2024-25

Degree of Master of Science

RESOLUTION

The Degree of Master of Science is governed by Resolution No. 712 of the University Court the provisions of which are as follows:

1.   The Degree of Master of Science (MSc) in the subjects indicated in Schedule A of the Regulations may be awarded by the Senate of the University of Glasgow in the College of Science & Engineering (the College).

2.   The Senate may make Regulations governing the award of the Degree, which are subject to the approval of the University Court. These shall be stated under 'Regulations'.

REGULATIONS

A student admitted onto a programme leading to an award must follow the instructions issued on behalf of the relevant School and be aware of the content of the Programme Specification and the Programme Document (often referred to as the Programme or ‘Course’ Handbook) which will contain further details on the Programme including, in some cases, further requirements associated with the award

1.   Admission

Before being considered for admission to study for the Degree a candidate must normally have obtained a degree or equivalent.

2.   Duration of Study

The minimum period of study for the award of the Degree is 15 months. The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is five years from the date of initial registration.

3.   Programme Components

3.1   In order to qualify for the award of the Degree a candidate must complete a minimum of 180 credits,[1] consisting of 120 credits of taught courses and a 60 credit work placement. Details of the components of assessment relating to the work placement will be specified in the relevant Programme Document.

3.2   The taught courses will normally be undertaken during the academic session (September – June) and are specified in the relevant Programme Document.

4.   Minimum Requirement for the Award of Credits

Credits for courses contributing to a candidate’s curriculum shall be awarded subject to the fulfilment of required conditions. The minimum requirements for the award of credits are set out in the Code of Assessment at §16.40 – §16.44 in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Regulations.

5.   Assessment

5.1   For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, in so far as not modified by these regulations, governed by the Code of Assessment which is contained in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Regulations published for that session.

5.2   Courses for which the candidate has registered must be counted towards the calculation of the candidate’s grade point average for the purposes of §6, §8 and §9[2] unless other provision is justified by good cause circumstances affecting the candidate.

This regulation applies where course registration continues:

a)   on the date on which the first summative assessment for that course is to be submitted; or

b)   on such other date as may be specified in the course document for that course.

6.   Progress

6.1   A candidate will be permitted to progress to undertake the work placement only if they have achieved at the first attempt:

a)   grade C3 or above in each of the taught courses (totalling 60 credits) taken in semester 1; and

b)   a grade point average[3] of at least 12.0 in the 120 credits of taught courses referred to in §3.1 with at least 75% of the credits at D3 or above and all credits at grade F3 or above.

6.2   A candidate who does not meet the requirements specified in §6.1 for progression to the work placement, or who is unable to secure an appropriate work placement, will not be permitted to progress but may be considered for the transfer of their registration to the cognate MSc programme governed by the Generic Regulations for Taught Masters Degrees.

7.   Reassessment of Work Placement

7.1   Where, in order to satisfy the requirements set out in §8.1, a candidate requires a higher grade for the work placement, resubmission of the assessed work for the placement will be permitted on one occasion only, under such conditions as the Examiners may prescribe in each case. Normally resubmission shall be no later than three months after the date of the meeting of the Board of Examiners. There is no automatic entitlement to repeat any previous practical work associated with the work placement or to undertake further practical work.

8.   Requirements for the Award of Masters of Science and Rules for Award of Distinction and Merit

8.1   A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree on satisfying the requirements set out at §6.1, and obtaining 60 credits from the work placement at grade D3 or above.

8.2   §8.4 and §8.6 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained on the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[4]

8.3   A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree with Merit on achieving at the first attempt:

a)   a grade point average[3] of at least 14.5 in the 180 credits completed on the programme; and

b)   a grade point average of at least 14.0 in the 120 credits of taught courses; and

b)   a grade of C1 or above in the work placement.

8.4   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirement specified at §8.3 (b), and their grade point average for the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 14.1 to 14.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Merit where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises grades of B or above. 

8.5   A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree with Distinction on achieving at the first attempt:

a)   a grade point average of at least 17.5 in the 180 credits completed on the programme; and

b)   a grade point average of at least 17.0 in the 120 credits of taught courses; and

c)   a grade of B1 or above in the work placement.

8.6   Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.5 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 17.1 to 17.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Distinction where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises A grades.

9.   Requirements for the Exit Award of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate and Rules for the Award of Distinction and Merit

9.1   The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma is a grade point average[3] of at least 9.0 in 120 taught credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at grade D3 or above. 

9.2   The requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate is a grade point average of at least 9.0 in 60 taught credits, with not less than 40 of these credits at grade D3 or above.

9.3   A candidate who has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average of at least 14.5 or 17.5 will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate with Merit or Distinction respectively.

9.4   §9.5 refers to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained on the contributing credits at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[4]

9.5   Where a candidate has achieved at the first attempt a grade point average within the range 14.1 to 14.4 or 17.1 to 17.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate with Merit or Distinction where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises grades of B or above, or A grades, respectively.

Schedule A

Subjects in which the Degree may be offered are:

Geoinformation Technology & Cartography with Work Placement

Land & Hydrographic Surveying with Work Placement


[1] In compliance with the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework a minimum component of the total credit must be gained from Masters level courses (level M/SCQF level 11) as follows: 150 credits for a Masters Degree, 90 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma, 40 credits for a Postgraduate Certificate.

[2] Except for §9.2, §9.3 and §9.4 where only 60 credits will be counted in the calculation of the grade point average for a Postgraduate Certificate, and any excess credit will be discarded in such a way as to maximise the grade point average while meeting all other requirements of the regulations. Any credits identified as core for the Postgraduate Certificate must be included in the calculation.

[3] The grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A and Schedule B of the University’s Code of Assessment. The grade point average is calculated by taking the product of each course’s weight and the candidate’s grade points and dividing the sum of these products by the sum of the courses’ weights. The weights shall correspond to the courses’ credit ratings unless specified otherwise in the relevant programme documentation. The grade point average is expressed to one decimal place (§16.34(a) of the Code of Assessment). In determining whether a candidate has satisfied requirements in relation to progress and award, no further rounding is permitted. For example, a grade point average of 11.9 would not satisfy a requirement for a grade point average of 12.0.

[4] Illustrations of weighted grade profiles are given in the Guide to the Code of Assessment.

Back to Contents List