Assessment

It is very important that you make yourself aware, early in each semester, of the assessment format in each of the modules that you are studying. Normal practice is that the form of assessment to be used is announced at or near the first class meeting in each module, and again at some point later in the semester (for example, after the External Examiner's approval of the examination paper). Should you miss such an announcement (for example, because you change enrolment or enrol late), be sure to check this with your lecturer or through the QUB Student Information System (Qsis).

Where final written examination papers are employed as assessment, they will now take place at the end of the  second semester modules.  The dates and times of examinations are determined centrally within the university, and cannot be changed to suit individual circumstances. For the students who have not been successful in the main exams, resit examinations are provided in August (see below). Should you fail a module, please contact your Adviser of Studies for further advice.

Even where a written examination is the only form of assessment, other work by the student, such as homeworks, may be taken into account by the Board of Examiners if the exam mark is a narrow fail. In such cases, the results of coursework are only ever used in a student's favour, never to their detriment.

Late submissions: all coursework assessed as part of the examining process will have a deadline associated with it. Work that is handed in late will be penalised. You will be informed of the deadlines at the start of the module. According to the Study Regulations, “Assessed work submitted after the deadline will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the total marks available for each working day late up to a maximum of five working days, after which a mark of zero shall be awarded".  Please note : Any work submitted after the 'feedback' class will receive a mark of zero, (even if the feedback class is within 5 working days of the deadline). For example if an assignment is due in on Monday and feedback is given in a tutorial class on Tuesday at 2pm, then a submission on Tuesday at 3pm receives zero

 If you become aware that circumstances will prevent you from meeting such a deadline, it is important that you contact the lecturer concerned (or, failing that, staff in the Teaching Support Office) as soon as possible - preferably three days or more before the deadline - to see if alternative arrangements can be made. For exemption from penalty or flexibility of deadline to be granted, documentation covering the circumstances will normally be expected (at the time of your request or, if that is not possible, shortly thereafter).

Progression: in order to progress from one stage (‘year’) of study to the next, you should have passed the assessments in all of that stage's modules (and must already have passed all from any earlier stage). Students who have passed all but one module's assessment at a given stage are allowed to progress to the next stage, but will need to pass their ‘missing’ module assessment during that stage.

Resits or supplementary examinations: students who fail an examination are permitted (and, in Levels 1 and 2, are expected) to register for the supplementary or ‘resit’ examination, and will be required to pay the appropriate fee at the time of registration. Resit examinations usually take place during the second half of August. Students' individual supplementary exam timetables are made available through Queen's Online at the end of July. For examination costs please check with the One Elmwood Student Centre. Resit assessment scores will appear in full on degree transcripts, but for the purposes of calculating degree classifications only the ‘bare pass’ mark of 40% is automatically used unless the Examination Board is made aware in good time of any exceptional circumstances (e.g., serious medical or personal problems) that have resulted in the student having to do a resit exam. We will not be able to take account of such circumstances unless they are professionally documented:  If, as part of your degree programme, you are taking a module from another School, be aware that their resit policy may be different from ours and - if relevant to you - find out in good time what it is.

Anticipated emergency: if, in advance of an examination or deadline for returning assessed work, you believe that your performance may be adversely affected by exceptional circumstances such as illness, then you should seek advice from your Adviser of Studies, your doctor or the University Health Service, regarding the options open to you. These may include temporary withdrawal from the University, deferral of the examination, applying for an extension to the deadline for submitting coursework or applying for a waiver to any penalty imposed for late submission. Medical certificates and documentary evidence of extenuating circumstances must be presented to the Teaching Support Office.  Note that the decision on whether to attempt the examination or submit the assessed work, and the consequences of that decision, shall remain your sole responsibility.

 

Things may not always go to plan during your time at University; something may happen that has an impact on you personally or on your academic progress.  If any such factors have a significant effect on you and your studies (especially around the time of assessment deadlines or exams), you should always let someone in your School know at the earliest opportunity.

It is vital that you recognise that there are very strict and inflexible deadlines within which you must make the University aware of any exceptional circumstances.  By clicking on the link you will find information & guidelines on what the University will accept as “exceptional circumstances” and what you should do in the event of such circumstances.