2026-27
Generic Regulations for Graduate Diplomas at The Glasgow School of Art
REGULATIONS
A student admitted onto a programme leading to a Graduate Diploma as the primary award attainment must follow the instructions issued by the Department or equivalent and be aware of the content of the Programme Specification which will contain further details on the Programme including, in some cases, further requirements associated with the award.
1. Application of the Regulations
These regulations apply without modification to the Graduate Diplomas listed in §11.
2. Admission
2.1 Before being considered for admission to study for an award to which these regulations apply, a candidate must normally have obtained either a degree or a recognised equivalent qualification.
2.2 Credit gained from the Graduate Diploma or Certificate programme may be considered in relation to admission to a programme of study leading to a higher award, however no such credit may contribute to that higher award.
3. Recognition of Prior Learning
Prior certificated learning and prior experiential learning cannot be counted for credit on this programme.
4. Duration of Study
The minimum period of full-time study for the award of a Graduate Diploma is two academic semesters completed in an academic session e.g. 12 calendar months. The maximum period for full-time study is 24 calendar months The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is four years from the initial date of registration.
5. Programme Components
5.1 The Graduate Diploma shall be composed of courses, each of which is characterised by the academic level at which it is set and the number of credits which it conveys.
5.2 The course level will be equivalent to level 10 in the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework.
5.3 A candidate will normally take courses conveying a total of 120 credits, as specified in the Programme Specification.
5.4 A candidate for the award of the Graduate Diploma is required to complete 120 credits of courses at SCQF level 10, as specified in the Programme Specification.
5.5 A candidate for the award of the Graduate Certificate is required to complete 60 credits of courses at SCQF level 10, as specified in the Programme Specification.
5.6 The courses will normally be undertaken during the academic session (August –June).
6. Approval of Curriculum
The curriculum of each candidate must be approved at the start of each session by the candidate’s Programme Leader. Once approved, the curriculum may not be altered except with the approval of the Programme Leader.
7. Minimum Requirements for the Award of Credits
The minimum requirement for the award of credit for a course is the submission of at least 75% by weight of the summative assessment. Normally no grades or credits shall be awarded to a candidate who has not met these requirements.
8. Assessment
8.1 For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, insofar as not modified by these regulations, governed by the Code of Assessment which is published by The Glasgow School of Art.
8.2 Candidates shall be assessed each semester through formative and summative assessments, with grades published at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2.
8.3 There will be assessment in all courses. A candidate who fails to achieve grade D3 or above in all courses will be permitted reassessment at the next prescribed opportunity.
8.4 The GSA Examination Board may permit a candidate who has not achieved a grade D3 in all components after the August assessments to resubmit the component(s) graded E1 or below on one final occasion in June of the following year.
8.5 All reassessment results will be capped at grade D3.
8.6 Courses for which the candidate has registered must be counted towards the calculation of the candidate’s grade point average[1] for the purpose of §9 and §10 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.
9. Requirements for the Award of a Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate
9.1 A candidate who has completed courses totalling 120 credits, with grade D3 or above in each course, shall be eligible for award of the Graduate Diploma, as described in §5.4.
9.2 A candidate who has completed courses totalling at least 60 credits, with grade D3 or above in each course, shall be eligible for award of the Graduate Certificate as an exit award, as described in §5.5.
9.3 The Award of Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate shall be made with Merit or Distinction where the candidate has obtained a grade point average of at least 12.0 or 15.0 respectively.
10. Progress
10.1 Where progression agreements are in place at GSA:
a) All students who achieve the award of the Graduate Diploma will be guaranteed consideration for entry to a preferred GSA Postgraduate Taught programme that reflects their pathway of study (subject to PSRB requirements).
b) Candidates who achieve the award of the Graduate Diploma with Merit or Distinction will be eligible for guaranteed progression to a GSA Postgraduate Taught programme aligned with their pathway of study (subject to PSRB requirements).
Where candidates cannot be placed on their first choice of programme (due to limited availability), they will be offered direct entry to their second choice.
10.2 All progression is conditional on students meeting postgraduate English Language requirements for postgraduate study.
11. Graduate Diplomas to which these Regulations apply
The following Graduate Diploma is governed by the above regulations:
Graduate Diploma in Art, Design & Creative Practice
[1] Grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A of the GSA’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. Grade point average is expressed to one decimal place (§7.4(a) of the Code of Assessment). In determining whether a candidate has achieved a required grade point average, no further rounding is permitted. For example, a candidate achieving a grade point average of 11.9 would not satisfy a requirement for a grade point average of 12.0.