Regulations for the Degree of Master of General Practice (MGP)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
   2. Every applicant shall
      1. have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice, and
      2. have completed the prerequisite papers:
         1. GENA 821, or an equivalent research paper approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), and
         2. GENA 820 (or PRHC 701), and
      3. have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), and
      4. have commenced vocational training for general practice or have had at least two years' approved experience in general practice.
   3. Every applicant shall be registered for medical practice in the country in which the programme is taught or have an exemption from this requirement from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The programme of study shall consist of one of the following:
      1. a thesis on an approved topic (120 points); or
      2. a research portfolio (120 points); or
      3. a research portfolio (90 points) plus approved research methods papers(s) worth 30 points.
   2. A candidate may not present a thesis or research portfolio which has previously been accepted, in whole or in part, for another degree.
   3. The programme of study including, as appropriate, the topic of the thesis or research portfolio and the supervisors of the research, or the component papers, shall be approved by the Programme Academic Co-ordinator.
   4. For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

3. Duration of the Programme

   The degree will normally be completed on a part-time basis. The degree shall normally require not less than two years of part-time study (or one year of full-time study) and not more than four years of part-time study (or two years of full-time study). Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

4. Examination of the Thesis or Portfolio

   1. The thesis or portfolio shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
   2. The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Convener of Examiners.
   3. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis or portfolio and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis or portfolio as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options specified in clause (d) below.
   4. The examiners may recommend that a thesis or portfolio:
      1. be accepted without requiring amendments;
      2. be accepted subject to minor corrections being made at the discretion and to the satisfaction of the Convener of Examiners;
      3. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
      4. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
   5. Amendments (regulation 4(d)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 4(d)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners.
   6. A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis or portfolio for examination once only.
   7. If a revised and resubmitted thesis or portfolio is finally accepted, the result shall be either Pass or Fail (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
   8. Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.

5. Level of Award of the Degree

   The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

6. Variations

   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.