Standard Taught Master's Degrees Assessment Regulations

The following progression regulations shall apply to all students commencing their degree programmes.

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, Statutory or Regulatory Body.

2.1 General Principles

2.1.1 Presentation of Marks (including part-time students who have not yet completed Part One)

Faculty/School Examination Boards shall be presented with all marks of assessment undertaken during the academic year (or in the case of part-time students, or students pursuing a two-year programme, marks for modules taken so far).

2.1.2 Progression Decisions

For Standard programmes, the decision as to whether a student is permitted to proceed from Part One to Part Two will be taken at a Part One Examination Board normally 9 months after the start of the programme. For students pursuing the Masters in Trauma Surgery this may be 15 months after the start of the programme (i.e. for September entry this will normally be December). Students who fail to qualify to proceed at the initial attempt will normally be allowed to redeem failures by undertaking supplementary assessment. Re-sits may only be awarded by the University Progression and Awards Board.

All progression decisions are taken by the University Progression and Awards Board with reference to a set of University Assessment Regulations. In accordance with these guidelines and the progression rules, for students starting their programme in September, supplementary assessments and the representation of assessed work for failed modules will normally take place in the following August/September (or in exceptional circumstances and with the express permission of the Chair of the Progression and Awards Board, in May-June for modules taught in Teaching Block 1). The University Progression and Awards Board will normally be expected to re-consider the cases of students who take supplementary assessments or represent assessed work as appropriate.

2.1.3 Anonymous Marking

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

2.1.4 Disclosure of Identity

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

2.1.5 Disclosure of Results

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

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

2.1.6 Appeals against decisions

Students who do not qualify to proceed to Part Two may request that the decision of the University Progression and Awards Board be reviewed in accordance with the University’s Academic Appeals and/or Accuracy of Published Marks Procedure, which are published in the Academic Regulations.

2.2 General Assessment Rules - Standard Taught Master's Degrees

The Pass mark for modules will be set at 50%. Credits will be awarded to candidates who pass a module (compensation regulations apply).

In order to proceed from Part One to Part Two a candidate must aim to accumulate credits as outlined below:

Taught Masters (MSc/MA/LLM) 120 credits (= 60 ECTS credits).

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 or its equivalent, 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 University Progression and Awards Board, full-time candidates who have been unsuccessful in any module at Part One 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 fail to redeem a failure in a module taken at Part One, and hence fail to proceed to Part Two, will be required to withdraw from the University. 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.

Full-time Candidates who do not attempt to redeem failed modules during the supplementary 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 at the Supplementary Board. The Board will refer to the semester one/semester two mark where a higher mark is scored. The best mark principle will only apply within an academic session.

Candidates who accumulate 90 credits or more in Part One, but fewer than 120 credits at their second attempt may at the discretion of the Examination Board, qualify to proceed to Part Two, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

Overall average mark for Part One is at least 50%.
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).

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

Programmes may adopt stricter toleration regulations due to Professional 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.

G10

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 re-assessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules concerned in the next academic year.

G11

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.

G12

Candidates who have qualified to proceed to Part Two 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.

G13

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.

G14

An overall average mark of 60% or more is required for the whole programme to qualify for a merit. The overall average mark for the programme will be determined as follows:

Credits Accumulated	Relative Weighting
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 G14 applies:

An overall mark of 60% or more is required for the whole programme to qualify for a merit. 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.

G15

An overall average mark of 70% or more is required for the whole programme to qualify for a distinction. The overall average mark for the programme will be determined as follows:

Credits Accumulated	Relative Weighting
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 G15 applies:

An overall mark of 70% or more is required for the whole programme to qualify for a distinction. 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.

G16

Part One candidates who are redeeming failures by substituting modules will be under close scrutiny.

G17

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 part-time students, the marks will be confirmed, and the student will be allowed to continue if progress is considered to be satisfactory. Specific end of year assessment regulations will govern the cases of part-time students.

G18

The rules outlined in the Specific Progression Rules will normally influence the Part One Examination 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 University Progression and Awards Board may take into account other circumstances relating to the candidate’s case before confirming any progression decision. The University Progression and Awards Board would not be expected to allow a candidate to progress to Part Two unless they had satisfied the minimum criteria and demonstrated competence to undertake work required at Part Two.

G19

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.

G20

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

G21

Exit qualifications awarded to students with compensated failures will be named.

G22

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 has attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99% for the award in question.

G23

Candidates exiting with a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma shall be eligible for the appropriate award "with Distinction" where they passed/compensated the requisite number of credits (120 credits with up to 30 credits of compensated failures permitted) and has attained an overall mark of 70% for the award in question.

G24

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.

G25

Candidates who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment by the deadline will fail Part Two of the programme 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.

G26

Candidates who submit their piece of directed independent learning by the deadline and who fail to obtain a pass mark will normally be permitted to resubmit in accordance with the appropriate time limit.

G27

Candidates who fail Part Two of the programme and who are permitted to resubmit will have the following periods of time in which to resubmit. Resubmission will be capped at 50%.

Resubmission deadlines
Mode of Study	Entry after 09/10	Entry prior to 09/10
FULL TIME	3 months (after the official publication of results).	6 months
PART TIME	6 months (after the official publication of results).	12 months

G28

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.

G29

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

2.3 SPECIFIC PROGRESSION RULES – Completion of Part One Full Time STANDARD PROGRAMMES

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits, at 50% or above, in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to Part Two.

Candidates who accumulate fewer than 120 credits at 50% or above will fail to qualify to proceed to Part Two. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board and provided that the student has not been given an opportunity to redeem a previous failure in any of the failed modules, such candidates will normally be required to undertake supplementary assessment in all failed modules. Students, who choose not to re-sit a failed module, or an assessment component, will be awarded a mark of 0%. However, the best mark principle shall apply. At the Supplementary (re-sit) Board the Board will refer to the TB1/TB2 mark where a higher mark has previously been scored (refer to G9).

All candidates who do not complete Part One and/or progress to Part 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 Postgraduate Diploma, provided that they have accumulated the required 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 passed/compensated at Swansea (30 credit compensated failures permitted*).

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

In addition, a candidate may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma with merit/distinction where the following conditions are met:

Exit Awards
Postgraduate Certificate with Merit	Passed 60 credits at Part 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 at Part One (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea. Attained an overall average mark of 70%.
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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. 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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. Attained an overall mark of 70%.

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

2.4 SPECIFIC FULL-TIME AND Part-Time RULES TO BE APPLIED AT THE END OF PART ONE RE-SIT BOARD FOR STANDARD PROGRAMMES

S1 Completion of Part One

Candidates, who accumulate at least 120 credits, at 50% or above, in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to Part Two.

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 to Part Two, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

The overall average mark for Part One is at least 50%.
The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programmes (see general progression rule G3).
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).

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

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

Full-time candidates who are attempting to redeem a failure and who fail to qualify to proceed to Part Two at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University and will be considered for an exit award where appropriate.

Part-time candidates who are attempting to redeem a failure and who fail to qualify to proceed to Part 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.

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

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.

In addition, a candidate may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma with Merit/Distinction where the following conditions are met:

Exit Awards
Postgraduate Certificate with Merit	Passed 60 credits at Part 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 at Part One (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea. Attained an overall average mark of 70%.
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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. 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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. Attained an overall mark of 70%.

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

2.5 Part-Time Regulations (Standard programmes)

2.5.1 Specific Rules for dealing with results of part-time candidates (part way through their degree) at the end of the session board.

SP1

Candidates who pass all modules pursued during the academic session should be allowed to Continue with their studies.

SP2

Candidates who fail any module(s) should be granted an opportunity to redeem the failure in all failed modules.

2.5.2 Specific Rules for dealing with results of Part-Time Candidates (part way through their degree) at the Supplementary Board.

SP3

Candidates who pass all modules pursued during the academic session should be allowed to continue with their studies.

SP4

Candidates who fail any module at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University (compensation applied).

2.5.3 Specific Rules to be applied for part-time candidates at the end of Part One.

SP5

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits, at 50% or above, in modules at the appropriate level automatically qualify to proceed to Part Two.

SP6

Candidates who accumulate less than 120 credits, at 50% or above at their first attempt, will fail to qualify to proceed to Part Two. Such candidates may be awarded a second attempt at redeeming a failure by undertaking supplementary assessment in all failed modules. Normally, students will be expected to redeem all failures. However, an Examination Board may require the student to redeem only the failed elements of a module where more than one piece of work contributes towards the final module mark. Students, who choose not to re-sit a failed module, or an assessment component, will be awarded a mark of 0%.

SP7

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

SP8

A candidate may exit at this point with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma, provided that they have accumulated the required 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 passed/compensated at Swansea (30 compensated failures permitted*).

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

SP9

In addition, a candidate may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma with Merit/Distinction where the following conditions are met:

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

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

2.5.4 Specific Rules to be applied for part-time candidates at the end of Part One re-sit board

These regulations appear under Regulation 2.4.

2.6 Rules for Awarding STANDARD Taught Master's Degrees (Part Two)

2.6.1 Specific Regulations for Awarding Credit at the End of Part Two

The pass-mark shall be 50%.

Candidates who accumulate 60 credits in their piece of directed independent learning module (Part Two) may qualify for the award of a degree. The overall degree classification shall be calculated based on the following weightings:

Credits Accumulated	Relative Weighting
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 achieve an overall average mark of not less than 60% 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 not less than 70% for the whole programme shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with distinction.

Candidates who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment 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 permitted.

Candidates awarded a resubmission by the University Progression and Awards Board will normally be permitted to resubmit their piece of directed independent learning in accordance with the appropriate time limit.

Candidates who fail Part Two of the programme 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 deadlines
Mode of Study	09/10 Entry and After	Entry Prior to 09/10
FULL TIME	3 months (after the official publication of results)	6 months
PART TIME	6 months (after the official publication of results)	12 months

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

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

S10

In addition, a candidate may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with Merit/Distinction where the following conditions are met:

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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. 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*) and qualified to proceed to Part Two. Attained an overall mark of 70%.

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

Standard Taught Master's Degrees Assessment Regulations

The following progression regulations shall apply to all students commencing their degree programmes.

2.2 General Assessment Rules - Standard Taught Master's Degrees

Resubmission deadlines

Exit Awards

Exit Awards

Exit Awards

Exit Awards

Exit Awards

Resubmission deadlines

Exit Awards