Temporary Academic Regulations for University of Bradford Postgraduate Taught Awards 2020/21
1. Introduction
1.1
These Temporary Academic Regulations were approved by Senate on 21 April 2021 under Force Majeure provisions set out in Addendum 1 of the Standard Regulations (Regulations 7 and 9).
1.2
Wherever possible, the principles and provisions of the standard Academic Regulations are retained in full and where amendments or adaptations have been made these are designed to support student progression and achievement while maintaining academic standards and the integrity of the University’s awards. Where the provisions of the standard Academic Regulations persist, it is stated in the applicable paragraph herein.
1.3
In operationalising these Temporary Regulations through the University’s administrative processes and system of academic governance, every effort will be made to enact standard procedures or implement enhancements to those procedures.
2. Application of the Regulations
2.1 Status and Scope
2.1.1 Scope:
These Temporary Academic Regulations will supervise all University of Bradford Taught Postgraduate awards regardless of location or mode of delivery. They will apply in their entirety to all such awards and to all students undertaking those awards, unless formal exemption has been approved by, or on behalf of, Senate.
2.1.2 Awards of the University Offered by Partner Institutions:
Where other institutions deliver awards of the University under partnership or franchise arrangements, those institutions and awards are bound by these Temporary Academic Regulations unless formal exemption has been approved by, or on behalf of, Senate.
2.1.3 Duration and Authority:
Subject to approved exemptions (see Section 2.2), these Regulations will apply to all students studying programmes of the University in the 2020-21 academic year that have been affected by disruption to normal operations as a consequence of the local and national response to the Covid-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 session or the until the Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) formally rescinds their authority and application.
2.2 Exemption from the Regulations
Exemption from these Temporary Academic Regulations must be sought from and approved by Senate.
2.2.1 Approval:
Exemption from these Temporary Regulations will normally only be approved if one or more of the following criteria is met:
• To meet specified requirements or expectations of Professional, Statutory’ and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) or other such external bodies that accredit awards of the University.
• To meet specified requirements of bodies/organisations/agencies that sponsor students to study at the University or otherwise require students to provide particular evidence of engagement/study.
• To enable international exchange students to complete specific requirements of their home university/institution
• To enable specific cohorts of students or individual students to transfer to another University or Higher Education Provider.
Any such exemption must be approved by, or on behalf of, Senate. A list of approved exemptions is maintained and published on the University website.
3. General Provisions
3.1 Recognition of Prior Learning
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the Recognition of Prior Learning shall apply.
3.2 Academic Integrity
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to Academic Integrity shall apply. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of the Statement of Authenticity for the submission of work online.
3.3 Academic Misconduct
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to Academic Misconduct shall apply.
3.4 Extensions on Assessed Work
All students will be permitted an automatic 14-day extension for all non-time bound assessments submitted between 4 January 2021 and 21 May 2021. The University will review this timeframe in light of local and/or national conditions and government guidance and reserves the right to extend the period if necessary.
3.5 Extenuating Circumstances
3.5.1 Claims for Extenuating Circumstances for assessments with a deadline before 4 January 2021
The standard Regulations and procedures relating to Extenuating Circumstances shall apply to all assessments with a submission deadline between 28 September 2020 and 4 January 2021.
3.5.2 Claims for Extenuating Circumstances assessments with a deadline after 4 January 2021
All students will automatically be granted Extenuating Circumstances for all assessments with a submission date between 4 January 2021 to 21 May 2021 subject to the following conditions.
3.5.2.1 Award of Extenuating Circumstances where no submission is made
Where a student is unable to make a submission for an assignment with a deadline between 4 January 2021 and 21 May 2021 (inclusive of the right to a 14-day extension detailed in Section 3.4), no formal claim for extenuating circumstances needs to be submitted. Such ‘claims’ will be granted by way of automatic right and no evidence shall be required to substantiate the case. The appropriate Assessment Committee and/or Board of Examiners will defer consideration of the affected module(s) until a subsequent meeting and confirm that the student is entitled to an additional attempt without penalty (i.e. at the same attempt number).
3.5.2.2 Award of Extenuating Circumstances where performance has been negatively impacted
Where a student has made a submission for an assignment with a deadline between 4 January 2021 and 21 May 2021 (inclusive of the right to a 14-day extension detailed in 3.4) and has achieved a pass mark but feels that their performance has been compromised, an ‘extenuating circumstances claim’ can be submitted. No evidence shall be required to substantiate the case and claims will be approved by way of automatic right and. The appropriate Assessment Committee and/or Board of Examiners will defer consideration of the affected module(s) until a subsequent meeting and confirm that the student is entitled to an additional attempt without penalty (i.e. at the same attempt number). Such claims must be submitted within ten working days of the date results are released.
3.5.2.3 Award of Extenuating Circumstances where a component(s) has failed
Where a student has made a submission for an assignment with a deadline between 4 January 2021 and 21 May 2021 (inclusive of the right to a 14-day extension detailed in 3.4) and has failed to achieve a pass mark, no formal claim for extenuating circumstances needs to be submitted. Such ‘claims’ will be granted by way of automatic right and no evidence shall be required to substantiate the case. The appropriate Assessment Committee and/or Board of Examiners will defer consideration of the affected module(s) until a subsequent meeting and confirm that the student is entitled to an additional attempt without penalty (i.e. at the same attempt number).
3.6 Penalties for the Late Submission of Work
Notwithstanding the provisions set out in Sections 3.4. and 3.5, the standard Academic Regulations and penalties for the late submission of work shall apply.
3.7 Notification of Assessment Results
Notwithstanding the provisions set out in Section 3.7.1 the standard procedures and arrangements for the notification of results shall apply.
3.7.1 Communication of Results to Students
Notwithstanding any changes to the published academic calendar, standard procedures and arrangements for the communication of results to students shall apply. Where changes to the published academic calendar are approved, these shall be communicated to students at the earliest opportunity.
3.8 The Award of Fall Back / Intermediate Awards
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the conferral of intermediate / Fall Back awards shall apply.
3.9 Suspension of Studies
Where possible, the standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the suspension of studies shall apply. In instances where this would unduly disadvantage a student or cohort of students, an additional 1 year of suspension may be granted.
3.10 Student Withdrawal
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to student withdrawal shall apply.
3.11 Maximum Period of Registration
Notwithstanding the provisions described in Section 3.9, wherever possible, the standard Academic Regulations relating to the maximum period of registration should be applied.
However, a Board of Examiners may exercise its discretion to authorise an extension to the University’s normal Maximum Period of Registration where it deems a student would be treated unfairly or otherwise be unduly disadvantaged if the standard Academic Regulations were applied.
3.12 Posthumous Awards
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the conferral of Posthumous Awards shall apply.
3.13 Aegrotat Awards
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the conferral of Aegrotat Awards shall apply.
3.14 Revocation of Awards
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the revocation of awards of the University shall apply.
3.15 Right to Academic Appeal
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the academic appeal shall apply.
4. The Assessment of Students
4.1 Academic Governance
The University’s two-tier system of academic governance employed to oversee and determine the outcome of student assessment will be utilised to discharge the Temporary Assessment Regulations 2020/21. This system is conducted sequentially through Assessment Committees and Boards of Examiners.
4.1.1 Operation of Assessment Committees and Boards of Examiners in Exceptional Circumstances.
In recognition of the exceptional circumstances necessitating the implementation of these Temporary Academic Regulations, a revised set of Terms of Reference will supervise decision-making with respect to ratifying marks, approving reassessment opportunities, and conferring awards. These Terms of Reference are set out in Appendix A.
Each meeting of an Assessment Committee and Board of Examiners will make judgements on student performance within its revised terms of reference and minute the basis on which decisions are made. The outcomes of its deliberations will be recorded in the Student Information System (SITS) using the approved codes.
4.2 Module Assessment
The standard pass criteria for all modules shall apply. Where a waiver has previously been approved detailing non-standard or additional pass criteria, this shall stand.
4.3 Supplementary Assessment
The standard Academic Regulations relating to Supplementary Assessment shall apply.
4.3.1 The Timing of Supplementary Assessment
Standard arrangements for the timing of Supplementary Assessment shall apply.
4.3.2 Calculation of Module Marks following Supplementary Assessment
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the calculation and capping of marks following supplementary assessment shall apply.
4.4 Module Failure after Supplementary Assessment
The standard Academic Regulations relating to Supplementary Assessment shall apply.
4.5 Substitution of Modules
The standard Academic Regulations and procedures relating to the substitution of modules shall apply.
5. Eligibility for Award
The standard Academic Regulations relating to award eligibility shall apply. Students will only be considered for an award of the University if they have satisfied the general credit requirements for the award and have satisfied the specific outcomes of the programme set out in the Programme Specification.
5.1 Compensation of Failed Module(s)
Compensation will automatically be awarded to any eligible module(s) up to a maximum of 20 credits subject to the following conditions:
- Compensation can only be applied when all modules compromising the programme of studies have been completed (normally 180 credits);
- Compensation is only permitted if a mark of ≥30% has been achieved in the failed module(s);
- Modules failed due to academic misconduct are not eligible for compensation.
Where a module is compensated, the original mark shall be used for the purposes of calculating Award averages.
5.2 Eligibility for the Award of Degree of Master
Standard eligibility criteria and credit requirements for the award shall apply.
5.3 Eligibility for the Award of Postgraduate Certificate
Standard eligibility criteria and credit requirements for the award shall apply.
5.4 Eligibility for the Award of Postgraduate Diploma
Standard eligibility criteria and credit requirements for the award shall apply.
5.5 Eligibility for the Award Certificate of Continuing Education
Standard eligibility criteria and credit requirements for the award shall apply.
6. Grading of Awards
6.1 General Provisions
The grading of University of Bradford postgraduate taught awards shall be calculated using the normal algorithm as set out in the standard Academic Regulations.
Only academic credit obtained through study on University of Bradford programmes can be used to calculate degree classifications. Credit obtained through study at other higher education providers or through the provisions set out in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy may contribute towards an award of the University but marks and/or grades associated with that credit will not be used for the purposes of classifying or grading awards.
6.2 Use of Firm and Provisional Safety Net Baselines Calculated Under the Emergency Academic Regulations 2019/20 in the Grading of Awards
In instances where a student studied a PGT programme during the 2019/20 session but did not complete during that session (for instance, if part-time or suspended), then the Academic Performance Safety Net provisions as defined in the Emergency Academic Regulations 2019/20 (Section 6.2) shall, where applicable, stand for the purposes of calculating overall grades of University in accordance with the normal algorithm as set out in the standard Academic Regulations.
6.3 Grading of the Award of Degree of Master
The standard Academic Regulations relating to the grading of the Award of Degree of Master shall apply.
6.4 Grading of the Award of Postgraduate Diploma
The standard Academic Regulations relating to the grading of the Award of Postgraduate Diploma shall apply.
6.5 Grading of the Award of Postgraduate Certificate
The standard Academic Regulations relating to the grading of the Award of Postgraduate Certificate shall apply.
6.6 Grading of Certificates of Continuing Education
The University’s award of Certificate of Continuing Education is awarded without grades.