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Alternative Assessment Arrangements
Students – Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs have been provided from the information available at the date of publication. Dates and advice provided are subject to change. The University will endeavour to keep students up to date. Note: In addition to the advice provided below, students may also contact the
Students’ Union for support and advice. Descriptions of Key Terms 7-day Universal Extension Available to all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students for all assessments due on or after 16 March 2020 up to and including 30 September 2020. This allows students to submit up to 7 days later than the original assessment deadline, with no impact on their grade/mark. Some examinations and scheduled live online presentations may need to proceed as planned. Schools will contact students if this applies. Deferral Option All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students can apply to defer their assessments (without evidence) via the deferral option. Essentially, this is a long extension. The deadline for deferrals was Sunday 19 April 2020. Students who opted into the deferral option, will normally have their marks/grades considered at the following Assessment Boards:
August/September 2020 for first submissions (assessments)
January/February 2021 for reassessments (provisional time period, subject to change).
Schools will advise students of deadlines for assessments to be submitted/examinations to take place. Students who applied for the Deferral Option will also be considered via the No Detriment Approach at the relevant Progression & Award Assessment Board.
No Detriment Approach The No Detriment Approach is available at the following link, which also includes the new Academic Regulations for the Exceptional Management of Taught Awards: Covid-19 Pandemic, Assessment Regulations Pages
The No Detriment Approach acts as a safety net for calculating a student’s overall score for the year, acknowledging the exceptional circumstances and impact of COVID-19. This will be applied automatically to all taught students at the relevant Assessment/Reassessment Board. (Note: Courses and modules with Professional Statutory Regulatory Body accreditation may not be eligible to have the No Detriment Approach applied due to the specific requirements of the PSRB. Schools will advise students if this impacts on them. Professional Doctorate awards are graded on a pass/fail basis only and, therefore, the No Detriment Approach will not be applied.) A student’s profile of marks for the 2019/20 academic year up to 16 March 2020 (the introduction of an additional Reading Week) will form a student’s benchmark score for their overall year average. Assessments submitted on or after 16 March 2020 will still be considered, and the student’s final outcome for this academic year will be based on the higher of their benchmark score or overall score for the year/level. Students are expected to submit all assessments and successfully complete the requirements of their course (with PSRB variance where applicable). Students are required to achieve a minimum overall average pass mark for the year/level (40% for Levels 3-61 and 50% for Level 7)2 for the No Detriment Approach to apply. Students who applied for the Deferral Option will also be considered under the No Detriment Approach at the relevant Progression & Award Assessment Board. Support for Learning, Teaching and Assessment 1. What support will be in place to allow me to complete my assessments
as planned? The University has a vast range of support available. In addition to support from your Module and Course Leaders, additional support includes that available online from Student & Library Services and the Students’ Union. Wherever possible, we would encourage you to continue with your assessments and course, to enable you to complete your studies as planned and be awarded your degree. The University has given careful consideration
1 55% to progress from Level 5 to 6 and 6 to 7 on Integrated Masters courses 2 The minimum percentage achievement is not required for Higher National awards
to each module and developed alternative assessments to ensure your learning outcomes can be achieved. Visit the Learning Hub (http://libguides.tees.ac.uk/learning_hub) to find resources to support your online learning and to find details of workshops and activities that are being delivered online.
2. I have a student support plan. Will I continue to be provided with the
additional support if I choose to defer?
Your support plan will continue as normal. Please contact Student & Library Services [email protected]. If you have a disability, you can access support by contacting your Disability Adviser if you already have one, or emailing [email protected].
3. I am a L3/L4 student. I have heard that some universities are not requiring first year undergraduates to complete any further assessments. Why is Teesside continuing with assessments for those students? There are a wide range of different approaches being taken by universities across the UK, with many continuing with assessment for all levels. At Teesside, a key priority is your learning and assessment, and feedback is a very important part of this. Whilst the first year of your course does not count toward your final classification/grading, it plays a key role in preparing you to succeed in subsequent years.
4. I have to achieve a number of practice hours for my course, which I have
not yet completed. How will this be enabled? Please contact your Course Leader for further advice. 5. Will the 20-day turn around period for feedback still be applied? Will this
apply if I choose to defer? The University will endeavour to work to the 20-day turn around period on first
assessments for all students, but there may be some delay given the external circumstances. Your School will keep you informed of any delays where possible. There is no 20-day turn around for the reassessment period and again, your School will keep you informed.
No Detriment Approach, University 7-Day Extension and the Deferral Option
6. What does the No Detriment Approach mean for my assessment? It means that you will not be disadvantaged for any work you have submitted on or after 16 March 2020, the point at which the No Detriment Approach was introduced. This approach reflects national guidance from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the Office for Students and Professional Statutory Regulatory Bodies, as appropriate. (See also ‘Descriptions’ above.)
7. Why are students studying PSRB regulated courses not included in the
No Detriment Approach? The Approach notes that students studying PSRB regulated courses may not be able to be considered via the No Detriment Approach. This is because PSRB requirements vary and Schools will be able to inform you of this and how it will be managed.
8. Can I put in an application for an extension rather than defer as I feel I only need a little more time? If a longer period than 7 days is required, students can choose to apply for a long extension via the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations.
9. I would like to discuss the impact of a decision to apply for a long
extension with a member of academic staff before I make a final decision. How can I do this? Please read the full FAQs as you may find further answers to any outstanding questions you may have. If you still have outstanding questions, please contact your Course Leader. Additional support is available from Student & Library Services and the Students’ Union.
10. If I chose to defer or apply for a long extension, will there be any
financial implications? You should have received your third instalment from Student Loans Company (SLC) as normal if you chose to defer.
There will be no change to the funding available from SLC. If you chose to defer, your course length has not been extended, you have been given an extension as an individual student on your course.
SLC stated in their FAQs that students may be entitled to additional funding if their academic year is extended via the ‘Long Course Loan’ assessment. Eligibility for a ‘long course loan’ is defined by the Student Loans Company as “extended teaching beyond the normal end date for the course”. They, therefore, do not consider a delay in students handing in assessments to be a long course.
Teesside University does not have any courses which have had teaching extended to be eligible for a long course loan due to the impact of COVID-19.
The Student Loans Company will continue to update their ‘Current Student FAQs’, which we advise you read: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-current-students
If this has put you in financial hardship then you may be eligible to apply to the University Hardship Fund. Detail of the fund can be found at the following link: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/stud/money.cfm. You can also speak with a financial adviser by raising an enquiry.
11. Do I have a period of time in which to decide to apply for the Deferral
Option or apply for the Long Extension? The deadline for applications for the Deferral Option was Sunday 19 April 2020 for undergraduate students and postgraduate taught students. However, you can still make an application for a Long Extension through the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations (including Mitigating Circumstances) after this deadline using the current procedures.
12. If I defer my assessments, am I still required to engage with the
University and what support will be available? Students who have chosen to take the deferral option should continue to engage with the taught component of their courses, to the best of their ability between now and the deferred assessment period. Material will remain online during this period to allow students to revisit it before completing their assessment work. Your Course Leader and Student & Library Services can direct you to appropriate support mechanisms.
13. I am a January start student. How does the deferral option impact on
me? You were eligible to apply for the deferral option. Please seek further advice
from your Course Leader and advice in relation to Finance and Accommodation from Student & Library Services [email protected]. (See questions 8 and 9, above).
14. I already study through online learning. Was the deferral option available for me?
All students had the option to defer, including anyone engaged in online
learning. (See questions 8 and 9, above).
15. If chose to defer, when will my assessments take place? It is intended that the assessments/examinations will take place prior to the Assessment Boards in August/September 2020, however, this may change due to the pandemic. Students will be kept informed of developments and should keep in contact with their School for further updates.
16. I chose the Deferral Option and my circumstances have now changed and I want to submit the assessment/undertake the online assessment at the original time. Can I do this? You may submit your work at the standard time, even if you have chosen the Deferral Option. However, if you do this, it will be considered that your Deferral application has been withdrawn for the work that you submit. If all outstanding work is submitted by the original date, you will be considered at the Assessment Board as usual. If you only submit part of the outstanding work, it will be held until the point that all outstanding work is submitted and there is, therefore, a complete set of results to consider, at a later Assessment Board.
17. I chose the Deferral Option and I missed the original hand-in date, but
have now completed some of the work and wish to hand this in ahead of the later deadline. Can I do this and will it change the date when my assessment will be considered by an Assessment Board? If only part of the outstanding work is submitted, it will be held until the point that all outstanding work is submitted and there is a complete set of results to consider at a later Assessment Board, as detailed in the original information relating to the Deferral Option.
18. If I fail my deferred assessments, when will reassessment take place?
For students who commenced September 2019 starts, reassessment of failed assessments are expected to take place during the standard Semester 1 (2020/21) assessment period, prior to the Assessment Boards in January/February 2021. Your School will notify you of the details after the August Assessment Boards for students who have chosen the deferral option.
19. If I have chosen to defer and the pandemic restrictions are still in place for the indicated deferral period, what will happen?
The University will keep students informed of developments and advise
accordingly. 20. I am a Student on a Higher National Award. Will the deferral option
impact on my registration? The University will manage extensions with Pearson (under whom the
University offers HNC/D awards under licence) on a case-by-case basis. You should approach your School/College in the first instance.
21. If I choose to defer my assessment, will this affect my apprenticeship
funding? No, your funding will not be affected but you should contact your Course Leader to discuss further.
22. I am on a course with professional registration. If I chose to defer, will
there be any impact on my registration with my Professional Body? Please contact your Course Leader for further advice. The University will act on the advice provided by the relevant Professional Body.
23. I was due to go onto a placement next academic year/semester. What will the impact be on this if I chose to defer?
Please contact your Course Leader for further advice. 24. Will there be any impact on my Council Tax if I chose to defer? Will I
need to make any applications? Middlesbrough Council has confirmed that students who have deferred due to the Covid-19 outbreak can be given an extension to their Student Exemption for Council Tax. If you are applying for any other benefit with the Council you are unlikely to be eligible for this benefit. Please contact [email protected] to request an updated council tax letter, who will check with your School regarding your end date. To discuss your eligibility further or for more financial advice and information visit: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/stud/money.cfm. You can also speak with a Financial Adviser in SLS by raising an enquiry or alternatively you could contact the Students’ Union by email [email protected].
Once you have a new letter this should be uploaded to the Middlesbrough Council website: https://my.middlesbrough.gov.uk/AchieveForms/?mode=fill&consentMessage=yes&form_uri=sandbox-publish://AF-Process-719bd1ef-6f51-4b3c-922f-33dc54f1432a/AF-Stage-6ddc2c92-9fac-4948-8a5c-4e0515680494/definition.json&process=1&process_uri=sandbox-processes://AF-Process-719bd1ef-6f51-4b3c-922f-33dc54f1432a&process_id=AF-Process-719bd1ef-6f51-4b3c-922f-33dc54f1432a
25. Will there be any impact on my status as a student if I defer? You will still be a Teesside University student until you complete your studies
or you are withdrawn. However, your end date may be impacted. 26. I am a Masters student partway through/reaching the end of the first 120
(taught) credits, if I defer can I still start work on my Advanced Independent Work module?
Yes, the standard postgraduate taught assessment regulations exceptionally
allow you to proceed to the 60-credit Advanced Independent Work module
before you have completed all taught modules, at the discretion of the
Assessment Board. You will also require ethical clearance/approval. This
would be undertaken on the understanding that the option has been given by
the Board, but it is the student’s choice as to whether to undertake this.
Please contact your Course Leader.
27. Assistant Practitioner Apprentices: If I choose the deferral option, will
my assessment through my employment as an Assistant Practitioner in the workplace be affected? Possibly. When making the decision whether or not to defer your assessment you should consider the impact this may have on your ability to take up employment as an Assistant Practitioner. You should consider this carefully to make sure that you make the right decision so that this is not affected. If you are unsure, seek advice from your Employer and support from your Course Leader.
28. CMDA Apprentices (Cohort 2): If my assignment hand in date is already agreed as the 31st May, should I still do this? The University has given all students a universal 7-day extension and you also had the deferral option that could be applied for, but we advised that, if possible, you should aim to still submit your work as agreed with your Course Leader.
29. SLMDA Apprentices (Cohort 1): If my assignment hand in date is already agreed as the 18th May, should I still do this? The University has given all students a universal 7-day extension and you also had the deferral option that could be applied for, but we advised that, if possible, you should aim to still submit your work as agreed with your Course Leader.
Other Academic Regulations 30. Are there any changes to other University Regulations?
The other University regulations such as Academic Misconduct, Extenuating Circumstance, Academic Appeal, Fitness to Practise, Fitness to Study, Student Disciplinary and Student Complaints, will still apply however processes may be subject to amendment due to the current pandemic situation. Further information can be found in the ‘Temporary Changes to the Office of Student Complaints, Appeals & Regulations (OSCAR) Policies, Procedures and Regulations’ Policy available on the University General Regulations webpage.
Assessment Boards – Module, Progression and Award 31. I already have some provisional results from my Semester 1
assessments and I have failed some modules. What will be the impact be on my progression if I defer? The No Detriment Approach follows the standard Assessment Regulations in terms of reassessment. All students are offered a reassessment if they are unsuccessful following a first attempt. You will, therefore, be given an opportunity for reassessment in those modules. If you chose to defer, your reassessment will take place later in the academic year.
32. If I defer my assessment and subsequently fail my reassessment, what will be the impact on my progression? Dependent upon your level of failure and overall level/year average, the standard Assessment Regulations and No Detriment Approach allow Progression Assessment Boards the discretion to offer compensation up to a maximum of 40 credits. The Progression Assessment Board also has discretion to offer you the opportunity for Progression Under Provision (PUP). However, if your failure is more than half of the taught credits, it is possible that you may not be offered restudy and may be withdrawn from your course.
33. If I have already had mitigation approved for Semester 1 modules or have deferrals already in place prior to the current situation, is it possible for me to be granted automatic restudy in the June Assessment Boards so I don’t have to hand everything in for August? Will there be any financial implications? The Assessment & Progression Regulations do not permit an Assessment Board to offer automatic restudy until you have completed both the first assessment and reassessment and failed your module. Mitigation allows you to have a further first assessment and then reassessment, if needed, and this would need to take place before any decision on restudy could be made. Assessment Boards normally only consider restudy if you have failed after reassessment. If you have applied for the Deferral Option, August is the final deadline, however, you can hand the work in earlier, so this may be an option for you to avoid bunching your assessments. If your deferral/long extension is outwith the Deferral Option, you will have agreed a different submission point. Again, it would not be normal practice for an Assessment Board to offer restudy until you have failed both attempts at the module. There are likely to be financial implications for restudy and you should seek advice. Please contact Student & Library Services [email protected]. The question below may also be helpful to you.
34. Will restudy be available to me?
Restudy is offered by an Assessment Board. It is an opportunity for a student, with a module fail following reassessment, to attend (study) the module and attempt all the assessment components of the module, as if for the first time. This includes any assessment components that may have been passed on the first occasion. No restriction applies to the marks awarded and one further reassessment opportunity may be offered following failure on the module being restudied. The marks from the original attempt are discarded and cannot be retained if the restudy option is accepted. Under the standard Assessment & Progression Regulations, every student who does not successfully complete a module at the first attempt is provided with an opportunity to undertake reassessment in the failed module/component.
Where a student does not meet the requirements to progress following reassessment, an offer of restudy will depend upon the amount of success at the level of study: Where a student has achieved at least 60 out of the 120 credits at a level
(or at least 50% of the taught credits for taught masters awards) progression will be suspended and the student will be offered restudy.
Where a student has failed more than 60 credits (or more than 50% of the taught credits for taught masters awards) the decision to offer restudy will be at the discretion of the Progression/Award Assessment Board. Exceptionally, a Progression/Award Assessment Board may offer a student the opportunity to study a level as if for the first time. However a student may not restudy the whole of a taught masters award.
There may be financial and other implications of restudy and, therefore, students who are offered restudy should seek additional advice. Please contact Student & Library Services [email protected].
35. I have previously been notified of the date when my results will be
published. Will these still be released as planned?
As previously notified, in light of the pandemic, in order to ensure appropriate participation and that academic standards are protected, the University has taken the decision to delay publication of results by one week from the original notified date. Key dates for publication of results are now as follows: Level 6: Wednesday 1 July 2020 Non-level 6: Tuesday 7 July 2020 Postgraduate: Friday 17 July 2020
36. If I chose to defer, will this affect when I finish my course/graduate? We are unable to confirm this at present due to the unknown timeframe linked to the pandemic. It will also depend upon your success at your first attempt assessments. However the School/University will inform students as soon as possible.
International Student Queries 37. I am an international student. If I chose to defer my assessment to
August, what will be the impact on my visa/CAS? This depends on whether you are able to resume or complete your course within your current visa period and before your visa expires. Please contact [email protected] for further information about your visa expiry and completing your study within your current Tier 4 leave. If you are unable to return to your home country and submit online/remotely then you may be required to apply to extend your visa unless the UK Home Office confirm visas will be automatically extended. This information is not available at this stage but we will update information for international student on the University’s Covid-19 webpage as soon as we receive further details.
38. I am an international student but if I defer to August does this mean I
can’t work full-time in the summer? The summer break is not considered to be term-time so you can work full-time in accordance with UKVI visa permission. Students are permitted to work to supplement their income although you should be aware that working full-time may impact on your studies if completing these at the same time.
39. If I defer and need to extend my visa, will I get a new CAS?
The University will consider approval of a CAS for students if this is appropriate at the time depending on the length of study to be completed as there are other visa routes that may be more suitable.
40. What if my course end date is extended, will I have to pay for a new visa
fee as I don’t have the funds for this? There are alternative visa routes depending on the amount of study you need to do to complete your course and we recommend that you contact the International Advisers in Student & Library Services if you need to extend your visa. Please contact Student & Library Services [email protected].
41. What happens if I have a reassessment or restudy as my visa runs out in
September 2020? If you to have a reassessment or re-study and your visa has expired, you may need to apply for a new visa to return to the UK depending on when the re-study modules are delivered. If you need to re-sit then you may be able to complete this online/remotely from your home country so that you do not incur any further visa fees.
42. If I defer, can I work full-time as my home country’s border is closed so I
can’t go home? Permission to work is granted by the UK Home Office Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and this is currently 10 or 20 hours per week during term-time. A week for the purposes of work is defined as Monday to Sunday and students must adhere to their visa conditions. Please go to the University’s website for further details of the Semester dates.