CCSW HE 2018 Pearson Programme HNCD (RQF) Regulations

HE@CCSWCHESHIRE COLLEGE – SOUTH& WESTPearson BTEC EDEXCELHNC/D (RQF) AcademicRegulationsApproved by:Academic BoardSeptember 20181

ContentsINTRODUCTION. 4Responsibilities of the College . 4Responsibilities of students. 4DURATION OF THE AWARD . 5Withdrawal from a programme . 5PASSING A UNIT AND THE AWARD OF CREDIT . 6STUDENT ASSESSMENT / REASSESSMENT. 7Formative and Summative Assessment. 7Referral in a unit . 8LATE SUBMISSIONS. 8DEFERRAL IN A UNIT OR AN ASSESSMENT TASK . 9ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT PERIODS . 9FAILURE OF A UNIT (CORE OR ELECTIVE). 9PROGRESSION TO NEXT STAGE OR LEVEL . 10RETAKING A UNIT (CORE AND ELECTIVE) . 10Consequences of failure on a retaken unit (core and elective) . 11EXCEPTIONAL EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES REGULATIONS . 11Student Responsibility . 11Confidentiality. 11Consideration of Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances . 12Report from the EEC Panel . 12EXTENSIONS REGULATIONS . 13ACADEMIC OFFENCES . 13Consequences of Committing an Academic Offence . 14Record of Offences . 14Right of Appeal . 14OPERATION OF ASSESSMENT BOARDS . 15Terms of Reference . 15Record of Attendance . 15Chair . 15Information to the Assessment Board . 152

Discussion and Decision-Making . 15Disclosure of Results . 16Glossary of Terms . 173

INTRODUCTIONThese regulations apply to all Pearson BTEC HNC/HND (RQF) awards offered by theCollege.The College reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the regulations whereit will assist in the proper delivery of education. These changes will normally comeinto effect at the beginning of each academic year. The College may introducechanges during the academic year when it reasonably considers these to be in theinterests of students or where this is required by law. Any and all such changes willbe communicated clearly to students.Responsibilities of the CollegeThe College will ensure that students have access to the BTEC HNC/HND Regulationsand ancillary assessment policies and procedures. These include: The CCSW HE Academic regulations and procedures which includes: Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances regulation Academic Offences regulation Complaints proceduresThe Course Team Leader will ensure that the assessment requirements for the courseare published. This will include: Student handbook linked to the programme specificationAssessment schedule (including reassessment dates)Learning outcomes, assessment criteria, weightings and mode(s) ofassessment for each unitProcedures for the submission of assignments, including the procedure fordealing with late submission of work, and indicative feedback datesCriteria relating to grading and marking schemesResponsibilities of studentsIt is the student’s responsibility to: Ensure they understand and comply with the assessment regulations forthe BTEC HNC/HND course, ancillary policies and proceduresAttend examinations and submit work for assessment as requiredSubmit any relevant information on exceptional and extenuatingcircumstances which they believe may have affected their performance inaccordance with the Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances regulations4

DURATION OF THE AWARD1.1The table below summarises examples of the normal duration of aprogramme for students studying on full-time or part-time HNC/HNDawards.Mode ofattendanceUsual duration ofprogrammeUsual credits per yearPart-time HNC2 years60 creditsFull-time HNC1 years120 creditsPart-time HND4 years60 creditsFull-time HND2 years120 credits1.2The total number of credits normally required for a BTEC HNC Diploma is 120credits. The credits are made up of mandatory core units and units selectedby the programme team (specialist / optional units). To obtain the BTEC HNCthe student must have completed units equivalent to 120 credits at level 4and achieved a pass in at least 105 credits at level 4.1.3The total number of credits normally required for a BTEC HND Diploma is 240credits. The credits are made up of mandatory core units and units selectedby the programme team (specialist /optional). To obtain the BTEC HND thestudent must have completed units equivalent to 120 credits at level 5 andhave achieved a pass in 105 credits at level 5 and the student must havemet the HNC requirements as stated at 1.2 above.1.4Exceptionally, and with the prior agreement of the Academic Board,faculty areas may offer a bespoke method of delivery for courses but it isaccepted that the usual method of delivery is face to face at theCollege’s main campuses.1.5If the normal duration of a course is exceeded there may be fundingimplications for confirmed registrations.Withdrawal from a programme1.6A break in study or permanent withdrawal from the programme may benecessary if circumstances prevent the student from continuing their studies.This must be discussed as soon as possible with the student and appropriatestaff in the faculty area (e.g. course team leader, Dean of HE, studentsupport services), so that the correct procedures are followed.5

PASSING A UNIT AND THE AWARD OF CREDIT2.1This regulation explains what the student needs to achieve in order to passa unit, how the overall unit results are derived and how credit is awarded.2.2Unit assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks which could beeither “In Programme Assessment” or “End Assessment”. Where there is morethan one assessment task, weightings and rules for passing the unit will bedefined and published. Each assessment component and/or unit will be gradedas Fail, Refer, Defer, Pass, Merit or Distinction.2.3Grades of achievement for BTEC / Edexcel units for performance areagreed by the HE Assessment Board.2.4The grades for BTEC / Edexcel units are awards as follows:GRADEOTHER OUTCOMESPass – awarded when all passcriteria have been achievedRefer – after formative andsummative assessment the studenthas failed to achieve a pass gradeMerit – awarded when all pass andmerit criteria have been achievedFail – after initial referral andreassessment the student has failed toachieve a pass grade the student will bedeemed to have failed the unitDistinction – awarded when allpass, merit and distinction criteriahave been achievedDefer – after the student hassubmitted a case for mitigatingcircumstances and it has beenaccepted the student is permitted afurther opportunity for assessment2.5Unit teams will be responsible for recommending overall student grades foreach unit. For a unit involving one assessment, the overall grade will be thegrade obtained in that assessment. For a unit involving more than oneassessment, each student’s profile of grades and weightings of assessmentcomponents will be considered when recommending overall grades.2.6The minimum pass criteria to pass a unit is to: achieve an overall pass grade (so all learning outcomes and associatedassessment criteria have been met) andmake a valid attempt at all unit assessment tasks6

2.7When the student achieves or exceeds the minimum pass criteria for a unit,credit for the unit will be awarded.2.8When the student has passed a unit and the outcome of summativeassessment is recorded on the student profile, further opportunities toimprove the original grade are not allowed.STUDENT ASSESSMENT / REASSESSMENT3.1This regulation explains the number of assessment and reassessmententitlements within one delivery of a unit and explains the different forms ofassessment and reassessment available.3.2Registration onto a unit entitles the student to: one delivery of the unitaccess to learning and teaching resourcesan initial opportunity to attempt the assessment tasksone referral opportunity (if required and permitted)Formative and Summative Assessment3.3Formative assessment involves both the Assessor and the student in a two-wayconversation about their progress and takes place prior to summativeassessment. It does not confirm achievement of grades, but focuses on helpingthe student to reflect on their learning and improve their performance. The mainfunction of formative assessment is to provide feedback to enable the student tomake improvements to consolidate a Pass, or attain a higher grade.Feedback on formative assessment will be constructive and provide clearguidance and actions for improvement. It is then the student’s responsibility toact upon the feedback and submit the final piece of work / task by the agreeddeadline.3.4One formal opportunity to provide final formative assessment feedback will beincluded in each assessment plan at a point when students will have had theopportunity to provide evidence towards all the assessment criteria targeted.This assessment will be formally recorded.3.5Normally, further formal opportunities for formative feedback should not benecessary. However, if it is clear at the formative assessment stage thatstudents have misinterpreted or have been misdirected by the assignmentbrief, there may be need for another formative assessment once issues havebeen addressed.3.6Following formative assessment and feedback, students are able to: 3.7Revisit work to add to the original evidence produced to consolidate apass grade or to enhance their work to achieve a higher gradeSubmit evidence for summative assessment and final unit gradeSummative assessment is a final assessment decision on an assignment taskin relation to the assessment criteria of each unit. It is the definitive7

assessment and recorded on the student’s profile. Should the student notachieve at least a pass grade after both formative and summativeassessment, the submitted work will be recorded as a “Referral”.Referral in a unit3.8In accordance with BTEC guidance, provided the student has met initialdeadlines, a student will be given one opportunity to retake a completedassessment after a summative grade has been given and this will occurwhere a student has just missed a pass. The student will not be entitled toany further guidance or support in producing further evidence however.3.9Only one opportunity for reassessment of the unit will be permitted and forcoursework /project based assessments this will be a reworking of theoriginal task. Where the original assessment was an examination, then anyreassessment will involve the completion of a new examination.A student who undertakes a reassessment (resubmission) following areferral for not meeting the pass criteria will have their grade capped at apass for that unitA student is not entitled to a referral (resubmission) where pass criteria hasbeen met and a Pass grade has already been awarded.LATE SUBMISSIONS4.1Deadlines for assessment are an important part of BTECs. Students areencouraged to develop good time management that will stand them in goodstead in the workplace. It is important that students are assessed fairly andconsistently and that some students are not advantaged by having additionaltime to complete assignments.4.2Where an authorised extension (see Extensions) has not been approved inadvance, work submitted late by up to 7 calendar days of the publisheddeadline may be marked. In such an instance, punitive capping anddowngrading grades to a “Pass” for late work is not acceptable unless theassessment criteria in the Merit/Distinction grade descriptors require evidenceof: 4.34.4Meeting agreed timelinesThe ability to plan/organise time effectivelyThe ability to work to industrial/commercial practices that includeimplicit timelinesWork submitted after 7 days of the published deadline and without anauthorised extension will not be marked and will be recorded as “Did NotSubmit”. Students will be offered a single reassessment at the next availableopportunity. In such a case, any submission will be capped at a Pass.Students must be made aware of the consequences of failing to meetdeadlines.8