HANDBOOK FOR POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT PROGRAMMES IN THE DIVISION OF DENTISTRY
| REGISTRATION: | September 2019 |
This handbook consists of six sections:
- Introduction
- Core Units and Programme Structure
- The Dissertation (for MSc and MSc (Clin) students)
- Record of Progress
- Examination, Assessment and Progression
- Support Available/Student Ill Health
CONTENTS
| SECTION ONE – INTRODUCTION | Page |
| Welcome – PGT Tutor, Division of Dentistry | 5 |
|
Welcome – Director of Postgraduate Taught Education School of Medical Sciences |
6 |
| Where We Are | 7 |
| Registration/Induction/Attendance | 8 |
| Key Contacts | 11 |
| Roles and Responsibilities | 12 |
| Learning Management Systems (Blackboard and Canvas) | 14 |
| E-mail and I.T. Services | 14 |
| Student Representation and Feedback | 15 |
| Key Dates in the Academic Year 2019-20 | 16 |
| Division/University Resources | 16 |
| Monitoring Attendance & Wellbeing | 18 |
| Conduct & Discipline of Students | 18 |
| Fitness to Practice | 18 |
| Complaints Procedure | 19 |
| Tier 4 Visa Attendance Monitoring Census | 20 |
| Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations | 22 |
| SECTION TWO – CORE UNITS AND PROGRAMME STRUCTURE | 25 |
| Programme Structure | 26 |
| Research Methods Unit | 26 |
| Biostatistics Unit | 29 |
| Assessment: Research Methods and Biostatistics | 31 |
| Introductory Courses | 32 |
| Academic Malpractice | 32 |
| Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Online Skills Training Resource | 32 |
| Dentistry Core Governance Seminar | 33 |
| Online training | 34 |
| Annual Two Day Presentation Event | 34 |
|
SECTION THREE – THE DISSERTATION (for MSc and MSc (Clin) students) |
35 |
| Aims/Objectives/Ethical Approval | 36 |
| Notice of Submission/Submission | 37 |
| Submission Dates | 38 |
| SECTION FOUR – RECORD OF PROGRESS AND PERSONAL ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT | 39 |
| Record of Progress: Overview | 40 |
| Unsatisfactory Performance/Special Permissions | 41 |
| Calendar of Formal Meetings | 41 |
| Submission of Record Forms/Confidential Supervisor Feedback | 42 |
| Feedback on taught PGT programme | 43 |
| Continuing Professional Development (CPD) | 44 |
| Academic Success Programme | 44 |
| SECTION FIVE – EXAMINATION, ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION | 45 |
| Research Methods and Biostatistics Units | 46 |
| Assessment of Other Units | 46 |
| Statement about the use of Turnitin | 46 |
| Mitigating Circumstances and dates of panel meetings | 46 |
| Assignment Word Count | 47 |
| Late Submission Penalties | 48 |
| External Examiners | 49 |
| Postgraduate Marking Scheme (Dissertation) | 50 |
| Graduation | 51 |
| Academic Appeals | 51 |
|
SECTION SIX – SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN THE UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT ILL HEALTH |
53 |
| A-Z of Student Services | 54 |
| Student Ill Health | 54 |
| Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) | 55 |
| List of policies | 56 |
| SECTION ONE |
| INTRODUCTION |
WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Dear Postgraduate Student
Postgraduate Study in the Division of Dentistry
As the Tutor for taught postgraduate students in the Division of Dentistry, I welcome you to Manchester and to the start of your postgraduate programme.
As explained more fully below, your programme incorporates on-line units in Research Methods and Biostatistics (not applicable to students on a PGCert course) which play an essential role in your education and ability to undertake scientific research. On the following pages you will find details of these units together with general information you will find useful.
A vital part of the administration and documentation of your progress throughout the programme is the maintenance of your Progress Forms, which record your meetings and discussions with your supervisor/adviser/Programme Director. These forms can be found in your Speciality Induction folder and must be brought to all formal meetings with your supervisor/adviser/Programme Director.
The final section of this handbook contains important information that you will require for reference. It is a requirement that you read and understand the entire handbook, including several Codes of Practice, and confirm this, and your agreement to their terms, by your signature on Progress Form 1.
We hope you will find each aspect of the programme stimulating and helpful in the development of your postgraduate career. For those who excel in their studies each year, the Division gives an award for the best case presentation and also a Faculty prize is awarded for Postgraduate Student of the Year – our nominee should be an outstanding postgraduate student who has excelled in some significant manner, for example, after the presentation of a dissertation, based on the recommendation and judgement of the external examiner; or has had a major achievement during their programme.
If you have any difficulties please do not hesitate to speak to me directly or by e-mail.
Students are informed that the International Society, which is independent of the University, welcomes home and overseas students and meetings are widely published.
Yours sincerely
PROFESSOR JULIAN YATES
PGT Tutor
WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Welcome to your Postgraduate Taught Programme in the School of Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. The University has a worldwide reputation based on high quality teaching and research, and I am sure that your programme will provide a solid foundation for your future career success.
Within the School and the wider Faculty, our goal is to create an environment that allows you to excel and reach your full potential. Offering access to first-class facilities and strong links with regional health-service providers, our postgraduate programmes are designed to meet the diverse needs of all our students. The curriculum of our taught programmes provides the knowledge and skills you will need in your subject area and all our Masters programmes include an opportunity to carry out an independent research project on topics spanning all areas of biomedical research from molecular to experimental biology and clinical medicine. While subject areas cover a broad range, all our taught programmes have two common aims:
- To develop your skills in your chosen field of study
- To enhance your knowledge within the field you have chosen. Whether you are a graduate, professional or have a clinical background, the programmes have been tailored to meet your specific needs.
As a student of the School of Medical Sciences, you will be expected to take responsibility for your degree, within a supportive environment that fosters your development and helps prepare you for your future career. This handbook will be a useful resource as you progress through your programme. It provides programme-specific information that I am sure that you will find helpful throughout your study. If however, you have questions or would like some further advice, please do not hesitate to contact the people listed in this handbook for further information and assistance.
I wish you every success as you embark upon your programme, and in your future career.
Dr Carol Yates
Director of Postgraduate Taught Education
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
WHERE WE ARE:
The Division of Dentistry is located in Coupland 3 Building, No. 47 on the Campus Map.
The Dental Hospital is number 41. The Manchester Dental Education Centre (MANDEC) is on the top floor of the Dental Hospital, on the N side of the building.
REGISTRATION, INDUCTION AND ATTENDANCE
Registration
You should complete your registration online, including payment of your tuition fees (or at least the arrangement of), by the end of September. Further information on the payment of tuition fees is available from the following University webpage: http://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/finances/tuition-fees/payments/self-financing/ways-to-pay/direct-debits/.
Should you require assistance with any aspect of your on-line registration, please contact 275 5000 (Option 4), or you can obtain further information on the registration process from the following registration guide:
http://www.welcome.manchester.ac.uk/new-students/get-ready/your-it-services/online-registration/
Upon registration, students are issued with library cards for access to the main University Library.
Induction
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Induction, Wednesday, 18th September 2019 – 11:30-12:45
Venue: Whitworth Hall (Building 50 on the Campus Map)
Timetable:
| Time | Action |
| 11.30 – 11.55 | Students will be guided and seated in the hall |
| 12 noon prompt | Event starts – all students to be seated. |
| 12:00 | Welcome to Manchester (Hilary Mairs) |
| 12:10 | Key to success (Judy Williams) |
| 12:30 | 2 minute key presentations on ‘Making the most of being in Manchester’
|
| 12:45 | Close |
The Division of Dentistry Induction – Monday, 23 September 2019 in the Manchester Dental Education Centre (top floor of the Dental Hospital, using the front entrance) commencing at 9.00a.m. All new students are expected to attend. Part-time students who would not normally attend on a Monday morning are asked to make arrangements to attend the Induction.
Your Specialty Programme Induction will take place within the Division of Dentistry by arrangement with your Programme Administrator soon after your arrival.
Attendance
You are required to attend all lectures, seminars, clinics, field trips, tutorials, and other events or meetings concerned with the conduct of the programme, as well as meeting the specified due dates for the submission of work for comment or assessment, and attending examinations, tests, or other forms of assessment.
Absence from compulsory classes and examinations must be authorized by the Programme Director and students are required to provide appropriate certification for absences caused by illness, which must be handed in to your Programme Administrator. Students are not normally permitted to be absent from their programme of study during term time. Students requesting to take leave in academic term time must complete an “Application for Leave” form, available from your Programme Administrator.
If you experience ongoing problems with attendance, you should discuss these difficulties with your Programme Director. Taking unauthorized leave during term time without first being officially granted permission to do so may result in referral to a Division of Dentistry Progress Committee. Your Programme Director will keep the work and attendance of students under continuous review throughout the academic year.
It is important to note that it is a requirement for you to be in attendance in person to sign a weekly register with your Programme Administrator. If you fail to do this without appropriate reasons and/or without supporting documentation (e.g. medical evidence for cases of sick leave), your case will be referred to the School of Medical Science’s Graduate Education Manager.
If religious observance will affect your attendance at normal teaching and learning activities in ways that will cause problems, you should discuss this issue with your Programme Director. The Division will give sympathetic consideration to any such request and will try to make reasonable adjustments. However, adjustments can only be made provided that the standards of the degree are maintained (e.g. a student would not simply be excused from parts of the programme affected by his/her religious observance). You should also understand that adjustments may not always be possible if required to attend clinics that coincide with a religious holiday.
Please read the regulations for work and attendance as outlined in the University’s General Regulation: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=1895
For further information see:
Regulation XX Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students
The University offers a range of advice and support to students experiencing problems with attendance. Further information can be found in the A-Z of Student Services:
You can also speak to your Programme Director and/or Personal Adviser.
KEY CONTACTS
| Prof. Julian Yates |
Tel: 0161 275 6865 |
Postgraduate Tutor for Taught Programmes |
| Prof. Anne-Marie Glenny |
Tel: 0161 275 7811 |
Head of Division |
| Ms. Wendy Gregson |
wendy.gregson@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 306 7972 |
PGT Programmes Manager, School of Medical Sciences |
|
Clinical Specialty Programme Directors |
Dr. Joanne Cunliffe Tel: 0161 275 6717 joanne.cunliffe@manchester.ac.uk Prof. Julian Satterthwaite Tel: 0161 275 6629 julian.satterthwaite@manchester.ac.uk Dr Helen Petersen Tel: 0161 275 6754 helen.petersen@manchester.ac.uk (Prof Julian Yates, Interim Director) Mr. Stephen Ward Tel: 0161 275 4384 stephen.ward-2@manchester.ac.uk Prof. Julian Yates, Interim Director Tel: 0161 275 6865 Prof. Kevin Seymour Tel: 0161 306 1578 kevin.seymour@manchester.ac.uk Dr. Siobhan Barry Tel: 0161 275 6614 |
Endodontics Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Orthodontics Implantology Periodontology Paediatric Dentistry |
|
Clinical Specialty Programme Administrators |
Amy Matthews Tel: 0161 275 6660 Leigh Evans Tel: 0161 275 6808 paediatric_dentistry@manchester.ac.uk Kimberley Britt Tel: 0161 275 6620 |
Endodontics/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics/Periodontology/ Paediatric Dentistry Orthodontics/Implantology |
|
Research Methods Unit Unit Director Ms. Juliette Kendall juliette.kendall@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6670 Unit Administrator Amy Matthews amy.matthews@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6660 Biostatistics Unit Unit Director Dr. Ting Li Su ting-li.su@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6729 Unit Administrator Amy Matthews amy.matthews@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6660 |
||
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Role of Programme Director:
The responsibilities of your Programme Director include: overseeing their specialty PGT programme(s) and working with the administration staff to ensure the programme is delivered effectively, to include coordination of clinical experience and dissertation projects/supervisors; liaising with other Programme Directors to coordinate postgraduate teaching across the school including the development of a core lecture series and programme handbooks, incorporating Personal and Academic Development Plans; Monitoring student progression and coordinating relevant and effective contemporary assessment of the programme; ensuring contemporary and relevant teaching methods are in place to effectively deliver the programme.
The Role of Supervisor:
If you are pursuing a Master’s degree, then you will be allocated a Supervisor within one month of commencement (three months for part-time programmes) for the ‘research element’ of the programme; namely, the dissertation. Responsibilities of the Supervisor include: giving guidance about the nature of research and the standard expected; planning of the research project, literature and sources. The relationship between you and your Supervisor is of central importance. Both you and your Supervisor have a responsibility to ensure that the dissertation is completed within the prescribed period of the programme. Supervisors and students should establish at the initial meeting clear and explicit expectations of each other to minimise the risks and problems of misunderstanding, personality clashes, inadequate supervision or unsatisfactory work. At the meeting, the proposed research topic should be discussed, and the student and Supervisor should draw up a timetable of initial aims for the first few months.
The Role of Adviser:
All postgraduate taught students are allocated a member of staff who will act as an Adviser. The Adviser should support both you and your Supervisor and assist in monitoring your general progress. The Adviser should take part in both pre- and post-meeting discussions with the Supervisor if there are issues arising that need attention, and be available for these sorts of discussions informally, outside the framework of the formal meetings. The appraisal should be recorded on the meeting record forms. The Adviser is responsible for ensuring that deadlines are met for submission of the Progress Report and the dissertation. The Adviser need not have specialist knowledge in the particular research discipline. The role of the Adviser is not in any way meant to disturb the special relationship between you and your Supervisor. However, if you feel the need to discuss matters, whether academic or otherwise, with another person, the Adviser will be available to do that.
The Role of Programme Administrator:
You will be allocated an administrator who will be available to help you with any problems that are not directly related to your academic studies.
Your Role:
As a postgraduate student at the University of Manchester who is a qualified health professional, you are expected to behave at all times in a way that is consistent with the recommendations or Code of Practice of the General Dental Council.
You should be aware that in the event of misconduct, dishonesty, unprofessional behaviour, or other behaviour or illness (e.g. mental health illness) that raises the possibility that your fitness to practise may be impaired, the University has a duty to protect the public and to inform the relevant professional regulatory body. This means, for example, that if you are found to be dishonest (e.g. plagiarism, collusion, falsification of research data or other forms of cheating emerge in your work for the programme) the matter may be reported by the University to the relevant professional regulatory body.
Students who are dishonest, not only risk failing to be awarded the intended degree, but also may place at risk their whole professional career. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the University’s Plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice regulations, available at:
Who do I contact if I have any problems – whether academic or personal?
- First of all you should speak to your Supervisor for academic matters (in the case of PGDip and PGCert students for whom a dissertation is not part of their programme, you should speak to your Programme Director), unless it is a problem related to or caused by your Supervisor/Programme Director, in which case you should contact your Adviser. For all other matters, you should speak to your Programme Administrator;
- You can also consult your Student Representative who participates in the Dental PGT Consortium and Staff Student Liaison Committees;
- Where necessary, you are welcome to contact the Postgraduate Tutor for Taught Programmes (Prof. Julian Yates);
- Students have a right of appeal against a final decision of an Examination Board, or a progress committee, or a graduate committee or equivalent body which affects their academic status or progress in the University. Students thinking of appealing should first discuss the matter informally with an appropriate member of staff, in order to better understand the reason for the result or decision that is of concern. Should you wish to proceed to a formal appeal, this must be submitted within the timeframe outlined in the Academic Appeals Procedure to the Faculty Appeals & Complaints Team, Room 3.21, Simon Building, University of Manchester, M13 9PL,
FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk).
- The full Academic Appeals Procedure (Regulation XIX) and associated documents, including the form on which formal appeals should be submitted, can be found at www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS – BLACKBOARD & CANVAS
Blackboard and Canvas are web-based systems containing programme materials and learning resources that complement and build upon traditional learning methods used at The University of Manchester. You will be given access to a minimum of two learning management spaces.
- The space which houses all your programme materials across all years
- The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health PGT Online Skills Training Resource. This contains a skills training resource (see page 34 for full details) which will support you through your postgraduate taught programme. This online material should supplement the assessed learning material and activities undertaken in your taught programme.
To learn more about how to access and log into Blackboard spaces go to: http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/blackboard/. Any programmes which use Canvas will send you separate guidance.
EMAIL AND IT SERVICES
E-mail communication and contact details
You will be supplied with a University student e-mail address (…..@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk). All official communications from University staff will be directed to your student e-mail address and it is your responsibility to ensure that you can access and read mail from this source. You are advised not to use your personal e-mails for official communications from the University. It is also your responsibility to ensure that your e-mail box is checked on a regular basis (we recommend daily), otherwise failure to do so may result in you missing vital information affecting all taught postgraduate students or possibly students of a specific group that affects you. Please ensure that you update your online record if there are any changes to your contact details and also inform your Programme Administrator.
If using your student e-mail account is difficult, e.g. you are based off campus or you are a member of staff, arrangements can be made to auto-forward your student e-mails to an account of your choice. However, it must be noted that you will be responsible for managing this system and the University will not assume responsibility for lost or misdirected mail. If you would like to take advantage of this system please contact the IT helpdesk on 0161 306 5544 for guidance.
Should you encounter any problems obtaining a University IT account, you should contact the IT Services Desk. See details below.
IT Services Support Centre Online
Details can be found at: http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/help/
Log into the Support Centre online to make a request, book an appointment for an IT visit, or search the Knowledge Base.
Telephone: +44 (0)161 306 5544 (or extension 65544). Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In person: Walk-up help and support is available at the Joule Library, Main Library or Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. See page 9 above for details of these locations.
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health eLearning Support
Technical support information is also available from:
http://bmh-elearning.org/technical-support/
You can email eLearning to receive support at elearning@manchester.ac.uk. However, you must enter “bmh-eLearning and quote the name of your programme” in your email subject header. This will help ensure your request reaches the team quickly.
STUDENT REPRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK
It is extremely important that students have a mechanism for feeding their views, suggestions and concerns into the decision-making structure of the organisation. Representation allows this process to occur on a proactive and ongoing basis and letting us know your thoughts allows us to continuously improve your experience.
Early in the first semester, the system of representation operating in the Division of Dentistry will be explained to you. You will be given the opportunity to elect a Division Taught Postgraduate student representative (representing all PGT students in the Division) and programme-level student representative(s). Make sure you know who your Division and programme representatives are, and that you stay in touch with them.
The elected student representatives, especially the overall Taught Postgraduate student representative, will sit on various decision-making committees and will be able to bring any concerns on generic postgraduate matters or matters affecting specific programmes formally to the attention of the Division’s academic and administrative staff. Conversely, the elected student representatives will be a useful source of information in relaying back to the overall student body developments in the locality and in the University at large.
Concerns of a specific nature that relate to your clinical work should be referred to your Programme Director or in respect of your research (dissertation) work to your Supervisor in the first instance.
If you are chosen or you volunteer to stand as a representative you will be invited to attend a training session and periodic network meetings at the Students’ Union.
Further information on the University’s expectations of student representatives can be found here: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=10134.
Feedback is the canvassing of retrospective views on your experience at Manchester. You will, from time to time, be asked to complete various questionnaires that ask for your opinions, for example on particular aspects of your programme. Please take the time to complete and return these, as the information collected is used constantly to improve the University’s provision and to plan for the future.
KEY DATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-20
Dentistry PG Welcome 23 September 2019 (MANDEC)
Registration By 30 September 2019 at latest
Communications Course 9 October 2019 (Chancellor’s Hotel)
Welcome evening meal 9 October 2019 (Chancellor’s Hotel)
Intermediate Life Support 15 October 2019 (Chancellor’s Hotel)
Paediatric Life Support (full day) 15 October 2019 (Chancellor’s Hotel)
Basic Life Support (half day) 16 October 2019 (Chancellor’s Hotel)
Christmas Buffet, Christie Bistro 2 December 2019 (Christie Bistro)
Christmas Vacation 13 December 2019 – 13 January 2020 inclusive
Easter Vacation 27 March – 20 April 2020 inclusive
May Bank Holiday 8 May 2020
Spring Bank Holiday 25 May 2020
Postgraduate Presentation Days 10 – 11 June 2020 (Venue: TBC)
Postgraduate Day Out 16 July 2020 (Venue TBC)
Priorities When You Start
-
- Registration (If not already completed on-line);
- Library Card – Note you must take your passport, ID Card (if you have one) and your visa (if applicable) when attending for the issue of this card;
- Meet your Supervisor(s) and Adviser. At the first meeting sign your agreement
to the University’s Codes of Practice, including that relating to plagiarism;
-
- Check out the Postgraduate area in the Dentistry Division. This is a cluster of hot-desking PCs;
- Check out the Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health website at https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/.
DIVISION/UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
Computer Facilities
Postgraduate dental students have access to a computer cluster in the Postgraduate Suite located in the Dentistry Division. Printing is free of charge in these facilities. Use of printers elsewhere in the University will incur a charge. Personal printing and sending printing to the clusters from remote locations is strictly prohibited.
There is a Faculty Food for Thought Student hub providing plush seating, free wi-fi and laptop plug-in stations located in the Zochonis Building.
Computers are also available nearby in the Main University Library and the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.
Photocopying Facilities
Photocopying facilities within the Division of Dentistry are free of charge. See your administrator for access.
There is a charge for using photocopiers in the University Library. Only material that cannot be removed from the library should be photocopied using these machines. Funds to support any library photocopying or interlibrary loans are available via your Programme Administrator by prior arrangement.
Library Facilities
The University of Manchester Library (No.55 on the campus map) is the main University Library. A limited range of books/journals for your clinical specialty may be available for loan via your Programme Administrator.
Student Support
Although the Programme Administrator is always available for non-academic advice, no support is offered with respect to word-processing, typing or photocopying. Funds, however, are made available to students for photography, photocopying and inter-library loans as required via the Programme Administrator. Further information on non-academic support is available in Section 6 of this handbook.
Social Space
There is a student common room on the second floor of the Dental Hospital. The Division asks that you keep the room tidy. The Division is not responsible for students’ personal items left in the room.
Please note that this social space should not be used for the purposes of prayer. Details of nearby worship facilities can be found at:
http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=9044
Changing facilities are available in the Dental Hospital.
Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has produced guidance for healthcare of students on fasting and caring: Fasting and Caring – Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan: guidance for health care students
Lockers
Lockers are available in the Dental Hospital. A £10 deposit is required to secure a key which is refundable upon return of the key at the end of your studies. Keys can be obtained from the Accounts Office on the ground floor of the Dental Hospital (via the staff entrance).
Policy on use of telephones, faxes, computers, e-mail
The use of mobile phones in clinical areas is prohibited and phones must be switched off during lecture/seminar sessions. The use of landline phones and faxes is only permitted for official business.
Access to Coupland 3 Building and the Dental Hospital
Division of Dentistry: The doors to the Coupland 3 building will be open from 8.30a.m.- 5.00p.m. but ‘out of hours’ access to the Postgraduate Study Area is available via your swipe card.
Dental Hospital: The front entrance to the Dental Hospital will open automatically at 8.15 a.m. and close at 5.15p.m.
MONITORING ATTENDANCE AND WELLBEING
The Programme Director and teaching staff will monitor the work and attendance of students on the programme. This is for your benefit and helps to ensure you are coping with the work. Regular or a pattern of non-attendance and/or engagement will result in you being contacted by the School to meet with your Programme Director. Following this, further action will be taken if there isn’t a significant improvement in attendance.
For further information see:
Regulation XX Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students
The University offers a range of advice and support to students experiencing problems with attendance. Further information can be found in the A-Z of Student Services.
You can also speak to your Programme Director and/or Personal Adviser.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS
- General University information on the Conduct and Discipline of Students can be found at www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/conductanddisciplineofstudents/.
- Faculty policies for students on Communication and Dress Code, Social Networking and Drugs & Alcohol can be found at:
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29038 (Communication and Dress Code)
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29039 (Drugs & Alcohol)
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29040 (Social Networking)
- Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it can be found at http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/guidance-to-students-on-plagiarism-and-other-forms-of-academic-malpractice/
FITNESS TO PRACTICE
Postgraduate students at the University of Manchester who are qualified health or social care professionals registered by a healthcare or social care regulatory body (e.g. but not limited to General Medical Council, General Dental Council, Nursing & Midwifery Council, Social Care Council, Pharmaceutical Society) are expected to behave at all time in a way consistent with the recommendations or code of practice of the relevant professional regulatory body.
Postgraduate students need to be aware that in the event of misconduct, dishonesty, unprofessional behaviour, or other behaviour or illness that raises the possibility that the student’s fitness to practice may be impaired; the University has a duty to protect the public and to inform the relevant professional regulatory body. This may mean, for example, that where a student has been found to be dishonest (e.g. plagiarism, collusion, falsification of research data or other forms of cheating) the matter may be reported by the University to the relevant professional regulatory body.
Students who are dishonest not only risk failing to be awarded the intended award, but also place at risk, their whole professional career.
Further Information on ‘fitness to practice’-related matters can be found at the following University webpage:
www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/fitnesstopractise
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If you have a complaint to make, you should raise it directly with the staff concerned at the earliest opportunity, as matters that are dealt with informally at an early stage have the best chance of being resolved effectively. Only where the informal procedures have been completed and the complainant remains dissatisfied should the formal stage be instituted. It is recognised, however, that there may be occasions where an informal approach is not appropriate and you may wish to proceed directly to a later stage in the procedure, giving reasons for doing so. In such situations, the recipient of the complaint should decide at which stage in the procedure the complaint should most appropriately be considered, taking account of its particular nature and circumstances.
Complaints should be raised in the first instance with your Programme Director. If you feel that this is inappropriate, then the matter should be raised with the Division’s PGT Tutor (Professor Julian Yates). Failing that, in the most serious circumstances, the matter should be raised with the Head of the Division of Dentistry, Professor Anne-Marie Glenny.
Complaints should be made as soon as possible, and in any case within eight weeks of the events or actions (or lack of actions) which have prompted the complaint. The University will not normally consider complaints made after this period, unless there is good reason for the delay.
The University’s Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII) and associated documents, including a complaints form, can be found at
www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic
The University has separate procedures to address complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or victimization – see
https://www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk/
Students thinking of submitting a formal complaint should, in most instances, attempt informal resolution first (see the procedure). Formal complaints should be submitted on the relevant form to Faculty Appeals and Complaints Team, Room 3.21, Simon Building, University of Manchester, M13 9PL (e-mail:
FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk)
TIER 4 VISA ATTENDANCE MONITORING CENSUS
The University operates attendance monitoring census points within the academic year in order to confirm the attendance of students holding a Tier 4 Student Visa. This is to ensure the University meets the UKVI statutory requirements as a sponsor of Tier 4 students and its responsibilities in accordance with its Highly Trusted Sponsor status. If you are a Tier 4 visa holder, you must attend these attendance monitoring census points, in addition to complying with your programme’s attendance requirements.
When are the census points?
In the 2019/20 academic year, the attendance monitoring census points will be during the following periods:
- 23 September – 4 October 2019
- 13 – 24 January 2020
- 13 May – 3 June 2020
- 13 – 24 July 2020
Please note:
- If you are a new student, you will not be required to attend a census point until January 2020
- You will receive an e-mail from your Programme Administrator to confirm when and where you should go to have your attendance confirmed. You must check your University e-mail account regularly. Failure to check your e-mail account is not a valid reason to be absent from a census point.
What if a Tier 4 student cannot attend a census point?
If you cannot attend in person due to a valid reason which includes: illness; placement; field studies; on year abroad; research work; or any other reason connected to your programme of study, you must email your Programme Administrator to inform us of your absence and your inability to attend in person. In the case of illness, you must provide a copy of a medical certificate. If you are in this position you should report in person to the School as soon as possible after you return to campus. Students who are recorded as interrupting their studies are not expected to attend during their period of interruption.
What happens if a student does not attend a census point?
The School must be able to confirm your presence to the UKVI by the end of each census point in the academic year. If you do not attend a census point when required by your School and you do not provide a valid explanation for your absence you will be deemed to be “not in attendance”. Those students identified as “not in attendance” will be reported to the UKVI and the University will cease to sponsor the student’s Tier 4 visa. The Tier 4 visa will then be curtailed and the student must leave the UK within 60 days.
Further information
For more information on Tier 4 visas: https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa
If you have any concerns about the attendance monitoring census points, or your Tier 4 visa status, please contact visa@manchester.ac.uk
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT DEGREE REGULATIONS
Postgraduate Taught degrees at the University of Manchester are based on the National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This framework requires students to achieve credit at masters’ level in order to get an award. For a standard postgraduate taught Masters programme this will normally mean passing 180 credits. A standard postgraduate diploma will normally have 120 credits and a postgraduate certificate 60 credits. The way in which you study these credits will be defined later in the programme handbook and the programme specification.
The University sets standards relating to your performance on every unit but also on your progression through the programme. The programme and course unit specifications will set out the requirements for passing the credit on individual units.
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations
Please find below the link to the degree regulations:
* Please note that the Division of Dentistry does enact point H35 of these regulations.
By signing the induction checklist in your binder you have acknowledged that you have read and understood the taught programme regulations.
Criteria for Awards
Award of Masters Degree
The award of Masters degree is based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 50%.
Distinction
Exceptional achievements over the course of the Programme according to the taught masters marking scheme will be rewarded with the degree of MRes/MSc with Distinction.
To obtain a Distinction, students must have:
- accrued 180 credits;
- have passed all units with no compensations or referrals;
- * have achieved 70% or above in both the taught component and the dissertation.
Students who have compensated or have been referred in any course units are not eligible for the award of Distinction. In addition, the dissertation must be submitted by the end of the period of programme, unless there are significant mitigating circumstances, approved in advance for missing the end of programme deadline.
Merit
To obtain a Merit, students must have accrued 180 credits AND have achieved an overall weighted average of 60% or more across the programme, including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Pass
To obtain a pass, students must have accrued 180 credits including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Award Postgraduate Diploma
To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma award, students must have accrued 120 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Award Postgraduate Certificate
To obtain a Postgraduate Certificate award students must have accrued 60 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Unless otherwise specified in the exemptions, the awards of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate degree are based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 40% for which there is no classification other than pass/fail.
Exit Awards
Exit awards are available on some programmes for students who do not satisfy the criteria for the programme they are registered on or who needs to exit the programme early due to unforeseen circumstances.
To be considered for a PG Diploma (120 credits; exit point) students must have accrued 120 credits across the programme.
To be considered for a PG Certificate (60 credits; exit) students must have accrued 60 credits across the programme.
Please note the pass mark for course units making up the Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate exit awards is 40%.
Compensation
MRes/MSc Degree
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 40‑49% in no more than 30 credits in the taught component.
Postgraduate Diploma
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 30‑39% in no more than 30 credits in the taught component.
Postgraduate Certificate
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 30‑39% in no more than 15 credits in the taught component.
The combined total number of credits compensated and referred cannot exceed half the taught credits.
Compensated credit retains the original failed mark for the course unit and this is used in the weighted average for the calculation of the final classification/award.
Please note that some programmes do not allow compensation. Please refer to the Programme Exemptions section of the handbook where specific exemptions applicable to the programme will be listed.
Reassessment
Where the overall unit mark is below the compensation zone (40% for Masters and 30% for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate) OR the number of compensatable fails (30 credits for Masters/Diploma and 15 credits for Postgraduate Certificate) has been exceeded, reassessment may be taken.
Reassessment as a result of a fail is known as a “Referral”. Reassessment as a result of approved and verified mitigating circumstances is known as “Deferral” and may be permitted where students are reassessed as a first attempt, for which no penalty applies.
Students may be referred in up to half of the total taught credits. The combined total number of credits referred and compensated cannot exceed half the taught credits.
Decisions with regard to which components should be reassessed are made by the Examination Board. When a student is referred they will normally be permitted to retake the assessment/exam on one further occasion.
At the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, students will normally be allowed one resubmission of a failed dissertation or project and this will normally be within four months of the date of the publication of the result. For September 2016 starters only, failed PGT dissertations can only be re-submitted if they achieve a mark of 30 or above. The Board of Examiners, in agreement with the External Examiner may, exceptionally, decide not to allow resubmission.
The pass mark for a reassessment is the same as the first attempt (i.e. 50% for masters and 40% for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate).When a reassessment is passed, the mark is capped at the lowest compensatable fail mark (i.e. 40R for Masters and 30R for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate), unless the previous mark was within the compensation zone, in which case the original mark will stand with a suffix ‘R’. This mark is used in the weighted average/total mark for the final award. The capped mark is applied to the whole unit and not the failed component.
Referrals may also be compensated providing the number of quota of compensations has not been exceeded. When a student’s referral mark is in the compensation zone (and the student/unit is eligible for compensation), the student’s mark will be capped at the lowest compensatable fail mark (i.e. 40R for Masters and 30R for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate)
| SECTION TWO |
| CORE UNITS |
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Dentistry’s postgraduate programmes at the levels of MSc, MSc (Clin) and PGDip all require students to take the core taught units of Research Methods and Biostatistics (worth 15 credits each) in addition to those specialty units of their particular discipline. The specialty units will comprise 90 credits of the programme’s total (180 credits for MSc and MSc (Clin) students, and 120 credits for PGDip students). Detail of the programme structure relevant to you is outlined in your speciality programme handbook, available on Blackboard.
The final 60 credits for MSc and MSc (Clin) students are taken up by the research element of the programme – the dissertation. See section three of this handbook for further details of the dissertation.
This section of the handbook outlines further details of the Research Methods and Biostatistics units, along with other key events and training.
RESEARCH METHODS UNIT (15 credits)
The Specifications for this Unit can be found on the Research Methods Blackboard.
The aim of the unit is to:
- produce students who are competent in issues related to the design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research. The latter may include medical education, public health and basic-science areas such as genetics, microbiology or biomaterials
- provide students with critical appraisal skills so that on a life-long basis they will be able to apply these skills to assess any research evidence that comes before them
Learning objectives
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
- discuss the importance of research in a clinical or clinically-related discipline
- understand the structure of, and be able to differentiate between, the common types of epidemiological studies
- critically evaluate the literature
- write a protocol for a research study
- understand key issues relating to ethics and research governance
- define evidence based dentistry and recognise the role of secondary research in EBD (including systematic reviews)
Description of the unit
The unit is a 15 credit, interactive online unit which provides students with an introduction to key material required for the design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research and the production of a high quality dissertation.
The unit runs throughout semester one, and includes three face-to-face sessions which will be used to consolidate the online material and provide the students with an opportunity to discuss the topics in person.
Topics covered include:
- Library skills
- Epidemiology (key concepts and different epidemiological study designs)
- Critical appraisal (appraisal tools and practical application)
- Dissertation skills (time management, academic writing and reference management)
- Designing a study (protocol development, types of data, basic statistics)
- Ethics, research governance and data protection
- Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
- Evidence based practice (implementing research findings)
Face-to-Face Sessions
These are mandatory for all students taking Research Methods (except Distance Learning students):
30 September 2019 1.30-3.30p.m. Introduction to Unit and Library Skills (Venue: University Place 2.220)
4 November 2019 1.30-3.30p.m. Critical Appraisal Workshop (Venue: University Place 2.220)
2 December 2019 2.00-4.00p.m. Evidence Based Practice Symposium (Venue: Williamson G.47)
Recommended Books for the Research Methods Unit
Basic Epidemiology
By R. Bonita, R. Beaglehole, R. and T. Kjellstron (Eds), 2nd Ed.
Published by the World Health Organization, 2006.
This textbook provides an introduction to the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. It describes different research study designs and considers basic biostatistics.
Available electronically:
Quantitative methods for health research: a practical interactive guide to epidemiology and statistics
By Nigel Bruce, Daniel Pope and Debbi Stanistreet, 2nd Ed.
Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2018
ISBN 9781118665268 (pdf) | ISBN 9781118665404 (epub)
Available electronically:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118665374
An excellent, comprehensive textbook covering a wide range of health research methods. Important introductory chapters on epidemiology are followed by a series of chapters that define and explain different quantitative research study designs and associated statistical tests.
How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence-Based Medicine
By Trisha Greenhalgh, 5th Ed.
Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 2014
ISBN 9780008801093 (ePub)
Available electronically:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/manchester/reader.action?docID=1642418
A highly acclaimed guide on how to critically appraise published research and how to put the findings into practice. This book explains what to look for in different types of papers and how best to evaluate the literature and then implement the findings in an evidence-based, patient-centred way. Helpful checklist summaries of the key points in each chapter provide a useful framework for applying the principles of evidence-based medicine in everyday practice.
The Pocket Guide to Critical Appraisal
Iain Crombie, 2nd Ed.
Published by BMJ Publishing Group, 2007
ISBN 9781405146516 (pbk)
A concise and practical guide to the assessment of medical research. The first section of the book introduces the rationale behind critical appraisal, discusses the questions to be asked of each section of a paper and identifies the common pitfalls in published research. The second section tackles the five main genres of medical research in detail: surveys; clinical trials; cohort studies; case control studies; and review papers.
Understanding and Conducting Research in the Health Sciences
By Christopher Cunningham, Bart Weathington and David Pittenger
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013
ISBN 9781118595107
Available electronically:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/manchester/reader.action?docID=1211851
This book provides step-by-step coverage of the research process including research design, statistical considerations, and guidance on writing and presenting results. Presents real-world applications of the discussed methods.
Planning for Medical Research. A practical guide to research methods
By Derek Lowe
Published by Astraglobe Limited, 1993
ISBN 9780952283905
This is a useful and practical guidebook which identifies most of the issues concerning design and analysis of research. It is not an in depth textbook but provides practical clarification of the main issues which are important in any piece of research and, ideally, should be read before undertaking any research since it may help you avoid the most obvious pitfalls.
Using Research in Practice
By Jacqui Hewitt-Taylor
Published by Palgrave Macmillan, 2011
ISBN 9780230278646
A very accessible and practical book describing how to interpret and make use of research for practice. This book supports the critical appraisal and evidence based medicine course materials.
Evidence Based Dentistry for Effective Practice
By Jan Clarkson, Jayne Harrison, Amid Ismail, Ian Needleman and Helen Worthington
Published by Martin Dunitz, London, 2002
ISBN 1841841994
This book covers all the issues surrounding evidenced based decision making in dentistry, issues not only about the amount of evidence but also its quality. The book sets a new agenda and provides readers with a set of skills not conventionally included in professional training.
BIOSTATISTICS UNIT (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to:
- educate students in the fundamentals of quantitative analysis as it applies to dental research
Learning objectives
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
- Appropriately describe and present quantitative data
- Understand the principles of sampling, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and meta-analysis
- Choose and apply the appropriate parametric or non-parametric analysis
- Carry out such analyses by hand or using a statistical software package
Description of the unit
The unit is a 15 credit, interactive online course, complementing the Research Methods unit. The unit will run over a 12 week period, inclusive of three face-to-face sessions which will be used to consolidate the online material through small group discussion and presentation.
Unit material will be released on a weekly basis. To obtain the most from this unit and to progress in a logical manner, students are expected to work on the material during the week that it is released. In the same way, whilst quizzes are not mandatory, students are encouraged to use this tool in a timely manner to confirm their understanding of the information provided. The Unit Director will be advised of students who fail to access the unit material and participate in the discussion boards on a regular basis.
Topics covered include:
- Collection and summary of data
- Sampling and probability
- Estimation and confidence intervals
- Comparing groups and sample size calculations
- Contingency tables
- Correlation and regression
- Reliability and validity
These are mandatory for all students taking Biostatistics:
27 January 2020 1.30-3.30p.m. Venue: Zochonis Building Lecture Room E
2 March 2020 1.30-3.30p.m. Venue: University Place 2.220
27 April 2020 1.30-3.30p.m. Venue: University Place 2.220
Recommended Books for the Biostatistics Unit
*Medical Statistics at a Glance
Petrie A and Sabin C. 3rd Ed.
Published by Chichester: Wiley Blackwell 2016
ISBN 140518051X
Dental Statistics Made Easy
Smeeton N 3rd Ed.
Published by Radcliffe Publishing Ltd 2016
ISBN 9781498775052
Aimed at dental students, this easy to read book details the basic principles of dental research methodology, from the initial stages of planning a research study, through to analysis and interpretation of data. The textbook overviews sampling, randomized controlled trials, ethical considerations, the normal distribution, diagnostic testing and introduces methods for conducting hypothesis testing. Coverage of statistical techniques is kept to a necessary minimum.
*Discovering Statistics with SPSS
Field A 5th Ed
Published by Sage Publications 2018
ISBN 9781526419521
Probably the most comprehensive and easy to read introductory guide to statistics with SPSS that you will ever read. Presented in a straightforward manner, the coverage of regression, Generalized Linear Models and nonparametric statistics is particularly good.
Practical Nonparametric Statistics
Cononver, W.J. 3rd Ed.
Published by John Wiley, 1999
ISBN 978 047 116 0687
* These books are essential reading for the unit
You will be provided with a good scientific calculator.
Other events for PGT Dentistry students to be aware of during the course of the academic year are:
- Introductory course
- The Dentistry Core Governance seminar;
- Further online training;
- The Dentistry annual presentation event.
These are described in further detail below.
ASSESSMENT: RESEARCH METHODS AND BIOSTATISTICS UNITS
These core units are each assessed in the following way:
- All students are required to complete the unit material.
- Self-assessment occurs throughout the unit via online exercises and quizzes. These integrate into the material with the course units, and allow students to continuously monitor their progress and test understanding. Results of this self-assessment do not contribute to the overall Unit mark.
- Formal assessment occurs through two tutor-marked assignments (in the case of each unit): a mid-unit assignment, and a final assignment. Students will receive personal feedback for these assignments via Turnitin. In addition, the Research Methods unit requires your participation in the online Unit discussions. Each student is expected to contribute substantive comments to a minimum of three different discussions, one of which must be the small group discussion board activity.
- Assessment weighting. Research Methods, mid-unit assignment (35%), final assignment (60%) and discussion board activity (5%). Biostatistics, mid-unit assignment (40%) and final assignment (60%).
- The pass mark for the overall unit is 50% (40% for the PGDip).
- You may fail an assessment within the unit, but if your overall unit mark is 50% (40% for PGDip) or above you will not be required to re-sit the failed assessment(s). Should you achieve an overall mark of below 50% (40% for PGDip) then you may be required to re-sit.
- A student who fails any assessment of taught units may be permitted to re-sit the assessment on one further occasion.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES – MEDN 67810
All students are automatically enrolled onto an introductory course unit that provides information on health and safety, academic malpractice and academic literacy. Completion instructions for each of these units are clearly defined within the course. Completion of the academic malpractice and health and safety sections is mandatory for all students. All assessments must be completed as soon as possible after the programme begins, with the academic malpractice assessment completed before the first piece of coursework is submitted. Completion of these units is monitored by the School. All students are also strongly advised to complete the academic literacy section.
ACADEMIC MALPRACTICE
Academic malpractice is any activity – intentional or otherwise – that is likely to undermine the integrity essential to scholarship and research. It includes plagiarism, collusion, fabrication or falsification of results, and anything else that could result in unearned or undeserved credit for those committing it. Academic malpractice can result from a deliberate act of cheating or may be committed unintentionally. Whether intended or not, all incidents of academic malpractice will be treated seriously by the University.
Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the University’s Plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice regulations. University of Manchester guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice is available at:
You are responsible for ensuring that you understand what academic malpractice is, and how to avoid committing it. If you are unsure, ask your lecturer or academic adviser. Further University guidance on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice can be found here.
FACULTY OF BIOLOGY, MEDICINE AND HEALTH ONLINE SKILLS TRAINING RESOURCE
The Faculty has developed a skills training resource to support you through your postgraduate taught programme. This online material should supplement the assessed learning material and activities undertaken in your taught programme.
Accessing the online skills resource
You can access Blackboard through the My Manchester portal (http://my.manchester.ac.uk). The skills training resource is available in an academic community space available to all registered PGT students in the Faculty through Blackboard. If you cannot see these units in your Blackboard please contact your Programme Administrator.
Content
Full details of all these resources can be found in the introduction to each unit. These resources have been designed to give you formative feedback on your progress through them. If you experience any problems and would like to talk to someone please contact your Programme Director. If you have questions about referencing and how it applies to your own work, please contact your Programme Director or dissertation supervisor/module lead.
| Academic Writing | This is an excellent resource that supports you to write your assignments and dissertation. It is split into units that focus on key areas that previous students have found difficult and aims to enhance your academic writing style. |
| Research Methods* | This course is spilt into 3 units that cover introductions to study design, statistics and dissertation skills. It has a number of online quizzes where you can test your knowledge. |
| Statistics* | The course provides a valuable foundation for understanding and interpreting biostatistics. It aims to provide you with the fundamentals of quantitative analysis. |
| Presentation Skills | This short interactive unit is designed to help you to enhance your presentation skills. Regardless of whether you are presenting in public, preparing for conferences, an oral examination or more informal settings this unit will give you the tops tips to improve your delivery. |
| Qualitative Research Methods* | This unit has been designed to give you an introduction to Qualitative Research. |
| SPSS* | This is an introduction to statistics, using SPSS, a popular and comprehensive data analysis software package containing a multitude of features designed to facilitate the execution of a wide range of statistical analyses. |
| Intellectual Property Awareness Resource | This Intellectual Property (IP) awareness resource has been created in order to improve your understanding of IP. Topics include: Types of intellectual property • Copyright and IP clearance • University policy on IP • IP commercialisation • IP in research or consultancy • IP issues to be aware when dealing with academic materials |
* NOTE: the material in this online resource is for reference and formative learning purposes only. In some of your taught programme you may be required to undertake assessed course units for Research Methods, Qualitative Research or Statistics. If your programme involves taught units then you should refer to the Blackboard material relating to that course unit. Please contact your Programme Administrator if you are unsure which material relates to your assessed work. You will still be able to refer to the online skills resource in later years.
THE DENTISTRY CORE GOVERNANCE SEMINAR
Clinical Postgraduate Students who are not registered with the GDC to practice dentistry in the UK are required to attend this seminar.
Clinical Postgraduate Students who are registered with the GDC to practice dentistry in the UK, but who would value the chance to undertake continuing professional development in Radiography and Radiation Protection, are invited to attend. The GDC highly recommend that at least five hours of CPD in Radiography and Radiation Protection are included in every CPD cycle.
Monday 28 October 1.30-4.30p.m. Radiological protection guidelines
(3.00-3.30 break)
Venue: University Place 2.219
ON LINE TRAINING
All clinical postgraduate students will be enrolled on an e-learning programme which covers the topics noted below. THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THIS PROGRAMME IS 30 NOVEMBER 2019.
Working in our Trust
Fire Safety
Health and Safety
Customer Service
Fraud in the NHS
Equality Diversity & Human Rights
Summoning Help in Medical Emergencies
Safeguarding Adults (1 and 2)
Safeguarding Children (1 and 2) – NB 1 = all students; 2 = Ortho postgrads only)
Security Awareness
Risk Management
Infection Prevention and Control
Information Governance
Consent & Documentation
Early Warning Score for Children’s Services (Ortho postgrads only)
ANNUAL TWO DAY PRESENTATION EVENT
This event will take place over two days in June 2020 (10th and 11th) and all postgraduate students are expected to attend on both days. Part-time students are asked to make appropriate arrangements to change their session during this week to allow attendance on both days.
The event will provide an opportunity for you to meet with your peers within your own area of study and also to meet with those whom you may not normally encounter. There will be the chance to gain an appreciation of the work of your peers, and to see the variety of clinical and research studies being undertaken and to highlight the mutual goal of patient benefit. Clinical taught students will give an oral presentation of a clinical case, to share clinical work and best practice with colleagues and to broaden clinical experience, whilst research students will present a summary of their ongoing research either in poster format or as an oral presentation (depending on your stage of study). There will be ample opportunity for interaction and mutual learning. The presentations will also be independently assessed, with a prize available in each category. Details of prizes will be advised nearer the event.
| SECTION THREE |
|
THE DISSERTATION (MSc and MSc (Clin) students only) |
The aims of the dissertation unit (worth 60 credits and forming the ‘research element’ of the Master’s programme) are:
- to provide training in the identification, formulation and implementation of a specific research project;
- to provide experience of working (researching) independently;
- to test the extent to which you have achieved synthesis of your acquired skills and knowledge via a report (dissertation) of the research topic.
Objectives
- On successful completion of the component, you will have acquired:
training to carry out a supervised research topic;
- experience in preparing the research topic;
- experience in producing a dissertation of up to 15,000 words based on original research and by the required submission date;
- skills to be able to discuss and defend the research and results in an oral examination.
Ethical approval
It may be that the research you propose to undertake for your dissertation will require ethical approval from a relevant University Committee. Your supervisor will advise as to whether or not that may be the case. If your dissertation will require ethical approval, then the following University website guides you through the processes for that:
http://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/services/rbess/governance/ethics/.
Each student must undertake a research project and a review of the relevant literature, methodology and results presented in the form of a dissertation.
The Student Supervision and Dissertation Guidance document can be found on Blackboard.
This dissertation must be completed within the time span of the programme, it is essential that the project is commenced early in the programme. With this fact in mind, your Supervisor may request you to commence background reading and similar related tasks prior to the commencement of the programme.
You are encouraged to disseminate your research findings in a variety of ways, such as:
- Presentation at research seminars
- Presentation at national/international meetings
- Publication in a professional journal (often non-refereed)
- Publication in a refereed journal
It is essential that if you wish to submit an abstract for a poster or oral presentation that this is seen and approved by all of your supervisors as well as any other authors on the abstract (e.g. a statistician) before submission. This is important for two reasons:
Your supervisor will determine if there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of your attendance at the meeting and ensure that this is the most appropriate venue for your work to be presented. It is crucial that funding for travel is secured before abstracts are submitted.
b) It is a part of ethical research practice that all authors of materials submitted should have the opportunity to view work that is being submitted under their name. There may be political, academic or other reasons why an author may or may not want to be associated with a particular study and you should ensure that
Should you submit an abstract without following the above guidelines then you will be asked to withdraw the material immediately. If you have any questions about the etiquette surrounding authorship, abstract submission and the ownership of research – please consult with your supervisor
Regular meetings between you and your Supervisor will be arranged. These are inevitably frequent in the early stages of the project when design and preparation work demands a high intensity of work. Each meeting should be recorded with outcomes summarised and objectives set for research to be performed prior to the next visit.
Notice of Submission
Once dissertation production is well underway, and after the Final Meeting, you will need to complete a Notice of Submission at least six weeks prior to the deadline for submission. The Notice of Submission is an online form and the link for this will be sent to you by your Programme Administrator.
You should give notice once you have progressed with the writing and are confident of being on-target for meeting the submission date. Giving notice triggers the appointment of the examiners who are then expecting the dissertation to arrive on time.
See below for notice of submission dates (depending on the length of your programme).
Submission of Dissertation
You must complete and pass the taught element of the programme (the first 120 credits) before submission of a dissertation can be accepted.
See below for dissertation submission dates (depending on the length of your programme).
Your Programme Administrator will advise you on the processes for submitting your dissertation online during the course of the academic year.
The deadline for submission of dissertations cannot be extended, unless approval is given in advance due to mitigating circumstances.
The dissertation must be submitted in accordance with University of Manchester prescribed guidelines, details of which may be obtained at:
Guidance for the presentation of Taught Masters dissertations:
Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Dissertations for UG and PGT Provision
No other form of dissertation is acceptable.
Please note that dissertations will be run through the University’s plagiarism software.
Important note: Common deficiencies in dissertations include the bibliography. A meticulously systematic bibliography is required and advice on the presentation of the bibliography must be sought from Supervisors. As a guide, the dissertation should be approximately 10,000-15,000 words excluding the bibliography.
Graduate students are expected to write and submit their research dissertation during the prescribed period of their degree registration. Supervisors will exert pressure on students to ensure this important target is met.
Dissertation production always takes longer than planned, so you are advised to start early, with the first draft completed three months before the end of the prescribed programme.
| Submission Dates (approximate) Degree | Dissertation to be submitted by: | Deadline for handing in ‘Notice of Submission’: | Notice of Submission and Dissertation to be submitted online (your Programme Administrator will give you details) | |
| MSc (FT) | 11 September 2020 | 24 July 2020 | ||
| MSc (PT) | 10 September 2021 | 23 July 2021 | ||
| MSc (Clin) | 9 September 2022 | 22 July 2022 | ||
N.B.: If you are a student on a programme lasting more than one year, please double-check these dates during your final year.
| SECTION FOUR |
|
RECORD OF PROGRESS
|
RECORD OF PROGRESS: OVERVIEW
The progress forms referred to below can be found in your Induction Folder or from your Programme Administrator.
In order to ensure that you make progress and receive good supervision, a framework of meetings is laid out and will include the following items:
- A summary of each formal meeting between the Supervisor, Adviser and student, which will be signed by all.
- Assessment of Case Presentation (completed by the assessors at the postgraduate 2 day presentation event in June)
- Completion of forms relating to meetings with the Clinical Component Director in connection with the taught component of the programme.
It is your responsibility to arrange meetings with your supervisor and/or adviser according to the framework. It is also your responsibility to ensure that the appropriate Progress Form is completed, signed and submitted to your assigned administrator. In addition, it is expected that you will have further informal meetings with your supervisor to maintain steady progress with your project.
Compulsory Requirements
Within taught MSc/PGDip programmes in the Division of Dentistry there are compulsory requirements for students to progress with their studies. All graduate students must successfully pass programme units in line with regulations as detailed above. A record of satisfying this and other specific requirements as detailed in individual Specialty Handbooks must be maintained by the student.
| Description |
| Compulsory Core Courses |
| Core Governance Seminar Series – Online |
| Face to Face Core seminar – Radiological Protection Guidelines |
| Communications Course |
| Introductory course |
| Seminars, Assignments and Assessments |
| Clinical Component Seminar Series |
| Clinical Component Assignments |
| Clinical Component Structured Oral Case Presentation |
| Research Groups – Seminars and Journal Clubs |
| Clinical Component formal examinations (written and oral examination) |
| Clinical Governance and Audit |
| Research Component (Dissertation) |
| Research Methods Unit |
| Biostatistics Unit |
| Initial Meeting |
| Protocol/Project Outline Meeting |
| Literature Report Assessment |
| Progress Report (1) and (2) |
| Final Meeting |
Unsatisfactory Progress
Performance in Programme Units is considered by the relevant Examination Board.
Students who are otherwise considered to be making unsatisfactory progress will be discussed at divisional level in the Consortium meeting, and if onward referral is required this will be to the School of Medical Sciences PGT Committee.
Special Permissions
‘Special permissions’ are changes to your student registration (usually as a result of a change in your personal circumstances) and they include
- Interruptions-of-study;
- extensions to the final submission deadline of dissertations,
- changes in programme or mode of attendance.
In all of these instances you should first of all discuss any of these matters with your Programme Director. Then, if the outcome of those discussions is that you will proceed to request one of the above changes to your student registration, then you should contact your Programme Administrator who can provide you with the appropriate paperwork on which you will need to make your formal written request. Your written request will then be considered by members of senior academic staff with responsibility for postgraduate matters (one of whom will be the Division’s PGT Tutor).
Your Programme Administrator will be required to advise the Accommodation Office if you are living in University accommodation and require an extended interruption-of-study. If you are in the UK subject to immigration regulations, i.e. you are a non-EU citizen and need permission to enter/remain in the UK, you must consult with the International Advice Team regarding visa implications.
MSc – Calendar of Formal Meetings with Supervisor and Adviser
Within one month of arrival (three months for part-time students), and at appropriate intervals thereafter, the student will meet with the Supervisor and the Adviser. These formal meetings are additional to the informal meetings between student and Supervisor, which normally take place during the course of research. The Record of Progress summarises these meetings, and record forms for each of these meetings are enclosed. Copies of record forms must be returned to the Programme Administrator to maintain an independent, verified record of progress.
In addition, the minimum number of meetings required is specified, and students should establish with their Supervisor and Adviser whether any additional meetings are required, and if so, the pattern that is to be followed.
MSc – Calendar of Formal Meetings with the Programme Director
Within six months of arrival, and at approximately six monthly intervals thereafter, the student will meet with the Programme Director to discuss clinical progress. These formal meetings are additional to the meetings between student and Supervisor. The Record of Progress summarises these meetings, and record forms for each of these meetings are enclosed. Copies of record forms must be returned to your assigned administrator to maintain an independent, verified record of progress.
PGDip/PGCert – Calendar of Formal Meetings with the Programme Director
Within one month of arrival and at approximately two monthly intervals thereafter, the student will meet with the Programme Director to discuss clinical progress. The Record of Progress summarises these meetings, and record forms for each of these meetings are enclosed. Copies of record forms must be returned to your assigned administrator to maintain an independent, verified record of progress.
Submission of Record Forms
It is the student’s responsibility to organise Supervisor/Adviser meetings (MSc).
Meetings will be arranged by your Programme Administrator for clinical appraisal.
A signed photocopy of the forms must be sent to your assigned administrator.
These records will be checked periodically by the Programme Director.
You will be expected to keep the ORIGINAL.
The completion of record/progress forms is mandatory. Students that do not submit progress forms on time, without prior agreement from their Programme Directors, may receive an official written warning and may be asked to attend PGT Progress Committee due to unsatisfactory progress on the programme.
Confidential Feedback on Research Supervision
When you send in the Progress Forms, you may, if you wish, complete a feedback form, a copy of which can be found on the following page.
The information it contains will be treated as strictly confidential.
Feedback on Postgraduate Taught Course
Name
_____________________________________________________________
Contact address _____________________________________________________________
Please use this opportunity to provide feedback on your graduate studies. Feedback can be provided at any time as necessary. This feedback may take the form of:
- Major concerns regarding failures in the Supervisor/Student interactions
- Information on the effectiveness of the Adviser system
- Suggestions/concerns regarding administration and information provision about any aspect of your postgraduate course
| Please describe your concerns in writing below, or tick this box if you would prefer to discuss them with someone in confidence |
We are always open to compliments as well as constructive criticism and will endeavour to respond to both important information of a confidential nature and suggestions for improving our administration in a constructive and efficient manner.
Confidentiality
Please mark your envelope as confidential and for the attention of Wendy Gregson, PGT Programmes Manager, Division of Dentistry, Ground Floor, Coupland 3 Building. It will be treated in STRICT CONFIDENCE. It will NOT be discussed with your Supervisor or Adviser, or any individuals you specify without prior consultation with you.
Careers Service
The University of Manchester Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance services to all students of the University of Manchester. As a postgraduate, the demands on your time can seem overwhelming. The Careers Service can make your life easier by offering a range of services designed specifically to help you make your next move. Most of these services are completely free. Full details of the Careers Service can be found on their website at:
http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
You will be issued with a certificate of verifiable CPD for your attendance and completion of the core governance seminar, the life support training and the communications course.
CPD certificates for the remainder of your postgraduate studies are not routinely provided. Your Programme Director can only issue you with a certificate of verifiable CPD hours where all requirements of the General Dental Council have been met, including a record of attendance at lectures and clinics, etc. on the programme.
Academic Success Programme
You’re studying at the University of Manchester – congratulations! Writing and speaking Academic English can be challenging, even for native speakers. Our team of experienced tutors are here to support you, and will help boost your confidence to work independently in English through a series of interactive workshops – freely available to all University of Manchester students.
To find out more, and to register, please go to www.manchester.ac.uk/academicsuccessprogramme
| SECTION FIVE |
|
EXAMINATION ASSESSMENT and PROGRESSION |
RESEARCH METHODS AND BIOSTATISTICS UNITS
See page 31 for assessment details.
ASSESSMENT OF OTHER UNITS
The methods by which the speciality units are assessed within your chosen postgraduate programme will be outlined in your programme handbook.
As noted elsewhere in this handbook, assessment of the final research element of MSc/MSc (Clin) programmes is by a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words.
STATEMENT ABOUT THE USE OF TURNITIN
The University uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for marking. Such systems include TurnitinUK, the plagiarism detection service used by the University.
As part of the formative and/or summative assessment process, you may be asked to submit electronic versions of your work to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University (this requirement may be in addition to a requirement to submit a paper copy of your work). If you are asked to do this, you must do so within the required timescales.
The School also reserves the right to submit work handed in by you for formative or summative assessment to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University.
Please note that when work is submitted to the relevant electronic systems, it may be copied and then stored in a database to allow appropriate checks to be made.
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Mitigating circumstances are personal or medical circumstances which are unforeseeable and unpreventable that could have a significant adverse effect on your academic performance. You should only submit a mitigating circumstances application if you consider it serious enough, and the timing critical, to have affected your performance in your assessed work and examinations.
Request for mitigation must be submitted to your programme administrator, in advance of your assessment submission deadline or exam. Requests for mitigation submitted after the assessment or exam (except those requests made as a result of circumstances that have arisen during the course of that assessment period) will not be considered without a credible and compelling explanation as to why the circumstances were not known before the beginning of the assessment period or why you were unable to complete or submit an application prior to the assessment or exam. Please note that not informing the University of circumstances due to personal feelings of embarrassment and pride, or having concerns over the confidential treatment of requests for mitigation, are not considered to be credible and compelling explanations
All mitigating circumstances applications must be supported by independent third party evidence. The type of evidence required will vary according to the nature of the circumstances. Examples of evidence include a doctor or other health professional’s letter, counsellor’s letter, self-certification form signed by your GP or GP’s Medical Practice (for illnesses of 7 days and under only). Please note that it is a University policy that the self-certification form must be signed by a GP; we cannot accept forms which have not been signed by a GP. Please note that if evidence has not been received within 2 weeks of the submission of your form, and you have not contacted them to inform them of any delay, your application will be refused and no further action will be taken.
Please ensure that you password protect or encrypt your mitigating circumstances form and supporting evidence before sending to your programme administrator.
Any requests for mitigation will be considered confidentially by a mitigating circumstances panel or sub-panel. Dates of the panels for the academic year 2019/2020 are 23 October 2019, 27 November 2019, 15 January 2020, 19 February 2020, 18 March 2020, 22 April 2020, 20 May 2020 and 17 June 2020.
Where a request for mitigation is supported, a recommendation will be made to the exam board for them to decide on the best course of action for the student.
You are advised to consult the following guidance, which directs you to seek advice and support before and whilst submitting a request for mitigation.
The University form and guidance for students, is available at: http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/basic-guide-mitigating-circumstances/
For further information about the process and acceptable grounds for mitigation see: Mitigating Circumstances Policy & Procedures:
http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=4271
ASSIGNMENT WORD COUNT (INCLUDING THE DISSERTATION)
In accordance with the University Policy on Marking:
Each written assignment has a word limit which you must state at the top of your first page. It is acceptable, without penalty, for you to submit an assignment within a range that is plus 10% of this limit. If you present an assignment with a word count exceeding the specified limit+10%, the assignment will be marked but 1% will be deducted from this mark for every 100 words over the limit given.
For an original word limit that is 1000 words and an assignment that is marked out of 100. If a submission is made that is 1101 words then it exceeded the 10% leeway, and is more than 100 words over the original limit and should receive a 1 mark deduction.
In accordance with accepted academic practice, when submitting any written assignment for summative assessment, the notion of a word count includes the following without exception:
- All titles or headings that form part of the actual text. This does not include the fly page or reference list.
- All words that form the actual essay.
- All words forming the titles for figures, tables and boxes, are included but this does not include boxes or tables or figures themselves.
- All in-text (that is bracketed) references.
All directly quoted material.
Certain assessments may require different penalties for word limits to be applied. For example, if part of the requirement for the assessment is conciseness of presentation of facts and arguments. In such cases it may be that no 10% leeway is allowed and penalties applied may be stricter than described above. In such cases the rules for word count limits and the penalties to be applied will be clearly stated in the assessment brief and in the submission details for that assessment.
LATE SUBMISSION PENALTY (INCLUDING THE DISSERTATION)
Work submitted after the deadline without prior approval will be subject to a late penalty in accordance with the University Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes. The penalty applied is 10% of available marks deducted per day/24 hours (from the time of the original or extended deadline), until the assignment is submitted or no marks remain.
Penalties for late submission relate to 24 hours/calendar days, so include weekends and weekdays, as well as bank holidays and University closure days.
The mark awarded for the piece of work will be reduced by:
10% of the available marks deducted if up to 24 hours (1 day) late
20% of the available marks deducted if up to 48 hours (2 days) late
30% of the available marks deducted if up to 72 hours (3 days) late
40% of the available marks deducted if up to 96 hours (4 days) late
50% of the available marks deducted if up to 120 hours (5 days) late
60% of the available marks deducted if up to 144 hours (6 days) late
70% of the available marks deducted if up to 168 hours (7 days) late
80% of the available marks deducted if up to 192 hours (8 days) late
90% of the available marks deducted if up to 216 hours (9 days) late
100% of the available marks deducted if up to 240 hours (10 days) late
If the assessment is submitted within 10 days of the deadline the assessment should be marked and feedback to the student provided. If this mark before the penalty is applied reaches the appropriate pass mark but the applied penalty results in a fail of the assessment, the student should not be required to resit the assessment as the original mark can be taken as the resit mark. Further information and examples can be found in the Policy and associated Guidance documents.
For work submitted more than 10 days late, it is regarded as a non-submission and need not be marked. In this case a mark of zero will be awarded and normal resit regulations will apply.
The sliding scale should only be applied to first-sit submissions. For all referred (resit) assessment, any late submission will automatically receive a mark of zero.
For further information:
Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
External Examiners are individuals from another institution or organisation who monitor the assessment processes of the University to ensure fairness and academic standards. They ensure that assessment and examination procedures have been fairly and properly implemented and that decisions have been made after appropriate deliberation. They also ensure that standards of awards and levels of student performance are at least comparable with those in equivalent higher education institutions.
External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) and/or programme committee, where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiners’ comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiners’ reports or the process for considering them.
Details of your programme’s External Examiner are provided in your Programme Handbook. Please note though that it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regard to a student’s individual performance in assessments.
Other appropriate mechanisms are available for students, including the University’s appeals or complaints procedures and the UMSU Advice Centre. In cases where a student does contact an External Examiner directly, External Examiners have been requested not to respond to direct queries. Instead, External Examiners should report the matter to their School contact who will then contact the student to remind them of the other methods available for students. If students have any queries concerning this, they should contact their Programme Office (or equivalent).
Postgraduate Marking Scheme (Dissertation)
Please Note: This mark scheme is subject to change up to the point that students are asked to submit their Notice of Submission’
| Mark | Explanation |
| 90-100% |
Exceptional (allows award of distinction): Exceptional work, nearly or wholly faultless for that expected at Masters level. Perfect presentation. |
| 80-89% | Outstanding (allows award of distinction): Work of outstanding quality throughout. Excellent presentation. |
| 70-79% | Excellent (allows award of distinction): Work of very high to excellent quality showing originality, high accuracy, thorough understanding, critical appraisal. Shows a wide and thorough understanding of the material studied and the relevant literature and the ability to apply the theory and methods learned to solve unfamiliar problems. Very good presentation. |
| 60-69% | Good Pass (allows award of merit): Work of good to high quality showing evidence of understanding of the research topic, good accuracy, good structure and relevant conclusions. Shows a good knowledge of the material studied and the relevant literature and some ability to tackle unfamiliar problems. Good presentation. |
| 50-59% | Pass: Work shows a clear grasp of relevant facts and issues and reveals an attempt to create a coherent whole. It comprises reasonably clear and attainable objectives, adequate literature review and some originality. Presentation is acceptable, minor errors allowed. |
| 40-49% | Referral: Work shows a satisfactory understanding of the research topic and basic knowledge of the relevant literature but with little or no originality and limited accuracy. Shows clear but limited objectives, and does not always reach a conclusion. Presentation adequate but could be improved. |
| 30-39% | Referral: Work shows some understanding of the main elements of the research topic and some knowledge of the relevant literature. Shows a limited level of accuracy with little analysis of data or attempt to discuss its significance. Presentation poor. |
| 20-29% | Fail with no opportunity to resubmit: Limited relevant material presented. Little understanding of research topic. Unclear or unsubstantiated arguments with very poor accuracy and understanding. Presentation unacceptable. |
| 10-19% | Fail with no opportunity to resubmit: Limited understanding of the research process. The topic is largely without evidence to support its exploration for research and the arguments are supported by poor sources of evidence. The dissertation is disjointed and does not demonstrate logical coherent thinking with unacceptable presentation. |
| 0-9% | Fail with no opportunity to resubmit: The text demonstrates no understanding of the research process. The topic is totally inappropriate and there is no evidence to support its exploration as an area of interest for research. Presentation is extremely poor and is not in an appropriate format for submission as a Masters dissertation. The topic would need to be reconstructed and totally rewritten if it were to be presented for resubmission. |
GRADUATION
Degree ceremonies are held in December and July each year.
Graduation ceremonies are organised by the University’s Student Services Centre, in consultation with the Faculty, the School and the Division. When you submit your dissertation you will receive information about the upcoming graduation ceremony and should indicate at that stage whether your intention is to attend the ceremony or graduate in absentia.
Receiving the published result confirms the award of the degree and eligibility to attend the ceremony.
Degree certificates are handed out to students at the degree ceremony. Students not attending graduation will receive their certificate by post.
ACADEMIC APPEALS
If you are thinking of appealing a decision taken by the Division, you should first discuss the matter with your supervisor, Programme Director or Professor Julian Yates, PGT Tutor, before doing so in order to better understand the reason for the result or decision against which you wish to appeal. A formal appeal should only be submitted if you remain dissatisfied once informal avenues have been exhausted.
An appeal may be made only on grounds alleging:
- that there exists or existed circumstances affecting the student’s performance of which, for good reason, the board of examiners or committee may not have been made aware when the decision was taken and which might have had a material effect on the decision [Note: if students wish to appeal on such grounds, they must give adequate reasons with supporting documentation why this information was not made available prior to the decision being made.];
- that there had been a material administrative error or procedural irregularity in the assessment process or in putting into effect the regulations for the programme of study of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred;
- that there is evidence of prejudice or bias or lack of proper assessment on the part of one or more of the examiners;
- that the supervision or training of the student in respect of research for a dissertation or thesis or equivalent work was unsatisfactory to the point that his or her performance was seriously affected.
An appeal which questions the academic or professional judgement of those charged with the responsibility for assessing a student’s academic performance or professional competence will not be permitted.
The University policy on Academic Appeals (Regulation XIX), along with the form on which to make a formal written appeal, can be obtained at:
http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/.
| SECTION SIX |
|
SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN THE UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT ILL HEALTH |
It is important that you keep your Programme Administrator, Supervisor and Programme Director informed of any personal circumstances that affect your ability to study, whether it be ill-health, financial or other personal problems, which might require you to request an interruption-of-study or some other change to your registration as a student of the University (see section four, above).
A-Z OF STUDENT SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE UNIVERSITY
The University has an A-Z of Services that can be found via A-Z of Student Services Here you can find information on a wide range of topics such as library services, disability support, financial advice and careers advice.
STUDENT ILL-HEALTH
- It is a requirement of your registration with the University of Manchester that you register with a local general practitioner. A list of GP practices can be obtained from the Student Health Centre, any University hall of residence or a local Pharmacy. According to guidance issued by the General Medical Council it would not be regarded as good practice for a family member to be the registered GP or to offer treatment except in the case of an emergency.
- You should always consult your GP (or for emergencies the Accident and Emergency Department of a hospital) if your illness is severe, if it persists or if you are in any doubt about your health. You should also consult your GP if illness keeps you absent from the University for more than 7 days including week-ends. If you do consult a GP and they consider that you are not fit for attendance at the University, then you should obtain a note from the doctor to that effect. You should send this sick note to your Programme Administrator at the earliest opportunity.
- If your condition is not sufficiently serious to cause you to seek medical help, then the University will not require you to supply a doctor’s medical certificate unless you are absent from the University due to illness for more than 7 days (in which case see b. above). You must however contact your Programme Administrator as soon as possible and ‘self-certify’ your illness. You should do this if your illness means you are absent from the University for any period up to 7 days (see d.i) or if you are able to attend the University but your illness is affecting your studies (see d. ii and iii).
- The following sub-paragraphs explain what you should do if your illness affects your attendance at compulsory classes or if you consider that your performance in your studies/examinations has been impaired:
- If you are unwell and feel unable to attend the University to take a compulsory class, assessment or examination then you must seek advice by contacting your department or degree programme immediately, in person, through a friend or family member, by telephone or by email. This is to ensure that you understand the implications of being absent and the consequences for your academic progress, which might be quite serious. You must do this as soon as possible so that all options can be considered and certainly no later than the day of your compulsory class, assessment or examination. If you do not do this then you will normally be considered to have been absent from the class without good reason, or to have taken the assessment or examination in which case you will be given a mark of zero.
- You may be unwell but are able to proceed with an assessment or examination and yet you feel that your performance will have been impaired. If you wish this to be taken into account as a mitigating circumstance, you must inform your Programme Administrator about this on the day of the assessment or examination. If you leave this until later it will not normally be possible to take your illness into account when assessing your performance.
- You may be under occasional and ongoing medical attention which affects your studies. If so, you should obtain a letter from your physician which should be given to your Programme Administrator at the earliest opportunity, if you wish your condition to be taken into account as a mitigating circumstance.
DISABILITY ADVISORY AND SUPPORT SERVICE (DASS)
The University of Manchester welcomes students with a disability or specific learning difficulties. The University has a Disability Advisory and Support Service, who can supply further information and DASS advisors will be pleased to meet you to discuss you needs. DASS will liaise with your School through the Disability Coordinator to make the necessary arrangements for your support during your time in Manchester.
The DASS office can also provide a copy of the University’s Disability Statement, ‘Opportunities for Students with Additional Support Needs at the University of Manchester’ which sets out the policy and provision for students with a disability.
DASS Contact Details:-
Location: 2nd Floor, University Place
Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk; Phone: 0161 275 7512
Text: 07899 658 790; Website: www.dass.manchester.ac.uk
Disability Coordinator Contact Details:-
Name: Lynsey McVey
Location: 1.483 Stopford Building
Email: dc.medicalsciences.pgt@manchester.ac.uk; Phone: 0161 275 1463
LIST OF POLICIES
Basic Guide to Academic Appeals
Basic guide to academic appeals
Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases can be found at: Academic Malpractice: procedure for the handling of cases
A-Z of Student Services
Data Protection
Equality and Diversity Policy
Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Masters Dissertations
Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Dissertations for UG and PGT Provision
Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students
The University’s Privacy Statement
Registered student Privacy Notice
Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating Circumstances: Guidance for Students
Basic Guide to Mitigating Circumstances
Policy on Mitigating Circumstances
Policy on Mitigating Circumstances
Guidance for students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice can be found at:
Guidance on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice
Student Complaints:
Basic guide to student complaints
Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
Work and attendance policy
Student Support
Student Charter
Occupational Health Services for Students
Occupational Health Services for Students
International Advice Team
A Personal Safety Guide for International Students
Students Union
Health & Fitness