University of Portsmouth – BSc (Hons) in Computing

Final Year Programme

Assessment and Examination Regulations

Upon Completion of the Programme, Candidates will be awarded the Bachelor of Science BSc (Hons) in Computing by the University of Portsmouth, UK

1. Module Weighting

The weighting is 30% for coursework and 70% for the final examination. The project module will be based on 100%.

2. Criteria for Passing a Module

The pass mark for an examinable module is an aggregate mark of 40%. A candidate who may record a considerably lower mark than 40% in one component of the module (either coursework or exam) but achieve 40% overall component will still pass the module. Failure to attempt one component of the module (either coursework or exam) will result in a failure in that module. As such, the candidate needs to Refer the component in the subsequent term which he/she failed. The candidate will have to Reunit the module if the status is Refer or Reunit, prior to taking the examination. i.e. the candidate must :

2.1 Attempt both the coursework & exam component AND

2.2 Obtain a minimum 40% aggregate

Note: Candidates must fulfil BOTH requirements (2.1 & 2.2) to pass a module.

3. Criteria for Passing the Project.

Candidates must achieve a minimum of 40% to pass the project.

4. Results Issued

Results will be released in terms of grades.

5. Grading System.

Marks (%) Grade

70 and above A

60-69 B

50-59 C

40-49 D

39 and below F

6. Credits

Full credits will be awarded to the candidate upon passing each module.

7. Award Degree Classification

Overall Average

FIRST CLASS HONOURS 70% - 100%

SECOND CLASS HONOURS: UPPER DIVISION 60% - 69%

SECOND CLASS HONOURS: LOWER DIVISION 50% - 59%

THIRD CLASS HONOURS 40% - 49%

To be considered for the award of a degree with honours, a candidate must achieve at least 120 credits overall.

The Exam Board may, at its discretion and either before or subsequent to compensation and referral, offer the award of a Pass degree to a graduating candidate should the candidate achieve at least 80 credits overall. The graduating candidate may choose not to accept the award but to be referred or to repeat the assessment for a Degree with Honours.

8. Overall Average

The overall mark used in the assessment for honours classification is calculated as a weighted average, rounded to the nearest integer and provided the candidate has 120 credit points. The calculation is based on the mark the candidate attains throughout his course of study. If a candidate receives a "Fail" mark on a module and subsequently retakes the module and obtains a pass mark, then this mark will be used in the computation of the Overall Average.

The Formula will thus be as follows:

Sum of each module's (aggregate marks * credits) / 120 credits = Overall Average

9. Referrals

Referred coursework or examinations are allowed only once per module and the candidate must take the referred paper during the subsequent term. Otherwise he/she will be considered as a reunit and will be required to register for the module again. This rule is strictly enforced and all candidates must be aware of it.

Depending on the decision of the Exam Board, a candidate may take a ranzetta exam paper (an exam paper sat in the previous term) or a new exam paper in the subsequent term. In order to pass the module the candidate must attain the minimum mark of 60% in the ranzetta exam or 40% in the new exam.

Failure in coursework with overall marks of less than 40% will result in the candidate having to resubmit an improved version of the failed coursework or submission of new coursework by a stipulated date at the discretion of the Exam Board. In order to pass the module, the candidate must attain the minimum mark of 60% in the resubmitted coursework or 40% in the new coursework.

A candidate who has failed his project may be given a Refer grade and will be advised by the project supervisor to submit an improved version of his project within 2 terms.

The aggregate mark recorded for the Refer module will not be greater than 40% should the candidate pass the Refer component.

10. Reunit

Reunit requires a candidate to register for the module again and resit both the course and the examination. There are 4 situations where a candidate may reunit. They are :

a. when he/she fail a refer module

b. when he/she does not take a refer paper by the subsequent term.

c. when a reunit candidate fails the examination paper.

d. when a candidate fails his project and needs to do a new project.

11. Defer

Candidates are allowed to defer their examinations based strictly on three criteria:

a. males required to perform National Service on the exam dates.

b. medical certificates accompanied by Doctors' letter of recommendation stating unfit for exam. However, the final decision of approving the MCs submitted by students lies at the discretion of the Exam Board.

c. compassionate leave.

Candidates are allowed to defer for only one term * after which he/she must take the deferred modules in the subsequent term. The centre must enforce this rule. Candidates wanting to defer for more than one term consecutively will need to write in to apply, with supporting documents. Such applications are subjected to approval by Informatics Testing and Certification Business.

*For example, if a candidate wants to defer a paper from the April 2002 exam, he/she must take the paper in the August 2002 exam.

12. Appeal.

A candidate may appeal in writing to the Board of Examiners within the stipulated schedule and examination term concerned.

Students with exceptional extenuating circumstances which have affected their performance in examination and/or coursework may appeal.

Exceptional extenuating circumstances include:

1. your own serious illness or accident

2. the death or serious illness of a very close relative

3. a serious family or personal problem

4. unexpected changes in your job

5. severe financial problems (beyond those normally experienced by students)

6. an unexpected or serious difficulty on the day of an examination

7. a sudden deterioration of a chronic health condition

An appeal on matters of academic judgement, for example, the standard of the examination script marking may not be accepted for consideration. The decision of the Board is final.

The student cannot appeal against a non-submission or late submission of coursework whereby his/her request for an extension of the work has been refused (unless it is due to the nature or timing of the coursework).

Non-exceptional extenuating circumstances include:

1. a minor illness

2. normal work commitments

3. normal family commitments

4. chronic or long-standing illness

5. a special need which has been taken account of in the teaching and assessment of module(s)

6. pressure of work arising from re-assessment

An on-line appeal form is available and a fee of USD45 is charged for every module appeal. The deadline for appeal is two weeks after the release of exam results. Late appeals after this stipulated duration will not be entertained.

13. Duration of Completion.

A candidate must successfully complete all requirements of the programme within 3 calendar years from the day of joining the course.