1. Guide 5: Postgraduate regulations at Liverpool Hope
Liverpool Hope University
External Examiner Guidance: 2018
Guide 5: Postgraduate regulations at Liverpool Hope
University Registrar

2. Contents
1. Curriculum Structure slides Duration of Programmes slides Pass Marks, Reassessments and Retakes slides Marking Scales & Assessment Descriptors slides Award Classification Rules slides Mitigating Circumstances slides Academic Misconduct slide What will Board Transcripts Look Like? slides Implications for Externals slides And finally… slide 31

3. 1. Curriculum Structure (a)
Masters Degrees:
Modules to the value of 180 credits.
All modules must be at Level M[7].
Three main types:
single subject Masters
120 taught credits [normally at least 60 credits “core and exclusive”]
60 credits Dissertation [may begin before 120 credits taken or passed];
two-subject Masters
120 taught credits [60 from subject 1 & 60 from subject 2]
60 credits Dissertation integrating the 2 subjects;
MEd Professional Practice
180 credits taught modules.

4. 1. Curriculum Structure (b)
PGCEs:
Academic module[s] to the value of 60 credits, at Level M[7].
Professional work and professional practice [not credit-rated].
Postgraduate Diplomas:
Modules to the value of 120 credits, at Level M[7].
Postgraduate Certificates:
Modules to the value of 60 credits, at Level M[7].

5. 2. Duration of Programmes (a)
Masters Degrees [except MA Social Work and MEd Professional Practice]:
have the following normal expectations
students starting from Sept year ft or 2 years 1 term p/t;
students starting before Sept year ft or 3 years p/t;
“End Dates” can be extended by Boards of Examiners on the basis of retakes, resubmissions , deferrals or interruptions, up to
3 years ft or 5 years p/t;
the Vice Chancellor needs to approve any further extension, via Registrar;
students starting from September pay an extension fee for any End Date Extension not due to valid mitigating circumstances.

6. 2. Duration of Programmes (b)
MEd Professional Practice:
As for standard Masters degrees EXCEPT that the normal duration is 9 academic terms -
the degree is only available part-time
students do 180 credits of taught modules instead of 120 credits plus a 60-credit Dissertation.

7. 2. Duration of Programmes (c)
MA Social Work:
has the following normal expectations
2 years full-time;
“End Dates” can be extended by Boards of Examiners on the basis of retakes, resubmissions , deferrals or interruptions, up to
5 years full-time;
the Vice Chancellor needs to approve any further extension, via Registrar;
students starting from September pay an extension fee for any End Date Extension not due to valid mitigating circumstances.

8. 2. Duration of Programmes (d)
PGCEs:
have the following normal expectations
1 year full-time;
“End Dates” can be extended by Boards of Examiners on the basis of retakes, resubmissions , deferrals or interruptions, up to
3 years [but more than 2 is exceptional];
the Vice Chancellor needs to approve any further extension, via Registrar.

9. 2. Duration of Programmes (e)
Postgraduate Diplomas:
have the following normal expectations
2 semesters [or equivalent] full-time;
4 semesters [or equivalent] part-time;
“End Dates” can be extended by Boards of Examiners on the basis of retakes, resubmissions , deferrals or interruptions, up to 4 years;
the Vice Chancellor needs to approve any further extension, via Registrar.
Postgraduate Certificates:
1 semester [or equivalent] full-time;
2 semesters [or equivalent] part-time;
“End Dates” can be extended by Boards of Examiners on the basis of retakes, resubmissions , deferrals or interruptions, up to 3 years;

10. 3. Pass Marks, Reassessments and Retakes (a)
Module Pass Marks:
students who started from September
Grade C [no compensation of marks below F+];
students who started before September
modules taken before 2015/ [unlimited compensation of fail marks],
modules taken from 2015/ [no compensation of marks below 35].
Note students remain on the ‘old’ mark schemes.

11. 3. Pass Marks, Reassessments and Retakes (b)
Reassessment Entitlements:
normally can only resubmit if module aggregate is 25+;
BUT if module failed due to academic misconduct, normally cannot resubmit irrespective of the module aggregate.
Capping following Reassessment:
assessment mark uncapped, but module aggregate is either capped at 50/40 or frozen at its value from initial assessment [whichever is the higher] -
students resubmitting a dissertation might see 84 for the resubmission but an overall capped 50 for the dissertation module.

12. 3. Pass Marks, Reassessments and Retakes (c)
Retake Entitlements:
retake normally required if
module aggregate was <25 OR
module was failed due to academic misconduct;
a failed retaken module can ONLY be redeemed by resubmission [but entitlements in previous slide apply];
What Students Retake:
normally, EITHER the module they failed OR, if the module was optional, an alternative, to the same credit value
a failed alternative is treated in the same way as a failed retake;
retaking a Dissertation means starting a new Dissertation, with supervision.

13. 3. Pass Marks, Reassessments and Retakes (d)
Capping of Retakes [and Alternative Takes]:
if the original fail was due to nonsubmission or academic misconduct, the aggregate for the retaken/alternative module is capped at 40/50;
otherwise no capping.
Retake Fees:
students who started before September
no retake fee;
students who started from September
retake fee charged per module.

14. 4. Marking Scales and Assessment Descriptors (a)
Marking Scale for Post- Sept 2015 Starters
Work that has Passed
A++ 92 Pass with Distinction (High) Module aggregate will appear as PD
A+ 84 Pass with Distinction (Middle) Module aggregate will appear as PD
A 76 Pass with Distinction (Low) Module aggregate will appear as PD
B+ 68 Pass with Merit (High) Module aggregate will appear as PM
B 64 Pass with Merit (Low) Module aggregate will appear as PM
C+ 58 Pass (High) Module aggregate will appear as P
C 54 Pass (Low) Module aggregate will appear as P
Work that has NOT Passed
F+ 47 Marginal Fail
F 37 Clear Fail
F- 27 Comprehensive
WF 12 Weak Fail
U 2 Unclassified

15. 4. Marking Scales and Assessment Descriptors (b)
Marking Scale for Pre- Sept 2015 Starters
Work that has Passed
A Distinction standard; module grade PD
A Distinction standard; module grade PD
B Merit standard; module grade PM
B Merit standard; module grade PM
C Pass standard; module grade P
C Pass standard; module grade P
D Pass standard; module grade P
E Pass standard; module grade P
Work that has NOT Passed
F Marginal Fail [condoned if module aggregate is 40+]
F Clear Fail [cannot be condoned]
F Comprehensive Fail [no resit if mod. agg. in this band]
U Unclassified Fail [no resit if mod. agg. in this band]
0 NS/FL/PL etc [no resit if mod. agg. in this band]
0 M [assessment deferred due to mit. circumstances]

16. 4. Marking Scales and Assessment Descriptors (c)
University-wide descriptors available for each grade:
Faculties/Departments may adapt.
Descriptors ensure that New Pass Mark Rules do NOT disadvantage students, for example:
University-wide descriptors for a Bare Pass of 50 for post Sept students match those for a Bare Pass of 40 for earlier students;
University-wide descriptors for Compensation Threshold of 40 for post Sept students match those for Compensation Threshold of 35 for earlier students.

17. 5. Award Classification Rules (a)
Overview
students are entitled to an award per se if they have enough credits including Accreditation of Prior Learning/Recognition of Prior Learning
180 credits including APL/RPL entitles them to a Master degree
120 credits including APL/RPL entitles them to a PG Diploma
60 credits including APL/RPL entitles them to a PG Certificate;
all PGT awards can be made with Merit or Distinction;
eligibility for Merit or Distinction is based solely on modules completed at this University.

18. 5. Award Classification Rules (b)
Masters Degrees [students who began before Sept 2015]:
overall aggregate mark is NOT used;
Distinction is mandatory if student has PD [70+] for 180 credits;
Distinction is discretionary if student has PD for credits
convention is only to award if PD for the Dissertation
if P/PM for 60 credits, PD needed for everything else to get a Distinction;
if P/PM for >60 credits, student CANNOT get a Distinction
getting 40 instead of 55 for a module will have no impact;
Merit is mandatory if student has PM [60+] for 180 credits;
Merit is discretionary if student has PM for credits
convention is only to award if PM for the Dissertation OR Dissertation is near PM & student has PDs on taught modules.

19. 5. Award Classification Rules (c)
Masters Degrees, not MEd (students who began from Sept 2015) [i]:
Merits & Distinctions only if 120+credits are from Hope;
Distinction mandatory if PD[70+] for the Dissertation & overall aggregate;
If overall aggregate is 65-69
Distinction if aggregate is & student gets 70+ for 50% of marks including Dissertation OR aggregate is & student gets 84+ for 50% of marks including Dissertation
if aggregate from 1st 60 credits is 63, Distinction is still possible
getting 50 instead of 75 for a module makes Distinction less likely;
If overall aggregate is 70+ and Dissertation is below 70
Distinction if Dissertation is 68.

20. 5. Award Classification Rules (d)
Masters Degrees (students who began from Sept 2015) [ii]:
Merit is mandatory if PM[60+] for the Dissertation & overall aggregate.
If overall aggregate is 55+
Merit if aggregate is & student gets 60+ for 50% of marks including Dissertation OR aggregate is & student gets 65+ for 50% of marks including Dissertation
If overall aggregate is 60+ and Dissertation is below 60
Merit if Dissertation is 58.

21. 5. Award Classification Rules (e)
PGCEs [i]:
Academic award based on 60-credit academic module;
QTS recommendation based on 0-credit professional module;
postgraduate award [possibly with Merit/Distinction] if academic assessments satisfy level M[7] criteria; graduate award if academic assessments reach Level H[6] criteria;
possible outcomes:
Postgraduate Certificate with Distinction (with QTS recommendation)
Postgraduate Certificate with Distinction (without QTS recommendation)
Postgraduate Certificate with Merit (with QTS recommendation)
Postgraduate Certificate with Merit (without QTS recommendation)
Postgraduate Certificate (with QTS recommendation)
Postgraduate Certificate (without QTS recommendation)
Professional Graduate Certificate (with QTS recommendation).

22. 5. Award Classification Rules (f)
PGCEs [ii]:
Distinction is mandatory if:
the aggregate academic mark is 70+ [with at least one mark of 70+ and no mark below 60];
Distinction is discretionary [and normally awarded] if:
the aggregate academic mark is 69 [with at least one mark of 70+ and no mark below 60];
Merit is mandatory if:
the aggregate academic mark is 60+ [with at least one mark of 60+ and no mark below 50];
Merit is discretionary [and normally awarded] if:
the aggregate academic mark is 59 [with at least one mark of 60+ and no mark below 50].

23. 5. Award Classification Rules (g)
MEd, PGDips and PG Certs:
Merits & Distinctions only if 120[MEd]/90[PGD]/45[PGC] credits are from Hope.
Distinction mandatory if 70+ for the overall aggregate.
If overall aggregate is 65-69
Distinction if aggregate is & student gets 70+ for 50% of marks OR aggregate is & student gets 84+ for 50% of marks.
Merit mandatory if 60+ for the overall aggregate.
If overall aggregate is 55-59
Distinction if aggregate is & student gets 60+ for 50% of marks OR aggregate is & student gets 65+ for 50% of marks.

24. 6. Mitigating Circumstances: students who think they are not fit to sit
Outline
They should apply for a concession:
extension [mark available at the Board];
deferral of assessment [no mark until the next Board – M grade shown];
deferred take with attendance [no mark until a later Board – MT grade];
interruption of study;
special assessment arrangements / alternative assessments.
Once a concession has been granted, the work is assessed as normal.
Detailed policies on the University’s website cover valid grounds, type of evidence required, procedures, and responsibility for granting requests.
Cases should have been dealt with before the Board.
Implications for Externals
You are not directly involved, but make sure that the Board seeks an assurance that any M or MT grade has been arrived at via due process.

25. 7. Academic Misconduct Outline Implications for Externals
Detailed policies on the University’s website cover penalties and procedures.
Cases should have been dealt with before the Board.
Cases identified on Board transcripts by “PL” or “PR” grades.
“PR” means “offer a resubmission despite the normal penalty”.
Mark is 0, unless misconduct was in one part of a multi-part Portfolio.
48PL means “student passes the Portfolio despite 0 for one part, but further misconduct would be treated as a repeated offence,”.
Boards accept recommendations as long as due process has been followed.
Implications for Externals
Make sure that the Board seeks an assurance that any PL or PR grade has been arrived at via due process.
If you suspect misconduct, notify the Assessment Co-ordinator asap,
and ask for the matter to be investigated by due process.

26. 8. What will Board Transcripts look like?
Issued electronically no later than the day before the Board; best displayed via laptop or iPad.
You may get a paper copy on the day.
Example on the next slide.

27. . General information about student
Grades and marks for assessments; grades, marks and results for modules. Qualitative assessments carry standard grades and marks. .
Progression recommendation
Award classification recommendation, with rationale

28. 9. Some Implications for Externals (a)
General:
make sure that threshold standards have remained the same despite the pass mark changing from 40 on the pre 2015 regulations to Grade C on post 2015 regulations.
Masters Degrees [students who started from September 2015]:
pay particular attention to Dissertations and Research Projects;
for fails, make sure that -
work below F+ is too poor to be compensated,
module aggregates below 25 reflect performance too poor to warrant a resit;
for passes, make sure you are confident that work is suitably placed into the “high” or “low” part of each band;
remember that the highest category starts at 84
if you think markers use a notional maximum of 76, say so!

29. 9. Some Implications for Externals (b)
Masters Degrees [students who started before September 2015]:
pay particular attention to Dissertations and Research Projects;
for fails, make sure that -
work below F+ is too poor to be compensated,
module aggregates below 25 reflect performance too poor to warrant a resit;
for passes, make sure you are confident about the Pass/Merit/Distinction category awarded for each module -
awarding a module 69 instead of 70 might have a significant effect on the student’s eligibility for a Distinction.

30. 9. Some Implications for Externals (c)
PGCEs [academic credits]:
make sure you are confident about the broad level of a student’s achievement:
pass at level M[7],
pass at level H[6],
below pass standard at Level H[6];
for fails, make sure that -
work below F+ is too poor to be compensated,
module aggregates below 25 reflect performance too poor to warrant a resit;
for passes, make sure you are confident about the Pass/Merit/Distinction category given to each assessment.

31. 9. And finally… We hope you have found this presentation useful.
If you have any queries please Dr Cathy Walsh [University Registrar] at