Review of Postgraduate Taught Regulations Dr Nick Holland, Registry

Review of pgt regulations Background, scope and consultation Key recommendations arising from the review (to come into effect September 2013)

Project to review pgt regulations (‘SR3’) Current regulations in force since 2006 Working Group commenced (Spring 2011) Considered views of stakeholders, including external examiners, on the ‘2006’ regulations; conducted data modelling Formal consultation internally, then externally on proposals with external examiners and PSRBs (Spring 2012) Changes approved June 2012 for implementation for new students from September 2013

Areas initially identified for consideration Whether the 6-point (A to F) marking scale was too coarse? Whether the profiles for award were in line with sector expectations? Arrangements around elements of assessment within modules (marking, weighting) Learning from the exercise to update our undergraduate regulations (‘SR2’, introduced from 2009) Policies around masters extensions

Outcomes of the review Retain use of grade profiles and GPAs as the basis for determining awards: – Replaced the 6-point grade scale with a more granular 17-point scale (A++, A+,…); assessments can be marked or graded – Use of simple weighted average (of marks or grades) to determine module outcomes Adjustments to the profiles required for awards Enable more flexible organisation of provision within a modular structure (‘blocks’) Revised policy in extensions for dissertations (introduced September 2011)

Overview of basis for awards Masters threshold grade: C- Minimum profile for ‘standard’ masters degree: – dissertation: C- – taught part no more than 30 credits in grade band D (‘narrow’ fail), at least 90 credits at C- or above Award of merit or distinction to be based on: – grade in dissertation – a combination of % of taught part at merit / distinction standard and GPA of taught part

Way forward 2012/13: Raising awareness of staff, (new) students, external examiners and other stakeholders regarding the impending changes 2013/14: First students enter under new regulations: first cycle of operation