3 Assessment
3.1 (GR)
See the introduction for information on changing regulations.
An examination is governed by the regulations in force at the time of the examination and not at the time that a student was initially registered or first attempted the examination concerned, except where the conditions for changing regulations with notice apply.
3.2 (GR)
A student may choose whether or not to be formally assessed in the individual module(s) for which they are registered. Students who choose to be formally assessed will be examined to the same standard as that required by students registered for the related degree, diploma or certificate.
3.3 (GR)
Individual modules will be assessed using the forms of assessment associated with the appropriate level of postgraduate study.
3.4
Assignments, essays, projects, reports, dissertations and other similar work must be the student's own work and must be written without the assistance of other people, except where they are expressly permitted to work as a group and submit a piece of work jointly. Where a piece of joint work is submitted, all students working in the group will be required to submit a declaration confirming the nature of their contribution to the work submitted.
3.5 (GR)
A student sitting an examination must comply with the rules given in the Notice to Candidates, which accompanies the Admission Notice in addition to those given in this Section and in Sections 5 and 6.
3.6 (GR)
All examinations (by both written paper and written assignments) will be based on the module specifications and on the study materials that are current for the year of the examination concerned. As module specifications and study materials are subject to change in advance of each academic year, a student must ensure that they have studied the correct material.
3.7
The assessment of each module studied on a stand-alone basis varies. Full details of assessment are given under the individual module specifications in Annex B.
3.8
The grade awarded for modules that comprise a written paper and assignment(s) will be based on the grade obtained in the written paper and the grade for the assignment(s), and will be weighted on the scale 70:30.
See the Glossary for the definition of 'written paper examination'.
3.9
Where the examination of a module comprises both a written paper and assignment(s), a student is expected to submit the assignment(s) in the same academic year as they attempt the written paper for that module. A student who attempts only one element of the assessment for a module within the same academic year may be permitted to carry forward the grade awarded for the elements attempted for longer than one year at the discretion of the Board of Examiners.
3.10 (GR)
Where necessary, Examiners may change the format or rubric of a written paper examination, from that of the previous year, without giving prior notice to students.
3.11 (GR)
Examinations by written paper are held at established examination centres worldwide. In countries where there is an established examination centre, a student must use the facilities provided by that centre. The University will not establish an alternative centre in those countries.
See the website for the list of examination centres: www.londoninternational.ac.uk/exams
3.12 (GR)
All examinations are held at the discretion of the examination centre and are subject to any conditions they may impose.
Date of examinations
3.13
Written paper examinations normally take place in June each year.
3.14 (GR)
At any examination session, all students will be examined by the same written paper examination, on the same date, at the same time, except where there are unavoidable delays in the arrangement. However, the University reserves the right to set different papers in the same subject in separate countries and in different time zones.
3.15 (GR)
Where delays are unavoidable in countries other than the United Kingdom, the examination centre will arrange for the relevant examinations to be taken with as little deviation as possible from the original dates and times assigned to them. A student must abide by these revised arrangements. The University reserves the right not to mark an examination taken at a different time from that prescribed.
3.16
Assignments must be submitted to be received by the deadlines given in the guidelines for the assignments and the Student Handbook.
3.17
Assignments must be submitted electronically (unless otherwise specified in the assignment guidelines). For information on submitting assignments electronically and the deadlines for submission, a student should consult the guidelines for the assignments and the Student Handbook.
3.18
Extensions to the deadline for the receipt of assignments will only be granted in extenuating circumstances, and will only be considered if the student has made a written application, to the Course Director, before the deadline. An assignment received after the deadline, without an agreed extension, will not be considered.
Sitting examinations
The full examination entry procedure is in the Student Handbook.
Or refer to www.londoninternational.ac.uk/exams
3.19
A student who wishes to sit an examination in any given year must:
- have registered with the University as an International Programmes student for the individual module concerned and
- have entered for the examination in accordance with the instructions and deadlines of the University and the appropriate examination centre.
3.20 (GR)
A student is required to apply to the relevant examination centre for permission to sit the examination. The University cannot accept responsibility for making examination arrangements on behalf of a student. It is entirely at the examination centre's discretion to accept or refuse an entry to an examination.
3.21 (GR)
A fee is normally charged by all examination centres except for London. This fee is payable by a student each time they make an examination entry. The University is not responsible for this fee and cannot influence the level of fee charged.
3.22 (GR)
A student must write the answers to all examinations in English.
3.23 (GR)
The University reserves the right to require a student sitting a written paper examination to remain in the examination room or its precincts for the duration of the relevant examination.
3.24 (GR)
All examination scripts are the property of the University and will not be returned to students. All question papers will be retained by the University.
3.25 (GR)
A student who finds handwriting difficult due to medical or learning difficulties must apply to the University for special arrangements to be made. The University will not transcribe illegible scripts. Any script deemed illegible by the Board of Examiners will be assigned a mark of zero and a fail result will be given. This will count as an examination attempt.
In order to apply for special examination arrangements, contact specialneeds@london.ac.uk
See also section 10, Students with specific access requirements and/or special needs
Materials and aids permitted within the examination room
3.26
Examinations must be completed without aids, unless indicated otherwise in the module outlines. A definitive list of materials permitted in the examination room will also be sent to students who have entered an examination with the Admission Notice/timetable.
3.27
Calculators may be used in examinations where indicated in the examination notice to candidates.
3.28 (GR)
Without exception, electronic devices with communication capability are forbidden in the examinations. This includes personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones.
3.29 (GR)
The use of calculators in the examination is strictly controlled. Calculators may only be used in examinations where indicated in the module outline for the module concerned.
3.30 (GR)
Calculators will not be provided by the University. A student is responsible for providing their own calculator and for ensuring that it is in working order for the examination. A student must ensure that they have an alternative means of calculation in case their calculator fails during the examination (i.e. a second calculator which must also comply with the specification below) or must be prepared to continue the examination without a calculator. Borrowing another student's calculator during the examination is not permitted. If a student uses an electronic calculator in an examination, they must indicate on their examination script the name and type of machine used.
3.31 (GR)
Where calculators are permitted, the specifications listed below will apply, unless otherwise indicated in the module specification and on the Notice for candidates for the module concerned.
Calculators must:
- be hand held, compact and portable
- be quiet in operation
- have no external wires
- not be capable of receiving, storing or displaying user supplied non-numerical data.
The use of a calculator that communicates or displays textual messages, graphical or algebraic information is strictly forbidden.
3.32
Pre-programmable calculators may be used.
3.33 (GR)
If a student uses a calculator that does not comply with the above specification, they will be considered to have made an assessment offence and will be subject by the rules governing such offences.
See Section 5 for assessment offences and penalties.
3.34 (GR)
It is an examination offence to take into, or use in, the examination room any unauthorised materials or aids. A student must not take into the examination room, or consult during the examination, any books, notes, instruments or other materials or aids that are not permitted. All such materials or aids must be given to the Invigilator before the examination starts. A student who takes any unauthorised materials or aids into the examination room must hand them to the Invigilator when requested to do so.
Illness during examinations
3.35 (GR)
A student who thinks that illness or other circumstances may have affected their performance in an examination must immediately inform the Student Assessment Office ensuring that notification is received within three weeks of their last examination. A supporting medical certificate or other certification obtained at the time of illness must be provided at the same time. Notification received more than three weeks after the date of the last examination will not be taken into account.
Contact details for the Student Assessment Office can be found at www.londoninternational.ac.uk/contactus.
Administrative re-check of marks
See www.londoninternational.ac.uk/exams.
Students can request an administrative re-check of marks online or contact uolia.rechecks@london.ac.uk
3.36 (GR)
A student may apply to the University for their results to be re-checked if they think a grade received is due to an administrative error.
3.37 (GR)
A student who wishes to apply for an administrative re-check of marks must do so by specific deadlines and by following the procedure set out on the University of London International Programmes website.
A request for an administrative re-check of marks received after the given deadlines cannot be processed.
3.38 (GR)
A student who wishes to apply for an administrative re-check of marks must pay an administrative fee which is refundable in the event that an error is found.
3.39 (GR)
The University will not consider appeals against examination results that are made on academic grounds.
For information on the procedure for representations concerning the decisions of the Boards of Examiners, refer to the University of London Regulations, www.london.ac.uk
