Academic Regulations Governing Postgraduate Degrees by Research and Thesis

12. Master's Qualifying Examination

1. There shall be two prescribed forms of Masters Qualifying Examination:

• Directed Study and Formal Examination only. A prescribed course of study and directed reading together with any other academic exercise thought necessary shall be proposed to Academic Council by the relevant Head of School/Department following consultation with the assigned supervisor and the relevant external examiner. The duration of this period of study should be about one academic year and should culminate in a formal written examination for the candidate (three 3-hour examination papers approved by relevant external examiners). A standard of attainment equivalent to not less than Honours 2.2 standard will be required; the result of such examinations are to be submitted to a meeting of the appropriate Faculty Awards Board for Research Degrees for recommendation.

• Directed study and formal examination with submission of dissertation

• A reduced programme of directed study, as outlined above, shall be proposed. Examination will be in the form of 3-hour written paper. In addition, candidates will be required to submit a substantial dissertation on the substance of a specific project directly related to the field of study being undertaken

• A standard of attainment equivalent to not less than honours 2.2 standard will be required. The results of the examination and the dissertation will be referred to a meeting of the appropriate Faculty Awards Board for Research degrees for recommendation.

2. All proposed masters qualifying programmes leading to examination, by either option above, must be submitted to Academic Council for approval before the candidate is permitted to embark on his/her period of directed study under the assigned supervisor.
3. All assigned supervisors are expected to maintain regular contact with the student concerned and to advise the student as appropriate on his/her progress with regard to fulfilling the academic requirements of the programme of directed study as approved by Academic Council.

 

Last Updated: Tuesday February 26 2008