The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (the Scheme) applies to all taught programmes in the University, and all collaborative provision, with the exception of the Bachelor of Medicine programme. Credit points are assigned by Schools to every unit in accordance with the principles set out in the Qualifications and Credit Framework and Regulations (below). Details of unit credit-rating may be obtained from School Offices; in most cases they correspond to the proportion of the total programme of which the unit forms a part. The Scheme is open to all students.
Qualifications and Credit Framework
Introduction
The Scheme allows students to qualify for awards of the University through the accumulation of credit points for units which are the building blocks of programmes of study. Students may be permitted to assemble individual programmes according to their needs and interests, and credit points may be given for previous formal study. A series of awards is available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students undertake an overall programme of study which has stated aims and learning outcomes and which demonstrate coherence, balance and progression through the units it contains. Units taken and credit points obtained are recorded annually and a transcript, which also shows where credit points have been "cashed in" for an award, is available to the student.
The Scheme also permits students to study individual course units without the immediate aim of achieving an award.
Definitions
In this Framework the following terms are used:
Credit: A quantified means of expressing equivalence of learning. Credit is awarded to a learner in recognition of the verified achievement of designated learning outcomes at a specified level.
Notional Learning Time: The number of hours which it is expected a learner (at a particular level) will spend, on average, to achieve the specified learning outcomes at that level. The most widely used credit : notional learning time ratio used in England is 1 credit : 10 hours.
Credit Level: An indicator of the relative demand, complexity and depth of learning and of learner autonomy. The level identifies the relative demands of learning that will be required of a learner undertaking a module/unit of learning.
Credit Level Descriptors: A statement which describes the characteristics of learning demand which the learner will encounter at each credit level. The level descriptors are a guide (to the curriculum designer and to learners) as to the kinds of demands it is appropriate to make of learners at each of the designated levels. As such they are generic in nature and can be applied across subject disciplines and modes of learning. See Section 2-3-1-4 of the QA Handbook Table B for the University's guidance on assessment descriptors by level.
Programme of Study: Is the named award for which a student is registered.
Unit/Module: Is the component parts of a programme to which credit points are assigned. Any unit offered in the University must be specified at one level only.
Principles
The University is committed to implementing the national credit guidelines as a means of motivating students by the cumulative recognition of their learning as they progress, and to facilitate transfer from one programme to another, or from one institution to another.
Within programme specifications, staff have identified a series of formal learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria for each unit. The relationship between level, credit and learning outcomes defines the standard which is met when all the relevant assessment criteria have been satisfied.
Grade Points: Faculties of the University have not found the use of grade points to be of benefit. Whilst the system has its strengths, its weaknesses outweigh them. As a profiling system, it does not accommodate standard numerical aggregation: as a result there is a need to convert back into percentage or constantly reassess the profile of a student to arrive at an overall average mark. As from 2002/3 the system of grade points is withdrawn.
Re-use of Credit: Credit may be kept and used to satisfy the credit requirements of any award for which the credit learning is deemed relevant. Credit can be accepted from certificated learning from other educational institutions where that learning has already led to an award from that institution. Similarly, University of Southampton credits may be used for APCL purposese where the learning has led to an award. In the latter instance, it is not expected that the original award certificate will be returned. Credit may contribute towards a higher award (more credits at the same and/or higher level) but not normally towards another award of equivalent or lower status. In specific cases Schools may exercise their discretion in allowing for credit achieved at a higher level to be used towards an award at a lower level if it avoids duplication of learning by a student.
Examples:
- A student who achieves a Foundation Degree could use the relevant credit towards an Honours Degree, but not towards an HND or a DipHE or another Foundation Degree.
- A maximum of 20 credits at H6 may be used towards a Postgraduate Certificate and a maximum of 30 credits at H6 may be used towards a Postgraduate Diploma. (See Section 2.2.3 of the QA Handbook).
Condonement: Condonement is defined as the process by which an assessment board, in consideration of the overall performance of a student, decides that, without incurring a penalty, a unit or units that have been failed do not need to be redeemed. The University does not favour the use of condonement unless it is assigned to the responsibility of a Special Consideration Exam Board which looks in detail at individual personal cases who have submitted extenuating circumstances as reason for failure or poor performance.
Compensation: Compensation is defined as the process by which an assessment board may decide that a strong performance by a student in one part of a programme may be used as the basis for the award of credit in respect of a failed performance elsewhere. AQSC has considered the conflict that this practice clearly has with the main principles of a credit system that assumes that credit is only awarded for meeting prescribed learning outcomes.
Our own Faculties, and most of the institutions surveyed by the Academic Registrars' Council, wish to permit some form of compensation and reject the idea that it should be removed in the credit-based system. Strathclyde's rationale is a good one and the University endorses their view that:
"The big weakness of all credit systems is the excessive volume of summative assessment required to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes in each individual module. Further, whilst 'knowledge content' is for the most part distinct between different modules, inevitably some learning outcomes in the areas of 'understanding' and 'generic skills' are duplicated, resulting in high work load for modest learning experience. 'Compensation schemes' are one way to address these issues and they should be accepted as legitimate provided they are appropriately designed and made clear to the students in advance, and on student transcripts."
The principles of applying compensation are as follows:
- Compensation be permitted at all levels of undergraduate programmes and also at masters level.
- Minimum credit values for each level of qualification be adopted in line with the recommended credit values of HE qualification as set out in the table below.
- At each level, compensation may be allowed in up to a maximum 30 credit points; students may be permitted to proceed provided that performance in the remaining minimum credit points compensates.
- Compensation is not permitted in core units.
- Schools are required to adopt these principles as standard.
Back Tracking and Forward Tracking: These arrangements permit flexibility for a student in level 2 to take non-core units up to a value of 30 credits in level 3 or vice-versa. It also permits a level 2/3 student taking ab initio option units up to 30 credits. This would facilitate a wider range of options being made available and allow students to be taught together. However, in such instances, different assessment criteria for both levels must be devised and the difference in assessment levels made very clear to students. Backtracking from level 2 to level 1 is not permitted.
Regulations
Introduction
- These regulations cover the Scheme in general. Detailed regulations relating to defined programmes are contained in the Calendar.
- The Scheme provides for the following awards by the accumulation of academic credit points through programmes of study composed of units:
At undergraduate level:
- Certificate of Higher Education
- Diplomas of Higher Education
- Foundation Degree
- Ordinary degree of Bachelor
- Honours degree of Bachelor
At postgraduate level:
- Proposed Graduate Certificate*
- Proposed Graduate Diploma*
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Degree of Master
- MRes
- Professional Doctorate
* Graduate qualifications in time but not in level.
A student's programme of study may be taken by full-time or, where permitted, by part-time study and may incorporate credit points for appropriate prior learning and for the successful completion of employment-based training.
Admission of Students
- The admission of students to the Scheme is governed by the established entry requirements of the University Faculty and/or School or of the relevant accredited institution, as appropriate.
- The majority of students are admitted to complete programmes of study which lead to an award. However, students may be admitted with credit points from previous study elsewhere. Approval of admission with the Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning or AP(E)L is at the discretion of the University and is subject to there being sufficient evidence available to arrive at a judgement of both the level and equivalent credit points of the student's prior learning, which may include the evaluation of prior experiential learning and industrial training or other training with non-traditional aspects.
Normally it is expected that the award of a Southampton Honours degree is dependent upon the student having successfully accumulated all Honours level credit points at the University, or its accredited institution. However, APL at level H is allowed up to a maximum of 40 credits. The APL credit is normally for optional units only (ie: not Honours level core units or the final year dissertation/project). Such APL is subject to there being in place rigorous systems that require candidates to provde evidence of how previous study matches the explicit criteria of expected level H learning outcomes.
Also, normally it is expected that the award of a Southampton Masters degree is dependent upon the candidate having successfuly accrued 180 credit points at level M in the University. However, APL at level M is allowed up to a maximum of 60 credits. Where it is considered necessary for programme coherence, a lower maximum number of APL credits may be stipulated by the School concerned. This APL credit is normally for taught/optional units only (ie: not Masters level core units or the dissertation/project).
Such APL is subject to there being in place approved rigorous systems that require candidates to provide evidence of how previous study matches the explicit criteria of expected level M learning outcomes.
Any decision on allowing APL must be considered in accordance with the relevant programme regulations. Any School decision to allow APL outside the normal limitations noted above must be recommended to Faculty for formal approval. The University has devolved to Schools arrangement for the management and assessment of accreditation of prior learning within the general policy set out in the 'University Framework for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning' available in the Quality Assurance Handbook.
It is also possible for a student to study for credit points associated with individual units, for example continuing education modules, but without the immediate aim of achieving an award.
Credit Requirements for University Awards
- The following table sets out the details of credit requirements for all University awards.
| Qualification |
NQF level |
Minimum overall credit |
Minimum credit reqd at level of award |
Additional Criteria |
| Professional Doctorate |
D |
at least 540 |
360 |
Remaining 180 credits to be at level M*. |
| MRes |
M |
at least 180 |
180 |
Normally 60 credits taught, 120 credits research element. |
| Masters Degree |
M |
at least 180 |
150 |
Normally 60 credit points are assigned to an independent piece of work: normally all credit will be at M level but up to 30 credits at H level may be permitted |
| Postgraduate Diploma |
M |
at least 120 |
90 |
N/A |
| Postgraduate Certificate |
M |
at least 60 |
40 |
N/A |
| Graduate Diploma** |
H |
at least 120 |
90 |
N/A |
| Graduate Certificate** |
H |
at least 60 |
40 |
N/A |
| MSci, MEng (Integrated 4-year Masters degree) |
M
| at least 480 |
120 |
Based on a 120 credit point year. 120 credits in Year 1 (level C)
+ 120 credits in Year 2 (level I)
+ 120 credits in Year 3 (level H)
+ a minimum of 120 to a maximum of 150 credits (level M). |
| Double Honours degree |
H |
at least 480 |
90 in each subject (ie: 180 in total) |
Based on 120 credit point year. There must be study at Honours level in both subjects of which at least 90 credits must be passed, and 30 credits of independent study at H level in both subjects also. |
| Honours degree |
H |
at least 360 |
90 |
N/A |
| Intercalated degree |
H |
N/A |
N/A |
Successful completion of the Intercalated programme shall result in the award of an Honours degree. The Intercalated programme is based on Honours level work alone but entry to it is on the basis of completion of non-credit rated study. |
| Ordinary degree |
H |
at least 300 |
60 |
N/A |
| Diploma in HE / Foundation degree |
I |
at least 240 |
90 |
N/A |
| Certificate in HE |
C |
at least 120 |
90 |
N/A |
* Research councils are taking a view about the structure of professional doctorates which might include a recommendation for a proportion of credit at M level to enable a taught Masters qualification to count towards the professional doctorate.
** Graduate in time but not in level. QAA have designated such awards at Honours level (H).
Note: The EWNI credit bodies recommend that the programmes leading to the Honours degree and the Ordinary degree reflect planned progression and credit attainment throughout the levels spanned by the qualification.
Units and Programmes of Study
- A unit will be assigned credit points at one level only. A unit may be incorporated into any part of a student's programme of study provided that, in doing so, the regulations of the programme are not contravened.
- Each unit will be assigned a specific credit point rating which will be the maximum which may be accumulated from the unit.
- Approved programmes of study are published, for example in the University Calendar. The appropriate School/Academic Board may also approve programmes of study where these do not match existing approved programmes.
- On registration the student will agree in writing to the programme of study. The programme may be renegotiated at any time but changes will be subject to the prior approval of the appropriate School/Academic Board.
- The programme of study will specify the conditions that the student must satisfy in order to progress to the next stage, including any necessary prerequisite study. The student shall normally have satisfied any prerequisites before being permitted to register for a unit.
- While a student will normally complete one level of the programme before moving to the next, the School/Academic Board may allow concurrent study of units from more than one level subject to the completion of any appropriate prerequisites.
- A student's programme of study may be composed of units of any size.
- With the approval of the School/Academic Board, undergraduate units to the value of a maximum of 150 credit points may be studied in any period of 12 months and accumulated towards an award.
- Students specialising in certain subject areas may be required to complete a period of study in another country or in employment or to include specified units.
Assessment
- Arrangements for assessment and reassessment of units will be as specified by the School/Academic Board and in programme regulations.
- The University does not specify the amount of assessment (eg: essay wordage or length of examination) which must be completed for each credit-bearing unit; this is left for determination by each School bearing in mind the demands of each discipline.
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