University of Southampton Calendar 2008/9


University Calendar 2008/9 Section VIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Health Sciences

Undergraduate Programmes leading to the Awards of Diploma in Health Care Studies, BSc (Hons) Health Care Studies, Diploma in Midwifery Studies, BSc (Hons) Midwifery Practice

Revised Assessment Regulations and Procedures (April 2005)

These programmes are closed to new admissions.

These regulations suspersede all previous regulations for students registered on the above programmes. They apply to academic and practice assessment for all awards in the post-qualifying undergraduate programmes, and should be read in conjunction with the University of Southampton Calendar at: www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

Marking

1.1

Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and, when required, practice assessment to pass overall. Non-assessed work may also be a course requirement.

1.2

Students will gain credit for each module successfully completed subject to meeting the requirements of 1.1

1.3

Condonement of failure is not permitted under these regulations. The treatment of special considerations/mitigation is dealt with under section 4.

1.4

The pass mark will be 40% for all levels.

1.4.1

Assignments should meet the specific word limit indicated in the assessment guidelines plus or minus 10%. If an assignment is below the word limit it will be marked and feedback given. However, work which falls significantly below the word count may not demonstrate the depth and breadth required to secure a pass mark.

1.4.2

When students submit an assignment, which exceeds the word limit the assignment will be marked in its entirety, feedback given and a penalty of 10% (of the awarded mark) imposed.

1.5

Assessments will be graded as follows:
1st Attempt = Pass/Refer/Defer
2nd Attempt = Pass or Fail

1.6

Non-submission of an assessment by the published deadline will normally result in Refer or Fail. In exceptional circumstances students can negotiate an extension of up to two weeks with the module leader. Longer extensions may be granted where special considerations apply (see Section 4). Late requests for extensions will be considered under Special Considerations.

1.7

Referral at the First Attempt: In the event of referral at the first attempt, students will normally be expected to retake the assessment at the next available opportunity. Any student who elects not to make a second attempt will forfeit any further attempt. The Assessment Office must be informed in writing of the student's intention not to resubmit/resit.

1.7.1

Second Attempts:
The maximum score, which can be recorded for a second attempt is 40%.

1.7.2

Failure at Second Attempt(s):
Awards failure of three assignments at the second attempt will normally lead to discontinuation from the award. Failure of a core module will normally lead to discontinuation from the award.

Assessed Coursework

2.1

Extensions and Penalty for Late Submission in cases of Special Comsiderations (see section 4):
Students may apply for an extension to a submission deadline of up to two weeks (see section 1.6).

2.1.1

Students must apply direct to their module leader for an extension.

2.1.2

In no circumstances can the module leader authorise extensions which exceed two weeks.

2.2

Assessment of Practice:
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules, students must achieve competencies in practice which are verified in the clinical setting. He/she must pass all assessment components to pass the module overall.

Reviews and Appeals

The Regulations governing Reviews and Appeals by undergraduate and postgraduate students on taught courses are available from the Registry, School Intranet and University of Southampton Calendar.

3.1

In relation to ‘appeals’ the term “degree” includes any degree or Diploma awarded by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Extensions, Special Considerations and Mitigation

4.1

Extensions and Special Considerations
A student may miss an examination or be unable to meet an assignment submission date due to ill health or for other reasons. In these circumstances the submission deadline can be extended for a maximum of 2 weeks and the date of an examination can also be re-scheduled.

4.2

Mitigation
Adverse circumstances may be considered serious enough to have affected a student's performance in an assignment or an examination. In these cases, an examination or assignment attempt may be declared “null and void” and a further attempt awarded.

4.3

In no circumstances will any mark obtained in an examination or assignment be amended to take account of the candidate's mitigation claim. Assignments and exams may be re-submitted or retaken under these circumstances.

4.4

The School will only uphold mitigation if sufficient academic evidence shows that the mitigating factors may have affected student's performance.

4.5

Once registered for an award, students are expected to maintain progress and to proceed without interruption or suspension to the end of the course.

Eligibility for Award

To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, students must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 3 (including core and required modules) plus 120 credits at Level 1 and 120 credits at Level 2, or demonstrate equivalent learning (eg: through the experienced practitioner route).

Classification of Degrees

6.1

The Assessment Board will determine the honours classification using an average weighted mark based on all Level 3 credits. The average weighted mark will be calculated as follows:

Taking the final marks from each Level 3 module result, weight each module result according to its percentage value for the level (ie: a 20-credit module result will be weighted at one-sixth) and calculate the result. This result determines the provisional degree classification.
If a student has achieved more than 120 credits at Level 3, the lowest mark will be discounted. This does not apply to core modules.
The provisional degree classification is confirmed by being no higher than one degree classification above the dissertation module result.

Only borderline classification results within 1% of the next highest classification band are eligible for consideration for a discretionary upgrade.

6.2

The class marks are:

First class	70% - 100%
Second class (upper division)	60% - 69%
Second class (lower division)	50% - 59%
Third class	40% - 49%

Invigilation and Unacceptable Behaviour

7.1

Invigilation will be in accordance with current University policies.

7.2

Unacceptable Behaviour
In assessments, evidence of disruptive behaviour, cheating, copying and/or collusion may result in students being referred/failed. Any such incident will be reported to the Assessment Board. An investigation will normally be undertaken involving the student(s) concerned. If the alleged/suspected unacceptable behaviour is subsequently proven, the student(s) will be asked to attend a formal meeting to determine an outcome.

SOBS	School of Biological Sciences
SOHS Index	School of Health Sciences
Medicine	School of Medicine
Psychology	School of Psychology