Module, Progression, and Award Regulations

The School confers an Aegrotat Award when a student:

• Has a permanent severe illness preventing completion;
• Earned at least 2/3 of the credits; and 
• Would normally have completed and achieved the award

The Programme Examination Board can recommend an Aegrotat Award only if all options for extenuating circumstances and intermission have been fully explored and exhausted.

The Programme Examination Board must carefully review medical records and supporting documents in a meeting before recommending an Aegrotat Award. Meeting notes must record the decision and reasons.

The Programme Examination Board must confirm that, barring unfortunate circumstances, the student would have met the requirements for their original award based on previous assessments.

Aegrotat awards are not classified.

A student recommended for an Aegrotat award must:

• Confirm in writing (if medically possible) their acceptance
• Acknowledge they are waiving further assessment rights

The recommendation for an Aegrotat award, with supporting documentation, will be sent to the Academic Board for approval and then processed by the Director of Education. 

The PEBs has been delegated authority by the Academic Board to:

• Determine programme awards and classifications.
• Ensure awards are valid, reliable, and credible, meeting sector standards.
• Use ratified module profiles from the MEB to apply the award classification algorithm.
• Decide on withdrawals and expulsions.
• Ensure compliance with academic regulations.
• Ratify exit awards.
• Consult external examiners and stakeholders.
• Consider industry and sector trends.
• Maintain consistency and standards over time

If a student has earned the required credits for a programme, their final classification is determined as follows:

A. The programme leader applies the relevant award classification algorithm to the student's ratified marks, calculating the credit-weighted mean mark. The School uses three algorithms:

1. Bachelors with honours (e.g., BSc Hons) and Bachelors degrees
2. Multi-level programmes
3. Single-level programmes

B. The Director of Education checks and approves the application of the algorithm before the programme leader transmits to the Programme Examination Board (PEB).

C. The PEB verifies and ratifies the programme leader's classification, making necessary changes. Exit awards can be considered if listed in the programme specification.

D. Once awards and classifications are ratified, the processes in the Examination Boards and Academic Appeal Regulations are applied.

Students admitted with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Experience (RPE) credits can use these for final qualification, within the limits set by academic regulations. RPL and RPE marks are not used in final award classification algorithms, resulting in the classification being based on fewer credits than usual. Exception: RPL credits from the School will be included in the overall marks algorithm.

The algorithms are:

All marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number with:

The classification for Taught masters’ degrees e.g. MSc, Postgraduate diplomas, and Postgraduate certificates are:

The classification for Bachelors’ degrees with honours e.g. BSc Hons and Bachelors’ degrees are:

The classification for Graduate diplomas, Graduate certificates, Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) are:

The Programme Examination Board decides on exclusions except for breach of contract, fitness to study, and presumed withdrawal, which are handled by the Executive Committee (see Exclusion Regulations). Students may be excluded for:

• Irredeemable failures: Failing more than half the credits for their level/year without extenuating circumstances.
• Excessive assessment failures: Reaching the maximum number of assessment attempts and credits.
• Exceeding the registration period: Failing to meet requirements within the maximum period.
• Academic misconduct: In some cases, being found guilty by an Academic Misconduct Panel.
• Fitness to practice: Being unable to meet programme requirements due to personal actions (see Fitness to Practise Procedure).
• Breach of contract: In some cases, breaching contract terms, e.g. non-payment of fees.
• Presumed withdrawal: In some cases, not engaging or attending for more than 4 weeks.

If a student is short up to 20 credits for an award due to failed modules, the Programme Examination Board may award credits by compensation if:

1. The student failed an optional module.
2. A genuine attempt to pass was made.
3. Extenuating circumstances were successfully applied for.
4. Evidence suggests the student was likely to pass.

This decision is based on academic judgement of the student's overall profile and learning outcomes.

Students cannot appeal the Programme Examination Board's decision not to award credit by compensation

The School does not award compensated credit for individual modules. Failed modules will be considered unmarked.

Compensated credit is not graded, so the degree classification algorithm may use fewer credits than usual.

All compensation awards must be recorded with justifying reasons in the Programme Examination Board meeting minutes

A 'programme' is a set of teaching and learning outcomes in a subject, approved by the School to lead to a qualification under OfS standards upon attaining the requisite credits and descriptors. It consists of modules, which are discrete units of learning at a specific level with defined subject matter, credit volume, learning outcomes, and summative assessments. Summative assessments are crucial for determining:

• Progression: Assessing if a student should advance to the next level in multi-level programmes
• Credits: Using marks and credits to determine awards

Students can find detailed information on summative assessments, including credit values and assessment weightings, from the module specification and assessment briefs on the Automated Governance System (AGS).

All module summative assessments must adhere to the Assessment Regulations, covering:

• Moderation of draft assessments
• Academic integrity
• Assessment processes
• Marking
• Internal and external scrutiny

A student who registers for a module is deemed to have registered for its assessments unless they have formally withdrawn through the system. Missing an assessment will result in a mark of 0%, except in cases of intermission or extenuating circumstances. Starting an assessment, such as an exam or presentation, will be considered as having completed it, and the School's policies, including those on extenuating circumstances, will apply. Submitting a coursework late and the effect of extenuating circumstances is dealt with by the Assessment Regulations. 

Markers must use only the items provided by the module leader, including the exam paper, criteria, model answers, and instructions, and follow these marking principles:

• Adherence to academic regulations
• Academic judgement
• Full mark range (0-100)
• Equal and fair treatment
• Consistent marking standards
• Immediate reporting of issues to the module leader

The module leader must ensure marks are scrutinised through double marking or internal moderation. For modules contributing to final awards, a sample must be sent to an external examiner. After scrutiny, the module leader prepares marks, gets sign-off from the Director of Education, and submits mark sheets to the Module Exam Board (MEB). Late submission rules, penalties, and extenuating circumstances must be applied correctly.

The MEB has the responsibility for ensuring that assessment marks are valid, reliable, and uphold required standards for progression and credits.

The MEB must:

• Uphold academic regulations
• Follow the procedures set out in the Examination Boards and Academic Appeal Regulations
• Ensure accurate calculation of module marks and address defers and retakes
• Ratify final module marks
• Endorse progression
• Enter final marks into the AGS for transmission to the Programme Examination Board (PEB)

The module leader must calculate marks, obtain approval from the Director of Education, and submit marks and lists to the Module Examination Board at least 3 working days before the Module Examination Board meeting.

The 'pass criteria' should be used by the MEB to determine if a student passes a module, which is:

These follow the classifications in the School’s generic assessment criteria at each level, which are built into the AGS.

Under the pass criteria, a student will fail a module where:

1. Refer: They pass some summative assessments with a pass mark, but having attained the requisite qualifying mark in others, still do not reach the overall pass mark. In such circumstances, an overall module mark of -1 than the overall module mark must be inputted. Students will be referred for the summative assessment in which they did not receive the qualifying mark in the referral window. If they pass that referral attempt they will be capped at the pass mark and this weighted capped mark will be used with the other summative assessments to determine their overall module mark. If the mark on the referral is less than the qualifying mark, or still does not enable them to reach the overall pass mark, they will fail and have to retake the whole module and all of its summative assessments again. They will have to register for the module and also pay a module fee.  This will be their third and final attempt.
2. Refer: They do not achieve the pass mark in any summative assessments, however, do meet the requisite qualifying mark in all of them. In such circumstances, the overall module mark should be determined and inputted. Students will be referred for all the summative assessments in the referral window. If they pass those referral attempt they will be capped at the pass mark and this weighted capped mark will be used with the other summative assessments to determine their overall module mark. If the mark in a referral is less than the qualifying mark, or does not enable them to reach the overall pass mark, they will fail and have to retake the whole module and all of its summative assessments again. They will have to register for the module and also pay a module fee.  This will be their third and final attempt.
3. Retake: They do not achieve a qualifying mark in a summative assessment. They will not be referred for any assessments. They will fail the module and will have to retake the whole module and all of its summative assessments again. They will have to register for the module and also pay a module fee. They will be capped at the overall pass mark.

Attendance: The only default circumstance in which a student must attend an entire module again is if they are required to retake it. The MEB may, at its discretion, require the student to change mode of study for that module e.g. change from Full-time Blended Learning to Flexible Online Learning. The student will be required to pay a repeat tuition fee.

The MEB also has the discretion to offer attendance to defer or refer students. This will be subject to a discussion with the programme and module leaders, and external examiner. The student will be told the decision, but the final choice will be theirs and they can choose a different mode of study. They will have to pay a repeat tuition fee should they choose to attend.

A student is allowed a maximum of 3 attempts at a summative assessment: the original attempt and 2 further attempts.

A student who passes a module cannot retake it to improve the mark. The original mark will be used for progression and the award.

A student who passes a module will receive the full credit value of the module. Partial credits are not awarded.

Students who fail an optional module may apply to the Module Examination Board (MEB) to take another optional module with similar credits as a replacement. The substitute module’s mark will be capped at the pass mark. The total attempts allowed across both modules remain the original attempt plus two more. Core modules cannot be substituted. The MEB will consult programme and module leaders, and its decision is final.

If an undergraduate or postgraduate student fails any summative assessment on their Final Project module, they will only be permitted one further attempt. This one attempt can encompass, depending on what they fail, refers or a whole module retake. For a referral, the student has 3 months to resubmit and is entitled to 2 additional supervision meetings.

If a student’s extenuating circumstances are accepted by the Extenuating Circumstances Committee (ECC), the Module Examination Board (MEB) may ratify the following:

• For late submission: the mark stands, with or without classification.
• For extensions: a new submission deadline is set.
• For deferred assessment: a deferred assessment is offered.

If an extension or deferral is granted, a mark of 0 with a submission extension/defer should be entered in the Automated Governance System (AGS). Marks will not be capped and the attempt will not be lost. Once the assessment is completed, the actual mark replaces the 0 and is used for calculation, progression, and credits.

On those programmes that have multiple levels/stages, summative assessments on one level are used to determine if a student can move onto take modules at the next level. This is known as ‘progression’. The Module Examination board approves progression as part of its remit. The School’s rules on progressing to the next level on programmes with multiple levels/stages are:

1. A student must obtain a minimum of 100 credits on a level/stage including any prerequisites, by passing modules, to progress onto the next level. No partial credit is given for modules. A student required to retake a module may take up to 20 extra credits in addition to the usual credits they can take.
2. If a student does not attain more than 100 credits and/or any necessary prerequisites, they will not be permitted to progress. They will retake just the failed modules, subject to the maximum registration period, under these regulations.
3. If a student does not attain more than 60 credits, without having extenuating circumstances, they will be excluded from the programme. Depending on their programme, they may be eligible for an exit award under these regulations.

The Module Examination Board may condone up to 40 credits at Level 4, allowing students to earn credit for a failed module if:

1. The module is failed
2. The module is optional
3. The student received a qualifying mark (30-39)

At a Programme Examination Board (PEB) meeting, the PEB Chair is responsible for:

• Noting minutes and actions
• Accurately recording all lists, including conferment, exit awards, and exclusions
• Sharing action lists and sending them to appropriate staff
• Tracking progress on actions
• Entering and processing final awards and decisions into the AGS
• Reporting minutes and actions at the next PEB

After the PEB ratifies awards and classifications and uploads them to the AGS, programme and course leaders must check and confirm the accuracy of these for the purposes of issuing transcripts and certificates. The Director of Education will verify this before they are used to produce transcripts and certificates.

After the Director of Education's approval, students will receive an email to log onto the AGS to check decisions, transcripts, and certificates. They may contact the School with any questions.

Students can access their transcripts only after fulfilling contract conditions, including fee payment and compliance with academic regulations and policies.

A transcript is not a certificate or an award.

The transcript uses a standard layout, including:

• Student name
• Student ID number
• Programme of study
• Mode of study
• List of passed modules, including RPL, with marks and grades
• List of any condoned and compensated credits and their levels

The transcript will list all studied and passed modules, detailing:

• Module title
• Credit value
• FHEQ level
• Semester studied 
• Mark and classification achieved (that contributed to the classification)

Generally, RPL and RPE marks are not used in final award classification algorithms. The final transcript will list RPL and RPE modules without marks or classifications:

• Module title
• Credit value
• FHEQ level
• Award basis (RPL or RPE)

Exception: RPL credits from the School are included in the overall marks algorithm, so their marks and classifications will be listed in the transcript.

The School will issue a certificate to all students conferred an award by the PEB, including:

• The School logo and name
• Preamble
• Student's name from the AGS
• Programme title
• Conferred award
• Classification
• Award conferment date
• President's signature

The certificate will be mailed to the student's registered address on the AGS. A replacement for a lost or damaged certificate can be requested for a fee. Please see the Transcript, Certificate, and Reference Requests Policy. 

The School will maintain a record of study on student profiles, documenting extra-curricular activities, transcripts, and awards. The Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) will also record achievements and be updated once awards are confirmed.

If a student passes away, the School may confer a posthumous award to recognise their accomplishments. The Programme Examination Board recommends posthumous awards, which are then approved by the Academic Board. The rationale must be documented in the student's record and the minutes of both boards.

If all requirements were completed and passed, the award is classified as usual. Otherwise, it is classified as an Aegrotat award.

The School’s programmes can lead to the following awards under OfS sector-recognised standards:

The Programme Examination Board can grant these as exit awards if a student attains the required credits and meets the relevant descriptors, as stated in the programme specification.

The School adheres to the OfS principle that higher education qualifications are based on achieving outcomes, not years of study. This is demonstrated through a credit-based system, awarding credits after successful assessments ratified by the School or another approved means. The School uses the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS), with each credit worth 10 hours of learning.

To receive a final award, students must earn the required credits by the end of their maximum registration period and comply with all academic regulations:

The maximum registration periods for each programme, by study mode, are:

Credit limits per mode of study per academic year are:

Students may take up to 20 extra credits if retaking a module.

Students must complete their awards within the maximum registration period for their study mode and reenrol each calendar year. This is subject to PSRB and external requirements. The School can also grant exit awards in accordance with this regulation.

The Programme Examination Board may ratify an exit award if a student:

• Fails to meet the requirements for a full award
• Meets the requirements for the exit award
• The exit award is validated in the programme specification

The School cannot offer an exit award if the student intends to intermit and return to the programme later.

Acceptance of an exit award requires the student to withdraw from the programme. Exit awards will not be conferred, listed in the pass register, or uploaded to the AGS until the student confirms in writing they have either:

• Withdrawn from the programme, or
• Transferred to another programme while retaining enough specific credits for an exit award.

The relevant award classification algorithm and classification bands from this regulation will determine the exit award classification.

A student who withdrew and accepted an exit award may return to the original programme:

• Within 12 months: With Programme Examination Board approval, the exit award will be rescinded, and the student re-enrolled.
• After 12 months: The student must reapply, and previously earned credits will be transferred under the RPL and RPE Regulations.