Bachelor Degrees

1.1     

Bachelor's degrees with honours are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• A systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline;
• An ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline;
• Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
  • To devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline;
  • To describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in the discipline;
• An appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;
• The ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline).

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;
• Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;
• Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

And holders will have:

• The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
  • The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
  • Decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;
  • The learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

2.1 

Full-time candidates shall normally be required to pursue 120 credits or the accepted equivalent in one year.

2.2

The structure of programme shall be built on the following:

Single Honours

At least 100 credits in modules designated as components of the named degree programme or modules in related disciplines at all levels.

Joint Honours

At least 50 credits and no more than 70 credits in each of the intending Honours subjects at all levels.

Major/Minor Honours

Major - at least 80 credits but no more than 90 credits in the Major subject at all levels.

Minor - at least 30 credits but no more than 40 credits in the minor subject at all levels.

Combined Honours       

At least 30 credits in each of three subjects at all levels in the programme with the remaining modules restricted to those three subjects as defined by the programme co-ordinator.

2.3

Apprenticeships

The nature of Apprenticeship provision allows for a range of different structures and delivery methods. Full details of modules and method of delivery shall be detailed in the programme handbook.

3.1

If a degree programme includes an integral and compulsory industrial practice and/or an intercalary placement, the placement must carry a credit weighting.

3.2

The minimum number of credits required for an award shall be increased if the placement increases the length of the degree programme. The credit weighting and the level of the placement are determined in the same way as for a taught module. The syllabus for any degree programme which includes, in whole or in part, a placement must set forth the aims, learning outcomes and assessment method of the placement.

3.3

The classification of candidates pursuing a programme involving Industrial Practice, Intercalary Placements or a Study Period Abroad will be determined in accordance with the conventions as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations. Marks shall be assigned for candidates on Level S and will positively influence the weighting of marks gained in Level 3, but marks shall not be assigned for Level E.

3.4

Candidates must satisfy the University’s requirements for progression to and from Level S and Level E, as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

3.5

Faculties/Schools may apply more stringent regulations than the University’s normal progression regulations provided that they are clearly printed in the Faculty/School handbook.

3.6

The industrial placement (Level E) or the intercalary year (Level S) must be pursued before the final year of study and this will normally take place during the candidates’ penultimate year of study.

3.7

Apprenticeships combine University study and workplace learning to enable employee apprentices to gain a full academic degree. It is expected that these degrees are advised by employers to ensure that the degree provision meets the needs of the employers. In Wales, Apprenticeships are funded directly through HEFCW. An apprenticeship student who is unable or not permitted to progress to completion may, depending upon the number of credits attained at the appropriate levels at the time of exit, qualify for an exit qualification e.g. Foundation Degree or Certificate of Higher Education.

4.1

Students are referred to the General Undergraduate Regulations – Credit Transfer (Regulation 29).

4.2

The maximum number of credits which may be accepted to count towards an initial degree shall be:

• Not more than 240 i.e. candidates must normally pursue at least 120 credits in Swansea. Where the maximum transferable credit has been accepted, the remaining credits to be pursued must be at Level 6 or above; or
• A maximum of 120 credits via "experiential" or "certificated" (e.g. professional qualifications) learning.

5.1

The progress of a candidate shall normally be assessed either during the course of a module and/or in the period immediately following its completion.

5.2

Candidates shall be required to complete the Undergraduate Initial degree programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations. 

5.3

The pass mark for a module at Levels 3, 4, 5, 6 and S shall be 40%.

6.1

A candidate who is admitted to an undergraduate bachelor’s degree programme but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion may, depending upon the number of credits attained at the appropriate levels at the time of exit, qualify for an exit award. Details relating to exit qualifications are outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

7.1 

7.2

The minimum and maximum period of registration for candidates admitted to the final Level of Study/Top Up Degree (normally Level 6) are given below:

7.3

All other cases will be considered on an individual basis.

*Note: Ordinary Degrees will be unavailable for students entering from September 2018 onwards.

9.1

To be eligible for consideration for the award of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree under these Regulations, a candidate shall:

• Have pursued an approved modular programme of study for the period prescribed by the University, except as provided by Section 4;
• Have attained such minimum levels of credit as specified by the University in a programme approved by the University;
• Have fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the University.

9.2 

The names of Honours degree candidates who have fulfilled the assessment requirements of the programme and the University shall be published in the following Honours classes:

• First;
• Second Class Division One;
• Second Class Division Two;
• Third Class;
• Pass Degree.

10.1

An Aegrotat Award may be conferred upon a candidate on the presumption that a candidate, who is unable to continue their studies, would have satisfied the standard required for the award had they been able to continue.

10.2

The award of an Aegrotat Degree shall be made in accordance with Regulations for the Award of Aegrotat Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates.

10.3

Candidates pursuing professional programmes in health care who are subsequently awarded an Aegrotat degree, diploma or certificate will not be eligible for professional health care registration.

11.1

A posthumous qualification may be awarded to a deceased student who has completed sufficient study for the award. The award of a posthumous degree shall be made in accordance with the Posthumous Award Regulations.