Who is this guide intended for?

This guide is intended for Undergraduate students in 2023-24 studying a wide range of courses such as Undergraduate Degrees with or without a Foundation Year, Integrated Master’s and Undergraduate Apprenticeships. There are two sets of assessment regulations depending on when you registered with the University:

If you commenced your studies before September 2017 and have continuous progression, you are on the Outgoing regulations and this document sets out the regulations for your progression and reassessment.

If you commenced your studies from September 2017 or before September 2017 and do not have continuous progression, you are on the Regulations for Taught Awards and Section 3 of this guide sets out the regulations for your progression and reassessment.

If you are unsure which regulations apply to you, see Section 5: Which Regulations for more information.

Why is this guide important to you?

All courses and awards are governed by University regulations and processes (see Section 5). These are designed to ensure that courses are structured, delivered, and assessed in a fair, consistent and transparent way.

Understanding these regulations and processes will help to ensure that you have a positive learning experience and the best opportunity to progress and succeed.

This guide provides key information about how assessment is carried out, the formal steps involved in making a final award, and the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework that governs Undergraduate courses.

Using this guide

It is your responsibility to be aware of, and understand, the content within this guide.

Reading this guide as a whole will help you understand how your course is set up. You will also find certain sections relevant at particular times of the year, for example, as you prepare for assessments.

Please refer to your Course/Module Handbook for specific information on your assessments. If there is anything you are unsure about, or if you would like advice or support, contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) (your Course Team can confirm who this is if you are unsure). Alternatively, you can email any queries to i-zone@canterbury.ac.uk.

Glossary of terms and definitions

To help you navigate this document, we have created a glossary of terms that can be accessed in Section 10. Each section also contains definitions relevant to what you are reading. Just click on the highlighted words to show the definition.

Section 1: This section will tell you about learning on your Undergraduate course, including what your learning involves, levels of study and credit requirements, rules for Individual Study and the structure of Combined Honours courses.

What am I expected to learn?

Each Undergraduate course has been designed to enable you to gain specific knowledge and skills that meet the Course Learning outcomes as detailed in your Course Handbook.

There are set learning outcomes that you must achieve to complete your modules and levels of study in order to progress through your course and achieve an award or credits.

Throughout your modules, you will undertake regular assessment activities that will test your achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment is both summative and formative (learn more in Section 2).

FIG.1 shows how modules are constructed. You can see how the learning outcomes relate to the final assessment and your learning and teaching activities.

Fig.1: Building blocks of modules

What activities will make up my learning?

A variety of activities will be used in class, on Blackboard (the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)), and through other digital and physical means, to support your development of the knowledge, skills and attributes that allow you to meet the requirements of your course. The following describes the range of possible learning activities you may experience.

 Fig.2: Types of Learning Activities

Some of these activities will occur in many of your modules, while others will be specific to one or two modules, whose titles will reflect the nature of the learning. For example, an Individual study module will consist of independent learning with guidance from a supervisor. Learning related to the workplace may occur in a number of different forms and be embedded in many of your modules. In some courses, you may have a placement or a work-based learning module where you attend a workplace for a significant portion of your learning.

What are the levels of study within an Undergraduate course?

As you progress through your undergraduate course, you will undertake levels of study that will introduce you to increasingly complex concepts. You will need to demonstrate the ability to learn and apply these concepts at each level and will be taught how to do this as part of your course.

Levels are part of a national Higher Education framework that sets the standards for the different types of qualification and awards. Undergraduate levels are Levels 4-6 (see Fig. 3 below). Some Undergraduate courses include additional levels of study i.e. the Foundation Year (which is non-credit bearing) is Level 0, and an Integrated Master’s includes Level 7 modules.

In most cases, you must complete a level before progressing to a higher level.

Fig.3: Typical years of study for full-time degree courses

* will take place in alignment with professional requirements

How many credits do I need to achieve in order to progress to the next Undergraduate level?

Each Undergraduate level of study (0*, 4, 5, 6, and 7 for an Integrated Master’s) consists of modules that together must have a total value of 120 credits. Modules typically have a value of 20 or 40 credits, or occasionally 10 credits (the credit value is confirmed in your Course/Module Handbook).

*If you are studying on a Foundation Year (Level 0), this is a year designed to equip you with the essential and specialist skills and knowledge needed to support your progression through your chosen Undergraduate degree. Foundation Years do not carry credits but you will need to complete the equivalent of 120 credits in order to progress to the next level of study (Level 4).

You must always check that you are studying the correct amount of credits. If you are unsure, refer to your Course/Module Handbook or talk to your Course Team (including your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)) as soon as possible.

There are a number of Undergraduate awards available (see section 6.1). Your award will be based on the course that you are studying and the type of award that you have registered to complete.

To achieve an Undergraduate degree with honours, you must normally achieve 360 credits. To achieve an Integrated Master’s degree, you must normally achieve 480 credits. Certain courses may have additional requirements e.g. Apprenticeship qualifications, which are separate from the academic qualification awarded by the University and require a pass in the End Point Assessment (EPA).

If you are studying for a Foundation Degree, which combines academic study and work-based learning, you will accumulate credits at Level 4 and Level 5. This is the equivalent of two-thirds of an honours degree. (see FIG.4).

Fig.4: The building blocks of undergraduate courses

You must normally pass all credits in order to pass a level and progress. If you do not achieve a pass in all 120 credits at a particular level, you will normally be entitled to reassessment attempts in order to give you the opportunity to achieve a pass.

How are my course and academic year structured? 

Course Structure

Your course is made up of a series of modules (usually of 20 credits each) which allow you to achieve the set learning outcomes (read more in 1.1 and 1.3). In some courses, all modules are core, whilst in others; you may have a mixture of core and optional modules.  Core modules are those that the University has deemed essential to the achievement of the learning outcomes of the course, which means that all students on the course need to study them. Optional modules allow students to focus on a preferred area within their domain of study, or to discover a new topic, such as learning a foreign language. If your course offers optional modules, then at a set point in the year you will be required to select your preferred modules for the next year.

Academic Year Structure

Your course will be delivered over one or more academic years. Some University courses operate on a semester academic calendar where each year is divided into two semesters. Some operate on a trimester or term-based academic calendar where each year is divided into three trimesters or terms. Some academic calendars also include additional weeks designed to provide you with time away from your studies to support your academic learning and personal development. Your Course /Module Handbook will clarify which academic calendar your course is on. You can view all the academic calendars here.

There are rules that govern how many credits you can take in any given semester or trimester. These are normally 60 credits per semester and 40 credits per trimester. If you have any additional questions, please speak to your Course Team.

What are the rules for Individual Study?

Undergraduate students may take a maximum of 40 credits of Dissertation or Individual Study, during their final year (Level 6 for a BA/BSc or Level 7 for an Integrated Master’s).

If you are a Combined Honours student and would like to undertake a Dissertation or Individual Study, you may do one of the following:

• undertake a 20-credit Individual Study in one or both subjects (where a 20-credit Individual Study is offered)
• undertake a 40-credit Individual Study in only one subject, provided you study at least another 20 credits in that same subject at Level 6.

How can I study a language?

At Level 4

At Level 4 you do not need any previous knowledge of the language as the modules are all at beginner’s level.

If you are a single honours student, you may take one 20-credit language module either:

• as a module that counts towards your degree
• or as additional learning on top of your 120 credits.

In this case, you will accumulate the credits but they will not contribute to your degree award. If you are a Combined Honours student, at Level 4 you can only opt to study a language as additional learning on top of your 120 credits. In this case, you will accumulate the credits but they will not contribute to your degree award.

At Levels 5 and 6

If you are a single honours student, you may take one 20-credit language module that either:

• counts towards your degree
• or is additional learning on top of your 120 credits. In this case, you will accumulate the credits but they will not contribute to your degree award.

If you are a Combined Honours student, at Levels 5 and 6 you may take one 20-credit language module that either:

• counts towards your degree
• or is additional learning on top of your 120 credits.

In this case, you will accumulate the credits but they will not contribute to your degree award.

Find out more.

How is a Combined Honours award structured?

A Combined Honours award carries the same credit load as a single honours award. Students study 120 credits at Levels 4, 5, and 6 and must have 360 credits to be awarded an honours degree.

As a Combined Honours student, you can either divide your credits equally between each subject, or at Levels 5 and 6 you can major in one subject and minor in the other. There is flexibility for you to change the credit balance between subjects from one year to the next within the following constraints

There are a range of options for studying combined honours - see the diagram below for more information.

Section 2: This section will tell you about Undergraduate assessment and the marking process, including what assessment involves, when and how you are assessed and given feedback, how your assessment activities are submitted, how your assessment activities are marked, the requirements for passing modules (pass threshold) and levels of study, what happens if you do not meet the pass requirements (pass threshold), and how you get your results.

What does assessment involve?

You can expect to be assessed throughout your course.

During assessment, you are tested on your ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that have been set out in the learning outcomes for a module.

See Fig.1 in 1.1 to understand more about how learning outcomes relate to the assessment.

There are two types of assessment you will encounter: formative and summative.

• Formative assessment(s) can take place throughout your module. It might take the same form as the summative assessment or test specific knowledge, e.g. it could be an online or in-class quiz or questions in a seminar or tutorial. You may be given a mark for this assessment, but it will not contribute to your overall module mark.

Formative assessment provides an opportunity for you to see how well you are doing and what you need to do to improve in advance of your summative assessment(s). It is important because, no matter how hard you have studied, if you do not understand what the assessment requires you to do, or do not yet have the skills to articulate your learning, you will not do as well.

• Summative assessment(s) - following this type of assessment, you will receive a mark that comprises or contributes to your overall module mark. The mark is based on set marking criteria, which can be found in your Course / Module Handbook. What that mark means and how it is agreed is covered in 2.8.

What form does assessment take?

Your learning is assessed in a number of ways so that you, and the University, can be sure that you are gaining the required skills, knowledge and marks to enable you to progress and achieve your desired award. The main categories are Examinations, Practicals, Coursework, and Set Exercises.

Fig.6: Four main ways your work is assessed

Depending on the assessment activity, you could be assessed as an individual or as part of a group. The assessment could occur in placement or work-based learning setting (see 2.3).

Whatever form the assessment takes, the key thing is that it must allow you to demonstrate the learning outcomes of the module. You must make sure that you know the learning outcomes and are clear about what is expected of you.

Information and guidance about your learning outcomes and the assessments that you will be required to complete for your modules are available in your Course/Module Handbook and via your Module Tutor.

If I have a placement, how will be assessed?

Assessment of placement is as important as any other assessment activity you undertake. It allows your course to assess a number of things, for example:

• How you have applied knowledge and theory in different settings
• What activities you have done and the learning you have gained from them
• How you have experienced a placement and reflected upon it

Your assessment may also include an assessment of practice competencies or standards.

Placement assessment may take place during or after your placement. It may be carried out by one of your tutors or by someone who works at your placement who has specific expertise in that area. Some placement assessments have a mark and some are pass/fail, depending on your module and course. Placement assessments may be subject to different reassessment regulations and it is important that you check your course regulations carefully.

When do my assessments take place?

Assessment is an ongoing process that takes place throughout your course.

Depending on the course and modules you undertake, assessment activities could be spread throughout each module. You may also be assessed at the end of a module, semester/trimester or term (depending on the academic calendar for your course), or at the end of a level of study. For Apprenticeship qualifications, there is an additional assessment point after the completion of your academic qualification. This is called an End Point Assessment (EPA).

At the beginning of each semester, trimester or term, you will be provided (normally in your Course/Module Handbook and on your Blackboard module site) with written details of the assessment activities as well as the methods of assessment and formal feedback that will be used. Information provided will include:

• Descriptions of each assessment activity
• Suggested reading lists
• A schedule of assessment activities including the submission/completion date and the date by which you will receive formal feedback
• Feedback methods

Where details of assessment activities are not available in your Course/Module Handbook or on Blackboard, they will be confirmed to you in an alternative form.

It is important to ensure that you know all key dates for your course, including when your classes start and end, the specific times that you are required to attend the University, and formal assessment and reassessment periods (you can learn more in the Student Engagement Policy). Assessment periods vary depending on the academic calendar your course follows, which is stated in your Course Handbook.

To learn more about your Academic calendar and accessing your personal student timetable, please speak with your Course Team and check the student webpages.

How do I submit assessment activities?

Your Course/Module Handbook will contain specific information about the process for submission of work and completion of assessment activities.

You will normally be asked to submit your coursework assessment activities through Turnitin. This online service also allows you to upload draft versions of your assessments prior to final submission, and is designed to help you and your tutors check your work for originality and help guard against plagiarism.

For guidance on how to use Turnitin, please refer to the Turnitin guide.

If you are asked to submit your assessment activity through a different route from Turnitin, your Course Team will explain the process.

What happens if I am unable to complete my assessment activity on time?

It is important that you complete all your assessments on time. There are firm assessment submission deadlines with penalties for late submission of work unless you have been granted an extension or deferral.

Assessments usually have a deadline of 2pm on the day of the deadline published in the Module Handbook and Blackboard.

Late Penalties

In the case of late submission of coursework without an approved exceptional circumstance, the work will be penalised. The last submission of assessed work will only be permitted for a period of 2 working days (working days are defined as Monday to Friday). The penalty for late submission within the allowable period will be a flat 10% of the available marks. After 2 working days late, a mark of 0 will be recorded and the work will be considered a non-submission.

The deduction will reduce the mark to no less than the pass mark, where the work would otherwise have passed. 

The submission deadline is 2pm on the date due. The application of penalty starts after 2:01pm on the day of the published deadline. For example, for late assessments, a penalty of 10 percent will be applied from 2:01pm on the day of the published deadline until 2pm on the second working day. The calculation of “working days” is Monday to Friday

The penalty may differ for assessments that are only marked as pass/fail and for assessments that must meet specific Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements. In these cases, you will find details of the penalties in your Course/Module Handbook.

Failure to attend an examination without approved exceptional circumstances will automatically result in a mark of 0%.

Extensions and Deferrals

The University has a variety of mechanisms to support students who are experiencing issues when undertaking assessments. If you have a problem or concern, it is important to contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) as soon as possible to ensure you get the right support. Support is also available from the University’s Support Service, email: studentsupport@canterbury.ac.uk

Sometimes there may be circumstances that affect your ability to undertake an assessment. For short-term problems affecting you for up to 1-2 weeks, you may be eligible to apply for a self-certification extension or an evidence-based extension (or an alternative date if it is a timed assessment) through Exceptional Circumstances. To find out more about Exceptional Circumstances and access to the forms you need to complete to submit a request, view the Exceptional Circumstances webpages.

For medium and longer-term issues there are also support mechanisms in place for which you may be eligible.

Contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) for advice or view the Exceptional Circumstances webpages.

Following the formal dates set for confirming module results, if the University grants you an extension that sets a new submission or examination date this is called a deferral (read more in 2.8). Where your first attempt at an assessment is deferred, your marks for that attempt will not be capped. In most cases, you must complete your deferred assessment within the same academic year in which you first studied the module. If not, it may affect your progression (see also 3.8 if you registered from September 2017, or the Outgoing Regulations if you registered before September 2017).

How will I be given feedback on my assessments?

Feedback is provided in a number of forms and delivered in different ways. It could be verbal or written, online or paper; it can come from your Module Tutor or your fellow students depending on the type of assessment and the marking criteria (these can be found in your Course/Module Handbook).

The aim is to provide you with timely and useful feedback within 15 working days of the submission date. For certain modules and assessment activities such as dissertations, extended projects, individual Studies, formal examinations and work submitted after the deadline, there may be an extended period for feedback.

How are assessments marked?

The marking process for your assessment activities is rigorous and thorough and is based on approved marking criteria as detailed in your Course/Module Handbook.

Marking is carried out by examiners approved by Canterbury Christ Church University and is then reviewed by subject specialists from other institutions (External Examiners) who are part of a formally convened body (a Board of Examiners) that is responsible for confirming students’ marks and progression and granting awards.

Fig.7: Key stages when marking your assessments

What is the Undergraduate pass mark?

For all Undergraduate awards (except Integrated Master’s) in order to pass a level of study and progress to the next level or complete an award, your calculated overall average mark for the level must be 40% or greater. For an Integrated Master’s the pass mark for the award is 40% but in order to remain on the award and progress from Level 5 to 6, your calculated overall mark for Level 5 must be 50% or greater.

The mark you receive for each module studied is calculated based on what you receive for each individual assessment that you have completed. Each mark is given an assessment weighting and this is used to calculate your final mark for each module. There may be some professional modules where some or all of the assessments are pass/fail and no marks assigned.

Fig.8: Module mark calculations based on assessment weightings.

These examples illustrate the calculation of a module mark based on two assessments where one is coursework, while the other is an examination (the assessment weightings vary).

* If this meets certain criteria, it may be eligible for compensation (see 3.5 if you registered from September 2017, or the Outgoing Regulations if you registered before September 2017).

Do I need to achieve a pass in every module?

Yes. At each level of study, you must normally achieve a pass (40% or greater*) in each of your modules in order to achieve 120 credits and gain an overall pass of a level.

* There are higher requirements at certain levels on an Integrated Master’s course. See 2.9 or the regulations for Integrated Master’s (Section 3.7 – 3.13 of the Regulations for Taught Awards).

For some courses, if you do not achieve 40% or greater in a module but you meet specific conditions, you may be granted a compensated pass or you may be granted permission to progress while completing your reassessment (trail and progress).

Learn more about the specific conditions for trail and progress and compensation in Section 3. If you registered before September 2017 see the Outgoing Regulations.

What are the possible outcomes following the marking process and how will I find out?

At the end of a semester or trimester, you may be given formal notification of the marking outcomes for the modules completed.  The decision about your progression to the next level or your eligibility for your award is made at the end of each level of study.

Fig.9: Possible outcomes at the end of a level

How will I find out my module and level results?

Release dates for results are published in advance and you can check these with your Course Team.

This section will introduce you to Undergraduate progression and reassessment (on the Regulations for Taught Awards) to help you understand what you need to do to progress through a course, your options if you cannot progress as planned, the types of reassessment, when you will need to undertake reassessment, the conditions for reassessment.

In response to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the University made revisions to some of its regulations for the 2020-21 academic year in order to support student progression and award.

This section applies ONLY to students who were studying in 2020-21 academic year.

The University recognised that Covid-19 had an impact your lives, your studies and potentially your assessments. As a result of the pandemic, and at key points since 23 March 2020, you may have experienced:

• changes in your teaching, learning and assessment and you may have undertaken these changes in the context of other significant challenges.
• Reduced ability to engage with assessment.

The University sought to respond in a compassionate, fair and transparent way, which supported student wellbeing and protected the integrity of your degree award to ensure your continued future success.

You will find the changes that applied in Academic Year 2020-21 detailed in the Guide for 2020-21.

You will find the changes that applied during Academic Year 2019-20 detailed in the Guide for 2019-20.

What must I do to progress through my course?

Your course is made up of levels of study, which include modules (learn more in Section 1).

You must normally pass all of your modules in order to achieve an overall pass of a level of study and progress to the next level or achieve an award unless you are granted Compensation or Trail and Progress (see 3.2 and 3.3).

For the Integrated Master’s award, there are additional progression requirements. See the regulations for Integrated Master’s (See Section 3.7 – 3.13 of the Regulations for Taught Awards).

Can I progress if I do not achieve a pass in all of my modules?

No. Normally you cannot progress if you do not achieve a pass in all of your modules.

All decisions about students’ module marks, progression and achievements have to adhere to the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework. These decisions are made by Module Boards of Examiners and Progression and Award Boards of Examiners. The University then notifies you of the decision. If you pass all modules, you will be able to progress or achieve an award as planned.

If you do not pass all modules, the Progression and Award Board will grant one of the following options:

What is progression with compensation?

A Progression and Award Board may confirm that you have passed your level of study where you have passed some but not all of your modules, and have met very specific criteria. This type of progression is referred to as compensation (see Fig.11 below).

Compensation is available for most, but not all, Undergraduate courses.

Compensation allows you to progress to the next level of study or gain an award when you have not passed all of your modules, but a Progression and Award Board confirms you have met all of the following criteria relating to a level of study:

• Passed modules to the value of at least 100 credits and
• Obtained a mark of at least 30% in any failed module up to 20 credits and
• Obtained an average mark of 40% or greater for the whole level (across all 120 credits studied)

Fig.11: Examples that demonstrate when compensation does and does not apply (where available within a course)

For courses delivered in semesters, compensation is only applied when the full profile of marks covering all 120 credits for a level of study is available to the Progression and Award Board. If compensation is applied, you will not be offered any further reassessment opportunities for the compensated module.

For courses delivered in trimesters, compensation is only applied after the first reassessment is undertaken.

The actual mark for the compensated module will be included on your Academic Summary and official transcripts with the letters ‘CP’ to denote a Compensated Pass.

Your transcript: A mark of 40CP will be recorded on your transcript for the failed compensated modules.

What is progression with Trail and Progress?

If you meet specific criteria as set out in the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework, you may be granted permission to progress to the next level of study whilst also undertaking reassessment for a module(s) that has not yet been passed. This is known as Trail and Progress.

Trail and Progress is available for most, but not all Undergraduate courses.*

*Trail and progress does not apply to Foundation Years and it may not apply to some Undergraduate courses with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements. For an Integrated Master’s award, it is only applicable at Level 4.

You will only be granted Trail and Progress when you have met the following criteria:

• Passed at least 100 credits of your current level of study, but have an outstanding reassessment opportunity in up to 20 credits or
• Passed at least 80 credits of your current level of study, but have outstanding reassessment opportunities in up to 40 credits and have achieved marks in the range of 30-39% for all failed modules

The decision of Trail and Progress will be applied by the University when the full profile of marks is available and at the earliest possible points. This may mean your first reassessment attempt will be as Trail and Progress.

Fig.12: Why you would be offered trail and progress

It is important to remember the following when undertaking trail and progress:

• You should speak to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) about any offer you have received for trail and progress
• Trail and progress is only available where you meet all the criteria outlined above, and when trail and progress is available for your course
• You will only be offered trail and progress if you have submitted assessment in the previous period of formal assessment
• You will be taking reassessment for the module that has not been passed alongside your next level of study; you cannot attend the module that is being reassessed
• Trail and progress reassessment must be undertaken at the specified time(s)
• You will need to undertake reassessment for your trailed credits in the next formal assessment period (this will normally be at the end of Semester 1 or Trimester 1 depending on the academic calendar for your course)
• In the unfortunate event that you do not pass the trailed credits in Semester 1 or Trimester 1, you are encouraged to continue with your studies for the academic year and seek guidance from your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) on your next steps. You may not be eligible to progress or may only be eligible for an alternate award
• To be eligible for your full award, you will need to pass your trailed credits.

What happens if I am unable to progress as planned?

There could be a range of reasons why you are unable to progress as planned.

If you do not achieve an overall pass of a level of study, a Progression and Award Board of Examiners will offer you a set number of reassessment opportunities in line with the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework. In some instances, these may require you to re-attend a module (see 3.7).

If you think you are unable to continue because of personal reasons or difficult circumstances, you should seek advice and talk through your options for taking a break from your studies with your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). Support is also available from the Student Wellbeing Services, find out more at Support Services. If you decide to take a break (formally known as interrupt) or withdraw from your studies, you must meet certain conditions, including deadline dates for making these changes.

In some situations, it may be necessary to withdraw from studies before achieving your intended award. If you find yourself in this situation, you would then receive a transcript of the modules studied/credits achieved and you may be eligible for an interim award.  For example, if you were to leave a BA (Hons) Degree after completing Level 4, you may be eligible to achieve a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE); if you were to leave after completing Level 5, you may be eligible to achieve a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE). If you were studying on a Foundation Year and left without completing, you would not be eligible for an award but would receive a transcript of modules studied.

What is reassessment?

Reassessment provides you with a further opportunity to take and pass an assessment activity that you have attempted but not previously passed. You will normally undertake reassessment by submitting an improved form of your original work or taking another examination with different questions on the same subject.

If you are granted a reassessment, this is known as a referral. When you undertake reassessment, your mark for that reassessment activity will be capped at the pass mark (40% for Foundation Years and Levels 4, 5, and 6 and 50% for Level 7 of an Integrated Master’s award).

Types of Reassessment

There are two types of reassessment:

1. Reassessment – a further attempt at completing and passing an assessment activity, normally by submitting an improved form of your original work or taking another examination with different questions on the same subject.

This type of reassessment normally applies when you have passed at least 60 credits at the first attempt at a level of study. See 3.7 for information about the differences in reassessment regulations between semesters and trimesters.

2. Reassessment with Attendance (RWA) – a further attempt at completing and passing assessment activities that requires you to re-attend and undertake reassessment in the modules that you have not yet passed, in the next academic year. This is to ensure you have sufficient learning to complete your reassessment successfully.

This type of reassessment normally applies when you have not passed at least 60 credits at the first attempt at a level. See 3.7 for information about the differences in reassessment regulations between semesters and trimesters.

Why would I need to undertake reassessment?

If you do not achieve an overall pass of a level of study, a Progression and Award Board of Examiners will normally require you to undertake reassessment in line with the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework. The outcomes of reassessment determine whether you can progress to the next level of study or complete your intended award.

How many reassessment attempts do I have and when do I take them?

You will normally be entitled to two reassessment attempts if required. The timing of your reassessment depends upon how many credits you have passed and whether your course is structured in semesters or trimesters.

If your course includes an assessed placement, there are likely to be more restrictions on the number of reassessment attempts available to you (see 3.10).

How does reassessment work in Semesters?

At the end of the academic year, the Progression and Award Board of Examiners will decide whether you are eligible to undertake reassessment and when that will occur.

If by the end of your first attempt at a level of study you have passed less than 60 credits, you will be required to undertake your first reassessment attempt(s) as reassessment with attendance (RWA) in the following academic year. Your second and final reassessment attempt(s), if required, will then follow in the formal reassessment period (the timing of reassessment can vary based on your academic calendar).

If by the end of your first attempt at a level of study you have passed at least 60 credits, you will take your first reassessment attempt(s) in the formal reassessment period for your academic calendar. Your second and final reassessment attempt(s), if required, will normally be reassessment with attendance (RWA) in the next academic year unless you qualify for compensation or trail and progress (see 3.3 and 3.3).

Fig.13: When do I take reassessment in a course that runs in semesters?

How does reassessment work in Trimesters?

There are several differences to Undergraduate learning in trimesters rather than semesters. These include:

• length of the academic year
• number of credits studied per trimester
• timing of reassessment.

In trimesters, you will always take any first reassessment attempt in the next formal assessment period for your academic calendar. Your second reassessment attempt, if required, will normally be Reassessment with Attendance (RWA) unless you qualify for compensation or trail and progress.

Fig.14: When do I take reassessment in a course that runs in trimesters?

How will the timing of my reassessment affect me?

It is important that you are available to undertake your reassessment at the specified time for your academic calendar as these are formally set dates that cannot be changed. This includes reassessments for Trail and Progress.

How does Reassessment with Attendance (RWA) work if my original module has been changed?

Course teams make regular enhancements to your modules to ensure that your course remains current, aligns with recent research, and provides you with the best learning support. To minimise disruption to your experience, there are regulations to support how reassessment with attendance should be undertaken when a module has changed.

Most changes to modules fall into three broad categories, summarised in the figures below. Occasionally a module will be replaced by a different module. In those circumstances, you will be granted additional assessment attempts that will still be capped in line with reassessment regulations.

If you are undertaking reassessment with attendance, you are expected to meet with your course team to review and discuss what happens next.

If I have a placement, how will I be reassessed?

Placement reassessments may be subject to different reassessment rules and regulations (for example, whether or not you can re-attend a placement), and it is important that you check any Additional Course Regulations that apply to your course carefully.

The form of reassessment for your placement will vary based on the nature of your original placement assessment. For some reassessments, you may be able to improve your original assessment or undertake an alternative form of assessment.

In some cases, you will only be able to be reassessed by re-attending a placement. If you are required to re-attend a placement, you can only re-attend that placement once.

What are the conditions for reassessment?

There are two important conditions relating to reassessment.

1. Reassessment must be taken on the specified date(s)
2. The University Regulations: 13.22 of the Regulations for Taught Awards state:

'Where a component of assessment has not been passed after the first opportunity for reassessment, a student has a right to a second reassessment opportunity in all referred components of assessment, only where the regulations in 13.52 (related to placement reassessment) do not apply.'

What mark will I receive if I have to undertake reassessment?

If you undertake reassessment, your mark for that reassessment activity is capped at the pass mark. This includes any deferred reassessment attempts.

A deferral for your first assessment attempt is not capped.

Fig.16: Examples to show how capping is applied to reassessment

In all examples, there are two assessments each worth 50% of the total module mark.

*Please note these scenarios may not apply at Level 7 of an Integrated Master's award.

What is a Repeat Year?

A repeat year is not available to you if you commenced your Undergraduate studies from September 2017.  If you registered before September 2017 see the Outgoing Regulations.

In 2019-20, the University put in place a ‘No Detriment Policy’ to ensure that the outcome you received for the academic year 2019-20 would take into account any impact the Covid-19 pandemic may have had on your assessed work.

For those of you who are continuing your Undergraduate studies from the 2019-20 academic year and are eligible to achieve an award, the No Detriment calculation applied in 2019-20 will be taken into account as part of your award classification.

You can read more on the No Detriment Policy and how it was applied below.

The No Detriment Policy applied to:

The delivery of Level 5, Level 6 and Taught Level 7 courses during the period when the University operated off-campus between 23 March 2020 and the end of the academic year, 2019-20 inclusive;

All students, including those on courses governed by a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body [PSRB], except where the application of the Policy is incompatible with PSRB requirements.

Where Levels 5, 6 or Taught Level 7 is used towards the classification of an award, either in the Academic Year 2019-20 or later.

Your average for Semester 1 or Trimester 1 modules studied in the academic year 2019-20 was used as your No Detriment average. We will compare your average with the calculation of the level of study normally used for degree classification. We will do this when we calculate your award classification and consider your overall performance in 2019-20. Where the calculation of the level we normally use for the degree classification is lower, we will use your average for Semester or Trimester 1 (your No Detriment average) to calculate your degree classification.

• The modules used for calculating the No Detriment average were those from Semester 1 or Trimester 1 of the level you studied in 2019-20.* This means that we used the modules from that period in the calculation. This included where you passed a module by deferral or reassessment at a later point.
• Modules, where teaching and assessment began in Semester 1 or Trimester 1 and extended into additional semesters or trimesters, were not included in the No Detriment average calculation.
• The No Detriment policy applied only where you undertook more than 20 credits from Semester 1 or Trimester 1 by 23 March 2020, based on modules in your course. Where there were only 20 credits, then the mark for the 20 credits was used.
• We used only the average for module marks from Semester 1 or Trimester 1. We did not use individual assessment marks.

*NOTE: For students who undertook dual-level modules, these were only included in the No Detriment average calculation where you achieved the target level.

Provided you were in a position to progress or gain an award, the No Detriment Policy was applied to your overall performance at the end of the 2019-20 academic year by the Progression and Award Board of Examiners.

The following arrangements were applied to Part-Time Undergraduate courses:

1. Part-Time students who completed a level in 2019-20 during the period impacted by theCovid-19 pandemic:

All modules for that level up to the end of Semester 1 or Trimester 1 of 2019-2020 (including those undertaken from the level in the previous year) were used to calculate the No Detriment average.

2. Part-Time students completing a level in 2020-21 or completing a level in subsequent years:

The modules for that level taken up to the end of Semester 1 or Trimester 1 in 2019-2020, as well as all the modules pertaining to the level taken from September 2020, will be used to calculate the No Detriment average.

For those of you who registered before September 2017, please visit the Outgoing Regulations to help you understand what you need to do to progress through a course, your options if you cannot progress as planned, the types of reassessment, when you will need to undertake reassessment, and the conditions for reassessment.

This sets out the different University regulations that govern Undergraduate courses to help you understand why the regulations are relevant, which regulations apply to you, and where to learn more about the regulations.

What are the University Regulations and why do I need to know?

The University’s Regulation and Credit Framework governs all courses and awards. This ensures each course and award is structured, delivered and assessed fairly, consistently and transparently.

The Regulation and Credit Framework covers a range of areas including pass requirements, award classification, progression and credit requirements (including compensation and Trail and Progress), rules for examinations and time-constrained assessments, recognition of prior learning (RPL), assessment, reassessment, academic appeals, and Additional Course Regulations.

Some of the most important information for you right now is likely to be the detail relating to assessment outlined below.

It is important to familiarise yourself with the Undergraduate assessment regulations that apply to your learning so that you understand:

• How and when your work is assessed
• Your entitlement to reassessment opportunities
• The timing of reassessment
• The requirements for passing assessment activities and modules (pass thresholds)
• The conditions relating to reassessment

The University has different sets of regulations that govern Undergraduate assessment. Find out more below.

Which regulations am I on?

Before reading about progression and reassessment, make sure you know which regulations apply to you:

• Those of you who registered with the University from September 2017 onwards, and those of you who registered before September 2017 but do not have continuous progression, follow the General Regulations for the Conferment of Awards and the Regulations for Taught Awards (go to Section 3 for information on progression and reassessment for your regulations).
• Those of you who registered with the University before September 2017 and have continuous progression, are on the Outgoing Regulations.

Fig.10: Identifying which undergraduate assessment regulations apply to you

This section details the Undergraduate awards that can be awarded by Canterbury Christ Church University and how they are classified.

The section will help you understand the requirements for passing awards (pass thresholds) and the outcome you could achieve at the end of your course, how the classifications for awards are calculated, how to estimate your award classification.

What types of Undergraduate awards and classifications are there?

The University offers a range of Undergraduate awards, which are classified in different ways.

Fig.12: Summary of undergraduate awards and classifications

Recognition of Achievement

Sometimes a student leaves a course before completion. We explain here how we recognise your achievement if you leave early.

If you successfully complete a stage or level of study, we make an Interim Award. For Undergraduate study, this can be a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education.

We award credits for all modules you pass and can include credits additional to an award. This means you might get both an award and extra credits.

If you leave your course before completion, we will give you a full transcript. This transcript sets out an interim award and all credits you achieved. You can use this transcript as evidence of your achievement. You can use it if you seek to transfer to a course at another institution. You can use it to apply for professional exemption.

All University interim awards and award of credit align with the UK’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and the Higher Education Credit Framework for England. This enables other institutions to understand how much study you undertook. It sets out the level(s) you studied and the range of skills achieved.

The institution to which you apply decides how much exemption you receive, and will consider your application using its regulations and requirements. It decides the relevance of the modules studied at Canterbury Christ Church University to the course to which you wish to transfer.

We can confirm details of the course you studied with us to other Higher Education providers and employers. We will only do this when you ask for this confirmation, for further details click here. Alternatively, you can contact the i-zone.

What are the pass requirements (pass thresholds) for achieving my award and classification?

Fig.21: Pass requirements for university awards and classifications

How are Apprenticeship awards classified?

If you are studying on an Apprenticeship, you will normally be awarded the academic element of your course as per Fig.20 in 6.1.

The Apprenticeship element of your course is governed by rules issued by the Institute of Apprenticeships (IFA).

These rules differ for each Apprenticeship, and can be found in the End Point Assessment (EPA) plan for your Apprenticeship standard HERE.

How are the classifications for Undergraduate awards calculated?

In all cases, award classifications are based on the raw marks achieved according to the criteria set out in the University’s Regulation and Credit Framework. Under no circumstances does an examiner or Board of Examiners have the discretion to change individual marks.

Once you have achieved a pass (with or without compensation) in all the credits for your award (120 credits at each level of study), your final award classification is calculated using your raw module marks. The final mark is rounded to the nearest integer, see Fig.22.

Fig.22: Undergraduate Award Calculations

How can I estimate my BA/BSc (Hons) Degree classification?

The Students’ Union has developed a tool to help you estimate your BA/BSc degree classification.

This tool is not an official University tool and, as it uses rounded marks, it is only a guide. All final degree classifications are determined by the official Progression and Award Board results, which use raw marks.

If you are not sure why you received a particular classification or believe there was a problem, you should always start by speaking to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) or Course Team, as they will be able to give you guidance and advice about your marks.

What will the title of my Undergraduate Award be?

The title of your award will have been confirmed when you were accepted onto your course of study.

If you are studying for a Combined Honours degree, your award title is based on the subject combination and the number of credits you undertake in each subject at Levels 5 and 6.

Fig.23: Examples of degree titles for combined honours degrees

You can find out more about Combined Honours degrees in 1.8.

Exceptional Circumstances

It’s important that you complete your assessments (including exams) on time, and there is a wide range of support available to help you to do so. However, if you experience unexpected short-term personal difficulties, you may be able to request a coursework extension or a further chance to take an exam or time-constrained assessment.

If you are experiencing a short-term (1-2 weeks), unexpected and unavoidable disruption to your studies (e.g. you have been ill or have difficult personal circumstances), which means that you have missed or are likely to miss an assessment/reassessment deadline, you may be able to request an extension or another opportunity for that assessment. Exceptional Circumstances can be used for both coursework and examinations/time-specific assessments.

Extensions or further opportunities granted through Exceptional Circumstances are not an automatic right. For an Exceptional Circumstances request to be approved you must have:

• an acceptable reason
• apply on time
• not have exhausted your request opportunities, and
• provide acceptable evidence, if required

The Exceptional Circumstances procedures include three ways you can apply for support if you experience a short-term issue (self-certification, an evidenced-based extension, and impaired performance).

Temporary Learning Agreements (TLA)

If you are experiencing a medium-term or long-term personal difficulty (not related to disability), you may be eligible for additional support via a:

• Temporary Learning Agreement (TLA), designed to help you manage your learning, so that you can successfully complete your level or stage of study within your current academic year.

If you have evidence of a recognised disability and/or long-term serious medical or psychological condition that’s been diagnosed by a medical professional, you’re likely to be entitled to a as part of an overall support package. A learning or placement support plan is tailor-made plan for any student with a recognised disability and/or long term or serious medical or psychological condition. The plans set out specific support and arrangements to help you succeed.

• Learning Support Plan (LSP), depending on your circumstances.

To ensure you are able to benefit from any support, you are encouraged to talk to a member of your course team/Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and also someone from the Student Support, Health and Wellbeing team, find out more on Support Services.

Section 8: This outlines the procedures the University has in place to enable you to make appeals and complaints.

There may be circumstances where you feel you have grounds to appeal against the decision-making process of a University body.

It is not possible to appeal against a mark for an assessment or placement, as that is a matter of academic judgment (against which students are not permitted to appeal).

Before making an academic appeal, you need to be clear whether you have grounds for appealing and ensure that you follow the specific appeals process.

It is also important to know that you are expected to submit an academic appeal within 10 working days from the official publication of results by the awarding body; a late application may mean the University is unable to consider your request. You should ensure therefore you read through the academic appeal procedures and raise any concerns at the earliest point with the Early Resolution & Case Handling Team.

If you feel you want to make an appeal, support and guidance is available from the Students’ Union Advice Centre.

Complaints

The Student Complaints procedure provides you with an opportunity to raise, individually or collectively, matters of proper concern.

Most complaints can be resolved informally. Please raise the matter initially, as soon as possible, with either the member of staff concerned or that person’s immediate supervisor or manager. If after these steps you do not believe the issue has been resolved, a formal complaints process can be followed.

If you would like support in considering how to take forward any concerns you have, you can speak first to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), a member of your Course Team or your Student Representative. Support is also available from the Student Wellbeing Services, find out more on Support Services.

Further Information and Useful Links

For further information about University regulations, procedures and support, visit the following web pages:

Assessment procedures including University procedures and regulations:

• Regulation and Credit Framework

Student procedures:

• Appeals
• Exceptional Circumstances
• Temporary Learning Agreements (TLA)
• Learning Support Plan (LSP)
• Complaints
• Academic Misconduct

Other useful links:

• Apprenticeships
• i-zone FAQs
• Policy Zone
• Study Support
• Supporting you to Succeed
• Students’ Union Advice Centre