Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE)

1.1 

Certificates of Higher Education are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with their area(s) of study, and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of that area of study;
• an ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts of their subject(s) of study.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to their area(s) of study and/or work;
• communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments;
• undertake further training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment.

And holders will have:

• the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.

2.1 

Higher Education Certificate programmes shall be offered on the basis of one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). 

2.2 

Full-time candidates shall normally be required to pursue the equivalent of 120 credits at Level 4 in one academic year.  

2.3 

Part-time candidates shall normally be required to pursue the equivalent of 60 credits at Level 4 in one academic year. Part-time candidates shall not normally be permitted to pursue more than 90 credits nor less than 30 credits in one academic year.  

2.4 

Candidates shall be required to comply with supplementary regulations which Faculties/Schools are expected to produce which identify the structure of the programme, clearly indicating core and compulsory modules and whether elective modules are permissible. 

3.1 

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

3.2 

A candidate must pursue a minimum of 90 credits at Swansea University or at a partner institution under its control through a formal collaborative arrangement to be eligible for a Higher Education Certificate. 

4.1 

The maximum period of candidature for candidates pursuing a Certificate of Higher Education shall be as follows:        

Full-time mode: not more than two years from the start of the programme.        
Part-time mode: not less than two years and not more than five years from the start of the programme. 

4.2 

Within these overall time limits, Faculties/Schools may specify lower time limits for individual programmes of study. 

4.3 

The overall time limit may be extended in accordance with the regulations outlined in Section 27 of the General Regulations. 

4.4 

The above time limit may be reduced pro rata at the outset of the candidature by the Faculty/School concerned, where a candidate has been admitted to study with transferable credit, as described in Section 3. 

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 certificate programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.  

Applicable to CertHE in Health Care Studies only:

Candidates shall normally be permitted up to three 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 certificate. 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).

5.3 

The pass mark for a module shall be 40%.  

6.1 

A candidate who is admitted to an undergraduate certificate programme of study but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion shall not be eligible for an exit qualification. 

7.1 

In order to be eligible for consideration for an award of Swansea University, candidates shall have:        

• pursued an approved programme of study for the period prescribed by the University;        
• pursued a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4 (or above) except as provided by Section 2 above;        
• fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the Faculty/School or University. 

7.2 

A candidate successfully completing a Certificate of Higher Education shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where they have attained an overall mark of 70% or above (or the equivalent grade-point) for the award in question.  

8.1 

The award of a Certificate of Higher Education shall be conferred upon candidates at a Swansea University awards ceremony.