Introduction by the Vice-Chancellor:
This section has been created specifically to report twice a year on updates or changes to key academic policies and regulations. This was partly in response to staff feedback requesting improvements to both the frequency and the means by which these updates are communicated.
To keep this as reader-friendly and concise as possible, this section summarises some of the changes that have been approved at Academic Board, giving you an at-a-glance outline of each change and its implementation date, as well as a link to further information.
As with all improvements or additions to eview, your feedback on this section will be welcome.
Approved changes
Summaries of changes to academic policies or regulations which have already been approved at Academic Board:
Revised Academic Misconduct Policy: academic conduct regulation
Change effective from:
2017/18
Summary of change
This is a complete re-write of the current Academic Misconduct Policy. The following key changes have been made:-
- Name and tone of the document has changed, e.g. move from “proven offences” and “found guilty” to “upholding an allegation” and “a breach to the Code of Academic Conduct”.
- Introduction of informal stage in the process which intends to embed good academic practice without setting punitive sanctions.
- Inclusion of mitigating circumstances as one of the factors to consider when deciding upon an appropriate sanction.
- Reduction in the number of sanctions from nine to five with clear differentiation between each sanction.
- Examination misconduct investigated and managed by one central Panel.
Additional training will be provided to academic staff both in terms of how to investigate a concern and bring an allegation forward to an Academic Conduct Panel, as well as module leader guidance on the development of assessments to reduce opportunities for plagiarism or collusion. A number of resources are being developed for students and staff prior to the start of the next academic session. Further details to follow.
Link to further information
The Academic Conduct Regulation is published on shuspace – Conduct and discipline | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy
Standard Assessment Regulations: compensation
Change effective from:
2017/18
Summary of change
In 2017/18, compensation will be applied to a student profile at the Semester 2 Boards (for standard courses), i.e. once an initial attempt has been made at all modules on the level. Previously, compensation was applied at the Resit Board after the reassessment opportunity.
What’s different?
- There will be fewer reassessments to provide a brief for and to mark over the summer period.
- There will be fewer student results to consider at Resit Assessment Boards.
- More students will see a confirmed progression decision in June rather than in September.
- A 20 credit referral at a Semester 1 Board may subsequently become a compensated pass at the Semester 2 Board.
Link to further information
The Standard Assessment Regulations are published on shuspace. Assessment and awards | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University.
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy
New regulation - Standard Assessment Regulations: withdrawal for non-engagement
Change effective from:
2017/18
Summary of change
Where there is evidence of non-engagement with the course, the University may deem a student as having withdrawn. Examples (not exhaustive) of not fully engaging include:
- repeated non-attendance at teaching sessions;
- not taking part in (formal or informal) assessments;
- failing to adequately contribute towards group assessments;
- failing to respond to email or written correspondence;
- failure to engage with contact points specific to a Tier 4 visa.
The definition as to what constitutes non-engagement is for a course/Department to determine, as is the best time to commence or conclude such a process to suit the delivery of teaching/assessments throughout a course.
This will remove the additional work being generated for staff in chasing students, writing assessment briefs and producing dedicated timetabling for students who have no intention of engaging.
This will be managed by Faculty Student Services in liaison with academic staff. Concerns regarding a student’s non-engagement will be raised with the student initially in the form of a concern for welfare, before further steps are taken to try to re-engage the student and warning them of the impact of continued non-engagement. The final stage would be a formal withdrawal letter to be sent to the student. The student will have a right of appeal against this decision.
Further details of this process will follow.
Link to further information
The Standard Assessment Regulations are published on shuspace – Assessment and awards | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy
Standard Assessment Regulations: continued reassessment
Change effective from:
Changes will be applied for the first time for students trailing modules into 2018/19
Summary of change
Progression rules: the amount of credit permitted to be trailed into the next academic year will be reduced from 60 credits to a maximum of 40 credits. Progression is permitted carrying:
- up to 20 credits of failure, or
- up to 40 credits of continued reassessment, or a combination of failure and continued reassessment
This will be applied for the first time for modules trailing into 2018/19.
Timing: Instead of reassessment taking place in the following January, reassessment will normally be at the same time as the assessment is scheduled for the delivery of the module in the next academic year. This will be applied for the first time for modules trailing into 2018/19.
What’s different?
Data analysis of students carrying 60 credits into the next academic year indicates that these students are more likely to underperform in modules undertaken in that year. Reducing the amount of credit permitted to be carried forward will result in stronger performance.
The impact of the change in timing is that this should reduce the need for academic staff to produce additional assessment briefs for students taking continuous reassessment. If the module assessment is unchanged, in the following year these students can take the same assessment brief at the current cohort.
Link to further information
The Standard Assessment Regulations are published on shuspace – Assessment and awards | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy
Policy for Summative Assessment: late submission of coursework
Change effective from:
2017/18
Summary of change
Coursework submitted within one working day (i.e. 24 hours) after the deadline date and time without an authorised extension, will receive a mark capped at the minimum pass mark. Coursework submitted over 24 hours late without an authorised extension, will be considered a non-submission.
What’s different?
This means that rather than applying a 0% mark to work handed in late, the minimum pass mark will be applied instead. This impact of this is that more students are likely to pass even if handing in up to 24 hours late which will reduce the need for reassessment marking and consideration through a Resit Assessment Board.
The Assessment Journey Programme is investigating the most suitable method and developing guidance for markers on how to identify which students should receive a capped mark and which have submitted late due to an approved extension.
Link to further information
The Policy is published on shuspace – Assessment and awards | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University
The revised Implementation Principles and Procedures for Summative Assessment will be published in the same location in due course.
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy
Examination Conduct Policy: use of calculators
Change effective from:
2017/18
Summary of change
From 2017/18, all calculators used in examinations must display an approved calculator sticker. Students will be informed in advance of starting their course that this is a requirement and that they must obtain an approval sticker from Faculty Helpdesks. This will help ensure the academic integrity of exams, and also allow students to use a calculator they are familiar with.
Link to further information
The Examination Conduct Policy is published on shuspace – Examinations and coursework | The University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations | Sheffield Hallam University
If you have any questions about student regulations and policies, email queries to ! Regulations and Policy