Assesments/Appeals & PLAGIARISM

Assessment – Higher National Diplomas

To achieve a Higher National Diploma (HND) a student must complete sixteen modules.  To achieve a Higher National Certificate (HNC) a student must complete eight modules. 

For every HND/HNC module, assessment is designed to test the student’s knowledge and understanding of the module outcomes.  The module outcomes represent the knowledge and skills that the student is required to master to pass the module.  Edexcel (the awarding body) provides a set of assessment criteria designed to test the student’s competence regarding each outcome.  Assessment is designed in such a way as to be transparent.  This means that it should be clear to the student what is expected of him or her to achieve the various grades.

A module that is completed satisfactorily can be graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction.  To achieve a Pass a student must have a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of all the outcomes included in that particular module.  A Merit or Distinction would indicate a level of achievement beyond what is required to pass the module.  The module lecturer has the primary responsibility for grading students’ work.  However, all grades are subject to approval by an exam board meeting chaired by the Course Director and agreed by an Edexcel external examiner. 

Assessment is based on a variety of traditional and innovative methods best suited to the particular module outcomes.  Continuous assessment based on coursework and/or presentations is encouraged where possible.  For some modules an end of semester exam or phased tests during the semester may be appropriate.  The assessment, whether traditional or innovative, should occur only after the students have been sufficiently briefed regarding what is required of them (transparency principle).

Students who fail an end of semester exam or a phased test have a right to repeat.  Students also have a right to resubmit coursework which is considered below Pass standard.  The grade for a second sitting or resubmitted coursework will be limited to a Pass grade.

Assessment – HETAC Honours Degrees

To achieve an Honours Degree a student must complete all three/four years of the relevant programme. 
For every degree module, assessment is designed to test the student’s knowledge and understanding of the module outcomes.  The module outcomes represent the knowledge and skills that the student is required to master to pass the module.  HETAC (the awarding body) provides a set of assessment criteria designed to test the student’s competence regarding each outcome.  Assessment is designed in such a way as to be transparent.  This means that it should be clear to the student what is expected of him or her to achieve the various grades.

A module that is completed satisfactorily can be graded at Pass 40-49, a H2.2 50-59, a H2.1 60-69 or H1 70+.  To achieve a Pass a student must have a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of all the outcomes included in that particular module.  A H2.2, H2.1 or H1 would indicate a level of achievement beyond what is required to pass the module.  The module lecturer has the primary responsibility for grading students’ work.  However, all grades are subject to approval by an exam board meeting chaired by the Course Director and agreed by an HETAC external examiner. 

Assessment is based on a variety of traditional and innovative methods best suited to the particular module outcomes.  Continuous assessment based on coursework and/or presentations is encouraged where possible.  For some modules an end of semester exam or phased tests during the semester may be appropriate.  The assessment, whether traditional or innovative, should occur only after the students have been sufficiently briefed regarding what is required of them (transparency principle).

Students who fail an end of semester exam or a phased test have a right to repeat.  Students also have a right to resubmit coursework which is considered below Pass standard.  The grade for a second sitting or resubmitted coursework will be limited to a Pass grade.

Appeals Procedure

All lecturers are required to give feedback to students regarding the grade they have received for a piece of assessment.  The feedback is designed to satisfy the student that the grade they have received is appropriate and fair.  An appeals procedure exists for students who consider the lecturer’s grade to be inappropriate.  Students have a right to be assisted by their class representative in the appeals procedure should they wish.

Firstly, the student should indicate to the relevant lecturer that they are not satisfied with the grade and request that the lecturer reconsider.  The lecturer is obliged, on request, to re-examine the work and reconsider the grade.  The lecturer does have the power to change the grade having reassessed the work.   If the issue is not resolved at this stage the student has the right to formally appeal the grade.

An appeal panel will be composed of the Course Director, the relevant module lecturer and one additional member of the academic staff.  The student should inform the Registrar that they wish an appeal panel to consider the issue.  A meeting of the appeal panel should be scheduled to take place within two weeks of the Registrar being informed.  The student has a right to have their class representative present at this meeting with observer status.  Whatever the decision of the appeals panel all grades are still subject to the approval of an end of year exam board meeting.       

Plagiarism

When students submit work for assessment the policy of the college is to ensure that the grades students get are fair and consistent.  If a student submits an assignment that is the work of somebody else or is copied from an existing work the module lecturer will not knowingly pass this assignment.  It is legitimate for students to quote other authors, but when doing so it should be made clear who the original author is.  To submit somebody else’s work as your own is plagiarism.  When work is plagiarised it is not possible to determine if the student even understands the material being copied.  All assignments submitted for assessment should have a clear system of referencing.  This should indicate the sources (books, magazines, internet etc.) used for the particular research.  If material is quoted this should be clearly indicated with quotation marks and the precise source (e.g. page number etc) be indicated.  It is legitimate for students to work together and to help each other with their studies.  However, it is not acceptable for two or more students to submit the same piece of work and to claim credit for it (unless, of course, it is a group assignment).