University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3
REGULATIONS FOR THE AWARD OF
CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS, DEGREES,
POSTGRADUATE AWARDS AND OTHER
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS

Regulation 3 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

Regulation 3 – Regulations for the Award of Certificates, Diplomas,

Degrees, Postgraduate Awards and Other Academic Distinctions

3.1 General Requirements 8

3.2 Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas 8

3.2.1 Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE)
3.2.2 Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE)
3.2.3 International Certificate of Higher Education (Int Cert HE)
3.2.4 International Diploma of Higher Education (Int Dip HE)

3.3 First Degrees/Undergraduate 9

3.3.1 Bachelor Degrees with Honours
3.3.2 Bachelor Degrees
3.3.3 Graduate Certificate/Diploma/International Graduate Diploma
3.3.4 Professional Graduate Diploma in Education

3.4 Postgraduate and Post Experience Awards 11

3.4.1 Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
3.4.2 Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
3.4.3 Master Degrees

3.5 Research Degrees and Higher Doctorates 12

3.5.1 Degree of Master of Research (MRes)
3.5.2 Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
3.5.3 Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – by Thesis and by Published Work
3.5.4 Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – by Thesis of Portfolio
3.5.5 Degree of Professional Doctorate (DProf)/Engineering Doctorate (EngD)
– by Thesis or Portfolio
3.5.6 Higher Doctorates (Degrees of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science
(DSc) and Doctor of Technology (DTech)

Regulation 3 7 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3 Regulations for the Award of Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees,

Postgraduate Awards and other Academic Distinctions

3.1 General
3.1.1 The power to award certificates, diplomas, degrees and other academic
distinctions is vested in the University by the Privy Council under the provisions
of the University of the West of Scotland Order of Council 2015, Article 8,
Schedule 1B (2) [see Regulation 2.2.2(b)].

3.1.2 With the exception of the University’s Honorary Degrees and Fellowships,
Higher Doctorates and the Research Degrees, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees
and other academic distinctions shall be conferred with the authority of the
Senate by the appropriate Progression & Awards Board (PAB) 1, which has
delegated authority to confer awards.

3.1.3 The University’s Research Degrees shall be conferred with the authority of the
Senate on the recommendation of the Graduate School. The University’s
Higher Doctorates shall be conferred by the Senate on the recommendation of
the REAC (see Regulation 9).

3.1.4 The University’s academic awards are defined in terms of standard, level and
outcomes.

3.1.5 The standard of the Bachelor’s Degree with Honours shall provide the yardstick
against which the standards of all other academic awards and distinctions of the
University are determined.

3.1.6 The University of the West of Scotland has taken cognisance of the Scottish
Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) in drafting its regulations.
University awards will be designed and structured with regard to the
expectations of the SCQF and the characteristic generic outcomes.

3.2 Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas

3.2.1 Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE)
SCQF level 7
Credit points: At least 120 credits are at least at SCQF level 7
The Certificate of Higher Education is typically offered as an exit award after
successful completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time higher education
in Scotland. The precise focus and outcomes will be identified in the relevant
programme specifications.

1
For TNE and collaborative arrangements a Degree Assessment Board (DAB) will be established. Degree
Assessment Boards fulfil the functions of Subject Panels (SPs) and Progression and Awards Boards (PABs) for
collaborative and TNE provision. In such cases the DAB will have the same authority as a PAB for conferment of
awards. Further guidance on the composition and operation of DABs is provided by QuEST.

Regulation 3 8 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3.2.2 Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE)

SCQF level 8
Credit points: At least 240 credits of which a minimum of 100 are at least at
SCQF level 8
The Diploma of Higher Education is typically offered after successful
completion of the equivalent of the first two years of full-time higher education
in Scotland. The precise focus and outcomes will be identified in the relevant
programme specifications.

3.2.3 International Certificate of Higher Education (Int Cert HE)

SCQF level 7
Credit points: 140 credits are at least at SCQF level 7
The International Certificate of Higher Education is typically offered after
successful completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time higher education
in Scotland with additional English language support. The precise focus and
outcomes will be identified in the relevant programme specifications.

3.2.4 International Diploma of Higher Education (Int Dip HE)

SCQF level 8
Credit points: 120 credits at SCQF level 8
The International Diploma of Higher Education is typically offered after
successful completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time higher
education at SCQF level 8. The precise focus and outcomes will be identified
in the relevant programme specifications.

3.3 First Degrees/Undergraduate

3.3.1 Bachelor Degrees with Honours
SCQF level 10
Credit points: At least 480 credits of which a minimum of 200 are at least at
SCQF level 9 and 10, including at least 100 at SCQF level 10
The standard of the Bachelor Degree with Honours shall be that expected of a
person with prior knowledge and skills who has successfully completed a
programme of study which is suitable for the fulfilment of the University’s
graduate skills and attributes and learning outcomes (see Quality Handbook)
and, who has demonstrated the capacity for sustained independent and
high-quality work; the normal length of the programme shall be four academic
years of full-time Higher Education study or equivalent; or longer if the
programme requires a significant element of professional practice or placement
in business or industry. Where such practice or placement is an option, additions
to the degree title such as “with Sandwich” may be approved.

Regulation 3 9 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3.3.2 Bachelor Degrees

SCQF level 9
Credit points: At least 360 credits of which a minimum of 100 are at least at
SCQF level 9
The standard of the Bachelor’s Degree shall be that expected of a person with
prior knowledge and skills who has successfully completed a programme of
study which is suitable for the fulfilment of the University’s graduate skills and
attributes and learning outcomes (see Quality Handbook); the normal length of
the programme for the degree shall be three academic years of full-time study
or equivalent or longer if the programme requires a significant element of
professional practice or placement in business or industry. Where such practice
or placement is an option, additions to the degree title such as “with Sandwich”
may be approved.

The Ordinary Degree is recognised as the normal entry to a number of

professions across the UK.

3.3.3 Graduate Certificate/Diploma/International Graduate Diploma

SCQF level 9 and 10
Credit points: At least 60 credits at the minimum of SCQF level 9 for a
certificate and at least 120 credits at the minimum of SCQF
level 9 for a diploma
Titles with the stream ‘Graduate’ may be used for qualifications from
programmes of study that typically require graduate entry or its equivalent, and
which meet the expectations of the SCQF, and in particular relevant parts of the
descriptors for qualifications at SCQF level 9 or 10. These qualifications are
typically for graduates or equivalent but are not of postgraduate level or
outcome. The normal length of the programme of study for a Graduate
Certificate shall be half of one year of full-time academic study or equivalent.
The normal length of the programme of study for a Graduate Diploma shall be
one year of full-time academic study or equivalent.

The International Graduate Diploma includes compulsory English language

tuition and is designed to support entry to postgraduate study for applicants
with a range of international qualifications, equivalent to bachelor’s degrees
at SCQF level 9.

3.3.4 Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) SCQF level 10 and/or 11

Credit points: At least 120 credits at a minimum of SCQF level 10
The standard of the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education shall be that
expected of a graduate who has completed a programme of professional skills
and experience to qualify to teach in a primary or secondary school. The normal
length of the programme is 36 weeks of full-time study or equivalent.

Regulation 3 10 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3.4 Postgraduate and Post Experience Awards

3.4.1 Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
SCQF level 11
Credit points: At least 60 credits of which a minimum of 40 are at least SCQF
level 11 and none below SCQF level 10
The standard of the Postgraduate Certificate shall be that expected of graduate
who has successfully completed a programme of study, either at a level
demanding more advanced study than a first degree or at a level appropriate for
a conversion programme, suitable for the fulfilment of the University's graduate
skills and attributes and learning outcomes (see Quality Handbook); the normal
length of the programme shall be half of one year of full-time study.

3.4.2 Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)

SCQF level 11
Credit points: At least 120 credits of which a minimum of 100 are at least at
SCQF level 11 and none below SCQF level 10
The standard of the Postgraduate Diploma shall be that expected of a graduate,
who has successfully completed an appropriate programme of study in a field
for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation,
either at a level demanding more advanced and intensive study than a first
degree or at a level appropriate for a conversion programme, and which is
suitable for the fulfilment of the University’s learning outcomes (see Quality
Handbook). The normal length of the programme will be the equivalent of one
year of full-time academic study.

3.4.3 Master Degrees

SCQF level 11
Credit points: At least 180 credits of which a minimum of 160 are at least at
SCQF level 11 and none below SCQF level 10. For Integrated
Masters, at least 600 credits, of which a minimum of 120 are at
level 11.

The standard of the Master Degree shall be that expected of an Honours degree
graduate who has successfully completed an appropriate programme of study
in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate
foundation, at a level demanding more advanced and intensive study than a first
degree, and which is suitable for the fulfilment of the University’s learning
outcomes (see Quality Handbook) and which includes a compulsory element of
advanced independent work; the normal length of the programme shall be 12
months of full-time study or equivalent and will meet the expectations of the
SCQF Master Degrees Framework. The normal period of study for Integrated
Masters shall be five years of academic study or equivalent.

A programme of longer duration that includes a significant element of

professional practice or placement in business or industry, may be approved,
with an appropriate additional phrase in the title.

Regulation 3 11 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3.5 Research Degrees and Higher Doctorates

SCQF level 12
3.5.1 Degree of Master of Research (MRes)
The standard of the Degree of Master of Research should be that expected of
a graduate with a good honours degree (see Regulation 8.2.1 b) who has
satisfactorily completed a programme of supervised research training and has
submitted a thesis which should comprise a satisfactory record of research
undertaken by the candidate and a satisfactory critical survey of knowledge and
understanding in the field of study and is capable of independent research.

3.5.2 Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The standard of the Degree of Master of Philosophy shall be that expected of a
graduate with a good Honours degree (see Regulation 6.5) who has
satisfactorily completed a programme of supervised research training and has
investigated and evaluated or critically studied an appropriate topic over the
equivalent of not less than eighteen months of full-time study and has presented
a satisfactory thesis.

3.5.3 Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - by Thesis and by Published Work

The standard of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall be that expected of a
graduate with a good Honours degree who has satisfactorily completed a
programme of supervised research training and has investigated and evaluated
or critically studied an appropriate topic over not less than the equivalent of
thirty-three months of full-time study resulting in a significant contribution to
knowledge. A candidate may proceed to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) either by presenting a thesis or by submission of a portfolio of published
work and critical review.

3.5.4 Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - by thesis or portfolio

The standard of the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration shall be that
expected of a graduate with a Masters degree who has satisfactorily completed
a programme of supervised research training and has investigated and
evaluated or critically studied an appropriate topic over not less than the
equivalent of thirty six months of full-time study resulting in a significant
contribution to knowledge and professional practice. A candidate may proceed
to the degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by presenting a thesis.

3.5.5 Degree of Professional Doctorate (DProf)/Engineering Doctorate (EngD) – by

thesis or portfolio

The standard of the Professional Doctorate shall be that expected of a

graduate with a masters’ degree who has satisfactorily completed a
programme of supervised research training and has investigated and
evaluated or critically studied an appropriate topic over the equivalent of 72
months of part time study resulting in a significant contribution to knowledge
and professional practice.

Regulation 3 12 2017/18 Edition

University of the West of Scotland University Senate

3.5.6 Higher Doctorates (Degrees of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science (DSc)
and Doctor of Technology (DTech)
The standard of the Degree of a Higher Doctorate shall be that expected of a
person who is the holder of at least seven years’ standing of a first degree or
the holder of at least four years’ standing of a postgraduate degree, who is a
leading authority in the field of study concerned and has made an original and
significant contribution to the advancement or application of knowledge in that
field.

Regulation 3 13 2017/18 Edition