Bath Spa University - Regulations - Academic Regulations

Academic Regulations

This document is definitive!

1. Introduction

These academic regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations of Bath Spa University.
This electronic version of the Academic Regulations is authoritative.
The Academic Board of Bath Spa University approves these academic regulations and processes. They may be varied with the agreement of the Academic Board to meet exceptional circumstances.
"Academic Board" includes any individual or committee competent to act on behalf of the Academic Board.

2. Awards of Bath Spa University

BSU awards up to the level of taught masters may be granted to students who have successfully followed courses approved by the Academic Board and satisfied the conditions contained in these regulations. BSU also awards research degrees (MPhil and PhD) which are covered by separate regulations that can be found in the research degree handbook on the graduate school web pages.
The Academic Board shall approve a list of titles of available awards with their abbreviated forms from time to time. Awards for particular courses may be qualified by descriptors identified at the time of approval of those courses, or under rules established at the time of approval. The latest list (.pdf) was approved in March 2009.

3. Quality of Courses

Courses approved by the Academic Board shall be of such quality as to fulfil the requirements of its general educational character.
All new courses proposed for approval by the Academic Board shall follow procedures for approval established by the Academic Board.
All approved courses leading to awards of the University shall be subject to procedures of review established by the Academic Board. Review shall take place within the period of approval, and shall form the basis for the continuance or termination of the courses. Review may form the basis for changes or developments required within courses.
Changes or developments within approved courses shall be made within procedures established by the Academic Board.
To approve each new course of study the Academic Board shall consider the criteria contained within its course planning and approval handbook.
Specific regulations for any approved course of study shall be described in the relevant scheme and award "Student Handbooks". The contents of these documents shall be defined from time to time by the Academic Board. The documents shall be updated with respect to any changes in the course. At least one current copy of each shall be lodged in the University Library, and one with the Academic Office.
All approved courses leading to awards of the University shall be subject to procedures of monitoring and evaluation established by the Academic Board.

4. Standards of Awards

The degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards conferred by the Academic Board of the University shall be consistent with the levels defined in The framework for higher education qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland (QAA January 2008).
The "benchmark" standard for approved courses shall be the bachelor's degree with honours.
Bachelor's degree with honours: The standard of the bachelor's degree with honours is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University , who has successfully completed a course of study suitable for the fulfilment of its general educational character and who has demonstrated the capacity for sustaining independent and high-quality work. The course of study will be three full-time academic years or equivalent in length.
Unclassified bachelor's degree: The standard of the Unclassified Bachelor's Degree is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a course of study suitable for the fulfilment of its general educational character. The course will be three full-time academic years of study or equivalent in length.
Foundation degree: The standard of the Foundation Degree is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a vocationally-focussed course of study equivalent in level to the first two years of a Bachelor's degree. The course will be two full-time academic years of study or equivalent in length.
Certificate of higher education: The standard of the certificate of higher education is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a course of study equivalent in level to the first year of a bachelor's degree. The course will be one full-time academic year of study or equivalent in length.
Diploma in higher education: The standard of the diploma in higher education is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a course of study equivalent in level to the first two years of a bachelor's degree. The course will be two full- time academic years of study or equivalent in length.
Graduate certificate: The standard of the Graduate Certificate is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a course of study equivalent in level to the third year of a bachelor's degree and comprising one-third of the content of the third year of a bachelor’s degree. The course will be one full- time academic year of study or equivalent in length.
Graduate diploma: The standard of the Graduate Diploma is that expected of a student with prior knowledge and skills equivalent to the entrance requirements of the University, who has successfully completed a course of study equivalent in level to the third year of a bachelor's degree and comprising two-thirds of the content of the third year of a bachelor’s degree. The course will be one full- time academic year of study or equivalent in length.
Postgraduate (or Professional) Certificate in Education: The standard of the Postgraduate (or Professional) Certificate in Education is that expected of a graduate who has successfully completed a course of study of the theory and practice of teaching, and who has demonstrated practical competence in teaching. The course will be one full-time academic year or equivalent in length.
Postgraduate certificate: The standard of the postgraduate certificate is that expected of a graduate who has successfully completed a course of study at a level demanding more advanced study than a bachelor's degree. The course will be at least fifteen weeks of study or equivalent in length.
Postgraduate diploma: The standard of the postgraduate diploma is that expected of a graduate who has successfully completed a course of study in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation, at a level demanding more advanced and intensive study than a bachelor's degree. The course will be at least thirty weeks of study or equivalent in length.
Taught Master's degrees: The standard of the taught master's degree is that expected of an Honours graduate who has successfully completed a course of study in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation, at a level demanding more advanced and intensive study than a bachelor's degree, and which includes a compulsory element of advanced independent work. The course will be at least forty-five weeks of study or equivalent in length.

5. Duration and Mode of Study of Courses

The duration of a full-time academic year for undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses as expressed in hours of student study-time shall be determined from time to time by the Academic Board.
The planned duration of the course leading to a particular award shall be specified in the student handbook. The following are the normal expectations. For a Masters qualification the minimum period of study shall be forty-five weeks full time and two years part time; the maximum period of study shall be three years full time and five years part time. For a PGCert qualification the minimum period of study shall be fifteen weeks full time and thirty weeks part time; the maximum period of study shall be two years full time and three years part time. For a PGDip qualification the minimum period of study shall be thirty weeks full time and sixty weeks part time; the maximum period of study shall be two years full time and four years part time. For a full-time one year PGCE qualification the minimum period of study shall be 10 months and the maximum period shall be two years. For a full-time two year PGCE qualification the minimum period of study shall be 22 months and the maximum period shall be three years. For a part-time PGCE qualification the minimum period of study shall be 20 months and the maximum period shall be 32 months. For a Graduate Certificate qualification the minimum period of study shall be one year full time and two years part time; the maximum period of study shall be three years full time and four years part time. For a Graduate Diploma qualification the minimum period of study shall be one year full time and two years part time; the maximum period of study shall be four years full time and five years part time. For the Bachelor’s qualification the minimum period of study shall be three years full-time and five years part-time; the maximum period of study shall be five years full-time and eight years part-time. For the DipHE and Foundation degree qualifications, the minimum period of study shall be two years full-time and three years part-time; the maximum period of study shall be four years full-time and six years part-time. The CertHE is an exit award only and therefore has no defined duration.
Student handbooks must include the minimum and maximum periods within which a student must complete the course of study and associated assessments, including any reassessment. The responsibility for monitoring a student's period of study, maintaining appropriate records, and advising the student lies with the Registrar and the course manager.

6. Courses Conducted Outside the University

The University may approve arrangements whereby courses are conducted in whole or in part by external institutions and organisations. Such courses may be courses also taught within the University, or taught in part within the University, or not taught within the University but validated by the Academic Board of the University and leading to an award of the University.
The standards of any such awards shall be equivalent to similar courses offered within the University.
The arrangements may incorporate alternatives to University regulations where the Academic Board is satisfied that the corresponding regulations of the other institution satisfy the principles and standards required by the University.
The Academic Board shall approve procedures by which applications for relationships with institutions or organisations external to the University may be considered and approved and which provide for review, renewal and rescinding of arrangements.

7. Admission of Students

Principles of admission:
1. Final authority for individual admissions lies with the Registrar, acting on behalf of the Academic Board.
2. There shall be a reasonable expectation by the Registrar that an applicant admitted to a course of study will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required for the award.
3. In considering any individual applicant for admission to a course of study, evidence may be sought of personal, professional and educational experiences which provide indications of ability to meet the demands of the course. To this end Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will be sought when required.
4. The University may refuse to admit an applicant to a course of study or require a student to withdraw if the application is found to contain or be based upon false information.
5. University policy on equal opportunities shall apply to all admissions.
Admission to courses at foundation degree level:
1. Entrance Requirements. The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of courses leading to awards at foundation degree level is equivalent to a specific level of attainment in two subjects at A level supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE. A "pass" in GCSE shall be taken as grade C or above. A level, or equivalent, requirements will be reviewed from time to time by the Academic Board. In some fields of study it will be necessary for entrants to have reached the equivalent of A level in at least one specific subject as well as meeting the entrance requirements. It may also be necessary for entrants to possess relevant experience, depending on the field of study.
Admission to courses at bachelor’s degree level:
1. Entrance Requirements. The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of courses leading to awards at bachelor's degree level is equivalent to a specific level of attainment in two subjects at A level supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE. A "pass" in GCSE shall be taken as grade C or above. A level, or equivalent, requirements will be reviewed from time to time by the Academic Board. In some fields of study it will be necessary for entrants to have reached the equivalent of A level in at least one specific subject as well as meeting the entrance requirements. It may also be necessary for entrants to possess relevant experience, depending on the field of study.
Admission to taught postgraduate courses (excluding PGCE):
1. The minimum entry requirement for taught postgraduate courses, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas shall be a bachelor's degree with honours or equivalent. In all cases, the knowledge and skills required shall be consonant with the standards of prior knowledge and skills stipulated for the award.
2. The Professional Master’s Programme (PMP) includes a number of separate titled awards leading to either an MA (Master of Arts) or MTeach (Master of Teaching) in each of the titled areas. Applications are considered from qualified teachers as well as from backgrounds within the wider field of education, training and the business world. All awards are currently offered on both a part-time and full-time basis and the normal minimum level of attainment for entrants is a first degree. Additional requirements may be applicable for specific awards. It may also be necessary for entrants to possess relevant experience, depending on the field of study
Admission to PGCE courses:
1. Entrance Requirements. The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of postgraduate or professional graduate certificate in education courses leading to qualified teacher status (QTS) is equivalent to a specific level of attainment in a first degree or equivalent, supported by passes in five subjects at GCSE. For PGCE secondary these passes should include English language and mathematics. For PGCE primary and key stage 2/3 these passes should include English language, mathematics and a science subject. A “pass” in GCSE shall be taken as grade C or above. GCSE equivalence tests can be offered to entrants for selected PGCE courses. In some fields of study it will be necessary for entrants to have a subject-specific degree and/or other relevant qualifications. A period of work experience in a school environment, normally prior to application, will also be required. Entrants for undergraduate courses leading to PGCE primary will be expected to meet the general requirements for entry onto bachelor’s degree courses as well as the work experience requirements above. GCSE passes for such entrants should include English language, mathematics and a science subject.
International Qualifications and admission requirements:
1. The University accepts international qualifications deemed as equivalent to those specified above. Equivalence is established through The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC). The normal minimum IELTS (or equivalent) requirement for admission onto all of our undergraduate programmes as well as postgraduate certificate (PGCert) programmes is 6.0. We require 6.5 for postgraduate diploma (PGDip) and Masters programmes, though individual awards may have a higher requirement. The normal requirement for all PGCE courses is 7.0.
AP(E)L:
1. The University has an established policy on accreditation for prior or experiential learning.
2. Admission with academic credit: Where it is clear that an applicant has fulfilled some of the progression and assessment requirements of the course of study by means other than attendance on the course, and will be able by completing the remaining requirements to fulfil the objectives of the course and attain the standard required for the award, the applicant may be admitted as a student to any appropriate point in the course. Admission may be with general or specific credit. All applications to transfer registration from one course of study to another shall be determined by the Registrar
3. Admission "with general credit". Admission "with general credit" shall be subject to the same principles as admission to the beginning of the course. Subject to the requirements of the relevant regulations for the course, a student may be admitted with exemption from certain elements of a course, which means that the student will not be required to take those elements but might be required to take alternatives
4. Admission "with specific credit". Admission "with specific credit" means that the student will be considered to have passed certain elements and will, where regulations for the course permit, be graded
5. Transfer from other institutions in the United Kingdom. Applicants who have successfully completed the whole or part of a degree or other course of higher education at an institution in the United Kingdom may be admitted with specific credit at an appropriate point on a course of study

8. Attendance

Attendance at lectures, seminars, workshops or other form of learning prescribed for the course is required. Students who are unable to attend classes or other prescribed activities for any reason must inform their tutors as soon as practicable. Medical certificates must be produced to the Registrar in the event of absence due to illness of more than eight calendar days. In cases of persistent non-attendance without proper reason, the Academic Board may terminate a student's course of study.

9. Assessment

Principles of assessment:
1. All courses leading to awards of the University shall include assessments of students' achievements that are related to the outcomes specified for the course, enable Assessment Boards to judge student progression through the course, and can demonstrate that student achievements within the course are appropriate for the standard of the award.
2. All courses leading to awards of the University shall have assessment regulations, which are clearly set out in the relevant student handbooks.
3. The assessment regulations of the particular course of study must specify, or give guidance on:
  1. which and how many elements must be passed
  2. criteria for the award of pass or failure
  3. criteria for the award of marks of merit or distinction, where appropriate
  4. criteria for the grading of units or awards and the timing of examinations and submission dates of other assessed work
  5. the margin of failure, if any, permitted for compensation, referral in one or more assessment, and repeat of the unit or stage
  6. the number of occasions on which a student may be reassessed
  7. the form of reassessment permitted.
4. Assessment regulations shall take into account the University 's commitment to Equal Opportunities. If a student is unable through disability to be assessed by the methods specified in the assessment regulations, the candidate shall be assessed by arrangements agreed by the Academic Board.
5. These regulations on assessment may be varied with the agreement of an Assessment Board to meet exceptional circumstances.
Responsibilities of the University regarding assessment:
1. To ensure that students are assessed fairly in accordance with the assessment schemes for approved courses.
2. To provide invigilation of examinations undertaken in the University in accordance with procedures approved by the Academic Board.
3. To provide results of students' assessments and to issue individually to students their marks or grades.
4. To investigate allegations of assessment offences in accordance with procedures approved by the Academic Board
5. To make available information regarding assessment. In addition to the information contained in student handbooks, the University will make available:
  1. timetables for examinations
  2. instructions to examination candidates approved by the Academic Board.
Responsibilities of students:
1. To attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required. If a student fails to attend examination(s) or submit work for assessment without good reason, the Assessment Board may determine that the student has failed the assessments concerned.
2. To provide the Registrar for onward transmission to the Assessment Board before its meeting any relevant information on personal circumstances that may have affected performance, which they wish the Assessment Board to take into account.
3. To undertake assessments in a manner that does not attempt to gain unfair advantage.

10. Assessment Boards

The assessment regulations for each course shall provide for one or more Assessment Boards, accountable to the Academic Board, with a constitution approved by or on behalf of the Academic Board, and which includes the external examiners approved by the Academic Board. The constitution of an Assessment Board shall require that it be chaired by a senior academic appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. The constitution of the Assessment Board may provide for subsidiary boards to make recommendations on defined functions to their parent board.
The terms of reference of an Assessment Board shall include responsibility for:
1. determining whether a student has complied with the requirements of the course and its assessment and may proceed to the following stage of the course
2. recommending the Academic Board to grant the appropriate award.
No student shall be a member of an Assessment Board for his or her course or attend an examiners' meeting for such course other than as a candidate for assessment.
All members of an Assessment Board are bound by its decisions and are required to maintain confidentiality of the detailed proceedings unless authorised to disclose them by the Registrar or in evidence to a panel considering an application for review of a decision of an Assessment Board.
The quorum of an Assessment Board shall a simple majority of the members eligible to attend. Where awards are to be decided one external examiner should be present.
An Assessment Board is authorised to assess students and to recommend the grant of awards in accordance with the assessment regulations. The Assessment Board is responsible for all assessments contributing to the recommendations for an award. No other body or person may act on behalf of the Academic Board in recommending the grant of an award nor in amending the duly made decision of an Assessment Board acting within its terms of reference. An Assessment Board may however be required by the Academic Board to review a decision under the Academic Appeals procedure or may have the decision annulled under the Academic Appeals Procedure.
The Registrar shall be responsible for the secretariat of all Assessment Boards and shall require the secretary to maintain accurate records of the Assessment Board's proceedings.
No recommendation for the grant of an award may be made without the written consent of the approved chief external examiner. On any matter which an external examiner has declared a matter of principle, the decision of the external examiner(s) shall either be accepted as final by the Assessment Board or be referred to the Academic Board for determination. Any unresolved disagreement between external examiners shall be referred to the Academic Board for determination.

11. Subject or Award External Examiners

Appointment of external examiners. Candidates for appointment as external examiner shall be appointed by a process and by criteria established by the Academic Board. No candidate may be appointed as an External Examiner without the formal approval of the Academic Board.
Purposes and duties of external examiners. The purposes of external examiners are to ensure that the marks of internal examiners are consistent internally and with marks awarded for similar subjects in relation to similar awards elsewhere in UK university institutions. Their duties shall be to:
1. attend meetings of relevant Assessment Boards
2. agree proposed examination papers, coursework and other assessments
3. see a 20% sample of all assessed work representative of each grade band above level 4. This should equate to not less than 8 pieces of work
4. agree the marks awarded by internal examiners in respect of the assessments with which the external examiner is associated
5. judge students impartially on the basis of the work submitted
6. ensure that students are examined within the regulations of the University and those approved for the course
7. ensure that the standards of awards recommended by Assessment Boards of which they are members compares with those of awards conferred at other comparable institutions of higher education
8. report annually to the Academic Board on the standards attained by students, on any matter that in the view of the external examiner affects academic standards within the course, and on any other matter that seems appropriate for report
Rights of external examiners. External examiners shall have the right to take any action they deem necessary for the proper fulfilment of their duties. Their rights also include the following:
1. to be provided with proper briefing.
2. to attend any meeting of Assessment Boards or of which they are members.
3. to see any examination papers, coursework or other material relevant to the assessment of students on the course.
4. to consult with internal examiners or any other representatives of the University to discuss the course(s) for which they have external examining responsibilities.
5. to be consulted about any changes in assessment for the course(s) for which they have external examining responsibilities.
6. to address any issues with the Head of Quality Management.

12. Failure and Reassessment

Reassessment is not available to improve upon a mark or grading above the pass level required for an award.
A candidate for reassessment may not demand reassessment in elements which are no longer current within the course. However, the Assessment Board may exercise its discretion in providing special arrangements where it is not practicable for students to be reassessed in the same elements or by the same methods as at the first attempt. Such arrangements shall be subject to the principle that an award is only made when a candidate has fulfilled the objectives of the course and achieved the required standard.
Mitigating Circumstances. Information on personal circumstances which may have prevented attendance at examinations, delayed submission of assessed work, or otherwise affected performance, must be brought to the attention of the Registrar as soon as possible after the disruption of the student's schedule of assessment for onward transmission to the Assessment Board in advance of their meeting. Failure without good cause to notify examiners constitutes grounds for the rejection of any subsequent request by a student for review of the Assessment Board's decisions.
If it is established to the satisfaction of the Assessment Board that a student's absence, failure to submit work, or poor performance in all or part of the assessment was due to his/her proven illness or other valid documented case, the Assessment Board shall act under the following regulations:
1. A student shall be assessed in the usual way at the earliest opportunity as if for the first time; if an assessment affected by illness was itself a second attempt reassessment will be permitted as if for the second time.
2. The Assessment Board may prescribe whatever form of assessment it considers suitable for the circumstances.
3. The Assessment Board may judge that a student has passed the assessment elements, provided there is sufficient evidence to support this judgement, and if necessary permit a grade to be fairly determined.
4. Where there is insufficient evidence to determine the recommendation of an award, but the Assessment Board is nevertheless satisfied that the student would have passed had it not been for illness or other valid and documented cause, an Aegrotat degree may be recommended. An Aegrotat degree is unclassified.
5. Before the Assessment Board makes an award under b), c) or d) above the student must have signified willingness to accept the award under these terms, and must have understood that this involves waiving the right to be reassessed under a).

13. Unfair Practice

In cases where unfair practice is concerned the following guidelines and principles shall apply:
1. In any case of an allegation of unfair practice the assessment shall be marked and considered but the Assessment Board shall not confirm the candidate’s result until the facts have been separately established under arrangements approved by the Academic Board
2. Actions on unfair practice will be considered by an arrangement determined by Academic Board from time to time.
3. Where evidence becomes available the case may be reopened under procedures laid down in the previous paragraph.

14. Appeals

The Academic Board shall establish a procedure for considering appeals against decisions of Assessment Boards or through the procedures established by Academic Board for consideration of unfair practice accusations, and a committee to consider such appeals (the "Appeals Committee").

15. Notification of Results

The secretary to the Assessment Board shall produce a list recording the Assessment Board's decisions on the progression of students and the awards for which they are recommended. The list shall be checked in accordance with arrangements approved by the Academic Board and shall be signed by the Chair of the Assessment Board. It is the student's responsibility to ascertain his or her own results.
For students who do not satisfy the Assessment Board that they have fulfilled the requirements of the assessment process, the Registrar shall communicate the decision of the Assessment Board in writing to the students concerned, with instructions on any reassessment permitted.
Where students have outstanding obligations to the University , or are the subjects of an allegation of a breach of discipline:
1. results concerning the award may be withheld until the obligation is discharged
2. registration for the next stage of the course may be denied to a student who has an outstanding obligation to the University at the start of that stage
3. results concerning the award may be withheld until the allegation of the breach of discipline has been determined and consequential action discharged.

16. Conferment of Awards

An award of the University may be conferred when the following conditions are satisfied:
1. the candidate has completed the relevant course of study as a registered student of the University
2. the award has been recommended by the Assessment Board convened, constituted and acting under regulations approved by the Academic Board
3. the award has been approved by the Academic Board
4. arrangements satisfactory to the University have been determined, where a student has an undischarged obligation to the University , or are the subject of an allegation of a breach of discipline.
The award recommended by an Assessment Board shall be that for which the student is a candidate or a lower award, specified in the approved course regulations, for which the student has fulfilled the requirements.
The Assessment Board may recommend that an award be conferred with merit, distinction or with an Honours classification as appropriate to the award.
Where course regulations make such provision, the Assessment Board may recommend that an award be conferred upon a student who has satisfied the requirements for that award, whether or not the candidate is proceeding directly to a course leading to a further award.
The certificate of an award conferred by the University shall record:
1. the name of the University together with, if appropriate, the name of any other institution sharing responsibility for the student's course of study or research
2. the student's full legal name as given at the time of last registration
3. the title of the award a descriptor indicating the title of the course (if any) as approved by the Academic Board for the purposes of the certificate
4. an indication of any classification, merit or distinction recommended
5. the signature of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University .
An Aegrotat award may be made if a student is prevented by serious illness, injury or other sufficient cause from completing their course of study. In making such an award, the Assessment Board should be satisfied that the student’s prior performance shows beyond reasonable doubt that they would otherwise have passed and that due to the nature of the illness, injury or other cause, the student would be unable to return to complete their course at a later date. An Aegrotat award shall be unclassified. An Aegrotat award may not be made in the case of research degrees, nor in the case of a full Masters degree unless the dissertation (or equivalent) has been submitted
Any award of the University may be conferred posthumously and accepted on the student's behalf by a parent, spouse or other appropriate individual. The normal conditions of award must be satisfied.

Approved by AQSC in June 2010.