MSc Medical Imaging Science

2023 – 2024

Programme Handbook

Introduction of the School

Welcome from the Director of Postgraduate Taught Education, Mr Andrew Mawdsley

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I am delighted to welcome you to the School of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. We are extremely pleased you have chosen the University of Manchester to commence or continue your postgraduate study journey; whether you are progressing straight from your undergraduate studies, seeking to develop your knowledge/skills in your chosen career or, are bravely, taking a completely different direction in life.

In the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and humanity, we will place you at the centre of a transformational learning process to support you to achieve your individual goals and aspirations. Our challenge to you is to embrace all of the opportunities available to you; be bold, think differently and realise your potential. We want your postgraduate journey with us to be intellectually stretching, rewarding and fun.

We are aware that most of you will need to juggle a number of competing priorities during your postgraduate taught studies. Some of you will already be in full time employment, while others will need to secure part time employment to fund your studies. We know that many of you will have family and caring responsibilities that will have to be prioritised before your own learning. We hope the information detailed in this programme handbook will help you in managing these competing commitments. Whether you are joining us on campus, or studying at a distance, you are an integral part of our School and University, and we are here to support you.

We are extremely proud of our postgraduate student community and alumni who are making a difference, both locally and globally. We look forward to working with you, confident that you too will play a role in transforming the lives of people who use health and social care services, whether during your studies or upon graduation.

I wish you every success in your postgraduate studies here at the University of Manchester.

General Information

What is the Programme Handbook?

The Programme Handbook is a reference document that contains generic and programme specific information (or signposts to the information) that you require throughout the different stages of your programme of study.

Useful Contacts

If you have any questions or encounter any problems during your studies, please contact a member of the Programme Support Team and we will endeavour to deal with your query or re-direct it appropriately.

Teaching Staff
Dr Marie-Claude Asselin	Joint Programme Director	marie-claude.asselin@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Adam McMahon	Dr Adam McMahon Joint Programme Director/Radioisotope Imaging	Adam.Mcmahon@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Richard Hodgson	Scientific Skills: Human Biology / Imaging in Clinical Diagnosis	richard.hodgson@manchester.ac.uk
Prof Tim Cootes	Mathematical Foundations of Imaging / Image Analysis & Computing	timothy.f.cootes@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Richard Hodgson	Non-Radioisotope Imaging	richard.hodgson@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Rainer Hinz	Advanced PET Imagine and MRI	rainer.hinz@manchester.ac.uk
Programme Support and queries
SHS.Programmes@manchester.ac.uk

Your Programme

Programme Structure

The emphasis of the taught part of the course is on understanding principles and acquiring the skills necessary to apply them. The taught programme is planned around an academic year consisting of two semesters each of which has 12 weeks of teaching and a two-week examination period. There is then a three-month research project over the summer. In order to complete the programme, total of eight 15-credit taught units must be taken together with a 60-credit dissertation project for the MSc (180 credits). Students should undertake the necessary preparatory work for the dissertation project during the second semester, as agreed with their supervisor.

First semester course units are compulsory for all students, with the exception of the introductory course units in Mathematics/Physics and Human Biology. Students will take one of these course units as appropriate according to their background, after discussion with the Programme Directors.

All four of the second semester course units are elective. Students should select their course units and inform the Programme Directors and Programme Admin team of their choices during the first semester.

Part time students taking the degree in 2 years should take 2 taught units in each semester; they should select a project during their first year and conduct the project over the two summer periods.

Aims

The programme aims to:

Produce graduates with a systematic understanding of the scientific basis of the major medical imaging modalities. (PG Certificate, PG Diploma, MSc)
Equip graduates with generic transferrable skills required in a multidisciplinary scientific or clinical research environment. (PG Certificate, Diploma, MSc)
Produce graduates with a broad understanding of the principal clinical applications of medical imaging and its role in diagnosis, monitoring and therapy. (Diploma, MSc)
Provide graduates with an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of medical imaging for deriving quantitative anatomical and physiological data. (Diploma, MSc)
Provide graduates with knowledge of how advanced imaging techniques are applied in medical research and drug discovery. (Diploma, MSc)
Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required for a career in an image-related field in clinical practice, clinical research, scientific research or technical development. (MSc)

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes are detailed below.

A. Knowledge and Understanding

Students should be able to:

A1. Show a systematic understanding of the scientific basis of the principal medical imaging modalities

A2. Show a broad understanding of the role of different medical imaging modalities in healthcare

A3. Show a general understanding of how the requirements of anatomy, physiology and pathology influence the selection of imaging modalities

A4. Understand in detail the advantages and limitations of different imaging modalities in providing clinical information

A5. Show a broad understanding of the capacity and limitations of using imaging to deliver quantitative anatomical and physiological data

A6. Demonstrate broad knowledge of the methods used for data analysis in extracting quantitative information from medical images

A7. Understand the key concepts in design of an imaging study

A8. Understand the key concepts in experimental design

B. Intellectual Skills

Students should be able to:

B1. Evaluate imaging strategies based on knowledge of the advantages and limitations of imaging modalities

B2. Read and critically evaluate scientific papers in medical imaging

B3. Synthesise and summarise information from literature and other sources in evaluating imaging studies and quantitative data

B4. Apply mathematical and computational modeling techniques to extract quantitative data from images

B5. Design an experimental imaging study

C. Practical Skills

Students should be able to:

C1. Plan and execute quantitative imaging experiments

C2. Use conventional and electronic resources to collect, select and organise complex scientific information

C3. Communicate ideas in the subject clearly in written and oral form to a peer group

C4. Work safely and professionally with imaging equipment in a clinical or research environment

C5. Apply appropriate techniques for analysing scientific data

C6. Use appropriate software for analysing image data, understanding the limitations implicit in the methods.

D. Transferrable Skills and Personal Qualities

Students should be able to:

D1. Independently manage time and resources and set priorities effectively to meet a deadline

D2. Communicate complex ideas clearly orally and in writing, using a variety of media

D3. Cooperate in small teams to achieve goals

D4. Demonstrate a professional and responsible attitude to work

D5. Manage a multifaceted project autonomously and efficiently

The full MIS Programme Specification can be found online here.

Course Units Overview

First semester course units (all compulsory)

Scientific Skills, leaders Dr Rainer Hinz / Dr Richard Hodgson.

To provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for the programme. Students join the programme with a variety of backgrounds. This course unit will introduce Human Biology to the students from a mathematics/physics/engineering background and Math/Physics to the biomedical students. The unit also comprises introductory lectures on Chemistry and on Pharmacology relevant for Imaging which all students are expected to take.

Mathematical Foundations of Imaging, leader Prof, Tim Cootes

To provide students with the mathematical foundation necessary to undertake the imaging course units. The material in this course unit provides a common knowledge and skill base for the remainder of the programme. Optional practical sessions on programming are also provided as part of this unit.

Radioisotope Imaging, leader Dr Adam McMahon

This course unit provides an overview of imaging methods that use radioactive tracers. It covers the chemistry of production of tracer molecules, instrumentation and imaging techniques, such as PET and SPECT. There is also discussion of clinical application, including visits to clinical imaging facilities. The course-unit is delivered between weeks four and twelve of the semester.

Non-radioisotope Imaging, leader

This course unit provides an overview of the major imaging methods that do not use radioactive tracers. There is an emphasis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as this represents a wide range of imaging techniques. Clinical ultrasound imaging and X-ray imaging, such as Computed Tomography are also covered. The course-unit is delivered between weeks four and twelve of the semester.

Second semester course units (all compulsory)

Advance Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging, leader Dr Rainer Hinz

This course unit leads on from the radioisotope imaging course unit. It covers the production and radiochemistry of PET tracers, instrumentation and image reconstruction, kinetic modelling and example applications.

Quantitative Imaging into Practice, leader

This course unit addresses the question of imaging biomarkers, covering the diverse range of imaging biomarkers, the requirements for validation of biomarkers, their use in clinical practice and drug discovery, and regulatory issues.

Medical Image Analysis and Mathematical Computing, leaders Prof. Tim Cootes

This course unit covers the basic tools and algorithms for quantitative image interpretation. It addresses the statistical processes behind image formation and how these affect the design and performance of computer algorithms. The computational requirements for a number of important mathematical processes are discussed. Students will carry out programming exercises related to specific algorithms.

Imaging in Clinical Diagnosis, leader Dr Richard Hodgson

This course unit seeks to develop an understanding of the roles of different imaging modalities in clinical diagnosis, and how imaging techniques may be applied to answer specific clinical questions. It will consist of a mixture of linked presentations, group discussions and image viewing sessions.

Full details about each course unit can be found here.

Introductory Courses and PGT Online Skills Training Resource

Introductory Courses

All students are automatically enrolled onto an introductory unit that provides information on health and safety, academic malpractice and academic literacy. Completion instructions for each of these sections 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 assessments is monitored by the School. All students are also strongly advised to complete the academic literacy section.

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.

Research Methods*	This course is spilt into 2 units that cover introductions to study design and dissertation skills. It has a number of online quizzes where you can test your knowledge.
Introduction to 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 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. The course also includes a unit on influencing effectively, alongside the presentation and poster information.
Qualitative Research Methods*	This unit has been designed to give you an introduction to Qualitative Research.

* 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.

Both the academic malpractice and health and safety sections must be completed by 31^st October 2023.

It is your responsibility to regularly check Blackboard and your university email account for new material or course information. You MUST inform the Programme Admin team of any changes to your contact details. We will NOT accept responsibility if vital information does not reach you because your contact details are out of date.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Successful progression through the course relies on self-directed learning. It is up to you to plan your time and we strongly suggest that you consider the course calendar in conjunction with the syllabus to help you with this. Your success is dependent on considerable commitment and self-discipline.

In order to get the most out of the course you will also need to participate actively in seminars and tutorials – not only to complete the course but to benefit from the resulting exchanges of ideas. If you know in advance you cannot attend/participate in any teaching activity, please let the unit leader or programme administrator know as soon as possible.

We recommend that you allow approximately 150 hours of study time per 15-credit unit. This should include activities such as attending lectures, studying the teaching material, participating in supporting activities, completing online activities, and revising for and sitting the examinations.

Please note that you will be responsible for any incidental costs of the course, e.g.:

travel to and from residential face-to-face teaching or examinations
board and lodging during residential teaching or examinations

IMPORTANT: We will be using your university email account as the main method of communication with you. You are advised to check any spam or other filtered folders regularly in case documents do not reach your inbox. You are responsible for ensuring that we have your most up to date contact information at all times.

Expectations and Responsibilities of Staff and Students

The University of Manchester believes that education must be a partnership between the learner and the teacher, conducted within a context that provides properly for pastoral and tutorial needs. As a student at The University of Manchester you can expect to receive an education of high quality with high standards of teaching, resources and support services. You also have responsibilities, and some of these are listed below.

You may expect:

a good education which entails high standards of teaching and supervision, resources and support services;
educational facilities that support your learning development, such as library and computer facilities and study skills programmes;
opportunities to let us know your opinion on how well we have succeeded in these objectives.

You will be expected to:

pursue your academic work with a positive commitment;
meet the standards of good academic practice by submitting work which is your own and which fully acknowledges the ideas and contributions of others through careful referencing;
ensure that you understand what is meant by ‘academic malpractice’ and to seek advice if you are in any doubt;
take full advantage of resources and facilities offered by the academic environment, including contact with staff and other students;
take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties (academic or personal) with an appropriate member of staff, however elementary or trivial these problems may seem; prompt discussion and resolution of problems can prevent difficulties at a later stage;
submit work when required to do so; meet deadlines; and endeavour to take an active, not passive, role in seminar discussions;
attend as required by your School and report promptly to tutors, your lecturers, or other appropriate members of staff, and provide explanations for any interruptions in attendance on their course (e.g. for medical or personal reasons). You must inform staff of any prolonged absence.

You will have:

access to a Counselling Service (tel +44(0)161 275 2864). The Students’ Union provides a confidential Nightline Service for students. Alternatively you may contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre;
access to a range of sporting, recreational and leisure facilities. The Students’ Union on +44(0)161 275 2946/47 provides scientific, artistic, cultural, political, religious, recreational and social activities for students;
access to guidance and information on careers and employment;
access to a member of staff in your School who will be available to provide advice on general and academic issues;
The opportunity to comment on programmes of study and the quality of teaching;
access to student representatives at school and faculty level with whom you can raise issues of concern, and you will be eligible to serve as a representative yourself;

In addition:

you may seek advice on academic matters such as changing course or educational institution, and appealing against decisions which affect you;
The University aims to promote a learning and working environment that values diversity and promotes inclusion for all students and staff. Contact the Equality and Diversity Office on +44(0)161 306 5857 if you have any concerns about discrimination or want to find out more about the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy. Alternatively you may contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre.

Please refer to Manchester University’s Student Charter

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We urge students to be cautious when using a chatbot or AI tool within their learning. Chatbots and AI tools can be useful, but there are a number of risks associated with using them. Please ensure that you are aware of what is permissible use of AI for each assignment. You can utilise AI to generate ideas, key themes, and plan your assessment but not to write your assessment. Do not use AI to generate text, or partial text for use in your assessment unless the assignment brief explicitly states that this is permitted, otherwise use will be deemed academic malpractice. This is academic malpractice because the words and ideas generated are not your own and not an accurate reflection of your learning. Further to this, the words and ideas generated by the chatbot or AI tool may make use of other, human authors’ ideas without referencing them, which is plagiarism. Where a chatbot or other form of AI has been used, make sure you acknowledge that use. Information on how to cite can be found here: https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com/teaching-and-learning/faq/264824 Some units, for example those on AI and technology, permit the use of AI. However, they require you to sign a code of conduct which must be adhered to. Make sure you understand and follow these codes. If you are unclear on what is permissible, speak to the unit lead.

Assignment Word Count (Including 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 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:

Guidance on Late Submission

Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes

Academic Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline

Academic Appeals

For the most up to date information regarding appeals, students should refer to the University’s general support pages, since the pages are updated to reflect changes in policy and guidelines.
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 and to determine whether the matter can be resolved informally by the School prior to making a formal appeal.
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 and Complaints Team electronically by e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk).
The Academic Appeals Procedure (Regulation XIX) and associated documents, including the form on which formal appeals should be submitted, can be found at http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic/basic-guide-academic-appeals/

Student Complaints

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 victimisation - 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 electronically by e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk).

Conduct and Discipline of Students

General University information on the conduct and discipline of students can be found at https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/academic-appeals-complaints-and-misconduct/conduct-and-discipline-of-students/
Faculty policies for students on communication and dress code, social networking and drugs and 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 and 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/
In accordance with the Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes, ‘All typed summative assessment, including dissertations, should be submitted online and subjected to plagiarism detection software, where appropriate’.

The University Library has produced online resources to help students in avoiding plagiarism and academic malpractice at:

https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/my-learning-essentials/online-resources/

Examination Board

Members of the Examination Board may include your tutors and Programme Director and are overseen by an External Examiner from another university or training body. It is the job of the Examination Board to review all the results anonymously and make decisions on the award of credit and who can re-sit exams/assessment or gain compensation. It is also the role of the Examination Board to decide who cannot continue and will leave the University with an exit award. You will be notified of your result via email within 2 weeks of the Exam Board taking place.

The role of the External Examiner

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

External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives and 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.

The External Examiner for this programme is Dr Laura Treadgold who is a lecturer in Medical Physics, lead and associate director for Student Education at the University of Leeds, UK.

Please note that it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regards 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 SHS.Programmes@manchester.ac.uk in the first instance.

Student Progression

The regulations for progression through the programme, and conditions for exit with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma are summarized in the flow chart below and defined in detail in the Postgraduate Regulations.

course progression

Please note that a Dissertation Guide is provided later on in the academic year, which must be read in conjunction with this handbook.

Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students

Please find below the link to the University’s regulation on Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students: http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/regulation-xx/.

The programme 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 non-engagement will result in you being asked to meet with your Programme Director.

Examination Boards can refuse assessment, as well as referred assessment, on the grounds of poor academic performance and/or lack of attendance/engagement. A series of warnings (informal and formal) would be issues to any students failing to meet the engagement requirements of their programme. If there is no significant improvement, or not meeting the criteria set out in the formal warning then further action will be taken, which may result in withdrawal from the programme.

Attendance and Religious Observance

We will make every effort to avoid holding seminars and assessments on religious days or festivals to accommodate those students whose commitment to the observance of their faith would otherwise cause them to miss the event.

Every effort will be made to accommodate students’ legitimate religious requirements, but the University reserves the right to hold events on any days/times if alternatives cannot be found.

The University cannot accept responsibility for students being timetabled for events at times when their religious requirements make it impossible for them to attend, if they fail to notify a member of the Admin Team in advance.

Religious Observance and Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan

Policy on Religious Observance:

University Policy
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has produced guidance for healthcare students on fasting and caring: Fasting and Caring - Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan: guidance for health care students.

Mitigating Circumstances

Sometimes, factors beyond your control may interfere with your ability to attend to your academic studies. The University’s mitigating circumstances procedures exist to try to mitigate against the impact that this could have on your grades.

The full mitigating circumstances policy and guidance can be accessed via the following link: https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/mitigating-circumstances/

We strongly recommend that you seek advice from a member of the Wellbeing team before submitting any claim for mitigating circumstances. You can contact them via shs.mitcircs@manchester.ac.uk or shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk

Grounds for mitigation

Grounds for mitigation are unforeseeable or unpreventable circumstances that could have, or did have, a significant adverse effect on your academic performance.

Possible mitigating circumstances include:

significant illness or injury
the death or critical/significant illness of a close family member/dependant
significant family crises or major financial problems leading to acute stress
absence for public service e.g., jury service

Circumstances that will not normally be regarded as grounds for mitigation include:

holidays, moving house and events that were planned or could reasonably have been expected
assessments that are scheduled close together
misreading the timetable or misunderstanding the requirements for assessments
inadequate planning and time management
consequences of paid employment
exam stress or panic attacks not diagnosed as illness or supported by medical evidence
disruption in an examination room during the course of an assessment which has not been recorded by the invigilators

Applying for mitigation

You should inform us if you experience difficulties that may negatively affect your performance on assessed work. You can inform us of such difficulties by submitting an online Mitigating Circumstances Form. The form must be completed by you. It will ask you to provide details of your difficult circumstances and to list the assessments affected. It is important that you list each separate assessment, giving details of the course unit and the nature of the assessment (e.g. PSYC10711 Essay or PSYC10100 Week 4 Quiz). Your form should also be supported with evidence, which is independent and time-specific (for example, a doctor’s note which confirms that you were ill and indicates the period affected). Our Student Support and Wellbeing team can advise you on the information required on the form.

You should inform us of mitigating circumstances as soon as you become aware that they might affect your performance. Typically, mitigating circumstances must be submitted prior to the assessment taking place. In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to inform us in advance, you should submit your Mitigating Circumstances application as soon as possible after deadline or scheduled examination, supported by a credible and compelling explanation of why your claim could not be submitted in advance.

Mitigating circumstances forms must be submitted before the submission date or Exam. All supporting evidence and any applications for retrospective mitigation (as above), must be submitted no later than the following:

Semester 1 assignments and Exams: 2nd February
Semester 2 assignments and Exams: 10th June
Semester 2 exam resits: 2nd September

Please note, not informing the University of circumstances due to personal feelings, e.g., shame, embarrassment and pride, or having concerns over the confidential treatment of requests for mitigation, are not considered to be credible and compelling explanations as to why the circumstances could not be made known or shown by these deadlines. If the details of the mitigating circumstances are considered to be highly confidential, you can discuss with the wellbeing team shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk the best way to submit an application. The committee handle all requests for mitigation with sensitivity and due regard for confidentiality.

How mitigation is considered and applied

Evidence for personal and medical mitigating circumstances is considered by a mitigating circumstances committee. It is this committee’s role to determine whether there is evidence of mitigating circumstances, whether those circumstances could have had an effect on your performance, and the likely impact. The committee will consider all submissions and, where there is evidence that circumstances have been serious enough to have an effect on one or more elements of assessment, the committee will make recommendations to the exam board.

The exam board, at the recommendation of the mitigating circumstances committee, can take a limited number of actions to apply mitigation. In most cases, acceptance of the mitigation will involve revoking any late submission penalties or allowing for the missed or failed coursework/exam to be taken again as a first sit.

A claim for mitigating circumstances may be turned down for several reasons:

The circumstances detailed by the student are not regarded as grounds for mitigation under the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances
The supporting evidence does not cover the relevant period
The supporting evidence is not supplied by an appropriate (independent) source
The supporting evidence is deemed insufficient to support the student’s claim of the seriousness of impact on their assessment performance
The wording of the evidence supplied does not support the student’s claim e.g. the material does not provide a medical diagnosis
No evidence is provided, and the student has not given any explanation as to the reasons why nor indicated when evidence could be available
The evidence relates to a chronic condition which the student is already in receipt of support from the Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS). This does not include instances where the student has an acute flare up of a pre-existing condition which may be accepted if properly evidenced and confirmed by DASS
The deadline for submitting mitigating circumstances has been missed, without a credible and compelling reason
The claim relates to an ongoing condition or circumstance previously used to claim mitigation where the Panel, on the earlier occasion, instructed the student that this mitigation could not be used again and may have instructed the student to access support from the Disability Advisory and Support Service

Extensions

If you experience difficulties that will prevent you from submitting assessed coursework on time, you can request an extension of up to one week. You need to provide a credible reason for your extension, in line with the extension policy, but you do not need to submit evidence to support your request.

Please think carefully about whether one-week is enough time to submit and how this will impact the rest of your workload before requesting an extension.

To apply for an extension, you will need to complete this form:

https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_56LcBQhsaZ6Agsu

Extensions should be applied for by 15:00pm on the day of your original assessment submission date. Any applications after this time will not be considered and you will need to apply for mitigating circumstances.

If mitigating circumstances prevent you from submitting an extension request in advance, or mean that you miss the extended deadline that has been awarded, you should submit mitigating circumstances following the procedures outlined in the mitigating circumstances procedure. Please note, such requests for mitigation will only be considered where students provide a clear justification (including evidence) for failing to follow the normal extension request procedure.

Some DASS students are entitled to an automatic one-week extension, which does not need to be applied for. If you are a DASS student with this automatic extension and require longer than one-week, please complete the form above by 15:00pm on the day of your DASS submission date.

Interruptions and Withdrawals

Interruptions

If at any point in your studies you feel that you need to take some time away from your degree, you can interrupt your studies and return once you are ready. You need to be aware of the below implications when considering taking an interruption, so it is best to discuss any queries you may have with the Student Support and Wellbeing Team/Programme Director/Year Tutor/Academic Advisor.

There are a few important things to think about when deciding to interrupt:

Primarily, your wellbeing. If an interruption is the best decision for you, it should benefit your present and future wellbeing and support you completing your degree to the best of your abilities.
Tuition Fees
Accommodation (if living in UoM halls)
Possible changes to course content on return
Tier 4 students MUST be referred to the Student Immigration Team in SSC to discuss consequences of interruption (3.2 Policy on Interruptions to UG and PGT Programmes of Study)

If you then wish to request an interruption to study, either via email, during a welfare meeting, or following a meeting with an AA, you would need to complete an SHS Interruption Request Form, which can be obtained by contacting the Student Support and Wellbeing team on shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk. It is helpful to know at this stage how long you expect to interrupt for and when you might return.

You need to complete and sign the form, returning it back to the shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk email address with any appropriate supporting evidence. The form will then be sent to the relevant member of academic staff for approval (this may be the Programme Director, Year Tutor or Academic Advisor).

*Please note that students will be contacted by the Student Support and Wellbeing Team prior to their return to study/return from interruption*

Withdrawals

If you decide that you are unable to continue your programme, you can withdraw from your studies. You will need to be aware of the below implications when considering withdrawing from the programme, so we would always advise discussing any queries you may have with the Student Support and Wellbeing Team/Programme Director/Year Tutor/Academic Advisor.

Tuition Fees
Accommodation (if living in UoM halls)
Future career prospects

If you then wish to withdraw from the programme, either via email, during a welfare meeting, or following a meeting with an AA, you will need to complete a SHS Withdrawal Request Form, which can be obtained by contacting the Student Support and Wellbeing team on shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk

Students need to complete and sign the form, returning it back to the shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk email address. No supporting evidence is required for a request to withdraw. The form will then be sent to the relevant member of academic staff for approval (this may be the Programme Director, Year Tutor or Academic Advisor)

Once the Student Support and Wellbeing Team has received the form which has been approved by the relevant member of staff, a standard confirmation letter will be sent to you confirming the details of the withdrawal.

Student Support Services

Student Support and Wellbeing Team

The Student Support and Wellbeing Team can support your wellbeing needs through the year. The team is here to support you when you wish to discuss circumstances such as interrupting your studies, financial issues, the submission of details of mitigating circumstances and any personal concerns that are affecting your ability to study and engage fully with your course. It is important to point out that Student Support is not a counselling service; it is a practical support service.

Support from the University

As a student at the University of Manchester, you have access to a huge range of support services and resources. This includes, but is not limited to, support relating to your studies, finances, health and wellbeing, settling in and making friends, personal safety and planning for your future beyond University.

Students’ Union Advice Centre

The Students’ Union has advisers who can help with any matter ranging from finances to housing and beyond. The Advice Centre is on the first floor in the Student Union Building, and is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm, term time and vacation. See http://manchesterstudentsunion.com/.

Support of care experienced and estranged students

The University of Manchester recognises that care experienced students, and those that become estranged from their families often require additional support. This may take the form of, amongst other things, financial support, help with accommodation, provision of quiet study are as and general support. Please contact shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk for further details on how to access support.

Support for Students with Disability and Long-Term Health Problems

If you have a disability, or have learning support needs, we advise that you register with the Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS). They can offer a range of services to help you make the most of your University experience. Where appropriate, they will work with you to develop a support plan which will put in place any support you require for exams, from the library or from teaching staff.

Registering with DASS is particularly important for students where ongoing or recurring difficulties may impact their academic performance. The University’s Policy on Mitigating Circumstances (see section 6) does not allow students to make repeated claims for the same condition, because to qualify for mitigation, the circumstance must be ‘unforeseeable’. However, the Mitigating Circumstances Committee can award further mitigation where DASS support your claim; for example, by advising the committee that your condition is associated with ‘flare-ups’ (which are unforeseeable).

You find more information and how to register with DASS here: http://www.dass.manchester.ac.uk/

Support for International Students

Manchester has a thriving International student community and you will have lots of opportunities to engage with students from all over the world. The International Society (http://www.internationalsociety.org.uk), based on Oxford Road, organises trips, events, activities and community projects which are open to both International and British students. The Language Centre also provides support to International students who have concerns about their English skills (http://www.languagecentre.manchester.ac.uk/).

UoM Counselling Service

The Counselling & Mental Health Service works in partnership with other support services within the university and are here to provide support for you should you feel you need help with your mental health.

The Counselling & Mental Health Service offer a range of workshops, groups, 1-1 appointments and other resources to help you. For more information and to book an appointment click here: Get Help

You can also phone for advice on 0161 275 2864 between 9.00am - 4.30pm (Monday – Friday)

Student Support and Wellbeing Contact Details

shs.mitcircs@manchester.ac.uk – for information and guidance on mitigating circumstances and extensions, including sending evidence and receiving outcomes of applications.

shs.attendance@manchester.ac.uk – for queries related to attendance monitoring.

shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk – for support and signposting to university wellbeing resources, as well as making a wellbeing appointment with an advisor.

shs.dc@manchester.ac.uk – for Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) enquiries.

Attendance monitoring and Student Ill Health

Students are expected to attend all scheduled teaching and learning sessions in every year of study, unless alternative arrangements or flexibility in attendance has been agreed for individual students, if unavoidable circumstances such as illness prevents you from attending or if absence has been authorised. This includes both on-campus teaching as well as online/blended, distance or remote learning modes of delivery.

If you are unable to attend a teaching session you should inform the lecturer/instructor in the first instance to catch up on missed learning and for support with teaching materials. For absences of 1-2 days, you do not need to tell the Student Support and Wellbeing Team.

If you expect to miss one or more full weeks of teaching, you must notify the Student Support and Wellbeing team on shs.attendance@manchester.ac.uk, as well as your Academic Advisor. Please provide a reason for this to help the team provide appropriate guidance and signposting as required.

If your attendance is deemed to be too low, someone from the Student Support and Wellbeing team will be in touch to check in with you and make sure that you are ok. If the poor attendance continues without a valid reason, your Academic Advisor will be informed. If there is still no improvement in your attendance, you will be asked to a meeting with your Programme Director. This is in line with the university policy on monitoring attendance.

Tier 4 Visa Students

As a part of your visa requirement, your attendance needs to be monitored with regular in-person check ins on campus. You will need to attend the SHS Hub (Ground Floor, Jean McFarland building) twice a week on your assigned days to scan your student ID card.

Special Permissions

It is the expectation of the University that postgraduate taught students pursue their studies on a continuous basis for the stipulated duration of their programme. However, it is recognised that students may encounter personal difficulties or situations which may seriously disrupt or delay their studies. In some cases, an interruption or extension to your programme of study may be the most sensible option.

Students who wish to interrupt the programme or extend the dissertation deadline should initially discuss their plans and reasons with their Programme Administration Team, Programme Director or their Dissertation Supervisor (if requesting an extension to their dissertation deadline).

Please contact us at SHS.Programmes@manchester.ac.uk to obtain the relevant form for completion. Once completed, return your form and relevant documentary evidence (doctor’s letter, sick note etc.) for consideration.

Tuition Fee Refunds

In accordance with the University’s policy on tuition fee refunds, the amount of any tuition fee refunded is dependent on the date of withdrawal from the programme of study. Tuition fees are charged on a daily basis up to and including the date that the Programme Admin Team is informed that a student has left the course.

Any refunds will be processed to the original payee by the original method of payment. If a student has a university debt, they will be contacted by Credit Control before any refunds are agreed.

Tuition fee refunds (due to withdrawal from the programme) are calculated according to the number of days in attendance on a programme of study.

Students who withdraw from their studies will be charged as follows:

Fitness to Practice

Information on Fitness to Practice should be included in handbooks for programmes which require the student to undertake practical training in a quasi-professional role in relation to patients, clients or service-users; where the qualification provides a direct license to practice; and where the students on the programme are registered health or social care professionals undertaking further study to enhance their current profession or which will allow them to practice an additional duty.

For advice on content for programme handbooks relating to Fitness to Practice:

Faculty Appeals and Complaints Team e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk

Sharing Information

The University may share appropriate information relating to your health and/or conduct with external organisations such as your professional employer(s) (for example, relevant NHS Trust), placement and training providers and/or regulator (such as GMC, FOM, BOHS, NMC, GDC etc.). This may occur where concerns in relation to your health and/or conduct arise and the University considers it necessary for them to be disclosed to one or more of the above organisations. The University’s Privacy Notice for Registered Students (which is accessible via this link: www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/data-collection-notice/) includes further information about how the University may use and process your personal data, including the legal basis and conditions which may be relevant to such processing (see section 6 of the Privacy Notice). The University will only disclose special category data (such as data relating to your health) to a third party organisation where one of the additional conditions are satisfied (see section 9 of the Privacy Notice), including where processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest.

Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations

The following guidance should be read in conjunction with the regulations policy document.

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.

Please find below the link to the degree regulations:

http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate-degree-regulations/

The following guidance should be read in conjunction with the regulations document.

Compensation

Master’s Degree

Students can obtain a maximum of two compensations (30 credits) in the taught component if they receive a mark in the 40 – 49% range.

Postgraduate Diploma

Students can obtain a maximum of two compensations (30 credits) in the taught component if they receive a mark in the 30 – 39% range.

Postgraduate Certificate

Students can obtain a maximum of one compensation (15 credits) in the taught component if they receive a mark in the 30 – 39% range.

Reassessment

Where the overall unit mark is below the lowest compensation mark (40% for Master’s 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 Board of Examiners. When a student is referred they will normally be permitted to retake the assessment/exam on one further occasion at the next available opportunity.

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).

Please note that some programmes do not allow referrals. Please refer to the ‘Programme Exemptions to PGT Degree Regulations’ section of the handbook where specific exemptions applicable to the programme will be listed.

Progression through the Programme

If you wish to change registration status (e.g. from Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc) at any time please contact at SHS.Programmes@manchester.ac.uk. A change in registration is subject to the approval of the Programme Director and sufficient space being available on the requested cohort.

Please note that students must successfully complete the taught part of the programme at Master’s level to be allowed to submit the dissertation project report.

Criteria for Awards

Award of Master’s

The award of the Master’s 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 master’s marking scheme will be rewarded with the degree with Distinction.

To obtain a Distinction, students must:

accrue 180 credits
pass all units with no compensations or referrals
achieve an overall weighted average of 70% or more across the programme

Students who have compensated and/or referred units are not eligible for a Distinction.

Merit

To obtain a Merit, students must:

accrue 180 credits
achieve 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 accrue 180 credits, including any provision made for compensated or referred units.

Award of Postgraduate Diploma

The award is based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 40%, for which there is no classification other than pass/fail.

To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma, students must accrue 120 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.

Award of Postgraduate Certificate

The award is based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 40%, for which there is no classification other than pass/fail.

To obtain a Postgraduate Certificate, students must accrue 60 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.

Exit Awards

Early exit awards are available for students who need to exit the programme early due to unforeseen circumstances or for those that do not satisfy the criteria for their registered programme.

As below, for the award of:

Postgraduate Diploma – students must accrue 120 credits across the programme, including any provision made for compensated or referred units
Postgraduate Certificate – students must accrue 60 credits across the programme, including any provision made for compensated or referred units

Student Support

Student Services Centre

The Student Services Centre is based on Burlington Street between the library and the Learning Commons.

Phone: + 44(0)161 275 5000 Email: ssc@manchester.ac.uk

The Student Services Centre is a key resource for dealing Student queries and for directing them to the most appropriate sources of help.

Within our Programmes, all Students will have access to an Academic Adviser for on-going advice.

Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS)

The University of Manchester has a Disability Advisory and Support Service and welcomes students with a disability or specific learning difficulties. DASS advisors will be pleased to meet you to discuss your 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 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

2nd Floor, University Place, dass@manchester.ac.uk; +44(0)161 275 7512; www.dass.manchester.ac.uk

Text: 07899 658 790

For DASS support from the School of Health Sciences, you can email shs.dc@manchester.ac.uk, making sure to include your name, programme/course unit and your student ID.

IT Services and eLearning

IT Services Support Centre online
Details of what IT support is available and how to access it can be found on the FBMH eLearning Support page.
Login to the Support Centre online to log 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:
Use Support Centre online for support with eLearning, from where you may make a request or search the Knowledge Base.

For IT and eLearning support visit: https://elearning.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/student/technical-support/

Blackboard
Blackboard, the University's 'virtual learning environment', will be used for online teaching.

What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a web-based system that complements and builds upon traditional learning methods used at The University of Manchester. By using Blackboard you can:

view course materials and learning resources,
communicate with lectures and other students,
collaborate in groups,
get feedback
submit assignments
monitoring your own progress at a time and place of your own convenience.

Training in the use of software
The Faculty eLearning team have produced a short introduction to Blackboard for new students. The recording is hosted in two places: the VLS and on YouTube:

The recording is just over seven minutes long and covers most of the commonly used tools in Blackboard.

In order to undertake the course, you must sign up for University IT facilities before completing academic and financial registration via an online process.

Once you are fully registered you will be able to access all your units in Blackboard, via the MyManchester. You can find guidance on using Blackboard here, and should you have any queries of a technical nature you can contact the eLearning Team.

Technical Help with My Blackboard Course

If your Blackboard course unit is not behaving as you expect, you can:

Contact your Unit Co-ordinator by email to get help with content issues (missing notes, etc.).
Contact the eLearning team for technical bugs via the IT Services Support Portal.

Other services and facilities

A number of other facilities for students are also available through the University:

Graduation and Blackboard Access

Students who are presented at the June Exam Board will be invited to join the July Graduation Ceremony and students who are presented at the November Exam Board will be invited to join the December Graduation Ceremony.

The University’s Graduation Team will release the Graduation Ceremony information as soon as it is made available, usually late April/October.

The standard email sent by the University’s Graduation Team is sent to ALL potential graduands. Therefore, please do not book flights or hotels until you have received your award/degree result following the Exam Board meeting.

Graduands will have access to both Course and Organisation spaces until the end of their Graduation period; end of July/end of December.

Student Representation and Feedback

Role of the Programme Committee

The Programme Committee meets each semester to undertake a formative review of student progress and to review the running of each of the teaching units. The review will enable the Committee to gain a view of how well the Programme is functioning overall. The Committee will also undertake an annual monitoring, each year, and this will be timed so that student feedback on the programme, and its units, can be considered. Verbal feedback will be obtained from students during the Committees, as well as written feedback collected via questionnaires and rating scales at the end of each teaching unit. Feedback is considered by the Committee at its annual monitoring and incorporated into planning for the future of the Programme. The committee also:

acts as a Curriculum Development Team for the programme
reports to the Community Based Medicine Consortium
oversee the teaching assessment and examining arrangements
monitor cohort progression including failure rate, withdrawal rate
evaluate the extent to which the learning outcomes are achieved by students
monitor, maintain and enhance standards of all aspects of the programme
evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and of assessment in relation to programme learning outcomes
evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the teaching and learning methods employed
review and revise the programme in the light of any relevant QAA benchmarks, any other relevant external and/or professional requirements and developing knowledge in the subject area
receive, consider and respond to feedback from students, employers and external examiners
where the need for change is identified, effect the changes quickly and efficiently
produce an annual review
produce reports for the five-year review and participate in the panel meeting
produce relevant information for any QAA review
review programme documentation, e.g. programme handbooks, programme specification, promotional literature
ensure suitable and efficient arrangements are in place for recruitment, admission and induction

Membership of the committee includes the the programme directors, programme admin, representatives of teaching staff on the programme, representative(s) of all partners in joint provision and the programme’s Student Representative.

Student Representation

Students are asked to elect a Student Representative every year. Please contact at SHS.Programmes@manchester.ac.uk for further details.

The role of the Student Representative is to:

act as an advocate for individual students or groups of students;
provide feedback about The University and the student experience, both to the University and to the student body; and
engage students in actively developing the programme.

Mechanisms for collecting feedback

You will have the opportunity to provide specific feedback at the end of each unit as well as via the student representative.

We value student feedback very highly, so please fill in feedback forms or online surveys at every opportunity. All feedback is anonymised, so please feel free to be honest. Occasionally we may also undertake a wider student survey, in which we may ask you to participate.

Academic Reporting Structure

This programme is managed and operated in accordance with the policies, principles, regulations and procedure of the University of Manchester. The programme committee reports and responds to the Community Based Medicine Consortium and the Medical Imaging Science Programme Director is a member of the Community Based Medicine Consortium. The Consortium committee then feeds in to the School, Faculty and University committees.

Community Based Medicine Consortium Committee

University Teaching & Learning Group

Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health PGT Programme Committee

School of Health Sciences PGT Committee

Programme Committee

MSc Medical Imaging Science

University Policies and Guidance

All members of the University are required to comply with the University’s Royal Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Policies. It is your responsibility as a student to familiarise yourself with the academic policies, procedures and guidelines governing the University of Manchester’s postgraduate taught programmes. You should note that changes to University and Faculty policy and guidance will apply to all students with immediate effect.

Basic Guide to Academic Appeals

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=23874

Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases can be found at: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=639

Conduct and Discipline of Students

General University information on the Conduct and Discipline of Students can be found at:

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=6530

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)

Data Protection

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/documents/privacy/

Equality and Diversity Policy

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=8361

Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Masters Dissertations

http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionb-thepracticeofassessment/guidanceforthepresentationoftaughtdissertations/

Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=6518

Mitigating Circumstances: Guidance for Students

http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/basic-guide-mitigating-circumstances/

and

http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionc-reachingdecisionsfromassessment/mitigatingcircumstancesguidanceforstudents/

Policy on Mitigating Circumstances

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=4271

Guidance for students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice can be found at:

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=2870

Basic Guide to Student Complaints

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=23875

Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=24561

Work and attendance policy

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=1895

Student Charter

http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/enhancing-my-experience/charter/

Occupational Health Services for Students

http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/occupational-health/

International Advice Team

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/international/support/advice/

A Personal Safety Guide for International Students

http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/medialibrary/study/safety-international-student-guide.pdf

Students Union

http://manchesterstudentsunion.com/

Health & Fitness

http://www.sport.manchester.ac.uk/

A full list of student services can also be found at: A-Z of Student Services

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the academic policies, procedures and guidelines governing the University of Manchester’s postgraduate taught programmes.

Learning Resources

Libraries

Imaging Science Library Facilities

The Centre for Imaging Science has a reference library in room G.528A containing specialist books and journals in the Centre’s areas of interest. MSc students may use the reference library and may borrow one book at a time from the lending library. The library does not have a formal borrowing system, so please return books promptly. Access to the library requires your student swipe card. Your card must be validated by a member of the Imaging Science administrative staff. Shelagh Stedman will help. Once validated, your card will also let you access the Imaging Science corridor.

Medical Library

The medical library is situated on the third floor of the Stopford Building. It contains a large collection of general books and journals in medicine and biology.

Main University Library and Joule Library

The University Library (Campus map 55) holds a very wide range of books and periodicals, and provides many other services. There are sections covering physical sciences, computing, medicine and biology. The Joule Library (Campus map 1) has a larger stock of specialist science and technology publications.

Computer Facilities

Stopford Computer Facilities

The computing facilities available to all students in the Stopford Building comprise 4 PC clusters. The clusters are networked and have full access to the Internet. All students have individual e-mail accounts and a small amount of private file space on the e-mail systems.

Imaging Science Computer Facilities

In addition to the PC clusters in Stopford Building and elsewhere which are available for student use, there is a dedicated computer room for MSc students in G.603, Stopford. The room is accessed by key pad and the number is C2370x. The computers in this room are connected to the Imaging Science intranet. Students will be allocated user accounts on the intranet. The user ID and password for this network are different from the University computer facilities (above). An induction session for using these accounts will take place when required.

Social Space and refreshments

The Graduate School Hub (third floor, south corridor, next to the Medical Library) provides social space as well as PCs and meeting rooms. There is also a coffee bar on the first floor of the Stopford Building.

Local Policies

Telephone Calls

Students can make internal calls only from the phone at the entrance to the Imaging Science corridor. External callers can reach you for urgent matters only by dialling 0161 275 5131 and leaving a message with Shelagh Steadman. If you require urgent access to make an external call, please also see Shelagh Steadman.

Email

As a student of the University of Manchester you will be given your own student e-mail address during the registration process: student.name@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

All information and communication to students will only be sent to your student university e-mail address, and it is essential that any communications with tutors and the administration office are made via your university student e-mail address.

Any e-mails received from a non-university address will be replied to at the student’s university address. The reason for this is to ensure that students have a fixed e-mail account for the duration of the course and so do not miss out on important pieces of information, which may include group information sent to all students.

You can access your university e-mail account using the same details that you use to log in to Blackboard. To log on to webmail, go to the following address and enter your username and password:

http://outlook.com/owa/manchester.ac.uk

You can sign up for your central account and obtain your username and password here https://iam.manchester.ac.uk/initial_login/overview and following the sign up process.

If you have forgotten your username or password, you can go through the account recovery process here:

https://iam.manchester.ac.uk/recovery_login/overview

If you do not intend to check your University of Manchester email account on a regular basis, we highly recommend that you redirect the emails to your personal email account so that you do not miss important information.

Photocopying

Students may be given access, for limited amounts of photocopying, to the Imaging Science photocopying facilities. Contact Shelagh Steadman if you have a requirement for this.

Security

It is in your own interests to ensure that you do not leave money and valuables unattended whilst in the Stopford Building. Students may be given special permission to work during evenings and weekends but must sign in and make sure that they know how to contact security staff in the event of an emergency.

The university Security page is at: http://www.estates.manchester.ac.uk/services/security/

Health and Safety

Students must always contact the Programme staff if they cannot attend because of illness and provide the necessary medical certification for absences. In cases of prolonged ill health, the Programme Administrator must be informed and the information may have to be given to other University Staff.
New guidance has been issued for the 20/21 academic year with regard to mitigating circumstances, self certification and Covid which can be found here.
All Students must familiarise themselves with the procedure for dealing with an emergency. It is important that the correct procedures are followed on hearing the fire alarm, i.e. use of the stairs and go to the recognised meeting point.
If there is a concern about security, the students must inform staff immediately, i.e. the Building Staff and the University Staff.
Smoking is prohibited in all the University premises.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing, please visit Public Health England and familiarise yourself with the latest advice and up-to-date information on the coronavirus outbreak.

Wear face mask indoors
Stay 2m apart from others
Wash and sanitise your hands regularly

Coronavirus Student FAQs

See also the University’s Health and Safety course described in Section 3.

Please note that all postgraduate students must register with a medical doctor (GP) locally to where they are living during their course.

Maps and Directions

Campus map

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/travel/maps

Manchester Royal Infirmary

http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/pdfs/maps/map-hospital-key.pdf

Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC)

http://www.population-health.manchester.ac.uk/imagingfacilities/contact/map/