Quality Handbook Section 16D - Principles for drafting non-degree course regulations requirements

2.1 Normally, course regulations need not distinguish between students on different modes of attendance.

2.2 The regulations should contain the following:

1. The regulations will be reviewed and updated periodically in line with developments in University policy and practice. There may be differences in regulations as they apply to different cohorts of students registered for the same award. Every effort will be made to inform students about proposed changes and, if educationally appropriate, introduce such changes for all cohorts of students.
2. A student cannot demand reassessment in a module that is no longer offered.
3. While the University reserves the right to modify its assessment regulations at any time, particular thought has to be given to the timescale for introducing changes and the effect on current cohorts of students. Changes will not normally be introduced for implementation in the current year of study, but would take effect in the following academic year.
4. Where changes affect the material information provided to current and prospective students, the University will ensure appropriate and timely communication of these changes in line with CMA guidance.
5. Students and external examiners must be consulted on any proposed changes to the assessment regime that may affect progression and award requirements. Students must be kept fully informed as to any changes to the regime that affect them.

3.1 The course must conform to the credit and level definition set out in Quality Handbook Section 3 or Quality Handbook Section 4.

3.2 The regulations may allow a Board of Examiners (hereafter referred to as boards) to confer a named award to a student who has not met the precise requirements set out in the course documentation. For example, by ‘counting down’ the excess credits that a student may have achieved at a higher level.

4.1 All non-degree courses may offer pass, commendation and distinction awards. The regulations should set out the criteria used in determining the classification of awards.

5.1 The assessment regulations should contain the approved course title(s).

6.1 To be eligible for the named title of a non-degree course, a student who has entered with advanced standing must normally have gained at least one-third of the credits for the award by satisfactorily completing modules at the University or collaborative centre. This should be included in the regulations.

7.1 The regulations must set out the period in which a student should normally complete their studies. These normal periods should reflect the notional learning hours set out in the Quality Handbook Section 3 and Quality Handbook Section 4. The regulations may also indicate a maximum period in which the course should be completed.

8.1 The regulations may allow a student to vary their rate of study to suit their individual needs and circumstances. Where a student has formally taken break in study from their studies, the period of interruption of study should not be included for the purposes of calculating their maximum period of registration.

9.1 The regulations may allow the Executive Dean of School, or agreed nominee, to extend a student’s registration on an exceptional basis beyond that set out in the regulations.

10.1 The regulations may allow a student to be accredited with prior learning where there is evidence of achievement comparable to the learning outcomes set out in the definitive course information in CourseLoop. This may apply to certificated or experiential learning.

11.1 The regulations must state that reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements will be made to ensure that students with disabilities are not substantially disadvantaged. The course leader will ensure that students are made aware of the procedures for requesting adjustments, will consider such requests and will agree arrangements, referring to Student Support Services and Academic Registry for guidance as necessary. Any agreed adjustments will be notified to the board.

12.1 A course must have an external examiner(s) approved and appointed by the University’s External Examiner Appointments Panel (EEAP). Any special arrangements for the appointment or duties of an external examiner must be included in the regulations.

12.2 The regulations must make it clear that the external examiner(s) must normally be present at the main board meeting where decisions concerning final awards are made, and they must signify their written agreement with the decisions taken by the board. An external examiner who is unable to be present at a board meeting should subsequently indicate by written notification, via the course leader, their involvement in the assessment process and their agreement to the decisions made at the board. The external examiner must also be involved in any referral board, although not necessarily through attendance. An external examiner need not attend progression boards.

12.3 The regulations must state that the external examiner(s) must submit an annual report within four weeks of the board meeting at which the final awards were decided.

13.1 The regulations must include a provision for a Board of Examiners. They should be appointed in accordance with the requirements contained in the Quality Handbook Section 15.

14.1 The regulations should set out the penalties for the late submission of work, based upon the provisions contained in the Quality Handbook Section 16A or Section 16C (depending on whether the course is at undergraduate or postgraduate level) and in conformity with the Consideration of Personal Circumstances Policy procedures (see Quality Handbook Section 17A).

15.1 The regulations must set out a grading scheme that should conform to that which the University utilises for either undergraduate or taught postgraduate degrees as appropriate – see appendices. Variations may be considered during the development and approval process e.g. the whole, or parts, of the course may also be graded on a pass/fail or competent/not competent basis (with commendation/distinction categories as appropriate).

16.1 The regulations should set out the minimum pass grade for a module.

16.2 Provided the minimum module aggregate has been achieved, the regulations may allow a lower grade in an element to be deemed a pass.

17.1 The regulations may allow a lower grade in an element to be compensated, provided the minimum module pass result has been achieved.

18.1 The regulations may allow a Board of Examiners to compensate a module grade that falls below a minimum pass.

19.1 The regulations should set out a normal credit limit for the award for compensation.

20.1 The regulations must make it clear that a student who has not achieved the pass grade – and who has not been granted a compensated pass – has failed the module.

20.2 Following initial failure of a module, a student shall normally be reassessed on one further occasion to achieve a pass. The maximum permitted number of attempts normally allowed for a student to pass a module will be two – first attempt and referral or repeat. The regulations may authorise a board to allow an exceptional third attempt where there is good cause to do so.

20.3 A student may not demand reassessment in a module that is no longer offered in the course. A board may, at its discretion, make special arrangements where it is not practicable for students to be reassessed in the same modules and by the same methods as at the first attempt.

21.1 For reassessment in a module, a student should either be required to:

1. Undertake a referral in the same academic year; or
2. Repeat the assessment in the following academic year with or without further attendance.

22.1 The maximum grade for a retake module should be the minimum pass grade.

23.1 The maximum grade for a referred assessment element should be the minimum pass grade. However, where a student is referred in an element, the grade for any element that was passed at the first attempt should be used in the calculation of the subsequent module result. A student may therefore achieve a grade beyond the minimum pass grade.

23.2 At the discretion of the board, a failed referral grade for a repeat module may be compensated.

24.1 A student who has committed an academic misconduct may be referred in a module or element to provide the student with the opportunity to meet the learning outcomes. If a student subsequently demonstrates those outcomes, a pass should be recorded – the module is not compensated and the module grade remains zero.

25.1 A board is authorised to terminate a student's studies for the following reasons:

1. The student has exhausted the total number of attempts
2. Serious academic misconduct;
3. The student has an overall poor record of performance, attendance, participation or commitment on the course and the board judges that there are no grounds to permit the undertaking of further remedial or retake modules.

25.2 This requirement or adaptations of it must be included in the regulations.

26.1 No reassessment is permitted for a student to improve upon a grade above the pass level required for the award (including students with substantiated extenuating circumstances).

27.1 The regulations must set out the calculation by which the overall award and its classifications will be determined. This calculation should conform to that which the University uses for its degree courses.

28.1 The regulations must make it clear how passes in individual modules will be translated into an overall award classification.

29.1 The following classification bands should be adopted for courses:

1. Distinction – Grade: low 1st or above (u/g) / Distinction or above (p/g);
2. Commendation – Grade: low 2:1 – high 2:1 (u/g) / Commendation to High Commendation (p/g);
3. Pass – Grade: low 3rd – high 2:2 (u/g) / Pass to High Pass (p/g).

30.1 The regulations must conform to the University’s Consideration of Personal Circumstances Policy (Quality Handbook Section 17A).

Please use the following link to download a PDF of the Grade Scheme for Postgraduate Non-Degree Courses:

Grade Scheme for Postgraduate Non-Degree Courses