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.
4.1 General Principles
4.1.1 Presentation of Marks
The Faculty Examination Boards shall be presented with all marks of assessment for modules taken so far.
4.1.2 Presentation of Marks for Award
The full set of results for each candidate considered at the University Progression and Awards Board, shall be presented to the examiners. The result profile of the relevant students will normally include:
- The results of the Taught modules.
- The results of the piece(s) of directed independent learning.
4.1.3 Progression Decisions
Decisions on progression will be taken either:
- At the end of each semester of study (for those programmes which offer supplementary opportunities at the end of both semester one and two);
or
- At the end of semester two (for those programmes which offer supplementary opportunities at the end of semester two only).
Faculties/Schools shall make this information available to students in the Programme Handbook.
Award decisions for all full-time students will be taken at the end of the third semester. Award decisions for part-time students will be taken at the end of the third semester in Year 2 (two-year programme) and Year 3 (three-year programme).
4.1.4 Anonymous Marking
Please refer to the University's Assessment, Marking and Feedback policy.
4.1.5 Disclosure of Identity
Please refer to the University's Assessment, Marking and Feedback policy.
4.1.6 Disclosure of Results
A distinction should be drawn between provisional marks and confirmed marks.
Please refer to the University’s Policy on Publishing Marks.
4.1.7 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.
4.2 General Assessment Rules: Flexible Taught Master's Degrees
G1
The Pass mark for modules will be set at 50%. Credits will be awarded to candidates who pass a module (compensation regulations apply).
G2
Candidates who accumulate 180 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 |
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 180 credits 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.
G3
Decisions on progression will be taken either:
- At the end of each semester of study (for those programmes which offer supplementary opportunities at the end of both semester one and two);
or
- At the end of semester two (for those programmes which offer supplementary opportunities at the end of semester two only).
Faculties/Schools shall make this information available to students in the Programme Handbook.
Award decisions for all full-time students will be taken at the end of the third semester. Award decisions for part-time students will be taken at the end of the third semester in Year 2 (two-year programme) and Year 3 (three-year programme).
G4
Faculties/Schooles 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.
G5
At the discretion of the Examination Board, 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.
G6
A 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).
G7
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 award.
G8
Candidates may, at their second attempt, compensate in up to 30 credits at the discretion of the Examination Board provided that all of the following conditions are met:
- The overall average mark for the taught modules 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 assessment 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.
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.
G9
Candidates who are part-way through their programme, who fail to redeem a failed module at the second attempt (compensation applies) and/or fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment by the submission deadline will not be eligible for a master’s award but shall be permitted to continue to be considered for an exit award.
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.
G10
Candidates who are at the end of their programme who fail to redeem a failed module at the second attempt (compensation applies) 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 who are 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, such candidates 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.
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 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.
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 examination (or who fails to submit set projects or coursework by the required date(s)) will be deemed to have failed the module(s) in question. In the case of candidates who are unable to attend examinations due to extenuating circumstances, a claim for deferral must be submitted to the Home Faculty/School either in advance of the examination date or within five working days of the examination taking place. Applications for deferrals must be signed by the relevant Faculty/School and submitted to Education Services for approval. Candidates granted deferrals will be required to sit the examinations at the next scheduled examination 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 by their Faculty(ies)/School(s).
G18
The rules outlined in the Specific 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.
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 do not complete the programme 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 should 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 taught 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 pursued the requisite number of taught credits 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 not be eligible for a Master’s award but shall be permitted to continue to be considered for 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/pieces of directed independent learning 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%.
| Mode of Study | |
|---|
| FULL TIME |
Normally* 3 months (after the official University publication of results). |
| PART TIME |
6 months (after the official University publication of results). |
*where the directed independent learning is divided into modules totalling less than 60 credits, Faculties/Schools may impose shorter resubmission periods. This should be made clear to students in the Faculty/School handbook.
G27
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.
G28
The University reserves the right to charge a re-examination fee in respect of the re-submission.
4.3 SPECIFIC RULES TO BE APPLIED AT THE SEMESTER ONE BOARD AND FOR PART-TIME CANDIDATES AT THE END OF YEAR BOARD PART-WAY THROUGH THEIR STUDIES
S1
Candidates who pass all specified module components/modules shall be allowed to continue with their studies.
S2
Candidates who fail a module may be awarded a re-sit or supplementary assessment. Candidates who chose not to re-sit shall be awarded a mark of 0%.
S3
The marks of candidates who have redeemed any failed component(s) shall be capped at 50%.
4.4 SPECIFIC RULES TO BE APPLIED FOR PART-TIME CANDIDATES AT THE END OF YEAR RE-SIT BOARD PART-WAY THROUGH THEIR STUDIES
S1
Candidates who pass all specified module components/modules shall be allowed to continue with their studies.
S2
Candidates who fail any module at the second attempt (compensation applies) will not be eligible for a master’s award but shall be permitted to continue to be considered for an exit award.
4.5 Specific Rules to be applied for Full-time candidates at the Semester Two Board
S1
The pass-mark shall be 50%.
S2
Candidates may, at their second attempt, compensate in up to 30 credits at the discretion of the Examination Board provided that all of the following conditions are met:
S3
Candidates who fail a module at the first attempt may be awarded a re-sit or supplementary assessment. Candidates who chose not to re-sit shall be awarded a mark of 0%.
S4
The marks of candidates who have redeemed any failed component(s) shall be capped at 50%.
S5
Candidates who fail any module at the second attempt (compensation applies) will not be eligible for a master’s award but shall be permitted to continue to be considered for an exit award.
S6
Candidates submitting their directed independent learning shall be governed by the assessment regulations S7-S10 under the section: “Rules for awarding credit at the end of the programme”.
4.6 Rules for Awarding Flexible Taught Master's Degrees
4.6.1 Specific Rules for awarding credit at the end of the programme
S1
The Pass mark shall be 50%.
S2
Candidates who accumulate 180 credits 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 |
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 180 credits 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.
S3
Candidates who achieve an overall average mark of not less than 60-69.99% for the whole programme shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with merit.
S4
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.
S5
Candidates may, at their second attempt, compensate in up to 30 credits at the discretion of the Examination Board provided that all of the following conditions are met:
- The overall average mark for the taught modules 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 assessment 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.
S6
Candidates who do not meet the requirements of S2 will fail to qualify for the award. 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%.
S7
Candidates who fail to submit their directed independent learning assessment or approved equivalent by the deadline will not be eligible for a Master’s award but shall be permitted to continue to be considered for an exit award. No resubmission opportunity will be permitted.
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.
S8
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 deadlines
| Mode of Study | Resubmission |
|---|
| FULL TIME |
3 months (after the official publication of results)*. |
|---|
| PART TIME |
6 months (after the official publication of results). |
|---|
*where the directed independent learning is divided into modules totalling less than 60 credits, Faculties/Schools may impose shorter resubmission periods. This should be made clear to students in the Faculty/School handbook.
S9
It is recognised that some candidates may fail both the directed independent learning and the taught modules at the first attempt. Such candidates will be offered one resubmission opportunity for the directed independent learning (in accordance with the regulations above) and one opportunity to re-sit failed taught/placement modules.
S10
Candidates who fail at the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the University. Such candidates may be considered for an appropriate exit award, subject to Professional Body requirements.
Exit awards
| Postgraduate Certificate |
- Passed 60 credits (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea.
|
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate with Merit |
- Passed 60 credits (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 (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea.
- Attained an overall average mark of 70% or higher.
|
|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma |
- Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea.
|
|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma with Merit |
- Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea.
- 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 passed/compensated at Swansea.
- Attained an overall average mark of 70% or higher.
|
|---|
*Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.
S11
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.
4.6.2 Specific Award Rules - Re-sit Board
S1
The Pass mark shall be 50%.
S2
Candidates who accumulate 180 credits 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 |
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 180 credits 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.
S3
Candidates who achieve an overall average mark of not less than 60-69.99% for the whole programme shall be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree with merit.
S4
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.
S5
Candidates may, at their second attempt, compensate in up to 30 credits at the discretion of the Examination Board provided that all of the following conditions are met:
- The overall average mark for the taught modules 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 assessment 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 toleration is not permitted.
S6
Candidates who fail any module at the second attempt (compensation applies) will be required to withdraw from the University. Such candidates may be considered for an appropriate exit award, subject to Professional Body requirements.
Exit awards
| Postgraduate Certificate |
Passed 60 credits (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea. |
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate with Merit |
- Passed 60 credits (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 (with 50% or more), a minimum of 40 credits to have been pursued at Swansea.
- Attained an overall average mark of 70% or higher.
|
|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma |
- Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea.
|
|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma with Merit |
- Pursued 120 credits (30 credits of compensated failures permitted*), a minimum of 80 credits to have been passed/compensated at Swansea.
- 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 passed/compensated at Swansea.
- Attained an overall average mark of 70% or higher.
|
|---|
* Programmes may adopt stricter compensation regulations due to Professional Body/Sponsorship Body requirements.
S7
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.
S8
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.
