Dissertation re-assessment - Masters degrees by research

Key information: students undertaking Masters Degrees by Research may now be permitted to revise the theses, portfolio or project and resubmit it, on one occasion only. The amendment does not apply to the MRes regulations.

For whom: Deans, Faculty Secretaries, Heads of Departments.

Summary: A review of re-assessment policies between Taught Masters and Masters Degrees by Research regulations was undertaken with a view to ensuring equitable treatment of students. That review identified that there was inconsistency within the various Masters Degrees by Research regulations on the re-assessment of the dissertation.

Senate approved the following regulation for inclusion in all Masters Degrees by Research:

If the Examiners consider that the thesis, portfolio, or project work has not achieved the standard required for the award of the Degree, the candidate may be permitted to revise the theses, portfolio or project and resubmit it, on one occasion only, under such conditions as the Examiners may prescribe in each particular case. Normally, resubmission should be no later than 6 months after the date of the meeting of the Board of Examiners.

This regulation replaces current regulations on the following degrees:

• Master of Laws by Research (regulation 8);
• Master of Music (regulation 8);
• Master of Philosophy by Research (regulation 8);
• Master of Science by Research (regulation 7);
• Master of Theology by Research (regulation 6); and
• Master of Veterinary Medicine (regulation 5). In other cases, such as Master of Letters by Research,

It has been added to the regulations which currently do not make any reference to resubmission of the dissertation.

The proposed amendment does not apply to the MRes regulations due the flexibility of that degree and because MRes programmes funded by Research Councils often have their own conditions for re-assessment.

URL: refer to individual degree regulations in the University Calendar, as detailed above

Date effective: Session 2006-07

Policy No: 05-05-S090306

Approved by: Senate, 9 March 2006