Your Academic Programme

The academic year and the programme structure

The structure and modular content provided within the programme specification is specific to your own programme.  You can view the most up to date version of the programme specification via SUSSED at https://intranet.soton.ac.uk/sites/kisinfo/SitePages/Home.aspx.

The taught components of the programme are delivered in modular form and typically run over two semesters.  The teaching weeks are followed by a two to three week examination period.  The semesters overlap the traditional three term structure which still determines the pattern of vacations at Christmas and Easter.

For any given programme a module is either core, compulsory, or an option module. Definitions of these and of the rules surrounding compensation are provided in the General Regulations – Regulations and Definitions Applying to Progression for all Credit-Bearing Programmes and are reproduced below.

Core Module: A Core Module is a module which must be taken and Passed by all students on a particular programme. Core Modules may not be Passed by Compensation. Where programme regulations specify, a student may be required to select a Module from within a group of Modules, which, once selected, becomes Core.

Compulsory Module: A Compulsory Module is a Module which must be taken by all students on a particular programme. Compulsory Modules may be Passed by Compensation.

Option Module: An Option Module is a Module selected from a group of available Modules which does not become Core or Compulsory on selection. Option Modules may be Passed by Compensation.

Compensation: Pass by Compensation is the award of credit for a Failed Module on the basis that overall performance elsewhere in the Part is sufficient to merit the passing of that Part and the learning outcomes of the programme as a whole will be met.

Non-Compensatable Fail: A Non-Compensatable Fail is a Failed Module which cannot be Passed by Compensation. A Failed Module is Non-Compensatable if the mark achieved for the Module is lower than the Qualifying Mark, or if the Failed Module is a Core Module for the programme.

Pass Mark: The Pass Mark is the minimum mark that must be achieved in order to pass. It may be applied to a Module to an Average Mark or to a Final Average Mark. The University standard Module Pass Mark for undergraduate students taking modules at all levels is 40 (Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes. (section 2)

Qualifying Mark: The Qualifying Mark is the minimum mark that must be achieved in a Module in order for a Pass by Compensation to be awarded. Unless stated in the programme regulations (and subject to paragraph 3.3 of the Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes), the University standard Qualifying Mark for undergraduate students taking modules at all levels is 25.

Your student record should automatically record core and compulsory modules and these must be completed in accordance with the requirements for progression applicable to your programme.  Most programmes will have a number of option modules. If applicable you will need to select a certain number of option modules to complete your portfolio of modules and fulfil the credit points as required for the programme.

For guidance on signing up to option modules, please choose the “Option modules” tab from the  sidebar.

Please click on the “Year One”, “Year Two” and “Year Three” pages for:

  • detailed information about your degree programme and the modules that you will (or can choose to) take each year;
  • important information relating to Psychology’s Research Participation Scheme.

You should regularly check your online student record for details of your registered modules.  This is particularly important after you have made any changes and will help to maintain the accuracy of your student record.  It will also save time and confusion during the examination period.

Attendance

The University’s Attendance Regulations detail the University’s general expectations placed upon you as a student.

Additional costs

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfill the academic requirements for each programme of study. In addition to this, students registered for this programme typically also have to pay for these items.

In some cases you’ll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk

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