Code of Practice on Undergraduate Modular Assessment

1.

This Code of Practice shall be read in conjunction with Regulation XX.

2.1

Each module shall be assessed by the end of the Semester in which it is studied, unless otherwise specified in the Module Specification.

2.2

The Internal Examiner shall inform the Student Office of the intended publication date of Module Marks. In the case of Semester 1 modules this date shall be no later than the end of week 2 in Semester 2. It is the Internal Examiner's responsibility to inform the Student Office at least 24 hours in advance should the eventual date of publication be different from the intended date. In such cases, the Internal Examiner should also ensure that the students concerned are advised of the reason for the delay in the publication of the relevant Module Mark, and of the revised publication date.

3.1

All examination scripts are subject to internal moderation: i.e. a sample of scripts is scrutinised by a second internal examiner to check that the assessment criteria have been applied consistently (and where applicable that the marking scheme has been followed) and the outcomes of the assessment are fair and reliable. The sample should include examples of scripts from across the mark range and borderline cases.

3.2

All projects and dissertations are subject to double/second marking: i.e. every piece of work is independently assessed by more than one internal examiner. Each marker keeps a record of all marks awarded, together with his/her rationale for awarding each mark. In some cases, second markers have sight of the first marker's marks and/or comments. Where this is not the case (sometimes called 'double blind marking'), marking sheets may be used to ensure that the marks given by the first marker do not influence the second marker's judgement. The two markers subsequently confer to arrive at a set of agreed marks.

3.3

Pieces of coursework, other than project reports or dissertations, that contribute 50% or more of the overall mark for the module, are subject to internal moderation by selective sampling (cf examination scripts). This applies whether the module is assessed by a mixture of written examination and coursework, or by coursework alone.

3.4

In cases where there is a difference between the marks of different internal examiners that cannot be resolved between them, the opinion of a third internal examiner should be sought.

3.5

All examination scripts are anonymously marked: i.e. the scripts are identified only by student ID number and desk number and the identity of students is not revealed to the markers. Departments may at their discretion determine that coursework for named modules will also be marked anonymously: this will be made clear to the students concerned.

4.1

In the case of a module which contributes to the award of a degree or diploma, the relevant Associate Dean (Teaching) or Head of the Department with responsibility for the module has responsibility to ensure that the External Examiner has access to such scripts and other work as (s)he wishes to see; normally a sample across a range of results. The Extermal Examiner must always see a sample of work for modules assessed by coursework (i.e. means other than written examinations) alone.

4.2

The involvement of external programme assessors and external examiners in the assessment process is explained in the 'code of practice for external examining for taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes'.

5.

The External Examiner shall be given reasonable time to view the assessed work and a deadline for comment.

6.1

Candidates wishing to make a claim of impaired performance must do so on the appropriate form and in accordance with a deadline date set by the Academic Registrar. Claims will not normally be accepted after the Internal Examiner has published Module Marks. In exceptional cases, subject to the recommendation of the relevant Associate Dean (Teaching) and the approval of the Academic Registrar, claims may be accepted after the publication of the relevant Module Marks.

6.2

If a claim is accepted by the Academic Registry for consideration, the claim shall be recorded on the central database for consideration by an Impaired Performance Panel which shall make recommendations to the Programme Board. The Internal Examiner shall not take into account such claims when awarding the Module Mark.

7.1

Provisional Module Marks may be published by the Internal Examiner prior to being approved by the External Examiner. Such Module Marks may be subject to change post-publication prior to being approved by the External Examiner. Module marks must be approved by the External Examiner prior to being considered by the Programme Board.

7.2

Following the External Examiner's agreement of the Module Marks, as appropriate, the Internal Examiner shall cause the status of the Module Marks to be fixed on the database.

7.3

These marks can then only be modified by a Programme Board, in a case of impaired performance or viva-voce examination (and then only to the candidate's advantage), or by the relevant Associate Dean (Teaching) or Head of Department or Academic Misconduct Committee acting in accordance with Regulation XVIII.

7.4

Impaired Performance claims are considered by an Impaired Performance Panel which is convened by the School/Department owning the relevant programme and which makes a recommendation to the Programme Board. The Panel may ask the Internal Examiner for further information to inform its decision.

8.1

Where a claim of impairment relates to the late submission of coursework for which a zero mark has been awarded, the Internal Examiner shall ensure that the coursework is marked and that the mark is available to the relevant Impaired Performance Panel and Programme Board. The Programme Board may adjust this mark accordingly.

8.2

Where a claim of impairment relates to a missed assessment, the Internal Examiner shall suggest to the Impaired Performance Panel and Programme Board a mark for that assessment based on knowledge of the candidate's work during the year.

8.3

Where a claim of impairment relates to acceptance of a mark obtained by a candidate from a form of assessment in place of the assessment method specified in the Module Specification, the Internal Examiner shall suggest to the Impaired Performance Panel and Programme Board a mark for that assessment.

9.

The views of the Internal Examiner shall be considered by the Impaired Performance Panel and Programme Board. Programme Boards are advised to be cautious in ignoring strongly expressed recommendations of the Internal Examiner.

10.

There shall normally be no requirement in cases of claimed impairment for Internal Examiners to attend Impaired Performance Panels or Programme Boards.

11.

Associate Deans (Teaching) have responsibility to ensure the satisfactory performance of Internal Examiners in their Department. Associate Deans (Teaching) are required to sign Module Mark sheets from Internal Examiners who are probationers and may, at their discretion, fulfil their responsibility by endorsing all Module Mark Sheets.