 credit points)
G. Intercalated Honours degrees, see the appropriate Degree Programme Table for
credit and level requirements
H. Integrated Masters with Honours in a discipline, Integrated Masters with a
subsidiary subject Integrated Masters with Combined Honours in two disciplines,
Honours in Fine Art (600 credit points)
I. MBChB (5-year programme: 720 credits, 6-year programme: 840 credit points)
J. BVM&S (600 credit points) |
14.2 |
Transitional arrangements are in place for certain degree programmes,
or parts thereof, and students should refer to the appropriate College
information in the DRPS for further details and to the relevant School
Programme Guide(s). |
Undergraduate Certificate
and Diploma |
15. |
The Undergraduate Certificate or Undergraduate Diploma of Higher
Education may be attained by students who leave the University
without completing a degree programme, where the student meets
the requirements of one of these qualifications as set out below. |
16. |
Students for the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education
must have attained a minimum of 120 credit points gained from passes
in courses of this University which count towards graduation. |
17. |
Students for the Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education must
have attained a minimum of 240 credit points. At least 120 credit
points must be gained from passes in courses of this University
counting towards graduation and at least 90 of the 120 credit points
gained from courses passed at this University must be in courses
at level 8 or above. |
General/Ordinary Degree
(Types E and F in Regulation 14 above) |
18. |
Students should refer to the appropriate College information. |
MBChB and BVM&S (Types
I and J in Regulation 14 above) |
19. |
Students should refer to the College of Medicine and Veterinary
Medicine Degree Regulations and Degree Programme Tables for details
of the credit points and levels to be attained for these programmes. |
Degree with Honours (Types
A, B, C, D, G and H in Regulation 14 above) |
20. |
Entry to Honours in any degree programme is by achievement of
the requirements stipulated within the Degree Programme Table for
that programme. |
21. |
The award of Honours shall be based on the student’s performance
in assessment in the Honours year(s). For information on the award
of Honours see the Taught Assessment Regulations for the
current academic session. |
22. |
A student who satisfies the examiners in the Final Honours assessment
shall be awarded Honours in one of three grades to be denominated
respectively First Class, Second Class and Third Class, of which
the Second Class shall be divided into Division I and Division
II. The names of the students shall be arranged for publication
in each class or division in alphabetic order. |
23. |
A student who has been assessed, classed or failed for Honours
may not present him/herself for re-assessment in the same programme,
or assessment in a closely related programme as determined by the
Head of College. Exceptionally, subsequent attempts to satisfy
specific professional requirements may be permitted, see the Taught
Assessment Regulations for the current academic session.. |
24. |
During a single period of continuous registration, a student may
be awarded only the qualification with the highest status for which
he/she has qualified. |
25. |
Honours Degree after Graduation with Ordinary/General Degree
This Regulation applies only to degrees of types E (Non-honours)
and F (General and Ordinary). |
25.1 |
A candidate who already holds an Ordinary or General degree (Types
E & F) may be permitted by the appropriate Head of College* to
present him/herself for the degree with Honours, provided that not
more than 5 years have elapsed between his/her first graduation and
his/her acceptance as a candidate for the subsequent degree with
Honours. Such a candidate will normally be required to achieve a
further 240 credit points, or credit points as deemed appropriate
by the Head of the receiving College*, at the levels stipulated in
the appropriate Degree Programme Table. |
25.2 |
In each case the Head of College* shall decide what further
courses, if any, the student shall be required to complete before
entering Honours and shall determine the period within which the
student must complete his/her curriculum and present him/herself
for the final Honours assessment. A student is permitted to retain
only the award with the highest status for which he/she has qualified. |
26. |
Honours in a further subject/discipline |
26.1 |
A student who already holds a University of Edinburgh degree
with Honours in one subject may be permitted by the appropriate
Head of College* to present him/herself for a degree with Honours
in a different subject. Such a student may be considered for recognition of
prior learning (RPL) up to a maximum of 240 credit
points at levels 7 and/or 8 in subjects which he/she has passed
as part of his/her first Honours curriculum, provided that not
more than 2 years have elapsed between his/her first graduation
and his/her acceptance as a student for the degree in a second
subject. Acceptance with RPL after a longer period will
be at the discretion of the Head of College*. |
26.2 |
Such a student will be required to take the full Honours programme
in the second subject/s as stipulated in the appropriate Degree
Programme Table, involving a normal minimum of a further 240 credit
points. Any Honours courses which he/she may have taken in
his/her previous studies must be replaced by suitable courses of
equivalent weight but significantly different content. |
27. |
Suspension from an Honours Course
A student undertaking an Honours year is not permitted to suspend his or her studies before the completion of the year and of the assessment relating to it except by permission of the Head of the College* and on the production of satisfactory evidence of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control which justify such a measure. If a student is given permission to suspend studies, he or she shall be told in writing whether part of or the whole of the year, including any material counting towards the assessment of courses which has been already submitted, will have to be repeated. In cases where the Head of the College* considers that a significant amount of assessment has already taken place, the student will be considered under the terms of the regulation on “Failure to complete assessment adequately” in the Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic session. |
28. |
Unclassified Honours
Not withstanding any existing Resolutions to the contrary, the University may confer all existing Honours degrees with unclassified Honours if insufficient information is available to the relevant Examination Board to classify those degrees. Conferment of an unclassified Honours degree will be an interim measure: such degrees will automatically be withdrawn when the classified Honours degree is conferred, following sufficient information becoming available to relevant Examination Board to enable it to classify the Honours awarded. |
29. |
Award of General or Ordinary Degree when insufficient information to award Honours
Where an Examination Board has insufficient information to enable an Honours degree to be conferred on a candidate for Honours, a General or Ordinary degree may be awarded to that candidate where he or she has qualified for such a degree under the existing Regulations. Conferment of a General or Ordinary degree under these circumstances will be an interim measure: such degrees will automatically be withdrawn when the classified Honours degree is conferred, following sufficient information becoming available to the relevant Examination Board to enable it to classify the Honours awarded. |
30. |
Posthumous Degrees and Diplomas
The Senatus may authorise the conferment of posthumous degrees and diplomas. Each such conferment requires a positive proposal from the College concerned and the Senatus Curriculum and Student Progression Committee. Normally a posthumous degree is conferred only where the student was qualified to receive the degree at the time of death. |
31. |
Aegrotat Degrees
In special circumstances the Senatus may authorise the conferment of aegrotat degrees, which are unclassed. Each such conferment requires a positive proposal from the College concerned and the Senatus Curriculum and Student Progression Committee. Normally an aegrotat degree is conferred only where the student was nearly qualified to receive the degree and on the grounds of ill health was unable to complete it. Before any proposal is referred to the Senatus, the College must check that the student is willing to receive the degree aegrotat. |
Duration of Study |
32. |
Normal length of study period
A full-time student must normally complete the requirements of
the degree programme within the time period laid out in the Degree
Programme Table. |
33. |
Normal length of study period (longer study period)
With the permission of the Head of College*, a student may be
permitted to undertake an Ordinary, General or Honours degree programme over a longer
period, provided that a minimum of 40 credit points are undertaken
in each year of study. The maximum period for completion of an
Ordinary or General degree programme is 8 years. The maximum
period for completion of an Honours degree programme is 10 years. Certain
elements of a degree programme may require full-time attendance,
and a student given permission to undertake study over an extended
period must comply with any such requirements where specified for
a particular degree programme. See also Regulation 36, Authorised
Interruption of Study. |
34. |
Part-time Study |
34.1 |
A full-time student is not normally allowed to change to part-time
status after the end of the first week of Semester 2 in any year
of study. A part-time student will be required to accept approved
changes within a degree programme as it evolves during this period,
or to transfer to another degree programme if the programme of study
on which he/she originally enrolled is withdrawn. |
34.2 |
Part-time study is not offered for the degrees of MBChB and BVM&S. |
34.3 |
With the permission of the Head of College*, a student undertaking
an Ordinary, General or Honours degree programme over a longer
period may be permitted to transfer to full-time status. A part-time
student is not normally allowed to change to full-time status after
the end of the second week of Semester 1. |
35. |
Attendance and participation
Students are expected to be available to participate as required in all aspects of their programme of study. This includes being available for assessment and examination during the semester time. |
36. |
Authorised Interruption of Study
A student may be allowed a period of Authorised Interruption of
Study by the Head of College* for
good reason and may be re-admitted thereafter to complete the
requirements for a degree. A period of Authorised Interruption
of Study will not normally exceed one academic year, and the total
period of Authorised Interruption of Study, which may be granted throughout
the programme of study, will not normally exceed three academic years. A
period of Authorised Interruption of Study does not automatically extend
the maximum permitted duration of study as stipulated in Regulation
29.1. During Authorised Interruption of Study no fees are due to the
University. Credit from any study undertaken at another institution
during the period of Authorised Interruption of Study will not be credited
to a student’s programme of study at the University of Edinburgh. See
also Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic
session.
This regulation excludes students registered for the MBChB or BVM&S
who may elect to take an intercalated Honours year, or undertake
a PhD or other research programme during their period of enrolment. |
37. |
Contact with the University during absence
During any period of absence from the University, it is a student’s
responsibility to provide a current postal contact address and
to ensure that any legal requirements imposed by his/her funding
or grant authority are met. Current students must check their University
email account regularly for communications from the University. |
38. |
Vacation study
Students on certain degree programmes may be required to undertake
special reading or other work during the vacations. Students are
referred to the appropriate College regulations /Degree Programme
Table and School Programme Guide(s) for more information. |
39. |
Authorised Leave of Absence for Study Elsewhere
Students attending another institution for not more than one academic
year on a recognised exchange scheme or other approved programme
of study require the approval of the relevant Head of College*.
Students must obtain the approval of their School/s to ensure that
they will satisfy any requirements relating to prerequisite courses
for entry to the following year of study. Students seeking entry
to a profession such as Law must satisfy the requirements of the
appropriate professional body. |
Assessment |
40. |
Assessment Regulations
The University’s Taught Assessment Regulations for
the current academic session provide the regulatory context for
assessment of undergraduate students. |
41. |
Common Marking Scheme
For information on the University’s Common Marking Scheme
see the Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic
session.. |
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42. |
Failure to complete degree assessment
For information on failure to complete degree assessment see
the Taught Assessment Regulations for the current academic
session., |
43. |
Withdrawal and exclusion from study
The procedures covering all forms of withdrawal and exclusion
from the University for academic reasons, together with procedures
for appeal and for re-admission where this is allowed, should be
consulted. These can be found on the University's website and should
be read in conjunction with the Taught Assessment Regulations
for the current academic session. |