Master of Osteopathy Assessment Regulations

G1      

The Pass mark for modules at Levels 4 to 6 will be set at 40%. The pass mark for Level 7 modules will be set at 50%. Credits will be awarded only to candidates who pass each component of a module and meet the requirements below. In some cases, the Faculty/School may set a higher pass mark for modules or components of modules. This information shall be printed in the Faculty/School handbook.

G2      

In order to progress from one level to another a candidate must accumulate 120 credits by passing modules with a mark of 40% (50% for Level 7 modules) or better in each module.   

G3      

Each module within the programme may have multiple assessment components. Each assessment component for a module(s) is deemed by the Faculty/School to be “core” (i.e. must be passed before a candidate can progress from one Level to another). If a student fails any assessment component, the module will be deemed to have been failed irrespective of the overall average and credit will not be awarded.

G4      

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

G5      

To comply with Professional Body regulations and national guidelines, compensation of failures in modules will not be allowed.

G6      

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.

G7      

Students who fail to pass one or more components of a module shall be required to redeem the failure(s). Students who succeed in redeeming the failed component(s) of a module at Levels 5 and 6 shall have the component mark capped at 40% (50% for Level 7 or a higher component pass mark, if relevant).

The marks for candidates at Level 4 shall not be capped.

G8      

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.

G9   

Full-time candidates will be required to complete a level of study within a maximum of two academic sessions. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board, candidates who have not acquired sufficient credit to proceed to the next level of study, may be permitted up to a maximum of three further attempts to redeem the failures in the modules in order to be allowed to complete the level of study. These attempts must take place within two academic sessions. (In the case of a Level 7 module, only one attempt at redeeming the failure shall be permitted.) Candidates must not expect, as of right, to be offered the maximum number of attempts to redeem failure.

G10    

Non-final Year candidates who are required to repeat the Level of Study, automatically forfeit any credit already gained. Marks achieved in the year from which the credit has been forfeited cannot be used to determine the candidate’s degree classification or in awarding credit. The marks of candidates who repeat the Level of Study shall not be capped. However, an attempt at assessment during the repeat level of study shall be regarded as one of the three opportunities provided to redeem a failure.

G11    

Candidates, except those in the final year, who are required to repeat the Level of Study, may apply to repeat the failed modules only as internal candidates. Candidates should not expect, as of right, to be permitted to repeat failed modules. An application should be made to the home Faculty/School by the 15 September of that Academic Year (any requests received after this time shall not be considered). Applications must be forwarded to Education Services for final approval. It may not be possible for international students with specific visa requirements to repeat failed modules only.

Candidates who are permitted to repeat failed modules shall not be able to repeat any module which has been passed. The marks of candidates who repeat failed modules will be capped in accordance with G7.

G12   

Only in exceptional circumstances will a candidate be permitted to redeem their failed modules over a third session. In such cases, the Faculty/School shall be expected to submit a request to the University Progression and Awards Board, outlining the circumstances to support the case. Normally, requests shall only be considered if the student is within the maximum number of attempts (rule G9).

G13    

Candidates who are repeating the level of study or repeating modules will be under close scrutiny. 

G14    

In accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment, it is recognised that some candidates will not be able to attend examinations during the Mid-Sessional or Sessional Assessment Period e.g. due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. 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 Home Faculty/School 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/School and submitted to Education Services for approval. Students and staff are advised to consult the University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances.

Non-final Year Candidates granted deferrals will be required to sit the examinations at the next scheduled examination point for the modules concerned.

Candidates who have been granted a deferral and fail to complete the level of study following the deferral attempt will not have a further opportunity to redeem the failure until the next session. 

G15   

Final year candidates who are unable to sit an examination in Semester One, and who have been granted a deferral by Education Services, should sit the examination in the Semester Two examination period in preference to the Supplementary examination period.

G16    

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

G17    

Candidates who fail to complete a level of study within the maximum time-limit of two years will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from the University. 

Candidates who are awarded an academic decision of Withdrawn 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 “Withdrawn 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 attained, such students may be eligible for an exit qualification. The University Progression and Awards Board will be responsible for considering the number of credits attained and, if appropriate, awarding the relevant exit qualification in accordance with the following table:

G18

Faculties/Schools which are subject to professional accreditation can apply stricter progression rules provided that the application of such rules is required by the Professional Accreditation Body as a condition for accreditation of the programme. The stricter rule shall be applied for accreditation purposes only. These additional regulations are clearly outlined to students in the Faculty/School handbook.

S1      

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study. 

S2      

Candidates who accumulate 60 credits or more but fewer than 120 credits, will fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board such candidates will normally be granted supplementary examinations/assessment in all failed modules. All assignments associated with supplementary examinations must be submitted to the relevant Faculty/School by the start of the supplementary examination week.

S3      

Candidates who accumulate 20 credits or more, but fewer than 60 credits, will fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board such candidates will normally be required repeat the Level of Study. Such candidates will automatically forfeit any credit already gained (see G10).

 (In accordance with the General Progression Rule G11, those candidates who have been given the decision of Repeat Level of Study will be permitted to apply to Education Services to repeat failed modules only.)

Such candidates will be required to redeem the failures during the next academic year.

S4      

Candidates who accumulate fewer than 20 credits will fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study and will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from Programme. Students will be given no further attempts to redeem the failures on the current programme, but will be permitted to apply to transfer internally to another programme of study. (Provided that new programme can be pursued within the candidate’s remaining period of candidature).

S5      

Candidates who are repeating the level or repeating failed modules, and who fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study having accumulated 60 credits or more, will be granted supplementary examinations/assessment as the final opportunity to redeem failures in all failed modules.

S6      

Candidates who are repeating the year or repeating failed modules and who fail to qualify to proceed to the next level of Study, having accumulated fewer than 60 credits, will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from the University.

Depending on the number of credits attained, such students may be eligible for an exit qualification (refer to G17). The University Progression and Award Board will be responsible for considering the number of credits attained and, if appropriate, awarding the relevant exit qualification.

S7      

Marks achieved by candidates who succeed in redeeming failures will not be capped at Level 4. Marks achieved by candidates who succeed in redeeming failures at Levels 5, 6 and/or 7 will be capped in accordance with regulation G7. The capped mark shall be used for classification purposes in each such module.

S8      

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits in modules at the appropriate Level automatically qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study. 

S9      

Candidates who fail to satisfy the requirements of S8 above will fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study. At the discretion of the University Progression and Award Board such candidates will normally be required to Repeat the Level of Study. Such candidates will automatically forfeit any credit already gained (see G10).

(In accordance with the General Progression Rule G11, those candidates who have been given the decision of Repeat Level of Study will be permitted to apply to Education Services to repeat failed modules only.)

Such candidates will be required to redeem the failures during the next academic year.

S10    

Candidates who are repeating the level or repeating failed modules and who fail to qualify to proceed to the next Level of Study will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from the University.

Depending on the number of credits attained, such students may be eligible for an exit qualification (refer to G17). The University Progression and Award Board will be responsible for considering the number of credits attained and, if appropriate, awarding the relevant exit qualification.

S11    

Marks achieved by candidates who succeed in redeeming failures will not be capped at Level 4. Marks achieved by candidates who succeed in redeeming failures at Levels 5, 6 and/or 7 will be capped in accordance with regulation G7. The capped mark shall be used for classification purposes in each such module.

S12    

Candidates who accumulate at least 120 credits in modules at the appropriate Level for the final level of study automatically qualify to be considered for the award of an Honours degree.

S13     

Candidates who accumulate 60 credits or more but fewer than 120 credits will fail to complete the final level of study. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board such candidates will normally be permitted one opportunity to redeem the failure(s) during the supplementary examination period in August.

S14   

Students who succeed in redeeming the failed component(s) of a module at Level 7 shall have the component mark capped at 50%. 

S15     

Candidates who accumulate fewer than 60 credits will fail to complete the final level of study. Such candidates will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from the University.

S16    

Candidates who fail to qualify for consideration of an award following the supplementary opportunity, having failed to acquire 120 credits, will be awarded a decision of Withdrawn from the University.

S17 

Candidates who are awarded an academic decision of Withdrawn 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 “Withdrawn 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 attained, such students may be eligible for an exit qualification (refer to G17). The University Progression and Award Board will be responsible for considering the number of credits attained and, if appropriate, awarding the relevant exit qualification.

S18    

Marks achieved by candidates should reflect the intended degree classification.