Regulation 2B: Modular Courses Leading to the University Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma

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 Engagementwith Studies

10) Student Health 

11) Determination of Results

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

13) Award

14) Structure and Content of Re-Assessments

 

1. Definitions

The following definitions shall apply in respect of these regulations:

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

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

Course: 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.

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

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 student’s 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.

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 completed the end qualification.

Level III (FHEQ Level 6): Modules, the standard of whose learning outcomes is appropriate to the award of a three-year full-time honours degree.

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

Module: A separate identifiable self-contained unit of study which is at a specified level, 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.

Stage: Courses may incorporate different stages leading to different End Qualifications or Intermediate Awards. Either or both of the following stages may be specified within named courses:

Graduate Certificate

Graduate Diploma

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 Department/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.

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2. Admission

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

ia) be a graduate of Keele, or any other University approved for this purpose;

ib) be any other person whose qualifications and/or experience are deemed by the Senate to be acceptable. Persons applying under this sub-clause may be required to take a qualifying examination; and

ii) meet any particular entry 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

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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 2B 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. In exceptional circumstances, such as the fulfilment of continuing professional development requirements, the Senate may permit 5-credit M-level modules with an appropriate number of hours of study.

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.

5. Structure of University Awards

5.1 A course leading to the award of a Graduate Certificate shall consist of modules at least to the value of 60 credits at level III (FHEQ Level 6) or above.

5.2 A course leading to the award of a Graduate Diploma shall consist of modules at least to the value of 120 credits at level III (FHEQ Level 6) or above.

5.3 The status of a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma as an end qualification or intermediate award shall be determined with reference to the definition of stage given in 1 above.

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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 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 his/her first year of study; or

ii) one week from the start of any subsequent stage of study, subject to the approval of the Head of Records and Examinations.

6.3 No student shall be permitted to change his/her course without the prior formal approval of the Head of Department/School responsible for the new course 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 Examinations.

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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.

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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 of 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.

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 The assessment of all modules shall be University assessments.

8.6 Where a programme of study includes one or more periods of industrial/professional training or periods of study/work experience, the student’s performance may also be assessed in these periods and such assessment 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 (ii) below.

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 and Wellbeing

(Guidance Notes)

10a. Student Health 

10a.1.    All students are advised to register with a General Practitioner.  Students resident on campus have the ability to register with the General Practitioner on campus.  Off-campus students are advised to register immediately with a General Practitioner who covers their residential address. 

10a.2.    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, as deemed appropriate by the Director of Planning and Academic Administration, that ill health may prevent a student from satisfactorily completing his/her studies, The University may at any time require a 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 take a compulsory leave of absence. A student on compulsory leave of absence shall be permitted to resume his/her studies at a time deemed appropriate by the University, and only on a recommendation by a qualified medical practitioner, that he/she is fit to continue with his/her studies.

10.1 Students must be in an adequate state of physical and mental health to enable them to continue with their studies. Information on Leave of Absence, which may be an option for those needing a break from their studies to support their health and wellbeing, is included in Regulation 10, Student Health and Leave of Absence.

10b. Leave of Absence 

10b.1.   Definition of Leave of Absence 

10b.1.1.   A Leave of Absence is defined as an approved absence from the University of greater than 15 days’ duration but normally no more than 12 months’ duration, during which time a student is not undertaking any study.

10b.1.2  For students experiencing difficulties but wishing to continue their studies, they should refer to the University’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

10b.2.   Requests for Leave of Absence 

10b.2.1.   A student may be permitted to take a leave of absence from the Universityonly with the prior agreement of the relevant Head(s) of School/School Director or Research Institute Director, for a specified period, normally a semester or one academic year.

10b.2.2.   A student can request a leave of absence for the following reasons:

     i.    Medical reasons, as recommended by the Campus GP and/or medical practitioner

     ii.   Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

     iii.  Bereavement

     iv.  Other valid personal reasons

     v.   Personal Financial Hardship

     vi.  To change course

     vii. To undertake work experience not included as a formal  course-based work placement

10b.2.3.   The University will request documentary evidence to support a leave of absence request. 

10b.2.4.   Any student who requests a leave of absence must do so through the University’s established procedures, which are outlined in the Leave of Absence Policy and Procedure.

10b.2.5.   A case conference may be convened to assist the University in managing emerging concerns related to a student’s physical and mental health, and to identify appropriate measures to support the student.  The process for the convening of a case conference is outlined in the Student Health and Leave of Absence Policy at Section 5. 

10b.2.6.   Any student who takes a leave of absence should be aware that the programme of study on which he/she is registered may change or cease to be offered during the period of leave of absence and that the student upon return to the University may be required to undertake a different or amended programme of study.

10b.2.7.   Students are requested to respond to any communications received from the University regarding re-registration at the conclusion of their leave of absence. These communications will normally be received no later than one month before the leave of absence is due to complete. 

10b.2.8.   If a student fails to respond to communications within the timeframe outlined at 2.6 above, he/she shall be withdrawn.  

10b.2.9.   Due to the University’s responsibilities as a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS), International students who apply for, and are granted, a leave of absence will have their Visa curtailed and will need to return to their home country for the duration of the leave of absence.  Any student who chooses to take a leave of absence should be aware that the University’s sponsorship may be removed and that they may not be able to return to study following a leave of absence.

10b.2.10. Where in respect of 2.1 above there is disagreement between Heads of School/School Directors or nominee for students on dual honours programmes, the Head of Records and Examinations shall make the final decision.

10b.3.   Leave of Absence for Periods in Excess of One Academic Year 

10b.3.1.   Only in exceptional circumstances will applications for a leave of absence in excess of one academic year be considered.  Any such applications should be made in writing to the Head of Records and Examinations, who shall, informed by specialist advice (if necessary) determine what conditions, if any, shall apply to the permission. Consideration will also be given to whether the period of maximum registration shall be extended, within the terms set out in Ordinance IV, Section 4.

10b.4.    Compulsory Leave Of Absence 

10b.4.1.   In certain circumstances the University may recognise that a student’s state of health is such that it is in their interest and that of the University for a leave of absence to be taken, even if it has not been applied for. The University may, based on expert advice: 

        a) Require the student to discontinue the programme of study via a leave of absence until the University is satisfied that the student may resume;

        b) or, in exceptional circumstances, be withdrawn from the University.

10b.5. Student Redress Against Decisions To Require Leave Of Absence 

10b.5.1.   A student may seek to challenge the finding of the University to require leave of absence or withdrawal. 

10b.5.2.   Applications can be made only on one or both of the following grounds: 

        i.    Procedural irregularity in the conduct of the case;

        ii.   There is new evidence that can be substantiated, including extenuating circumstances, which was not known at the time, and may have affected the outcome had it been known to the Committee and that there is a valid reason for not making it known at the time.

10b.5.3.   Applications shall be submitted in writing to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience within 10 working days of the date of the letter sent to the student informing them of the decision. 

10b.5.4. The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience will then consult with the Chair of the Leave of Absence Review Committee or a designated representative. If they are of the view that no prima facie case exists, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience will so advise the student within 10 working days, stating the reasons. In such circumstances it will be open to the student to follow the provisions of the University Grievance Procedure (see 7 below).

10b.6. Leave Of Absence Review Panel 

10b.6.1.   In cases where a decision regarding compulsory leave of absence is challenged and it is agreed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and the Student Experience that the evidence admitted should be considered, a Leave of Absence Review Panel would be convened. The Leave of Absence Review Panel shall be constituted as follows: 

        i.   The Chair shall be a Dean from a different Faculty to that of the student; The Director of Human Resources and Student Services or their representative; and a Head of School from a different Faculty to that of the student.

        ii. The panel shall be quorate only if all members are in attendance.

10b.6.2  The Panel shall have the power to co-opt additional members as required. 

10b.6.3  No member of a case conference team who has previously considered the case shall be eligible to be a member of the Leave of Absence Review Panel. 

10b.6.4  The Committee will be attended by a Secretary from Planning and Academic    Administration, who is not a member but who will be present throughout the proceedings.

10b.6.5.   Powers of the Leave of Absence Review Panel 

        i.    Save as provided for under (ii) below, the Leave of Absence Review Panel shall have no power to overrule the judgement of a case conference team but is empowered to refer a case back to the case conference team for reconsideration in the light of the new evidence and the Panel's findings. In such circumstances, the case conference team shall consider the case afresh.

        ii.   Where the appeal derives from a proven procedural irregularity in the conduct of the Case Conference proceedings, the Case Conference shall be empowered to grant whatever remedy it considers reasonable and practicable in the circumstances.

10b.7.   Grievance 

10b.7.1.   Following exhaustion of the Leave of Absence review procedures, a dissatisfied student may submit a grievance to the University Council under the terms provided by Statute 21 (23). Grievances must be submitted within 28 days of the letter informing the student of the outcome of the appeal and must be made in writing to the Secretary to Council. Grievances can only be made on one or both of the following grounds:

        a) Procedural irregularity in the conduct of the case;

        b) There is new evidence that can be substantiated, including extenuating circumstances, which was not known at the time of the review, and may have affected the outcome had it been known to the Committee and that there is a valid reason for not making it known at the time. 

10.1 Students must be in an adequate state of physical and mental health to enable them to continue with their studies. Information on Leave of Absence, which may be an option for those needing a break from their studies to support their health and wellbeing, is included in Regulation 10, Student Health and Leave of Absence.

11. Determination of Results

(Guidance Notes)

11.1 There shall be a Board of Examiners for each course approved by Senate which shall determine and make recommendations to Senate on:

      i) the students mark for each module; and that

      ii) the student be permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the course; or

      iii) the student not be permitted to proceed to the next academic stage of the course; or

      iv) the student be required to withdraw from the University; or

      v) the student be awarded the end qualification; or

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

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

11.2 No student shall be permitted to proceed from the Graduate Certificate to Graduate Diploma stage of a course unless he/she has achieved at least 60 credits at level III (FHEQ Level 6) or above, or such higher number of credits as may be required by the course regulations.

11.3 No student shall be permitted to continue to pursue a programme of study where it would be impossible for him/her to complete the course and do so within the approved time-limit.

11.4 A student who has failed one or more modules on two occasions shall be required to withdraw from the course.

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

(Guidance Notes)

12.1 Where the student has not been required to withdraw from the University, the relevant Board of Examiners shall determine whether:

      i) the student shall be permitted to be re-assessed once only in the failed module(s) either:

            a) at the next examination period; or

            b) by the resubmission of in-course assessment at a time to be determined by the Board; or

            c) with or without attendance on the module(s) during the following session or calendar year; and/or

      ii) in the case of failure in an option module or modules, the student shall be permitted to pursue an alternative option(s) with attendance during the following session or calendar year but not subject to the limitation imposed by 8.4 above.

12.2 A student who is permitted to be re-assessed in any form of in-course assessment shall not be permitted to re-submit modified versions of his/her original work, but shall be required to submit for assessment a new work on different topics from those which originally failed to satisfy the examiners.

13. Award

(Guidance Notes)

13.1 A student shall be eligible for the award of a Graduate Certificate who has been awarded at least 60 credits at level III (FHEQ Level 6) or above, or such higher number of credits as may be required by the course regulations.

13.2 A student shall be eligible for the award of a Graduate Diploma who has been awarded at least 120 credits at level III (FHEQ Level 6) or above, or such higher number of credits as may be required by the course regulations.

13.3 The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma shall not be graded.

14. Structure and Content of Re-Assessments

14.1 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.

14.2 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 Department/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 or receiving other appropriate assistance in accordance with the mode of delivery of the course.

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