Acad e m i c

Re g u l ati o ns
 Academic Regulations

Reference Number: AQ_05

Academic Regulations
Edition Date: 18 March 2021

Revision History
Version Last revised Next Document Owner Notes
review
date
AQ05 25th April 2012 31 March 2013 Head of Quality Assurance Replacing the Academic
Quality Assurance Manual
(AQAM)
AQ05_a01 14th September 31 March 2013 Head of Quality Assurance Minor amendments
2012
AQ05_a02 16th April 2013 31 March 2014 Head of Quality Assurance Reviewed and updated
AQ05_a03 12th October 2013 31 March 2014 Head of Quality Assurance Reviewed and updated
AQ05_a04 6th December 2013 31 March 2014 Head of Quality Assurance Updated with new house style
AQ05_a05 30th May 2014 30 June 2015 Head of Quality Assurance Updated definitions and
added Digi Qualification
Regulations Appendix
AQ05_a06 4 September 2015 30 March 2016 Head of Quality Assurance Reviewed and Updated
AQ05_a07 4 January 2016 30 June 2016 Quality Assurance Manager Updated
AQ05_a08 30 March 2016 30 June 2017 Quality Assurance Manager Reviewed and updated;
replaced QCF with RQF
AQ_05_a09 17 May 2016 30 June 2017 Quality Assurance Manager Updated: removal of
Approved Centre references.
Replaced IFY with IFDHES
AQ_05_a10 12 April 2018 30 June 2019 Head of Quality Assurance Reviewed and Updated
AQ_05_a11 14 June 2019 30 June 2020 Head of Quality and Compliance Reviewed and Updated
AQ_05-a12 18 March 2021 30 June 2022 Head of Quality and Compliance Full review and update

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Contents
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1. Purpose of the Academic Regulations.......................................................................................... 5
1.2. The Definitive Statement .................................................................................................................... 5
1.3. Applicability .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4. Adherence Statement .......................................................................................................................... 5
1.5. Communications .................................................................................................................................... 5
2. List of NCC Education Qualifications..................................................................................................... 6
3. Regulation and Frameworks ..................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. Reference Frameworks....................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1. Regulated Qualifications Framework ................................................................................... 7
3.1.2. European Qualifications Framework .................................................................................... 7
3.2. Credit .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.3. Total Qualification Time ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.4. Level Descriptors ................................................................................................................................... 8
4. Centre Standards........................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1. Centre Regulations ............................................................................................................................... 9
A: Centre Management and Governance ............................................................................................ 9
B: Quality Assurance Systems ................................................................................................................. 9
C: Facilities ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
D: Staff ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
4.2. Centre Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 10
4.3. Centre Sanctions ................................................................................................................................. 10
5. Entry Requirements .................................................................................................................................... 11
5.1.1. Work Experience ........................................................................................................................ 11
5.1.2. English Language ...................................................................................................................... 11
5.2. Direct Entry ............................................................................................................................................ 11
5.3. Exemptions ............................................................................................................................................ 12
6. Candidate Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities ............................................................................ 12
6.1. Candidate Rights ................................................................................................................................. 12
6.2. Candidate Responsibilities .............................................................................................................. 12
7. Assessment Regulations .......................................................................................................................... 13
7.1. Purpose of Assessment .................................................................................................................... 13
7.2. Language of Assessment ................................................................................................................ 13
7.3. Marking and Moderation ................................................................................................................... 13
7.4. Assessment criteria ............................................................................................................................ 13

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7.5. Word/time limits.................................................................................................................................... 13
7.6. Submission of Assessment ............................................................................................................. 13
7.7. Statement of Confirmation of Own Work ................................................................................... 14
7.8. Extensions to Assessment Deadlines ......................................................................................... 14
7.9. Reassessment ...................................................................................................................................... 14
7.10. Pre-assessment Special Considerations .............................................................................. 14
7.11. Post-Assessment Special Considerations ............................................................................ 14
7.12. Conflicts of Interest ........................................................................................................................ 15
7.13. Conduct of Examinations............................................................................................................. 15
8. Awarding Authorities .................................................................................................................................. 15
8.1. Assessment Boards ........................................................................................................................... 15
8.2. Academic Board................................................................................................................................... 15
8.3. Chair of Examiners ............................................................................................................................. 16
9. Results and Notification ............................................................................................................................ 16
9.1. Notification of Results and Award ................................................................................................. 16
9.2. Revoking Results................................................................................................................................. 16
9.3. Classification ......................................................................................................................................... 16
9.4. Eligibility for Certification .................................................................................................................. 17
9.5. Permission to Proceed Carrying Fails......................................................................................... 17
10. Post-Results Services (including Appeals) .................................................................................... 18
10.1. Grounds for Post-Results Services and Appeals............................................................... 18
10.2. Submission ........................................................................................................................................ 18
10.3. Investigation ...................................................................................................................................... 18
11. Academic Misconduct and Assessment Offences ..................................................................... 19
11.1. Definitions ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
11.2. Academic Misconduct ................................................................................................................... 19
11.3. Investigating Academic Misconduct ........................................................................................ 19
11.4. Sanctions ........................................................................................................................................... 19
11.5. Malpractice and Maladministration .......................................................................................... 20
11.6. Reviews of Academic Misconduct Penalties ....................................................................... 20
Appendix A – Variations to Academic Regulations for Digi-Qualifications ..................................... 21
Glossary .................................................................................................................................................................... 24

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1. Introduction
1.1. Purpose of the Academic Regulations

This document explains the regulations which relate to the delivery, assessment and
awarding of NCC Education qualifications, constituting a framework for academic standards.

1.2. The Definitive Statement

NCC Education is recognised as an awarding body in England by the Office of Qualifications

and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), and by the Welsh Government in Wales
(Qualifications in Wales (QIW)). Ofqual is a non-ministerial department of the UK
government and is accountable directly to Parliament. NCC Education is subject to, and
abides by, Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition, which are available through their
website: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofqual-handbook).

NCC Education, in accordance with these Academic Regulations, Ofqual’s General

Conditions of Recognition, and the direction of its Academic Board, is empowered to
determine:

• the content of qualifications and programmes of study

• the assessment strategy for qualifications
• the terms and conditions under which its qualifications are awarded.

NCC Education is also empowered under these same authorities to refuse or revoke any
qualification for good reason, including academic misconduct and malpractice.

1.3. Applicability

These regulations are applicable with immediate effect on the publication date and may be
changed from time to time. These regulations apply to existing and new NCC Education
qualifications.

1.4. Adherence Statement

Centres agree to abide by these regulations as part of their contractual arrangement with
NCC Education. Centres who do not abide by these regulations will be subject to sanctions,
up to and including termination of their agreement and disaccreditation. The sanctions which
may be imposed on Centres are outlined in NCC Education’s Centre Sanctions Policy.

By registering on NCC Education qualifications at Centres, candidates are indicating that

they agree to abide by these regulations. Centres should ensure that students have read
and understand these regulations before commencing their first assessments.

Candidates who cannot abide by these regulations for whatever reason should inform their
Centre before registering and commencing their studies. Candidates who do not abide by
these regulations may be subject to penalties as outlined in the Academic Misconduct
Policy.

1.5. Communications

NCC Education will not normally communicate directly with candidates, and all
communication must be through the candidate’s Centre. The only exceptions to this are

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circumstances when a Centre is non-contactable (including where they have ceased to
operate), or when the candidate wishes to allege malpractice on the part of the Centre or a
member of staff at the Centre (for further information, see NCC Education’s Whistleblowing
Policy).

2. List of NCC Education Qualifications

NCC Education’s main suite of qualifications consists of Ofqual regulated qualifications at
levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, computing qualifications at Key Stages 1-4 (Digi), unregulated level 6
and pre-masters programmes, and CPD accredited short courses/certificates.

The regulations in the body of this document apply to NCC Education’s regulated
qualifications and the unregulated Level 6 Diploma in Business Strategy and Management.
Separate regulations for Digi qualifications are provided in Appendix A. For guidelines on the
delivery of short courses, please see the Short Courses Guide 2020/21.

NCC Education’s regulated qualifications are:

• Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ)
• Level 3 Diploma in Computing
• Level 3 Diploma in Business
• Level 3 International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies
• Level 4 Diploma in Computing
• Level 5 Diploma in Computing
• Level 4 Diploma in Business
• Level 5 Diploma in Business
• Level 7 Diploma in Business Management

Unregulated qualifications:
• Level 6 Diploma in Business Strategy and Management
• Pre-masters in Business

NCC Education’s computing qualifications at Key Stages 1-4:

• Digi Explorers
• Digi Navigators
• Digi Trailblazers
• Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ) “Digi Award”

Short Courses/Certificates:
• Data Science
• Cyber Security
• Computer Basics
• Fundamentals for Professional Development
• Applied Skills Certificate in Computing

NCC Education also offers programmes and qualifications which are validated and awarded
by University partners. Such qualifications operate under the Academic Regulations of the
awarding university.

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3. Regulation and Frameworks
3.1. Reference Frameworks
3.1.1. Regulated Qualifications Framework

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is maintained by the Office of Qualifications

and Examination Regulation (Ofqual) in England. NCC Education’s regulated qualifications
are listed on Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications (http://register.ofqual.gov.uk),
along with their level and a link to the Qualification Specification document.

3.1.2. European Qualifications Framework

The RQF is formally mapped to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) as part of the
Council of Europe’s transferability strategy. The EQF relates different countries' national
qualifications systems to a common European reference framework. Individuals and
employers can use the EQF to better understand and compare the qualifications levels of
different countries and different education and training systems. More information is
available from: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean.

3.2. Credit

A framework for credit accumulation and transfer is intended to enable candidates’ learning
to be recognised and quantified; enable candidates, potential employers and others to
assess the value of each unit in terms of level and amount of learning; and to facilitate the
transfer of credit between different qualifications of NCC Education and those offered by
other institutions.

The number of credits per qualification will vary, but a typical qualification which can be
achieved in one year of full-time study will be rated at 120 credits. One credit is
representative of 10 hours of study, regardless of whether that study is guided or
independent.

In terms of size, NCC Education Qualification Credits are equivalent to CATS (Credit
Accumulation and Transfer System) which is used by UK Higher Education Institutions.
These both differ from the European standards, ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
Two RQF or CATS credits are equivalent to one ECTS credit.

3.3. Total Qualification Time

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is comprised of two elements;

(a) Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are the number of recommended contact hours for the
qualification which NCC Education specifies within the Qualification Specification
and/or Student Handbook;
(b) An estimate of the number of hours a Learner will reasonably spend in preparation,
study or any other form of participation in education or training, including assessment
which takes place as directed but not under direct Guidance or Supervision.

For RQF qualifications, TQT is listed on Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications

(http://register.ofqual.gov.uk). While TQT should be consistent between all learners, it is
acknowledged that GLH may vary from student to student and country to country due to the
individual demands of students and locally preferred methods of tuition.

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3.4. Level Descriptors

The levels of NCC Education qualifications are based on those of the Regulated
Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England. These are shown in the table below, along with
common qualification titles and a comparison to the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications (FHEQ) within which UK universities operate.

Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

(FHEQ)
2 GCSE grades A*-C ~ ~
3 A-Level, Foundation Year 3 Access to HE Diploma
4 Diploma 4 Honours degree Year 1, CertHE
5 Advanced/Higher Diploma 5 Honours degree Year 2, DipHE
6 Graduate Diploma 6 Honours degree Year 3
7 Postgraduate Diploma 7 PgCert, PgDip, Master’s degree
8 Doctorate

Level desciptors can be found in the Ofqual Handbook:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofqual-handbook/section-e-design-and-development-of-
qualifications

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4. Centre Standards
4.1. Centre Regulations

When a Centre is accredited by NCC Education, this is a confirmation that the required
standards have been met. NCC Education requires accredited Centres to maintain those
standards, and to adopt an approach of continual improvement to quality matters.

Every NCC Education Centre is expected to follow the regulations in this section at all times
to ensure the integrity and security of qualifications is maintained and not brought into
disrepute.

A: Centre Management and Governance

A1: Centre is solvent and financially sound.

A2: Centre is legally operating and holds necessary government licences.

A3: Centre has all necessary government or regulatory approval to offer NCC Education
qualifications.

A4: Centre maintains high ethical standards with respect to equal opportunities and
eliminating discrimination.

B: Quality Assurance Systems

B1: Centre has a Malpractice and Maladministration Policy in place to minimise the risk
of malpractice occurring. There is a clear process in place to investigate and deal with
suspected malpractice in an open, fair and effective manner.

B2: Centre has procedures in place to ensure the secure and fair delivery of
assessments.

B3: Centre has policies and procedures in place to support candidates requesting
special considerations in their assessments

B4: Centre has procedures in place for candidates to formally complain, and to enquire,
question or appeal assessment decisions.

C: Facilities

C1: Centre complies with local health and safety legislation.

C2: Centre has appropriate facilities and procedures in place to ensure the secure and
fair delivery of assessments1

C3: Centre has facilities appropriate to the mode of teaching/delivery of the qualification

1Facilities requirements for Accredited Centres and specific qualifications are published on NCC
Education’s website.

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D: Staff

D1: Head of Centre (who has operational control and accountability) must be
appropriately qualified. NCC Education must always be notified of any changes to the
Head of Centre.

D2: Centre Co-ordinator (the person responsible for the day-to-day running of NCC
Education qualifications and teaching programmes) must be appropriately qualified.
NCC Education must always be notified of any changes to the Centre Co-ordinator.

D3: Centre has enough qualified and competent staff to deliver and assess the
qualification

D4: Centre has a way of collecting feedback from candidates to help identify areas of
improvements in the student learning experience

4.2. Centre Monitoring

NCC Education carries out annual monitoring of Centres to ensure that Centres are
maintaining compliance with the Centre Regulations as set out in 4.1 above. NCC Education’s
appointed Academic Development Manager for a Centre’s region will review performance
statistics and areas of concern or improvement in a comprehensive report. At the end of the
process, the Academic Development Manager and Centre will agree on an action plan for the
Centre and NCC Education to resolve any issues identified in the report. Monitoring can be
carried out as part of a visit to a Centre, or remotely.

NCC Education may also carry out ad-hoc Centre visits where we feel this is necessary to
give assurances that the Centre is operating in line with these regulations. NCC Education
reserves the right to conduct visits at short notice or with no prior notice.

For more information, please consult NCC Education’s Centre Monitoring Policy.

4.3. Centre Sanctions

NCC Education reserves the right to apply sanctions to a Centre, up to and including
disaccreditation, where a Centre fails to maintain standards and does not develop a credible
action plan for improvement, as well as any Centres which breach any part of these
regulations. For further information, please refer to NCC Education’s Centre Sanctions
Policy.

For details of responsibilities of Centres delivering Short Courses, consult the Short Courses
Guide 2020-21.

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5. Entry Requirements
The overriding principle of entry to each qualification will be the expectation that the potential
candidate will be able to derive benefit from study, to fulfil the objectives of the qualification
and, through NCC Education assessment, demonstrate achievement to the standard
required for the award.

All NCC Education candidates should satisfy the entry requirements as defined in the
relevant Qualification Specification. This may be audited by NCC Education during the
Centre Monitoring process.

5.1.1. Work Experience

Certain NCC Education qualifications accept work experience for admission within certain
criteria. Details of the acceptability and criteria for admission by work experience can be
found in the relevant Qualification Specification.

5.1.2. English Language

All NCC Education qualifications are taught and assessed in English. This means that all
candidates who are not native English speakers will be expected to demonstrate that they
can satisfy the level of competence required at their level of study. Candidates may
demonstrate this through an appropriate recognised certification (e.g. IELTS.)

For guidance, the typical levels of English Language ability required are:

• IELTS 4.5 for preparatory or bridging programmes which include the teaching of
English as a Foreign Language2;
• IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for Level 4 entry;
• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for Level 7 entry.

However, there may be different English Language requirements applied on some

qualifications, and the definitive standard is set out in the relevant Qualification Specification.

5.2. Direct Entry

NCC Education may, at its discretion, grant admission to a qualification on the grounds of
qualifications and/or programmes of study which are not normally recognised as the
academic entry requirements for that qualification. This is known as Direct Entry.

Requests for Direct Entry must be presented on the correct form (available on NCC
Education’s website) with appropriate supporting evidence as indicated in the Direct Entry
and Exemptions Policy.

Direct Entry will not normally be granted by NCC Education for experiential learning (in
industry, for example), though this may be considered as context to formal learning
experiences which might otherwise not be approved.

2At the time of publication, this is limited to NCC Education’s Level 3 International Foundation
Diploma for Higher Education Studies

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5.3. Exemptions

NCC Education may, at its discretion, grant exemption from units in instances where a
candidate has received an award in a unit/qualification that has been approved as
sufficiently demonstrating the achievement of the learning outcomes of the equivalent NCC
Education unit.

Requests for exemption must be submitted at the time of the candidate’s first registration on
the qualification, and must be presented on the correct form (available on NCC Education’s
website) with appropriate supporting evidence as indicated in the Direct Entry and
Exemptions Policy. Requests for exemptions will not normally be accepted after a candidate
has already been assessed for one or more unit(s) of a qualification.

Requests for exemption from a unit which a candidate has already attempted and failed will
always be refused.

Exemptions are only available for a maximum of 50% of the credits associated with any
given qualification.

6. Candidate Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities

6.1. Candidate Rights

Candidates have a right to:

• be informed about the basis for awarding their qualification

• be informed about the assessment methods and assessment criteria for the
individual units they are taking
• be assessed and, where appropriate, be re-assessed in accordance with these
Academic Regulations
• request a review of their results, subject to payment of a fee, if there is evidence of
any perceived failure by NCC Education to correctly follow their published
assessment processes and procedures, or if a candidate’s performance has been
affected by personal circumstances which, for valid reasons, could not be notified to
the Assessment Board before the Board confirmed qualification and/or unit results
• submit any claim for special considerations in accordance with these Academic
Regulations
• make a complaint about any aspect of NCC Education’s products and services, and
have that complaint receive appropriate consideration.

6.2. Candidate Responsibilities

Candidates have the following responsibilities:

• to attend the prescribed examinations and to submit work for assessment in

accordance with the Academic Regulations, without committing academic
misconduct or otherwise seeking to gain unfair advantage.
• to report to their Centre, if appropriate, and/or to NCC Education, any instance of
malpractice or maladministration which they might be aware of, which might
invalidate NCC Education qualifications or assessments.

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7. Assessment Regulations
7.1. Purpose of Assessment

Assessment is used to confirm the achievement of an individual candidate in fulfilling the

learning outcomes of a qualification, and to relate that achievement to a national and
international standard of awards.

The Qualification Specification for each qualification will state the method and types of
assessment used to test achievement of its learning outcomes. NCC Education reserves the
right to change assessment methodology with reasonable notice where there is a sound
basis of evidence to do so, and where such a change would not unreasonably disadvantage
existing candidates.

Attending examinations and submitting assignments on time is the responsibility of each

candidate.

Details of submission deadlines and the timing of assessments are published by NCC
Education in the annual Activity Schedules, made available to all Centres. It is the
responsibility of Centres to communicate this information to candidates.

7.2. Language of Assessment

All NCC Education assessments are conducted in English.

7.3. Marking and Moderation

Procedures for the marking and moderation of all articles of assessment are outlined in NCC
Education’s Assessment Instructions documents, which is provided to Centres on approval
or accreditation.

7.4. Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria are used in NCC Education qualifications to describe what a candidate
may be expected to do in order to demonstrate that a learning outcome has been met.
Assessment criteria are stated in Unit Specifications (in the relevant Qualification
Specification), and in the Student Guide and Lecturer Guide for each unit. These criteria are
considered by the Principal Examiner when developing assessments as the foundation of
the questions and tasks set.

7.5. Word/time limits

Information on word limits and time limits for assessments is contained within the rubric for
that assessment, which is printed on the front page of the assessment itself. Failure to
adhere to stated word limits may not result in a penalty, but will limit the candidate’s ability to
achieve the maximum marks for the assessment.

7.6. Submission of Assessment

Completed assessments are normally submitted to the Centre, who will in turn submit them
to NCC Education. Instructions for this are contained within NCC Education’s Assessment

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Instructions. Any exceptions to this will be recorded in the relevant Qualification
Specification.

7.7. Statement of Confirmation of Own Work

All candidates must complete and submit a signed Statement of Confirmation of Own Work
alongside all submitted assignments.

7.8. Extensions to Assessment Deadlines

NCC Education offers a number of assessment cycles per year for each qualification (see
the relevant Qualification Specification for details). Where a candidate cannot complete an
assessment component for good reason, it is expected that he or she will normally defer until
the next cycle. However, submission deadlines for Centre-marked assignments are
determined by the Centre and flexibility for candidates with extenuating circumstances may
be offered at their discretion. Details can be found in the Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

7.9. Reassessment

A candidate will not be permitted to repeat any unit which they have passed previously in
order to improve their mark for that unit.

A candidate who has failed a unit will be permitted to be reassessed on payment of a fee
provided the reassessment can be completed within the eligibility period. Details of fees are
available through the NCC Education Centre Portal. If the nature of the work which is to be
reassessed requires the candidate to study the unit again, or to use facilities of the Centre in
order to undertake the reassessment, then the candidate may be required to pay an
additional fee to the Centre.

A candidate may not be offered reassessment in units which are no longer part of the
qualification. NCC Education will make such special arrangements as it deems appropriate
in such cases, normally involving a first attempt at a replacement unit.

7.10. Pre-assessment Special Considerations

Where candidates require additional support during the examinations on medical or disability
grounds, NCC Education will, where possible, approve special considerations to the
assessment strategy. These adjustments are intended to allow attainment to be
demonstrated; for example the production of a modified paper for a candidate with a visual
impairment, whose need has previously been established.

Full details of the scope of pre-assessment special considerations and how to request them
from NCC Education can be found in the Special Considerations Policy on NCC Education’s
website, or upon request from Customer Support.

7.11. Post-Assessment Special Considerations

Post-assessment special considerations, which may be given following an examination or

assessment, are intended to ensure that a candidate with a temporary illness, injury or
indisposition at the time the assessment is conducted is given some recognition of the
difficulty he/she has faced. These are also known as extenuating circumstances.

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Full details of the scope of post-assessment special considerations and how to request them
from NCC Education can be found in the Special Considerations Policy on NCC Education’s
website, or upon request from Customer Support.

7.12. Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest (COI) is defined as a situation where a person has responsibility or

makes a decision, and where that person or a person with a close relationship to them might
benefit unfairly from that position of responsibility or from that decision.

All employees of NCC Education, examiners and moderators, everyone attending NCC
Education’s Assessment and Academic Boards, and all teaching and management staff
employed by Centres are required to abide by the guidelines outlined in NCC Education’s
Conflict of Interest Policy. Details of how to declare a conflict of interest are outlined in the
policy document.

7.13. Conduct of Examinations and Time-Constrained Assessments

Guidance on the delivery of examinations and Time-Constrained Assessments is available in

NCC Education’s Instructions for Conducting Examinations and Instructions for Time
Constrained Assessments documents. Candidates will be informed of their expected
conduct during examinations by the Centre, in line with these instructions. Candidates who
break the rules of conduct during examinations will be subject to a penalty in line with NCC
Education’s Academic Misconduct Policy.

8. Awarding Authorities
8.1. Assessment Boards

An Assessment Board is convened for each subject area and each cycle. The Assessment
Board is attended by members of NCC Education’s Academic, Product Development,
Operations and Quality Assurance departments. Every Assessment Board is also attended
by the Chair of Examiners, who is normally an academic from a UK University with
appropriate subject specialism.

The Assessment Board reviews statistical data on candidate performance and where
appropriate approves adjustments (scaling) to results if required, for example where Centre
markers have failed to correctly apply an assessment marking scheme. The Assessment
Board also considers claims for special considerations and alleged cases of academic
misconduct. The proceedings of Assessment Boards are strictly confidential.

The Assessment Board has the authority, devolved from the Academic Board, to approve
results for publication. The dates on which results are released to Centres are published in
the Activity Schedule for each qualification.

8.2. Academic Board

All of NCC Education’s academic and quality assurance functions are monitored by the
Academic Board. The Academic Board includes external members, made up of senior
academics from UK universities and specialists from the education sector, and monitors
NCC Education’s academic functions to ensure global consistency across the systems and
standards for examinations, marking, moderation and issuing of certificates.

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8.3. Chair of Examiners

A Chair of Examiners for each qualification is appointed by NCC Education, and in

accordance with specified requirements. Chairs of Examiners will normally be experienced
academics from UK Further and Higher Education institutions, although exceptional
candidates with experience drawn from industry may be considered. Chairs of Examiners
quality assure assessments and oversee NCC Education’s Assessment Boards.

The Head of Quality and Compliance is authorised to suspend or remove a Chair of

Examiners for negligence or malpractice, and to appoint any appropriately qualified person
to fill a vacancy.

9. Results and Notification

9.1. Notification of Results and Award

Following the confirmation of results by the Assessment Board, a Statement of Results for
each candidate will be issued to Centres, containing:

• the registered name of the candidate;

• the name of the candidate’s Centre3;
• the name of all units successfully completed;
• a result for each unit.

The General Manager has the power to direct that the assessment result for any candidate
who has not paid (or whose Centre has not paid) in full all fees due to NCC Education shall
not be published until all such debts have been paid in full. Results may also be withheld if
there are reasonable doubts about the authentication of a candidate’s work, and/or where
there is reasonable suspicion of Centre malpractice or candidate misconduct, which in either
case warrants further investigation before a result can be issued.

9.2. Revoking Results

Where issues (such as malpractice) come to light after the issuing of a Statement of Results,
NCC Education reserves the right to revoke results and issue an amended Statement of
Results.

NCC Education also reserves the right to revoke qualifications and certificates in such
circumstances (see Section 1.2, above).

9.3. Classification

NCC Education unit results are graded in the following manner:

Grade Mark Descriptor

Distinction 70+ The candidate has demonstrated significantly higher than
average performance in all learning outcomes for the unit

3
Except in a small number of countries where there is a local regulatory or legal requirement meaning that the
name of the Centre is not included on the certificate.

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Merit 60-69 The candidate has demonstrated above average
performance in all learning outcomes for the unit
Pass 40-59 The candidate has met all learning outcomes for the unit
Fail 39 and The candidate has not met all learning outcomes for the unit
below

Specific grade descriptors for each unit can also be found in the relevant Qualification
Specification document.

Candidates who complete all units making up a qualification will also receive a final overall
grade and mark for the qualification, which is calculated from the weighting and marks
awarded for each unit making up that qualification.

9.4. Eligibility for Certification

A candidate will be deemed eligible for an award only when they have successfully achieved
all of the unit learning outcomes and have demonstrated this through successful completion
of the required assessments. The accumulated units to achieve the award must be in the
required combination, which may include both core and elective units as outlined in the
Qualification Specification, or through a recognised exemption or other Recognised Prior
Learning (RPL) agreed with NCC Education. This must be completed within the eligibility
period for the qualification.

For details of the award of e-certificates for Short Courses, consult the Short Courses Guide
2020-21.

9.5. Permission to Proceed Carrying Fails

Where candidates are following pathways leading to multiple levels of NCC Education
qualifications over time, there is an expectation that the candidate should complete one
qualification in full, in order to meet the entry requirements of the qualification at the next
level up. Therefore, a Level 4 Diploma would normally be fully completed and awarded
before registering on a Level 5 Diploma. However, under certain circumstances candidates
may (at the Centre’s discretion) be permitted to proceed to the next level of NCC Education
qualification whilst awaiting reassessment at the level below. This is known as ‘carrying
fails’.

A candidate may be permitted to carry a failed unit or units totalling no more than

• 30 credits of a 120 credit qualification

• 15 credits of a 60 credit qualification

if they meet the following conditions:

a) the candidate has attempted all units at least once

b) both the qualification with the carried fail and the qualification at the next level are
awarded by NCC Education.

Candidates should be aware that if they complete a qualification whilst carrying a failed unit
at the level below, they will not receive the lower level qualification certificate until the carried

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unit(s) is successfully passed. This may prevent the candidate from proceeding onto
university ‘top-up’ degree programmes, if a qualification is awarded at Level 5 but fails are
still carried from Level 4.

Candidates seeking to progress to a university or other institution should confirm entry

requirements directly with that institution.

10. Post-Results Services (including Appeals)

NCC Education’s Post-Results Services provide an opportunity for candidates and Centres
to confirm that NCC Education’s marking processes and procedures have been followed
correctly, and therefore that the marks issued to candidates are correct. All post-results
services carry a fee as set out in the Post-Results Services Policy.

10.1. Grounds for Post-Results Services and Appeals

Full details of acceptable grounds for post-results services and appeals can be found within
NCC Education’s Post-Results Services Policy. A request for a review which questions the
academic or professional judgement of those charged with the responsibility for assessing a
candidate’s academic performance or professional competence shall not be permitted.

10.2. Submission

Full details of the process for submitting a request for a Post-Results Service can be found in
the Post-Results Services Policy, available on NCC Education’s website. Appeals may only
be submitted after completion of a Service 2 Review of Marking or Service 3 Cohort
Moderation Review.

All Post-Results Services are subject to a fee, fully refundable in the event that the review
establishes that NCC Education’s assessment procedures were not correctly followed and/or
the candidate received an incorrect mark. The fees associated with these services are given
in the policy document.

10.3. Investigation

Where appropriate grounds for a Post-Results Service have been met, the request will be
investigated by the designated Appeals Officer and an outcome issued to the Centre within
the timeframes set out in the Post-Results Services Policy.

All Appeals lead to the convening of an Appeals Panel, of which one member is an
independent member.

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11. Academic Misconduct and Assessment Offences
11.1. Academic Misconduct

All work submitted for an assessment must be the candidate's own work. It is an offence for
any candidate to be guilty of, or party to, collusion, plagiarism, or any other act which may
mislead the examiners about the development and authorship of work presented in
assessments. Full definitions of the various forms of academic are contained within NCC
Education’s Academic Misconduct Policy.

All academic writing must fully acknowledge all sources of information used in preparing the
work being submitted. This includes acknowledging all written and electronic sources. For all
NCC Education qualifications, it is expected that candidates will use ‘Harvard’-style
referencing standards. Where work is produced under examination conditions it is sufficient
to acknowledge the source without providing a full reference.

Candidates must not take any means of accessing information into an examination room,
unless the rubric for that examination explicitly states that this is allowed. This includes:
• all internet-connected devices – e.g. computers, tablets, smart watches
• mobile phones or other messaging devices
• books, journals, or notes

NCC Education considers all instances of plagiarism, collusion, impersonation, fabrication of

results, or misconduct in an exam to be failures to respect the integrity and fairness of the
assessment process.

11.2. Investigating Academic Misconduct

NCC Education will investigate any evidence of academic misconduct to ensure that all
marks awarded to candidates are accurate.

In some cases, Centres may be required to interview candidates as part of the investigation
process. In such cases, NCC Education will write to the Head of Centre setting the
information required. Centres are expected to comply with any such requests in a prompt
manner, and failure to comply with any requests as part of an investigation will be deemed to
be Malpractice on the Centre’s part, as defined in NCC Education’s Malpractice and
Maladministration Policy. Candidates are also expected to comply fully with any
investigation.

NCC Education holds the right to withhold marks as appropriate beyond the published
results release date pending the outcome of any investigation into alleged academic
misconduct.

11.3. Sanctions

Where academic misconduct is proven, candidates who have committed it or helped

someone else to do so will be penalised. Details on sanctions which NCC Education may
impose on candidates are outlined in NCC Education’s Academic Misconduct Policy.

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11.4. Malpractice and Maladministration

Sometimes, an instance of academic misconduct may reveal evidence of malpractice or

maladministration on the part of a candidate’s Centre. For definitions of malpractice and
maladministration and details of how such concerns may be investigated, please see NCC
Education’s Malpractice and Maladministration Policy.

11.5. Reviews of Academic Misconduct Penalties

Candidates who have had penalties applied to their marks and/or whose certificates have
been invalidated as a result of an academic misconduct penalty have the normal right to
request a Post-Results Service, as outlined in NCC Education’s Post-Results Services
Policy.

Any such request will operate according to the procedures for all Post-Results Services and
Appeals, and is subject to payment of a fee which is refundable if the review is successful.

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Appendix A – Variations to Academic Regulations for Digi-
Qualifications
These Academic Regulations apply to all NCC Education qualifications. However there are a
number of variations to these regulations that apply only to the suite of Digi qualifications.
These are outlined below. Variations apply to the following sections of the Academic
Regulations:

1. List of NCC Education Qualifications

2. Regulations and Frameworks
Levels
Guided Learning Hours
Level Descriptors
3. Entry Requirements
4. Awarding Authorities
5. Results and Notification
Notification of Results and Award
Revoking Results
Classification

1. List of NCC Education Qualifications

NCC Education’s suite of Digi Qualifications consists of qualifications at four levels:
• Digi Explorers
• Digi Navigators
• Digi Trailblazers
• NCC Education Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ) (also known as the Digi Award)

2. Regulation and Frameworks

NCC Education’s suite of Digi Qualifications are aimed at, but not exclusive to, primary and
lower secondary students, encompassing English Key Stages 1-4. The qualifications can be
mapped as follows:

Digi-Explorers Key Stage 1 5-7 years

Digi-Navigators Key Stage 2 7-11 years
Digi-Trailblazers Key Stage 3 11-13 years
Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ) “Digi Award” Key Stage 4 14-16 years

Guided Learning Hours

NCC Education specifies recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) within the Digi-
Qualification syllabus and specification as follows:

Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ) “Digi Award” 60 hours

Level Descriptors
Each Digi-Qualification syllabus and specification references the English National Curriculum
learning descriptors for Computing (at the relevant Key Stage level) and all syllabus learning
outcomes are linked to these curriculum descriptors.

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3. Entry Requirements
Information regarding entry requirements for NCC Education’s suite of Digi-Qualifications
can be found in the Qualification Syllabus and Specification. There are no prerequisite
qualification requirements for entry to any Digi-Qualification.

4. Awarding Authorities

Ratification of Marks
NCC Education provides oversight of all marking and moderation for the Digi suite of
qualifications. Statistical data on candidate performance is reviewed and claims for special
considerations and alleged cases of academic misconduct are also considered.
Final marks are ratified as an additional agenda item at NCC Education’s Computing
Assessment Board.

5. Results and Notification

a.) Level 2 Award in Computing (VRQ) “Digi Award”:

Notification of Results and Award

Following the approval of results for publication, a Statement of Results for each candidate
will be issued to Centres, containing:
• the registered name of the candidate;
• the name of the candidate’s Centre;
• the candidate’s numerical score

For candidates who have passed a certificate will then be issued to Centres.

General Manager has the power to direct that the assessment result for any candidate who
has not paid (or whose Centre has not paid) in full all fees due to NCC Education shall not
be published until all such debts have been paid in full. Results may also be withheld if there
are reasonable doubts about the authentication of a candidate’s work, and/or where there is
reasonable suspicion of Centre malpractice or candidate misconduct, which in either case
warrants further investigation before a result can be issued.

Revoking Results
Where issues (such as malpractice) come to light after the issuing of a Statement of Results,
NCC Education reserves the right to revoke results and issue an amended Statement of
Results. NCC Education also reserves the right to revoke qualifications and certificates in
such circumstances (see Section 1.2, above).

b.) Digi Explorers, Navigators and Trailblazers

Results are displayed to students on screen immediately after they complete their online
assessment. If a student has passed the assessment, they will then be able to print their e-
certificate.

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Classification
NCC Education’s suite of Digi-Qualifications are graded as follows:
Mark (%) Grade
0% - 49% Fail
50% - 100% Pass

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Glossary

Term Definition
Absent If a candidate does not attend a scheduled assessment they
will be recorded as absent. Also applies when a candidate
fails to submit an Assignment by the stated deadline
Accredited Partner Centre A centre that has been accredited to carry out assessments
towards NCC Education qualifications and use programme
teaching and learning resources for given qualification(s),
together with marketing materials
Amendment When an enrolment for an assessment session is changed,
added to or withdrawn from a candidate’s enrolment record
Articulation An agreement in which completion of all or part of an NCC
Education qualification is recognised by a UK University as
a valid entry qualification
Assessment Cycle The defined window in which assessments are available to
candidates
Assessment Any formal testing used to measure candidate achievement
of qualification or unit learning outcomes.
Assignment Usually a project or extended study undertaken in a
component for certain qualifications. An Assignment must
be submitted by a set closing date and be authenticated. It
is usually marked by the centre and moderated by NCC
Education, but where a specification requires it, NCC
Education may mark it.
Authentication The process under which evidence generated by a
candidate in an assessment is confirmed as
having been generated by that candidate
and as being generated under the required conditions
Authenticator A person confirming an Assignment is a candidate’s own
work
Award A qualification in the RQF with 1 to 12 credits or Total
Qualification Time (TQT) of 10 to 120 hours
Awarding Body The organisation that produces the specification, sets the
assessments, marks or moderates candidates’
assessments, awards certificates and maintains standards
Candidate A student entered for an assessment

Candidate Fee The charge for each candidate registration

Candidate Summary A report in Candidate Registration Portal, available by

candidate, for a given Programme which provides individual
unit and credit status together with summary totals
Centre An organisation accredited by NCC Education to undertake
the delivery of assessment; Centres are typically
educational institutions, training providers, or employers.
Centre Co-ordinator A member of staff at an Accredited Partner Centre
responsible for the day to day running of NCC Education
qualifications and administering assessments

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Certificate 1) The official document produced when a qualification
award is achieved by earning the minimum pass grade.
2) A qualification in the RQF with 13 to 36 credits or a Total
Qualification Time (TQT) of 130 to 360 hours
Certification The process of awarding a qualification
Chair of Examiners A person contracted by NCC Education to confirm the
quality and fitness for purpose of an assessment together
with the related examining and moderating
Comparability Generating assessment outcomes that are comparable in
standards between assessments within a qualification,
between similar qualifications, with other awarding
organisations, and over time. Where an assessment has
equivalent forms then it is important to ensure comparability
of outcomes
Component The constituent assessment(s) making up a unit. Some
units will have one component (e.g. an Assignment) others
will have multiple components (e.g. an Examination and an
Assignment)
Credit The credit value of a unit or qualification gives an indication
of how long it will normally take a candidate to prepare for
the unit or qualification
Diploma A qualification in the RQF with at least 37 credits or Total
Qualification Time (TQT) of 370 hours
Enrolment The official notification via an NCC Education Accredited
Partner Centre of the cycles in which a candidate wants to
be assessed
Examiner A person contracted by NCC Education to mark a
candidate’s work
Examination A timed, invigilated assessment consisting of a question
paper/answer book taken by a candidate at a specified date
in an assessment cycle
Fail The classification for a candidate who does not achieve the
minimum requirements for a qualification unit
Global Assignment An Assignment set by NCC Education and marked by a
centre tutor (with the exception of Level 7 Global
Assignments which are marked by NCC Education
contracted examiners)
Global Examination An examination set and marked by an NCC Education
contracted examiner
Grade A candidate’s level of achievement for each unit within a
qualification attempted. There are three passing grades;
Pass, Merit and Distinction
Head of Centre A person at a centre who has operational control and
accountability
Local Examination An examination set by NCC Education and marked by a
centre tutor, and moderated by NCC Education
LRS Learning Records Service; a shared service for education
stakeholders delivered by the Skills Funding Agency, jointly
sponsored by DfE and BIS in England, Wales and NI only
Maladministration Any activity, neglect, default or other practice that results in
the centre or candidate not complying with the specified
requirements for delivery of the qualifications

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Malpractice Any deliberate activity, neglect, default or other practice that
compromises the integrity of the assessment process and/or
the validity of certificates
Moderator A person contracted by NCC Education to ensure that either
all centre marking (Local Examinations and Assignments) is
to the same standard
Module A set of teaching and learning resources for a qualification
unit, available within a Programme
Ofqual Ofqual, the UK Government’s Office of Qualifications and
Examinations Regulation, is the regulator of qualifications,
examinations and assessments in England
PLR Personal Learning Record; a record of general and
vocational unit and qualification achievement for a learner
registered with the LRS in England, Wales and NI only
Post-Results Service A service providing clerical checks, marking/moderation
reviews and appeals where a candidate or Centre believes
a procedural error has resulted in an incorrect mark being
released to one or more candidates.
Principal Examiner A person contracted by NCC Education to write an
assessment and marking scheme. For centrally marked
work the Principle Examiner will also be the lead marker for
the assessment.
Product A qualification, programme or resource
Programme A teaching and learning resource available to an Accredited
Partner Centre
Qualification A product that:
Gives a reliable indication of an individual’s knowledge,
skills and understanding;
Is awarded only to a candidate who has demonstrated a
specified level of attainment across all components
Registration The registering of a person or persons by an Accredited
Partner Centre onto a specific qualification. Payment of
candidate fees is triggered by registration.
Reliability Reliability is about consistency and so concerns the extent
to which the various stages in the assessment process
generate outcomes which would be replicated were the
assessment repeated. Reliability is a necessary condition of
Validity, as it is not possible to demonstrate the Validity of
an assessment process which is not Reliable. The reliability
of an assessment is affected by a range of factors such as
the sampling of assessment tasks and consistency in
marking by examiners and moderators
Resit A candidate enrolment for a given assessment which has
previously been attempted and failed. A resit fee is triggered
on enrolment
Reviser A person contracted by NCC Education to check and
provide feedback on an assessment and mark scheme
written by a setter
RQF The Regulated Qualifications Framework, Ofqual regulate
qualifications that use the rules of the RQF

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Scaling An adjustment to candidate marks for a unit or module
made by the moderator
Script A question paper/answer book completed in an examination
Standardisation A process which ensures a marking scheme is applied
consistently by centre based markers, NCC Education
examiners and moderators
Special Consideration A Special Consideration is a pre or post assessment
adjustment applied to a candidate’s mark or the assessment
itself, and is requested by a centre administrator. A pre-
assessment adjustment is for a candidate with a particular
requirement to ensure the candidate is not disadvantaged in
assessments e.g. a student with impaired sight can have a
question paper in enlarged font or a reader.
A post-assessment special consideration is an adjustment
to the mark of a candidate who was temporarily ill, injured or
indisposed at the time of assessment
Specification A document describing the subject content, the assessment,
modules/units and their weighting, grade descriptors and
learning outcomes of a qualification. Also acts as a syllabus
for the qualification. All qualification specifications are
available on NCC Education’s website.
Statement of Results A statement of results provided on the published results
release date
Student A person with access to an NCC Education qualification and
if studying at an Accredited Partner Centre, an NCC
Education Programme of teaching and learning resources
for a qualification.
Syllabus See Specification
Teacher (Top-Up programmes Teaching staff on NCC Education Top Up Programmes
only) covering module leader, course leader and project module
leader
Time-Constrained Assessment An assessment completed within a pre-determined
timeframe on a specified date. A TCA may be completed
within a centre or remotely.
Top-Up A ‘Top-Up’ programme delivered either online or as a
franchised face-to-face taught programme, to allow students
to achieve a Bachelors (Honours) or Master’s Degrees after
completing an NCC Education Level 5 or 7 qualification.
Transcript A breakdown by candidate of all unit grades associated with
a given qualification and issued with the Certificate
Tutor A person preparing a candidate for an assessment in an
Accredited Partner Centre using Programme teaching and
learning resources
Unique Candidate Number A unique numeric code allocated to a candidate for
administering enrolment and results and certification
Unique Learner Number (ULN) A unique number generated by a centre in the LRS for an
individual candidate aged 14+ taking assessment within
England, Wales and NI only
Unit The part of qualification that can be separately certified. A
unit can comprise separately assessed components. Units
build up to qualifications

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Validity The extent to which evidence and theory support the
interpretation that the assessment outcomes meet their
intended uses. The evaluation of validity involves the
development of a clear argument to support the proposed
interpretation of the outcomes and as a consequence the
intended uses of the assessment. The validity argument
should be built on statements of the proposed interpretation
and supporting evidence collected from all stages of the
assessment process
Withdrawal The cancelation by the Centre of a candidate enrolment for
an assessment and/or for a qualification/programme

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