Programme Specification and Regulations 2011-2012 - Spanish and Latin American Studies

Table of Contents

1. Programme Specification and Regulations BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies
2. Important information regarding the Programme Specification and Regulations
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. Annex A Structure
6. Annex B Syllabuses
7. Annex C Assessment criteria
8. Glossary of terms
9. Related documents and other sources of information

8 Schemes of award

8.1

Marks information

Examination scripts and assessed essays are marked according to the following scale:

Final marks: Weighting

The final mark for each course is calculated as follows:

SPANISH LANGUAGE 1 AND 2: 25% for the listening comprehension test (aural examination component); 25% for the oral presentation (oral examination component); and 50% for the three-hour unseen written paper.

SPANISH LANGUAGE 3 and 4: 30% for the oral/aural examination and 70% for the three-hour unseen written paper.

LITERARY and CULTURAL COURSES: 30% for the best of two essays, and 70% for the three-hour unseen written paper.

Scheme of award

A student is required to have attempted the examination in a total of 11 courses (which may include accreditation of prior learning).

In order to obtain a degree a student must pass in a minimum of nine courses, including the compulsory courses in Spanish language 1, 2 and 3.

A student who has reached this stage will be classified and will not be permitted to make any further attempts at any failed courses or to substitute any failed courses with alternative courses.

All courses are weighted equally.

In considering the award of Honours, the average of all 11 marks will determine the classification of the degree.

In the case of a borderline average between a lower and a higher Class, and at the Examiners' discretion, factors also taken into account include the spread of marks in language and literature/culture in each Class, together with overall student progression.

Exit awards

8.2

Diploma of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies

The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, approve the award of a Diploma of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies to a student who has completed eight courses, comprising agreed courses from level 1, 2 and 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 Spanish and Latin American Studies may not subsequently be awarded the BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

To be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies a student must have achieved a pass in eight courses (including Spanish language 1 and/or Spanish language 2 in the case of a native or near native Spanish speaker). 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 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:

All assessments will be marked and graded according to the assessment criteria for the BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies (see Annex C).

Certificate of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies

The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, approve the award of a Certificate of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies to a student who has completed four courses, comprising agreed courses from level 1 and 2 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 Spanish and Latin American Studies may not subsequently be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies or BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

To be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education in Spanish and Latin American Studies a student must have achieved a pass in four courses (including Spanish language 1 and/or Spanish language 2 in the case of a native or near native Spanish speaker). 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 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:

All assessments will be marked and graded according to the assessment criteria for the BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies (see Annex C).