DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2008/2009
- ARCHIVE for reference only
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These degree programme requirements relate to undergraduate programmes in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, i.e. the degrees of MBChB, Bachelor of Medical Sciences, BSc in Medical Sciences, BVM&S and BSc in Veterinary Science. They are additional to, and should be read in conjunction with, the General Undergraduate Degree Regulations, in Section B, which apply to all undergraduate programmes, unless otherwise stated.

The Curriculum

1.1 The curriculum for the degrees of MBChB consists of two programmes of study, the Five-year programme and the Six-year programme. Students are usually admitted to the Five-year programme but those who hold qualifications at the appropriate level for admission but not in the subjects appropriate for the Five-year programme may be admitted to the Six-year programme.

1.2 Subject to such exemptions as may be granted in terms of these Requirements, the curriculum for the degrees of MBChB shall normally extend over either a period of five academic years for the Five-year programme, or a period of six academic years for the Six-year programme (one year in the Pre-medical Year and then five years on the Five-year programme). A student who has duly satisfied the conditions prescribed for the degrees and who has passed all the required degree assessments shall be entitled to receive the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Details of the curriculum are contained in the Degree Programme Table.

General Requirements

1.3.1 Each student for the degrees must comply with the detailed requirements of the curriculum, and must pass all the requisite assessments or Professional Examinations. In addition, the College’s Fitness to Practise Committee, acting on behalf of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, must be satisfied at all times throughout the programme that in respect of health, conduct and any other matters which the Committee may reasonably deem relevant, whether such matters relate to the student’s University programme or are unrelated to it, the student would not constitute a risk to patients and is a suitable person to become a registered medical practitioner. Students are subject to the Fitness to Practise regulations both while matriculated and while temporarily withdrawn.

1.3.2 Any student who, at any stage of the programme, fails to satisfy the College’s Fitness to Practise Committee, as set out in Requirement 1.3.1 (above), irrespective of his/her performance in the relevant assessments, may be reported to the Head of College who has power to recommend to the Senatus exclusion from further studies and assessments or Professional Examinations for the degrees of MBChB, or to recommend the award of the degrees of MBChB be withheld.

1.3.3 Students entering the first year MBChB programmes are subject to a criminal conviction check, carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Admission to the medical profession is excepted from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendments) Order 1986. Entrants to the MBChB programme are therefore not entitled to withhold information about a previous conviction on the grounds that it is, for other purposes, spent under the Act. Subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, failure to disclose a relevant conviction may result in the withdrawal of an offer of admission or termination of a programme of studies.

1.3.4 Students are subject to a Hepatitis B status check as they are admitted to the five or six year MBChB programmes. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the termination of studies or withdrawal from the programme.

1.3.5 Except as may be permitted under these Requirements, no student may present himself/herself for assessment or be awarded a pass in any course of instruction in any subject of study unless they have regularly attended the course.

1.3.6 Where the courses of instruction and the assessments in a subject include practical, laboratory or clinical work, it shall be in the power of the Examiners to accept, in lieu of such assessment, evidence that the student has carried out work of a sufficient standard during his/her programme.

1.3.7 No student shall progress from the Pre-medical Year to Year 1 of the Five-year programme without having passed the assessments in each subject studied in the Pre-medical Year. Regulation 1.4.1 specifies the requirements to be fulfilled by students excused from one or two subjects in the Pre-medical Year.

1.3.8 No student may proceed to the next year of study for the MBChB programme until he/she has passed all components of the previous year of the programme.

1.3.9 All students for the MBChB programme must gain a pass in all entries for the Portfolio in the current year of study, before proceeding to the next year of the programme.

1.3.10 A student who fails the Professional Examination in Year 4 may be required by the Boards of Examiners to use part or all of the free elective period to undertake one or more guided electives before being permitted to re-sit. A student whose progress in Year 5 is unsatisfactory may be required to undertake one or more guided electives before being permitted to re-sit.

1.3.11 Any student who fails to pass or to appear for any of the assessments within the prescribed period – normally at the first or second opportunities of appearance – will be liable to exclusion from further studies. An appeal against any such proposed exclusion may be submitted to the Head of College in writing, or may be presented on the student’s behalf by the Director of Studies, or by another member of the academic staff who is not himself/herself a member of the College Committee which considers such appeals. The first opportunity of appearance at an assessment refers to the first occasion of the assessment following the course of study laid down in the curriculum.

1.3.12 The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine has an MBChB Exclusion Appeals Committee which considers appeals against exclusion from medical students who have failed to meet the requirement of MBChB Examination Boards and therefore fall due to be excluded from further study in the MBChB programme. The Committee normally meets as required following Professional Examinations. Students who have failed assessments on more than one occasion are advised in writing and given details of the timescale and procedure for submission of an appeal against exclusion.

1.3.13 To appeal against an assessment result students should refer to General Undergraduate Degree Regulation 37.

1.3.14 Where a student, by reasons of illness, accident, or other circumstances beyond his/her control, has been unable to sit or complete an assessment and produces satisfactory evidence that his/her failure to complete the assessment was for reasons beyond his/her control, the relevant Special Circumstances Committee shall consider the evidence and make a recommendation to the appropriate Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners must be satisfied on the basis of the student’s performance that his/her competence is not in doubt.

1.3.15 Except in exceptional circumstances, the maximum period of enrolment on the MBChB course may not exceed seven years, including any period of leave of absence, but excluding the Pre-medical Year, the intercalated honours year and any PhD or other research programme.

Exemption

1.4.1 A student entering the Six-year MBChB Degree programme may apply to be excused from attendance on and examination in up to two of the four compulsory half courses in the Pre-medical Year (see MBChB Degree Programme Table for details).  The normal requirement for exemption is a B pass or better in GCE A level in Biology or Chemistry or an equivalent subject or other approved courses of instruction which are considered suitable by the Admissions Committee for entry to year 1 of the MBChB programme.  An applicant who seeks an exemption under this regulation must apply in writing to the Head of College*.  A candidate who has been excused from attendance on and examination in one or more of the compulsory half courses in the Pre-medical Year must undertake other half courses to ensure a pass in a total of six half courses before being allowed to proceed to year 1 of the MBChB programme.

1.4.2 A student who has attended courses of instruction and obtained passes in assessments in the University in one or more of the subjects of study specified in the Degree Programme Table for a degree other than the degrees of MBChB may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus from attendance on but not from assessment in, or from both attendance on and assessment in, the same or similar courses prescribed under these Requirements.

1.4.3 If a student produces evidence that, during not less than one academic year, he/she has in another University or institution of University standing approved for this purpose by the Senatus attended courses of instruction and passed assessments in one or more of the subjects of study specified in the Degree Programme Table he/she may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus either from attendance on but not from assessment in, or from both attendance on and assessment in, these subjects, provided that the period of study spent in the University of Edinburgh is at least three academic years.

A Degree with Honours

Preliminary Requirement

2.1 Every student admitted as a student for the degree must also be a student for the degrees of MBChB. A student for a comparable degree in another University or institution of University standing may be admitted as a student for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours, subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and with exemption under Requirement 2.4.2 granted by the Senatus.

Attendance

2.2.1 In addition to undertaking the year of intercalated study required in Requirement 2.2.2, every student for the degree, unless granted a concession or exemption under Requirements 2.4.1 or 2.4.2, must normally attend in the University of Edinburgh, during not less than two academic years, the courses of instruction in the years of study for the MBChB degrees specified below and must pass the assessments prescribed for these courses:

2.2.2 In addition to fulfilling the requirements set out in Requirement 2.2.1, every student, unless granted an exemption under Requirement 2.4.3, must pursue advanced studies for at least one academic year in the University of Edinburgh in one of the following Honours Degree Programmes:

Biochemistry

Developmental Biology

Epidemiology

Evolutionary Biology

Immunology

Infectious Diseases

International Public Health Policy

Medical Biology

Molecular Biology

Neuroscience

Pharmacology

Pharmacology with Industrial Experience

Physiology

Psychology

Reproductive Biology

Sports Science Medicine

Zoology,

2.2.3 The year of study in one of the Honours programmes is intercalated normally after Year 2.

General Requirements

2.3 Where the courses of instruction and the assessments in a subject include practical laboratory or clinical work, it shall be in the power of the Examiners to accept, in lieu of such assessment, evidence that the student has carried out work of a sufficient standard during his/her programme.

Exemption

2.4.1 A student who has attended courses of instruction and obtained passes in assessments in this University in one or more of the subjects of study specified in Requirement 2.2.1 may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus from attendance on but not from assessment in, or from both attendance on and assessment in, the same or similar courses prescribed for this degree.

2.4.2 If a student produces evidence that, during not less than one academic year he/she has, in another University or institution of University standing approved for this purpose by the Senatus, attended courses of instruction and passed assessments in one or more of the subjects specified in Requirement 2.2.1, he/she may on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine be exempted by the Senatus either from attendance on but not from assessment in, or from both attendance on and assessment in one or more of these courses. In respect of a student so exempted, the period of study at the University of Edinburgh prescribed under Requirement 2.2.1 may be reduced by the Senatus on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, provided that the Senatus is satisfied that the combination of exemptions granted and/or of assessments passed, merits reduction of the period of study.

2.4.3 If a student produces evidence that, during not less than one academic year, he/she has, in another University or institution of University standing approved for this purpose by the Senatus, attended courses of instruction and passed assessments in an Honours programme which is not available in the University of Edinburgh, but which has been approved by the Senatus as appropriate for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours, he/she may be on the recommendation of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine be exempted by the Senatus from attendance at and assessment in an Honours programme in the University of Edinburgh.

2.4.4 A student so exempted shall spend at least three academic years in study in the University of Edinburgh and, if granted an exemption under Requirement 2.4.3, may not also enjoy any exemption under Requirement 2.4.2.

B Ordinary Degree

Admission

2.5 No student shall be admitted as a student to the degree, except on transfer from candidature for the degrees of MBChB and if, in the opinion of the examiners, they have shown sufficient attainment in the Third Year MBChB assessments. This would normally amount to obtaining not less than 80 credit points from the third year of the curriculum. The Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences may not be conferred on any student who already holds or is eligible to receive the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours.

Curriculum

2.6 The curriculum comprises the first three years of the curriculum for the Five-year MBChB programme, or the Pre-medical Year and the subsequent three years of the curriculum for the Six-year MBChB programme.

General Requirements

2.7 The general Requirements for the degrees of MBChB apply (see ‘1. Degree Programme Requirements of the MBChB’ above).

Attendance and Exemption

2.8 Unless granted an exemption under Requirements 1.4.1 to 1.4.3 for the degrees of MBChB, a student for the Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences must have regularly attended the Pre-medical Year, if applicable, and Years 1, 2 and 3 of the MBChB curriculum. Students for the Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences must have spent at least two academic years in study in the University of Edinburgh.

Assessments

2.9 Every student must pass or must under these Regulations have received exemption from the assessments prescribed for all the courses of instruction comprising the Pre-medical Year, if applicable, and Years 1, 2 and 3 of the MBChB curriculum before transferring to candidature for the Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Medical Sciences.

To qualify for the award of the degree of BSc (General) students must have obtained 360 credit points from passes (or accreditation of prior learning, acceptable under General Undergraduate Regulation 11), normally at the rate of 120 credit points per year: 240 credit points in courses listed in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Schedule T, Science and Engineering Schedules K-Q and from subject areas Language Sciences and Psychology in Schedule I; 200 credit points at SCQF level 8, 9 or 10; 80 credit points at SCQF level 8, 9, 10 in courses listed in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Schedule T, Science and Engineering Schedules K-Q and from subject areas Language Sciences and Psychology in Schedule I; 60 credit points at SCQF level 9 or 10.

To qualify for the award of the degree of BSc Ordinary Degree in Medical Science students must have obtained 360 credit points from passes (or accreditation of prior learning, acceptable under General Undergraduate Regulation 11). The overall curriculum must include at least: 240 credit points in courses listed in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Schedule T, Science and Engineering Schedules K-Q and from subject areas Language Sciences and Psychology in Schedule I; 200 credit points at SCQF level 8, 9 or 10; 80 credit points at SCQF level 9 or 10 in the Schedule T. The courses at SCQF level 9 or 10 are the compulsory or optional courses as indicated in ‘Normal Year Taken’ (NYT) 3 and 4 of the Honours Degree Programme Table, subject to further restrictions and recommendations that may appear in the School Programme Guide.

A student for an Honours degree is not allowed to substitute study at another institution for the final year of his/her Honours programme.

The Curriculum

Professional Examinations

4.2.1 The BVM&S degree programme is dependent on successive related courses of instruction throughout the period of study. The Professional Examinations shall cover the subjects listed in the Degree Programme Table and other appropriate subjects which may from time to time be approved by the Board of Studies.

4.2.2 Students for the Final Professional Examination must produce satisfactory evidence that they have, subsequent to commencing studies in the Third Year of the degree curriculum, received extra-mural clinical instruction for a total period of not less than 26 weeks, in accordance with arrangements approved by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. Students shall be required to produce records of extra-mural clinical teaching received, which have been attested by the extra mural teacher or teachers concerned.

Exemptions

4.3.1 Students who produce evidence that, during not less than one academic year, they have in this University or any other University or institution of University standing, approved for these purposes by the Senatus, attended courses of instruction and passed assessments in one or more of the subjects of study specified in the Degree Programme Table, may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus either from attendance on but not from examination in, or from both attendance on and examination in, the same or similar courses of instruction prescribed under these Regulations.

4.3.2 In respect of a student so exempted, the period of study at the University of Edinburgh prescribed under Section II of the Resolution governing the Degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery may be reduced by the Senatus on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, normally the period of study for the degree at the University of Edinburgh shall not be less than the last two years of the prescribed curriculum for the degree.

4.4.1 Criteria to permit presentation for Professional Examination

4.4.2 Where a student fails to demonstrate the required attendance under Requirement 4.4.1, in any course of instruction in any subject of study, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine will normally recommend to the Senatus that they be excluded from further attendance at courses of instruction and examinations in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

4.4.3 Students who satisfy the criteria set out in Requirement 4.4.1 will normally be permitted two opportunities of sitting the relevant Professional Examination, and extension of such permission to a subsequent examination shall only be on the express and written authority of the Head of School, who will take account of the recommendations of the relevant examiners. Such extension will normally be granted only once to any one student for the degree. Extension of permission beyond the fourth opportunity of appearance in any one Professional Examination will not normally be granted to any student.

4.4.4 Where a student fails to pass a Professional Examination after two opportunities of sitting the examination, and the student has not been granted a further opportunity under Requirement 4.4.3, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine will normally recommend to Senatus that they be excluded from further attendance at courses of instruction and examinations in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

4.4.5 Before proceeding to the Third Year of the curriculum for the degree a student must normally present satisfactory evidence of having had at least 12 weeks extra-mural experience of livestock husbandry, in accordance with arrangements approved by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. This should normally be obtained during vacations subsequent to the commencement of the First Year of study, and be completed prior to sitting the Second Professional Examination.

4.4.6 A student reported by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine to the Senatus under these Regulations for exclusion from further attendance at courses of instruction and assessment in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine may submit an appeal in writing to the Head of School stating the reasons for such appeal and submitting certificated evidence where appropriate. All appeals will be considered by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine before any recommendation for exclusion is made to the Senatus.

4.4.7 To qualify for a pass in a Professional Examination a student must pass in all the assessments included in that Professional Examination, and unless granted a concession or exemption under these Regulations must, on the first occasion, enter for each Professional Examination as a whole. A student may pass in individual assessment components.

4.4.8 A student who fails to complete a Professional Examination will not normally be permitted to proceed to the next year of the curriculum, and under no circumstances shall a student be permitted to sit assessments in any Professional Examination except the First Professional Examination until they have passed, or been granted exemption in, all the assessments in the preceding Professional Examination.

4.4.9 Where a student fails to complete a Professional Examination the Head of School or College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine may prescribe that, before readmission to examinations, they shall be required to repeat attendance at all or part of the courses of instruction in the subject or subjects in which they have failed and be required to satisfy any other conditions which the Head of School or College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine may prescribe. Account will be taken of the recommendations of the relevant Examiners.

4.4.10 Where a student, by reasons of illness, accident, or other circumstances beyond his/her control, has been unable to sit or complete an assessment and produces satisfactory evidence that his/her failure to complete the assessment was for reasons beyond his/her control, the relevant Special Circumstances Committee shall consider the evidence and make a recommendation to the appropriate Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners must be satisfied on the basis of the student’s performance that his/her competence is not in doubt.

Distinction or Credit in Professional Examinations

4.5 A Pass with Distinction in a Professional Examination shall normally be awarded to students achieving a mark or grade equivalent to 70 per cent or over. A Pass with Credit shall be awarded for a mark or grade in the range 60-69 per cent. These marks or grades must have been obtained at first attempt in a Professional Examination.

Award of the Degree

4.6.1 Every student for the degree must, unless granted a concession or exemption under these Requirements, pass all the assessments included in the Professional Examinations prescribed under these Requirements.

4.6.2 A student who has duly satisfied the conditions prescribed for the degree by or under the Resolution shall be entitled to receive the Degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.

4.6.3 Distinction at Graduation

A Degree with Honours

Preliminary Requirement

5.1 Every student admitted as a student for the degree must also be a student for the degree of BVM&S, or have obtained the BVM&S degree not more than five years before the date of admission as a student for the Honours Degree. A student for a comparable degree in another University or institution of University standing may be admitted as a student for the degree of B Sc (Veterinary Science), subject to the approval of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

Attendance

5.2.1 Every student for the degree, unless granted a concession or exemption under Requirements 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, must normally attend in the University of Edinburgh during not less than two academic years the courses of instruction in the classes of the first two years of the curriculum for the BVM&S degree and pass the assessments prescribed for these courses.

5.2.2 In addition to fulfilling the requirements set out in Requirement 5.2.1, every student must pursue advanced studies for at least one year in the University of Edinburgh in one of the following Honours Degree Programmes:

Biochemistry

Neuroscience

Preclinical Sciences

Infectious Diseases

or in such Honours Degree Programmes in the University of Edinburgh as may be approved by the Senatus on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

5.2.3 The year of study in the Honours Degree Programme may be intercalated not earlier than the end of the second year of study, provided that a student has successfully completed the appropriate assessments and satisfied such conditions as the Head of the School concerned may require, subject to the approval of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

General Requirements

5.3.1 Except as may be permitted under these Requirements, no student for the degree may present himself or herself for assessment in any course of instruction, in any subject of study, unless he or she has given regular attendance on the course.

5.3.2 Where the courses of instruction and the assessments in a subject include practical laboratory or clinical work, it shall be in the power of the Examiners to accept, in lieu of such assessment, evidence that the student has carried out work of a sufficient standard during his/her course.

5.4.1 A student who has attended courses of instruction and obtained passes in assessments in this University, in one or more of the subjects of study specified in Requirement 5.2.1 may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus either from attendance at but not from assessment in, or from both attendance at and assessment in, the same or similar courses prescribed under this Resolution.

5.4.2 If a student produces evidence that, during not less than one academic year, he or she has, in another University or institution of University standing approved for this purpose by the Senatus, attended courses of instruction and passed examinations in one or more of the subjects specified in Requirement 5.2.1, he or she may, on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, be exempted by the Senatus either from attendance on but not from assessment in, or from both attendance on and assessment in, the first course or courses in not more than three subjects in which he or she has passed such examinations. In exceptional circumstances and on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, he or she may be granted similar exemptions by the Senatus in respect of second or higher courses in not more than two subjects in which he or she has passed examinations of appropriate standard. In respect of a student so exempted, the period of study at the University of Edinburgh prescribed under Requirement 5.2.1 may be reduced by the Senatus on the recommendation of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine provided that the Senatus is satisfied that the combination of exemptions granted or of examinations passed, or both, merits reduction of the period of study.

5.4.3 In no case shall the period of study for the Honours degree be less than three academic years.

Award of Honours

5.5 A student who has duly satisfied the conditions prescribed for the degree shall be entitled to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science with Honours, and shall receive a diploma setting forth the discipline in which he or she was examined and the class of Honours awarded. A student for Honours in one discipline who has already received the degree with Honours in another discipline shall on passing the Honours examination receive a special Certificate of Honours after graduation recording the School in which he or she was examined and the class of Honours awarded.

B Ordinary Degree

Admission

5.6 No student shall be admitted as a student for the degree, except on transfer from candidature for the degree of BVM&S and after successfully completing the Third year BVM&S Professional Examinations. The Ordinary Degree of BSc (Veterinary Science) may not be conferred on any student who already holds, or is eligible to receive, the Degree of BSc (Veterinary Science) with Honours.

Curriculum

5.7 The curriculum comprises the first three years of the curriculum for the five-year BVM&S programme of study.

General Requirements

5.8 The general requirements for the first three years of the BVM&S degree apply.

Attendance and Exemption

5.9 Unless granted an exemption under Requirement 4.3 ‘Exemptions’, of the requirements for the degree of BVM&S, a student for the Ordinary Degree of BSc (Veterinary Science) must have regularly attended the work of the first three years of the BVM&S curriculum. Students for the Ordinary Degree of BSc (Veterinary Science) must have spent at least two academic years in study in the University of Edinburgh.

Examinations

5.10 Every student must pass or must under these Regulations have received exemption from the assessments prescribed for the courses of instruction in the subjects referred to in Requirement 4.2.1 of the BVM&S curriculum (the First, Second and Third Professional Examinations) before transferring to candidature for the Ordinary Degree of B Sc (Veterinary Science).