Regulations for the Degree of Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)

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 have qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science with credit or distinction, or have equivalent qualifications acceptable to the Board of Studies for Medical Laboratory Science.

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The degree will be awarded upon the submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of research undertaken under supervision. The candidate shall have one or more supervisors, at least one of whom shall be a member of the staff of the University.
   2. The topic of the thesis and the supervisors of the research shall be approved by the Programme Academic Co-ordinator.
   3. 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

   1. The programme of study shall comprise one year of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
   2. A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements of the degree within two years, and a part-time candidate shall complete the requirements within four years.

4. Examination

   1. The Dean or Head of Department concerned (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners to oversee each thesis examination.
   2. The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
   3. 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.
   4. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the work as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (e) below.
   5. The examiners may recommend that a thesis:
      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.
   6. Amendments (regulation 4(e)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 4(e)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners, in accordance with established procedures.
   7. A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
   8. If a revised and resubmitted thesis 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.
   9. Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners shall engage in established mediation procedures, and if unresolvable, so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) 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.