Annex 1f - Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Educational Psychology (DEdPsy)

The Regulations and Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes ("the Regulations and Code") will apply to this degree, except where separate provision is made below.

The relevant sections of the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes, will apply to the assessment of the taught component of these degrees. 

1.    Qualification for admission

Candidature for the degree of Doctor of Educational Psychology shall be subject to Section 4.1 of the Regulations and Code and the relevant admissions statement. This includes the requirement to undergo a DBS disclosure. 

2.    Qualification for the award

2.1  The qualification for the degree shall be:

a)    pursuance of a curriculum of advanced study;

b)    satisfactory completion of fieldwork placements;

c)    submission of a dissertation, representing a contribution to knowledge; and

d)    approval of such dissertation by examiners appointed by the University. 

3.     Period of study

The normal minimum period of study is three years full-time or six years part-time (assuming study on a half-time basis). 

The normal maximum period of study is four years full-time or eight years part-time (assuming study on a half-time basis). 

The part-time maximum period of study relates to part-time students who registered on 19 September 2022 or later. Part-time students who registered before 19 September 2022 have a seven-year maximum period (assuming study on a half-time basis) unless they have requested to change to the new maximum period of study. See Section 4.3.1 of the Regulations and Code for more information. 

For regulations on suspensions and extensions, see Section 6 of the Regulations and Code.

4.    Taught Stage

4.1  Students shall take taught units as prescribed in the programme structure.

4.2  Units will be marked on a 5 point scale, A – E, where the pass mark is C. 

4.3  Students must achieve the pass mark for the unit and meet any additional criteria, if applicable, to be awarded the associated credit. Additional criteria will be described in the unit description and School or Programme handbooks. 

4.4   A student who is not awarded the credit for a unit may be permitted a second attempt to achieve a satisfactory standard to progress. Resubmission of essays and coursework should normally be within 8-12 weeks of confirmation of the grade by the external examiner.

4.5  If any student fails to achieve the unit pass mark following a re-sit of the unit, they will be required to withdraw from the programme with an exit award (if appropriate) unless there are validated extenuating circumstances. Refer to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for full details of extenuating circumstances processes. 

4.6  For any unit which is passed by re-assessment, the recorded unit mark will be capped at the minimum pass mark, even if the student achieves a higher mark in the re-assessment. 

4.7  During the taught stage, students are subject to the assessment regulations covering plagiarism and cheating. 

5.    Placement

5.1  Students mustsuccessfully complete the required fieldwork placements. In year 1 there are three placements, totalling 94 days. In Year 2 and 3 students will undertake their required placement learning at their workplace for 3 days a week. Full details of the placement requirements can be found in the Programme Handbook.

5.2  The placements will be assessed via the following:

5.2.1    Professional Practice Portfolio;

5.2.2    Self-assessment profiles;

5.2.3    Summary reports provided by fieldwork supervisors; and

5.2.4    Completion of a 4,000 word assignment or equivalent for each practice–based unit. 

6.    Progression to Dissertation

6.1  In order to be permitted to progress to the dissertation, students must meet the following criteria:

a)    Pass all taught units and fieldwork placements as prescribed in the programme of study.

b)    Successfully complete any pre-requisites designated by the programme as preparation for dissertation.

c)    Submit a research proposal, which must be approved by the School. Consideration should be given to the feasibility of the study and ability to complete the dissertation within the time limit.

d)    Obtain any ethical approval as required for the dissertation. 

6.2  Once a student has progressed to the dissertation stage, they will be subject to progress monitoring arrangements as described in Section 6 of the Regulations and Code. 

7.    Submission of dissertation

7.1  A candidate may not submit as their dissertation work which has already been submitted for an academic award of any degree awarding body. However, a candidate may incorporate part of such work, provided this is stated in the candidate’s application and the work is clearly indicated in the dissertation. 

7.2  Dissertations should not exceed 45,000 words, excluding references, appendices and lists of contents. Unnecessary length in a dissertation may be to the candidate’s disadvantage. 

8.    Oral Examination of the dissertation

Refer to Section 9.4 of the Regulations and Code. 

9.    Outcomes of the oral examination of the dissertation

See Section 9.5 of the Regulations and Code for the possible outcomes of this examination.   

10.  Other professional requirements

Successful trainees must also be deemed to have achieved competence in the areas of personal, academic and professional competence as specified in the BPS core curriculum and HPC Standards of Proficiency.  

11.  Exit awards

A candidate may be eligible for a taught exit award if they:

In these cases, a candidate may be eligible for the award of a taught Masters, a Postgraduate Diploma, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Research and Professional Studies in Educational Psychology, if this is in accordance with the programme specification, the University's Credit Framework and with the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes