Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science Assessment Regulations

G1

The Pass mark for modules will be set at 40%. Credits will be awarded only to candidates who pass a module and meet the requirements below. In some cases, the School may set a higher pass mark for modules or components of modules. This information shall be made available in the School/programme Canvas Hub and/or module sites.

G2

Each module within the programmes leading to an academic award and professional registration may have multiple assessment components. Students must pass all components if there are multiple assessment components. This includes any clinical practice assessment or portfolio. The average mark for the module shall be arrived at using the weightings detailed in the module proforma. If a student fails any assessment component, the module will be deemed to have failed irrespective of the overall average and credit will not be awarded.

G3

In order to progress from one level to another a candidate must pass 120 credits by passing all components for each individual module. The passmark will normally be 40% unless otherwise stated in the module information.

G4

Candidates must satisfy engagement and assessment requirements of all modules totalling at least 120 credit points.  

G5

To comply with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body standards or requirements, compensation of failures in modules in professional programmes offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science will not be allowed.

G6

Each assessment component for a module(s) is deemed by the Faculty to be “core” (i.e. must be passed before a candidate can progress from one Level to another).

G7

A full-time student will be required to complete a level of study within a maximum of two academic sessions, subject to the degree time limits.

A part-time student will normally be required to complete a level of study within a maximum of three academic sessions, subject to the degree time limits.

G8

Students who fail to pass one or more components of a module shall be required to redeem the failure(s). The marks for candidates at Levels 5 and 6 who satisfy the assessors in individual assessment components at retrieval shall be capped at 40% in the particular assessment component. The marks for candidates at Levels 3 and 4 shall not be capped.

However, upon retrieval of the assessment component(s), the overall average mark for the module to be used for degree classification purposes will be dependent on the following points:

• If the overall average mark for the module calculated on the basis of the marks attained at the first attempt for each assessment component is greater than 40%, that mark will be used for degree classification purposes. That is, the retrieval of a failed assessment component(s) will  allow the student to be awarded credit only for that module and will not affect the original overall average mark.
• If the overall average mark for the module is less than 40% following the first attempt at the individual assessment component, the amended overall average, which will have been raised as a result of passing the failed components, will be capped at 40%.

G9

Candidates who have qualified to proceed from one Level of Study to another shall not be allowed to elect to repeat any module which has been passed in order to improve their performance.

G10

It is recognised that some candidates will not be able to attend examinations or submit coursework on the agreed date e.g. due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. Such cases shall be considered in accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment. In the case of those candidates who are unable to attend examinations due to extenuating circumstances, a claim for deferral must be submitted to the Faculty either in advance of the examination date or within five days of the examination taking place. Applications for deferrals must be considered and supported by the relevant Faculty. Requests for consideration of extenuating circumstances affecting coursework shall be considered in accordance with the established procedures in operation in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science and in accordance with the Extenuating Circumstances policy. These procedures shall be made available to students on an annual basis.

Students and staff are advised to consult the University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances.

G11

Progression decisions for part-time candidates may be taken by the University Progression and Awards Board before the results of a full portfolio of modules are known.

G12

The University Progression and Awards Board would not be expected to allow a candidate to progress to the next Level of Study unless they had satisfied the minimum criteria.

G13

Candidates who fail to complete a level of study will be awarded an academic decision of Required to Withdraw from the University. 

Candidates who are 'Required to Withdraw from the University' will be given no further attempts to redeem failures. Candidates 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 readmitted to that same programme of study or to a cognate programme without the approval of the Recruitment and Admissions Committee.

Depending on the number of credits passed, such students may be eligible for an exit qualification. The University Progression and Awards Board will be responsible for considering the number of credits passed and, if appropriate, awarding the relevant exit qualification.

G14

Students are required to adhere to the principles of confidentiality in relation to assessment. Where students are required to discuss or reflect upon situations and events that have occurred in a practice setting, they must anonymise any details that may lead to the identification of people or places from practice in order to protect confidentiality. A statement that indicates that names and places have been changed to protect confidentiality should be included. More information about confidentiality will be available on Canvas hubs.

G15

Students are cautioned that if the work they present for assessment contains practices that may be considered to be unsafe and are unacknowledged as such, the work may be awarded a mark of 0%.

Specific Regulations for:

BSc Nursing (Adult)

BSc Nursing (Child)

BSc Nursing (Mental Health)

BSc Nursing Part-Time (Adult)

BSc Nursing (Learning Disability)

BSc Nursing Flexible Part-time (Adult)

BSc Nursing Flexible Part-time (Mental Health)

BSc Nursing Part-Time (Mental Health)

BMid Midwifery 

BSc Paramedic Science

BSc Paramedic Science for Emergency Medical Technicians

BSc Occupational Therapy (full- and part-time)

BSc Operating Department Practice

S1

Candidates shall normally be permitted up to two attempts to redeem failures in any academic 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). Students will only have one opportunity to resubmit their practice assessment document.

S2

In the case of failure in a practice component of the BSc Occupational Therapy programme, candidates shall be permitted only one attempt to redeem the failure, normally during the same academic session. Candidates will undertake the full practice placement in order to submit the practice assessment(s).

S3

Students studying the BSc Occupational Therapy who fail to pass two consecutive practice modules at the first attempt will be withdrawn from the programme.

S4

A second attempt at redeeming a failure in any academic 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.

S5    Practice Assessment

S5.1 Occupational Therapy

Students enrolled on occupational therapy programmes can only fail one placement during the course of the programme. If any subsequent placement is failed they will be required to with from the programme. Students will be required to suspend studies and complete the placement module in the next academic session if they do not successfully complete the placement module. Occupational therapy students are not able to carry outstanding placement to the next level of study.

S5.2

Students on other professional programmes will only have one opportunity to resubmit their practice assessment document or clinical assessment portfolio during each level of study. Students that have passed all academic components but have a deferred attempt at their PAD are not required to suspend studies. In these cases students in levels 4 or 5 will be awarded a CARRY decision at the progression board and will be allowed to progress to the next level of study. They must submit the deferred PAD assessment at the end of the first four weeks of the next placement learning opportunity. They will need to complete this alongside learning for the next level of study.

Those students that do not pass a deferred first attempt at the PAD assessment after the first four weeks of the placement will have an additional week in which to complete the PAD. Those students that do not pass the PAD assessment at the second attempt after the first four weeks of the placement will be withdrawn from the programme. Final year students will have a SUPP decision and will be allocated an additional four weeks of placement in which to complete the deferred PAD. An additional week is provided if the student fails a deferred first attempt after these four weeks.

S6

"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.

S7

In exceptional circumstances, which must be independently evidenced, a third attempt at redeeming failures can be permitted at the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board. This shall be permitted only if it can be achieved within two academic sessions and within the time limit for the degree. Such students shall remain recorded as external candidates and their bursary award shall be suspended.

S8

Decisions on a candidate’s progression from one level of study to another shall be taken by the University Progression and Awards Board at the end of the level in accordance with the following guidelines:

Specific progression rules for Pre-Curriculum Transformation Paramedic Science Cohorts

The following temporary progression amendment applies only to students enrolled on the pre-Curriculum Transformation:

• BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science; and BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science for Emergency Medical Technicians students from September 2024 and September 2025 cohorts only.

S.1 Conditional Progression Following Failure at Second Attempt

1. A student who has failed an assessment at the second attempt and who would ordinarily be required to become external for the purposes of undertaking a third assessment attempt may, at the discretion of the Assessment Board, be permitted to progress conditionally to the next level of study with their existing cohort.
2. Conditional progression under this regulation is not automatic and remains subject to approval by the relevant Assessment Board and any other applicable University procedures.
3. This concession shall apply only where the volume of outstanding assessment requiring a third attempt is judged by the Assessment Board to be limited and manageable alongside study at the subsequent level. In making this determination, the Assessment Board shall consider the nature, size and number of outstanding assessment components, rather than solely the credit value of the module(s) in which they are contained.
4. Students with a substantial volume of outstanding assessment, such that progression would create an unreasonable assessment burden or compromise academic or professional standards, shall not normally be eligible for conditional progression under this regulation.
5. The outstanding assessment shall normally be completed within the first four to six weeks of the subsequent academic year, or at the earliest appropriate assessment opportunity approved by the Programme Director and Assessment Board.
6. A student who successfully completes the outstanding assessment at the approved third attempt may continue on the programme, subject to compliance with all other programme, assessment, professional, conduct and progression requirements.
7. A student who fails the outstanding assessment at the third attempt shall normally be required to withdraw from the programme unless approved Extenuating Circumstances have been accepted in accordance with University regulations.

S.2 Conditions of Conditional Progression

A student permitted to progress under Regulation S.1 shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. the student must have exhausted the second assessment attempt and remain eligible for a third assessment attempt under the applicable regulations;
2. the volume of outstanding assessment requiring a third attempt must be considered by the Assessment Board to be sufficiently limited to permit conditional progression without creating a substantial assessment burden;
3. the outstanding assessment(s) must be completed within the timeframe specified by the Assessment Board;
4. the student must engage with any academic, clinical, practice-based, professional or pastoral support arrangements required by the programme;
5. continuation on the programme shall remain conditional until the outstanding assessment requirement(s) have been successfully completed; and
6. failure at the approved third attempt shall normally result in withdrawal from the programme, unless approved Extenuating Circumstances apply.

S.3 Clinical Practice Assessment Requirements

1. Where the outstanding failed component is a Clinical Practice Assessment (CPA), the Assessment Board may permit the student to progress conditionally into the next level of study and carry the outstanding CPA requirement.
2. The outstanding CPA shall normally be completed within four weeks of the commencement of the first placement block in the subsequent academic year.
3. During this period, the student must continue to satisfy all professional, practice, conduct, health, character and placement requirements of the programme.
4. Failure to complete the outstanding CPA requirement within the approved timeframe, or failure of the CPA at the approved assessment attempt, shall normally result in withdrawal from the programme unless approved Extenuating Circumstances have been accepted in accordance with University regulations.

S.4 Academic and Professional Standards

1. This temporary progression amendment does not modify or remove any programme learning outcomes, module learning outcomes, assessment standards, professional competencies, practice requirements or award requirements.
2. Students remain subject to all professional, regulatory and programme requirements and must successfully complete all required assessments and practice components in order to progress and qualify for the award.

S.5 Students Returning Following Suspension of Studies

1.Where a student from a pre-Curriculum Transformation cohort suspends their studies and returns during the transitional period, the assessment Board shall consider the student's position with reference to:

1. 1. a. the provisions of this amendment;
   2. b. the student's assessment profile;
   3. c. programme and professional requirements; and
   4. d. the availability of an academically appropriate route of return.

2. In reaching its decision, the Assessment Board may take account of the need to avoid academic disadvantage where application of the standard external or returning student arrangements would otherwise require the student to transfer to a non-equivalent Curriculum Transformation programme.

Specific Regulations for:

BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)

BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) Part-time

BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology)

BSc Healthcare Science (Neurophysiology)

BSc Healthcare Science (Respiratory and Sleep Physiology)

BSc Healthcare Science (Radiation Physics)  

BSc Healthcare Science (Radiotherapy Physics)

BSc Healthcare Science (Rehabilitation Engineering)

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering)

BSc Healthcare Science (Nuclear Medicine)

BSc Social Work

BSc Healthcare Science (Rehabilitation Engineering)

BSc Healthcare Science (Rehabilitation Engineering Part-time)

BSc Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering)

BSc Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering Part-time)

S1

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 usually take place at the next scheduled assessment point (normally during the Supplementary Examination Period).

S2

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, if applicable.

S3

In the case of failure in a practice component of the BSc Social Work programme, candidates shall be permitted only one attempt to redeem the failure as an external candidate at the next scheduled opportunity during the next academic session. Because placements are coordinated and scheduled with the placement providers, an opportunity to redeem a failure in the practice component will not be available during the supplementary examination period.

S4

In exceptional circumstances, which must be independently evidenced, a third attempt at redeeming failures may be permitted at the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board. This shall be permitted only if it can be achieved within two academic sessions and within the time limit for the degree. Such students shall remain recorded as "external candidates" and their bursary award shall be suspended.

S5

"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.

S6

Decisions on the progression of a candidate from one level of study to another shall be taken by the University Progression and Awards Board at the end of the level, in accordance with the following guidelines:

S7

Decisions on the progression of a candidate who had been required to redeem failures or awarded a deferral (capped or uncapped) by the End of Level Progression Board shall be taken by the Supplementary Progression and Awards Board, in accordance with the following guidelines: