Degree Classification: Distinction, Merit, PassAssessment Regulations for MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate CertificateMSc ProjectAwards by Credit Accumulation

Awards by Credit Accumulation

As well as the one-year MSc programme, the School offers an MSc, Diploma and a Postgraduate Certificate, by accumulating credits over a period, normally no more than four years. These qualifications are suitable for part-time students and for those who are on release for training and skills enhancement.

The MSc Programme requires a total of 90 credits in taught course units (6 course units), assessed as described above, and a 90 credit full project. The whole must normally be taken within four years, and students are encouraged to take it within a shorter period, either over two years; or in a three-year scheme in which 45 taught credits (3 course units) are taken in each of the first two years and the research project in the third. These arrangements can be modified to suit personal circumstances.

There are two routes to achieving the Diploma.

Route 1.
This route is only open to part-time or part-time modular students and requires a total of 120 credits in taught course units (8 course units), assessed as follows: To pass at Diploma level the credit weighted average of the course units must be 40% or more and no more than 30 credits shall fall below the 40% mark, and these failed credits should be between 30% and 39%. The selection of these course units must fulfil the same criteria as selection for the MSc programme. Candidates would select this option at (a) entry point into the programme or (b) on successful completion of 90 credits (6 course units).
Route 2.
This route is open to all students and requires a total of 90 credits in taught course units (6 course units), assessed as described above, with a credit weighted average of 40%. The selection of these course units must fulfil the same criteria as selection for the MSc programme and the 30 credits COMP60990 Research skills and Professional Issues unit.

The Postgraduate Certificate is awarded to students who have successfully taken 60 taught credits (4 course units) with a result of 40% or more in each course unit.

Individual course units may be taken and these are awarded a pass when the marks for the unit are 50% or more.

The results for every student are presented to the Computer Science MSc examination board and provided they fulfil the stated criteria will be confirmed as a pass.

For credit accumulation, upgrading from a Certificate to a Diploma or to an MSc, or from a Diploma to an MSc is permitted as long as the final award is achieved within a four-year period from first registering for the lower qualification.

Degree Classification: Distinction, Merit, PassAssessment Regulations for MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate CertificateMSc ProjectAwards by Credit Accumulation