Welcome
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 and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
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 programmes are designed to meet the diverse needs of all our students. The curriculum of our programmes provides the knowledge and skills you will need in your subject area and all our 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 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 Helen Jopling
Director of Education
Introduction
Location of the Division of Dentistry
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 North side of the building.
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 engage fully with your programme and your Programme Administrator will be checking engagement with the virtual learning environment weekly. Attendance at clinics will also be closely monitored. 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
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 |
| Karen Ross |
Tel: 0161 306 2741 Mobile: 07584 383444 |
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
Mr. Stephen Ward Tel: 0161 275 4384 stephen.ward-2@manchester.ac.uk
Prof. Kevin Seymour Tel: 0161 306 1578 kevin.seymour@manchester.ac.uk
Prof. Siobhan Barry Tel: 0161 275 6614 |
Endodontics
Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics
Periodontology
Paediatric Dentistry |
|
Clinical Specialty Programme Administrators |
Erika Buzink-Wallis Tel: 0161 275 6660
Kelly Jones Tel: 0161 275 6808 prosthodontics@manchester.ac.uk periodontology@manchester.ac.uk
Kimberley Britt Tel: 0161 275 6620 |
Endodontics/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics/Periodontology
Orthodontics//Paediatric Dentistry |
|
Research Methods Unit Unit Director Ms. Juliette Kendall juliette.kendall@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6670 Unit Administrator Kimberley Britt kimberley.britt@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6620 Biostatistics Unit Unit Director Dr. Ting Li Su ting-li.su@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6729 Unit Administrator Kimberley Britt kimberley.britt@manchester.ac.uk Tel: 0161 275 6620 |
||
Staying Safe – Covid-19
Feeling prepared and equipped at the present time inevitably brings thoughts of health and safety. We have followed the advice from Universities UK, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make sure our campus is a safe and happy environment for you to start your studies.
We’re adjusting our COVID-19 guidance in line with the latest government recommendations.
We will continue to move forward with caution to protect ourselves, each other, and the most vulnerable in our society. For the latest advice, please refer to the UK government’s coronavirus information.
It’s important for everyone to follow the guidelines on campus to keep themselves and others safe. We have faith that all members of our University community will do the right thing.
Our ‘Staying Safe’ microsite outlines the safety measures that are in place as well as useful information regarding:-
- How to register with a GP (doctor)
- Keeping yourself and your neighbours safe off campus
- Health and wellbeing support
- Financial Support
Student Frequently Asked Questions is regularly updated online but if you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact your school as soon as possible.
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:
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://handbooks.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 Video Portal and on YouTube:
The recording is just over seven minutes long and covers most of the commonly used tools in Blackboard.
A Student Representative is a student leader and works in partnership with the University staff and Students’ Union to represent the views and experiences of student peers.
The programme’s Student Rep is expected to:
- Complete general SU training & specific school or programme training
- Contact your cohort (other students on your course) to introduce yourself & gather feedback
- Work with staff, the SU and other reps to act on feedback and enact change
- Use existing data to suggest improvements to student experience
- Attend regular staff-student meetings to deliver feedback & propose change
- Attend Faculty level feedback meetings (i.e. Faculty Forum)
There is a dedicated team in the Students’ Union available to support reps with each aspect of the role, along with staff contacts in each programme who help to facilitate the staff-student meetings. Further details of training will be provided for reps once elected and information about additional support/activities for student representatives can be found on the Students’ Union website http://manchesterstudentsunion.com/reps .
You can find more information by visiting the SMS PGT Student Support Hub.
Course Unit Evaluations
The quality of teaching on the programme is monitored in part by student feedback. Thus it is very important that you make your views, good and bad, known. At the end of each course unit, and at the end of the programme, you will be asked to complete an anonymous course unit evaluation form. In addition, please let the course unit leader or the programme director know at any time if you feel there is a problem with a particular area of the programme.
Learning Resources
Library Facilities
The University of Manchester Library
The University of Manchester Library provides you with the resources and support you need throughout your programme. The Main Library houses all of the essential text books whilst the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons provides a 24/7 learning environment in addition to study skills workshops. The Library also has an extensive collection of eBooks, databases and journals available online.
The My Library tab in My Manchester has quick links to all of the Library’s resources and services available to students.
Getting Started
You will need your student card to access all library sites around campus. Many of our services and resources also require you to confirm that you are a registered student. This authentication can be your student card, the ID number on the card, your Library PIN, the central username and password you use to log on, or a combination of these.
There is a library guide for Dentistry students giving all of the latest information on resources and learning and research services available. This is a good starting point if you are looking for any library resources or information related to your course.
Each course module in Blackboard includes an online reading list, so you can quickly check availability and directly access e-books, digitised chapters and e-journals or articles.
The Main Library
The University Library has an extensive collection of printed books relevant to members of the Division of Dentistry. These are housed in the Main Library and the Stopford Library.
The main collection of books on dental topics, along with those for other health related subjects such as Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy, are located in Blue 2 of the Main Library.
The Main Library offers group study rooms, individual study space options and computer clusters. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and a cafe lounge can be found on the ground floor. The Library has long opening hours and extends these during exam periods. Please check Locations and Opening Hours for full details on opening hours and facilities.
The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons
The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons is a state-of-the-art learning environment with 24/7 opening hours throughout term-time. The Learning Commons has flexible open learning spaces with multimedia facilities, computer clusters and 30 bookable group study rooms with whiteboards and media screens.
There is a series of training workshops covering a variety of academic and transferable skills hosted in the training room at the Learning Commons. These workshops include training on revision/study skills, note-taking and other topics and have been developed by the Learning Commons staff in partnership with other teams across the University. Full details of training sessions are available in the My Learning Essentials Calendar.
IT Facilities
University Computer Facilities
The University has one of the largest academic computing facilities in Europe, with a wide range of IT Services for students.
Students at the University have access to a wealth of resources including research support services, PC clusters, email and Internet access, wireless access, Microsoft applications, printing facilities, network document storage, student portal, eLearning environment and the extensive electronic resources managed by John Rylands University Library.
You will find the most up-to-date information about our services on the IT Services website, so throughout this guide you will find web addresses which direct you to more detailed information on the web site: http://bmh-elearning.org/technical-support/
Packed full of information, the website provides details of the services available to users including useful information about day-to-day help and support and information about protection from the latest viruses etc. We recommend you visit the ‘Getting Started’ section of the site first.
University PC Clusters
The University’s Public PC Clusters are available for any staff or student to use. Operated on behalf of the University by the IT Services division, they are present at various locations on campus and also in some Halls of Residence. Opening times for each cluster will vary but at least one cluster operates 24/7 and two clusters operate 23/5 plus extended opening times at weekends.
Some clusters will be booked for teaching and learning purposes at various times, therefore you are advised to visit the website: http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/pcclusters/pcclusterlocations/ or the Central IT Service Desk for the latest opening times and PC Cluster information.
Student IT Support Helpdesk http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/
Division 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.
Access to the computers is via a standard University username which is obtained from any of the main campus computers displaying the standard blue logon screen or from the registration computers at University Place, by answering the questions when prompted students can gain access to and receive their username and password. This will enable them to use any of the computers to which any student has access.
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.
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.
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 on the Interactive Campus Map
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.
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
The Academic Writing workshops are delivered via live synchronous video sessions, and offer faculty-specific support covering both the basics and the finer points of good academic writing. The sessions are interactive and encourage small group work to solve problems and edit texts. Our Academic Grammar workshops are also online and open to students from all faculties. They include the fundamentals of good sentence structure as well as more subtle ways of showing nuance and emphasis.
There are also self-study resources available via our Blackboard community – details, and registration, is via the “Online Resources” link.
Should you have further queries, please email academicsuccess@manchester.ac.uk
Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students
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. The A-Z of Services can be found on the MyManchester website. Here you can find a information on a wide range of topics such as library services, disability support and careers advice.
You can also speak to your Programme Director and/or Academic Advisor.
What to do if you are absent
In case of illness you should supply a doctor’s certificate or, if the illness is brief, a self-certification. If you are absent for other reasons then you should write a letter to the Programme Director explaining the circumstances. Medical certificates or letters should be given in person or sent to the Programme Administrator. Whatever your reason for being away, tell your supervisor about it and make any necessary arrangements to catch up with work you have missed.
Academic Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline
Academic Appeals
You can submit an appeal about an academic outcome based on one or more of the following grounds:
a. Circumstances exist (or existed) affecting your performance of which, for a good reason, the relevant decision-making body may not have been made aware when its decision was taken, and which might have had a material effect on its decision.
b. A material administrative error or procedural irregularity has taken place in the assessment process (or in putting into effect the regulations for your programme of study) of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision you are appealing might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred.
c. You have evidence of prejudice or bias by one or more of your examiners.
d. Your supervision or training in respect of research for a dissertation or thesis (or equivalent work) was unsatisfactory to the point that your performance was seriously affected.
An appeal cannot challenge academic judgement, including challenges to examiners’ scores and feedback.
STAGE ONE – Early Resolution
Stage One Academic Appeals must be submitted within 20 working days of being notified of the decision you are appealing against.
Complete the Stage One Academic Appeal form: Stage One Academic Appeal form (manchester.ac.uk)
The School will conduct an initial assessment to check the appeal:
- is on time, within 20 working days of the publication of confirmed results or the decision being appealed.
- meets one or more of the grounds to appeal.
- is not a challenge to academic judgement.
- is supported by relevant evidence where necessary.
If your appeal does not meet all of the above, the School will write to you within 10 working days to explain why.
If your appeal is considered eligible, it will be reviewed by the School and you will receive an outcome letter.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can choose to progress to Stage Two.
All evidence and reasoning relating to your appeal must be included with the Stage One application. Any new evidence or reasoning presented at Stage Two or Three will not be considered if there is not a clear and credible reason why this was not submitted or declared in the Stage One application.
STAGE TWO – Formal Consideration
Stage Two Academic Appeals must be submitted within 10 working days of receiving the Stage One outcome.
A Faculty Officer will review your appeal and the response from the School. The Faculty Officer may decide that your appeal is not eligible for consideration at Stage Two because the School has already made a decision at Stage One that the Faculty Officer thinks is reasonable.
If the Faculty Officer decides to review your appeal at Stage Two, they may request further documents and evidence from you. Please note that you are usually expected to provide all the evidence that you wish to be considered in an appeal at Stage One.
Your appeal will be considered and you will receive a Stage Two outcome letter. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can choose to progress to Stage Three.
STAGE THREE – Review Request
If you do not agree with the decision to dismiss your appeal after it has been considered by your Faculty, you can request that the decision is reviewed.
A Stage Three review is not a reconsideration of the appeal. A review is to check that the appeals procedure has been properly followed, and that the Faculty Officer’s decision was reasonable based on all available evidence.
You can request a review up to 10 working days after receiving your Stage Two outcome.
More information about the three stages of the appeal process can be found here: Quick Guide to Academic Appeals
and Academic Appeals Procedure Regulation XIX
Information about the support available to you during the appeals process can be found here: Available support - factsheet for students who are accessing the University's appeals process
Student Complaints
- The University's Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII) and associate documents, including a basic guide to students, can be found here.
- The University has separate procedures to address complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or victimisation - see Report + Support
- 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
Conduct and Discipline of Students
- The University's Procedure for Conduct and Discipline of Students (Regulation XVII) and associate documents can be found here.
- Faculty policies for students on communication and social networking can be found here:
- Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it can be found here.
- 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, they can be found here.
Fitness to Practise
Where a programme of study requires the student to undertake practical training in a quasi-professional role in relation to patients, clients or service-users or where the qualification provides a direct license to practise, the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has a duty to ensure that the student is fit to practise. In order to protect present or future patients, clients or service users and to comply with the requirements of professional/regulatory bodies, the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has established a procedure for dealing with student-related fitness to practise issues.
Fitness to Practise issues are initially investigated and considered locally within the School (e.g. by a Health and Conduct Committee) and if necessary referred to the Faculty Fitness to Practise Committee.
A student may appeal against the decision of a Fitness to Practise Committee within twenty days of the decision but only on one or more of the following grounds:
a) procedural irregularity;
b) availability of new evidence which could not reasonably have been expected to be presented to the original hearing;
c) the disproportionate nature of the penalty.
The TLSO facilitates the arrangements for Fitness to Practise Appeals Committees. An Appeals Committee has the power to confirm or alter the original decision, and the outcome is confirmed to students in a Completion of Procedures letter. A student may then decide to pursue a complaint with the OIA.
Information on Fitness to Practise related matters can be found at: www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/fitnesstopractise
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?
There are usually 4 census points each academic year:
- September/October (to coincide with Registration)
- January
- May
- July
Please note:
- If you are a new student, registration is your first point to confirm your attendance at the University and you will not be required to attend a separate census point in the Autumn.
- 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 or visit https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/immigration-and-visas/ or email visa@manchester.ac.uk
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations for Students
Students should familiarise themselves with the degree regulations for Postgraduate Taught Degrees by clicking on this link http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate-degree-regulations/ or reading the University document here: Introduction to the Postgraduate Degree Regulations for Students
Postgraduate Degree Regulations and exemptions
Please be aware this programme has some higher requirements to the University degree regulations and details of these are outlined below:
- to gain the award of Distinction: students must achieve an average of 70% or above in both the taught element and the dissertation.
Core Units and Programme Structure
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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become an integral part of our daily lives. We see AI making personalised recommendations for movies on Netflix and songs on Spotify and chatting with us through virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri.
Though the idea of 'thinking machines' dates back to the early days of computing, and Artificial Intelligence (though often invisible) has pervaded our daily lives for some time, it is the arrival in late 2022 of easy access to Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT that has raised the biggest questions for teaching and learning. AI tools have the potential to enhance teaching and learning, and can support inclusivity and accessibility, but also pose real challenges that will force us to rethink how we teach and assess.
The University has recently set out its position with respect to the use of AI in teaching by staff and students. This short document sets out what can and cannot be done with AI, while providing scope for innovation and creativity in its use in teaching and learning.
New Artificial Intelligence (AI) Teaching Guidance was commissioned by the Teaching and Learning Strategy Group (TLSG) and produced by Steve Pettifer, Academic Lead for Digital Learning, with input from across the University. The new Guidance is available at:Artificial Intelligence (AI) Teaching Guidance
As part of this development, the existing Guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice has been updated to include reference to AI. This can be found at: Guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice
The Library have updated their guidance on how to cite AI:Can I use a chatbot or AI tool in my assignments?
Before the summer, suggested wording about AI was publicised for inclusion in programme handbooks. This has also been updated and is available below. It is envisaged that this wording is used for inclusion in all programme handbooks and course unit handbooks, or equivalent, going forwards.AI Statement for handbooks
The Academic Malpractice Procedure (owned by the Division of Campus Life) will also undergo revision to include reference to the use of AI, but this is not, as yet, included in the current version:Academic Malpractice Procedure
Any queries relating to the use of AI should be directed to: Steve Pettifer (steve.pettifer@manchester.ac.uk).
Research Methods Unit
(15 credits)
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):
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.
Mandatory Introductory Courses
All students are automatically enrolled onto the Blackboard introductory unit that provides information on Health and Safety and Academic Malpractice.
Completion instructions for each of these sections are clearly defined within the course. All assessments must be completed within a month of you starting your programme, with the academic malpractice driving test completed before the first piece of summative assessment is submitted.
You must achieve 70% in each of the Health and Safety elements and 100% in each of the Academic Malpractice Driving Test elements to pass.
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 (https://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 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. 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.
The Radiation Protection Guidelines 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.
Online Training
All new clinical postgraduate students will be enrolled on an e-learning programme which covers the topics noted below. The deadline for completing this e-learning programme is 30th November 2021.
- 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 and Paeds postgrads only)
- Security Awareness
- Risk Management
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Information Governance
- Consent & Documentation
- Early Warning Score for Children’s Services (Ortho and Paeds postgrads only)
Some of these courses need to be renewed every three years and some are annual so returning students will have to do some but not all of them. Returning students will receive notification from MFT about requirements.
Annual Two Day Presentation Event
This event will take place over two days in June 2022 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.
Dissertation
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Record of Progress and Personal Academic Development
Record of Progress
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 and signed. 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Examination, Assessment and Progression
Assessment: Research Methods and Biostatistics
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.
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.
Turnitin and Plagiarism
Plagiarism and Other Forms of 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.
The Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health have designed a learning module to raise your awareness of academic malpractice and how it can occur in general writing during your studies. This resource can be accessed via Blackboard - SMS Introductory Course and must be completed before you submit your first piece of academic writing for assessment.
The University provides workshops and online training via My Learning Essentials
Please refer to the University of Manchester guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice
The full guidance document can be viewed here: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=2870
Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases can be found at: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=639
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.
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 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
Mitigating Circumstances and Short Extensions to coursework
Short Extensions to coursework
- Short term illness or injury
- Acute stress from personal or financial issues
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 via the online form, 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.
Any requests for mitigation will be considered confidentially by a mitigating circumstances panel or sub-panel. 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.
Guidance for students is available on the web: A Basic Guide to Mitigating Circumstances
For further information about the process and acceptable grounds for mitigation see: Mitigating Circumstances Policy & Procedures: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=4271
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. |
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 at the Staff Student Liaison Committee 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.
Graduation
All students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc/MRes programmes are invited, along with their guests, to attend a graduation ceremony. Further details can be accessed via the Graduation page on the University's website.
The University of Manchester degree ceremonies are broadcast live online, and are also stored on the University website.
Academic Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline
Academic Appeals
You can submit an appeal about an academic outcome based on one or more of the following grounds:
a. Circumstances exist (or existed) affecting your performance of which, for a good reason, the relevant decision-making body may not have been made aware when its decision was taken, and which might have had a material effect on its decision.
b. A material administrative error or procedural irregularity has taken place in the assessment process (or in putting into effect the regulations for your programme of study) of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision you are appealing might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred.
c. You have evidence of prejudice or bias by one or more of your examiners.
d. Your supervision or training in respect of research for a dissertation or thesis (or equivalent work) was unsatisfactory to the point that your performance was seriously affected.
An appeal cannot challenge academic judgement, including challenges to examiners’ scores and feedback.
STAGE ONE – Early Resolution
Stage One Academic Appeals must be submitted within 20 working days of being notified of the decision you are appealing against.
Complete the Stage One Academic Appeal form: Stage One Academic Appeal form (manchester.ac.uk)
The School will conduct an initial assessment to check the appeal:
- is on time, within 20 working days of the publication of confirmed results or the decision being appealed.
- meets one or more of the grounds to appeal.
- is not a challenge to academic judgement.
- is supported by relevant evidence where necessary.
If your appeal does not meet all of the above, the School will write to you within 10 working days to explain why.
If your appeal is considered eligible, it will be reviewed by the School and you will receive an outcome letter.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can choose to progress to Stage Two.
All evidence and reasoning relating to your appeal must be included with the Stage One application. Any new evidence or reasoning presented at Stage Two or Three will not be considered if there is not a clear and credible reason why this was not submitted or declared in the Stage One application.
STAGE TWO – Formal Consideration
Stage Two Academic Appeals must be submitted within 10 working days of receiving the Stage One outcome.
A Faculty Officer will review your appeal and the response from the School. The Faculty Officer may decide that your appeal is not eligible for consideration at Stage Two because the School has already made a decision at Stage One that the Faculty Officer thinks is reasonable.
If the Faculty Officer decides to review your appeal at Stage Two, they may request further documents and evidence from you. Please note that you are usually expected to provide all the evidence that you wish to be considered in an appeal at Stage One.
Your appeal will be considered and you will receive a Stage Two outcome letter. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can choose to progress to Stage Three.
STAGE THREE – Review Request
If you do not agree with the decision to dismiss your appeal after it has been considered by your Faculty, you can request that the decision is reviewed.
A Stage Three review is not a reconsideration of the appeal. A review is to check that the appeals procedure has been properly followed, and that the Faculty Officer’s decision was reasonable based on all available evidence.
You can request a review up to 10 working days after receiving your Stage Two outcome.
More information about the three stages of the appeal process can be found here: Quick Guide to Academic Appeals
and Academic Appeals Procedure Regulation XIX
Information about the support available to you during the appeals process can be found here: Available support - factsheet for students who are accessing the University's appeals process
Student Complaints
- The University's Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII) and associate documents, including a basic guide to students, can be found here.
- The University has separate procedures to address complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or victimisation - see Report + Support
- 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
Conduct and Discipline of Students
- The University's Procedure for Conduct and Discipline of Students (Regulation XVII) and associate documents can be found here.
- Faculty policies for students on communication and social networking can be found here:
- Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it can be found here.
- 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, they can be found here.
Student Support and Useful Links
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
Tel (Disability Service) +44 (0)161 275 7512
Tel (Assessment Centre) +44 (0)161 275 0990
Mobile Number (Text only for d/Deaf students) 07899 658 790
Email (Disability Service) dass@manchester.ac.uk
Email (Assessment Centre) assessments@manchester.ac.uk
School Disability Coordinator Contact Details:-
Email: dc.sms@manchester.ac.uk
Academic Support Policies
A full list of University Policies and documents
Academic Appeals (Regulation XIX)
Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases
Basic Guide to Student Complaints
Conduct and Discipline of Students (Regulations XVII)
General University information on the Conduct and Discipline of Students
Faculty policies for students on Communication and Dress Code, Social Networking and Drugs & Alcohol
Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it
Data Protection
Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Masters Dissertations
Guidance to Students on Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Malpractice
Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
Policy on Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating Circumstances Guidance for Students
PGT Degree Regulations
Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students
Student Complaints Procedure
Student Charter
Work and Attendance of Students (Regulation XX)
Student Support
A-Z of Student Services
Accommodation
Blackboard via My Manchester
Careers Service
Counselling Service
Disability Advisory and Support Service
University Language Centre – Study English - Tel: 0161 306 3397
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Staff and Students
Health & Fitness
Health & Safety Policy
International Advice Team
IT and eLearning Support
Mature Students Guide
Occupational Health Services for Students
Personal Development Planning
A Personal Safety Guide for International Students
Students Union