REGULATION 1A: PRIOR 09/10 - Keele University
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Act, Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations

Regulation 1A: Modular Bachelors Degrees, Including Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education

SCOPE: This regulation applies to entrants who started their studies before the 2009-2010 academic year.

Contents

1) Definitions
2) Admission
3) Course Regulations
4) Modules
5) Structure of University Awards
6) Courses and Programmes of Study
7) Time-Limit
8) Assessment
9) Appropriate Engagement with Studies
10) Student Health
11) Determination of Results
12) Action to be taken in Respect of Academic Failure by Students
13) Award
14) Honours Classification
15) Structure and Content of Re-Assessment

 

1. Definitions

The following definitions shall apply in respect of these regulations:

Advanced Standing : Admission beyond the normal point of commencement of the course.

Award : Any formal qualification awarded by the University to an individual student, which may be either an End Qualification or Intermediate Award.

Core Module : A module which is compulsory for students registered on a specified course.

Co-requisites : Modules which must be studied concurrently by students registered on a specified course.

Course : A Principal Subject in respect of Dual Honours awards or a collection of modules grouped under a specific title, the details of which have been approved by Senate as leading to appropriate End Qualifications and Intermediate Awards.

Course Regulations : The regulations governing one or more specified courses.

Credit : The unit of academic value by which successful completion of a module contributes to a students programme of study.

End Qualification : The qualification aim for which the student is registered.

Examination : A written assessment with fixed time-limit conducted under examination conditions in an examination hall designated by the Head of Records and Examinations for the purpose. Examinations which are not unseen may be either seen, where the student is advised of the content of the paper prior to the examination although the paper is written under normal examination conditions, or open-book for which students may bring into the examination specified material which can be highlighted or underlined but not annotated.

Examination Period : A period which is set aside for the conduct of examinations.

Foundation : A period of study, normally of one academic year full-time or its part-time equivalent, which provides opportunities for students to progress to level I (FHEQ Level 4) studies in one or more named courses.

In-Course Assessment : Any assessment which is not an examination and which shall not exceed such maximum requirements as may be determined by Senate from time to time.

Intermediate Award : The highest level of award which a student achieves who has not successfully completed the End Qualification.

Level : The designation of a module within a given course as follows:

Level I (FHEQ Level 4): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is appropriate to the award of a one-year full-time University Certificate of Higher Education;

Level II (FHEQ Level 5): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is higher than modules at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) and which are appropriate to the award of a two-year full-time University Diploma of Higher Education;

Level III (FHEQ Level 6): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is higher than modules at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) and which are appropriate to the award of a three-year full-time honours degree.

Marking Criteria : The guidelines for marking approved by Senate which are to be interpreted by examiners in the context of the subject.

Module : A separate identifiable self-contained unit of study at a specified level, which is assessed and given a credit value.

Module Assessment : The processes by which it is ascertained whether, and at what standard of performance, a module has been completed and the learning outcomes thereof achieved.

Module Catalogue : Documentation which describes the modules available to students.

Option Module : A module which is optional for students registered on a course

Precursor : A module, the study hours of which a student shall be required to have completed in order to proceed to a subsequent specified module or modules, but for which credit may not necessarily have been awarded.

Prerequisite : A module in which a student shall be required to have received credit in order to proceed to a subsequent specified module or modules.

Programme of Study : The specific modules pursued by individual students within the context of an approved course.

Semester : A specified period of teaching, study and assessment as defined by Senate.

Session : One academic year.

Any reference in these regulations to Senate shall be deemed to include a reference to any committee of Senate designated by Senate for the purpose.

Any reference in these regulations to the Director of Planning and Academic Administration, Head of School, or other named officer of the University shall be deemed to include a reference to any person designated by that officer for the purpose.


2. Admission

2.1 Any student offered admission under these regulations shall be required to, as a minimum:

       i) meet such general entrance requirements as may be specified by Senate; and

       ii) meet any particular requirements for the course applied for, as specified in the relevant course regulations; and

       iii) enrol in each session with the University by a date to be determined by the Head of Records and Examinations; and

       iv) comply with the requirements under the provisions of Regulations 11 & 12 to provide a valid UK contact address at all times whilst enrolled as a student; and

       v) in the case of international students, provide a valid passport and visa for inspection upon enrolment and at any other time requested by the University for which they will                        be given notice.

Please note that students who do not abide by points i-v will be withdrawn from the University

2.2 The Head of Governance and Quality Assurance, in consultation with the relevant Head(s) of School, is authorised to offer applicants admission with advanced standing who already hold up to 240 credits at level I (FHEQ Level 4) or above, provided always that no exemption shall be accorded for level III (FHEQ Level 6) modules.


3. Course Regulations

(Guidance Notes)

3.1 There shall be course regulations in a form approved by Senate.

3.2 In course regulations, any proposed deviation from, or modification to, Regulation 1A in respect of any course shall require the approval of Senate.

 

4. MODULES

(Guidance Notes) 

4.1 The credit value for any module shall be determined by reference to a common currency whereby one unit of credit represents the typical outcome of 10 hours of study. All modules shall have a credit value which is a multiple of 5, and no module shall have a value of less than 10.

4.2 Where a module is available for more than one course, its status as a core or option may vary between courses.

4.3 Precursors, prerequisites and/or co-requisites may be defined for any module.

4.4 Any fieldwork requirements shall form part or all of one or more specified modules subject to any timetabling or other constraints. Any fieldwork may be scheduled either within the approved semester dates or at other times.

4.5 In respect of periods of professional/industrial training or periods of study/work experience either in UK or abroad, modules shall be allocated to the appropriate level.

 

5. STRUCTURE OF UNIVERSITY AWARDS

5.1 A programme of study leading to a University Certificate of Higher Education shall consist of modules to the value of at least 120 credits at Level I or higher. In respect of Dual Honours awards, normally 40 credits shall be in each of two Principal subjects and 40 credits in such other modules as may be prescribed by Senate from time to time. The University Certificate of Higher Education may be designated as either an end qualification or intermediate award.

5.2 A programme of study leading to a University Diploma of Higher Education shall consist of modules to the value of 240 credits, including the following: at least 120 credits at Level I or higher as in 5.1 above; and at least 120 credits at Level II or higher of which for Dual Honours at least 60 credits shall be in each of two Principal subjects. The University Diploma of Higher Education may be designated as either an end qualification or intermediate award.

5.3 A programme of study leading to the award of a University Honours Degree shall consist of modules to the value of at least 360 credits, including the following:

at least 120 credits at Level I or higher as in 5.1 above;

at least 120 credits at Level II or higher as in 5.2 above;

at least 120 credits at Level III or higher of which for Dual Honours at least 60 credits shall be in each of two Principal subjects.

5.4 Where a programme of study has been approved in the part-time mode, students registered on such programmes shall be permitted a maximum of three sessions to pursue the modules which are equivalent to a session of full-time study.

6. Courses and Programmes of Study

(Guidance Notes)

6.1 All students shall be required to register for their programmes of study for the coming academic session by such a date in Semester One as shall be determined by the Head of Records and Examinations.

6.2 No student shall be permitted to change his/her course later than:

i) four weeks from the start of Semester One in his/her first year of study; or

ii) where a student has successfully completed at least 40 credits in Semester One, from the start of Semester Two in his/her first year of study, subject to the approval of the Head of Records and Examinations acting in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be agreed by Senate from time to time; or

iii) prior to the start of the second year of study, subject to the approval of the Head of Records and Examinations who will normally require the student to undertake level I (FHEQ Level 4) study on the new course(s).

6.3 No student shall be permitted to change his/her course without the prior formal approval of the Head(s) of School responsible for the new course(s) into which the student wishes to transfer.

6.4 No student may undertake additional modules outside of his/her approved programme of study without the prior approval of the Head of Records and Examination.

6.5 Students may substitute studies undertaken at other institutions of higher education for Keele-based modules where such studies constitute part of an exchange scheme or formal credit transfer agreement, the terms and conditions of which have been approved by Senate.

 

7. Time-Limit

7.1 The time-limit for a student to complete his/her programme of study shall be as stated in Ordinance IV.

8. Assessment

(Guidance Notes)

8.1 All modules shall be assessed in accordance with the University’s agreed marking criteria, either by:

       8.1.1 in-course assessment conducted during the semester(s) in which the module(s) is/are

completed; or

       8.1.2 examination during an examination period; or

       8.1.3 a combination of both 8.1.1 and 8.1.2.

8.2 The method of assessment for each module, including the weighting for each element of the assessment, shall be notified to students.

8.3 The minimum mark for a pass in each module shall be 40%. Where a student satisfies the examiners in a module, he/she shall be awarded the appropriate credits at the specified level.

8.4 A student who passes a module in which he/she has previously failed, shall be credited with the minimum mark for a pass irrespective of the actual mark achieved, unless the Board of Examiners has deemed the reassessment to be a first attempt following an appeal.

8.5 Where a module contributes to the calculation of the final result for an honours degree, the assessment shall be a University assessment.

8.6 Where a programme of study includes one or more periods of industrial/professional training or periods of study/work experience either in UK or abroad, the student’s performance may also be assessed in these periods and may contribute to the final assessment.

8.7 A student who has been awarded credit in a module shall not be permitted to be reassessed in that module with a view to improving his/her mark, save under the provisions of 12.1 (iv) below.

8.8 In respect of Level III (FHEQ Level 6):

       i) in any module which is assessed solely by one unit of in-course assessment, that assessment should be a piece of written work of 4000-5000 words or the equivalent in respect of a single module and 8-10,000 words or the equivalent in respect of a double module;

       ii) all students must be assessed in at least one module in each Principal subject in a way that guarantees the reliability of authorship

9. Appropriate Engagement With Studies

(Guidance Notes)

9.1 Any student failing to engage appropriately with their studies within two weeks of a final academic warning being issued may be required by the Senate to withdraw from the University at any stage in the programme.

9.2 Failure to engage appropriately with studies shall include non-attendance at compulsory learning and teaching events, non-attendance at examinations and/or failure to submit assessments without prior consent.

 

10. Student Health

(Guidance Notes)

10.1 Students must be in an adequate state of physical and mental health to enable them to continue with their studies. If there is sufficient evidence that ill health will prevent a student from satisfactorily completing his/her studies, the University may at any time require the student to undertake a full medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner of the University’s choice, and, if appropriate, and on the recommendation of the medical practitioner, require a student to suspend or curtail his/her studies. Such a suspended student shall be permitted to resume his/her studies at a time deemed appropriate by the University Medical Officer, and only on a recommendation by a qualified medical practitioner, that he/she is fit to continue with his/her studies.

11. Determination of Results

(Guidance Notes)

11.1 In respect of Foundation, the Board of Examiners shall determine progression of students to Level I (FHEQ Level 4) in accordance with the appropriate Course Regulations.

11.2 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine for Level I (FHEQ Level 4):

       i) the student’s mark for each module; and that

       ii) subject to 11.2 (iii) below, the student has achieved at least 100 credits and is therefore permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the programme, and

       iii) the student has failed no greater than 10 credits in any course; or

       iv) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the programme; or

       v) the student be recommended to Senate to withdraw from the University.

11.3 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine for Level II (FHEQ Level 5):

       i) the student’s mark for each module; and that

       ii) the student be permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the programme,
or

       iii) the student, having failed one or two modules with a mark above 35%, be accorded the relevant credit and be permitted to proceed to the next stage of the programme provided that two module failures are not in the same course; or

       iv) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the programme; or

       v) the student be recommended to Senate to withdraw from the University.

11.4 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine for Level III (FHEQ Level 6):

       i) the student’s mark for each module; and that

       ii) the student be awarded the end qualification and with what classification, if any; or

       iii) the student not be awarded the end qualification; or

       iv) the student not be awarded the end qualification and be required to withdraw from the University.

11.5 A student shall only be permitted to continue to pursue a programme of study provided that it remains possible for him/her to complete the programme within the approved time-limit. In addition:

       i) a student who has failed one or more core modules within a course on three occasions shall be required to withdraw from the University;

       ii) a student who has failed any option or subsidiary module on three occasions shall not be permitted to be re-assessed in that module but may be offered the facility set out in 12.1(iv) below;

       iii) no student may proceed to level II (FHEQ Level 5) or level III (FHEQ Level 6) until he/she is deemed satisfactory in both intended principal subjects;

       iv) no student may proceed to level III (FHEQ Level 6) who has not gained credit in at least three subsidiary/additional modules.

12. Action to be Taken in Respect of Academic Failure by Students

(Guidance Notes)

12.1 The relevant Board of Examiners shall determine whether a student who:

       a) has not been permitted to proceed; or

       b) has not been recommended for the award of the end qualification; and

       c) is not required to withdraw;

be required to:
       i) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) at the next opportunity; or

       ii) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) without attendance on the module(s) during the following session; or

       iii) be re-assessed in the failed module(s) with attendance on the module(s) during the following session; or

       iv) pursue one or more alternative option or subsidiary modules which shall not be subject to the limitation imposed by 8.4 above, during the following session; or

       v) repeat the year with full attendance, in which case the outcomes of the programme of study for the repeat year shall be used for determining progression, award and classification as appropriate and shall not be subject to 8.4 above. In all cases students’ programmes shall constitute a full year’s academic load.

12.2 Any student who has not been accorded any of the facilities for retrieval of failure under 12.1 above shall have the right on one occasion only during his/her programme of study to repeat a year with full attendance, in which case the outcomes of the programme of study for the repeat year shall be used for determining progression, award and classification as appropriate and shall not be subject to 8.4 above. In all cases students’ programmes shall constitute a full year’s academic load.

13. Award

(Guidance Notes)

13.1 To qualify for an award, a candidate must:

       i) have enrolled with the University before proceeding to the prescribed programme of study; and

       ii) have paid all prescribed fees and charges; and     

       iii) in accordance with 13.2 and 13.5 below, have satisfactorily completed a full-time or part-time programme of study, within the maximum period of time defined by Ordinance IV.

13.2 A student who has satisfied the examiners in at least 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher, in accordance with 5.1 above, shall be eligible for the award of a University Certificate of Higher Education which is an unclassified award.

13.3 A student who has satisfied the examiners in at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher and a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher in accordance with 5.2 above, shall be eligible for the award of a University Diploma of Higher Education which is an unclassified award.

13.4 A student who has pursued a programme of study consisting of at least 360 credits in accordance with 5.3 above and who has satisfied the examiners in:

a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)

shall, where he or she satisfies the requirements of the classification scheme as approved by Senate (cf. 14.1 below), be recommended to Senate for the award of a University Honours Degree.

13.5 A student who has pursued a programme of study consisting of modules to the equivalent of at least 360 credits and has satisfied the examiners in at least 330 credits including:

a minimum of 120 credits at Level I (FHEQ Level 4) or higher; and

a minimum of 120 credits at Level II (FHEQ Level 5) or higher; and

a minimum of 90 credits at Level III (FHEQ Level 6)

may, where he or she satisfies the requirements of the classification scheme as approved by Senate (cf. 14.1 below), be recommended to Senate for the award of a University Honours Degree.

13.6 Students who register for certain end qualifications may be required by the course regulations to satisfy the Boards of Examiners in all those modules identified as requirements for the purposes of professional exemption.

13.7 Unless otherwise agreed by Senate in respect of specific courses, no student may receive more than one award for study on a course.

14. Honours Classification

14.1 Students who have attained the required standard, according to the classification scheme approved by the University Senate from time to time, shall be awarded the degree with honours classification as follows:

First Class

Second Class Division I

Second Class Division II

Third Class

or

Pass (which is an unclassified degree).

15. Structure and Content of Re-Assessments

15.1 Where a student is required to be re-assessed for one or more modules prior to the start of the following academic year, the re-assessment shall, unless the relevant Board of Examiners decides that this is not practical, be of the same structure and be based upon the same syllabus as the assessment at the time of the initial failure, but need not include those elements of assessment in which the student has already satisfied the examiners.

15.2 Where a student is permitted to be re-assessed in one or more failed modules without attendance on the module(s), the following arrangements shall apply:

       i) for re-assessment within one year of the initial failure, the re-assessment shall, unless the relevant Board of Examiners decides that this is not practical, be of the same structure and be based upon the same syllabus as the assessment at the time of the initial failure;

       ii) for re-assessment beyond one year of the initial failure, where the structure of the assessment is different from that at the time of the initial failure and/or the re-assessment is to be based upon a different syllabus, the Head of School concerned shall make arrangements for the student to be:

            a) informed of changes in the structure of the assessment and the syllabus content; and

            b) offered, at an appropriate charge, the opportunity of attending relevant classes.