The University has a number of policies for assessment. The following information provides guidance for students on these policies, including relevant procedures and forms.
The following regulations, policies, procedures apply to the assessment of all Northumbria University taught awards unless specific exceptions have been approved by the Education Committee, and Academic Board where appropriate. These regulations and policies are designed to ensure that academic standards are maintained and that there is fairness and consistency in how your results are agreed.
Academic Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) are subject to annual review to ensure academic standards are maintained and that there is fairness and consistency in how your results are agreed. The changes for Academic Year 2022/23 have been made available to you with clarity around which cohorts of students the updated regulations apply to:
The University has lots of policies and guidelines for assessment. The following are summaries of useful information written especially for students (the posters were produced by students themselves):
This section reminds you of what will happen to your work once you have submitted it, and the systems we have in place to ensure that it is marked thoroughly and fairly.
Northumbria University is committed to creating a learning environment conductive to learning that will benefit all students. The policy regarding acceptable conduct in taught classes and learning environments which was initiated and drawn up in consultation with the Students' Union. The section also contains information about conduct of examinations, and 'Fit to Sit' policies relating to students studying Legal Practice Course (LPC) programmes.
The University requires all students to submit assessed coursework by the deadline stated in the assessment brief. A student may apply for an extension of time to complete assessed coursework if there are personal circumstances which are unforeseen and unpreventable and have a serious effect on the student’s ability to submit the work by the published hand-in deadline.The student must submit an ‘Application for Authorisation for Late Submission of Assessed Work’ before the hand-in deadline. Appropriate medical certification, or other relevant evidence confirming the circumstances, must be provided. Information regarding this policy and procedure can be accessed below:
Current students: Please access the Help & Support section of your Student Portal for information.
A Personal Extenuating Circumstance (PEC) relates to you personally – normally it is an extreme medical or life matter which you feel might have significantly affected your performance in examinations or other forms of assessment. Personal extenuating circumstances should cover situations that are both unforeseen and unpreventable. PECs are considered by a special confidential committee in advance of the programme assessment board. The section below contains details about the procedure, a guide to evidence required to submit a PEC and a PEC medical form which would be need to be completed by a GP/Practice nurse at a GP Practice:
Current students: Please access the Help & Support section of your Student Portal for information.
A technical extenuating circumstance (TEC) is raised by the University – it normally relates to an assessment issue known to the University which was beyond the control of individual students. TECs normally apply to a group, or clearly defined sub-group, of students – but can also relate to one student if s/he was taking an exam alone.
Northumbria University hopes that the student experience will be a good one and that there will be few occasions when there is any dissatisfaction or disappointment with the service and facilities provided. We recognise however that sometimes, the University doesn't get everything right and you may have an issue to raise with us. Where this is the case, the procedures set out in the Handbook of Student Regulations describe how Student Appeals and Complaints may be lodged.
In all assessed work you should take care to ensure that the work you submit is your own. The University takes academic dishonesty and cheating very seriously and it is your responsibility to ensure that you don’t attempt to cheat or become victim to cheating.
There are many different forms of academic misconduct or ‘cheating’. Plagiarism is the most common and both the University library and your academic tutors are able to provide further guidance on proper citation and referencing in your assessed work.
If you have a disability, you are urged to contact the Student Accessibility Team in Student Life and Wellbeing at an early stage so that your needs can be assessed and modifications/alternative assessment methods considered. Guides to alternative assessment and how Northumbria University can support you with a long-term medical condition or specific learning disability are available below:
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