***Regulation 44 came into effect on 1 October 2018, following approval at the meeting of the University Council on 11 July 2018.***

Regulations Governing Taught Postgraduate Courses offered as a Degree Apprenticeship

Notes:

1. This regulation replaces Regulation 37 (Regulation for Postgraduate Taught Degrees) for candidates on Postgraduate Degree Apprenticeships.

2. This regulation relates to the award of the Postgraduate degree by the University of Warwick and is not concerned with the award of the Apprenticeship. The award of the Apprenticeship is made on the recommendation of the End Point Assessor in accordance with the degree apprenticeship standard and assessment plan.

3. Where the post of a University official is named in the Regulation, this refers to the member of staff concerned or their authorised nominee.

4. Text in italics is included to provide explanation. Sub-headings in italics are intended to help users of the regulations to find the relevant section.

This Regulation applies to taught postgraduate courses at the University offered as Degree Apprenticeships. These courses fall within level 7 of the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This Regulation sets out a list of qualifications awarded and general requirements and procedures. The Regulation should be read alongside the detailed information on individual degree apprenticeships, including course length and assessment methods, set out in the Course Regulations and departmental information provided to students.

44.1 Taught postgraduate qualifications covered by this Regulation

This Regulation applies to taught postgraduate courses (falling within level 7 of the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) offered as Degree Apprenticeships.

44.2 Course and duration of study

1. Students may register for approved courses of study. In order to achieve a qualification a student must meet the requirements set out in the relevant Course Regulations.

2. Candidates will be expected to complete the Degree Apprenticeship within the normal duration approved for the course and in accordance with the requirements of apprenticeship funding eligibility rules. The minimum and maximum periods of study for taught postgraduate courses as approved by the Senate, are set out in Regulation 37.2 and information on the length of individual courses is set out in the Course Regulations.

Recognition of Prior Learning

3. All applicants eligible should request the recognition of their prior learning in line with the University policy. If recognition is granted and the apprentice is exempt from one or more modules or learning outcomes, the period of study may be reduced to take account of this, subject to the approval of the Head of Department.

Changing registration to another course or qualification

4. A student may, with the agreement of their department and subject to funding eligibility rules and employer endorsement, seek permission from the Chair of the Board of Graduate Studies to transfer to a different taught postgraduate course.

44.3 Examination procedures

1. The membership of Boards of Examiners is appointed by the Steering Committee on behalf of the Senate on the recommendation of the Head of the Department concerned. The process for seeking approval for the membership of Boards of Examiners is set out by the Academic Office.

2. The quorum of the Board of Examiners shall be two-thirds of the full membership.

3. An external examiner must be present at a meeting of a final Board of Examiners that meets to take the decisions set out in section 44.4.2 below, unless prior approval has been obtained from the Vice-Chancellor, acting on behalf of the Senate. The decision of a final Board of Examiners is not valid without the assent of an external examiner.

4. An external examiner does not need to be present at a meeting of an interim Board of Examiners as set out in 44.4.1 below. However, the decisions set out in 44.4.1 (b) and (c) may only be taken in consultation with an external examiner.

5. Boards of Examiners are expected to abide by the requirements of the Senate Examination and Degree Conventions published by the Academic Office and the University Requirements for Taught Postgraduate Awards.

44.4 Decisions open to a Board of Examiners

Interim Boards

1. If a meeting of a Board of Examiners is used to determine whether students can proceed to the next part of the course, the Board shall reach one of the following decisions for each student:

(a) To permit the student to proceed to the next part of the course.

(b) To require the student to resit an examination or resubmit specified work at a time indicated by the Board of Examiners. The Board may require the student to complete this successfully before proceeding.

(c) To require the student to withdraw from the course because of a failure to meet the requirements for proceeding to the next part of the course. In this instance the Board may recommend the award of an alternative qualification, if the student has met the requirements set out in the Course Regulations, or require the student to transfer to an alternative course if this is permitted under the Course Regulations, subject to apprenticeship funding eligibility and employer endorsement.

Final Boards

2. A final Board of Examiners shall reach one of the following decisions for each student:

(a) To recommend the award of the qualification for which the student is registered, with Distinction or Merit, as appropriate.
(b) To require the student to resit an examination or resubmit specified work at a time indicated by the Board of Examiners subject to employer support and apprenticeship funding rules.

(c) To recommend the award of a qualification other than that for which the student is registered, if the student has met the requirements for the award set out in the Course Regulations, with Distinction or Merit, as appropriate.

(d) To require the student to transfer to an alternative course if this is permitted under the Course Regulations and subject to Apprenticeship funding eligibility and employer endorsement.

(e) To make no award.

3. In the case of an integrated degree apprenticeship, the examination and assessments considered at the Final Board will include those undertaken for the End Point Assessment, in accordance with the Degree Apprenticeship Standard and End-Point Assessment Plan approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

4. In the case of a non-integrated degree apprenticeship, the examination and assessments considered by the Board of Examiners exclude the End Point Assessment which should be taken as a standalone assessment following the Final Board.

5. If a Board of Examiners requires a resit or the resubmission of assessed work, this shall normally be as a final attempt.

6. The examiners may require a student to attend an oral examination, which must be completed satisfactorily in order to meet the requirements for the award of the qualification.

7. The recommendations of Boards of Examiners are subject to approval by the Senate.