Programme handbook

If you are unable to continue with your studies as planned, please refer to the following options.

Interruptions of study

An Interruption of Study (IoS) can only be authorised by the College Postgraduate Learning and Teaching Committee and only granted for stated reasons for specified (not open-ended) periods.

Periods of interruption do not count towards a student’s total permitted period of study (i.e. they effectively “stop the clock” on the registration period). No fees are payable during any full year in which authorised interruption of study has been continuous. Students in receipt of a studentship or scholarship should note that an interruption of study may have implications in relation to receipt of funding (i.e. payments may be suspended during a period of interruption).

An Interruption of Study is applicable where a student is unable to work on his or her studies for a significant period of time due to circumstances that are largely beyond his or her own control. These circumstances can include:

• medical and health problems
• personal and family problems or bereavement
• problems experienced because of failure of university equipment or lack of access to equipment
• problems experienced because of deficiencies in the provision of supervision or facilities

• undertaking distinct time-limited specialised training or employment that would be beneficial to the student’s project or generic skills training

If there are medical problems, medical certificates will be required.

Interruptions are not appropriate where a student is able to work on his or her studies but is not progressing at the expected rate where the reasons are foreseeable or to allow a student to undertake long-term periods of paid employment.  Interruptions are not available to permit a student to take extended annual leave/holiday leave or to effectively extend the period available to a student to complete his or her studies.

There are circumstances in which it may be more appropriate to consider taking the programme on an intermittent study basis or that you apply for Special Circumstances (see the section 4.9.3 Special Circumstances).

If you are considering requesting an Interruption of Study, please contact the programme team as soon as possible with details about your circumstances and we will advise you on the available options. An application for Interruption of Study should be made in advance where possible or as soon as practicable after the problem has emerged or been discussed. A retrospective Interruption of Study cannot be applied.

The complete Degree Regulations and Programme of Study (DRPS) are available on the University website:

http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/18-19/regulations/PGDRPS2018-19.pdf

DRPS Regulation 32: Interruptions of Study

A student may apply for an Interruption of Study, and it may be authorised by the College if there is a good reason for approving the interruption.  Students must provide evidence to support their applications.  Interruptions of study may not be applied retrospectively.  Any one period of authorised interruption of study will not exceed one year unless authorised by the College. The total period of authorised interruption of study is the same for full-time and part-time students and will not exceed 100% of the prescribed period of full-time study.  

Extensions of study

Reasons for an Extension of Study (EoS) might include circumstances where progress has been hampered by unforeseen difficulties with facilities or equipment or in obtaining or analysing data and hence completion of the studies has been delayed. A request for an extension cannot be based solely on the need for more time to complete.

One of the Programme Directors is expected to make the case for an Extension of Studies as soon as the need for an extension becomes apparent, and before expiry of the student’s normal maximum period of registration.

Second or further applications for an Extension of Studies for a student will be subject to greater scrutiny and a higher level of supportive documentation is required.

Masters students are required to pay an annual matriculation fee until the date of submission. For fee information, see: http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/tuition-fees/postgraduate

DRPS Regulation 33: Extensions of Study

In exceptional circumstances, a student may apply through the supervisor and school postgraduate director to the College for an extension and it may be authorised by the Head of College if there is good reason.

The complete Degree Regulations and Programme of Study (DRPS) are available on the University website:

http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/18-19/regulations/PGDRPS2018-19.pdf

Special circumstances

It is a student’s responsibility to report any special circumstances to the Programme Directors or their Personal Tutor, including all relevant documentary evidence, and to submit a completed special circumstances form (contact mscct@ed.ac.uk).

Special circumstances can sometimes affect a student's performance in following a course, in producing coursework or in completing examinations. Examples of special circumstances might be:

• physical illness or injury
• depression or similar mental or emotional illness
• specific learning difficulty
• bereavement or serious illness of a person with whom the student has a close relationship
• serious financial or accommodation difficulties

If a student’s ability to perform has been affected by a special circumstance, Boards of Examiners have Special Circumstances Committees to consider individual cases.

You can find information about the Special Circumstances policy and procedure here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/students/assessment/special-circumstances/procedure