9. Periods of study

9.1. This section sets out the normal and maximum periods of study for full-time programmes covered by these regulations. These periods of study include extensions but exclude suspensions of study. Periods of study for part-time students shall be calculated pro-rata to the periods of full-time study.  

9.2. The period of study commences when the student is first registered for the programme. Students are expected to complete their programme within the specified normal period of study and no longer than the maximum study period.  

Periods of study for undergraduate programmes 

Title of Award 

Period of Study 

Normal 

Maximum 

Professional (5-year) non-modular degree (BDS, BVSc, MB,ChB) 

5 academic years 

7 academic years 

Professional (4-year) non-modular degree (BVSc Accelerated Graduate Entry) 

4 academic years 

6 academic years 

Integrated (5-year) Masters degree (e.g. with a Year Abroad/in Industry) 

5 academic years 

6 academic years 

Integrated 4-year Masters Degree 

4 academic years 

5 academic years 

Honours Bachelors (4-year) Degree 

4 academic years 

5 academic years 

Honours Bachelors (3-year) Degree 

3 academic years 

4 academic years 

Honours Bachelors Degree that requires study abroad or in industry (i.e. away from the University) for one academic year 

4 academic years 

5 academic years 

Honours Bachelors Degree by Intercalation 

1 academic year 

1 academic year 

Foundation Degree 

2 academic years 

4 academic years 

Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education 

2 academic years 

3 academic years 

Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education 

1 academic year 

1 academic year 

9.3. Students with a Student visa registered on a four-year undergraduate Bachelors Degree (i.e. at level 6) cannot undertake a second supplementary year due to UK Immigration Rules’ application of a five-year study cap to study in the UK. Schools should contact the Student Visa Team to determine whether a student may be eligible.  

Periods of study for taught postgraduate programmes 

Title of award 

Student mode of attendance 

Normal study period 

Maximum study period 

Postgraduate Certificate 

60 credit points 

Full-time 

 

Not less than 15 weeks' study  

6 months  

Part-time 

 

6 months 

 

12 months 

 

Part-time variable 

Not applicable 

Not more than three years 

Postgraduate Diploma  

120 credit points 

Full-time  

Not less than 31 weeks' study  

12 months  

 

Part-time 

 

12 months 

 

24 months 

 

Part-time variable 

Not applicable 

Not more than three years 

Masters degree by intercalation 

180 credit points 

Full-time 

12 months 

12 months 

Masters degree  

180 credit points 

Full-time  

 

12 months  

24 months  

Part-time 

 

24 months 

 

36 months 

 

Part-time variable 

Not applicable 

Not more than five years* 

MA in Law  

240 credit points 

Full-time  

24 months  

Not more than three years 

Part-time 

4 years 

Not more than five years 

MSc in Social Work  

300 credit points 

Full-time  

24 months  

Not more than three years  

PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)  

60 credit points 

 

Full-time 

12 months 

Not more than three years 

*Not more than eight years study for part-time variable students on the MSc Health Professions Education and the Master of Laws (LLM) by Advanced Study. 

For the Postgraduate Dental Studies programme, the maximum period of study for a part-time variable mode of study is 24 months for the Certificate, 48 months for the Diploma and 72 months for the Masters degree.