Programme Specification and Regulations 2011-2012 - LLB and Diploma in Law (Revised Regulations)

Table of Contents

1. Programme Specification and Regulations for the LLB, Diploma in Law and related individual courses (Revised Regulations)
2. Important information regarding the Programme Specification and Regulations booklet
3. Programme Specification
4. Detailed Regulations
   1. 1 Structures of the programmes
   2. 2 Credit transfer and accreditation of prior learning
   3. 3 Registration
   4. 4 Assessment for the programme
   5. 5 Number of attempts permitted at an examination
   6. 6 Assessment offences and penalties
   7. 7 Progression within the programme
   8. 8 Schemes of award
   9. 9 Receiving the final Diploma and Diploma Supplement
   10. 10 Fees and refunds
   11. 11 Transfer of registration
   12. 12 Students with specific access requirements
   13. 13 Complaints, suspension and termination of registration
5. Individual Course Summary
6. Detailed Regulations for the provision of individual courses
7. Annex A - Structure
8. Annex B - Syllabuses
9. Annex C - Transfers and Credits (within LLB and Diploma in Law)
10. Annex D - Scheme of Award
11. Annex E - Assessment Criteria
12. Annex F - Diploma teaching institutions
13. Glossary of terms
14. Related documents and other sources of information

8 Schemes of award

LLB Degree

8.1

The LLB is awarded according to the following classes:

8.2

To be considered for the award of the LLB degree, a student must have attempted all years of the degree (depending on the scheme of examination followed). One compensated pass in a course where the mark is between 35-39% is permitted.

8.3

The Board of Examiners will classify a student accordingly once the criteria for the award have been satisfied. Except as specified in paragraph 8.4, a student who has reached this stage will not be permitted to make any further attempts at any failed courses.

8.4

A student who has been classified, but has obtained a mark below 40 in one course, may be permitted by the Board of Examiners to re-sit the failed course at the September or October/early November examination following classification in order for the degree to be accepted as a Qualifying Law Degree by the relevant professional body in the country in which the student intends to enter the legal profession. Permission to re-sit in this way will be given at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. A pass mark awarded at the re-sit course will not alter the classification or mark for the degree already awarded. A student who decides not to re-sit in the September or October/early November examination after classification, or who fails to obtain a mark of 40 or above in the re-sit examination, may apply to register for an individual course and retake the course under those regulations. A pass mark awarded for an individual course will not alter the classification or mark for the degree already awarded.

8.5

For Schemes A and B, the class of degree awarded is determined on the basis of a student's performance in all eight Finals courses (but refer also to the Credit Transfer rules, under Section 2, of the Detailed Regulations). The student's aggregate mark is also taken into account.

8.6

For Graduate Entry Routes A and B, the class of degree awarded is determined on the basis of a student's performance in all courses. The student's aggregate mark is also taken into account.

8.7

All courses that count towards the class of degree are weighted equally.

8.8

To obtain a degree with a given class of Honours a student will normally be required to achieve passes in at least half the courses at or above that class, and to achieve an aggregate mark at or above that class, but the Examiners will take into account a student's overall performance.

Diploma in Law

8.9

The Diploma in Law is awarded according to the following classes:

8.10

To obtain the Diploma in Law, students are required to pass the examinations for all four papers.

8.11

To obtain a Diploma in Law with a given class a student will be required to achieve three marks in or above that mark range, but the Examiners must also be satisfied that there is sufficient strength in the fourth paper.

Exit awards

Diploma of Higher Education in Law

8.12

The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, award a Diploma of Higher Education in Law to a student who has completed eight courses, comprising courses from Years 1, 2 and/or 3 provided that the Board is satisfied that these constitute a coherent programme of study appropriate to the title of the award. A student who is awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Law may not subsequently be awarded the Diploma in Law or the LLB.

8.13

To be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Law a student must have achieved a pass in eight courses. The final mark is determined by an average of all eight marks, weighted equally. The Diploma of Higher Education will be awarded with the grading Distinction, Merit, Credit or Pass. To obtain a Diploma of Higher Education with a given classification a candidate is required to achieve a final mark within the range as follows:

Certificate of Higher Education in Law

8.14

The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, award a Certificate of Higher Education in Law to a student who has completed four courses, comprising courses from Year 1 and/or provided that the Board is satisfied that these constitute a coherent programme of study appropriate to the title of the award. A student who is awarded the Certificate of Higher Education in Law may not subsequently be awarded the Diploma in law, the Diploma of Higher Education in Law or the LLB.

8.15

To be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education in Law a student must have achieved a pass in four courses. The final mark is determined by an average of all four marks, weighted equally. The Certificate of Higher Education will be awarded with the grading Distinction, Merit, Credit or Pass. To obtain a Certificate of Higher Education with a given classification a candidate is required to achieve a final mark within the range as follows: