REGULATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2007/8

1. REGULATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES OF STUDY2007/8

2. MAIN CHANGES GENERAL • Change in numbering of levels • Removal of Stages • Application of the regulations 2007/08 • Condonement replaces compensation • No maximum period of registration • No limit to the amount of work that can be retaken after the main Examination Board

3. MAIN CHANGES (CONTINUED) UNDERGRADUATE • Trailing a fail from Level 4 to 5 only • 3rd classification method to be trialled 2007/8 • Teaching of mixed levels is possible POSTGRADUATE • Pass mark is 50% • Introduction of ‘Merit’

4. Change in numbering of levels Old New Level I becomes Level 4 Level II becomes Level 5 Level III becomes Level 6 Masters becomes Level 7 • This change was made for consistency with the QCA Framework and to fit with the Burgess Review recommendations

5. Removal of Stages • To allow teaching of mixed levels • To provide flexibility, particularly for part time students

6. Application of the Regulations • In 2007/08 the revised regulations will apply to all students except: • Undergraduate students at level 6 • those students who are resitting units • Postgraduate students who are completing their dissertation • From 2008/09 the revised regulations will apply to ALL students

7. Condonement of marks in 35-39 band • Condonement replaces compensation • It is a student entitlement • It can be applied at 1st sit or at resit and even if a profile is incomplete • Up to 40 credits can be condoned within each level, provided the mark is in the borderline fail range (between 35 and 39%). • It is based on unit performance only. The student’s performance in other units has no bearing.

8. Condonement • If a student has more than 40 credits in the borderline fail range, the Board of Examiners will determine which unit(s) should be condoned. • Board of Examiners should OFFER students on Masters programmes the opportunity to resit rather than receive condonement (see award with merit) • A condoned mark is recorded as a ‘condoned pass’; the fail mark stands on the student’s profile. • Students must achieve the programme learning outcomes so programmes could determine that all, some or no units are ‘condoneable’.

9. Maximum Period of Registration • There is no maximum period of registration • Students have to maintain contact by enrolling each year. • It is up to the Board to decide whether the student has studied the units in a period of time consistent with the currency of the curriculum. • Programme teams can, through review, request exemption from this (or other) regulation provided there is a clear rationale for that request.

10. Removal of 60 credit limit on re-assessed work after the main Board • There is no limit to the number of credits that a student can resubmit after the main Examination Board. • If it were not in the students’ best interests to re-submit a large amount of failed work in a short time-frame a student may elect to defer re-assessment of some or all units until the next re-assessment point

11. Trailing a failed unit • Trailing failed units is exceptional. • It can only occur from level 4 into level 5 and after re-assessment. • Normally only one 20 credits unit could be trailed unless the programme has 40 credit units. • A Board can decide not to allow students to trail fails, but it must be consistent in its approach. • Units cannot trailed if they are pre-requisites to units that students would take during level 5.

12. Trailing a failed unit • Students have 3 re-assessment opportunities at trailed units, i.e. • they could have been re-assessed after the Main Board (1st resit), • they could fail again and trail the fail into Level 5, • they could fail during level 5 (2nd resit) and • then have another chance of resit (3rd resit) over the summer. • Students must have passed or be condoned in all units before commencing Level 6. • The Board can require a student to do another unit instead of the trailed one - the new unit would be treated as re-assessment • If a student fails to achieve a pass for the trailed unit they will be deemed to have failed the programme

13. Degree Classification • For 2007/08 only, there will be a 3rd method of classifying a degree. • It has been proposed that Method 2 be replaced but before this occurs there is a need to ensure the replacement does not disadvantage students • In 2007/08 students will get the benefit of the best classification from the 3 methods. • The impact on students’ results will be assessed before the University decides which methods to use in the future.

14. 50% pass mark for Masters and introduction of merit • The pass mark for Masters is 50%. • Merit has been introduced – students would need overall 60% with not less than 50% in any unit or project or dissertation. • Students who receive a condoned pass cannot gain a ‘merit’ therefore they must be given the opportunity to resubmit in order to have the chance to gain ‘merit’.

15. Review of Regulations • To identify and resolve teething problems • To consider impact of third classification • To reflect on progression and retention