Key terms
Single Subject: A Single Subject is a group of educationally associated modules, normally including two compulsory level 4 and fifteen or more acceptable level 5 or level 6 honours module credits. It must be combined with only one other single subject to meet the requirements for the award of CertHE, DipHE, degree or Honours degree. With the exception of some single subjects specifically designated as minoronly, all other single subjects can be studied as part of a major/minor or joint combination.
Double Subject: A Double Subject is a group of educationally associated modules normally equivalent to two single subjects. It cannot be combined with another subject.
Programme: A Programme consists of the modules taken by a student over one or more semesters
Foundation Stage: A Foundation Stage provides a route to awards in specified subjects for which students have not met specific requirements for entry to Stage I.
Stage I: Stage I is the introductory part of a course, consisting of level 4 modules.
Stage II: Stage II is the final part of an Honours Degree course and consists mainly of level 5 and level 6 honours modules.
Integrated Master’s Stage: An Integrated Master’s Stage is the final part of an Integrated Master’s course and consists of level 7 modules.
C.A.T.: Credit Accumulation and Transfer.
Placement: A Placement is a period, normally one year in length spent in a location in which experience appropriate for (a) particular subject(s) may be gained. It cannot be counted towards the module credits required for an award unless it has a number of modules credits specified in the module description.
Taken: A student will be deemed to have taken a module if he or she has registered for it and not officially withdrawn by the end of Week 2 of the semester in which the assessment takes place.
Exemption: Students may be granted an exemption from a module when learning equivalent to that shown by passing the module has been achieved. Such a module does not have to be taken to satisfy the requirements of an award. If a formal exemption grade is awarded (see Regulation 14 (i)) such a module does not count towards any award requirements.
Specific Subject Requirements: Specific Subject Requirements include passing any compulsory modules and completing satisfactorily any field trips or placement or work experience or other specialist activity. Overall, the specific subject requirements for a stage of the course for an individual student are those in force when s/he commenced that stage.
Resit:
- A Resit (see grades RC, RE, RB) is offered where the initial outcome is less than 40% for a particular module at levels 4, 5, and 6, and less than 50% for a particular module at level 7. A resit involves only the resubmission of coursework and/or resitting the examination. A maximum of 40P for modules and levels 4, 5, and 6, or 50P at level 7, is awarded at resit for the element of assessment which was reassessed- i.e. the mark is ‘capped’ for that element. The full mark for any element of assessment passed at first sit will go forward to be combined with any capped marks achieved at resit in accordance with weightings specified in the module specification. A pass at resit counts as if the module is taken only once and does not in itself lead to the student being deemed to have entered another semester. If a resit is offered and not taken, the module is deemed a fail.
- A Resit through exception (see grades DC, DE, DB) is offered where an assessment is deemed to have been affected adversely by exceptional circumstances. All marks achieved at a resit of an assessment offered as a result of a successful claim for consideration of exceptional circumstances will be treated as if awarded at the original sitting. If one or more elements of the module were capped because of performance on other assessments, the cap will stand on that element. The full mark for any element of assessment passed at resit as a result of a successful claim for consideration of exceptional circumstances will be combined with any capped marks achieved previously in accordance with weightings specified in the module specification A pass at resit counts as if the module is taken only once and does not in itself lead to the student being deemed to have entered another semester. A module not passed at resit or not taken is deemed a fail.
Retake:
- A Retake can be taken when a student re-registers for a module after having previously been given a Fail grade or not passed the resit. The student is expected to attend all classes and to take all of the assessments involved as any other student of the module. All the marks awarded will be recorded but the module counts as 1 module credit each time it is taken when calculating the total of modules taken for an Honours degree. Students who pass a module are not allowed to retake it.
- A Retake authorised by the Examination Committee arising from the award of a DR grade will require the student to re-register the module. Students will normally attend all classes and take all of the assessments involved as any other student of the module and all the marks achieved will be awarded. The higher of the 2 marks achieved over the 2 registrations will count towards the requirements of the award and the lower will be disregarded and will not count.
Modules
Single Module: A Single Module is a discrete, self-contained unit of study with its own learning outcomes, prerequisites (if any), syllabus and scheme of assessment. It usually lasts one semester and one module carries 15 C.A.T. credits (7.5 ECTS credits). A single module normally requires 150 hours of student study time for its successful completion.
Credit is gained when a student has passed the module by satisfying the relevant Subject Examination Committee with respect to the assessment requirements for the module concerned. A single module cannot be divided. Each module is set at a particular level of study appropriate to its learning outcomes and is assessed against appropriate criteria.
Double Module: A Double Module is one for which the academic content is twice that of a single module and for which twice the credit is given. The credit rating of other sized modules are defined in relation to single modules. Double or larger sized modules cannot be divided into single modules and must be taken and assessed as a whole.
Level 4 Module: A Level 4 Module is one normally taken in the initial part of the course (Stage I), and represents approximately one-eighth of the effort of a full-time Honours candidate (including private study) in one year. A single module carries 15 C.A.T. credits (7.5 ECTS credits) at level 4.
Level 5 Module: A Level 5 Module is one normally taken in the second year of the course (Stage II), and represents approximately one-eighth of the effort of a full-time degree candidate (including private study) in one year. A single module carries 15 C.A.T. credits (7.5 ECTS credits) at level 5.
Level 6 Honours Module: A Level 6 Honours Module is one taken towards the end of an honours degree programme where students are able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of their subject of study and an ability to manage their learning. Successful students will be able to critically evaluate arguments and have the skills necessary for decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts. A level 6 honours module will have other level 5 modules as prerequisites in order to demonstrate it is of the highest undergraduate level and can only be taken towards the end of an Honours programme.
Level 7 Module: A Level 7 Module is one taken during the final stage of an Integrated Master’s programme where students are able to demonstrate learning of a higher standard than at level 6. Entry to modules at this level as part of an Integrated Master’s programme is dependent on students successfully completing all course and subject requirements at levels 4, 5, and 6.
Foundation Module: A Foundation Module is one, which may only be taken in the Foundation Stage. A single module carries 15 C.A.T. credits (7.5 ECTS credits) at level 3.
Acceptable Module: An Acceptable Module is a module that has been specified (listed) as part of a subject in addition to compulsory level 4 or required level 4 modules. The learning outcomes achieved will be appropriate for the aims of the subject or award. A minimum number of acceptable modules must be passed to meet the requirements for an award other than a Certificate. The marks obtained may be used in the determination of Honours classification or a distinction. For a student registered for two single subjects a level 4 module which is compulsory for one subject may not count that module as acceptable for the other subject even though it is in the acceptable list for that subject.
Compulsory Module: A Compulsory Module is one that must be passed. It may be a compulsory level 4 module normally taken in Stage I or a compulsory acceptable module normally taken in Stage II.
Required Module: A Required Module must be taken and at least 30% obtained. Required acceptable modules are only allowed where it can be clearly shown that they are necessary to meet the hours regulations of a professional body.
Recommended Module: A Recommended Module is a level 4 module which the student is advised to take in Stage I.
Pre-requisite Module: A Pre-requisite Module is one in which a minimum of 30% must normally be obtained before taking a subsequent specified module (but see regulations 15 (iii) and (iv)).
Co-requisite Module: A Co-requisite Module is one, which must be taken no later than at the same time as another specified module.
Practice-Based Module: A Practice-Based Module in health and related subjects is one in which much of the student's time is spent working with clients or in client care areas, and building competence required for professional practice.
Project/Dissertation: A Project/Dissertation is a detailed study of a topic of particular interest to the student, usually carried out over two semesters and assessed in their last semester. A project will usually involve some original research either in the laboratory or in the field whilst a dissertation will usually involve library based research. The word length for a double project or dissertation is 8,000-10,000 words or equivalent. It is also a level 6 honours module.
Synoptic Module: A Synoptic Module is an end of course broad based study using the theoretical methods from a range of acceptable modules within a specific subject. It is compulsory for Honours in some subjects instead of or in addition to a project or dissertation module. It is also a level 6 honours module.
Independent Study Module: An Independent Study Module is an individual learning and assessment package agreed between the student and the Subject Committee according to the practices determined by that Subject.