Scope
1. The assessment regulations apply to all summative assessments which contribute to the grading of students for the awards of Honours Degree (BA/BSc), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) and Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) within the Modular Degree Programme. In some cases there are route specific regulations relating to the assessment of modules, progression and the award of degree classifications. Information relating to these is contained in Route Handbooks.
Achievement of Awards
2. Degree - In order to be awarded a BA or BSc with honours, a student must pass or be credited with modules or their equivalent to the value of 360 credits. The degree will normally include modules to the value of 120 credits at each of the three levels (Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3) of the Modular Degree Programme, of which not more than 240 credits may be by the accreditation of prior learning.
3. Where a student fails to achieve 120 credits at either level 1 or level 2 but achieves 360 credits overall, the deficit can be made up at the same level or at a level higher than that carrying the deficit. For instance:
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|
100 credits
|
140 credits
|
120 credits
|
|
or
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|
120 credits
|
100 credits
|
140 credits
|
A student must achieve at least 120 credits at level 3.
4. Students must not take modules in excess of 360 credits except where required as a consequence of a route change or similar circumstance approved by a route leader.
Determination of title of Degrees
Single routes
5. The prefix Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) for single routes will normally be determined at validation. The prefix BSc or BA for the Individual Studies route will be determined by the module assessment board at the time of submitting the assessment entry for the Individual Project B module and must be approved by the Module Assessment Board for the IS route and
endorsed by the Award Assessment Board.
Major/Minor routes
6. Where students are enrolled on major/minor routes the title of the award will be determined by the title of the major route. For example:
BA Early Childhood Studies with Human Biology, BSc Sports Science with Business Management
Joint Routes
7. If at least one of the Joint routes is designated BSc, then the prefix BSc will be used in the title of the award if half or more of the level 2 and level 3 modules are from routes designated as BSc.
8. Where specific credit has been awarded through AP(E)L for learning at Level 2 or above these credits points will count towards the determination of the title of the award.
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
9. In order to be awarded a DipHE a student must pass or be credited with modules or their equivalent to the value of 240 credits, of which not more than 120 credits may be by the accreditation of prior certificated or experiential learning, advanced standing or direct entry. The DipHE will normally include modules at Level 2 or Level 3 to the value of 120 credits. Unless otherwise validated, the DipHE will be untitled (see Section 24).
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
10. In order to be awarded a CertHE a student must pass or be credited with modules or their equivalent to the value of 120 credits, of which not more than 60 credits may be by the accreditation of prior certificated or experiential learning. The CertHE will normally include modules at Level I. Unless otherwise validated, the CertHE will be untitled (see Section 24).
Assessment of Individual Modules
11. Each module shall be assessed by one of the following methods:
-
wholly by coursework
-
wholly by examination
-
by project or by dissertation or by research activity
-
by combinations of the above
12. In addition to the specified module assessment, exceptionally, viva voce examination may be undertaken by the External Examiner to determine the module outcome.
Grading of Modules
13. Each piece of summative assessment for modules will be graded using a criterion-referenced system which relates to bands. See table 1 below.0
Table1:
|
Band
|
12-point scale for applying weighting in the calculation of module outcomes
|
Description
|
|
1+
1=
1-
|
12
11
10
|
1st Class
|
|
2.1+
2.1=
2.1-
|
9
8
7
|
Upper 2nd Class
|
|
2.2+
2.2=
2.1-
|
6
5
4
|
Lower 2nd Class
|
|
3+
3=
3-
|
3
2
1
|
Third Class
|
|
Refer
|
0
|
Not pass standard
|
|
NWS
|
|
No work submitted
|
|
Defer
|
|
|
14. A pass grade in all components of assessment within a module will result in a module outcome derived from the individual weighted assessment grades
15. Where there is more than one on-module assessment, each will contribute a pre-determined percentage to the overall module grade. In this case each banded assessment will be assigned a numeric value on a 12 point scale for the purpose of calculating its weighted contribution to the overall module outcome (see table 1 below).
16. Where the outcome results in a decimal number, 0.5 and above will take the grade into the next higher band.
17. There will be no on-module compensation; that is, all summative components of assessment must be passed for the module to be passed.
Progression
For full-time undergraduate students:
18. In order to progress from one level to another,
students must either:
a. pass the required number of credits (normally 120 at each level). (Account will be taken of students admitted to the programme with Advanced Standing);
or
b. be permitted by the Award Assessment Board to progress on the basis that they make good any “trailing” credits (maximum 20) by means of reassessment, deferred assessment or by taking an additional 20 credits during the next level of study.
c. Exceptionally, where deferred in one or two modules, be permitted by the Award Assessment Board to progress in whole or in part (i.e. in one or more modules) on the basis that they make good any “trailing” credits (maximum 40) by means of reassessment, deferred assessment or by taking additional credits during the next level of study.
19. Specific regulations limiting progression may apply within validated routes for those students who have failed to achieve a pass in core, and/or mandatory modules.
20. Regulation 18 does not apply to part-time students. Part-time students are permitted to study modules at the next highest level concurrently, subject to their having met any prerequisites for the study of modules at the higher level and following appropriate academic guidance.
Classification of BA or BSc
21. The classification of the degree will be determined by the Award Assessment Board. Degree classification will normally be based upon student achievement in all Level 2 and Level 3 studies undertaken. Degree classifications, once awarded, cannot be amended following further study.
22. For students presenting themselves as candidates for the award of Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc), the conditions described in Regulation 5-8 shall also be satisfied. In all other circumstances the award shall be a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA).
a. To be eligible for the degree award, the candidate must pass or be credited with modules or their equivalent to the value of 360 credits. Within this total, at least 120 credits must be at Level 3.
b. Credit achieved by Prior Certificated or Prior Experiential Learning is not graded and will not be included in the calculation of the classification of the award.
c. The classification recommended to the Award Assessment Board shall be determined by a system which allocates numerical value to each Level 2 and Level 3 grade achieved, applies a formula to give Level 3 grades greater value, and then compares the total score achieved to a conversion scale to derive the recommended classification. The same system shall apply to all MDP students on single, major/minor or joint routes, studying fulltime or part-time. The details of the system are set out below.
d. Each Level 2 and Level 3 grade achieved is given a numerical value based on the scale below:
|
Grade
|
1+
|
1=
|
1-
|
2+
|
2=
|
2-
|
2.2+
|
2.2=
|
2.2-
|
3+
|
3=
|
3-
|
|
Value
|
12
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
e. Grades achieved for double or other multiple or fractional modules will be attributed values on a pro rata basis.
f. An algorithm is applied to create a total score from the grades achieved. This algorithm gives each Level 2 grade value achieved a contribution of 4% of the total score, up to a maximum of six grades amounting to 24% of the total score. Where no Level 2 modules have been undertaken, Level 3 grades shall constitute 100% of the total score.
g. Where the student has gained grades for more than six Level 2 modules, (perhaps making up for a trailing Level 1 module, or because they have changed routes), the Level 2 modules undertaken within the route for which the award is sought will be allocated values and divided to provide a maximum of 24% of the total score.
h. Having counted Level 2, the balance of the total score is made up by Level 3 module grades (for standard entry students, usually 76%).
i. Where the student has gained grades for more than six Level 3 modules, (for example, perhaps making up for a trailing Level 2 module), all Level 3 modules undertaken will be allocated values and divided to provide the balance of the total score once the Level 2 grades have been counted.
j. If, because of admission by Direct Entry or with Advanced Standing, a student has undertaken fewer than six Level 2 modules, the influence of Level 2 study in the total score will be proportionately less. Thus, for example, if three Level 2 grades have been undertaken, their values will equal 3 x 4 = 12% of the total score, with Level 3 studies contributing the balance of 88% of the total score.
k. These calculations create scores for each level, which are divided by the number of modules undertaken, added together and rounded up to two decimal places to form the total score. This score is then applied to the conversion table below to generate the classification recommended to the Assessment Board.
|
Total Score
|
Equal to or More than 9.1
|
Less than 9.1, Equal to or More than 6.5
|
Less than 6.5, Equal to or More than 3.5
|
Less than 3.5, Equal to or More than 1.0
|
|
Recommended Classification
|
First class
|
Second Class Upper Division
|
Second Class Lower Division
|
Third Class
|
23. Except where mitigating circumstances apply, these recommended classifications will be ratified by the Assessment Board. Grading and “Climb-out” Awards of Pass Degree, Certificate of Higher Education or Diploma of Higher Education
24. The final outcomes of the above awards will be defined only in terms of Pass or Fail. However, student transcripts for these awards will indicate the level of a student’s performance in the individual modules completed.
a. A Pass Degree may be awarded at the discretion of the Award Assessment Board when a student achieves a pass in modules to the value of 200 credits at Level II and Level III of which not less than 80 credits are from Level 3. For candidates for a degree award with direct entry at Level 3 a Pass Degree may be awarded where a student achieves an overall pass in modules to the value of 80 credits and is deemed by the examiners to be worthy of this level of award.
For students registered on the Individual Studies route with direct entry at level 3 a Pass Degree may be awarded when a student achieves a pass in the Individual Project B module and in the Critical Review Module and is deemed by the examiners to be worthy of this level of award.
b. Students who enrol onto a full degree route but who subsequently withdraw before completion of the full award will be awarded a “climb-out” award of CertHE for 120 credits completed and DipHE for 240 credits completed. A written request from a student for a “climb-out” award will be treated as such a withdrawal and the student will be awarded the CertHE or DipHE if appropriate.
c. Where a student has been requested, in writing, to confirm their status as a current student but no reply has been received by the date specified in that correspondence, they will be ‘deemed to have withdrawn’ and be considered for a “climb-out” award as in 6 above.
d. The “climb-out” CertHE or DipHE can be awarded by the Award Assessment Board without reference to the student if all opportunities for progression have been exhausted.
e. The award parchments for climb-out CertHEs and DipHEs will be untitled; that is, they will show no subject title unless there is a specific validated title for this award.
Non-Completion of Assessment
Assessed work deadlines:
25. Students must submit all work for summative assessment by the formal deadline previously notified to them in writing at the beginning of the module. Failure to submit work by the deadline without valid reason (i.e. without having requested and been granted an extension to the deadline or having presented acceptable mitigating circumstances under the terms of the Mitigating Circumstances Regulations will result in the term NWS (no work submitted) being recorded in the relevant component assessment and will result in referral in the module overall.
Examinations
26. Students who, in the opinion of the Assessment Board, fail to attend an examination without valid reason, will be referred in the module overall.
27. In both 25 and 26 above, overall module outcomes will be recorded as “Refer (NWS)”.
Reassessment in Modules (Referral)
28. Where a student submits work but fails to achieve a pass (minimum pass grade is 3-) in any summative element of a module, the module outcome will be recorded as a referral and he/she will have the opportunity to be reassessed once only. In such cases or reassessment, the maximum grade attainable for the reassessed component will be 3-. The overall module outcome will be determined in the normal way (see 13-17 above).
29. Normally, students will be required only to be reassessed in the elements not passed.
30. Where a student has failed to complete assessment (see 25-27 above), the maximum grade attainable upon submission of previously non-submitted work, and for the module overall, will be 3-.
31. If at the reassessment attempt the referred work is still not of pass standard, the student will be deemed to have failed the module.
Failure in a Module
32. If a student is deemed to have failed a module, the relevant Assessment Board may permit the student to retake that module. If so, the student will be permitted one attempt only at all elements of assessment and the maximum grade attainable for the module overall will be 3-. If the module in question is mandatory, further failure will result in termination of the student’s studies on that route.
33. In the case of failure in a module, a student may be advised to take an alternative module and/or to transfer to an alternative course or programme either within or outside the Modular Degree Programme.
Condonement
34. In considering the award or degree classification and where a candidate’s
achievement in other modules at these levels warrants it, exceptionally, the Award Assessment Board may condone a failure of a single module at levels 1, 2 or 3. In exercising this discretion, the Board will also determine whether or not the award of credits for this module is appropriate.
Deferral in a Module
Consideration of Deferral cases is linked to the conditions of the Mitigating Circumstances Regulations.
35. If the Award Assessment Board - following advice from the Mitigating Circumstances Panel - deems that a student has presented acceptable evidence of mitigating circumstances in relation to one or more assessments, that/those assessment(s) will be deemed “deferred” and the student will be given the opportunity to present (or re-present) that/those assessment(s) without penalty (i.e. the full range of grades will be available). This will occur within the timescale stipulated under the terms of 37 below.
36. If a student is submitting a referred piece of work (as under 28-31) but mitigating circumstances are presented and accepted by the Award Assessment Board, the student will be given a further opportunity to re-present the assessment, under the terms of the original referral.
37. In cases of deferral, the relevant assessment board will determine the timescale for presentation/re-presentation of the assessment(s) in question.
38. Continuation or repetition of deferral status will be considered only if the relevant assessment board receives what it deems to be further acceptable evidence of mitigating circumstances.
39. If the relevant Assessment Board decides - following deferral - that it is in the student’s best interest to repeat the module, this may be undertaken as if for the first time.
Assessment Board
40. A University Campus Suffolk Assessment Board will be constituted in accordance with the Assessment Board Regulations at the end of each Semester covering each route within the Modular Degree Programme (Module Assessment Boards). The purpose of such Boards will be to recommend student grades for approval by each Award Assessment Board.
Academic Appeals
41. Students have a right to appeal against decisions of the Award Assessment Board in accordance with the Academic Appeals Regulations.
42. An Appeal should be made in writing to the Academic Registrar within ten working days of the date of written publication of results by the relevant Award Assessment Board.
Academic Misconduct
43. Academic misconduct, including cheating and plagiarism, is defined by the institutional policy on this issue. Allegations of academic misconduct will be dealt with as outlined in the policy. In the first instance all allegations will be reported to the Academic Registrar.
Aegrotat Award
44. An Aegrotat award may be recommended when the Award Assessment Board does not have enough evidence of the student's performance to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate or a lower award specified in these regulations, but where the Assessment Board is satisfied that but for illness or other valid cause the student would have reached the standard required.
45. Aegrotat awards may not carry any classification or distinction. At Degree level therefore the Aegrotat award is an unclassified degree.
Recognition of Credit without an Award
46. Where a student achieves a credit by passing modules but is not eligible for an award under the Modular Degree Programme, a student transcript will be issued identifying credit gained and the level of achievement in the module/s completed.
Requirements for Awards
Claiming an Award
47. A student is normally entitled to receive only one award within the Modular Degree Programme, which shall be conferred in respect of those modules with which the student has been credited at the time she/he leaves the programme.
48. Conferral occurs at a formal award ceremony - usually in the Autumn - and a student may not receive an award parchment or use his/her award title until formal conferral has taken place.
49. Where a student intends, for whatever reason, to leave the route on which she/he is registered and consequently wishes to claim an intermediate award, she/he shall notify the Chair of the Award Assessment Board in writing. Where a student is required by the Award Assessment Board to discontinue the course, the Board will automatically recommend the highest award for which she/he is eligible.
Maximum Period of Registration
50. The normal expectation is that a student will complete his/her award within the following maximum periods of registration:
|
Award
|
Full-time Study (in years)
|
|
|
|
Part-time Study (in years)
|
|
|
|
|
Entry at level
|
L0
|
L1
|
L2
|
L3
|
L0
|
L1
|
L2
|
L3
|
|
CertHE
|
4
|
3
|
|
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
DipHE
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
|
9
|
6
|
4
|
|
|
Honours degree
|
7
|
6
|
4
|
3
|
12
|
9
|
6
|
4
|
For students who are following a mixed mode programme, the maximum period of registration shall be calculated as if he/she were studying part-time.
Approved Programme of Study
51. Every student shall be registered on an approved programme of study within a named route and leading to a named award.
52. Route regulations shall specify the modules including core or mandatory modules where appropriate which must be taken by a student in order to achieve each named award and which must be passed.
53. They should also specify where the award is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a period of study outside the Institution for example a placement element, year abroad etc. If such study is formally assessed through a significant piece of work, students may, if the route regulations so specify, be awarded credits for successful completion, at a level specified in the route regulations and approved through the validation process.
54. The Award Assessment Board shall, in conferring an award, confirm the title of the award in the light of the student's programme of study and within the route regulations.
Assessment Boards
55. The MDP has a two-tier system of Assessment Boards, comprising Module Assessment Boards and Award Assessment Boards.
56. All Modular Degree Programme Assessment Boards, both at Module and Award Level shall comply with the Assessment Board Regulations.
57. A Module Assessment Board is a subcommittee of the Award Assessment Board but has independent powers in respect of the award of credit for individual modules. The Module Assessment Boards comprise:
-
Chair, (the relevant Associate Dean [or equivalent] or his/her nominee).
-
Secretary (normally the Route Leader).
-
The currently approved External Examiner/s.
-
The internal assessors, including all members of teaching staff responsible for setting and marking any assessments to be considered by the Board.
-
Level tutors.
-
Clerk.
58. The composition of the Award Assessment Board comprises:
-
The Chair, who shall be the Executive Dean of School or his/her nominee.
-
An Associate Dean as Secretary to the Board.
-
Representatives from the Module Assessment Boards for Routes contributing significantly to the Programme, nominated by those Boards and normally including the Chairs of those Boards.
-
The currently approved Senior External Examiner to the Award Board.
-
Clerk.
59. It is the responsibility of the relevant Executive Dean (or equivalent) to confirm to the Learning, Teaching and Quality Sub-Committee (LTQC) the membership of each Module Assessment Board for routes within his/her remit, in line with the agreed composition, in the Autumn term of each session. Any subsequent changes to approved membership must be agreed by the Chair of LTQC.
60. Members of an Assessment Board are required to give priority to attendance at meetings of the Board.
61. External Examiners are expected to attend Module Boards considering modules at Level 2 and 3 and where requested by the relevant Executive Dean. They are not required to attend Boards considering modules at Level 0 and/or at Level 1 only, except where a professional body may make such a requirement or where the external examiner himself/herself requests to be present.
62. An Assessment Board shall not normally be invalidated by the unavoidable absence of any internal member/s provided that the Chair and the Route Leader/s, as appropriate, are present, and are able to impart any relevant information that the absent member would have contributed.
63. An Assessment Board shall not be invalidated by the unavoidable absence of one or more external examiners, provided that
-
sufficient expertise is available to enable the Board to adequately fulfil its role;
-
any examiner unable to be present has reviewed assessments in those parts of the course for which s/he is responsible, and provided comments to the Board, and has signified his/her consent to the continuation of the Board in his/her absence, and his/her willingness to accept the final decisions of the Board.
64. The Chair and Secretary of an Assessment Board must agree at the outset of the Board that sufficient knowledge and expertise is available to fulfil its role. They may declare that a meeting of the Board is invalid where they consider that the absence of certain members is likely to jeopardise the soundness of the Board's decisions.
65. Where an external examiner is unavoidably absent from an Assessment Board, at least one external examiner must consent to the decisions of the Board. This consent must be conveyed in writing to the Chair of the Assessment Board.
Authority of Module and School Assessment Boards
66. Within the MDP, Module Assessment Board controls all assessments at all levels within Routes. The Module Board is responsible - in conjunction with the external examiners appropriate to that route for:
-
determining the procedures whereby examination questions, dissertation titles and other assessed work are set, scrutinised and approved within the terms of the notes for guidance for examinations.
-
confirming the extent to which students may have access to materials such as calculators, printed text, or reference materials, during formal examinations and course work texts;
-
determining the module outcome grade for each student;
-
determining, in the case of a student who has failed the module, in whole or in part, whether the student shall be permitted to be reassessed in the module; the elements in which reassessment is required, and the date by which reassessment shall be completed;
-
ensuring that in the case of a student who is asked to resubmit whole or part of the summative assessment, adequate academic support is available during the period assigned to the student for the resubmission of summative assessment
-
determining what action shall be taken under Programme regulations in the case of a candidate failing or failing to sit or submit part or all of the assessment;
-
ensuring that the integrity of the academic standard of the award is observed;
-
making recommendations to the relevant Award Board on any matters relating to assessment;
-
any other matters attributed to it in the relevant Programme assessment regulations or referred to it by Academic Board or its committees.
67. Module Assessment Boards will transmit to the Award Assessment Board a results statement for each module within the Route, together with recommendations which relate to the exercise of the above responsibilities.
68. The Award Assessment Board receives agreed module results from relevant Module Assessment Boards and is responsible for:
-
recommending the award of qualifications and the classification where relevant;
-
determining whether a candidate has complied with the assessment requirements of the Programme and its regulations;
-
ensuring that the integrity of the academic standards of the awards is observed;
-
determining whether a failed module can be condoned; making recommendations to the Faculty on any matters relating to the assessment of the Programme;
-
any other matters assigned to it in the relevant Programme assessment regulations or referred to it by Academic Board or its committees.
-
transmitting to the Academic Registrar conferment lists for the awards under consideration.
-
determining where a student's progress is such that he/she should be excluded from the programme on academic grounds within the context of the MDP framework. A decision that a student shall be excluded shall automatically override any decisions of a preceding Module Assessment Board as to reassessment;
Notwithstanding the above, the Award Assessment Board may not alter module grades approved at a Module Assessment Board.
Assessment Board Meetings
69. Within the MDP framework, Module Boards will normally meet twice in each academic session. Meetings shall be scheduled no later than week 15 of the semester. Any Module Board which wishes to meet outside this schedule must obtain the prior authorisation of the Academic Registrar. Where the Module Board has approved reassessment in one or more modules in the following September, the Module Board may also be required to meet in September to confirm results of resit examinations and resubmitted course work.
70. The Award Assessment Board will also meet bi-annually at the end of each semester and in September as required to consider the results of resit examinations and resubmitted course work. Meetings of the Award Board shall not normally be scheduled earlier than week 15 of the semester.
71. Dates of meetings of Assessment Boards will normally be agreed at the end of each academic session for all prospective meetings during the next session.