ACADEMIC AWARD REGULATIONS : Undergraduate Modular Framework

CONTENTS 1.1 The Undergraduate Modular Framework 1.1.1 Levels 1.1.2 Modules and Credits 1.1.3 Awards of the Framework 1.1.4 Registration 1.2 Your Award 1.2.1 Your Award Structure 1.2.2 Single, Joint and Major/Minor Awards 1.2.3 Module Enrolment 1.2.4 Student Workload 1.3 Attendance 1.4 Assessment 1.4.1 Module Assessment 1.4.2 Breaches of Assessment Regulations: Academic Dishonesty 1.4.3 Submission and Late Submission of Coursework 1.4.4 Module Results/Assessment Referencing Criteria 1.4.5 Module Failure 1.4.6 Extenuating Circumstances 1.5 Progression

1.6 Progression within Foundation Degree 1.7 Progression from Level 1 to Level 2 1.8 Progression from Level 2 to Level 3 for Placement Students 1.9 Progression from Level 2 to Level 3 1.10 The Conferment Awards 1.10.1 Eligibility for your Award 1.10.2 Criteria for Awards with Merit 1.10.3 Criteria for Awards with Distinction 1.11 Honours Degree 1.12 The Determination of Honours Classification 1.12.1 Stage 1 – Your Overall Score 1.12.2 Stage 2 – Consideration of Your Level 3 Results 1.13 Pass Degree 1.14 Award of Foundation Degrees 1.15 Award of a Degree where Extenuating Circumstances Have Been Upheld 1.16 Review of an Assessment of Award Board Decision

1.17 Glossary of terms

ACADEMIC AWARD REGULATIONS :

Undergraduate Modular Framework for APIIT Approval Authority Version Date Responsibility for Update Academic Board 09/07/03 Academic Registrar Amended 06.02.06 1.1 The Undergraduate Modular Framework

The Undergraduate Modular Framework is the system through which you will work in order to meet the requirements for the award for which you have registered. The majority of undergraduate awards at Staffordshire University comply with its structures and principles. The Framework is modular so, in order to complete your chosen award, you must successfully complete particular modules at particular Levels which form the structure of your award. 1.1.1 Levels

Levels are broadly equivalent to academic years of full-time undergraduate study. Level 1 modules are normally appropriate to first year undergraduates, Level 2 modules to second year Undergraduates and Level 3 modules to third year undergraduates. Some awards, for example the MEng award, have incorporated a fourth Level of undergraduate study known as Level 4. Part-time students will often study modules at a mix of Levels at any one time.

1.1.2 Modules and Credits

Every module is allocated to a Level. Every module is identified by a unique code the suffix of which indicates its Level. For example a Level 2 module is shown by its -2 suffix. Credits are the number of points earned by a student for successful completion of modules. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, normally associated with the total learning time required for successful completion of that module. The credit rating of all undergraduate modules is normally either 10 or a multiple of 10. Credits are also sometimes referred to as CATS points (you should read the glossary item on CATS for more details). The delivery pattern of multiple modules over semesters will vary according to the module. Some are delivered over two semesters, some wholly within one semester. You must make sure that you know the delivery pattern of all multiple modules for which you enrol. You should read the glossary items on modules, credit and CATS for more details.

1.1.3 Awards of the Framework

You will have been admitted to the University on a named award. This will include both the subject area and the title of the qualification you are aiming to achieve. In order to complete your award you must complete modules whose credits total the requirements listed below:

Title of the Qualification Credits Required

Certificate in Higher Education 120 credits at Level 1or higher Diploma in Higher Education 240 credits including at least

120 at Level 2 or higher Foundation Degree 240 credits including at least

120 at Level I (2) or higher Unclassified Degree 360 credits including at least

60 at Level 3 and not more than 120 at Level 1

Honours Degree 360 credits including at least

120 at Level 3 and not more than 120 at Level 1

MEng* 480 credits including at least

120 at each of Levels 3 and 4 and not more than 120 at Level 1

MPhys* 480 credits including at least

240 at Level 3. Must also have completed Levels 1 and 2 of the corresponding BSc award.

MChem* 480 credits including at least

240 at Level 3. Must also have completed Levels 1 and 2 of the corresponding BSc award.

A Certificate of Higher Education is a general award, not one in which the award title includes the name of the subject area(s). A Diploma in Higher Education will be awarded in a named area only if the modules studied map exactly onto the award structure of Levels 1 and 2 of a Single Honours award. *These awards have award specific regulations that will provided to you by the Faculty/School which owns the award.

1.1.4 Registration

You have a maximum of eight years from when you first register for your award to complete that award. The number of credits required at each Level of your award must be completed within four years of starting that Level. These time scales apply equally to full-time and part-time students. If you find that you need to take longer than either of these time limits allow, you must apply to the Academic Registrar for permission.

You will only be awarded the award for which you have registered. For example, if you have registered on an Honours Degree programme you should, in the course of your studies, find that you have met the requirements for a Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) and then for Diploma in Higher Education (Dip HE). At these points the Award Board will confirm your eligibility to receive these awards, but it will not automatically award you either a Cert HE or a Dip HE.

However, if you subsequently withdraw from your studies before completing your degree, the highest award for which you are eligible will automatically be made to you and your certificate sent to you.

1.2 Your Award

1.2.1. Your Award Structure

Every modular award comprises a set of modules determined in advance by the Award Team and ratified by the University’s Academic Board. You will normally receive an award structure for your award upon enrolment and this will tell you which modules you will need to study. In order to complete the award for which you have registered you must complete the modules specified. The set of modules specific to each award is called an Award Structure. The credits for the modules specified in your award structure (Core and Option modules) are called specific credits.

You may also be required to take some extra modules in order to make up the credit requirements for your award. These will be Elective modules at Level 1 and General Option Group modules at Levels 2 and 3.

The credits for these Elective and General Option Group modules are called general credits.

1.2.2 Single, Joint and Major/Minor Awards

If you have enrolled for an Honours Degree Programme your award will have been designated either a Single Honours award or a Joint Honours award. Unclassified Degree Programmes will also be designated as Single or Joint awards but they are not available with Honours. Single awards concentrate largely on one subject area or on one integrated set of subject areas. Joint awards give equal weighting to two main subject areas. Once you have completed Level 1 of a Joint award you may decide that you wish to give more emphasis to one of your chosen subject areas than to the other. In order to do this you must transfer to the Major/Minor route.

If you do not meet the specific credit requirements for your Single, Joint or Major/Minor award you will not be eligible for consideration for that award. The numbers of credits required for Single, Joint and Major/Minor Honours awards are as follows: Single Honours - total of 360 credits including:

Main Subject Area Electives/General Option Total (Specific Credits) Group Modules Credits

(General Credits)

Level 1 no less than 80 no more than 40 120 Level 2 no less than 100 no more than 20 120 Level 3 no less than 100 no more than 20 120 Total no less than 280 no more than 80 360

Joint Honours - total of 360 credits including: Subject Area A Subject Area B Electives/General Total (Specific Credits) (Specific Credits) Option Group Credits

Modules (General Credits)

Level 1 no less than 40 no less than 40 no more than 40 120 Level 2 no less than 50 no less than 50 no more than 20 120 Level 3 no less than 50 no less than 50 no more than 20 120 Total no less than 140 no less than 140 no more than 80 360

Major/Minor Honours - total of 360 credits including: Major Subject Minor Subject Electives/General Total Area Area Option Group Credits (Specific Credits) (Specific Credits) Modules Level 1 no less than 40 no less than 40 no more than 40 120 Level 2 no less than 70 no less than 30 no more than 20 120 Level 3 no less than 70 no less than 30 no more than 20 120 Total no less than 180 no less than 100 no more than 80 360.

1.2.3 Module Enrolment

The Award structure for your award will normally specify some modules as ‘Core’. These are compulsory modules and must be taken in order to complete your chosen award. You may also find that some modules are listed as Options. Option modules are those which must be studied, and which you select from within a prescribed set for a particular named award. If you are required to study some option modules, you must choose modules attracting the specified number of credits. Since Core and Option modules are specified by your award structure the credits earned by the study of Core and Option modules are known as specific credits.

You will have seen from the section on Single, Joint and Major/Minor awards the total number of credits you will have to achieve at each Level for your award. In most cases the number of specific credits in your award structure will be less than this requirement. If this is the case, then you must make up the shortfall by taking some extra modules of your choice. At Level 1 these are known as Elective modules which you may choose from anywhere in the University, subject to such constraints as availability and time-tabling. At Levels 2 and 3 these will be General Option Group modules which you may choose from a list attached to your award. Elective modules and General Option Group modules do not contribute to the count of specific credits required to qualify for a Single, Joint or Major/Minor award. In this respect the credits earned by the study of Elective modules and General Option Group modules are known as general credits.

All students following Undergraduate Modular Framework awards must complete a module registration form. It is your responsibility to make sure that your choice of modules matches the award structure for your award at each and every Level.

In addition you must ensure that you have registered for the correct number of credits at each Level and that the status of each module (as Core, Option or Additional Elective) is correctly recorded. If you study additional modules at a lower level these cannot contribute to credits needed at a higher level. If this information is not correct you may not be eligible for consideration for the award for which you have registered.

Exceptionally you may be allowed to change your choice of modules. This will only be allowed in cases where there is a sound academic justification for the change. Any change you make to your choice of modules must be made within two weeks

of the start of the module if you are enrolled on Level 2 or Level 3 of your award or within three weeks of the start of the module if you are enrolled on Level 1. If you change modules subsequent to registration you must complete a module amendment form. It is very important that both our and your records are correct. If you are recorded as studying for a module you will be eligible for assessment in that module. If we do not know that you have withdrawn from a module you could be recorded as having failed it. Alternatively, if we do not know that you are studying a new module, any assessment undertaken may not be entered onto your records.

1.2.4 Student Workload

Each module attracts a number of credits based on the time required to successfully complete the module. For every 10 credits you are normally expected to put in 80 hours of work (including tutor-led activities and independent study).

The number of credits for which you study in each academic year will determine your status as a full-time or part-time student. A full-time student will normally study modules totalling 120 credits in each academic year. However, as a full-time student you may choose to study modules totalling between 100 and 150 credits per year (inclusive). If you choose to study modules totalling fewer than 120 credits (i.e. 100 or 110) in a year you must make up the missing credits before you will be allowed to graduate. A full-time student may not take modules totalling less than 100 credits in any one academic year. In addition, full-time students are not allowed to study modules totalling more than 80 credits in any one semester.

If you are a part-time student you are not allowed to study modules totalling more than 90 credits in any one academic year, although you might study less than this. The exact number will vary according to the structure of your chosen award. In addition, part-time students are not allowed to study modules totalling more than 50 credits in any one semester.

If you choose to study modules totalling more than 120 credits at any one Level then you must make sure that the extra modules are either recorded as being associated with a lower Level (e.g. if you choose a Level 2 General Option instead of a Level 1 Elective it must be recorded against your Level 1 profile) or are recorded as “additional” modules at the same Level. Additional modules are entirely separate from your award - they cannot be used as either general or specific credit to count towards your award nor to count towards progression to the next level. It is important therefore, that additional modules are identified as such so that the Award Board can properly establish your eligibility for your award.

1.3 Attendance Your attendance is required at all teaching sessions for the modules for which you have enrolled. Sessions include all tutor-led activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials and presentations. “Sessions” should not be interpreted as “weeks”. For small group sessions (sessions which involve a sub-set of the whole module cohort) you must attend the sessions to which you have been assigned. If you are absent from a module(s) or programme of study on four consecutive occasions in a semester, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory based classes for reason other than personal illness without the written approval of the appropriate tutor or Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor in which your award is based you may be deemed to have withdrawn from the module(s) or programme of study and your registration on that module(s) or programme of studies cancelled. You may be excluded from further teaching, denied access to examinations and refused the opportunity to submit assessment for the module or award. You will therefore need to seek permission to start again on the same module (or a replacement where applicable) or award the following year. This may affect your eligibility to progress to the next Level of your award, it may lead to the withdrawal by your Local Education Authority of your fees and/or grant, and it may render you ineligible to receive a Student Loan.

If you are unable to attend for up to five working days through illness you must complete a self-certification form and hand it in to your Faculty/School Office. If you are unable to attend for longer than five working days through illness then you must obtain a medical note from your doctor and hand that in to your Faculty/School Office. If your absence/illness affects any aspect of your assessment you may be eligible to submit a claim for extenuating circumstances. For further details of this you should read the Procedures for the Making a Claim for Extenuating Circumstances.

1.4 Assessment

1.4.1 Module Assessment You will be assessed in every module for which you enrol. You may be required to undertake more than one element of assessment for a module, and you will be given information on what is expected of you at the start of the module. The assessment will be linked to the teaching and learning methods of the module. A range of assessment methods may be used including formal examinations, class tests, essays, projects and case studies. All assessment must be treated with equal gravity.

1.4.2 Breaches of Assessment Regulations - Academic Dishonesty Cheating and/or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated at Staffordshire University and will be dealt with very seriously. Cheating is defined as any attempt to complete an examination or assessment by unfair means. Plagiarism is defined as submitting the work of others as your own for the purposes of satisfying assessment requirements. Plagiarism also includes allowing your work to be copied by another student. The University’s “Procedure for Dealing with Breaches of Assessment Regulations: Academic Dishonesty” will give you more detail about what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and about what happens if you are suspected of cheating or plagiarism. This Procedure is included as Appendix III of the Regulations for the Academic Awards of Staffordshire University. It is your responsibility to make sure you read, understand and comply with it.

1.4.3 Submission and Late Submission of Coursework You must submit all pieces of assessment required for each module on or before the submission date for each piece of assessment. Failure to do so may result in failure of the module overall. The submission date will be specified for each piece of assessment for each module. It is your responsibility to make sure you know when your submission dates are and to comply with them. Failure to meet this deadline will be treated as a non-submission and a Grade Point 0 will be awarded for that component.

The only exceptions to these rules apply where a valid claim for extenuating circumstances can be made. For further details you should read the Procedures for the Making a Claim for Extenuating Circumstances. 1.4.4 Module Results/Assessment Referencing Criteria You will be given a result for your performance in each module. Your result will be determined by the appropriate Assessment Board by considering the relevant assessment criteria.

The table below provides the basis upon which field-specific assessment referencing criteria are built. It forms the structure which is used as a basis for the University’s threshold standards. Field-specific criteria will provide more details and they may be different for each Level.

Levels 1, 2 and 3 Grade Points Associated Honours Classification

Knowledge Communication Analysis

15, 14, 13, First Class 12, 11, 10 Second Class (Upper Division) 7,8,9 Second Class (Lower Division) 4, 5, 6 Third Class

Subject/discipline-specific knowledge is used to illuminate the task and to make links with related issues/tasks i.e. a capability of extending particular analysis to other issues/tasks; where appropriate discipline/paradigm boundaries are recognised and critical awareness demonstrated. Subject/discipline specific knowledge is used to illuminate the task. There is evidence that subject specific knowledge related to the core issues or tasks has been selected. There is evidence of subject/discipline/ specific knowledge.

The structure is clear; the form of Communication/ Medium selected is Appropriate to the task; the argument is clear and coherently developed; appropriate technical and/or conceptual language or set of skills is used with confidence. The structure is clear; the form of communication/ medium selected is appropriate to the task; overall the argument is concise and coherently developed; an appropriate technical and/or conceptual language is used with reasonable confidence The structure is broadly appropriate, elements of development/ progression and basic concepts are correctly used. One or two elements of an appropriate structure are present.

The focus of the question/problem/ task is understood and significant related issues are identified; theory and concepts are deployed in a manner which is critically self aware; ability to deploy competing/alternative analyses/ perspectives/ solutions is apparent. The focus of the question/ problem/task is understood; key issues are understood and one or two related issues identified; analytical techniques/methods are theoretically informed; some awareness of competing/alternative analyses/ perspectives/solution is apparent. The focus of the question/ problem/task is understood; key issues identified. The focus of the question/ problem/task is understood and one or two issues identified.

3, 2 Compensatable Fail 1 Non-Compensatable Fail 0 Non-Submission Fail

Subject/discipline specific knowledge is present but is anecdotal, scant and/or confused. Insufficient subject/discipline specific knowledge is not present. None

The structure is partial and/or confused. Appropriate concepts are referred to but are poorly expressed. The structure is inappropriate or missing. None

Key issues are ignored and there is little evidence of understanding of concepts. There is sufficient evidence of appropriate analysis or conceptual language. None

The result awarded by the Assessment Board will be reported to the Award Board. The Award Board will consider your performance in all the modules for which you have registered. The Award Board will award you the credits for the modules in which you have earned a pass grade and make decisions on what to do about any modules for which you have been given a fail grade (i.e. a Grade Point 0, 1, 2 or 3).

Where no Assessment Boards have met at the end of Semester 1, provisional results may be issued but these are subject to confirmation by the Award Board. Consequently provisional results may be altered as a result of confirmation by the Assessment and Award Board process. 1.4.5 Module Failure

If the Assessment Board has reported a fail grade in any of your modules then the Award Board will, on the recommendation of the Assessment Board, decide upon the course of action to be taken. The credits for all modules, including failed modules, must be obtained in order for you to qualify for your chosen award and this can be done in one of the following ways, which will be decided by the Award Board.

If the Assessment Board has reported a Compensatable Fail in a module then the Award Board may, at its discretion, decide to award you the credits associated with the module on one of the following grounds:

You have proved yourself competent in the subject area of the

failed module by your successful completion of other module(s) from within the same Field/Area.

You have proved yourself competent in the breadth of subjects within your award by your successful completion of other modules at this Level or higher.

The result then awarded for this module shall be “Compensated Pass” and it will be recorded as 4C. No further assessment will be necessary. The 4 will contribute to the overall score if awarded at Level 2 but not if it has been awarded by the Level 3 Award Board. No more than 30 credits at any one Level can be awarded a Compensated Pass*. Partial compensation of a module (i.e. awarding some, but not all, of the credits associated with a module) is not allowed. Where more than 30 credits have been failed no compensation may be applied.

For full-time students a Compensated Pass can be awarded in a module(s) only when 90 credits or more at the Level of the failed module or higher have been successfully completed. For part-time students a Compensated Pass can be awarded in a module(s) only when 40 credits or more at the Level of the failed module or higher have been successfully completed. This is to ensure that .part-time students do not have to wait until they have completed a whole Level of their award (which may take up to four years) before they find out whether or not they have been referred.

At Level 2 a compensated pass may be awarded to no more than 20 failed credits at Level 1 on the basis of a good performance at Level 2, provided that a Grade Point 1 has been achieved. At Level 3 a compensated pass may be awarded to no more than 20 failed credits at Level 2 on the basis of a good performance at Level 3, provided that a Grade Point 1 has been achieved. Special Note: Where a Compensated Pass has been awarded for a Level 3 module this may affect the Honours classification of the Degree. At Level 3, the Award Board may, at its discretion, award a Compensated Pass for a Level 3 module for which a Grade Point 1 (not zero) has been reported. You should read the section on Honours Degrees for more details.

If the Assessment Board has reported a Non-Compensatable Fail, or if the Award Board has decided not to award you credits by compensation then you will be required to undergo further assessment on the subject matter covered by the module. This is in order to satisfy the Boards that you are capable of a satisfactory performance and is known as “referral”. The form of assessment will be determined by the Award Board, on the recommendation of the Assessment Board, as will the deadline for submission/period of the examination. The Award Board may decide that along with a form of assessment you need to attend the classes for the module again. This may be because the module is laboratory based, or requires specialist equipment or because your performance indicates that you would benefit from attendance. In such cases, where your timetable does not prevent you from attending, attendance is compulsory. If you are not required to attend, you will normally be required to attempt the re-assessment before the beginning of the next academic year. You must make

yourself available to undertake such assessment as the Award Board requires at this time. If you do not meet the referral requirements determined by the Award Board at the time prescribed by the Award Board you will be deemed to have failed the module at that attempt. The maximum mark awarded for a successfully completed referred module is a Grade Point 4. The suffix R will be used to indicate that the module was successfully completed at the second attempt. The result will be recorded as 4R. If your module comprises more than one component of assessment and the Award Board refers you in one or more components, that referred component(s) will be recorded at a maximum of Grade Point 4; those components not subject to referral will retain their original mark. If you have failed an Option module, an Elective module or a General Option Group module you may choose not to undertake the further assessment required by the Award Board, but to replace the failed module with another of the same or greater credits. Optional modules can only be replaced with modules from within the same option group. Elective modules can be replaced with any module at the same Level or higher. General Option Group modules can be replaced with modules from the lists of General Options attached to your award or from the specific options available within your award at the same Level or higher. The maximum mark awarded for a successfully completed replacement module is a Grade Point 4. The suffix + will be used to indicate that it is a replacement module. The result will be recorded as 4+. You should also read the glossary item on Replacement. At Levels 1, 2 and 3 you will only be allowed to attempt referrals once; the second attempt will be the last attempt. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory performance at the second attempt and are not awarded a compensated pass, then the module result will be deemed a Confirmed Fail. Options, Electives and General Option Group modules which have been awarded a Confirmed Fail may be replaced as previously described where this is possible. Core modules cannot normally be replaced. If you are awarded a Confirmed Fail for a Core module then you will not be able to meet the requirements of your chosen award and will not be permitted to continue on that award. You may, however, at the discretion of the Award Board, be able to retake the module in its entirety, except in circumstances where a GP0 has been awarded for both the original attempt and the referral. In such cases, you will not be allowed to retake the module. Retaking a module means that you will have to undertake all the elements of assessment attached to the module, even if you have previously obtained a pass mark in one or more of these. The maximum mark for a retaken module is Grade Point 4. The suffix K will be used to indicate that

it is a retaken module. If you fail one or more elements, your results will be treated as indicated in Section 1.4.5, except that retaken modules carry no reassessment entitlement. A module may be retaken on one occasion only. A summary of the number of attempts available at each Level is as follows: Level 0,1, 2 and 3 modules: Two attempts including the first attempt, then, at the discretion of the Award Board, retake the entire module. Your right to be re-assessed in modules at Levels 1 and 2 expires 18 months after the date of the Award Board which considered your initial attempt at the module; for Level 3 modules this right expires after 12 months. Exceptionally the Award Board may refer to your previous attempt in determining the operation of compensation but only in cases where you have made an attempt at the reassessment. Review of an Assessment or Award Board Decision Students who wish to request a review of an Award Board decision may do so in accordance with the appropriate University.Procedures for Review of an Examination Board Decision as detailed in the University’s Academic Awards Regulations. 1.4.6 Extenuating Circumstances If, having submitted a claim for extenuating circumstances, your claim is upheld, the Assessment Board may take one of the following actions: i. confirm the grade achieved ii. refer the matter to the Award Board for decision iii. exceptionally raise the grade based on sufficient evidence of

your performance elsewhere In the case of i, ii, or iii above, you will be given the opportunity either to accept the grade achieved or submit for further assessment in that module (or components of that module) which you had claimed had been affected by extenuating circumstances. If you are a final year student and the extenuating circumstances affected your performance in Semester 1, and if your claim is upheld, you will be given the choice of taking your one further assessment during Semester 2 in order that you can graduate that year, or taking it at the next available opportunity.

If you decide to submit for further assessment in the module (or components of that module) which were upheld to have been affected by extenuating circumstances, and you obtain a higher grade than the original grade, the higher grade will be recorded. If you obtain a lower grade than the original grade, the original grade will be recorded. If you have had your claim for extenuating circumstances upheld against a number of modules (or components of modules) you must decide which modules (or components on modules), if any, you wish to submit for further assessment. You must make that decision by informing your home Faculty/School, within ten working days of the decision of the relevant examination board being notified to you, in writing, which module(s) (or components of module(s)) you have decided to submit for further assessment. A proforma for such purposes is available from your Faculty/School Office. If you do not return the proforma within the ten working days specified, your home Faculty/School will assume that you do not wish to submit for further assessment. It is therefore your responsibility to abide by this deadline.

1.5 Progression

In order to study some modules at Levels 2 and 3 you may be require to have completed certain other modules at the previous Level. These are known as pre-requisite modules. Even if you have been allowed to progress to the next Level of your award you will not be allowed to study any of the modules at that Level for which you have not met the pre-requisites. If you are a full-time student you will normally study modules at the Level for which you have registered. You will not normally be allowed to study modules at a Level to which you have not yet progressed. If you are a part-time student you may need to study modules at a mix of Levels depending on the structure of your award and on the availability of modules. Where extenuating circumstances have meant that you have not met the conditions for progression your Award Board may, at its discretion, allow you to progress despite not having yet met those conditions.

1.6 Progression within Foundation Degree

If you are studying on a Foundation Degree by part-time mode, you will not be required to pass or complete successfully all of the first stage (Certificate level) before you can progress to the second stage (Intermediate level).

1.7 Progression from Level 1 to Level 2

Once you have achieved at least 90 credits at Level 1 you may progress to Level 2 of your award. Any outstanding credits must still be retrieved, but these will not prevent you from commencing study at Level 2. If you have achieved, or been awarded, less than 90 credits you may not proceed to Level 2. You may be allowed to enrol as a part-time student on your award and attempt retrieval of the failed modules during the following year. Once you have met the conditions for progression you will be allowed to revert to full-time status and proceed as described.

1.8 Progression from Level 2 to Level 3 for Placement Students

If your award requires you to complete a placement between Levels 1 and 2 you will not normally be allowed to progress to that placement until you have completed or been awarded at least 90 credits at Level 1. If your award requires you to complete a placement between Levels 2 and 3 you will not normally be allowed to progress to that placement until you have achieved at least 190 credits including at least 70 at Level 2. If the placement forms part of a Level of your award you will need to have progressed to that Level before you can commence your placement. Following your placement in order to progress to Level 3, you must satisfy the requirements of Regulation 1.9 below.

1.9 Progression from Level 2 to Level 3

Once you have achieved at least 220 credits, including at least 100 at Level 2 and successfully completed any placements required by your award at this stage you may progress to Level 3 of your award. If you have.progressed to a placement with only 210 credits then at least 10 credits must be retrieved before you will be allowed to progress to Level 3. Any outstanding credits must still be retrieved, but these will not prevent you from commencing study at Level 3. If you have achieved, or been awarded, less than 220 credits, including at least 100 at Level 2, you may not proceed to Level 3. You may be allowed to enrol as a part-time student on your award and attempt retrieval of the failed modules during the following year. Once you have met the conditions for progression you will be allowed to revert to full-time status and proceed as described.

1.10 The Conferment of Awards 1.10.1 Eligibility for your Award

Once you reach the end of your award the Award Board for your award will consider whether you have met all the requirements for successful completion of the award (see also sections on module enrolment and student workload). If you have met the requirements the Award Board will grant you that award. At the same time they will alo consider whether you should be awarded a Distinction or an Honours classification if this is appropriate to your award. If an Assessment Board has recommended a failure in any of your modules the Award Board will determine the course of action for retrieval of those modules, as previously described. If you are to retrieve a failure by referral (or replacement where applicable) you will not be considered for the award until that referral (or replacement) is successfully completed. You will be referred in any Level 3 module only once - if you fail it at the second attempt and the failure is not compensated or replaced your

module failure will be confirmed. This will render you ineligible for an Honours degree at this stage and the Award Board will consider your eligibility for either a Pass Degree or an intermediate award (CertHE or DipHE). You should read the section on the Pass Degree for more details.

1.10.2 Criteria for Awards with Merit If you have enrolled for a Certificate in Higher Education, have completed the requirements of your award and have achieved a Grade Point 10 (or Higher) in at least 60 specific credits, you will be awarded a Certificate in Higher Education with Merit. If you have enrolled for a Diploma in Higher Education, have completed the requirements for your award and have achieved either: a) A Grade Point 10 (or higher) in at least 60 specific credits at

Level 2 or b) A Grade Point 9 (or higher) in at least 70 specific credits at Level

2 and at least a Grade Point 7 in all other Level 2 modules then you will be awarded a Diploma in Higher Education with Merit.

1.10.3 Criteria for Awards with Distinction

If you have enrolled for a Certificate in Higher Education, have completed the requirements for your award and have achieved a Grade Point 13 (or higher) in at least 60 specific credits, you will be awarded a Certificate in Higher Education with Distinction. If you have enrolled for a Diploma in Higher Education, have completed the requirements for your award and achieved either:. a) a Grade Point 13 (or higher) in at least 60 specific credits at

Level 2 or: b) a Grade Point 12 (or higher) in at least 70 specific credits at

Level 2 and at least a Grade Point 10 in all other Level 2 modules

then you will be awarded a Diploma in Higher Education with Distinction.

If you have enrolled for an Unclassified Degree, have completed the requirements for your awards and achieved either: a) Grade Point 13 (or higher) in at least 30 specific credits at Level

3 and at least 90 specific credits at Level 2 or: b) 140 credits at Level 2 or higher, of which at least 40 are at

Level 3, at Grade Point 12 and if no Level 2 or 3 module is lower than Grade Point 10

then you will be awarded a Degree with Distinction. If you have enrolled for an MEng, have met all the requirements of the award and achieved an average grade point of 13 or more over 120 credits at Level M, then you will be awarded an Meng with Distinction. No other awards may be granted with Distinction.

1.11 Honours Degrees

If you have enrolled for an Honours Degree programme and met the requirements for completion of your award then the Award Board will consider awarding your degree with Honours. Honours are classified as follows: First Class Honours Second Class Honours (Upper Division) Second Class Honours (Lower Division) Third Class Honours If you have not met the conditions for Honours you may be referred in some of your modules. At this point the Award Board may decide to set a ceiling on the maximum Honours classification available to you, once you have completed those referrals. The Award Board may also wish to consider you for the award of a Pass Degree. You should read the section on the Pass Degree for more details. If you have enrolled for an MChem or an MPhys and met the requirements for completion of your award then the Award Board will consider awarding you an MChem or an MPhys with Honours. This will be done according to the award-specific regulations for those awards. If you have not met the criteria for the MChem or MPhys then the Award Board will determine your result according to the award-specific regulations for those awards.

1.12 The Determination of Honours Classification

1.12.1 Stage 1 - Your Overall Score In determining your degree classification the Award Board will consider your performance in all modules at both Levels 2 and 3. Having checked that you have passed all the modules and satisfied all the requirements of your award the Award Board will consider your overall score in modules at Levels 2 and 3. This overall score will be determined by taking into account all your Level 2 module results and giving them a 30% weighting, and all your Level 3 module results and giving them a 70% weighting. The size of

multiple modules will also be taken into account by counting the grade point achieved in a 10 credit module once, in a 20 credit module twice, in a 30 credit module three times and so on. Exactly 120 credits at each of Levels 2 and 3 will be taken into account. You must make sure that you have completed exactly the right number. You.must ensure that any modules which you have studied at a higher Level than that against which they are to count are recorded against that lower Level, rather than against the Level of the module. Any Additional modules you have taken must be recorded as “Additional” rather than Core, Option or General Option Group modules. This must be done at the point of module enrolment - it cannot be done once you have completed the module. You should note that additional module will not be taken into account when determining your degree classification. You should read the sections on Module Enrolment and Student Workload very carefully for more details on this issue. Where compensation is awarded by a Level 3 Award Board (to either Level 2 or Level 3) the original Grade Point achieved will contribute to the overall score. In summary then:

Overall Score = 30% of total grade points at Level 2 + 70% of total grade points at Level 3 For students who have been admitted to the University at Level 3 (i.e. have not studied 120 credits at Level 2 at this University) the overall score will normally be 100% of the total grade points at Level 3. Any available academic history may, at the discretion of the Award Board, be considered where appropriate.

For students who have been awarded credits through the Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L) scheme the overall score will need to take this into account. A procedure has been developed in order to ensure that such students are not disadvantaged. The Procedure for Dealing with AP(E)L in Determining Degree Classification is available on request from the Academic Registrar. You should also read the glossary item on AP(E)L. Your overall score will determine your “base” classification as follows: Overall Score Base Classification 156+ First Class Honours 120 – 155 Second Class Honours (Upper Division) 84 – 119 Second Class Honours (Lower Division) 48 – 83 Third Class Honours 47 or less Refer to Pass Degree

If you have met the requirements for your award you will be awarded at least your “base” classification.

1.12.2 Stage 2 - Consideration of your Level 3 Results

Finally the Award Board will consider whether your performance in modules at Level 3 (your profile) suggests that you should be awarded a higher classification than the “base” indicated by your overall score. If you have passed all your Level 3 modules at Grade Point 4 (not including Compensated Pass) or above and if 80 credits or more within your Level 3 profile are in a higher classification band than your “base” you will be awarded the next classification up from your “base”. If you have passed all your Level 3 modules at Grade Point 4 (not including Compensated Pass) or above and 50 to 70 credits within your Level 3 profile are in a higher classification band than your “base”, classification the Award Board may, at its discretion, decide to award the next classification up from your “base”. The Award Board has the discretion to determine whether or not to award a Compensated Pass using the criteria outlined in section 4.6 Module Failure. No more than 30 credits at any one Level can be awarded a Compensated Pass. If a Compensated Pass has been awarded in 10 or 20 credits at Level 3 where the original Grade Point was 1, the Award Board will award your “base” classification. No more than 20 Level 3 credits at Grade Point 1 may be awarded a Compensated Pass. If a Compensated Pass has been awarded to a total of 30 credits at Level 3, the Award Board will award your “base” classification. If a Compensated Pass has been awarded to 10 or 20 credits at Level 3 where the original Grade Point was 2 or 3, and 70 credits or more within your Level 3 profile are in a higher classification band than your “base” classification, the Award Board may, at its discretion, decide to award the next classification up from your “base”. For all students the Award Board will consider the following factors when exercising discretion: Whether 50, 60,70 credits or more within your Level 3 profile are in a higher band than your “base” classification. Where your overall score lies within the classification band. Which Level 3 modules you performed well in and the relationship of those modules to the main subject(s) of your award.

Which Level 3 modules you performed less well in and the relationship of those modules to the main subject(s) of your award. The number of credits for Level 3 modules in which you have been awarded a Compensated Pass.

Any claims for Extenuating Circumstances that have been upheld. In operating this discretion the Award Board will consider any of these or other factors in relation to a whole cohort of students, rather than to individual students, in order to ensure parity of treatment. The Award Board will not consider such factors as: Your personality and personal relationships Any judgement about your potential ability (i.e. not realised in your assessment results) Any intentions you may have to progress to post-graduate study or employment requiring a certain Honours classification Attendance (poor attendance is treated very seriously but is dealt with elsewhere in these Regulations. For more details you should read Section 1.3 on Attendance).

1.13 Pass Degree

The Award Board may, at its discretion, decide to offer you a Pass Degree if: you have successfully completed (i.e. been awarded at least Grade Point 4/Pass) 300 credits, of which at least 60 are at Level 3. And you have attempted (i.e. been awarded at least Grade Point 1) 360 credits, of which 120 are at Level 3 and no more than 120 are at Level 1. If you have not yet exhausted your referral attempts you may choose to decline the Pass Degree and to attempt your referrals at the time specified by the Award Board. Where the Award Board offers you a Pass Degree and/or there are referral attempts remaining, it may, at the same time,.agree the maximum Honours classification you can b awarded upon successful completion of your referrals. You will be told what that maximum is when you are asked whether or not you wish to accept the Pass Degree. If you decide to accept the Pass Degree this will be awarded. If you decide to attempt your referrals at the time specified by the Award Board, then that Award Board will re-convene to consider your case anew once you have attempted your referrals.

If you have exhausted your referral attempts and still meet the two criteria for the award of a Pass Degree (criteria i) and ii) above), then the Pass Degree will be awarded rather than offered. If you have not met the criteria for the award of a Pass Degree then the Award Board will consider your eligibility for an intermediate award of a Dip HE or a Cert HE.

1.14 Award of Foundation Degrees If you have enrolled for a Foundation Degree programme and met the requirements for completion of your award, the Award Board will give consideration to awarding you a Foundation Degree. The Award Board must satisfy itself that you have passed all the modules, met the learning outcomes for the award and satisfied all the requirements of your award at Levels C and I. In order to achieve a Foundation Degree you must have completed successfully 240 credits including at least 120 credits at Level I or higher. If you fail any module on the award, you will have one reassessment opportunity in that module.

1.15 Award of a Degree where Extenuating Circumstances have been upheld

Where a claim for extenuating circumstances has been upheld, the Award Board may determine an appropriate Honours degree classification based on sufficient evidence of your ability at Level 3 (ie assessment results). The Board has discretion to award the appropriate degree classification based on that evidence (see also Regulation 1.4.6 above) Where there is insufficient evidence (ie assessment results) to award an Honours degree classification, the Award Board may decide to award an Aegrotat degree. In instances where such awards are conferred, the Award Board must offer you the choice to accept the award or attempt assessment in the normal way in order to try to achieve a Degree with Honours.

1.16 Review of an Assessment or Award Board Decision

Students who wish to request a review of an Award Board decision may do so in accordance with the appropriate University’s Procedures for Review of an Examination Board Decision as detailed in the University’s Academic Awards Regulations.

1.17 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

AP(E)L/ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR (EXPERIENTIAL) LEARNING The accreditation of prior learning is the term used when a student uses his or her previous experiences to gain admission to a programme of study; admission to a module; admission at an intermediate stage in a programme (advanced standing); or to gain exemption from part of a programme of study. These previous experiences may be work-based learning, general learning experiences (experiential) or certificated qualifications. You should normally apply for exemptions or admission with advanced standing through the AP(E)L scheme when you apply for a place on the award, or immediately upon registration for your modules. You will not be allowed to apply for AP(E)L in a module once you have submitted any assessment for that module. If you apply for exemptions or admission with advanced standing through the AP(E)L scheme you may be required to undergo some assessment to determine the relevance of your experiences/qualifications. Normally exemption will not be granted for more than two thirds of the credits required at any one Level for an award unless there is a close match between the prior learning and the requirements of the award. Where you have gained exemption from a module through the AP(E)L scheme and there is not a close match between your prior (experiential) learning and the content of the module you will normally be awarded general credit towards your award. This means that whilst your prior learning is considered to represent a proportion of the total number of credits required for your award, it is not accepted in place of specific modules which you will be required to complete in order to meet the requirements of your award. Where you have gained exemption from a module through the AP(E)L scheme and there is a very close match between your prior (experiential) learning and the content of the module you will normally be awarded specific credit for that module. This means that your prior learning takes the place of the module in your programme of study. The “result” recorded shall be Pass/Grade Point 4. The suffix E will be used to indicate that credits for the module have been awarded through the AP(E)L scheme. The result will be recorded as 4E. A mechanism has been developed in order to ensure that if you.have been granted credit at Levels 2 or 3 through the AP(E)L scheme you will not be disadvantaged when the Award Board determines your Honours classification. The procedure for dealing with AP(E)L in determining degree classification is available on request from the Dean of Students/Academic Registrar. You should also read the section on Honours Degrees.

Where there is regular accreditation of particular qualifications/experiences for particular awards, the award team must specify the number of credits which can be accredited for those qualifications/experiences. AEGROTAT DEGREE

An Aegrotat Degree is an Award of Staffordshire University which is awarded in cases where illness or other due cause have prevented a student from providing the Award Board with sufficient evidence (assessment results) upon which to determine an appropriate Honours classification. ASSESSMENT BOARD

The Assessment Board of each Field will consider all assessment marks of all modules available within that field, irrespective of which named awards the students may have registered for. It is bound to operate within these Regulations. Assessment Boards meet at least once in each academic year normally at the end of the second semester. Fields which wish to do so may also hold an Assessment Board at the end of the first semester. Where the Assessment Board has approved reassessment in one or more modules before the beginning of the next academic year, the Assessment Board will be required to meet before the start of the next academic year to determine results. The functions of the Assessment Board are as follows:- a) to determine the appropriate Result/Grade Point for each

student for each module in accordance with the Assessment Referencing Criteria tables in the Assessment Results section of these Regulations, and to pass these to the appropriate Award Boards.

b) to determine appropriate results for failed modules (in accordance with the Assessment Referencing Criteria tables in the Assessment Results section of these Regulations) and, in so doing, to identify which modules may be awarded a Compensated Pass by the appropriate Award Board.

c) to make recommendations to appropriate Award Boards about referral requirements for failed modules.

d) to ensure parity of treatment of students within modules and across the Field.

e) to note where extenuating circumstances have been upheld and to make recommendations based on this to the Award Board.

Assessment Boards should note that where recommendations are made to Award Boards those Award Boards shall consider the

recommendations but are not obliged to act upon them. This is because Award Boards will have complete information on a student’s profile, whereas Assessment Boards only have information on the student’s performance in modules within the Field. It is the duty of the Faculty/School responsible for the management of a particular field to determine the membership of its Assessment Board(s). Its composition shall be:- a) The Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor or his/her nominee (who shall be Chair). c) The internal examiners for the modules under consideration

including all teaching staff responsible for setting and marking any assessment to be considered by the Board.

d) The approved External Examiners.

The role of the External Examiners shall be: a) to consider distribution/spread of Grade Points within modules

and across the Field and to assist the Board to confirm appropriate module results.

b) to ensure comparability of standards across institutional boundaries.

c) to ensure parity of treatment of students both within each module and across the Field.

In carrying out his/her role the External Examiner may consider any appropriate assessed work. Students who wish to request a review of an Assessment Board decision may do so in accordance with the appropriate University’s Procedures for Review of an Examination Board Decision as detailed in the University’s Academic Awards Regulations. AWARD BOARD

Each named award will have an Award Board which will determine the final outcomes of the students registered for that award. The Award Board will receive the results of the module assessments agreed by all contributing Assessment Boards. Award Boards will normally meet at the end of the second semester of an Academic Year. Where necessary they may also meet at other times of the year - notably after Assessment Boards have met to consider referral assessments and when awards are completed at the end of Semester 1. Award Boards are bound to operate within these Regulations. Award Boards cannot change the Grade Point/Result awarded by an Assessment Board.

Membership of Award Boards for Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees shall be approved at the beginning of the Academic Year by the Dean of Students. It is the duty of the Faculty/School responsible for the management of the Named Awards to determine the membership of its Award Boards. The composition of the Award Board shall be:- a) Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor responsible for the award or his/her

nominee (who shall be Chair). b) The Award Leader. c) A representative of each Faculty/School contributing core or

option modules to the Named Award to contribute to the discussions in relation to those modules.

d) The approved External Examiners for the Award under consideration.

The functions of the Award Board are as follows:- a) to consider the individual student results profile as determined

by the Assessment Boards. b) to award credits associated with successfully completed

modules c) to operate compensation in accordance with these Regulations

where appropriate d) to receive recommendations from Assessment Boards and

agree arrangements for reassessment of failed modules/components of modules..

e) to note exemptions granted. f) to confirm students’ eligibility to proceed to the next Level of an

Award g) to agree individual awards including Honours classification

where relevant and to recommend the award of qualifications to the Academic Board.

h) to receive information on individual extenuating circumstances and ratify the recommendations of Assessment Boards ensuring compatibility/equality of treatment in each case.

The role of the External Examiners shall be to ensure that the University Regulations are applied consistently and objectively to all candidates. Students who wish to request a review of an Award Board decision may do so in accordance with the appropriate University’s Procedures for Review of an Examination Board Decision as detailed in the University’s Academic Awards Regulations. STRUCTURE

An Award Structure is the set of modules which comprise a named award. It is the specification of Core and Option modules which define that award and which is approved at validation. The credits for the modules specified in an award structure are called specific credits.

CATS

CATS is an acronym for the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme to which Staffordshire University subscribes. This scheme represents a system of points or credit rating for undergraduate awards which is recognised by all Higher Education Institutions which subscribe to the scheme. These credits are also referred to as CATS points. Under the CATS scheme one full-time academic year of study is worth 120 credits at the appropriate Level (normally Level 1, 2 or 3). An Honours Degree will normally require the completion of 360 such credits at appropriate Levels. The scheme is designed to allow students to transfer between institutions in such a way that their new institution can recognise the amount of study they have already completed and the Level of that study. See also Credit and Level.

CO-REQUISITE

A co-requisite is a module which must be studied in addition to and normally at the same time as a particular module.

CREDIT

Credits are the number of points earned by a student for completion of modules. Each module will be worth a specified number of credits, normally associated with the total learning time required for successful completion of that module. The credit rating of all undergraduate modules is normally either 10 or a multiple of 10. See also CATS. Credit may be defined as either GENERAL or SPECIFIC.

GENERAL CREDIT is that attracted by completion of modules forming part of the structure of the award for which a student is registered. Those modules will normally be designated either Elective Modules or General Option Group Modules. General credit may also be awarded as part of the Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning scheme (see AP(E)L) for quantifiable prior learning, not matching the content of the award structure of the award for which a student is registered. SPECIFIC CREDIT is that attracted by completion of modules which do form part of the structure of the award for which a student is registered. Those modules will normally be designated either Core modules or Option modules. Specific credits may also be awarded as part of the Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning scheme (see AP(E)L) for quantifiable prior learning, which does match the content of the structure of the award for which a student is registered. FIELD

A Field is a particular subject area. Associated with a Field are the staff with academic expertise in that subject and the modules for which those staff take responsibility. Every module is owned by a Field and that Field takes full responsibility for the delivery, assessment and management of modules within its remit. Assessment Boards consider the results of students’ performance in all the modules within a given Field; the membership of an Assessment Board will therefore be largely Field based. GRADE POINTS

A Grade Point is the result awarded to a student as a measure of performance in the assessment of modules at all Levels. The Grade Point scale has been devised to resolve the different marking scales used by Fields and to translate those scales into a judgement which can be understood by all. Grade Points are determined by Assessment Boards by relating performance in assessment to the Assessment Referencing Criteria both in these Regulations and specific to the Field. They can also be related to Honours classifications as detailed in the Assessment Referencing.Criteria table in these Regulations. LEVEL

Levels 1, 2 and 3 are broadly equivalent to the first, second and third years respectively of full-time undergraduate study. There is normally an element of progression between Levels in terms of challenge and learning outcomes. Thus a module will normally be available at one Level only, exceptions to this requiring justification at validation. Where a module is available at more than one Level, a separate module specification form will be required for each Level in order to demonstrate the differential learning outcomes. They will be coded differently to ensure that it is obvious at which Level the module is to be studied. Some awards, for example the MEng award, have incorporated a fourth Level of undergraduate study known as Level 4.

MAJOR/MINOR AWARDS

See SINGLE, JOINT AND MAJOR/MINOR AWARDS MODULE

A module is a unit of study attracting a given number of credits at a particular level in direct proportion to its total learning time. The total learning time per credit is 8 hours, which includes student/staff contact time (lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials etc.), independent study and assessment. No module can attract less than 10 credits, and therefore the minimum total learning time for a module is 80 hours. Multiple modules are sized in multiples of 10 credits. Each module shall be assigned to a Level or Levels when approved.

Some modules which are larger than 10 credits are delivered over two semesters. These are often referred to as serial or “long-thin” modules. Some modules which are larger than 10 credits are delivered wholly within one semester. These are often referred to as parallel or “short-fat” modules. It is your responsibility to make sure you know the delivery pattern of all multiple modules for which you enrol. Students may be allowed to exit from certain serial modules at the end of the first semester. Such students will be assessed on work completed and, if successful in that assessment, shall be awarded credits in relation to the total learning time thus far. CORE MODULES

Core modules are those which must be passed in order to gain a particular named award. They are specified as part of the award structure and form the central pillar of the award. Core modules attract specific credit for an award. OPTION MODULES Option modules are those which you must select from within a prescribed set for your award. They are sometimes referred to as specific options. Option modules attract specific credit for an award. ELECTIVE MODULES Elective modules are available only at Level 1. They are chosen from the total set available in the institution, subject to restrictions such as prohibited combinations, availability or time-table constraints. You may choose to take more modules from your named area(s) as electives, but it is your choice to do so. A module which is a Core or Option module for one named award may be taken by students on other awards as an elective. Elective modules attract general credit for an award. GENERAL OPTION GROUP MODULES

General Option Group modules are available only at Levels 2 and 3. They are chosen from a list determined by the award for which the you are registered. In addition, there is a set of University General Option Group modules which are available on most awards. Each award may have a different General Option Group list. You may, if you wish, choose to take more modules from your named area(s) rather than General Option Group modules. A module which is a Core or Option module for one named award may be taken by students on other named awards as a General Option Group module. General Option Group modules attract general credit for an award.

NAMED AWARD

A named award is a validated award identified by a specific Award Structure and ratified by the University’s Academic Board.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Your programme of study is your overall choice of modules which may be unique to each individual student because of the elements of choice involved in awards (Option, Elective and General Option Group modules).

PRE-REQUISITE

There are some modules within the University which you will not be allowed to study unless you have met certain conditions. In some cases the conditions will be that you have first achieved pass grades in certain other.modules at a lower Level. These other modules are known as pre- requisites for the module in question. In some cases a pre-requisite may be one out of a group of specified modules. You will not be allowed to study any modules for which you have not met the pre-requisites, even if you have been allowed to progress to the Level of that module.

PROGRESSION

The concept of progression stems from academic development. It is expected that during the course of your studies you will acquire certain skills, understanding and knowledge and that as you continue your studies these will develop to enable you to “move on” to more advanced academic activities. This concept is manifested in the requirement that you must achieve pass grades in a certain proportion of your programme of study at any one Level before your academic capabilities are deemed to be sufficiently developed for you to move on, or “progress” to the next Level. Successful completion of assessment within modules is used as the measure of your academic development. The proportions of your programme of study which must be successfully completed for progression to the next Level are detailed under Progression within the main body of these Regulations. Even if you have been allowed to progress to the next Level of your award you will not be allowed to study any module at that Level for which you have not met the pre-requisites. PROHIBITED COMBINATIONS

Where two (or more) modules contain content which is similar in nature or where there is a significant overlap in curriculum you will not normally be allowed to study them both. They will therefore be designated a prohibited combination.

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT/TRANSCRIPT

Once an Award Board has confirmed your results you may request a Record of Achievement free of charge from the Information Centre. This is a certificate confirming your module results, signed by the Academic Registrar. It will show, for each module you have successfully completed, the module code and title, the associated credits (CATS points), the Level of the module and the Grade Point/Result achieved. The record of achievement will not show your Honours classification. A Transcript (for which a fee will be charged) is also available from the Examinations Office. The Transcript includes all the information shown on the Record of Achievement but additionally included your Honours classification and details of any modules in which you were referred.

REFERRAL.

When your performance in assessment for a module has been unsatisfactory the Award Board may require you to undergo further assessment on the subject matter covered by the module. This further assessment is known as a referral. The purpose of a referral is to satisfy the Board that you are capable of a satisfactory performance in the module. You must make yourself available to undertake such assessment as the Award Board requires at this time. If you do not meet the referral requirements determined by the Award Board at the date prescribed by the Award Board you will be deemed to have failed the module at that attempt. The maximum mark awarded for a successfully completed referred module is a Grade Point 4. The suffix R is used to indicate that the module was successfully completed only at the second attempt. The result will be recorded as 4R.

REPLACEMENT

If you have not been awarded a pass grade in any Option, Elective or General Option Group module you may choose to replace that module with another. This is known as replacement, and the module which takes the place of the failed module is a replacement module. Replacement Elective modules (general credits) may be taken from the total set of modules available in the institution at the Level of the failed module or higher. Replacement General Option Group modules (general credits) must be chosen either from the lists of general options attached to your award or from the specific options available within your award. Replacements for failed General Option Group modules may be at a higher Level than the failed module. Replacement Option modules (specific credits) must be taken from within the same option group within your award structure as the failed module. Core modules cannot normally be replaced.

You may opt to replace a failed module after the first or second failed attempt. If you opt to replace a module you forfeit any remaining referral entitlement on the original failed module. You will be granted the full retake entitlement appropriate to the replacement module (i.e. two attempts if the replacement module is at Level 1, 2 or 3). The number of times a module can be replaced is limited where the replacement must be taken from a specific group or set of groups. Once all the modules within that group or groups have been exhausted no more replacement can take place. The number of replacements which can be made is also restricted in that you have only four years in which to complete a Level (120 credits at that Level). The maximum mark awarded for a successfully completed replacement module is a Grade Point 4. The suffix + will be used to indicate that the original module was not successfully completed. The result will be recorded as 4+. You may not opt to replace a module which you have passed in order to try to improve upon your result. SEMESTER

The academic year is divided into two periods known as semesters each of which will normally include periods of both teaching and assessment.

SINGLE, JOINT AND MAJOR/MINOR AWARDS

If you have enrolled for an Honours Degree Programme your award will have been designated either a Single Honours award or a Joint Honours award. Unclassified Degree Programmes will also be designated as Single or Joint awards but they are not available with Honours. Single awards concentrate largely on one subject area or on one integrated set of subject areas. Joint awards give equal weighting to two main subject areas. Once you have completed Level 1 of a Joint award you may decide that you wish to give more emphasis to one of your chosen subject areas than to the other. In order to do this you must transfer to the Major/Minor route within your joint award. In order to meet the requirements for a Single Joint or Major/Minor award you must complete a given number of credits at each Level from your chosen subject areas. These are detailed in the main body of these regulations under Section 2 “ Your Award”. SPECIAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

There are some modules within the University which you will not be allowed to study unless you have met certain conditions. One of these conditions may be that you have first studied (not necessarily successfully completed) certain other modules. These conditions are known as special admissions requirements for the module in question.

Special Admissions Requirements are not always related to the study of specific modules. In some cases you will be required to have completed certain other qualifications outside the University or have undergone particular experiences. In some cases a special admissions requirement may be one out of a group of specified requirements. There may also be some award specific admissions requirements for particular awards.