Modules and assessment (5.18 - 5.54)

Modules

5.18

The 120 credits for each year of a programme will be split into modules. The credit value of a module will be set out in its module specification, along with the intended learning outcomes and the assessment methods for the module.

5.19

All credit bearing modules will be worth either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits. Credit weightings of individual modules will be considered at the point of approval and through subsequent programme modification processes.

5.20

Modules will be either core or optional. Core modules are integral to the learning outcomes of a programme and must be studied. Alongside the core modules for a programme students may have the opportunity to study optional modules.

5.21

The combination of core and optional modules studied by a student within a year must equal 120 credits per year of the programme.

5.22

Programmes may include non-credit bearing modules where these are appropriate for the discipline in question. Non-credit bearing modules will not contribute to the calculation of credit weighted averages for either progression or award. Where a non-credit bearing module must be passed for the purposes of progression or award this must be clearly stated in the programme specification. Such cases may include clinical placements.

Assessment

5.23

All credit bearing modules will contain one or more summative assessment.

5.24

The format of summative assessments for each module will be set out in the module specification. Module specifications will also state how the summative assessment components of a module will be combined to form a module mark and whether a particular mark must be gained in an individual component for the module to be passed.

5.25

The pass mark for an assessment in years 0-3 (FHEQ levels 3-6) is 40.00% and for year 4 of an integrated masters (FHEQ level 7) the pass mark for assessments is 50.00%.

5.26

Some modules may include formative assessment components. It is not a requirement for all formative assessment components to be attempted in order to pass a module.

5.27

Some modules may contain competency-based assessments. Such components will be recorded on a pass/fail basis and will not contribute marks to the calculation of a module mark. The relevant module specification will state whether a competency-based assessment must be passed to pass the module. Modules assessed solely by competency-based assessments will be excluded from the calculation of credit weighted averages.

Passing a module

5.28

Following the calculation of a mark for each summative assessment within a module, these will be combined according to the weighting set out in the relevant module specification to produce a mark for the module.

5.29

To pass a module and be awarded the associated credit a student must have:

• a) Achieved the pass mark at module level
• b) Met any module-specific requirements

5.30

The pass mark for a module at undergraduate level (years 0, 1, 2 and 3) is 40.00%. The pass mark for a module in the final year of an integrated masters programme is 50.00%.

5.31

Some modules require that individual components must achieve a minimum mark in order to pass the module overall. These are called qualifying components and will be set out in the module specification. A pass mark at module level without achieving the specific requirements for qualifying components will be designated a qualified fail and a student will be given the opportunity to re-sit the relevant components, where this is available.

5.32

Credit is only awarded at the level of the module. Partial credit will not be awarded in recognition of passing individual components within a module.

Re-assessment

5.33

Where a student has failed to meet the requirements to pass a module set out in 5.29 above they will, as standard, be given one opportunity to re-sit any failed assessment components for those modules. Students may not re-sit assessments that have been passed.

5.34

Modules which have not yet been passed due to mitigating circumstances will be considered in line with the Mitigating Circumstances Policy.

5.35

There may be some modules where for practical reasons it is not possible for re-assessment to be offered. This will be set out in the programme specification. In such cases the module will count as failed without the opportunity for re-assessment.

5.36

Where an assessment component of a module is re-assessed the maximum mark that can be awarded for that component is capped at the pass mark (see 5.25). This cap is applied at the level of the component, not for the overall module. The final module mark will be the weighted marks of all components after the relevant cap is applied.

5.37

Students will typically be re-assessed via the original assessment format.

5.38

Re-assessment may involve submission of a whole new piece of work or revision and resubmission of the original assessment, dependent on what is appropriate for the discipline and module in question.

5.39

In some cases a module may be re-assessed by a different assessment pattern to that which the student originally took.

5.40

Students may not re-sit failed assessment components of modules in which an overall module pass mark has been achieved, unless the component in question has been designated as a qualifying component (see 5.31).

5.41

Where a student has undertaken a first assessment and a re-assessment, the higher of the marks will count.

5.42

Students will have, as standard, two valid attempts at the assessment associated with a module. These are defined as a first attempt and a re-sit attempt. Attempts which have been disregarded due to accepted mitigating circumstances do not count as valid attempts for this purpose.

5.43

Students may exceptionally be granted one further valid attempt at an assessment, defined as a second re-sit, where they meet the criteria set out in 5.66b or 5.73b below.

5.44

To pass a module following re-assessment a student must meet the same requirements set out in 5.29 above.

Compensation

Years 1 -3 of all programmes

5.45

Where a student has a module mark of between 30.00% and 39.99% and their credit weighted average for the year overall is 40.00% or above the failed module can be given a grade of compensated pass. Students will receive the credits for the module.

5.46

Compensation will only apply after a student has had one opportunity to re-sit the assessments which have not yet been passed.

5.47

The award of compensated pass on an eligible module is automatic subject to the overall limits on compensation set out in 5.48.

5.48

There is a maximum number of credits in the compensated pass band that a student can accumulate over the course of their studies.

• a) Students may have a maximum of 30 credits of compensated pass in any one year of the programme. Where a student has more than 30 credits of compensated pass in a year the first 30 will be compensated and any further credits in this band will be considered failed.
• b) Students may have a maximum of 60 credits of compensated pass across their programme as a whole. Where a student has more than 60 credits of compensated pass over the course of their programme the first 60 will be compensated and any further credits in this band will be considered failed.

5.49

Some modules may be designated as having to be passed at Honours level. This means that they must be passed with a mark of 40.00% or higher and this will be set out in the module specification. These modules are not eligible for compensation.

5.50

Where, due to mitigating circumstances, a student has only had one attempt at a module and achieves a module mark which is eligible for compensation, that compensation can be awarded after one attempt so as not to prevent progression, subject to para 5.48.

5.51

Where a finalist student has only had one attempt at a module by the point that they were due to graduate and achieves a module mark which is eligible for compensation this can be awarded after one attempt so as not to prevent graduation, subject to para 5.48.

5.52

Where a student exceeds, at any stage, the number of credits which may be compensated this will be considered by the Board of Examiners and may result in the termination of their studies if they are no longer able to meet the requirements of their intended award.

Year 4 (of an Integrated Masters programme)

5.53

Where a student in year 4 of an integrated masters programme has a module mark of between 40.00% and 49.99% and their credit weighted average for the year overall is 50.00% or above the failed module will instead be given a grade of compensated pass. Students will receive the credits for the module.

5.54

Paras 5.46 to 5.52 apply in the same manner to compensated modules in year 4 of an integrated masters programme.