30. NEW REGULATIONS: UNDERGRADUATE HONOURS DEGREE PROGRAMMES 30.1 Assessment, Progression and Award Regulations This section of your handbook explains what you have to do to progress between the Levels of your degree, how your degree result will be calculated and the rules for reassessment. It is a summary of the most important parts of the full degree regulations (Senate Regulations 2 and 4) which are available on the University's intranet site: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/administration/rules/senateregs WARNING! The University's regulations for undergraduate degree programmes and awards changed for students entering Level 1 of programmes in or after September 2009. The guidance that follows describes these new regulations. Older handbooks may contain information on the regulations which is not correct for your studies. If you have any doubts about the regulations which apply to you, or need any further information, please contact the School Office for advice. 30.2 Modules, Assessment Blocks and Study Blocks The regulations describe the assessments in your programme as being divided into 'assessment blocks'. Assessment block refers to an assessment, or discreet group of assessments, to which a credit-rating and Level have been assigned. Assessment blocks (combined with the associated block of study and teaching a study block in the Regulations) are, currently, commonly referred to as 'modules'. We will use the term module in the following as that is the term you will usually hear. Each Level of an honours degree is comprised of modules totalling 120 credits. Where a variant of a degree is offered with an additional placement year, (commonly known as a 'sandwich programme') the placement year is comprised of an additional 120 credits, arranged in one or more modules (see below Placement Years and the Student Handbook for additional information). Each Level has a weighting when determining the outcome of a degree. The modules, their credit values and Levels, and the weighting of Levels for your degree will be set out in the programme specification for your degree, which is available from https://moss.brunel.ac.uk/sitedirectory/documentarchive/pages/default.aspx
30.3 Assessment: Grading and Marking Each assessment will be either graded or marked, as appropriate to the type of assessment in question. The following table indicates the relationship between marks, grades and the equivalent degree class. Indicative Mark Degree class Grade Grade Point Band equivalent 90 and above 1 A++ 17 80-89 1 A+ 16 73-79 1 A 15 70-72 1 A- 14 68-69 2.1 B+ 13 63-67 2.1 B 12 60-62 2.1 B- 11 58-59 2.2 C+ 10 53-57 2.2 C 9 50-52 2.2 C- 8 48-49 3 D+ 7 43-47 3 D 6 40-42 3 D- 5 38-39 Fail E+ 4 33-37 Fail E 3 30-32 Fail E- 2 29 and below Fail F 1 Panels and Boards of Examiners are responsible for all aspects of the assessment of your programme. The University has generic grade descriptors for its undergraduate awards. These describe at a general level the standards against which your work is assessed. These can be viewed below.
30.4 Generic Undergraduate Grade Descriptors These generic grade descriptors are intended to be used as a tool throughout the assessment process (in assessment design, marking/grading, moderation, feedback, and appraisal) for any assessment set at each Undergraduate Level in the University. They are designed to show no disciplinary bias and are not intended to act as surrogate Level, award or award classification descriptors. The grade descriptors should be read in conjunction with the learning outcomes associated with the assessment and their interpretation should take into account the Level of study of which the assessment is a part (termed here the current Level ). Grade A* Clearly demonstrates a highly sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic. Provides clear evidence of originality and independence of thought and clearly demonstrates exceptional ability to develop a highly systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution or evaluation at the current Level. Demonstrates exceptional ability in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Shows an exceptionally high level of clarity, focus and cogency in communication at the current Level. Grade Band A (A+, A, A-) Clearly demonstrates a sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic. Provides evidence of independence of thought and clearly demonstrates the ability to develop a highly systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution or evaluation at the current Level. Demonstrates excellence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Shows a high level of clarity, focus and cogency in communication at the current Level. Grade Band B (B+, B, B-) Clearly demonstrates a well-developed, critical and comprehensive understanding of the topic. Provides some evidence of independence of thought and clearly demonstrates the ability to develop a systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution or evaluation at the current Level. Demonstrates a high degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Shows clarity, focus and cogency in communication at the current Level. Grade Band C (C+, C, C-) Demonstrates a systematic and substantial understanding of the topic. Demonstrates the ability to develop a systematic argument or solution at the current Level. Demonstrates a significant degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Provides evidence of clarity and focus in communication at the current Level. Grade Band D (D+, D, D-) Provides evidence of a systematic understanding of the key aspects of the topic. Demonstrates the ability to present a sufficiently structured argument or solution at the current Level. Demonstrates an acceptable degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Provides evidence of effective communication at the current Level. Grade Band E (E+, E, E-) Provides evidence of some understanding of key aspects of the topic and some ability to present an appropriate argument or solution at the current Level. Demonstrates some competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc at the current Level. Provides some evidence of effective communication at the current Level. However, there is also evidence of deficiencies which mean that the threshold standard (D-) has not been met.
Grade F Work that is unacceptable. 30.5 Core Assessments Individual assessments, or whole modules, may be defined as core. A core assessment or core module is one which, if taken, must be passed at grade D- or better in order to be eligible for the award in question. An assessment or module may be core for one award and non-core for another award. You should consult the programme specification for your programme to make sure that you know which modules or individual assessments are core for your intended award. Please note that core does not mean the same as compulsory. A compulsory module is one which must be taken (i.e., not optional) in order to satisfy the requirements for an award. 30.6 Progression between Levels Normally you will be required to successfully complete each Level of your degree, before you will be allowed to progress i.e., to commence to the next Level. In order to satisfactorily complete each Level you must have: No credit at Grade F No core modules or individual core assessments with a Grade below D- No more than 40 non-core credits in Grade Band E (E+, E, E-). If you fail to reach this minimum standard in your first attempt at all assessments, the Board of Examiners will advise you if you are entitled to one further attempt (a reassessment) - see below. 30.7 Placement Years ('sandwich' programmes) Where your degree programme includes a placement year (i.e., is a 'sandwich' programme), there will be one or more modules associated with the placement learning. The grade/s you achieve in the module/s will contribute towards your final degree classification. The amount they contribute is explained in the programme specification for your degree. If you do not complete satisfactorily the requirements for your placement year, after any reassessment which you are permitted by the Board of Examiners, you are entitled to transfer to the variant of the same degree without a placement year.
30.8 Award Requirements The University applies two tests when awarding degrees: Test One determines the highest classification which can be awarded in Test Two, based on your profile of grades. Test One: minimum profile for an honour degree To be eligible to be recommended for an honours degree at a particular class, your profile must not exceed the maximum volumes of credit permitted at Grades below D-, as set out below: Class Maximum credit volume of core modules and modules containing core assessments below D- Maximum (non-weighted) credit volume of non-core Grade Band E (E+,E,E-) Maximum credit volume of Grade F Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3 + 3 1 st 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.1 0 20 0 20 0 0 2.2 0 40 20 40 0 0 3 rd 0 40 40 60 0 0 No credit at Grade F is permitted in the profile for an honours degree. Test Two: degree classification for an honours degree A profile of your grades and a grade-point average (GPA) is created using the grades you have received. The University sets out the requirements for all honours bachelors degrees in terms of combinations of profiles of grades and grade-point averages. To create your profile and GPA, your grades are weighted by the credit volume and Level of each module. The weightings by Level for your degree (including the weighting applied to any placement year) are set out in the Senate Regulations and programme specifications. For an honours degree, Level 2 credits (including any credits associated with placement years) are weighted to contribute 1/3 towards the outcome of your degree, whilst Level 3 credits contribute 2/3.
Taking into account any restriction to classification determined in Test One, you are eligible for the highest class of degree for which you fulfil one or more of the following criteria in Test Two: Volume of grades (weighted) in Class or better At least 33% of At least 41% of At least 50% of At least 58% of At least 66% of At least 72% of Class 1 st 2.1 2.2 3rd Minimum weighted GPA 14.5 11.5 8.5 NA 13.5 10.5 7.5 NA 12.5 9.5 6.5 NA 11.5 8.5 5.5 NA 10.5 7.5 4.5 NA NA NA NA 3.3 30.9 Reassessment Reassessment allows students who have not met the minimum requirements at a Level (at the first attempt) a further opportunity to meet at least the minimum requirements in certain situations. At Level 3, this may have the effect of giving you the opportunity to meet the minimum requirements for a degree after reassessment; or it may give you the opportunity to improve the class of your degree. A student can normally be reassessed on one occasion only in any assessment. The maximum grade you can receive in reassessment is D- for the relevant module. At Level 1 you are entitled to reassessment in the whole of, or any element of, modules totalling up to 60 credits if you have not met the minimum profile for progression to Level 2. If you would need reassessment in more than 60 credits at first assessment in Level 1 in order to meet the requirements for progression, you will not be entitled to reassessment and will be required to withdraw from the programme. At Level 2 or Level 3, you are entitled to reassessment in the whole of, or any element of, modules totalling up to 40 credits in order to meet the minimum profile for progression or for final award. If you would need reassessment in more than 40 credits, in either Level 2 or 3, in order to meet the requirements for progression or final award, you will not be entitled to reassessment and will be required to withdraw from the programme. When determining the volume of credit which needs to be reassessed, the credit rating of the whole module affected counts towards the volume of credit to be assessed, even if you are not being reassessed in all the elements, or not all the elements are core assessments for your degree.
Reassessment may take a number of forms, as determined by the Board of Examiners and the nature of the assessment task. If, after reassessment, you still do not meet the minimum requirement for satisfactory completion of a Level or for the award of a degree you will be required to withdraw from the programme. In these circumstances you may be eligible for a lower award (see 'Other awards', below). Please note that the rules for reassessment are different in several ways from the above if you have mitigating circumstances, accepted by the Board of Examiners, for your performance in the original assessment. 'Mitigating circumstances' are explained further in section 16. 30.10 Timing of reassessment At any Level, if you are being reassessed in no more than 40 credits of assessment this reassessment will normally take place within the same academic year. The arrangements and timing for reassessment may vary for different assessments on your programme. At Level 1, if you are being reassessed in more than 40 and no more than 60 credits of assessment you will be expected to re-study the relevant parts of Level 1 on a part-time basis (and be reassessed) in the next academic year. You will therefore have to spend 2 academic years in Level 1 and will only be permitted to progress to Level 2 on meeting the minimum requirements for satisfactory completion of Level 1 (as described above). 30.11 Other awards If you do not successfully complete all the requirements for progression to the next Level of your programme, or all the requirements to receive the award for which you are aiming, you may still be eligible for an award in recognition of what you have achieved on the programme. You will normally only receive one award, the highest award for which you have met the requirements at the point that you leave the programme: The Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is normally available where you have successfully completed Level 1 of an honours degree programme. The Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is normally available where you have successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 of an honours degree programme. The minimum requirement for the satisfactory completion of a Level of undergraduate study for an honours degree is set out above (see 'Progression'). The programme specification for your degree will explain if these awards are available, and if there are any requirements relating to core assessments which must be met before you can receive a CertHE or DipHE. The ordinary bachelors degree is a version of the degree which has a smaller volume of credit and is not classified. If you have not met the requirements for progression to the next Level of the honours degree programme, you may be allowed to transfer to an ordinary degree programme. Alternatively, you may be awarded an ordinary degree if you fail an honours degree, but do fulfil the requirements for an ordinary degree (if available). Your programme specification will provide details.
30.12 Accreditation of prior learning and awards The University has policies on how accredited prior learning (APL) will be counted when considering the eligibility of students for awards. These are set out in Senate Regulation 2.25-2.37. The School will be able to confirm to you any modules from which you have been given exemption, whether the exemption is graded or ungraded and how this will be taken into account when making decisions about progression between Levels and about the award of degrees and other qualifications. 30.13 Panels and Boards of Examiners At the end of a level, the Board of Examiners sits to consider each student s performance at that level and any mitigating circumstances supplied by the student. At the end of Levels 1 and 2, the Board sits to consider whether you should be permitted to progress to the next level. At the end of Level 3, the Final Board decides whether to award you a degree and, if so, how your degree should be classified (e.g. First Class, Second Class (Upper Division) etc). The Board is made up of all the full-time lecturers on the programmes, together, in the case of the Final Board, with external examiners from other universities as well as one or more representatives from the University s central administration. Level 2 students who are on the Work Placement programme will not receive results at the same time of year as all other students. The reason is, as stated above, that the Board of Examiners can only discuss a student s performance (for a level) at the end of the level. Because Level 2 is taken by work placement students over 2 years, confirmed module results will not be issued until the end of the Level, once both terms have been completed (February). However, an Examination Panel sits to consider the performance of students who have completed their first term of study of Level 2 and letters are sent out over the summer confirming the provisional grades achieved. Work Placement students will not receive an overall module percentage until Level 2 is fully completed.