Our Academic Framework Modular Regulations

• Two semesters– September to January– February to June– (The summer period)

BUT

• Three terms– September to Christmas– Christmas to Easter– Easter to June

The Academic Year

• Modular regulations govern all taught postgraduate and undergraduate programmes

• Modular– Programmes made up of modules – chunks of

teaching and assessment– Each module has a level (degree of difficulty)– Each module has a credit value (one credit

equals 10 student study hours)

Credit based modular framework

• Purpose of the framework - to provide a framework that is

• Simple• Transparent• Equitable• Homogenous• Student friendly• Consistent with QAA and FHEQ

• It is a non-discretionary, total compliance framework– (absence of the word ‘normally’)

Credit based modular framework

• Level 1 = 6 modules each 20 credits• Level 2 = 6 modules each 20 credits• Level 3 = 6 modules each 20 credits

= 360 credits

Semester A Mod 1 Mod 2 Mod 3

assessment assessment assessmentSemester B Mod 4 Mod 5 Mod 6assessment assessment assessmentSeptember reassessment for all modules

Undergraduate Programmes(mainly bachelor degrees)

Level M = 4 modules of 30 credits + 1 module of 60 credits= 180 credits

Semester A Mod 1 Mod 2

assessment assessment Semester B

Mod 3 Mod 4 assessment assessment

Summer PeriodThe dissertation module (=60 credits)September reassessment of Sem A and Sem B modulesOctober award board for Masters degrees

Postgraduate Programmes(mainly masters degrees)

• Each module comprises 1, 2 or 3 assessed components (pro rata double modules)

• Components have weights (adding up to 100%)– (Component weights are recorded on DELTA)

• Components have marks (0-100%)– (Component marks are recorded on DELTA)

Modules

• Undergraduate modules– Pass mark = 40% (component threshold 30%)– Study->Assess->Reassess-> Study->Assess->Reassess– Capped at 40% for further assessment

• Postgraduate modules– Pass mark = 50%(component threshold 40%)– Study->Assess->Reassess-> Study->Assess->Reassess– Capped at 50% for further assessment

Assessment and Reassessment

• Reassessment if not passed on assessment• all components <40 reassessed• all components ≥40 marks carried through• reassessment in September• module capped at 40%• achieved mark shown on transcript as well

• If not passed on reassessment• repeat module (‘with attendance’)

– capped at 40%– no prior marks carried through

• do alternative module (option modules only)– rules for first time study apply

• No further assessment or reassessment is allowed on a repeated module after reassessment

Reassessment and Repeat

• Coursework/exams• should be a new piece of work• should be of the same standard and address the

same learning outcomes• should enable students to demonstrate ability

across the range (not just pass/fail)

• Projects/dissertations• reassessment – the same title improved• repeat – a new project dissertation

Reassessment – a note

• Field Board (one per Field)• approves standards for all Field modules• confirms module marks for students• awards credit• awards A(E)L credit

• Award Boards (one per School)• awards compensation (and credit)• confers award and classification• formally implements Extenuation decisions• notes A(E)L credit

• There are no ‘progression’ boards

Boards

Classification

• Postgraduate Masters– Merit 60%-69%, Distinction 70%+

• Undergraduate

70% - 100% First Class Honours

60% - 69% Second Class Honours, First Division

50% - 59% Second Class Honours, Second Division

40% - 49% Third Class Honours

0% - 39% Not passed

Arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3

X

2/3

+ Arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3

X 1/3