These regulations apply to academic and practice assessments for programmes leading to entry to Part 10 of the Single Professional Register and the award of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons). The programme is designed to ensure that students meet the requirements of the NMC Midwives Rules (1998) Rule 33 and EC Midwives Directive (90/155/EEC) and (89/594/ECC). These regulations should be read in conjunction with the University of Southampton Calendar. The programme is conjointly validated and the professional and academic awards cannot normally be awarded independently.

1. Academic Assessment of Achievement
   
   1.1 Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and practice assessment to pass overall. Where non-assessed work is a course requirement this must also be achieved.
   
   1.2 Students will gain credit for each module successfully completed subject to meeting the requirements of 1.1
   
   1.3 Condonement of failure is not permitted under these regulations. The treatment of mitigation/special circumstances is dealt with under section 4.0.
   
   1.4 The pass mark for each module will be 40% for all levels.
   
   1.5 Assessments will be graded as follows :
   
   1st Attempt = Pass/Refer/Defer
   2nd Attempt = Pass or Fail
   
   1.6 Non-submission of an assessment by the published due date will normally result in Refer or Fail. In exceptional circumstances students may negotiate up to a two week extension with the module leader.
   
   Late requests for extensions (within 48 hours of published submission date) will not be considered. Such requests will be taken under special considerations.
   
   1.7 Referral at the first attempt
   
   In the event of referral at the first attempt in an assessment, students will normally be expected to reattempt the assessment at the next identified opportunity. Any student who elects not to make a second attempt will forfeit any further attempt in that assessment and therefore jeopardise their registration course standing. The student administration office must be informed in writing, by the student, of the intention not to resubmit/resit.
   
   1.7.1 Second attempts
   
   The maximum score, which can be recorded for a second attempt, is 40%.
   
   1.7.2 Failure at second attempt(s) will result in failure, which normally leads to discontinuation from the Programme.
   
   
2. Assessed Coursework
   
   2.1 Extensions and Penalty for Late Submission
   
   In cases of mitigation (see 4.0 below) students may apply for up to and including a two week extension of a submission deadline.
   
   2.1.1 Students must apply direct to their Module Leader, having completed the extension request proforma, for an extension.
   
   2.1.2 In NO circumstances will extensions be authorised which exceed the two week regulation.
   
   2.2 Clinical Assessment of Achievement
   
   The purpose of practice assessment is to ascertain the student's progress towards and achievement of defined midwifery competencies and their ability to make and justify judgements integral to professional practice as defined by the NMC Midwives Rules and to the European Community Midwives Directives 80/155/EEC and 89/594/EEC.
   
   2.2.1 The student's attainment of practice learning outcomes is judged against the practice Assessment Criteria contained within the portfolio, which specifies the performance required in each practice period.
   
   2.2.2 Students will normally pass all clinical placement assessments within each practice period before progressing to the next level/year.
   
   2.2.3 In the event of referral at the first attempt students may undertake a second attempt.
   
   2.2.4 The second attempt must take place in an appropriate practice setting.
   
   2.2.5 Failure at second attempt will result in failure, which will normally lead to discontinuation from the programme.
   
   2.2.6 Subsequent Referrals
   
   Students are restricted to a maximum of two referrals at first attempt in each academic year of their programme registration. Students who are referred in practice at first attempt on a third occasion will normally incur course termination.
   
   
3. Reviews and Appeals
   
   The Regulations governing Reviews and Appeals by Undergraduate and Postgraduate Instructional Students are available from the Registry, School Intranet and University of Southampton Calendar.
   
   3.1 In relation to "appeals" the term 'degree' includes any Degree or Advanced Diploma awarded by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
   
   
4. Special Considerations - Mitigation
   
   If students miss an examination or piece of assessed work through illness or other good reason, formal evidence (see definitions below) will be required to support the student's case for special consideration. If the student's case is accepted, they may be granted an extension to the assignment deadline (no more than two weeks) or offered a deferred examination/assessed work due to on-going mitigation.
   
   - The student must report all special considerations to student administration.
   - The student must make all requests for extension to Module Leader.
   
   4.1 In no circumstances will any mark obtained in an examination be amended to take account of the candidate's mitigation.
   
   4.2 The School will only uphold mitigation if it is satisfied that there is academic evidence that the mitigation may have affected student performance.
   
   4.3 If ongoing mitigation is accepted, a submission as a first attempt will be offered to the student. This may result in a student being conditionally eligible to proceed to the next level/year of the Programme.
   
   4.4 Definitions
   
   Formal Evidence Doctor's letter/medical certificate relating to student or close family members, police report, court letter, solicitors letter, letter from funeral director, copy of death certificate, hospital appointment card, insurance documentation
   
   Academic Evidence Examination Board agreed that there is a significant dip in performance i.e. compared to previous academic profile in element(s) of assessment(s)
   
   On-going Mitigation Mitigation on record since registration e.g. clinical depression cannot by definition be supported by academic evidence. Students with on-going mitigation are reminded of their responsibility to decide whether they are "fit for study." The School will support such students sympathetically and guide the student to suspend studies as appropriate.
   
   4.5 Once registered for an award, students are expected to maintain progress and to proceed without interruption or suspension to its conclusion. In exceptional circumstances, the School may permit a student to suspend registration for up to one year.
   
   
5. Calculation for the Award of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons)
   
   In order to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons) students must have met all the statutory requirements for Professional Registration which means successfully achieving all assessed academic elements of Levels 1, 2 and 3 and practice elements of the Programme
   
   5.1 All Level 2 and Level 3 module results contribute towards the degree classification.
   
   5.2 Degree classification is calculated on the basis of the 8 modules taken in Levels 2 and 3. Level 2 average is weighted against Level 3 average in the ratio of 40% (level 2) and 60% (level 3).
   
   5.3 The degree classification is calculated as follows:
   
   (i) Taking the final marks from each level 2 module result, weight each module result according to its percentage value for the level (i.e. a 30 credit module result will be weighted at 0.25) and multiply the mean sum of the weighted module results by 0.4.
   
   (ii) Taking the final marks from each Level 3 module result, weight each module result according to its percentage value for the level (i.e. a 40 credit module result will be weighted at 0.33) and multiply the mean sum of the weighted module results by 0.6.
   
   (iii) Add the Level 2 (0.4 weighted) score to the Level 3 (0.6 weighted) score to determine degree classification.
   
   5.4 An upgrade to the next highest classification is invoked for candidates who achieve module results equating to a minimum of 80 credits, in the higher category, provided that they have recorded no referrals in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the Programme AND have achieved the higher category in their dissertation/evidence-based project.
   
   5.5 ONLY borderline classification results within one percent of the next highest classification band are eligible for consideration for a discretionary upgrade.
   
   
6. Progression from Level 1 to Level 2 of Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons)
   
   Students will normally successfully achieve in all assessed elements in Level 1 in order to progress to the next level of their registered Programme.
   
   6.1 Students must normally have successfully passed all clinical placements before progressing.
   
   6.2 Conditional Progression for Students Carrying Referral.
   
   Students who have successfully completed all clinical assessments may be permitted conditional progression to the next level provided they are not carrying academic referral in more than one module.
   
   
7. Progression from Level 2 to Level 3 of the Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons)
   
   Students will normally successfully achieve in all assessed elements in Level 2 in order to progress to Level 3 of the Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons).
   
   7.1 Students must normally have successfully passed all clinical assessment before progressing.
   
   7.2 Students will normally successfully achieve in all assessed elements in Level 2 in order to progress to level 3, provided they are not carrying academic referral in more than one module.