Changes to the Standard Assessment Regulations for 2013/14 August 2013

RATIONALE FOR CHANGES The Assessment Framework set out a number changes to the assessment regulations for 2012/13 and 2013/14. These aim to: simplify, rationalise and sharpen regulations governing assessment to introduce greater clarity for students, and greater clarity in the University's communications with students on deferral and referral address and remedy an assessment culture which is widely perceived as being too dependent on deferral, referral and mixed-level study, and therefore expensive to administrate, over-bureaucratic, and onerous for students produce a culture which incentivises passing at first attempt allow compensation to bring the University in line with the sector

RECAP OF 2012/13 CHANGES Highest mark stands (latest mark stands for XPs)  allows students to retain the best mark they have achieved on a task Students must make a valid attempt at each task in order to pass a module  addresses the issue of students failing to engage/attempt assessment tasks and yet still pass the module Task for Task reassessment replaced Single Referral Package  consistent arrangements for staff and students

REGULATIONS CHANGES FOR 2013/14 CHANGE 1 For example, student achieves: 2012/132013/14 Module is failed following non-submission or no valid attempt at all assessment tasks. Module is referred following non-submission or no valid attempt at all assessment tasks. (see regulations 3.1 and 3.3) Task 1Task 2Overall 0Refer0 0Fail Task 1Task 2Overall 0Refer0 0 Student must re-register/substitute failed module if they want to continue with their course Student can complete reassessment for all tasks in order to pass the module

CHANGE 2 Task 1Task 2Overall 40Refer Pass52Pass46Refer Pass 2012/132013/14 Following referral, the overall module mark is capped at 40%. Following referral, referred assessment tasks are capped at 40%, but the overall module mark is not capped. (see regulation 3.4) Task 1Task 2Overall 56Refer Pass52Pass40Refer Pass Task mark is capped Overall mark is not capped Student can achieve an overall mark greater than 40% Increases the chance of achieving a level average of 40% or more and achieving the profile for progression For example, student achieves a mark of 56 for their resit coursework (task 1): Task mark is not capped Overall mark is capped

CHANGE 3 Task 1 (50%CW)Task 2 (50%EX)Overall 3EC15Q9 awaiting student's decision Student has to make a decision Identify what mark they need to achieve in the deferred task in order to pass the module overall e.g. they will have to get 65% in Task 1 to achieve 40% overall and pass the module without having to complete referral assessment If they think they can achieve this, they take the deferral (uncapped) assessment, if they don't they take the referral (capped) assessment instead Task 1 (50%CW)Task 2 (50%EX)Overall 3Defer15Refer9Defer/Refer No decision Complete deferral assessment for Task 1 (not capped at 40%) AND Complete referral assessment for Task 2 (capped at 40%) 2012/132013/14 Students who have had ECs accepted for one assessment task, have made a valid attempt at the other task, but have not passed the module overall can decide whether to take the deferral assessment (module not capped at 40%), in order to pass the module, or forego this opportunity and take the referral assessment for all tasks instead (module capped at 40%). As capping is now at assessment task level, students will take all deferral and referral assessment tasks at the same time, in order to achieve the best profile for progression/award as soon as possible. (see regulations 3.4 and 7.1) For example, student achieves:

CHANGE /132013/14 20 failed credits may be compensated at the final stage of an honours degree only, provided the student has taken all credit and the overall module mark for each failed module is 35% or higher. 20 failed credits will be compensated at the end of each level, after reassessment has taken place, provided the student has achieved the profile for progression/award:  achieved 40% or more on the complete level overall, including failed modules, AND  made a valid attempt at all assessment tasks, AND  failed no more than 20 credits, AND  achieved 30% or more in each failed module (see regulation 7.1)

CHANGE 4 CONTINUED For example, in 2013/14 a student's level 4/5/6 marks are: Student achieves the profile for progression/award Module 6 is compensated Module is recorded as a compensated pass Marks are not changed Student progresses to the next level or achieves their award  Compensation can only be applied to modules at levels 4, 5 and 6  Level 7 modules cannot be compensated For example, in 2012/13 a student's level 6 marks are: Student has fulfilled the compensation criteria Module 6 is compensated Student achieves their award Credit Task 1 (50%CW) Task 2 (50%EX) Overall MarkGrade Module P Module P Module P Module P Module P Module CPass Credit Task 1 (50%CW) Task 2 (50%EX) Overall MarkGrade Module P Module P Module P Module P Module P Module CPass Overall level average:45.33

CHANGE /132013/14 Students can re-register/substitute failed modules and study them alongside new modules at the next level, within certain credit limits. Students must retake failed modules and pass them before they can start the next level. (see regulations 9 and 10) Phasing out mixed level study In 2013/14 all students can take mixed level study (subject to credit loading rules) In 2014/15 students who started level 6 or were on placement in 2013/14 can take mixed level study (subject to credit loading rules)  All other students can only retake failed modules e.g. student fails one module, they will have to retake this on a part time mode In 2015/16 there is no mixed level study, unless a course is designed this way e.g. integrated masters, part time, OR a student has failed mixed levels following continued reassessment For example, a student who: Fails up to 20 credits - can progress and take max. 140 credits with attendance Fails credits - can progress and take max. 120 credits with attendance Fails 60 or more credits - cannot progress, must retrieve failed credits only

CHANGE /132013/14 There is no restriction on the number of times a students can substitute a failed option/elective module. Students will be allowed to retake/substitute failed modules on one occasion only. Continued substitutions are not permitted. (see regulations 9 and 10) For example, a student fails a module in 2013/14 They can either retake the same core/elective module or a different elective module in 2014/15 If they fail this module they cannot retake or replace it again They will be unable to continue with their course For example, a student fails an elective in 2011/12 They replace it with another elective in 2012/13 but also fail this They can replace it again in 2013/14 providing there is a different elective module available to choose from

CHANGE /132013/14 Re-registering on a failed mandatory, elective or option module means that the overall module mark will be capped at 40%. Substituting a failed elective or option means that the module is not capped at 40%. Retaking/substituting a core or elective module means that the overall module mark will be capped at 40%. (see regulations 9 and 10) By replacing a failed elective/option module students can benefit from the overall mark not being capped Students can't benefit from replacing a failed elective/option module All retakes are capped Please note: The term re-register is being replacing by retake Retake means studying the same core/elective module, or replacing an elective/option module with a different module, following failure

CHANGE /132013/14 Students can carry continued reassessment (deferral/referral), without attendance, into subsequent academic years, subject to the normal credit loading requirements. Students can only carry a maximum of 40 credits of continued reassessment (deferral/referral), without attendance, into the next academic year alongside 120 credits of new study at the next level. If continued deferral with attendance is exceptionally agreed, students must complete the reassessment before they can progress to study new credit at the next level. (see regulations 7.2 and 11) For example: Student takes 120 credits of new study and 40 credits of continued reassessment, without attendance At the end of the year they submit extenuating circumstances for the continued reassessment and these are accepted The student can only:  complete the reassessment  they cannot progress to study new modules at the next level For example: Student takes 120 credits of new study and 40 credits of continued reassessment, without attendance At the end of the year they submit extenuating circumstances for the continued reassessment and these are accepted The student can:  progress to the next academic year  carry the continued reassessment, without attendance again AND take a maximum of 120 credits at the next level

KEY POINTS Students have more opportunity to pass:  all students have first sit and referral attempt Failing a module has serious implications:  students cannot progress with their cohort  they cannot take mixed level study to retrieve failure  they may have to study on a part time basis  they may have to extend the duration of their studies  their funding may be affected KEY message to students is to meet the profile for progression at the end of each level of study

WHERE TO FIND THE REGULATIONS Standard Assessment Regulations 2013/14 Regulations Changes 2013/14 Extenuation policy, assessment of students in debt and all ancillary regulations and policies are on shuspace:  click on "Rules and regulations" at the bottom of any page  navigate to regulations/policies via the links on the left hand side

WHO TO CONTACT For queries about the assessment regulations contact the Assessment, Awards and Regulations team:  Claire Tate x6473  Jackie Clark x3201  Pete Sweeney/Gillian Taylor x6470  Denise Elliott x4080