1. Introduction
1.1 These Regulations apply to the following Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes:
- Master of Arts (MA) Artificial Intelligence
- Master in Management (MIM)
1.2 Any approved variations and exemptions to these Regulations are specified in the Programme Regulations.
1.3 The Regulations should be read in conjunction with the Regulations and Definitions Applying to Progression for Southampton Online Programmes. Defined terms are capitalised in the Regulations.
1.4 A Board of Examiners, on the recommendation of a Special Consideration Board, has the authority to apply a variation to aspects of these Regulations where a student has exceptional circumstances as defined in the Regulations Governing Special Consideration (including Deadline Extension Requests) for all Taught Programmes and Taught Assessed Components of Research Degrees. Detailed guidance is given in the Quality Handbook.
2. Programme Structure
2.1 Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes are constructed from Modules, the majority of which are set at level 7 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. However, some study may be at other levels as permitted by the Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) Scheme. A detailed programme structure will be provided in the Programme Specification.
2.2 A Pass in a Module leads to the award of the Credit associated with the Module.
2.3 Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes typically consist of a taught element made up from a defined number of Modules and an independent study element normally consisting of a dissertation. For programmes where the independent study element is assessed by means other than a dissertation, specific guidance will be given in the Programme Regulations or the Programme Specification. The dissertation module/independent study element is Core.
3. Passing a Module
3.1 The Module Pass Mark for students on Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes is 50.
3.2 All modules on Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes are Core and must be passed at the Module Pass Mark of 50.
3.3 Where a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requires a Pass Mark that is higher than the University standard Module Pass Mark, this will be stated in the Programme Regulations.
4. Referral
4.1 A student who fails a Module may take a Referral assessment in that Module. There is no limit to the amount of credit that may be taken at Referral for Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes.
4.2 A student is permitted to Refer once per Module. Failure to achieve the Module Pass Mark of 50 at Referral will require the student to Repeat.
4.3 The mark obtained at Referral will be Capped at the Module Pass Mark.
4.4 The Capped Mark achieved at Referral will be used for calculating the Final Average Mark and determining award eligibility and final degree classification.
4.5 For Southampton Online Postgraduate Master’s programmes, Referrals will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity, which may be while students are still completing other taught modules. The Referral arrangements will be communicated via the Programme Handbook.
5. Repeat
5.1 A student who has Referred and not passed, may Repeat the module at the next available opportunity.
5.2 Students undertaking a Repeat should ensure they are aware of the constraints related to dissertation completion as specified in Section 6 of these Regulations.
5.3 A Repeat may be undertaken for all Modules in which the Pass Mark was not obtained at Referral. Students will be required to undertake the Module again at the next available opportunity, which may be while they are still completing other taught modules.
5.4 A Repeat includes participation in all learning activities and assessments for the module.
5.5 Marks for Modules taken at Repeat will be Capped at the Pass Mark to calculate the Final Average Mark.
5.6 A student who does not Pass a Module at Repeat has no further Right of Referral. Each module may be Repeated only once.
5.7 Should a student Fail a Repeated Module, their registration with the University will end. They may complete, and if necessary Refer, but not Repeat in, any other module in which they are currently enrolled. The student will be provided with a record of any Modules passed and any exit award for which they are eligible based on credit already awarded.
6. Dissertation
6.1 The dissertation is not considered to be a Module and Referral and Repeat are not applicable.
6.2 The Pass Mark for the dissertation is 50.
6.3 A student failing to achieve the Pass Mark may submit a revised dissertation on the same subject on one occasion only.
6.4 A student revising their dissertation will be given three months from the date the outcome of the Board of Examiners is published, to revise and resubmit their dissertation. If deemed appropriate by the Board of Examiners, a student revising their dissertation may be allowed access to University resources during this time.
6.5 A student revising their dissertation will have access to two instances of supervision:
- (i) The student will receive detailed written feedback on the failed dissertation and the improvements required. The student should also have the opportunity to meet with their supervisor to discuss the improvements required.
- (ii) Before submission of the revised dissertation, the student will receive feedback on the revisions made.
6.6 The mark for a revised dissertation will be Capped at the Pass Mark.
6.7 No Repeat of the dissertation Module is allowed.
6.8 A student who is required to undertake a third attempt at one or more of the Modules must take academic advice regarding the timing of the start of their dissertation to ensure they have the maximum likelihood of success in achieving their award.
7. Award Requirements
7.1 When a student has accumulated sufficient Credits, as described under paragraphs 7.2 to 7.4, they become eligible for an award of the University.
7.2 Master’s Degree (See list of awards in 1.1)
To be considered for a Master’s degree a student must pass a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS), Credits, including the dissertation or other defined independent learning element, and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above.
7.3 Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
To be considered for a Postgraduate Diploma a student must pass a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above.
7.4 Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
To be considered for a Postgraduate Certificate a student must pass a minimum of 30 ECTS (60 CATS) Credits and achieve a Final Average Mark of 50 or above.
7.5 If a student is unable to achieve their intended award having taken all permissible reassessment opportunities, the University will make an exit award, if permitted by the Programme Specification, based on the Credits the student has achieved.
8. Classification of Awards
8.1 Some awards are classified. The classification bands for Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma awards are set out in the table below. These boundaries refer to the Final Average Mark rounded to the nearest integer.
| Overall Average Mark | Postgraduate awards |
|---|---|
| 70 and above | Distinction |
| 60-69 | Merit |
| 50-59 | Pass |
| Below 50 | Fail |
8.2 Master’s Degree
- 8.2.1 A student will be awarded a Master’s degree with distinction if:
- (i) a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is 69.5 or above, OR
- (ii) a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is between 68 and 69.4, and at least 50% of the Credits are at 70 or above.
- 8.2.2 A student will be awarded a Master’s degree with merit if:
- (i) a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is between 59.5 and 69.4, OR
- (ii) a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is between 58 and 59.4, and at least 50% of the Credits are at 60 or above.
- 8.2.3 A student will be awarded a Master’s degree if a minimum of 90 ECTS (180 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark is 50 or above, but the requirements for distinction or merit are not met.
8.3 Postgraduate Diploma
- 8.3.1 A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with distinction if:
- (i) a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is 69.5 or above, OR
- (ii) a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is between 68 and 69.4, and at least 50% of the Credits are at 70 or above.
- 8.3.2 A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with merit if:
- (i) a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is between 59.5 and 69.4, OR
- (ii). a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is between 58 or 59.4, and at least 50% of the Credits are at 60 or above.
- 8.3.3 A student will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if a minimum of 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits has been achieved and the Final Average Mark of the best 60 ECTS (120 CATS) Credits is between 50 or above, but the requirements for distinction or merit are not met.
8.4 Postgraduate Certificate
There is no classification for a Postgraduate Certificate regardless of whether it is a standalone award or an exit award.
9. Variations and Exemptions
9.1 Some programmes may require variations to the Regulations, for example to meet Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements. Approved variations to the Regulations will be stated in the relevant Programme Regulations. In order to maintain oversight, Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee will review all variations on an annual basis for compliance with the criteria.
9.2 With the approval of Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee, some programmes may operate an exemption from the Regulations. Approved exemptions will be stated in the relevant Programme Regulations.
9.3 The maximum completion period for Southampton Online programmes is twice the standard programme length (as defined by the programme specification), plus two years. An extension to the final completion may be considered where a Special Consideration Board or Academic Appeal Panel agree that there were new exceptional circumstances applicable in the student’s case, which have not previously been taken into consideration.
9.4 Students joining the programme through the Performance Based Admissions route will be required to successfully complete module 1 (15 CATS) at the minimum pass mark of 50. Should the student fail the module, they will be permitted one referral attempt at the capped mark of 50. If a student is unsuccessful at referral, they will not be eligible to repeat and their registration with the University will end.
First approved: May 2025