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Programme structure: Socio-Legal Studies (MSc) - what's running in 2015/16

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences SPAIM0031 20 Mandatory TB-1
Social and Legal Theory LAWDM0083 20 Mandatory TB-4
Dissertation LAWDM1001 60 Mandatory AYEAR
Advanced Legal and Socio-Legal Research Methods LAWDM0084 20 Mandatory TB-4
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences SPAIM0029 20 Mandatory TB-1
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences SPAIM0030 20 Mandatory TB-1
Students take optional units up to a value of 30 credit points.
There is considerable flexibility within the MSc programme as to the units which are available to students. Students can take optional units in the Departments of Sociology and Politics, as well as the School for Policy Studies and the School of Law.
International Corporate Finance LAWDM0116 30 Optional TB-4
World Trade Law LAWDM0115 30 Optional TB-4
Insolvency Law LAWDM0118 30 Optional TB-4
International Public Contract Law LAWDM0121 30 Optional TB-4
Choose open units OPEN 30 Optional
MSc Socio-Legal Studies   190    

Progression/award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Exit awards

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.

Degree classifications:

An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.

Diploma/certificate stages:

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.

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