Accelerated completion

The normal completion period for the course is six years, but it is possible for high-performing students to complete it in a minimum of four years.

Students who perform exceptionally well in the first year may be permitted to enrol on two optional units in the second year of the taught stage rather than completing them sequentially over two years. Likewise, exceptional students who are able to allocate enough time to their research thesis may be able to submit their thesis after two years rather than the expected three.

Exit points

PG Certificate in Policy Research and Practice

You will be entitled to the award of Postgraduate Certificate after having completed (with a pass grade or above) two core generic units. You will only be permitted to have retrieved failures in up to 18 credits towards the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

PG Diploma in Policy Research and Practice

You will be entitled to the award of Postgraduate Diploma after having completed (with a pass grade or above) four units, of which two must be core units. You will only be permitted to have retrieved failures in up to 18 credits towards the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

Extensions

We only grant extensions for the submission of unit assignments in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Director of Studies, who may consult with the unit assignment tutor.

We will normally grant extensions for a maximum of three calendar months. To request an extension, you must submit a Unit Assignment Extension Request form to the Director of Studies before the date on which the assignment is due. We normally only grant further extensions under very exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Director of Studies, who may consult with the unit assignment tutor.

Requests for suspension will be treated according to standard University procedures, and their development in the Programme Handbook.