Extended Taught Master's Degrees Assessment Regulations

Including MSc Nursing and MSc Social Work

The following progression regulations shall apply to students commencing their degree programmes. These rules are to be applicable campus-wide.

The University has authorised Faculties/Schools, with subject areas which are subject to professional accreditation, to apply stricter assessment rules provided that the students have been duly notified in advance and that it is a requirement of a Professional Body.

3.1 General Principles

3.1.1 Presentation of Marks (including part-time students)

The University Progression and Awards Boards shall be presented with all marks of assessment undertaken during the academic year.

3.1.2 Progression Decisions

The decision as to whether a student is permitted to proceed from Semester One and Two will initially be taken at an end of Semester Faculty/School Board. Students who fail to qualify to proceed at the initial attempt will normally be allowed to redeem failures by undertaking supplementary assessment. Faculties/Schools may award re-sits during the re-sit semester or within a schedule to be determined by the Faculty/School. Faculties/Schools will also determine the frequency of the Semester Boards.

Where programmes are subject to Professional Body requirements (e.g. MSc Social Work, MSc Nursing), Faculties/Schools may hold a Board to consider results/progression part-way through a session.

3.1.3 Anonymous Marking

Please refer to the University's Assessment, Marking and Feedback policy.

3.1.4 Disclosure of Identity

Please refer to the University's Assessment, Marking and Feedback policy.

3.1.5 Disclosure of Results

A distinction should be drawn between provisional marks and confirmed marks.

Please refer to the University’s Policy on Publishing Marks.

3.1.6 Appeals against Decisions

Students who fail to qualify to proceed may request that the decision of the Board be reviewed in accordance with the University’s Appeals and/or Accuracy of Published Marks Procedure, which are published in the Academic Regulations.

3.2 GENERAL ASSESSMENT RULES: EXTENDED TAUGHT MASTER'S DEGREES

The Pass mark for modules will be set at 50% unless otherwise stipulated by the professional or regulatory body, details of which will be included in the programme handbook. Credits will be awarded to candidates who pass a module (compensation regulations apply).

Candidates who accumulate 240 credits in total may qualify for the award of a degree. The overall average mark for the programme will be determined as follows:

Credits Accumulated	Relative Weighting
Best 60 credits	4
Next best 60 credits	3
Next best 60 credits	2
Remaining 60 credits	1

For students commencing programmes from September 2023 or January 2024 the following point G2 applies:

Candidates who accumulate 240 credits in total may qualify for the award of a degree. The overall degree classification shall be calculated based on the mean average of module marks, that are weighted according to their credit value, across the whole programme.

Progression decisions for full-time candidates shall be taken at the end of the semester of study, which includes a supplementary opportunity period. Award decisions will be taken at the end of the third semester and confirmed by the University Progression and Awards Board. For part-time students progression will be confirmed at the end of year.

Faculties/Schools may identify ‘core’ modules as appropriate for individual programmes, which must be passed with a mark of at least 50% before a candidate can progress. The ‘core’ modules for each programme must be clearly identified in Faculty/School handbooks or other Faculty/School literature and on the University’s assessment software.

Faculties/Schools should note that compensated failures cannot be awarded for ‘core’ modules. Candidates' performance in ‘core’ modules must be monitored by Faculties/Schools. A module, containing the piece/pieces of directed independent learning by its very nature, shall be regarded as being a ‘core module’, and a pass mark of 50% will be applied uniformly.

At the discretion of the Examination Board, full-time candidates who have been unsuccessful in any module may be permitted one further attempt to redeem their failure in each such module, provided that this can be achieved within the time limit for the degree.

A full-time candidate who has been allowed to complete a substitute module/modules in place of the one that they have failed shall be eligible for the capped mark only and will only be allowed one attempt in which to pass the module (a fee will be charged).

Candidates, who satisfy the examiners at an attempt to redeem a failure, shall only be eligible for a mark-up to the capped threshold of 50%, in each such module, irrespective of their actual level of performance. The University Progression and Awards Board shall refer to the capped/the best mark in determining the average for the level of study.

Candidates who accumulate 90 credits or more but fewer than 120 credits at their second attempt may at the discretion of the Examination Board, qualify to proceed provided that all of the following conditions are met (the MSc Nursing and MSc Social work programmes do not apply compensation, therefore all modules must be passed to enable the student to proceed):

The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programmes (see general progression rule G4).
The marks in ANY module are not less than 40%.* The credits for such modules shall be referred to as compensated failures (these shall appear as F grades on the student’s record).
The module is not contributing to the 60 credits of directed independent learning.
The modules are second attempts.

* A mark below 40% in any module means that compensation is not permitted.

Programmes (e.g. MSc in Social Work and MSc Nursing) may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional/Regulatory Body/Sponsorship body requirements.

Candidates who are eligible for compensation at the first attempt who wish to waive their right to re-sit their failed modules, may with the support of their Faculty/School, submit a request for compensation within 10 days of the official notification of their result. Requests must be signed by the Faculty/School and submitted to Education Services for approval.

Candidates, who fail to redeem a failed module at the second attempt (compensation applies) will be required to withdraw. Such candidates shall have no further opportunity to complete their programme of study, and shall only be eligible to be considered for an exit qualification. Candidates awarded a decision of “Required to withdraw from the University” will be given no further attempts to redeem their modules and will not be eligible to transfer credits to another programme of study at Swansea University and their studies will be terminated. Normally, a candidate with a decision of “Required to withdraw from the University” shall not be re-admitted to that same programme of study, or to a cognate programme, without the approval of the Recruitment and Admissions Committee.

G10

Candidates who do not attempt to redeem failed modules during the re-sit period will normally be awarded a mark of 0% in such modules, and shall not be given a further opportunity to redeem the failure. However, the best mark principle shall apply where a higher mark is scored. The best mark principle will only apply within an academic session.

G11

In exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment, candidates who fail to redeem their module(s) during the supplementary period because of extenuating circumstances or who fail the module at the first opportunity during the supplementary period (i.e. as a deferral) may submit evidence of such circumstances to their Faculty/School for consideration. At the discretion of the Progression and Awards Board, such candidates may be permitted one further opportunity to be reassessed. The reassessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules concerned in the next academic year.

G12

A candidate who is to be re-examined in set projects or other forms of course assessment shall not be permitted to re-submit modified versions of their original work, but shall be required to submit for assessment new work on different topics from those which originally failed to satisfy the examiners.

G13

Candidates shall not be allowed to elect to repeat any module which has been passed, or to redeem a failure which has been compensated in order to improve their performance.

G14

A candidate who is absent for the whole or part of a written assessment (or who fails to submit set projects or coursework by the required date(s)) will be deemed to have failed the modules(s) in question. In the case of part one candidates who are unable to undertake assessments due to extenuating circumstances, an extenuating circumstances' application must be submitted to the Home Faculty/School by the prescribed deadline published by the Faculty/School. The Faculty/School will consider the application for approval with reference to the University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances. Candidates granted deferrals will be required to undertake assessments at the next scheduled assessment point for the module(s) concerned.

G15

Candidates, who achieve an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99% for the whole programme, shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with merit.

G16

Candidates, who achieve an overall average mark of not less than 70% for the whole programme, shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with distinction.

G17

Candidates who are redeeming failures by substituting modules will be under close scrutiny.

G18

End of year decisions for part-time candidates shall be taken annually and confirmed by the University Progression and Awards Board, before the results of a full portfolio of modules are known. Normally, in the case of a part-time student the marks will be confirmed, and students allowed to continue if progress is considered to be satisfactory. Specific end of year assessment regulations will govern the cases of part-time students.

G19

The rules outlined in the Specific Progression Rules will normally influence the Semester Boards in arriving at a progression decision for candidates. However, candidates must not expect as of right that they will be allowed to undertake supplementary assessments, or be allowed to continue. The Board may take into account other circumstances relating to the candidate’s case before taking any progression decision.

G20

Faculties/Schools which are subject to professional accreditation can apply stricter progression rules provided that the applications of such rules are required by the Professional Accreditation Body as a condition for accreditation of the programme. The stricter rule shall be applied for accreditation purposes only. Students should be notified in Faculty/School handbooks of any additional requirements.

G21

Candidates who fail to complete the programme and/or withdraw from the University may, depending on the number of credits accumulated, be entitled to an exit qualification.

G22

Candidates who fail the 60 credits of taught/internship/placement modules will be required to withdraw. In some cases, with the approval of the Faculty/School, it may be possible to transfer to the one-year full-time (Standard) programme. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted to redeem this failure.

G23

Exit qualifications awarded to students with compensated failures will be named. The MSc Nursing programme does not apply compensation therefore all modules must be passed at the appropriate level to qualify for an exit qualification of Care Studies (these students will not be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council).

G24

Candidates exiting with a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma shall be eligible for the appropriate award “with Merit” where they have passed the requisite number of credits and have attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99% for the award in question.

G25

Candidates exiting with a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma shall be eligible for the appropriate award “with Distinction” where they have pursued the requisite number of credits and have attained an overall mark of 70% for the award in question.

G26

Progression rules do not apply to Exchange and Visiting students. However, such students shall be given an opportunity to redeem failures, normally through supplementary assessments, but in certain circumstances through alternative methods of assessment agreed by the Faculty/School.

G27

Candidates who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment or approved equivalent by the deadline will be required to withdraw from the University and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma as an exit award. No resubmission will be given.

Where there are one or more assessment components in respect of the directed independent learning module, students who have submitted at least one assessment component by the deadline and fail to obtain an overall module pass mark, will normally be permitted to resubmit all failed components in accordance with the appropriate time limit.

G28

Candidates who submit their piece of directed independent learning or approved equivalent by the deadline and who fail to obtain a pass mark may be permitted to resubmit in accordance with the appropriate time-limit. Resubmission will be capped at 50%.

Resubmission Deadline
Mode of Study	Entry after 09/10
FULL TIME	3 months (after the official University publication of results)
PART TIME	6 months (after the official University publication of results)

G29

Candidates who are unable to meet their submission deadline may apply for an extension to their submission deadline in accordance with the University’s regulations.

G30

The University reserves the right to charge a re-examination fee in respect of the re-submission.

3.3 SPECIFIC RULES TO BE APPLIED FOR YEAR ONE CANDIDATES AT THE SEMESTER ONE BOARD

Candidates who pass all specified module components/modules shall be allowed to continue with their studies.

Candidates who fail a module may be awarded a re-sit or supplementary assessment. Candidates who choose not to re-sit shall be awarded a mark of 0%.

The marks of candidates who have redeemed any failed component(s) shall be capped at 50%.

Candidates already awarded a re-sit due to Professional Body requirements and who fail a module component at the second attempt shall be required to withdraw from the University and have no further attempts at the failures.

All candidates who are required to withdraw from the University have the right of appeal in accordance with the University’s Accuracy of Published Marks and/or Appeals Procedure.

3.4 SPECIFIC PROGRESSION RULES – YEAR ONE (END OF SESSION) BOARD

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits, at 50% or above, automatically qualify to proceed to Year Two.

Part-time candidates, part-way through their studies, who pass all modules pursued during the academic session should be allowed to continue with their studies.

Candidates who do not meet the requirements of S1 will fail to qualify to proceed to Year Two. At the discretion of the Examination Board, the candidate will normally be required to undertake supplementary assessments in all failed first attempts at a module for a capped mark of 50%. Students who choose not to re-sit a failed module will be awarded a mark of 0%.

In the case of failure in a practice component on the MSc Social Work and MSc Nursing programmes, candidates shall be permitted only one attempt to redeem the failure as at the next scheduled opportunity during the next academic session. An opportunity to redeem a failure in the practice component will not be available during the supplementary assessment period. Such candidates will remain in Year One throughout the next academic session.

Candidates who are attempting to redeem a failure and who fail to qualify at the second attempt will be informed that they are required to withdraw from the University and will be considered for an exit award, where appropriate.

Candidates on the MSc Social Work and MSc Nursing programmes who are enrolled repeating failed modules who do not meet the requirements of S1 will be informed that they are required to withdraw from the University and will be considered for an exit award, where appropriate.

All candidates who fail to complete Year One or progress to Year Two have the right of appeal in accordance with the University’s Accuracy of Published Marks and/or Appeals Procedure.

Candidates may exit at this point with a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma provided that they have accumulated sufficient credits (refer to S5 of Specific Progression Rules – Year One Progression Re-sit Board).

3.5 SPECIFIC PROGRESSION RULES – YEAR ONE PROGRESSION RE-SIT BOARD

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits, at 50% or above, automatically qualify to proceed to Year Two.

Part-time candidates, part-way through their studies, who pass all modules pursued during the academic session should be allowed to continue with their studies.

Full-time candidates and part-time candidates at the end of the taught 120 credits (Year One equivalent) who accumulate 90 credits or more but fewer than 120 credits at their second attempt may at the discretion of the Examination Board, qualify to proceed provided that all of the following conditions are met (the MSc Nursing programme does not apply compensation therefore all modules must be passed to enable the student to proceed):

The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programmes (see general progression rule G4).
The marks in ANY module are not less than 40%.* The credits for such modules shall be referred to as compensated failures (these shall appear as F grades on the student’s record).
The module is not contributing to the 60 credits of directed independent learning.
The modules are second attempts.

* A mark below 40% in any module means that compensation is not permitted.

Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional or Regulatory Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.

For MSc Nursing students - candidates shall normally be permitted up to two attempts to redeem failures in any assessment component of a module provided that this can be achieved within two academic sessions and within the time limit for the degree. The first attempt at redeeming the failure will normally be offered as close to the original assessment date as possible (normally within 8 to 10 weeks). A second attempt at redeeming a failure in any assessment component may be offered on the recommendation of the University Progression and Awards Board. Candidates redeeming failures at the second attempt shall be regarded as “external candidates” and their bursary award shall be suspended. Once it has been determined that a candidate has successfully redeemed the failure and completed the level of study, they will be permitted to resume their studies at a point deemed appropriate by the Faculty/School. "External candidates" shall be required to enrol with the University and pay external candidate fees, as appropriate. Such candidates will not be permitted to attend lectures, receive tuition or have access to University facilities. External candidates will be expected to attend the University (or other such designated venues as may be required) only to undertake examinations or submit assessments as required.

Part-time candidates, who are part way through their taught 120 credits (Year One equivalent) who fail to redeem all failed modules at the second attempt (compensation applies), will be required to withdraw from the University.

Candidates who are attempting to redeem a failure and who fail to meet the requirements of S2 qualify to Year Two at the second attempt, will be informed that they are required to withdraw from the University and will be considered for an exit award where appropriate.

In exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment, candidates who fail to redeem their module(s) during the supplementary period because of extenuating circumstances or who fail the module at the first opportunity during the supplementary period (i.e. as a deferral) may submit evidence of such circumstances to their Faculty/School for consideration. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board, such candidates may be permitted one further opportunity to be reassessed. The reassessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules concerned in the next academic year.

All candidates who fail to complete Year One or progress to Year Two have the right of appeal in accordance with the University’s Accuracy of Published Marks and/or Appeals Procedure.

Candidates may exit at this point with a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma provided that they have accumulated the correct number of credits, i.e.:

Exit Awards
Postgraduate Certificate	Passed 60 credits (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea.
Postgraduate Diploma	120 credits, a minimum of 80 credits to have been pursued at Swansea.
Postgraduate Certificate with Merit	Passed 60 credits in Year One (with 50% or more) a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea. Attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99%.
Postgraduate Certificate with Distinction	Passed 60 credits in Year One (with 50% or more) a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea (with 50% or more). Attained an overall average mark of 70% or more.
Postgraduate Diploma with Merit	Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been pursued at Swansea and qualified to proceed to Year Two. Attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99%.
Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction	Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been pursued at Swansea and qualified to proceed to Year Two. Attained an overall mark of 70% or more.

*Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional, Regulatory Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.

*The MSc Social Work and MSc Nursing programme does not apply toleration therefore all modules must be passed to qualify for an exit award.

3.6 REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING EXTENDED TAUGHT MASTER'S DEGREES

The pass mark shall be 50% unless otherwise stipulated by the professional or regulatory body, details of which will be included in the programme handbook.

Candidates who accumulate 60 credits in their directed independent learning or approved equivalent and 60 credits in the taught/Internship/placement modules (Year Two) may qualify for the award of a degree. The overall average mark for the programme will be determined as follows:

Credits Accumulated	Relative Weighting
Best 60 credits	4
Next best 60 credits	3
Next best 60 credits	2
Remaining 60 credits	1

For students commencing programmes from September 2023 or January 2024 the following point S2 applies:

Candidates who accumulate 60 credits in their directed independent learning or approved equivalent and 60 credits in the taught/Internship/placement modules (Year Two) may qualify for the award of a degree. The overall degree classification shall be calculated based on the mean average of module marks, that are weighted according to their credit value, across the whole programme.

Candidates who fail the 60 credits of taught/Internship/placement modules will normally be required to withdraw from the University. In some cases, with the approval of the Faculty/School, it may be possible to transfer to the Standard programme. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted to redeem this failure.

Candidates pursuing the MSc in Social Work who fail the Year Two taught/practice placement module(s) will be offered one further attempt one attempt to redeem the failure(s).

Candidates who are offered the opportunity to re-sit taught modules will normally be required to re-sit during the next scheduled assessment point for the modules concerned.

Candidates who are offered the opportunity to re-sit practice placement modules shall be required to re-sit as an external candidate at the next scheduled opportunity during the next academic session. The marks of such modules will be capped at 50%.

Candidates on the MSc in Social Work who fail Year Two taught/practice placement modules at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University. Such candidates may be considered for a Postgraduate Diploma (Social Welfare).

Candidates, who achieve an overall average mark of not less than 60 and not more than 69.99% for the whole programme, shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with merit.

Candidates, who achieve an overall average mark of 70% or more for the whole programme, shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with distinction.

Candidates who fail the directed independent learning or approved equivalent and who are permitted to resubmit will be subject to the following periods of time in which to resubmit. Resubmission will be capped at 50%.

Resubmission Deadline
Mode of Study	Resubmission
FULL TIME	3 months (after the official publication of results)
PART TIME	6 months (after the official publication of results)

Candidates who fail their directed independent learning or approved equivalent at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University. Such candidates will be considered for a Postgraduate Diploma.

S10

Candidates who are unable or not permitted to complete Year Two may be eligible for consideration for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma.

S11

It is recognised that some candidates may fail both the directed independent learning and taught/practice placement modules at the first attempt. Such candidates will normally be required to withdraw from the University or in some cases, with the approval of the Faculty/School, it may be possible for them to transfer to the standard programme and resubmit the piece/pieces of directed independent learning.

Candidates pursuing the MSc in Social Work may be offered one resubmission opportunity for the piece/pieces of directed independent learning (in accordance with S8) and one opportunity to re-sit failed Year Two taught/practice placement modules (in accordance with S3). The Year Two resubmission of the directed independent learning and practice placement/taught module reassessment results, for such candidates, shall be considered by a Year Two Examination Board once the full profile of Year Two marks are available.

Candidates pursuing the MSc in Nursing may be offered one resubmission opportunity as an internal candidate (during the year) and one further opportunity to retrieve theoretical work as an External Candidate.

S12

In addition, a candidate may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with Merit/Distinction where the following conditions are met (the MSc Nursing programme does not apply compensation therefore all modules must be passed to enable the student to qualify for an exit award):

Exit Awards
Postgraduate Diploma with Merit	Pursued 120 credits, a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*). Attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99%.
Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction	Pursued 120 credits, a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*). Attained an overall mark of 70%.

*Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.

Extended Taught Master's Degrees Assessment Regulations

Including MSc Nursing and MSc Social Work

Resubmission Deadline

Exit Awards

Resubmission Deadline

Exit Awards