1. International Partnerships Conference 21 November 2013 CREATE THE DIFFERENCE1 Dr Noel Morrison Academic Registrar and Director of the Student Experience

2. CREATE THE DIFFERENCE Percentages/Grade Point Clarity for students, employers and external examiners From 2013/14, all module results and classifications will be based on percentages rather than grade points Regulations now include tables that show the relationship between percentage mark ranges and classifications The minimum mark required in each element of assessment for a module to be passed is now expressed in percentage terms – 20% at undergraduate level, 40% at postgraduate Compensation may be awarded for overall module marks of 30-39% (UG) and 40-49% (PG) – no more than 30 credits at each undergraduate level 2

3. CREATE THE DIFFERENCE Drive for consistency – more prescription and less discretion 30%/70% weighting of L5 and L6 remain Discretion of the Board to raise classification has been removed from the regulations Base classification will be calculated and, if certain criteria are met, the classification WILL be raised, ie: – Overall percentage within three percentage points of next classification (ie 47, 57,67%) AND no L6 modules compensated AND at least 60 L6 credits in higher class – the student WILL get the higher classification – 68% overall and at least 60 credits with marks of 70%+ = 1st Classification – degrees Consistency 3

4. CREATE THE DIFFERENCE Classification – other types of award Similarly, other types of award where merits and distinctions are available will be calculated using the overall mark as the initial indicator of ‘classification’, with subsequent consideration of specific criteria. Again, if these are met, the next band up WILL be awarded. All awards of 60 credits or more are now available at Pass, Merit & Distinction 4

5. Retakes Boards may now only consider a student for a third attempt at a module (retake) if there has been an attempt at the referral (ie second attempt). Non- submission for second attempt = no retake. Boards will not normally grant retakes in more than 30 credits, or in one module larger than 30 credits, per level. CREATE THE DIFFERENCE5

6. When do the changes take effect? For on-campus and partner students where full records are held on TheSIS, all modules studied from the start of 2013/14 will have results in percentages. Classifications will be calculated using percentages from January 2014 (ie all resit boards/end of year boards for 2012/13 will use the old regulations). CREATE THE DIFFERENCE6

7. 7 For overseas partners using their own IT systems, the new regulations will apply to: All new students starting on Staffordshire University programmes from 1st September 2013. All existing students on Staffordshire University programmes progressing onto the next level of awards commencing from September 2013 onwards. Complex – particularly partners with a number of intakes across the year.

8. Extenuating Circumstances University process for students to claim extenuating circumstances Claims are considered by Faculty Extenuating Circumstances Panels Decisions of these Panels notified to Assessment and Award Boards for implementation Boards may not question the decisions of the Faculty Panel Expect partners to follow the University’s principles and procedures CREATE THE DIFFERENCE8

9. Academic Misconduct University process to deal with cases of academic misconduct Categories of misconduct – minor, major and gross with indicative descriptors for each of these Penalty tariff for each category of misconduct Again, Assessment and Award Boards are expected to implement the outcomes of Faculty and University Academic Misconduct Panels Expect partners to follow the University’s principles and procedures – application may vary though (organisational structures) CREATE THE DIFFERENCE9

10. Student Complaints Procedure to allow students to express dissatisfaction about, for example, standards of service; actions of the institution or its staff etc Not disciplinary issues nor appeals against Assessment and Award Board decisions Partnership agreement will define how complaints are dealt with and respective responsibilities of the University and the partner Expectation that this will be done thoroughly and with an independent perspective – take advice from the University as appropriate CREATE THE DIFFERENCE10

11. Student Appeals Procedure to allow students to appeal against the decision of Awards Boards or the outcome of Extenuating Circumstances Panels Appeals against the academic judgement of staff are not permitted Grounds for appeal restricted to: -material error or irregularity (for example, did not apply our won regulations); -extenuating circumstances which could not be revealed, for good reason, prior to the deadline Collection of evidence. Independent Review within University Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) CREATE THE DIFFERENCE11