These regulations apply to academic and practice assessment for all the awards in the Post Qualifying programmes and should be read in conjunction with the University of Southampton Calendar:

Diploma in Health Care Studies

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Health Care Studies

Diploma in Midwifery Studies

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Midwifery Practice

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Public Health Practice

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Clinical Practice

1. Marking
   
   1.1 Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and, when required, 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. Longer extensions may be granted where mitigation applies (see 4.0).
   
   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. The Registry 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.
   
   
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. (1.6 refers)
   
   2.1.1 Students must apply direct to their module leader for an extension.
   
   2.1.2 In NO circumstances can extensions be authorised by the module leader, which exceed the two week regulation.
   
   2.2 Assessment of Practice
   
   Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules students will need to achieve competencies in practice which are verified in the clinical setting. The student is required to pass all components of the assessments in order to achieve the module overall.
   
   
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 Diploma awarded by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
   
   
4. Special Considerations – Mitigation
   
   A student who requires an extension of longer than two weeks must request this in writing and must provide formal evidence (see definitions below) in support of this, to the Award Leader. If mitigation is accepted a new date for submission will be given.
   
   If students miss an examination or piece of assessed work through illness on the date the examination is to be taken or work submitted, they will be required to submit formal evidence to support the case for special consideration. If the student's case is accepted they may be granted an extension to the assignment guideline, a re-submit date for an examination at the next available time or offered a deferred submission date due to ongoing mitigation.
   
   The student must report all special considerations/mitigation to Registry.
   
   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.
   
   4.4 Definitions:
   
   Formal Evidence Doctor’s letter/medical certificate relating to student or close family members, employer's letter, police report, court letter, solicitors letter, Hospital appointment card, insurance documentation
   
   Academic Evidence Assessment Board agreement that there is a significant dip in performance i.e. compared to previous academic profile in element(s) of assessment(s)
   
   On-going Mitigation 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 from an academic award for up to one calendar year. This may be extended providing annual review takes place.
   
   
5. Eligibility for Award
   
   To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree students must have achieved 120 credits at Level 1, a maximum of 120 credits at Level 2 and a minimum of 120 credits at Level 3 including all the core modules.
   
   
6. Classification of Degrees
   
   6.1 The Assessment Board will determine the honours classification using an average weighted mark based on all Level 3 credits. The average weighted mark will be calculated as follows:
   
   i) Taking the final marks from each Level 3 module result, weight each module result according to it’s percentage value for the Level (i.e. a 20 credit module result will be weighted at 0.6) and total the result. This result determines the provisional degree classification.
   
   ii) The provisional degree classification is confirmed by being no more than one degree classification higher than the dissertation module result.
   
   iii) A downgrade to the next classification is invoked for those candidates whose provisional degree classification is more than one classification higher than the dissertation module result.
   
   ONLY borderline classification results within one percent of the next highest classification band are eligible for consideration for a discretionary upgrade.
   
   6.2 The classes of mark are:
   
   First class 70%-100%
   Second class (upper division) 60%-69%
   Second class (lower division) 50%-59%
   Third class 40%-49%