NEW ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
Due to COVID-19/coronavirus, it is not possible to carry out face-to-face assessment such as exams, presentations, performances, labs, etc. The University has introduced a temporary assessment framework so that every student will have the opportunity to complete their course/graduate or progress to the next level of study. Alternative assessment will be used. This will allow students to work on their assessments at home and to submit them remotely/electronically.
There are some questions as the end of the page which may be helpful after reading the arrangements for each level of study.
WHAT ARRANGEMENTS APPLY TO ME?
The following arrangements apply to students who started their current level/year in September:
Level 3 (foundation year), level 4 (first year undergraduate), level 5 (second year undergraduate)
Level 5 (foundation degree)
Level 6 (final year)
Level 7 (non-placement year postgraduate)
Level 7 (placement year postgraduate)
Level 8 (taught components)
Apprentices
The following arrangements apply to students who started their current level/year in January:
All levels
Level 3 (foundation year), level 4 (first year undergraduate) and level 5 (second year undergraduate) who started in September
Every student’s academic performance will be considered individually by the University at special meetings between 01 and 03 April. This will include all assessments taken during this academic year until 31 July 2020.
At level 5 only, marks from level 4 will also be considered if it is in a student’s interest to do so.
Students will be categorised as follows:
- Category A: Those who have been proactively engaged in their course and have achieved the course learning outcomes based on work already submitted;
- Category B: Those who have not been proactively engaged in their course, or have not achieved the course learning outcomes based on work already completed, or have not achieved the requirements of an external accrediting body.
Students will be notified on 06 April which category they are in.
Category A students
There will be no more assessments in this academic year.
Students will pass the level/year. We expect students' marks to be equivalent to their average to date, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Students will be eligible to enrol at the next level (September 2020 start).
Level 3 students will not be eligible to receive an exit award if they choose not to continue to level 4.
Category B students
Students must complete and submit assessments remotely. The assessment will be the original assessment or an alternative assessment. Where alternative assessments are used, they have already been published on Moodle.
The deadline for submission will be 15 June.
Students who are unable to complete their work before the 15 June deadline may wish to submit an extenuating circumstances claim. If granted, the deadline for submission would be 15 July.
Level 5 (foundation degree)
The same arrangements as level 6 apply.
A foundation degree (level 5) is not the same as a foundation year (level 3).
Level 6 (final year undergraduate) who started in September
All students will have an opportunity to complete their course by September and graduate later in autumn.
Students must complete and submit assessments remotely. The assessment will be the original assessment or an alternative assessment. Where alternative assessments are used, they have already been published on Moodle.
The deadline for most submissions will be 15 June.
Students who are unable to complete their work before the 15 June deadline may wish to submit an extenuating circumstances claim. If granted, the deadline for submission would be 15 July.
There are two exceptions to the 15 June deadline:
- If a project or dissertation involves a lot of fieldwork, the deadline for that assessment will be 15 July.
- In a small number of clinical or performance modules, some assessments cannot be completed remotely due to the requirements of an external accrediting body. Students will complete the necessary clinical hours and/or assessment between the last week of August and the third week of September.
If either of these exceptions apply, course leaders will notify the affected students. Students must not assume the July or September deadlines apply to them.
Students who have modules affected by exception 1 and who are unable to complete their work before the 15 July deadline may wish to submit an extenuating circumstances claim. If granted, the deadline for submission would be 18 September.
Level 7 (one-year masters or first year of two-year masters with placement) who started in September
The same arrangements as level 6 apply.
Level 7 (placement year of a two-year masters) who started in September
There is no anticipated impact. Students will complete their placements as normal.
Level 8 (taught components)
Course-specific arrangements apply. Students will be contacted their course or module leader.
Apprentices
This has not been confirmed. Students will be contacted their course or module leader in due course. We will publish the details here when available.
All levels who started in January
Students must complete and submit assessments remotely. The assessment will be the original assessment or an alternative assessment. Where alternative assessments are used, they were published on Moodle on 27 March.
The deadline for submission will be 15 June.
QUESTIONS
How do I ask questions about this?
Schools will be organising online meetings for all students soon. Staff will be available to answer questions in the meeting. Students may submit questions before the meeting here. You may also ask questions on the day. If you have not heard when your meeting will take place, contact your school.
Students can also speak to their course leader, module leader and academic advisor about their individual situation.
What are extenuating circumstances?
Extenuating circumstances are when a student has been negatively affected by an unexpected and unforeseeable event. The COVID-19 situation is such an event.
Any student may submit an extenuating circumstances claim. You can find more details on how to apply here. However, this may not be the best option for all students so students should read our guidance here before submitting a claim.
Can I do an assessment instead of accepting the category A average mark?
If a student at level 3, 4 or 5 feels they could achieve a higher mark in any assessment than the average mark received as a category A student, they have the option to undertake an assessment for that component. The deadline for submission will be 15 June.
However, if a student chooses this option, they must reject the category A average mark and must accept the mark in the assessment even if it that results in a lower mark.
There is a significant risk associated with choosing this option so students should discuss this with their course or module leaders before making a decision.
I have a question which is not covered here
You may find the answer in the University's assessment questions and answers page here.