Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme 2023-24

1. Introduction 

The Scheme allows students to qualify for awards of the University through the accumulation of credit points for modules which are the building blocks of programmes of study. Programme specifications define which modules students may take to assemble individual programmes according to their needs and interests, and credit points may be given for prior learning. Modules taken and credits obtained are recorded on a transcript, which also shows where credits have been "cashed in" for an award, available to the student. 

The Scheme also permits students to study individual modules, for example continuing professional development modules, without the immediate aim of achieving an award. 

2. Definitions 

Regulations and Definitions Applying to Progression for all Credit-Bearing Programmes. In this Framework the following additional 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. 

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 of learning. The University has developed generic Credit Level Descriptors which describe the characteristics of learning demand which the learner will encounter at each credit level. The levels used articulate with the National Qualifications Frameworks and map to the corresponding cycle of the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). 

Notional Learning Time: The number of hours that it is expected a learner (at a particular level) will spend, on average, to achieve the specified learning outcomes. The amount of student effort equivalent to 1 ECTS is between 20 hours and 25 hours. Previously the University used the UK Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme where the notional learning time ratio used is 1 CAT credit being equivalent to 10 hours of student effort. 

Programme of Study: The named award for which a student is registered. A student's programme of study may be taken by full-time or, where permitted, by part-time study and may incorporate credits for appropriate prior learning (see below) and for the successful completion of employment-based training. A programme of study may be composed of modules of any size but, for 3-year undergraduate degree programmes the normal module size will be 7.5 ECTS and multiples thereof. 

Recognition of Prior Learning: The University has devolved arrangements for the management and assessment of prior learning within the policy set out in the Quality Handbook.  

Condonement: The process by which a Board of Examiners, in consideration of the overall performance of a student, decides that, without incurring a penalty, one or more modules that have been failed do not need to be redeemed. Condonement is not permitted except in special circumstances within the responsibility of a Special Considerations Board. 

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. Mechanisms must be in place to record declarations by students that the credit presented has not been used for a previous claim. More information can be found in the policy set out in the Quality Handbook. 

Back Tracking and Forward Tracking: Back tracking and forward tracking by one level are allowed in each Part of an undergraduate programme, where the maximum combined amount of back tracking and forward tracking allowed per Part is 15 ECTS (30 CATS) and where the minimum credit requirements for each level are satisfied at the time of the award. The requirements of specific programmes may restrict the amount of back tracking and forward tracking allowed on the programme as a whole or in any given Part of the programme.