Changes to policy and curriculum

Assessment Handbook

Warning: the content within this page reflects the information available to students in the 2018/19 academic year. As such, this information may no longer be factually accurate.

July 2019 amendments

In July 2019 a number of changes were implemented to the Assessment Handbook. These changes potentially affect all students.

The changes made

1. Section 1.6 Assessment and completion of modules – changed wording to clarify that not every module with an early resit/resubmission is eligible for an elective postponement.
2. Section 2.4.4 Late submission of TMAs – clarified rule around extensions to the cut-off date of a final TMA. Made clear the difference between the final TMA and an end-of-module TMA (emTMA).
3. Section 2.5.6 Querying a TMA score – corrected guidance on end-of-module TMA score to make clear it can’t be queried in the same way as other TMA scores.
4. Section 2.9.1 To report special circumstances relating to continuous assessment - deadline for submitting special circumstances has been extended from 14 days after the cut-off for the final piece of continuous assessment to four calendar days after the final piece of assessment. Added information about late submissions.
5. Section 3.4.2 Discretionary postponement – clarified process and timescales. Added information about evidence in cases of bereavement.
6. Section 3.4.3 Elective postponement - changed wording to clarify that not every module with an early resit/resubmission is eligible for an elective postponement.
7. Section 3.5.2 To report special circumstances relating to exams – deadline for submitting special circumstances has been extended from the day after the exam to four calendar days after the exam. Added information about late submissions.
8. Section 3.7 Late submission of examinable work – clarification that ‘late’ refers to submission within the 24 hour penalty period and further clarification on late penalty calculation.
9. Section 3.8.2 Discretionary postponement - clarified process and timescales. Confirmed that module must be completed within 13 months of the original EMA opportunity.
10. Section 3.8.3 Elective Postponement - changed wording to clarify that not every module with an early resit/resubmission is eligible for an elective postponement.
11. Section 3.9.2 To report special circumstances relating to other examinable work - deadline for submitting special circumstances has been extended from the day after the EMA cut-off date to four calendar days after the EMA cut-off date. Added information about late submissions.
12. Section 3.11 Late submission of the emTMA - clarification that ‘late’ refers to submission within the 24 hour penalty period and further clarification on late penalty calculation.
13. Section 3.12.2 Discretionary postponement - clarified process and timescales. Confirmed that module must be completed within 13 months of the original emTMA opportunity
14. Section 3.12.3 Elective Postponement - changed wording to clarify that not every module with an early resit/resubmission is eligible for an elective postponement.
15. Section 3.13.2 To report special circumstances relating to an emTMA - deadline for submitting special circumstances has been extended from the day after the emTMA cut-off date to four calendar days after the emTMA cut-off date. Added information about late submissions.
16. Section 4.6 Resits and resubmissions – clarified that assessment thresholds and residential school requirements must be met to be eligible for resit or resubmission. Confirmed requirement to achieve an Overall Score of 30 or more on modules with one component of assessment. Confirmed there is no threshold on the exam or EMA on modules with two components of assessment. Confirmed resit or resubmission will be at the next available opportunity.
17. Section 4.6.2 Elective postponement - changed wording to clarify that not every module with an early resit/resubmission is eligible for an elective postponement. Confirmed elective postponement does not apply except in cases of early resit/resubmission.

March 2019 amendments

In July 2019 a number of changes were implemented to the Assessment Handbook. These changes potentially affect all students.

The changes made

1. Section 2.5.5 Late return of marked TMAs – clarification of the process for TMAs submitted on paper.
2. Section 2.5.8 Keeping copies of your TMAs – the time period available for you to download TMAs submitted on-line after your module has finished has been extended from 30 days to 90 days.
3. Section 3.4.1 Deferral – clarification about when you cannot apply for a deferral.
4. Section 3.5.3 If you have a disability or additional requirements – clarification about using the special circumstances process to provide information about the impact of your condition to the Module Result Panel.
5. Section 3.7 Late submission of examinable work – clarification on the possible impact of late submission of your examinable work on your overall module result.
6. Section 3.8.1 Deferral – clarification about when you cannot apply for a deferral.
7. Section 3.11 Late submission of the emTMA – clarification on the possible impact of late submission of your emTMA on your overall module result.
8. Section 3.12 Non-submission of the emTMA – advice added about checking the assessment strategy for your module on your StudentHome module page.
9. Section 3.12.1 Deferral – clarification about when you cannot apply for a deferral.
10. Section 4.2.1 Modules with one component of assessment – advice added about checking the assessment strategy for your module on your StudentHome module page.
11. Section 4.6 Resits and resubmissions – advice added about checking the assessment strategy for your module on your StudentHome module page.
12. Any reference to Overall Assessment Score amended to Overall Score.

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.