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University of BrightonBrighton Business School
Brighton Business School
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Course Handbook
Part-timeFull-time
Internally Assessed CourseFundamental Skills
September 2013
PREFACE
The purpose of this course handbook is to provide you with key information about your course, including administrative and academic procedures, and to give you some practical advice on how to make the most of your studies and to explain what to do if you experience any difficulties. Please read the handbook very carefully and keep it at hand for future reference.
Other key documents that you should be familiar with are:
the University of Brighton Student Handbook;
the University of Brighton Plagiarism Awareness Pack;
the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook;
the University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR).
Copies of all these documents are accessible in electronic format on the University’s student intranet, Studentcentral (see 7.6 below), via your Course Area. You will also be provided with paper copies of the University Student Handbook and the University Plagiarism Awareness Pack.
Because of increasing incidents of cases of plagiarism both in this university and others, you are strongly urged to carefully read the Plagiarism Awareness Pack. Penalties for plagiarism can be very harsh and ignorance is no defence! The University has access to special software which can detect plagiarism and we will be using this at random throughout the year at all levels, so you have been warned.
If you would like to see any other items included in your course handbook please contact your course leader and, whilst we cannot promise to change things straight away, we will do our best to improve the handbook in future years.
IMPORTANTPlease note that the provisional dates for 2013/14 resit examinations are 26 August to5 September 2014. Any referred student unable to attend examinations between these dates will be required to resit in 2014/15 academic year and will be unable to proceed with the course meanwhile.
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CONTENTS
1. COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION
2. ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL – BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
3. ABOUT YOUR COURSE – STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
3.1 The Course overall3.2 Course aims and learning outcomes3.3 Course structure and content3.4 Academic Calendar3.5 Careers Support
4. ABOUT YOUR COURSE – MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board4.2 Communications between staff and students4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance4.4 Student representation and feedback4.5 Annual academic health process
5. ABOUT YOUR COURSE – ASSESSMENT
5.1 Nature of assessment5.2 Coursework marking guidelines5.3 Coursework presentation5.4 Referencing your work5.5 Coursework word limit and word ranges5.6 Coursework submission5.7 Late coursework5.8 Coursework extensions5.9 Return of coursework5.10 Examination timetables5.11 Examination past papers5.12 Examination results5.13 Mitigating circumstances5.14 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations5.15 Appealing the decision of an examination board
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6. YOUR COURSE-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
6.1 Admissions 6.2 Course specific regulations internally assessed ACCA course6.3 Minimum pass mark and referrals6.4 What happens if I then fail a referral?6.5 Progression Regulations6.6 Registration Periods6.7 Intercalation6.8 Withdrawal from the course
7. LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES7.1 The library service7.2 Library services to part-time students7.3 The Online Library7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb7.5 Media Centres7.6 Studentcentral7.7 ASK Study Guide7.8 Useful web addresses
8. STUDENT SERVICES
9. STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1 Entitlements9.2 Responsibilities9.3 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy9.4 Disability statement9.5 Fire evacuation9.6 Observing copyright laws
10. MISCELLANEOUS10.1 Course Handbook10.2 ACCA Student Membership10.3 ACCA Fees10.4 Students with Disabilities10.5 The role of the course leader10.6 The role of the Annual Course Review Board10.7 Quality Assurance
APPENDIXA Submitting Assignments through StudentcentralB Career Planning – wherever you are in the journey
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1. COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the University of Brighton's Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course. Some of you are full-time; some of you are part-time. Some of you will have already completed the first year here and will be familiar with the workings of the School and the University. Others of you will have come here from another educational institution. Some of you may be returning to study after a long absence from formal education. Hopefully all of you will have an enjoyable and successful experience of being a student at Brighton.
This handbook will attempt to give you the essential information that you need to complete that experience, and should be read in conjunction with the University Student Handbook. These documents are complementary and should be read through carefully at least once during the academic year, and retained for reference. They contain important information which we expect you to know.
Internally assessed routeHere at Brighton Business School we offer the course on both an internally assessed and externally assessed basis. As you are studying on our internally assessed course you will be receiving tuition from us, and each paper will be assessed internally, by a piece of coursework, and an examination written by the module team for that paper and approved by the ACCA.
We are an approved Gold Tuition Provider of the ACCA Fundamentals Skills and Professional Essentials and Options modules.
I hope you have a successful and enjoyable time here. Good luck with your studies.
AJ CilliersACCA Course Leader (Acting)Brighton Business School
September 2013
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Important Notices
1) During the year could you ensure that you notify the Professional and Partnership Office of any changes of address and telephone number (Louise Letchford on [email protected]).
2) All students must be registered members of the ACCA.
3) You are advised that for all course queries for Fundamentals Skills and Professional stages you should, in the first instance, contact the Course Leader and/or Administrator. Enquiries about membership, ACCA regulations, examinations, etc should be directed to ACCA Connect, 0141 582 2000
4) If you wish to take the Oxford Brookes degree in Applied Accountancy, please read section 10.10.
5) The ACCA Professional Options are run subject to demand and the decision of the Course Leader as to which Options will run in any given year is final. Please enquire as to whether your chosen Option(s) will run to avoid disappointment.
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2. ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL – BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
Your School (and Faculty) is Brighton Business School. The Dean and Head of Brighton Business School is Professor Aidan Berry. More information about the work of the School may be found on the school web site at: www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs. The Vice Chancellor of the University is Professor Julian Crampton.
The Business School’s contact details are:
Brighton Business SchoolUniversity of BrightonMithras HouseLewes RoadBRIGHTONBN2 4AT
Tel: (01273) 600900 (Switchboard)Fax: (01273) 643597 or 642153
The Academic year dates for the School are:
AUTUMN TERM30 September 2013 – 13 December 2013
SPRING TERM6 January 2014 – 4 April 2014
SUMMER TERM28 April 2014 – 13 June 2014w/c 19 May 2014 to w/c 9 June 2014 (examinations)
SEMESTER DATES
Semester One 30 September 2013 – 7 February 2014
Semester Two 10 February 2014 – 13 June 2014
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3. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
3.1 The Course overall3.2 Course aims and learning outcomes3.3 Course structure and content3.4 Academic Calendar3.5 Careers Support
3.1 The Course overall
The ACCA's examination structure consists of three stages, the first consisting of the Fundamental Knowledge, second the Fundamental Skills modules and the third Professional Essentials and Options modules.
You have already completed the three papers of the Fundamentals Knowledge level by the time you join us for this particular course.
The Fundamental Skills stage is the only stage of the course that the University of Brighton offer on an internally assessed basis. The further stages (Professional Essentials and Option papers) are assessed by sitting examinations externally with the ACCA.
This course is aimed at people who mainly wish to complete their ACCA studies on a part time basis, who perhaps already have a degree and are maybe working. The ACCA allows students to receive tuition for all papers in any stage of the course, but assessment is restricted to the maximum four paper rule. Our structure encourages the part time route by grouping papers F4, F5 and F6 into one day, F7, F8 and F9 are also grouped into one day and so on with the Professional papers. Tuition goes through the full academic year for the June examinations. Please note that not all Professional Options run every year. Please check with your course administrator at the appropriate time.
An important element of the internally assessed course is the development of the following soft skills, identified by the ACCA as being a compulsory element of the coursework assessment: report writing, group work (with at least three students), case study analysis and problem solution, presentations, research and information gathering techniques, and hands on computing skills.
Please note, the ACCA transition from the old scheme to the new scheme in 2007 was individually facilitated for each student via the conversion tool provided on line by the ACCA at the web address below;
https://www.acca-business.org/pls/ecommerce/online _converter.p _current_ subjects
3.2.1 Course aims and learning outcomes
Aims
The general aim of the course is to provide tuition for potential accountants, by enabling students:
i) to follow a programme of study in Accounting which has an underlying vocational focus and is designed for students intending to pursue a career as an
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accountant or in any other area where financial information and decision making are core
ii) to enable students to develop analytical thinking skills and critical faculties within the accounting area
iii) to acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to an accountant faced with constantly changing professional demands
iv) to analyse and communicate financial and other business information effectively
v) to acquire the confidence and ability to explore and assess alternative courses of action
vi) to know and understand some of the alternative technical languages and practices of accounting
vii) to know and understand contemporary theories and empirical evidence concerning accounting in a practical context, and be able to critically evaluate such theories and evidence
viii) to acquire the necessary understanding, knowledge and confidence to ensure a reasonable prospect of success in the final externally set examinations
Learning Outcomes
On completion of their studies a student should have acquired the following abilities and skills:
i) An understanding of the contexts in which accounting can be seen as operating. Knowledge and understanding of the main current technical language and practices of accounting (for example, recognition, measurement and disclosure in financial statements; managerial accounting; auditing; taxation) in a specified socio-economic domain.
ii) Knowledge and understanding of some of the alternative technical languages and practices of accounting (for example, alternative recognition rules and valuation bases, accounting rules followed in other socio-economic domains, alternative managerial accounting approaches to control and decision-making).
iii) Skills in recording and summarising transactions and other economic events; preparation of financial statements; analysis of the operations of business (for example, decision analysis, performance measurement and management control); financial analysis and projections (for example, analysis of financial ratios, discounted cash flow analysis, budgeting, financial risks).
iv) Knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and empirical evidence concerning accounting in at least one of its contexts and the ability to critically evaluate such theories.
v) Analyse and critically evaluate business and business-related information, apply business and accounting concepts and principles flexibly in a variety of circumstances. Identify, define and rank business and business-related problems, interpret the results, criticise proposed solutions or practices and communicate information clearly and succinctly.
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vi) The capacity for the critical evaluation of arguments and evidence.
vii) The ability to analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and, to a more limited extent, unstructured problems from a given set of data and from data which must be acquired by the student.
viii) The ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources.
ix) Capacities for independent and self-managed learning.
x) Numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data and to appreciate statistical concepts at an appropriate level.
xi) Skills in the use of communications and information technology in acquiring, analysing and communicating information (currently these skills include the use of spreadsheets, word processing software, online databases).
xii) Communication skills including the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information, together with analysis, argument and commentary, in a form appropriate to the intended audience.
xiii) An ability to work in groups, and other interpersonal skills, including oral as well as written presentation skills.
On successful completion of Professional Essentials and Options which the ACCA suggests to be the equivalent to a UK Masters Degree1, the successful student will:
i) be able to draw on knowledge acquired at all earlier subjects studied and integrate that knowledge effectively and creatively
ii) be able to analyse and interpret data and present reasoned conclusions
iii) be able to diagnose and formulate solutions which display commercial awareness
iv) be able to exercise judgment drawing on technical, political and commercial awareness in developing and evaluating alternative solutions
v) be able to adapt to new systems and circumstances
vi) be able to communicate analyses and conclusions effectively with sensitivity
vii) be able to demonstrate strategic awareness, interpersonal and management skills, and personal qualities
viii) have developed the capacity for independent and self-managed learning
1 In terms of Masters level qualifications the University of Brighton current position would suggest that a Masters level qualification from the University of Brighton would have to have a substantial dissertation element which the ACCA qualification as currently designated does not have
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3.2.1 Curriculum
Internally assessed by the Business School and externally assessed by the ACCA
Module Subject University module code
Skills F4 Corporate and Business Law CL AAIF4 Skills F5 Performance Management PM AAIF5 Skills F6 Taxation TX AAIF6 Skills F7 Financial Reporting FR AAIF7 Skills F8 Audit and Assurance AA AAIF8 Skills F9 Financial Management FM AAIF9
AAI = internally assessed code, AAX – externally assessed code
3.3 Course structure and content
Fundamental and Professional levels
The Fundamental Skills and Professional courses are based around the following framework, which is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.
Mode of Study
From commencing at the start of the Fundamental Skills papers, it will normally take four years for part time students to complete, while students who wish to take a more intensive route can complete the course (and tuition for some of the ACCA professional option papers) in two years, subject to the entry requirements identified in section 6.1. It is not recommended that students attempt the full time course if they have significant work obligations.
The full time students will attend two days a week and the part time students will attend on one day a week.
Full time
On the Fundamental Skills stage of the full time route, students take tuition for six modules (papers). You are studying on the internally assessed route, because of the ACCA regulations students can only take the exams for four modules (AAIA5, AAIA7, AAIA8 and AAIA9) in the May/June exam period and then sit the exams for the other 2 modules (AAIA4, AAIA6) in September exam period.
All examinations for the internally assessed examinations take place prior to the ACCA external exam period.
In the final year of the course, the professional stage, students receive tuition for the 3 professional essential papers and two professional option papers, again due to ACCA regulations, students can only sit a maximum of four of the five external ACCA professional level papers for which they may have received tuition during that academic year. The outstanding paper(s) will be taken in the December sitting.
Part time
The Fundamental Skills stage part-time route will normally take two years to complete with students taking three modules each year (gaining ACCA exemptions for papers F4-F9). In the
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third year students complete three modules (papers P1-P3) and in the fourth and final year students would receive tuition for the final two option papers.As mentioned for part time students, Fundamental Skills stage is divided into three modules each, F4-F6 in the first year and F7-F9 in the second year. Students have the option of taking this stage externally, as well as internally.
All students have the option of registering for the Oxford Brookes degree in Applied Accounting. See the notes in section 10.10, this is external to the University of Brighton and students must make their own enquiries of the ACCA and Oxford Brookes.
See Figure 1 - Course Structure/timetable where the above framework is shown diagrammatically.
FIGURE 1 - COURSE STRUCTURE – PART TIME
Below are typical timetables, your course administrator will give you the finalised timetables nearer the start date.
Fundamental Skills – Year 1Wednesday Subject09.00 - 11.00 F6 Taxation 11.30 - 13.30 F4 Corporate and Business Law 13.30 - 1400 Lunch14.00 - 16.00 F5 Performance Management
Fundamental Skills – Year 2Friday Subject9.00 – 11.00 F9 Financial Management 11.30 – 13.30 F8 Audit & Assurance13.30 – 14.00 Lunch14.00 – 16.00 F7 Financial Reporting
Professional Essentials – Year 3Wednesday Subject09.00 – 11.00 P1 Governance, Risk & Ethics11.30 – 13.30 P3 Business Analysis13.30 – 14.00 Lunch14.00 – 16.00 P2 Corporate Reporting
Professional Options – Year 4Thursday Subject13.00 – 15.00 P7 Advanced Audit & Assurance15.00 – 17.00 P6 Advanced Taxation
If you are studying Full time you will study all Fundamental Skills in one year and then continue to the second year to complete all the professional essential papers and two professional options modules.
Please note that these are the hours of formal contact teaching time. You should remember that to be successful in the ACCA examinations, a substantial amount of private study time in addition to class contact time is required.
Students may bring one exemption on to either stage of Fundamental Skills 12
course.Professional Option papers – some guidance for future reference
In order to gain the ACCA qualification, all Professional papers must be sat externally with the ACCA, including 2 of the 4 option papers, which students are required to take. Two of the option papers, P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance and P6 Advanced Taxation are suitable for students working in or considering a career in accountancy practice. The other two option subjects, P5 Advanced Performance Management and P4 Advanced Financial Management are more relevant to students working in industry or the public sector. Please note that this year the P4 Option will not be running.
The following notes have been prepared to give students some guidance when choosing their options.
P7 Advanced Auditing and Assurance
This subject builds on the knowledge of the processes of auditing examined in F8. The aim of this subject is enable students to analyse, evaluate and conclude on the assurance engagement and other audit and assurance issues in the context of best practice and currentdevelopments. Auditing is not carried out in a vacuum, and students should recognise that they will be required to demonstrate a good understanding of business and accounting, as well as auditing theory and practice. To be successful in this examination, it is not sufficient to merely pick up an auditing manual and learn it. Students who have some practical experience of auditing may be at an advantage, although the wide ranging syllabus will contain elements that will be new material to everyone. The syllabus includes the following topics: professional and ethical considerations, practice management, audit processes including strategy and planning, audit and assurance assignments for companies and groups, and current issues and developments.
P6 Advanced Taxation
This subject covers all the subject F6 Taxation material and expands into more complex areas. The main new area of study is Inheritance Tax. The subject F6 material will be revised partly through directed self-study. Exam questions are largely numerate, but there are always parts of questions which require an explanation of taxation issues.
Tax is an important subject for those who work in professional offices and for those in industry and commerce who are concerned with the preparation of statutory accounts, tax returns and business planning. There will be a considerable time gap for most students between the two tax subjects (F6 and P6), so revision is going to be very important.
For information only:
P5 Advanced Performance Management (Not running 2013/14)
The aim of the module is to ensure candidates can apply judgement and technique in the analysis of relevant data to provide management with the information required to contribute to a range of strategic planning, control and decision-making situations.
The syllabus includes the following key areas: management accounting framework, design of management accounting systems, performance measurement, planning and control, and decision making.
The module is suitable for students who have enjoyed the management accounting aspects of subject F5, and who are considering following a career involving more specialised management accounting knowledge.
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P4 Advanced Financial Management (Not running 2013-2014)
The aim of this module is to help students to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement as expected of a senior financial executive or advisor, in taking or recommending decisions relating to the financial management of an organisation. The syllabus includes the following key areas: Treasury and advanced risk managementTechniques, advanced investment appraisal, acquisition and mergers, corporate reconstruction and re-organisation The module is suitable for students who did well in Fundamentals Skills F9 Financial Management and see themselves progressing in a strategic financial decision making capacity.
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3.3.1 Academic Calendar – 2013/14
2013/14
Sem Time table week
TeachingWeek No
Weekcommencing
Monday -
Session Notes
1
30.09.13 Yes 10 11 11 2 07.10.13 Yes1 12 3 14.10.13 Yes
1 13 4 21.10.13 Yes 1 14 5 28.10.13 Yes 1 15 6 04.11.13 Yes 1 16 7 11.11.13 Yes Consolidation week for some papers 1 17 8 18.11.13 Yes 1 18 9 25.11.13 Yes 1 19 10 02.11.13 Yes 1 20 11 09.12.13 Yes Term Ends Fri 13.12.13
21 16.12.1322 23.12.13 23 30.12.13
1 24 12 06.01.14 Yes Term Starts Mon 06.01.141 25 13 13.01.14 Yes1 26 14 20.01.14 Yes1 27 15 27.01.14 Yes1 28 16 03.02.14 No
2 29 17 10.02.14 Yes Sem 2 Starts Mon 10.02.142 30 18 17.02.14 Yes 2 31 19 24.02.14 Yes 2 32 20 03.03.14 Yes 2 33 21 10.03.14 Yes Student Feedback Week2 34 22 17.03.14 Yes2 35 23 24.03.14 Yes2 36 24 31.03.14 Yes Term Ends Fri 04.04.14
37 07.04.1438 14.04.1439 21.04.14
2 40 25 28.04.14 Yes Term Starts Mon 28.04.14 2 41 26 05.05.14 Revision Bank Holiday May 5 2 42 27 12.05.14 Revision2 43 28 19.05.14 Examinations2 44 29 26.05.14 Examinations Bank Holiday May 26 2 45 30 02.06.14 Examinations2 46 31 09.06.14 Examinations Term Ends Fri 13.06.14
47 16.06.14 48 23.06.14
49 07.07.14 50 14.07.14
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3.4 Careers Support
The Careers department will provide a workshop in semester 2 for students. We also advise students to acquaint themselves with the ACCA website (www.accaglobal.com) which is full of useful contact information including the P.E.R requirements.
Careers planning agreementA Career Planning Agreement (CPA) for your course has been developed. Having a CPA means that your Course Leader and careers counsellors have identified career-relevant work happening within your course, and that your lecturers will make this content explicit to you during your time at Brighton. The Careers Centre is involved as part of the agreement and you can book an appointment for a careers interview.
The purpose of the CPA is to help you assess your skills, think about and choose what you want to do on graduation, how to get there, and how to develop the career management skills needed for the rest of your life.
The CPA covers four learning outcomes as follows:- competencies in self-assessment and personal review- competencies in researching job ideas and occupational information- competencies in decision making, goal setting and action planning- competencies in the transition to work, self employment, further study and training.
Further details of your CPA is available on the School Area of Studentcentral and from there you can explore the many helpful Career links
CLICKSTUDENTCENTRAL
CLICKSTUDENT LIFE
CLICKCAREERS & PART TIME JOBS
We also have a range of workshops scheduled into your course so if you are interested in these Career Planning workshops please check your timetable. We know that some of you are already happy with where you are in your career path, many of you may be sponsored by an employer, or changing your career for reasons of self-actualisation. Wherever you see yourself in terms of your career position, we have plenty of resources here at the University of Brighton to help you.
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4. ABOUT YOUR COURSE – MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board4.2 Communications between staff and students4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance4.4 Student representation and feedback4.5 Annual academic health process___________________________________________________________________
4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board
4.1.1 Course management team
Responsibility for the day-to-day running of your course lies with the course management team, comprising your course leader, your course administrator, and the members of staff teaching on the course. Their contact details are as follows:
Responsibility Staff Room no Tel no E-mail addressCourse Leader (acting) AJ Cilliers 127 Ext 2590 [email protected]
Course Administrator Louise Letchford 139 Ext 2572 [email protected]
Module Tutor F4 Gilliane Williams 223 Ext 2596 [email protected]
Module Tutor F5 + P5 A J Cilliers 127 Ext 2590 [email protected]
Module Tutor F6 + P6 Joanna Armstrong 147 Ext 2579 [email protected]
Module Tutor F7 + P2 Nigel Padbury / Trish Coffey 127 Ext 2166 [email protected]
Module Tutor F8 Nigel Padbury 127 Ext 2166 [email protected]
Module Tutor P1 + P7 Sandra Holmes 102 Ext 2957 [email protected]
Module Tutor F9 Jenny Robertson 108 Ext 2584 [email protected]
Module Tutor P3
Andrew Grantham/ Graham Clifford/Asher Rospigliosi
130 Ext 2985 [email protected]@brighton.ac.uk
Profiles of academic staff may be found on the School website at: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs/contact/academic.php
4.1.2 Course board
Each course within the School has a course board. The responsibilities of course boards include:• ensuring the smooth operation of the course;• reviewing syllabus content, teaching methods, assessment and resources and
generally monitoring the course in operation;• supervising the administration of the assessment procedures in accordance with the
assessment regulations and the aims of the course;• liaising with the Examination Board and advising when necessary;
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• maintaining effective feedback arrangements between the lecturers and the course members;
• planning and recommending policy with regard to the operation of the course;• exercising such other functions as may be requested by the School Academic Board.
The membership of undergraduate course boards is as follows:
Course LeaderStudent Representative(s)Course Administrator(s)Personal/Year TutorsModule LeadersInformation Adviser (or nominee)Assistant Head (Undergraduate)School Quality Director
Each course board will normally meet two or three times a year to hear reports on the progress of each year of the relevant course. The board will discuss both students' and tutors’ reports and take action where appropriate. If an issue arises which is clearly beyond the scope of the course board and requires further consideration, then it will be referred to the School Academic Board. Copies of the minutes of course boards will normally be published on the school area on Studentcentral within three weeks of each board on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area.
4.1.3 Examination boards
Each course within the School is allocated to an examination board, which considers each student’s overall performance and makes decisions on awards and progression. Details of the constitution and membership of examination boards are to be found in the University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR). The membership of examination boards vary between courses, but will include a Chair (normally the Head of School or Assistant Head - Undergraduate Programmes), the Dean (or representative), the Course Leader, external examiners and a representative cross section of module tutors.
4.2 Communications between staff and students
Effective communication between staff and students is very important, and the School facilitates this in a range of ways.
4.2.1 We contact you through the student notice boards through the plasma screen in the student lounge through Studentcentral by e-mail – using your University e-mail address (see 4.2.6 below) by mobile phone
The notice-boards and plasma screen are all in Mithras House, close to the undergraduate office in M160. Through them you will be told about changes in timetables, cancellations and re-locations, the membership of groups, notes about examinations and essays, internal and external mail. Changes are frequent at the start of the academic year so please check them daily. It is your own responsibility to keep up with any announced changes.
If you change your personal details (address, name etc) you must notify the
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Professional and Partnership Office immediately in writing (by letter or e-mail) and change your personal details on-line on Studentcentral.
4.2.2 You contact us by knocking on the doors of academic and administrative staff by calling us by phone by e-mail. E-mail addresses of all staff are readily available
Important messages and official documents can be handed in to the Professional and Partnership Office (M139)
4.2.3 Professional and Partnership office
The Professional and Partnership Office is located in Room M139 and is staffed by Hazel Brown and her team of course administrators. They have responsibility for all initial enquiries: for most queries you should see them first (what to do, where to go, requests for freely available handouts, information sheets, etc).
Opening times during term time
Mithras House: Professional and Partnership office:07.00 – 21.00 (Monday- Thursday) 08.30 – 17.00 (Monday- Thursday)07.00 – 19.00 (Friday) 08.30 – 16.30 (Friday)
4.2.4 How to locate an office or lecture room
Most University room numbers are in two parts each of which convey information. For example, to find room M160, you need to go to Mithras House, then the first floor (the first digit is a “1”) and then look for room M160. Similarly the computer pools will have numbers such as MA201, signifying Mithras Annexe, on the second floor and W321, somewhere on the third floor of the Watts Building. Outside the School Office (M140) you will find on the wall a list of all the staff with their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and office numbers. Next to the list is a display of all the staff photographs.
4.2.5 University telephone numbers
The standard University telephone exchange number is 01273 600 900. To directly reach a member of staff, once you know their internal extension number you need to add 64 before the internal extension number. For example, the School Quality Director’s extension is 2584. To reach her from outside you would need to dial 01273 642584. Alternatively dial 01273 600 900 and ask for a particular member of staff.
4.2.6 Your email address
Every member of the university has a central email address usually in the form [email protected]. This is the address that we will use to contact you and it is your responsibility to ensure that the Undergraduate Office is kept fully informed of any changes.
You may already have your own e-mail account, for example, on Hotmail or Yahoo. If you prefer to continue to use only your private email account, then you MUST configure your email accounts to redirect mail automatically from your Brighton Account - see section 7.4
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below.
4.2.7 Proof of enrolment
If you need a letter confirming your enrolment on a University course (e.g. for the purposes of a career development loan from your bank) you must request this from the University Student Office (Registry), Mezzanine Floor, Cockcroft Building. Please note that your School staff are not permitted to produce these letters
4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance Although every effort is made by staff to ensure that your course runs without problems we recognise that these do occasionally arise. The following notes provide guidance on the procedures to be followed in the event of problems arising during the course or with assessment. At each stage it is expected that the staff involved will try to find a solution to the difficulty. However, you should bear in mind that in some cases it is not within their power to solve them and, as such, it may need to be referred on to another body. It is permissible to miss out a stage in these procedures when a problem is urgent and the appropriate lecturer/tutor is unavailable, or where for other reasons it may be appropriate.
4.3.1 Administrative problems
In the first instance, you should contact your course administrator about problems of an administrative nature. If the problem still remains unresolved then you should contact your personal tutor (or year tutor), or your course leader.
4.3.2 Personal problems
In the first instance, you should contact your personal tutor (or year tutor). If the problem still remains unresolved then you should contact your course leader.
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4.3.3 Academic problems (unrelated to coursework and examinations)
Stage 1 Discuss with lecturerconcerned
Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed
Stage 2 Discuss with personaltutor or year tutor
Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed
Stage 3 Bring to attention ofcourse leader or deputy course leader
Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed
Stage 4 Bring to attention ofthe Course Board through your yearcourse representative
Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed
Stage 5 Bring to the attention of Dean or Assistant Head Professional Programmes
The Head of School or Assistant Head will take appropriate action directly or if necessary refer the problem on to the School Academic Board, Examination Board or other appropriate body.
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4.3.4 Problems associated with completing coursework and/or sitting examinations
Problems completing coursework should follow the pattern below:
Stage 1 Discuss with lecturer concerned
Stage 2 If necessary complete an Assignment ExtensionForm, getting the approval of your Course Leader (or Personal Tutor/Year Tutor if you are an UG Business student) and/ or Mitigating Circumstances Form and notify your personal tutor and/or year tutor in writing of the nature of the problem and its potential effect
Stage 3 Lodge copies of the document outlined in Stage 2 with the Undergraduate Office marked for the attention of the lecturer concerned and the Chair of the Examination Board.
Please make sure that you obtain a receipt from the Office staff when submitting these forms
For problems relating to sitting examinations the normal pattern should be as follows:
Stage 1 Bring the problem to the attentionof the invigilator
Stage 2 Bring the problem to the attention of your personal tutor or course leader. This should be in writing
with, wherever possible, an assessment of the effect the problem had on performance
Stage 3 Lodge a copy of a mitigating circumstances form with the Undergraduate Office marked for the attention of the Chair of the Examination Board.
Again, please make sure that you obtain a receipt from the Office staff when submitting this form
For further information about obtaining coursework extensions see 5.9 (below), and for further information about submitting a mitigating circumstances form see 5.13 (below) below.
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4.4 Student representation and feedback
4.4.1 Student representation
Each year student representatives are elected for each course, and they are an important formal channel of communication between students and staff. The names and contact details of student representatives are published on Studentcentral from early November each year.
All students are urged to consider standing for election as a student representative. It can be a very rewarding role, is an excellent personal development opportunity, and looks great on your CV. All newly elected student representatives are offered training for the role by the School, in conjunction with the University of Brighton Students Union, and support is available during the year as required. For further information about standing as a student representative, please contact your Course Leader. In both the autumn and the spring term we also need the help of students at open day events for prospective students, providing tours of the campus and sometimes giving presentations. If you want to find out more about these roles, again talk to your Course Leader.
4.4.2 Student feedback
The School recognises the importance of formally obtaining and responding to the views of students in a systematic, consistent and transparent manner, taking action where necessary, and “closing the loop” by giving students feedback on resultant action, and the outcomes of student participation in decision making.
Feedback is formally obtained from students via annual course feedback forms, the student representative system (see 4.4.1 above), and operation of the School’s policy for resolving academic problems (see 4.3. above)). Formal mechanisms for obtaining student feedback are inevitably, and often usefully, supplemented by informal channels and contacts with students. For example, the Student Liaison Committee comprising student representatives and chaired by the School Quality Director meets two/three times a year in order to provide a forum for students to comment on issues that may arise at both course and School level. The School also analyses the feedback from the annual National Student Survey (see www.thenationalsurvey.com) and all final year students are strongly urged to participate in this and give their views.
Feedback from students is formally considered and responded to, at course boards and at the School Academic Board, and as part of the annual academic health process (see 4.5 below). Copies of the minutes of course boards and the Student Liaison Committee will normally be published on the school area on Studentcentral within three weeks of each board.
4.5 Annual academic health process
The basic building block of the University’s quality assurance system is the Annual Academic Health process, which ensures that all courses and their constituent modules are reviewed annually, drawing upon a range of data as appropriate. Reports are produced from module through to course level, and are synthesized into school reports which consider the range of courses within their portfolio. Schools’ reports are considered at faculty and university level. External examiner reports and student feedback are a vital part of this process.
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Within Brighton Business School, all course academic health reports are considered and approved at the School’s Annual Academic Health Afternoon in October, to which student representatives are invited to attend and participate. Copies of all approved academic health reports and the School Academic Health Report will normally be published on the school area by mid-November.
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5. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - ASSESSMENT
5.1 Nature of assessment5.2 Coursework marking guidelines5.3 Coursework presentation5.4 Referencing your work5.5 Coursework word limit and word ranges5.6 Coursework submission5.7 Late coursework5.8 Coursework extensions5.9 Return of coursework5.10 Examination timetables5.11 Examination past papers5.12 Examination results5.13 Mitigating circumstances5.14 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations5.15 Appealing the decision of an examination board
5.1 Nature of assessment
Internally assessed route (fundamental skills stage only)Student numbers and geographic spread have the effect of forcing the ACCA to rely on examinations as the only form of assessment. With an internally examined course, opportunity is given to institutions to use other methods. The use of assessed coursework in the internally assessed route for the fundamental skills stage enables progress to be monitored to the benefit of both student and tutor in such a way that the student is rewarded for effort by crediting marks towards the final mark for the paper.
Additionally this enables the student to be assessed in skills which are not capable of being assessed in examinations (the 'soft skills' referred to earlier), and which are more flexible and varied than otherwise would be the case.
Furthermore, on the internally assessed course, we can offer more up-to-date materials than in an ACCA externally assessed course, with the longer time-scales involved. Finally, students are offered the opportunity to take some resit examinations more quickly than they could under external examinations.
Assessment Regulations
Modules AAIF9-AAIF9 above will be assessed by a combination of one piece of coursework, and a three-hour unseen examination. The pass mark for each module will be 50% overall. Candidates will be required to obtain at least 40% in each component of the assessment.
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Assessment Grid
Module Code and Title Assessment Weighting
AAIF4 - Corporate and Business Law (F4)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
AAIF5 - Performance Management (F5)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
AAIF6 - Taxation (F6)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
AAIF7 - Financial Reporting (F7)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
AAIF8 - Audit and Assurance (F8)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
AAIF9 - Financial Management (F9)Examination (3 Hour)Coursework
75%25%
Examinations
Each examination on the course takes the form of a 3 hour unseen paper with 15 minutes reading time. The format of each examination varies, so details of each subject and specimen examination papers can be found on Studentcentral.Examinations are held in accordance with University of Brighton regulations, and during the busy examination period, may start at any time from 9 am to 4 pm and may be at any University of Brighton site.
Timing of assessment
Due to ACCA regulations full time students will sit four papers (AAIF5, AAIF7, AAIF8, AAIF9) in the May/June examination period. They will sit the remaining two papers (AAIF4 and AAIF6) in August/September. Part time students will sit examinations in the May/June period for the modules studied in that year.
The resit examinations for students who have failed an examination at the first attempt will be held in late August/early September. The full time students who fail their first attempts at papers AAIF4 and AAIF6 in September will normally resit in Reading week (early November). Students should note that failing in September could have negative implications for their progression through the course depending on their individual circumstances.
The summer diet of University of Brighton examinations usually ends the day before the ACCA external exams start. Examination dates are organised centrally and the business school therefore cannot normally give the dates before Easter of the year in question.
Coursework
Modules AAIF4 – AAIF209 are assessed by a combination of examination and coursework assignments, weighted 75%/25% respectively.
The six modules together examine all the soft skills, so that every student completing a module will have been examined over the range of skills required by the ACCA. Specimen assignments can be found for each subject on Studentcentral.
Please note that in all cases, any marks given out by tutors are provisional until they have been confirmed by the Examination Board.
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Submission schedule for internally assessed coursework assessments
Paper Assignment set Assignment submittedModuleAAIF4 06/11/13 11/12/13AAIF5 09/10/13 05/02/14AAIF6 23/10/2013 15/01/2014AAIF7 11/10/2013 28/02/2014AAIF8 11/10/2013 31/01/2014AAIF9 1/11/2013 24/01/2014
Course Examination Board
There will be a single tier examination board structure, comprising a Course Examination Board (CEB).
The membership of the CEB will comprise:
i) An Associate Head of Brighton Business Schoolii) the course leaderiv) the Dean v) the academic staff responsible for the teaching and assessment of the course vi) the external examiners.vii) ACCA representative
The Associate Head of Brighton Business School will normally chair the CEB.
In the absence of the Head of the School an appropriate senior member of the university with the exception of the course leader will chair the CEB.
The responsibilities of the CEB will be those laid down in Section D4 of GEAR (General Examination and Assessment Regulations) as apply to CEB's in a single tier system, except as specified in section 6 of this Handbook.
5.1.1 Examination regulations
1. Internally assessed students must sit for at least two examinations in the module at the same diet, and a maximum of four.
2. Students must attempt all subjects in a designated stage at the same sitting, unless they are resitting a failed subject, having passed the other subjects in that stage at the first attempt
3. The pass mark overall, and in each of the elements, is 50%. To obtain a pass in a subject a student must achieve at least 50% of the combined total marks available, but may compensate between the coursework and examination elements, so long as at least 40% of the marks available for the element to be compensated are achieved
4. Where a student achieves a mark of at least 40% in the coursework element of the failed subject, but has not passed the subject according to the rule stated in section 3, he/she is not normally required to be reassessed in the coursework element. The coursework mark will normally be carried forward to the resit where an overall mark of 50% must be achieved. (But see section 6)
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5. Where a student achieves a mark of at least 40% in the examination element of the failed subject, but has not passed the subject according to the rule stated in section 3, he/she is not normally required to be reassessed in the examination element. The examination mark will normally be carried forward to the resit where an overall mark of 50% must be achieved
6. Where a student achieves a mark of at least 40% in both elements, but fails to achieve 50% overall, he/she must resit the exam, but has the option to resit the coursework
7. The exact nature and timing of the resit will in all cases be decided by the examination board
8. Students retain any subjects they pass in a module and only have to retake the subjects they fail
Please note that all marks (including coursework marks) are provisional until agreed by the examination board
5.2 Coursework marking guidelines
The following grading criteria, based on the University’s undergraduate marking/ grading descriptors, indicate the marks and classifications to be awarded for various standards of written work. Your work will be marked in percentages, with the exception of those few modules that just need Pass/fail As each subject has its own emphases and as assignments may vary in their approach (e.g. essays, reports, projects etc.) so descriptions offered here are inevitably generalised and will need to be interpreted and adapted to the specifics of each assignment. Sometimes you will be issued with supplementary grading criteria which are specific to the particular task you have been set.
FIRST (1)
Outstanding (80-100%)An outstanding response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been achieved to an exceptionally high level. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline: Exceptional display of understanding, exploration, insight and/or research All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,
have been strictly adhered to The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including referencing
where appropriate, are exemplary throughout The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in an original way Inspirational, innovative and authoritative - evidence of intellectual rigour, independence of
judgement and insightful contextualisation including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance
Evidence of very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Consistently displays very high levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and
achievement
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Excellent (70%-79%) An excellent response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been achieved to a high standard and many at an exceptionally high level. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline: In-depth understanding, exploration, insight and/or research All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,
have been adhered to The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including referencing
where appropriate, are excellent throughout The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in an original way Insightful contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance Evidence of high to very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Demonstrates high levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and
achievement
UPPER SECOND (2.1)Good/Very good (60-69%)A good to very good response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met fully at a good or very good standard. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline: Good to very good understanding and exploration, some insight and/or thorough research No significant inaccuracies, misunderstandings or errors The specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,
have been adhered to The work is well organised, coherent and the standard of presentation, including referencing
where appropriate, is at least good The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a comprehensive and
appropriate way Appropriate contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance Evidence of high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Demonstrates good levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and
achievement
LOWER SECOND (2.2)Sound/competent (50-59%)A sound, competent response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met and some may have been achieved at a good standard. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline: Sound understanding and exploration, some insight and/or appropriate research No significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings No significant aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task, including word
limit/time limit where appropriate
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The work is suitably organised1 and the standard of presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is at least sound
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a standard way Sound analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
THIRD (3)Adequate but weak (40-49%)An adequate, but weak response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have just been met. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline: Adequate understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with little insight and/or minimal
research Some minor inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings Some minor aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task, including word
limit/time limit where appropriate The work is largely descriptive2, some parts of the work are disorganised and the standard of
presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is barely adequate The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a basic and/or poor way Some, but limited, evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
FAILMarginal fail (35-39%)An unsatisfactory response to the task. One or more of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria just fail to reach the minimum standard to pass the module. The work may display some strengths but these are marginally outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as: Limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with very little insight and/or minimal
research Some significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings Insufficient attention paid to some of the assessment criteria and some significant aberrations
from the specifications for the assessment task3
The work is too descriptive, parts of the work are disorganised and unclear and the standard of presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is poor
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a poor way Insufficient evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Little evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement
NOTE: Where the assessment for a module comprises a number of tasks (e.g. a piece of coursework and an examination), and a student receives a mark between 35% and 39% for one of the tasks, they may still pass the module, providing that they pass the other task, and achieve an overall average mark of at least 40%.
Weak fail (30-34%)
1 Clearly presented but with little development
2 Although generally coherent there is some lack of clarity of thought or expression. Poor quality in at least one area3 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or minor elements of the work missing
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An unsatisfactory response to the task. One or more of the learning outcomes/ assessment criteria clearly fail to reach the minimum standard to pass the module. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as: Limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with very little insight and/or minimal
research Some significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings Insufficient attention paid to some of the assessment criteria and some significant aberrations
from the specifications for the assessment task4
The work is too descriptive, parts of the work are disorganised and unclear and the standard of presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is poor
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a poor way Insufficient evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Little evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement
NOTE: Where the assessment for a module comprises a number of tasks (e.g. a piece of coursework and an examination), and a student receives a mark below 35% for one of the tasks, they will not pass the module, regardless of how well they perform in the other tasks.
Unsatisfactory (10-29%)An unsatisfactory response to the task. Most of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria have not been met. Any strengths of the work are heavily outweighed by many weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as: Very limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with little or no insight and/or
minimal research Several significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings Insufficient attention paid to several of the assessment criteria and some serious deviations
from the specifications for the assessment task5
The work is mainly descriptive and the standard of presentation including referencing where appropriate is very poor
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed inadequately Little evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal Little to no evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement
Unsatisfactory (0-9%)An unsatisfactory response to the task. Almost none of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met. The work fails to meet the requirements in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline, exemplified by most or all of the following: Almost no understanding and/or exploration of ideas Many serious inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings No attention paid to all or most of the assessment criteria and/or to the specifications for the
assessment task6
Very poor standard of presentation including referencing where appropriate
4 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or minor elements of the work missing5 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or major elements of the work missing6 As footnote 5
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The work has been approached and/or executed/performed inadequately No evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal No evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement
5.3 Coursework presentation
These guidelines are based on our requirements for placement projects and dissertations, but should be valid for most written work produced during your course. Please note, however, that special conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal scholarship. Therefore, if you are submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the detailed guidance in the Studying Law at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic copy of the Handbook is available on the School area of Studentcentral.
Where a word document is required to be submitted, the report should be on A4 paper with one-and-a-half spacing between the lines, single or double sided. Appendices may be single-spaced. Each page in the main report should be numbered with page numbers at the foot of the page.
There should be a margin of at least 1.5 inches (4 cm) on the left side of the page, both for the text and for any diagrams. Top, right and bottom margins should be at least 1.25 inches (3 cm). The right margin should be unjustified (i.e. left 'ragged') to aid readability.
The main text should be in a single 12-point font, e.g. Times New Roman or similar. An alternative font such as Arial in a smaller point size may be more appropriate in diagrams and tables. Use bolding for emphasis within the text and for section headings.
Any material copied directly from another author must be enclosed in quotation marks, followed immediately by a reference to the source. Individual quotations should not normally exceed one paragraph, and quotations should not exceed 5% of the length of the report.
You are responsible for the accuracy of the finished work so after it has been completed you should use the spell-checker to catch any typographical and spelling errors. You should also proof read it yourself (or have it read by someone else), as the spell-checker is not likely to catch every error.
5.4 Referencing your work
It is important in academic writing to reference all the important ideas and facts in your work. It is also the best way to avoid any risk of plagiarism (see 5.16 below). You should do this:
When you quote directly using others’ words in quotation marks
When you paraphrase the arguments or theories of others in your own words
When you use evidence from the work of others to support your own arguments
When you rework published data or use it as the basis of your own calculations.
To ensure that you reference properly, you should carefully read and follow the guidance contained within the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook, which is based on the Harvard referencing system. All first year undergraduate students will be provided with a paper copy of the Handbook as part of their academic skills module. An electronic copy of the handbook is also available on the School Area and all Course Areas on
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Studentcentral. Please note, however, that special conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal scholarship. Therefore, if you are submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the detailed guidance in the Studying Law at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic copy of the Handbook is available on the School area of Studentcentral.
Therefore, no student has any excuse for not referencing properly, and poor referencing may have a negative impact on the mark that you receive for your work. Non-referencing will constitute plagiarism, which is considered a very serious form of academic misconduct (see 5.15 below).
5.5 Coursework word limits and word ranges
Every piece of coursework you are set will either have a word limit or a word range, which you should make sure you observe. Normally, if your coursework has a word limit e.g. 2,000 words, then the marker will stop reading the work once you have exceed the word limit by 10%. If you write less than the word limit you risk not maximising your potential mark. If your coursework has a word range e.g. 1,500-2,000 words, then the marker will stop reading the work once you have exceeded the upper figure. If you write less than the lower word limit you risk not maximising your potential mark. For the purpose of calculating the word count, footnotes are included (apart from law coursework where they are excluded), whereas contents pages, executive summaries, tables, appendices and reference lists/bibliographies are not usually included. If in doubt, check with one of your module lecturers.
You are required to declare a word count for every piece of work you submit.
5.6 Coursework submission
Your lecturer will specify the date and time by which your assessed coursework has to be submitted. You must keep to this deadline unless you have been granted an extension by the course leader (see later sections). If you are likely to face difficulties submitting at the specified time, then submit your work in advance. All coursework must be submitted digitally via Studentcentral. For word documents you are required to submit a digital copy of your assignment using Turnitin on Studentcentral. For documents using Excel, submission of the digital copy is via Blackboard on Studentcentral. The only exception is in the case of the placement project/ extended project/research elective report/dissertation where we require two paper copies to be handed in in addition to one digital copy. We only accept coursework for marking on submission of the digital version and reserve the right to scan versions for plagiarised material.
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5.6.1 Submission of digital copy
Each module has its own area on Studentcentral and, if the module involves coursework, you will find a link in the left hand menu called “Assessment” through which you should submit your work. Details on how to submit the digital copy on Studentcentral can be found in the Appendix – Assignment submission via Studentcentral.
5.6.2 Submission of paper copy (where applicable)
Where a paper copy (or copies) is required, for example, for placement projects, dissertations or research elective reports, you will be given details of the arrangements for submission.
The front page of your work should also contain the following information:
Your Name
Your Seminar Group (if applicable)
Module Lecturer’s Name
Module Name and Module Code
Assignment Title
Course
Level (4, 5 or 6)
Date Due in
5.7 Late coursework
Submission deadlines are sacrosanct. Students must submit all work for assessment in the manner and by the date previously notified to them unless an extension to deadline has been granted (see 5.9 below). Assessed work submitted after the published submission deadline will be considered late submission and will be subject to a standard penalty. Students submitting work within two weeks after the submission deadline (this includes a new submission deadline following an agreed extension to deadline) or the last working day immediately prior to the feedback date where this is shorter than two weeks can be provided with feedback. Beyond this date assessed work will not be accepted and a mark of zero will be awarded for non-submission. The penalty for submitting late work is that the work will be capped at the pass mark i.e. 40% or the actual mark where it is a fail. There is no entitlement to submit late for the submission of referred work. Individual members of staff cannot waive these penalties as it is University policy.
5.8 Coursework extensions
In exceptional circumstances students may apply for an extension to the submission date. An extension is granted in order that an assignment can be submitted as if on time i.e. the deadline for students with extensions is effectively put back to a later date.
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5.8.1 Grounds
It is not possible to give a full list of reasons for which extensions may be granted. The typical case is where you have been ill during the time when an assignment was due to be written. However, any unforeseen circumstances which disrupt your study may represent an appropriate reason.
If the standard of your work has been affected by the circumstances which caused you to apply for an extension, you should also submit mitigating circumstances at the end of the semester (see 5.13 below) and explain, in your supporting documentation, both the nature of the circumstances and the reason that the extension was not sufficient for you to produce your best work.
In considering whether or not an extension to a deadline should be granted, the designated signatory will be mindful of the following points:
When applying for an extension you are normally required to submit documentary evidence of the reason for the application.
The nature of coursework is such that minor illnesses during the time when you would be expected to be working on the assignment will not constitute good grounds for granting an extension, even if these occur within the final few days before the deadline. Serious illness or injury, where supported by documentary evidence, will normally be appropriate reason for an extension to be approved.
Computer failure, or the loss of data from a computer disk, will not normally be deemed a satisfactory reason for late submission.
Paid employment commitments do not constitute grounds for an extension, or mitigating circumstances, for full-time students. Part-time students who are in full-time employment are expected to prioritise University deadlines. Exceptionally, such as where work commitments change at short notice through circumstances beyond your control, an application will be appropriate. In such cases , and especially where the course is undertaken as professional development, it is anticipated that the designated signatory will consider applications sympathetically where they are supported by evidence in the form of, for example, a letter from your line manager.
In considering an application for an extension, the designated signatory will have regard to the other students on the programme who have not requested an extension, and will ensure that these students would not be unfairly disadvantaged by the granting of the extension.
5.8.2 Procedure
Students should complete an Assignment Extension Form, obtainable from the Undergraduate Office, attaching any medical certificate or other written evidence, and return it to the Course Administrator. Students must normally apply as soon as possible but no later than two days before the submission date. All such applications will be dealt with by the Personal Tutor/Year Tutor/Course Leader who will reply in writing, setting a new submission date where appropriate.
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5.9 Return of coursework
Your module tutors will indicate when you should receive feedback on your coursework, which will normally be available within 20 working days if the work has been submitted on time. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances (such as staff illness), there can be other delays in returning your coursework, and where that happens your module tutor will let you know and provide you with a revised date for return of the work.
However, please note that all coursework marks returned prior to the relevant examination board are provisional, and are subject to approval of the examination board.
Normally examination scripts are not returned to students.
5.10 Examination timetables
Examination timetables will be published at least three weeks in advance of the relevant examination period on your course area on Studentcentral, please note the examination period for the 2012/2013 academic year is Monday 13 May – Friday 7 June. It is your responsibility to obtain the details of your examinations, and make sure that you attend at the right location, on the correct day and at the correct time. If you arrive late for an examination, you will not necessarily be given extra time, and if you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the examination you will not be permitted to enter the examination room. If you are unable to attend an examination you should submit a Mitigating Circumstances form (see 5.13 below).
5.10.1 Main examinations
Internally assessed examinations
Examination timetables will be published at least three weeks in advance of the relevant examination period on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area of Studentcentral. It is your responsibility to obtain the details of your examinations, and make sure that you attend at the right location, on the correct day and at the correct time. If you arrive late for an examination, you will not necessarily be given extra time, and if you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the examination you will not be permitted to enter the examination room. If you are unable to attend an examination you should submit a Mitigating Circumstances Form (see 5.13 below).
5.10.2 Resit examinations
Where a student is required to take a resit examination, it is the responsibility of the student to ascertain the date of the examination and make themself available on that date. Note: failure to attend a resit examination on the specified date may preclude a student from proceeding with their course the next academic year.
ACCA external examinations - past papersPast ACCA examinations papers can be found on the ACCA website www.accaglobal.com
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5.11 Examination past papers
Copies of the past two years examination papers for all modules are available on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on Studentcentral. Where a new module is offered, your lecturers will advise you of the format of the exam and an indication of the type/style of question you may be asked.
5.12 Examination results
A pass list will be published as soon as possible after the Examination Board and a letter will be sent to you detailing your results within two weeks of the Board. Due to current data protection legislation, examination pass lists identify students by their University student number rather than their name. Therefore if you attend the University to consult the pass lists it is important to bring along your student number. Administrative staff will be very busy at this time preparing results letters and will not be able to look up student numbers.
Please do not ask the tutors, course leader or course administrator for your results. They are under a lot of pressure to get the results out to you as speedily and as accurately as possible and any such requests just slow them down. Under no circumstances will results be given by telephone or e-mail.
5.13 Mitigating circumstances
ACCA Specific rules regarding mitigating circumstances
(i) Mitigating circumstances are unforeseen incidents which affect a student's performance either in their coursework or their end-of-course examination. In order to be admissible the circumstances must have: materially affected the students' ability either to prepare their coursework, revise for
an examination or to work during the examination been beyond the student's control not been predictable in advance and therefore were not able to be compensated for
by non-registration, withdrawal or special provision during the examinations been corroborated by independent third party evidence e.g. Doctor's Certificate or
Police Incident Report.
(ii) Examples of mitigating circumstances which would be admissible are the recent death of a close relative, the critical illness of a dependent relative, a severe debilitating illness during a critical period of the course or disruption for more than 10 minutes during the examination.
(iii) Examples of mitigating circumstances which would not normally be admissible are pre-existing long term physical or mental illness, marital (or similar) difficulties, normal pregnancy, moving house, changing employment, work pressure, bad handwriting and English as a second language.
~End of ACCA specific regulations~
Where you consider that your performance in an assessment has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control and you wish the Examination Board to take this into account you should complete a Mitigating Circumstances form. If you are unable to attend an examination you should also submit a Mitigating Circumstances form. Full details on mitigating circumstances can be found in GEAR. However, the following should be noted:
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5.13.1 Grounds
In considering claims for mitigating circumstances, your Course Examination Board (or other appropriate body) will consider: the severity of the mitigating circumstances, and the reasonableness of a claim that
such circumstances might have affected performance; the documentary evidence;
the time period affected, and the likelihood that performance may have been affected;
whether it is reasonable to suppose that the circumstances should have been foreseen by the student, or were avoidable.
The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will normally be considered valid, where the evidence and timing are available to support the claim: personal illness; illness of a family member; death of a family member or close friend; personal/psychological problems.
The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will NOT normally be considered valid, even when they can be supported by independent documentary evidence: paid employment; other University deadlines; car breakdown; lateness of lift to the University; missing a bus or train; oversleeping; misunderstanding timetable, or not knowing about times; computer problems (including corrupted disks or printing problems); job interview; any on-going situation known to the student; other circumstances which it is reasonable to suppose might have been foreseen.
Note: Your mitigating circumstances are unlikely to be considered unless some documentary evidence is provided. Your personal tutor, year tutor or course leader may be able to advise you of the sort of evidence required, if it is not obvious (Also see 5.15.2 below).
5.13.2 Procedure
If you believe that your mitigating circumstances should be considered you must complete and submit a Mitigating Circumstances form, via the Undergraduate Office, to the Chair of the Course Examination Board explaining:
(i) Which assessments were affected(ii) How the circumstances affected your performance.
You need to ask the Undergraduate Office staff if you do not know who the Chair of the Course Examination Board is. The form and any supporting letter must be accompanied by third party documentary evidence, e.g. medical certificates. Self Certification of Illness notes will NOT be accepted- you must produce a doctor’s certificate.
The form and any supporting letter together with supporting evidence must be handed into
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the Course Administrator as soon as possible and certainly no later than 5 working days after the assignment/ examination to which they relate. Students should try and consult their Personal Tutor before submitting their forms and supporting evidence so that the Personal Tutor can speak on their behalf when mitigating circumstances are considered.Any Mitigating Circumstances not submitted in this way will not normally be considered by a Course Examination Board. See also the section on appealing against an Examination Board decision where it warns that late submission of mitigating circumstances is not normally allowable.
5.14 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in assessment
If you attempt to gain a grade by fraudulent means you can be severely punished by the Course Examination Board – see GEAR.
5.14.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is essentially presenting (directly or indirectly) another person's thoughts, writing, etc. as your own. Quoting directly without quotation marks and attribution is plagiarism. Copying material from a textbook, lecture material, article, digital file or another student, even if you paraphrase, may be considered plagiarism.
It is your responsibility to be fully aware what constitutes plagiarism and what does not. As a starting point, you should read the University’s Plagiarism Awareness Pack – you will be provided a paper copy of this pack when you start your course, and electronic copies are available on the “MY School: Brighton Business School” area and all Course Areas on Studentcentral. Also, a short Powerpoint presentation showing the sort of copying our plagiarism software can detect can be found on the School Area and all Course Areas Studentcentral. By properly referencing all your work, you can avoid a plagiarism allegation, so you should also be fully conversant with the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook.
Plagiarism is an issue facing all universities across the world and strikes at the heart of academic standards. Be warned we shall be sampling this work with highly effective software designed to detect copying.
5.14.2 Collusion
Collusion is defined as one or more people working together for the purposes of perpetrating a fraud. In academic terms this generally means attempting to pass of a piece of work done by a fellow student or group of students as an individual’s own work. As it is only in exceptional circumstances that this could happen inadvertently the presumption is that all parties were involved in the decision to share work and to try pass that work of as the work of an individual rather than that of a fellow student or group. Therefore it is important to make sure that if the assignment is an individual piece of work it is your own work and not that of a group. Presenting a piece of work as yours when it is, in fact, the work of a fellow student or group is collusion and is a form of fraud.
The Business School treats collusion as seriously as plagiarism and, even if you are the originator of the work, in order to avoid suffering a similar penalty to fellow students who ‘copied’ your work you will have to provide a coherent explanation to the panel of why you gave them sight of your work. As the panel will be operating on the presumption that this is unlikely to happen inadvertently you should be very wary of lending your notes, computer
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disks or assignments to other people, as you will find it difficult to prove that you were not directly involved in an attempt to collude
5.14.3 Cheating
Cheating in examinations by whatever means, including copying from unauthorised material or from another student’s script, consulting information or individuals while absent from the examination room, or attempting to gain a higher grade by fraudulent means, is also strictly forbidden.
Recently a small number of students were caught bringing into the examination hall illegal material that could have been of benefit to them when answering questions. In all cases the students were heavily penalised. The default for most modules is that you are not allowed to take any material into the examination room apart from pens, pencils and possibly non programmable calculators- and , of course, yourself!. If you are allowed to take material into the examination room please make absolutely certain that you have checked with your lecturer exactly what you are and are not allowed to take in long before the date of yourexamination. As each module is likely to have different forms of assessment you will need to check with the Lecturer for each module. Ignorance of the rules is not a defence that we will listen to.
5.14.4 Penalties
Penalties for plagiarism and collusion include being marked as zero for the assignment, zero for the module or even harsher penalties. A similar penalty is applied for cheating in examinations. Repeat offences carry stiffer penalties.
5.15 Appealing the decision of an examination board
Examination Boards are conducted under the University of Brighton’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR), a copy of which is available on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on Studentcentral.
Before formally entering an appeal you are required to discuss the matter informally with the chair of the examination board and give notice in writing of your attention to appeal to the Secretary to the Academic Board within 15 working days (within three weeks of the pass list being posted on the student notice board). If this informal discussion fails to resolve the matter, you must lodge your appeal in writing with the secretary to the Academic Board within thirty working days of the date of publication of the pass list notifying you of the decision. Normally, appeals submitted outside the specified time scale will be ruled invalid. You must state the decision against which you are appealing and the grounds for your appeal; you must also submit documents supporting your claim.
Grounds for appeal
A request for a review of an Examination Board decision may only be made on one or more of the following grounds:
1. That a student has submitted evidence of mitigating circumstances which were not considered by the Examination Board;
2. That the Examination Board was not aware of mitigating circumstances affecting the
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student’s performance because the candidate had been unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge them before the Examination Board reached its decision; (It is only in exceptional circumstances that an appeal will be heard on the basis of evidence submitted after the meeting of an Examination Board, and the attention of students is drawn to the importance of notifying the Chair of the Examination Board and/or Course Leader, in writing, of any circumstances extraneous to the course which might be prejudicial to their performance, as soon as possible, preferably before the examination and in any event before the examination board meets)
3. That the examination procedures were not followed in accordance with the regulations, resulting in an error in the candidate’s assessment;
4. That some other material irregularity had led to a breach of the procedures or regulations resulting in a decision detrimental to the student.
These are the ONLY grounds for appeal. There is no right of appeal against decisions of an Examination Board, which are matters of academic judgement. Similarly a student may not lodge an appeal on the grounds of dissatisfaction with the design, curriculum or delivery (teaching, departmental support, etc.) of a course.
Note in particular that marks awarded are matters of academic judgement, i.e. you cannot ask for an examination script to be re-marked.
ACCA Specific regulations
Individual student appeals should be dealt with through the appropriate institutional mechanism. Students and staff are advised that ACCA may choose to take separate action on receipt of a report of an appeal. Students attending Internally Assessed Courses are also subject to ACCA’s Student Regulations and Disciplinary Procedures as specified in ACCA post registration material.
In the event of a student appealing against the decision of the Examination Board, the Institution must obtain the approval, in writing, of the Chief External Examiner and ACCA’s Education Department, before any exam result previously approved by the Board is reviewed.
~End of ACCA specific regulations~
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6. YOUR COURSE-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
6.1 Admissions6.2 Course specific regulations for internally assessed ACCA course6.3 Minimum pass mark and referrals6.4 What happens if I then fail a referral?6.5 Progression Regulations6.6 Registration Periods6.7 Intercalation6.8 Withdrawal from the course___________________________________________________________________
6.1 Admissions
Minimum Entry Requirements to Fundamentals Skills
Students wishing to join the Fundamentals Skills course to study in part-time mode must, in accordance with ACCA and University regulations:
i) be currently registered students of the Association,
ii) be able to provide documentary evidence from the ACCA of exemption from or of having passed a minimum of two subjects at the Fundamentals Knowledge examinations, i.e. students may carry only one subject from Fundamentals Knowledge on to the course. Additionally, students will not be able to take any subjects at the Professional Essentials external examinations until they have registered to sit any outstanding papers at the Fundamental stage.
iii) be competent to read, speak and write in English. This normally requires an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in the written element, or a TOEFL score of 580.
If applying for our internally assessed course students must also
iv) sign a declaration that they have not failed an internally assessed course at another institution.
The ACCA expects students to sit for examinations in module order i.e. complete the Knowledge module before commencing the Skills module.
The entry requirements for part-time students wishing to enter directly to Fundamentals Skills Year 2, are the same in all respects to those entering Fundamentals Skills Phase 1, except that in addition documentary evidence would be required of exemption from at least two of the earlier fundamental skills papers F4, F5 and F6, and Fundamental Knowledge papers.
In all cases, the final decision for acceptance on to the ACCA Fundamentals Skills course rests with the course leader.
Minimum Entry Requirements to Professional level (ACCA)
Students wishing to join the course at Professional level would normally be expected to be able to provide documentary evidence from the ACCA of having passed or having exemptions from all of Fundamentals Skills, except that students who have been referred in or have outstanding externally examined subjects may be allowed to join the course, at the discretion of the course leader. Further progress in the examinations will then be subject to
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ACCA regulations, including the requirement to have cleared all of Fundamentals Knowledge before any Professional Essentials subjects may be taken.
6.2 Course specific regulations for internally assessed ACCA course
The general rules governing the assessment of the programme are to be found in the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR)(a copy of which can be found via the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral). The regulations are necessarily detailed and complicated.
Due to the PSRB requirements we have made some exceptions to GEAR on this course which can be seen below
Failure and repeat attempts
In the interests of uniformity with the rules of the ACCA for Fundamental Skills, students will normally be allowed one further attempt at each of the Fundamental Skills papers. The second attempt will normally take place at the next examination diet and must be undertaken within three years of the first attempt.
Compensation
In accordance with the ACCA regulations compensation between subjects is not allowed on any modules.
6.3 Minimum pass mark and referrals (Fundamental skills)
(i) To obtain a pass in a subject a student must achieve at least 40% of the marks available for the coursework element, at least 40% of the marks available for the examination element and a weighted aggregate of 50%. In cases where a subject is examined by examination or coursework only they must achieve a mark of 50%.
(ii) The ACCA does not permit a student to be passed by condoning or compensating between subjects within a course or between other internally assessed ACCA courses.
(iii) Students retain any subjects they pass on a course and only have to retake the subjects they failed. They do NOT have to pass all the subjects on a course in order to pass individual subjects and gain an exemption from the ACCA.
Failure
(iv) Where a student fails a subject, but achieves a mark of at least 40% in the coursework element or examination element, he/she may carry forward the mark to a resit, where a weighted aggregate of 50% must be achieved.
(v) Students failing one or more subjects are allowed only ONE further attempt at the failed subject(s) with or without attending the course again (irrespective of the coursework or examination mark achieved in the first attempt and performance in the other subject(s) on the course).
(vi) Students may resit a failed examination at another Institution offering Internally Assessed Courses but he/she MUST declare the fact that it is a resit. It must be emphasised that the ACCA keep details of attempts made by students on all Internally Assessed Courses
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and any false declaration will invalidate the results and may lead to ACCA taking further disciplinary action.
(vii) If a student is absent from an examination without prior approval or fails to provide subsequent explanation within 48 hours, then that student will be deemed to have failed the examination.
(viii) Students must resit any failed examination(s) within 18 months of the first attempt.
(ix) Students performing poorly on a course may be counselled to leave the course.
Deferrals
(x) A candidate who has prior knowledge of the fact that they are unlikely to be able to attend an examination, due to medical or other acceptable reason, must obtain prior approval from the Course Leader for the absence.
(xi) If due to sudden illness or any emergency or other unavoidable circumstances, this prior approval has not been obtained, the candidate seeking to be excused from the attendance at any examination or part thereof must, within 48 hours thereafter, inform the Course Leader in writing of their absence, setting out all the relevant circumstances which prevented attendance and providing supporting documentation. See section 5.13 Mitigating Circumstances
(xii) If a student has complied with the notification above, then the Examination Board has the discretion to award a ‘first sit’ at the next examination session, thereby disregarding the examination session under review.
Examination Boards
(xiii) Examination Boards are held for each examination session in order that students’ performance can be fully considered.
(xiv) The meeting should be chaired by the Associate Head or an equivalent senior member of staff and attended by the Course Leader, course tutors, the External Examiners and an ACCA representative.
(xv) In considering students’ performance, the Examination Board may take account of students’ mitigating circumstances as described below and the decision in respect of each student by the Board is final.
6.4What happens if I then fail a referral?
If a student fails a referral, they must then sit that paper externally with the ACCA.
6.5 Progression Regulations
Full time
Students who are studying Fundamental Skills stage on a full time basis will be permitted to take all six module exams in one year; AAIF5, AAIF7, AAIF8 and AAIF9 in May/June and AAIF4 and AAIF6 in September.
Students taking resits in November are provisionally allowed to progress to Stage 3 dependent on their results in the resits.
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On successful completion of the Fundamental Skills stage, full time students will be entitled to progress to the Professional stage of the course. Students who have failed no more than one module at the Fundamental Skills stage may also normally progress.
Part time
Part time students normally take Fundamental Skills stage over two years referred to below as Year 1 and Year 2.
Normally students would have successfully completed the first three Fundamental Skills papers (F4, F5 and F6) of the part time course before proceeding to Year 2 (F7, F8 and F9), but students who have failed no more than one module in Year 1 may be admitted to Year 2 of the part time course. If a student fails the resit then the outstanding module would have to be passed externally before they can proceed to the professional stage 3. Successful completion of all modules in the Fundamental Skills stage will allow progression onto the professional stage. Students who have failed no more than one module may also normally progress
6.6Registration Periods
The length of the part-time Fundamental Skills is 64 weeks over two academic years. This includes approximately two weeks of examination and assessment, and three weeks of revision each year.
For the Professional modules, the part time course is expected to take two academic years to complete.
6.7 Intercalation
Intercalation or suspension of studiesThe minimum period of enrolment for Fundamental Skills will normally be two years for part-time study, one year for full-time study.
If a student wishes to intercalate or suspend their studies, they should apply in writing to the course leader who will decide whether such a request can be granted. Any intercalation or suspension of studies can be permitted only at an appropriate stage of the course (as determined by the course leader). The ACCA will be notified immediately of any student wishing to intercalate or suspend their studies.
6.8 Withdrawal from the course
Students who wish to withdraw from the course should write to the course leader and course administrator informing her/him that they wish to withdraw. This notification should be received no later than ten days before the first examination that the student is due to sit. If this written notification is not received, or not received by the appropriate date, then the student will be recorded as having failed through non-attendance at the examination, and the ACCA will be notified accordingly.
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7. LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES7.1 The library service7.2 Library services to part-time students7.3 The Online Library7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb7.5 Media Centres7.6 Studentcentral7.7 ASK Study Guide7.8 Useful web addresses
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Information Services department provides library, computing and media services in support of learning, teaching, research and administration at the University of Brighton.
7.1 The library service
7.1.1 The University of Brighton libraries
There are six libraries at the University of Brighton; the Aldrich, Falmer and St Peter’s House libraries in Brighton, the Queenwood and Health Sciences libraries in Eastbourne and the Hastings Campus Library.
You will be issued with a student identity / library card (Unicard) when you enrol, which will enable you to borrow material from all University of Brighton libraries. Your Unicard will also allow you reference access to the University of Sussex library.
The Aldrich Library is located in the Cockcroft Building on the Moulsecoomb site. It stocks a broad range of books and other materials relevant to your studies, covering all aspects of business studies, management and law.
7.1.2 Opening hours
Up to date information the about opening hours for all site libraries can be found at www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Libraries > Opening hours.
Current opening hours for the Aldrich Library (on the Moulsecoomb site):
Term time: Monday – Thursday 08.30 – 21.00Friday 08.30 – 19.00Saturday & Sunday 11.00 – 15.00
Vacations: Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.30Saturday ClosedSunday 11.00 – 15.00 (except August)
Sections of the Aldrich Library are open until 02.00 every night during term time. After the library closes, entrance to the Ground Floor is via the entrance in Queensdown School Road and you will need your Unicard to gain entrance.
In addition the upper floors of Aldrich Library have extended opening hours during exam revision periods. For more information about this look out for posters displayed in the library or visit www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich.
7.1.3 Borrowing entitlements
You may borrow up to 20 items at any one time. The standard loan period is three weeks but items in heavy demand are seven day loan or for use in the library only (Desk Loan Collection). Desk Loan items can be booked in advance for use in the library or overnight loan. You will normally be charged a fine if you return a short loan item late or retain an item which has been reserved by another user and recalled by the library.
7.1.4 Renewing items
It is not always necessary to bring items which you have on loan into the library to renew them. Provided that it has not been requested by another user, any item may be renewed: in the library at the Help Desk or on the self-service machines using your Unicard. by telephoning the library (the Aldrich Library renewals line number is 01273 642770).
Outside of library opening hours there is an answerphone where you can leave a message requesting a renewal.
online using the My Account tab in the library catalogue (via the Online Library at http://library.brighton.ac.uk). You will need to log in using your Unicard number.
7.1.5 Returning items
If the library is open, return your items to the library using the self-service machines so that they can be discharged from your record.
When the library is closed, you can use the secure book-drop bins situated at the site libraries. At Aldrich there is one on the ground floor adjacent to the computer pool room and a second one outside the main library entrance. These can be used for returning books only when the library is closed.
Items can be returned by post; however, they remain your responsibility until received by the library.
7.1.6 The library catalogue
The library catalogue is available on dedicated terminals in each library and is also accessible online via the Online Library (http://library.brighton.ac.uk). The catalogue has information about all the material held in all of our site libraries. You can use the catalogue to search for books, electronic books, print journals, electronic journals and audio-visual items and to access your own borrower record for renewing books and to see your current loans. You can also use the catalogue to reserve items when all copies are on loan.
7.1.7 Requesting items from other libraries
If you would like an item sent to your local site library from one of our other site libraries you can fill out a request card at your library enquiry desk. If you are a final year undergraduate or a postgraduate student, you are entitled to inter-library loans. This means that we can obtain books or articles from other libraries for you (usually the British Library) when we do not hold them in stock. For more information about inter-library loans, please see Information Services document 434: An Aldrich guide to requesting inter-library loans or ask at your library Help Desk.
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7.1.8 Photocopying
All the libraries offer self-service photocopying facilities - you should read the notices about copyright to ensure you stay within the legal limits of copying from printed materials. For colour photocopying on the Moulsecoomb site please use the Reprographics Unit on the ground floor of the Cockcroft Building.
7.1.9 Audio-visual material
All the libraries have relevant collections of videotapes, DVDs and CDs which you can use in the library or borrow for home use. You can use the library catalogue to search for audio-visual items. There is also a service called BOB: Box of Broadcasts, for watching and making clips from TV and radio programmes, available from the Online Library www.library.brighton.ac.uk
7.1.10 Communications
The library uses your university UniMail address for all correspondence (e.g. recalled, loans or notification of reserved items awaiting collection). It is possible to set your UniMail to be forwarded to a personal email account of your choice. This can be done within Studentcentral by clicking on UniMail for full instructions.
7.1.11 Library Rules and Acceptable Behaviour Policy
All students are advised to read these documents which supplement the university regulations. They are available on the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students from the A-Z list.
7.1.12 EndNote
EndNote is a software programme installed on all University computers that allows you to store and organise your references and create bibliographies or insert correctly formatted references into assignments in whichever style you require eg. Harvard, Chicago, APA etc. The online version is available free to all staff and students registered at the University Brighton. You must register to use EndNote online using a University of Brighton computer and renew your registration after one year. Further information can be found on the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/endnote and training is available from the Aldrich Library.
7.1.13 Enquiries and further help
A Help Desk can be found in each of our libraries. You can also contact the Aldrich Library:
By phone:
Aldrich Library Help Desk: 01273 642760/642770
By email:
General enquiries: [email protected] Subject support team for Business and Law: [email protected].
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If you have special needs, ask about the services that can be provided to enable you to use the libraries effectively.
7.2 Library services for part-time students
If you are studying part time and living away from the university, please ask at your University of Brighton home library about using another university library under the SCONUL Access scheme. Ask at your home library Help Desk for more information and you can also visit http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/ to check whether the library you want to use is part of the scheme.
Part time students may also be eligible to join the University of Brighton’s Extended Library Scheme (ELS), whereby items can be posted to you. For more information go to http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/els.
7.3 The Online Library
The Online Library (available via the Online Library link in Studentcentral or at www.library.brighton.ac.uk) contains:
Library Resources: Links to our library catalogue, the catalogues of other local libraries and the British Library’s catalogue.
Electronic Journals: search facility for finding the electronic journals that we subscribe to.
Resources by subject: This contains collections of links by subject, eg Business or Law, that have been selected by the library subject team supporting your course. These links include databases, Internet gateways, government websites and professional organisations
Resources A-Z includes the databases used to search for articles and papers relevant to your subject. Many of these databases contain the full text of documents and this is indicated by the words Full Text in red next to the description. The non-full text databases provide bibliographic detail and often an abstract.
A selection of the databases you may find useful are:
Business Source PremierEmeraldFAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy)GMID (Global Market Information Database)Key NoteLawtelLexis LibraryUK Newsstand (Financial Times, Guardian, Times etc)Westlaw
Reference Shelf, which contains links to online reference resources, for example, National Statistics Online, the UK Government statistical service.
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From the Online Library homepage you will find useful links to Information Services, library opening times, library and computing documents, etc.
The majority of these resources are available both on and off campus using your university username and password. Full instructions for access are available beneath each database description or from your library Help Desk.
If you would like more information or assistance with using the Online Library please ask at your library Help Desk or email [email protected].
7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb
7.4.1 Locations and opening hours for computer access
Aldrich library computer poolroom*
Term-time Monday - Friday 08.30 – 02.00Saturday – Sunday 11.00 – 02.00
Vacation Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.30Sunday 11.00 – 15.00 (closed during August)
*When the main library is closed the computer poolroom can be accessed from the Queensdown School Road entrance. You will need your Unicard to gain entrance.Mithras Annexe computer poolroom*
Term-time Monday – Friday 08.30 – 02.00Weekends: Closed
Vacation Monday – Friday 08.30 – 19.00
The Aldrich Library
The Aldrich Library has a number of computers on each floor and the majority of study spaces have connection points for laptops. The Aldrich Library is wireless enabled. For the opening hours of Aldrich Library see section 7.1 above or go to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich.
NB. LIBRARIES AND COMPUTER POOL ROOMS ARE CLOSED ON MOST PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The information above was correct at time of going to press., However as opening hours can be subject to change, for latest information please check the Information Services website at www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Computing > Opening hours.
7.4.2 Usernames and passwords
When you have completed your online enrolment / activation, your university username and password will be generated. This can be used to access all the open access computers in libraries and poolrooms, studentcentral and the majority of resources available via the Online Library. If you wish to change your password to something easier to remember, you can do this in studentcentral by clicking on Personal Settings.
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7.4.3 Student email
You will be provided with your university email address when you activate your computer account. You can read your email at http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk
Email is used as the primary means of communication throughout your course of study. Your lecturers and other staff and students will send email to your Brighton University address. You may wish to look at Information Services document is917: A guide to studentmail all documents can be found here: www.brighton.ac.uk/is/docs NOTE: This email address is one for life, you are able to keep this address for ever so it may be worth considering this to be your primary email account.
If you have another, personal, email account, which you would prefer to use, you can arrange for emails sent to your university account to be forwarded automatically. Full instructions can be found in Information Services document is084: Forwarding your university email. You may also wish to setup unimail on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, instructions on how to do this can be found in the document number is088. NOTE: If forwarding email to your personal address you will need to clear down your university email account from time to time; if you exceed your disc space you will stop receiving emails.
7.4.4 Connecting your own computer
You can connect your own computer via the network sockets in libraries and most halls of residence using an Ethernet cable or via wireless in some areas on each site. Once connected, your computer is part of the university network and is therefore subject to our conditions of use. Please see Information Services document 907: Conditions of Use of University of Brighton Computing Facilities including Networks. One of these conditions is that Sophos anti-virus software be installed and this can be downloaded from the Information Services website by going to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students and choosing Anti-virus software from the Quick Links for students box.
In order to connect your laptop to the network in one of the university libraries you will need to follow set up instructions. You can ask for these at the library enquiry desk or download them from www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Using your own computer > In libraries.
For more information on connecting your computer in halls of residence and computer clinics go to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Computing > Using your own computer.
Wireless connection is also available on the Moulsecoomb and other sites in selected areas. We are expanding the areas in which wireless connectivity is available so please go to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/wireless for up to date information. Set up instructions for connecting your laptop to the university’s wireless network can be obtained from your library enquiry desk or from www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Using your own computer > Wireless.
7.4.5 The Computer Store
The Computer Store in the Watts Building at Moulsecoomb sells blank CDs, USB sticks, cables, software, computers etc. Many items are available at special educational discount rates. The computer store is open 9am – 4.30pm daily during term-time.
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7.4.6 Printing
Information Services provides a variety of high quality networked laser printers throughout the university. You can use them from computer pool rooms, from libraries and from your laptop on all main sites of the university.
A printing account is automatically set up for you once you activate your computer account and you can add credit to your account using the blue Printer Credit Stations which you will find located in the open access computer pool rooms. For more information on using the networked printers see Information Services document number 003: Using the networked printers.
To print from your own laptop you will need to be connected to the university network and working inside the university. You will also need to install the correct printer drivers on your laptop which are available for download from www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students and then from the Quick links for Students box choose Printing > Mobile printing service.
7.4.7 Scanners
Scanners are located in all open access computer pool rooms.
7.4.8 Software available in the open access computer poolrooms
Adobe Reader EndNote (bibliographic software) InfoZip Internet Explorer MS Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access) MindGenius (mind-mapping software) Minitab PhotoShop Elements (on machines connected to scanners only) Sophos (anti-virus software) SPSS TextHelp Read & Write Gold (screen reading and reading/writing tool)
In addition there is specialist software available as relevant in the different poolrooms / libraries. For a full, up to date list go to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Computing > Using University computers
7.4.9 Computing help
Online help is available in studentcentral (see below) and a wide range of guides and help sheets are available in computer poolrooms. Technician help is also available in the poolrooms at advertised times. For help with username and password problems you can contact your local library enquiry desk. All our guides are also available online from our documents catalogue at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/isdocs.
See also www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Getting help.
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7.5 Media Centres
Media Centres offer a range of media services at each site for staff and students including lending a range of equipment such as camcorders, digital audio recorders, digital cameras, overhead projectors etc. The site media centres also sell a range of IT and a/v consumables. On the Moulsecoomb site, the Media Centre is located in the Watts Building.
For full details go to www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students > Media Centres.
7.6 Studentcentral
studentcentral is the student intranet for the University of Brighton; it is a one-stop-shop for online information whilst studying here. You can access your study information, email, and the online library as well as keep your personal information up-to-date. Once you have access to studentcentral it’s worth spending some time going through the areas you have access to so that you are familiar with where information is located. If you need technical support with any aspect of using studentcentral please contact the [email protected].
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On the login page there are a number of useful resources including a video that introduces studentcentral and a ‘Test your Browser’ button. This checks your own computers browser is compatible with the system and provides guidance on what to do if it isn’t.
Accessing studentcentral on your mobile phoneThere is an app that gives you access to studentcentral on most app enabled devices. Details of how to get the app are available on the login page. To get the most out of the app you should set up ‘push notifications for key things, like announcements.Setting up Alerts/Push NotificationsTo set up their preferences for what they receive they’ll need to go to studentcentral ‘My Places’ and choose ‘Edit Notification Settings’.
In the screen that loads they can select either individual courses for the notification or all courses, and then they choose what type of item/announcement they want to be notified about.
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Once they’ve done that they’ll then need to enable the Notifications on their preferred mobile device.e.g. on the iphone it looks like this….
Once logged in you’re taken to your Studies ‘Tab’ this is where you’ll see your school, course and modules. The school area contains information about the school and includes timetables and exam schedules. The course area contains information about the course and the Module areas are where the online teaching takes place and is also where you’ll be submitting any coursework (speak to your tutors for more information). You will also find a link to your Reading List providing access to information about recommended reading including books, ebooks, journal articles, websites and videos.
7.7 Academic Study Kit (ASK) Website
In addition to course-specific guidance, online resources to help you study effectively are available through the ASK Study Guide on studentcentral. You will find the link in the “My tools” menu on the homepage. The ASK website offers advice on how to develop the study skills required for academic success at University. There are a range of resources and study tips on how to make the most of seminars and lectures, reading and notemaking, preparing for exams, tackling stress, essay writing, oral presentations, group work and many other topics. You will also find information about the weekly Study Support workshops held at all university sites, how to book tutorials or groups and specialist services such as the Maths & Stats Support Unit and English Language Support Programme.
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7.8 Useful web addresses
Information Services web site http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/ Online Library http://library.brighton.ac.uk student mail http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk studentcentral http://studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk/ studentcentral help http://student.brighton.ac.uk/help/faq.php Help Documents www.brighton.ac.uk/is/docs
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8. STUDENT SERVICES
Opportunities and support to help you get the most out of your time at university.
Student Services is a central department that provide a range of services to support you through university and to help you get the most from the student experience. We’re separate from your school and are here to help with all kinds of academic and non-academic issues.
Our experienced and supportive staff offer advice on a range of issues, including:- Advice about money worries and how to live on a budget.- Support in finding jobs and volunteering opportunities.- Help accessing academic support if you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-
term medical condition. - One to one support for students with worries or concerns in a safe, confidential
space.
Here for you, whatever the issue
Below is an outline of some of the ways in which we can help you during your time here.
Career developmentBuild your employability skills and boost your graduate potential, with careers guidance, enterprise skills, and employment and volunteering opportunities.www.brighton.ac.uk/careers
ChaplaincyThere’s more to the Chaplaincy than you think with social events, retreats, worship, discussion, support and listening.www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/chaplaincy
ChildcareWith two Ofsted rated nurseries open to children of staff, students and the local community, the University of Brighton is an excellent choice for high quality, affordable and flexible childcare.www.brighton.ac.uk/childcare
CounsellingWhatever the reason, if you are finding academic life is causing you concern, or for personal reasons you need someone to talk things over with, you don't need to feel that you are all alone with your worries. Talk to one of our trained counsellors in a safe and confidential space.www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/counselling
Disability and dyslexia supportIf you’ve got a disability, specific learning difficulty or long term-health condition and choose to disclose it in confidence to the Disability and Dyslexia team, you’ll discover the wide range of academic and personal support available.www.brighton.ac.uk/disability
Health and wellbeingLooking after yourself whist at university helps you to get the most of your experience. Our links to local surgeries give you access to a doctor, while our health and wellbeing workshops and information help you to keep everything in balance – so look after your mind and body whilst you are here.www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/health
Student Advice ServiceWhen it comes to your finances at university it pays to be money wise; so for expert advice on financial issues, including fees, grants, bursaries, loans, and money management, contact the Student Advice Service. They can also help if you are an international student needing immigration advice, or support if you’re experiencing culture shock and home sickness.
Get in touchYou can find further information about our services and answers to your student life queries at www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife
You can also access our services at each campus by visiting our student centres, or call us to find out more or book an appointment.
Eastbourne - Trevin Towers, Gaudick Road T: 01273 643845Falmer – E354, Checkland Building T: 01273 643584Grand Parade – Room 153, Level 1, main building T: 01273 643187Moulsecoomb - Manor House, Moulsecoomb Place T: 01273 642895Hastings – The Student Centre, Level 1, Priory Square T: 01273 644643
We can also help answer your questions in confidence via email, at [email protected] , or follow us on Twitter for the latest student life news via @brightonstudent – www.twitter.com/brightonstudent
9. STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1 Student Charter9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy9.3 Disability statement9.4 Fire evacuation9.5 Observing copyright laws
___________________________________________________________________________
9.1Student Charter
The relationship between the University, its students and the Students’ Union is based on the principle of partnership: a relationship through which mutuality and interdependence in the learning process are emphasised and celebrated. This has as its principal goal the development of confident, independent researchers and professionals, fully capable of succeeding in their chosen vocations and as well-informed citizens. The Charter seeks to emphasise this partnership and to sustain it through a set of shared commitments and expectations, set out in the table below and embodied in the detailed policies, procedures and regulations of the University of Brighton accessible at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/studentadvice/regulations
The University aims to: Students are expected to: The Students’ Union aims to:
Provide a stimulating learning environment.
Give all students the right to be represented in University Governance through the Students’ Union.
Provide access to personal tutors and appropriate study support.
Continuously seek to improve the quality of teaching, research and support services.
Ensure appropriate and timely feedback on all coursework.
Assess and mark work fairly, consistent with clearly stated learning objectives.
Provide clear regulations, procedures, policies and information.
Enhance personal development and employability skills and provide access to careers counsellors.
Facilitate access to appropriate welfare, support and services.
Foster an inclusive environment treating all with fairness, dignity and respect.
Share responsibility for the learning process, recognising the role of independence and self- motivation in your studies.
Engage fully with all learning activities, whether face to face or through e-learning.
Attend and contribute to lectures, seminars or tutorials.
Adhere to the standards of academic practice of your course.
Reflect critically on feedback to improve your work.
Comply with University regulations and procedures.
Make arrangements for prompt payment of all fees and charges.
Be pro-active in seeking appropriate advice and support in the event of difficulty whether academic or personal.
Use opportunities to enhance personal development including extracurricular choices and volunteering.
Treat university staff, other students and our neighbours with dignity and respect.
Promote a sense of enjoyment in all aspects of university life.
Work in partnership with students and the University in maintaining a culture that promotes a critical and independent learning environment.
Work with students and the University to ensure the financial support packages available are suitable and continue to meet the needs of students.
Offer information, advice or representation to students through the SU Advocacy Service.
Provide opportunities for all students to get involved in any part of the Students’ Union.
Foster a caring inclusive environment for all students.
Ensure the elected representatives, policies and actions of the Students’ Union reflect students’ needs.
Provide support, training and resources to students and their representatives so that they may contribute effectively to the evaluation and enhancement of the university experience.
The University aims to: Students are expected to: The Students’ Union aims to:
The University aims to: Students are expected to: The Students’ Union aims to:
Operate fair, accessible and timely processes for handling appeals, complaints and disciplinary matters.
Encourage students to provide feedback on their university experience, and, where appropriate, act upon this.
Respect the University and local physical environment.
Support student representatives and participate in the processes to select them.
Provide information requested by the University and ensure that your records are current.
Provide feedback on the University experience.
Seek to ensure that Students’ Union and the University learn from the experiences of students.
9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy
Engagement with your studies
You are expected to engage with all the learning activities which form part of your programme and attend all scheduled course workshops, lectures and seminars. Attendance registers will be maintained by your course team and should your individual attendance fall below an average of 75%, this may be taken into consideration by Examination Boards when deliberating on the granting of referrals. You may however be unable to attend scheduled workshops, lectures and seminars from time to time due to exceptional circumstances (for example personal illness, family bereavement, hospitalisation etc.). In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the course management team are informed at the time and that such absence is discussed with and recorded by the course team. Where possible, students are expected to provide evidence supporting their absence and a lack of evidence may limit the decision making options of the course leader and/or examination board.
Should your record of attendance be consistently poor (i.e. fall below the 75% minimum requirement), you may be required to attend a meeting with your Course Leader to discuss your absences. In the event you fail to attend the meeting without due notice, you will receive a further letter inviting you to a re-arranged meeting. If you do not attend this meeting, you will then be considered to have withdrawn from the course.
Your responsibilities as a student
We encourage you to make use of all the facilities and resources available to you, including libraries and ICT facilities, to enable you to pursue your studies diligently and take responsibility for your own learning. You should familiarise yourself with University and Brighton Business School Rules and Regulations including any relating to your course and should be aware of the requirements of your course. Your course programme team, including the course administrators are available to clarify any questions you may have. Contact details of all the course team are available in your course handbook.
9.3 Disability Statement
The University of Brighton is fully committed to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act 2001 (SENDA), which extended to educational institutions the provisions of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. The booklet entitled Access and Support for Disabled Students summarises the University’s approach to and provision for students with all types of disability, including long-
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term conditions, mental health difficulties, sensory impairments and specific learning difficulties. A copy of the booklet is available from Student Services, and a reference copy is held in the School Office. Fuller information about relevant services can be found at: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/disability/
Staff who co-ordinate support for students with disabilities or specific learning needs are based in the Disability & Dyslexia Team in Student Services located in the Manor House. For contact details see section 8.
If you have disability or specific learning needs please also raise this with Donna Clark in the Undergraduate Office (M160) who can make you aware of student support available.
9.4 Fire evacuation
On hearing the fire alarmLeave the building by nearest routeClose all doors behind you.Report to assembly point as shown on nearest fire action notice.
At all times:Use the nearest available exit.Do not stop to collect personal belongings.Do not run or try to pass the person in front.Do not use the lift.Do not re-enter the building.Do not congregate outside the main entrance.
NB These are generic procedures; please refer to any additional specific procedures associated to individual buildings.
Students with a disability or mobility problems should notify their personal tutor, course leader or course administrator so that evacuation arrangements can be set up for them.
For further information on health and safety procedures at the University go to:http://staffcentral.brighton.ac.uk/safety/
9.5 Observing copyright laws
Under UK copyright law, you must not copy someone else’s copyright material unless (a) you have their permission or (b) it falls within the limits of what is known as ‘fair dealing’. Most works remain in copyright for 70 years after the death of the author/creator. ‘Fair dealing’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ permits you to make a single copy of a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a copyright work. ‘Reasonable’ is not legally defined but it is recommended that you keep within the following limits: one complete chapter or up to 5% of a book; one article from any one issue of a periodical or set of conference proceedings; up to 10% (up to a maximum of 20 pages) per short book (without chapters), report,
standard or pamphlet; one poem or short story (maximum 10 pages) from an anthology; one separate illustration or map up to A4 size; short excerpts only from musical works (not whole works or movements) and no
copying for performance purposes.
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In all cases, you should acknowledge the source of the work.
9.5.1 Multiple photocopies
Should you need to make multiple copies of copyright material for classroom use, please first read the notice ‘Copyright – multiple copies’ which should be on display near each university photocopier. Further information is available online at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright.
9.5.2 Copyright and the internet
Do not assume that just because something appears on the internet, it must be in the public domain. All material on the internet is protected by copyright. Look for a copyright statement (often on the website’s home page under ‘copyright’, ‘terms and conditions’, ‘disclaimer’ or similar) and unless copyright has been explicitly waived, seek permission before re-using it in any publicly-accessible document (web page, poster, etc). Taking a single paper copy of a ‘reasonable proportion’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above) is OK but cutting and pasting from someone’s web page to add to your own website or to send to a group is not. For more guidelines on electronic fair dealing, see http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/pa/licence/fairnote
If you are looking for an image to use in your coursework, remember that images retrieved from Google, Yahoo, etc are often subject to copyright. Start by checking the sources listed on the Online Library’s ‘film, image and sound sources’ page on the Reference Shelf http://library.brighton.ac.uk/pages/Film__Image_and_Sound_Sources/index.phpMany of these collections are available for non-commercial use without payment.
9.5.3 Scanning
You may scan a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a printed document for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above) but it must remain for your personal use only. Do not put scanned copyright material on a computer network and do not distribute it by email. If you use any scanned copyright material in your course work, do not alter it, always put text between quotation marks, and always acknowledge your source. Remember, unacknowledged use of scanned material in your course work could make you liable to accusations of copyright theft and plagiarism.
9.5.4 For further information on copyright
The UK Intellectual Property Office website (http://www.ipo.gov.uk/) is a useful starting point for copyright information but much of the university’s use of copyright material is determined by individual licence agreements covering material such as print materials, digitised texts, OS maps, newspapers, T.V. and radio programmes, e-journals etc. If you need any further information on this subject, please check out the documents on copyright at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright
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10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Course Handbook10.2 ACCA Student Membership10.3 Attendance10.4 Transfer10.5 ACCA Fees10.6 Students with Disabilities10.7 The role of the course leader10.8 The role of the Annual Course Review Board10.9 Quality Assurance10.10 Oxford Brookes Degree______________________________________________________________________________
10.1 Course Handbook
This Course Handbook contains course-specific information which you will need as an ACCA student.
On entry to the University of Brighton, all students have access to the University Student Handbook, which can be found on studentcentral, it contains information on general University matters. Both handbooks are important and should be read very carefully, and retained for future reference.
The University Student Handbook contains, among other things relevant to being a student in Brighton, important information on the following:
i) Disciplinary procedures;
ii) Library services;
iii) Computer services and facilities;
iv) Guide to Students Services, including Careers, Welfare, Special needs, Counseling services, the Chaplaincy, Medical services, and Childcare;
v) Guide to the Students Union;
vi) Information on the personal tutor system.
10.2 ACCA Student Membership
You should be a current registered student of the ACCA and have already passed or be exempted from the Fundamentals Knowledge module of the Association's examinations. Documentary evidence of this will be required.
If, exceptionally, you are not already a registered student of the ACCA then information about membership may be obtained from:
ACCA UK29 Lincoln's Inn FieldsLondon WC2A 3EE
Tel: +44 (0)20 7059 5000Fax: +44 (0)20 7059 5050Email: [email protected]
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For any administration queries in the UK, please contact ACCA Connect on 0044 141 582 2000. If you are submitting any documentation to ACCA, this should be sent to:
ACCA2 Central Quay 89 Hydepark Street Glasgow United Kingdom G3 8BW
10.3 Attendance
The internal regulations of the course imposed on the University by the ACCA require regular and punctual attendance and adequate standards of course work. You will be advised of any short-comings in this direction during the course, and may not be allowed to proceed with the internal examinations if they are not rectified.
10.4 Transfer
Students may transfer to another institution to complete an internally examined course subject to conditions stated earlier.
10.5 ACCA Fees
The fees you pay to the University of Brighton cover the tuition you receive from the University and all other university support. They do not include any stationery or books, nor do they cover ACCA membership, examination or exemption fees, or any other ACCA charges.
You will therefore be expected to pay separately to the ACCA:
• registration fees
• annual membership fee
• examination fees for all examinations.
Details of all these will be sent to you separately by the ACCA, along with any other charges they may make.
10.6 Students with Disabilities
A summary of the University of Brighton's policies towards students with disabilities is given in Access and Support for Disabled Students booklet.
You can in addition, help us in the following ways:
• If you have a disability, please disclose this to a member of university staff (the course leader, course administrator or any other member of staff), so that we can then make any additional arrangements that are necessary.
• Please let us know of any other ways in which we can help you.
Remember, though, that any arrangements made with the university will have to be separately organised with the ACCA when you come to take the external examinations.
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10.7 The role of the course leader
The course leader is expected to:
oversee the academic integrity of the course; provide the academic leadership of the course; review the academic content of the course; review the student progression by subject/cohort etc including comparison with previous years; produce an annual review to form part of the Monitoring and Evaluation report; work with the course team; ensure intra-subject integration takes place. ensure that all specific ACCA-related procedures are satisfactorily completed, in accordance with
Appendix C of the Requirements for Accreditation of ACCA Internally Assessed Fundamentals Skills Courses.
In addition to providing academic leadership of the award, the course leader is also responsible for the day-to-day management of the course, assisted by the course teaching team, the Course Administrator and the Courses Assistants.
The course leader is also responsible for holding meetings with student representatives, which in the case of the ACCA course take the form of Course Boards.
10.8 The role of the Annual Course Review Board
The university will arrange an annual course review board to appraise critically:
issues arising from students' questionnaires; student enrolment and withdrawals, analysed by each separate cohort; student performance by subject, analysed as above; student performance at Professional levels; course structure and content; assessment methods; views of tutors and Internal Examiners; External Examiners' reports; any other administrative matters.
The membership of the Annual Course Review Board will consist of
The Head of Professional and Post-experience Programmes at the University of Brighton; The Course Leader The ACCA representative All staff teaching on the course The Information Services Advisor
10.9 Quality Assurance
ACCA policies for quality assurance are adhered to. There is an annual course review board as requested by the ACCA.
Student participation in the evaluation process is viewed as essential at all stages. Within Brighton Business School, students are asked to complete a Module Evaluation Form at a convenient point during the course and the ACCA course leader will convene a Course Board, at least once a term, to meet with elected student representatives from the course at each institution.
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Also, more generally, student representatives have places on the ACCA Annual Course Review Board, Course Boards, Programme Boards, Boards of Study, Faculty Boards, Academic Board and its committees, and the Board of Governors.
10.10 Oxford Brookes Degree
Students have the option to register for the ACCA Oxford Brookes BSc Degree in Applied Accounting. To be awarded the degree students must:
be registered with Oxford Brookes University ie opted-in to the BSc degree scheme before passing any of the three ACCA Fundamental papers F7, F8 and F9
pass the three ACCA Fundamental papers F7, F8 and F9 ad pass other papers required to successfully complete all nine Fundamentals levels papers
complete the ACCA Professional Ethics module to submit your Research and Analysis Project in the May submission period this must be
completed by 15 April of the same year to submit you Research and Analysis Project in the November submission period this
must be completed by 15 October of the same year compete and pass the Oxford Brookes University Research and Analysis ProjectThe degree must be completed within 10 years of initial registration onto ACCA’s professional qualification otherwise eligibility will be withdrawn.
For full details on the Oxford Brookes degree scheme please go to the ACCA website http://www.accaglobal.com/students/bsc/eligibility/
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APPENDIX A
Assignment Submission via StudentcentralThere are two different tools that are used to submit assignments in studentcentral.
The first is a Turnitin submission point and will have this icon next to the submission point.Turnitin is used for ‘Essay’ type submissions, in other words if your assignment is a written paper then you will be submitting to a Turnitin submission point, e.g. a Word file
Figure 1 - example Turnitin submission point
The second is a Blackboard submission point and will have this icon next to the submission point. This type of submission point will be used if you are required to submit a file other than a written paper file, e.g. an Excel file.
Figure 2 - example Blackboard submission point
In order that you online submission is successful please follow the correct instructions for the type of submission point you have in your module area on studentcentral.Before you submit your assignment... When you hand in an assignment you will be able to submit it online – your tutor will
discuss the details with you so that you know what to expect.
Don’t forget that it’s always a good idea to keep a backup copy of all your work.
The filename should not be more than 25 characters long (preferably shorter) and avoid using spaces – distinguish separate words by using capital letters, for example: ThisIsMyFile.doc or use underscores, like this This_is_my_file.doc
In Turnitin only the following file types are acceptable: MS Word, WordPerfect, PDF, HTML, RTF, and plain text. Zip (compressed) files are not acceptable.
If you have created your file using Microsoft Works, you must save it first in Rich Text Format (.rtf) before submitting it to Turnitin.
Your file should not be larger than 20MB if submitting to Turnitin.
How to submit your assignment to a Blackboard submission point1. Go into the appropriate module or course area from your Home Page on
studentcentral
2. Click the menu link where your tutor has told you to submit the assignment (this is usually named Assignments or Assessments)
3. Click the appropriate assignment (there should be instructions under the link so you know you’re choosing the right one but if in doubt, check with your tutor)
4. The screen will look something like the one below. Your tutor may have written some instructions for you in the Assignment Information section, so make sure you read them carefully before submitting your work. The Due Date should be visible there too.
5. In the Assignment Materials section write some comments in the Comments box – e.g. your name, cohort, date file submitted etc (DO NOT use the Submission box)
6. Click the Browse My Computer button and browse to the file on your computer or USB stick that you wish to upload electronically and click Open
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7. Once you have attached a file the screen should look like the picture below.
8. If you have another file to submit, click Browse for Local File again and repeat as above. Your filenames should indicate the order in which the files should be opened and the number of files in total, for example:
Myfile1of3.docMyfile2of3.docMyfile3of3.doc
9. Continue until you have added all your files
10. When you have added all your files and want to send them to your tutor, click Submit at the top or bottom of the screen (NOTE : clicking Save as Draft does NOT actually send the file but simply uploads it so that you can send it at a later date if you wish)
11. You’ll see a receipt on the screen showing the time and date the file was submitted. You could print this out if you wish
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12. Click OK to exit that screen13. Note that you only have one attempt, i.e. you can only submit your assignment once14. When the assignment has been marked by the tutor, which may be some weeks later,
you will find that clicking that link again will allow you to see their feedback – but until then you will simply see the file you sent them
15. If something goes wrong, speak to your tutor as soon as you can
About TurnitinTurnitin is a Web-based service that can find and highlight matching or unoriginal text in a written assignment. Turnitin checks any papers submitted against its database of materials to look for matches or near-matches in strings of text. Turnitin then generates an Originality Report. The Originality Report summarizes and highlights matching text. If submitting your assignment through Turnitin you will be able to submit your paper as many times as you choose up until the assignment deadline when that submission will be final, each time you submit your paper you will be able to view your paper‘s originality score.For details of how to interpret the originality score we would recommend you visit the following link to view a short video: http://tinyurl.com/6d62bbdHow to submit your assignment to a Turnitin submission point1. Go into the appropriate module or course area from your Home Page on
studentcentral
2. Click the menu link where your tutor has told you to submit the assignment (this is usually named Assignments or Assessments)
3. Click View/Complete (under the assignment title)
You’ll need to wait a few seconds (longer if you have a ‘slow’ internet connection) as the submission area is on a different server outside of the University. It does sometimes look like nothing is happening – but be patient!4. You’ll see a screen like this:
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5. The Information icon gives you details about any additional instructions the tutor added for that assignment
6. The Dates column give you information about the start, due and post (the date the grade and feedback will be available) dates.
7. To submit your work click the Submit button
You may need to wait a bit again
8. Once in, you should find the system knows who you are and will have entered your first and last names in the appropriate boxes
9. Don’t worry if your names have not already been entered into the boxes, just type them in yourself
10.Type the title of your assignment in the submission title box
11.Click the Browse button and find the file on your computer that you wish to submitRemember, the system only supports the following file types: Word, WordPerfect, pdf, html, rtf and plain text. The total file size must be less than 20MB
12.When you have found the file, click Open to attach it
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The name of the file you have uploaded will then appear in the upload box
13.When you are ready to submit the file click the upload button
14.Wait a few moments while your work is processed
15.Eventually Step 2 appears which displays a preview of the submitted work so you can review it and make sure it is the correct file that you wish to submit.
NOTE: that this is not the formatted view – just the text but be assured your tutor will see the fully formatted workNOTE: If it is incorrect, click Return to Upload page and browse to the correct one.
16. If it is correct, click Submit.
17.Wait for the final time.
18.You will now be able to view your formatted work (first page only) with a success receipt if all is well and an email will be sent to your Unimail account.
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That’s it! Turnitin will send you a confirmation email to your UniMail account.The email will be sent from [email protected] with the Subject heading TurnitinUK Digital ReceiptThis could be printed or used as evidence of posting so you should not have to contact your school to check the assignment has gone through.
Recommendations in preparation for e-submissionIf you choose to submit your assignment online from outside of the university we recommend that you do a trial submission, well before the assignment deadline, from the computer that you plan to use for the final submission. This will give you will have plenty of time to rectify any problems that occur, which will ensure that you meet the required deadline.
If using Turnitin for your submission you will be able to submit as many times as you choose up until the deadline, you can use this to test the submission process.For details of the system requirements if using Turnitin please see the details on their website: http://turnitin.com/static/support/system.php
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For further guidance and advice on using Turnitin at the university of Brighton see: www.brighton.ac.uk/is/ACSservices/student_tii
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APPENDIX B
CAREER PLANNING – WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE JOURNEYYou are studying accounting and presumably wish to become an accountant. Wherever you are in this career journey we at the business school are here to help.You will acquire many skills on this course, some are less explicit than others and to help you judge your own progress we thought you may like to fill in the checklist below to assess yourself at this moment through this skill set and then again next semester.
Identify your level by putting an X on what you feel is the appropriate place on the scale.
Basic level High level
IT I………………………………………………………..I
NUMERACY I………………………………………………………..I
ORGANISATION I………………………………………………………..I
TEAMWORK I………………………………………………………..I
COMMUNICATION I………………………………………………………..I
DECISION MAKING I………………………………………………………..I
REPORT WRITING I………………………………………………………..I
TIME MANAGEMENT I………………………………………………………..I
CREATIVITY I………………………………………………………..I
MOTIVATION I………………………………………………………..I
PROBLEM SOLVING I………………………………………………………..I
LANGUAGES I………………………………………………………..I
FLEXIBILITY I………………………………………………………..I
NETWORKING I………………………………………………………..I
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