Academic Regulations

for Taught Awards

effective from the 2023-24 academic year

Document Owner: Assistant Director, Student and Academic Services (Registry)

Principal Contact: Sarah Hills, Academic Registry Manager, SAS
Approving Body: Academic Council
Date of Approval: June 2023
Date Effective From: 1 September 2023
New students
Applies to:
Continuing students
(delete as appropriate)
Partner provision
Review Date: Updated annually, full review every 3 years
Version: v1.0 2023/24
Public or internal access only Public Access
(delete as appropriate) Internal Access Only
Summary/Description:
The Academic Regulations for Taught Awards provides the framework and criteria for the assessment, examination
and awarding of university taught awards.

This document can only be considered valid when viewed via the University website. If this document is printed into hard copy or
saved to another location, you must check that the version number on your copy matches that of the one on the University
website. Approved documents are valid for use after their approval date and remain in force beyond any expiry of their review
date until a new version is available.
CONTENTS
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE ACADEMIC REGULATIONS 1
A1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE 1

B. THE ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK 2

B1 STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK 2
B2 AWARDS 2
B3 UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS 3
B4 GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE AWARDS 3
B5 COMBINED H ONOURS AWARDS 3
B6 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 4
B7 UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATIONS 4
B8 DUAL, JOINT AND MULTIPLE AWARDS WITH OTHER H IGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS 4
B9 DURATION OF STUDY 5

C. ADMISSION OF STUDENTS 5
C1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES 5
C2 RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 6
C3 RETURNING TO STUDY 7

D. ASSESSMENT 7
D1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT 7
D2 THE PROGRESSION AND AWARD BOARD 8
D3 EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES 8
D4 CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRESSION AND CONFERMENT PURPOSES 9
D5 GAINING CREDIT AND PROGRESSING 10
PASSING A MODULE 10
COMPENSATION 10
USE OF RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) CREDIT 11
D6 DEGREE CLASSIFICATION 11
AGGREGATION AND WEIGHTING FOR FIRST DEGREE AWARDS 11
AGGREGATION AND WEIGHTING FOR OTHER UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS 12
AGGREGATION AND WEIGHTING FOR INTEGRATED MASTERS AWARDS 13
AGGREGATION AND WEIGHTING FOR POSTGRADUATE MASTERS AWARDS 13
D7 EXIT AWARDS 13
UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS 13
INTEGRATED MASTERS AWARDS 13
POSTGRADUATE MASTERS AWARDS 14
AEGROTAT AWARDS 14
D8 REASSESSMENT 14
RESIT 14
BEST GRADE STANDING 15
REPEAT 15
PROGRESSION TRAILING CREDIT 15
D9 REASSESSMENT WITH ACCEPTED EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES 16
D10 APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISION OF A PROGRESSION AND AWARD BOARD 16
E. EXTERNAL EXAMINERS 17

F. CONFERMENT OF AWARDS 17
F1 GENERAL 17
F2 ISSUE OF AWARD AND ASSOCIATED CERTIFICATES 18
F3 POSTHUMOUS AWARDS 18

APPENDIX A: GRADE TRANSLATION POLICY AND SCALES FOR STUDY ABROAD, EXCHANGE
AND ERASMUS STUDENTS 19

The Academic Regulations for Taught Awards should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections
of the University’s other academic procedures and policies available at https://www.gre.ac.uk/policies.
If you have any questions about the Academic Regulations for Taught Awards or need further
clarification on any of the content, please email the Academic Registry, Student & Academic Services
at [email protected].

Please contact the Disability & Dyslexia Team on 020 8331 7875 or by email at [email protected] if
you require this document in an alternative format.
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

A1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE

A1.1 This introductory section describes the University’s approach to the management of
academic standards and outlines the principal ways in which the quality of learning,
teaching and assessment at the University of Greenwich are assured and enhanced.

A1.2 In keeping with its designation as an autonomous degree awarding body the University
requires a comprehensive, consistent and coherent framework of academic regulations,
procedures and working practices in order to enable the assurance of academic standards
and the consistent and equitable treatment of all its students wherever they are located.
The Academic Regulations for Taught Awards (hereafter known as the Regulations)
therefore are intended to:

a) be deployed consistently across all areas of the University’s operations;

b) be fit for purpose, up to date and approved by the Learning, Quality and
Regulations Committee;
c) provide a point of reference on academic regulations for taught awards across
the University;
d) inform all decision-making designed to enhance the quality of educational
provision at the University;
e) be written in clear language and available in a range of forms upon request across
the University;
f) be known and understood in all areas of the University;
g) provide a framework for the development of learning, teaching and assessment.

A1.3 The Learning, Quality and Regulations Committee is responsible for approving all
amendments, additions and variants to the Regulations prior to their formal ratification by
Academic Council.

A1.4 The Regulations encompass all of the University’s academic provision contributing to
taught awards. This includes all collaborative provision.

A1.5 In exceptional and specific circumstances where derogations are deemed necessary,
permission for a derogation from the Regulations should be sought from Academic Council
citing appropriate reasons for the derogation. This will include derogations that are
required to satisfy specific professional body requirements that cannot be accommodated
within the framework. A list of approved derogations will be maintained and reviewed
annually by the University.

A1.6 The Regulations are reviewed annually by the Academic Registry and updated to reflect
any changes that may have been approved by the Learning, Quality and Regulations
Committee during the previous year. Updated Regulations are published annually during
the first full working week of September on the Student & Academic Services website
together with a clear statement about changes that have been made since the previous
publication.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 1

B. THE ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK

B1 STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK

B1.1 The University operates a single credit-based Framework which is available at pre-degree,
degree and taught postgraduate levels.

B1.2 The University’s taught provision is available at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate
levels, leading to a range of awards.

B2 AWARDS

B2.1 To obtain a named award students must successfully complete designated core modules
and sufficient appropriate optional and/or elective modules as required in the approved
programme structure/specification.

B2.2 The standard of each award may be defined in terms of the number and level of credits a
student is required to obtain and the qualification descriptors/hierarchy encompassed by
the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). The table below illustrates the
FHEQ level and minimum expected credit values associated with the design of
programmes leading to the main HE qualifications conferred by the University.

Minimum
HE qualifications as set out in the Minimum credits at the
FHEQ level and definition
FHEQ credits level of the
qualification
Taught master's degrees (MA, MSc, Provides opportunity to
MTL, MArch, MBA, MRes) LLM, demonstrate: 180 150
MLA a) the ability to reflect on the
significance and inter-
Integrated master's degrees
relationships of knowledge
(MEng, MChem, MOst, MPhys, 480 120
acquired from a variety of
MPharm, MBiol, MMedSci, MMath) 1
7 sources
Postgraduate diplomas b) the ability on the basis of such 120 90
reflection to formulate original
Postgraduate Certificate in
ideas and innovative proposals 60 40
Education PGCE
c) the ability to carry out the
Postgraduate certificates activities in (a) and (b) with a fair 60 40
degree of autonomy
Bachelor's degrees with honours
360 90
(e.g. BA/BSc Hons) LLB Reflects the synthesis of basic
knowledge, skills and competence
Bachelor's degrees 300 60
and equips students with tools of
Professional Graduate Certificate 6 analysis and evaluation. Contributes
60 40
in Education (PGCE) 2 to the individual’s distinctive
professional development, where
Graduate diplomas 80 80
appropriate.
Graduate certificates 40 40

1
Integrated master's degree programmes include at least 480 credits of which at least 120 credits are at level 7.
2
Full statement on the PGCE qualification title may be accessed at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/PGCE-statement.pdf

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 2

 Minimum
HE qualifications as set out in the Minimum credits at the
FHEQ level and definition
FHEQ credits level of the
qualification
Foundation Degrees 240 90
Builds on Level 4 and involves an
Diplomas of Higher Education extension and reinforcement of
5 240 90
(DipHE) theoretical and/or practical aspects
of knowledge
Higher National Diplomas (HND) 240 90
Higher National Certificates (HNC) 150 120
Provides basic knowledge, skills and
Certificates of Higher Education 4
competence 120 90
(Cert HE)

B2.3 Any requests to depart from these norms will be scrutinised as part of the programme
authorisation/approval process.

B3 UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

B3.1 Undergraduate awards (whether pre-degree or degree) are normally based on the three
year full-time Honours Degree for which at least 360 credits must be accumulated.

B3.2 Normally, one year of full-time study for an undergraduate award is equivalent to 120
credits and is defined as an academic stage; one year of full-time study on a two year
accelerated honours degree is equivalent to 180 credits (one and a half academic stages).

B3.3 Normally a full-time student will be required to study modules that are within one level of
their current academic stage.

B4 GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

B4.1 Programmes which are Postgraduate in Time (Graduate Awards)

Graduate entry programmes leading to certificates or diplomas will normally cover the
equivalent of 120 credits for each full-time year of study (as for undergraduate
programmes). They are based on a balance of credits at Levels 4 - 6, according to the
standard of a particular award and the level of professional experience expected of a
successful student.

B4.2 Programmes which are Postgraduate in Level (Postgraduate Awards)

Graduate entry programmes which are postgraduate in level as well as time are based on
the taught master’s degree which normally requires full-time study over one calendar year
or twelve-month period, and for which at least 180 credits must be accumulated.

B4.3 A postgraduate degree programme shall incorporate a compulsory element of

independent study at Level 7.

B5 COMBINED HONOURS AWARDS

B5.1 Joint Honours Degree (Subject A and Subject B)

Within the 360 credits required for an Honours degree the requirements for a Joint
Honours Degree are:

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 3

 • an overall minimum of 240 credits in Subjects A and B with at least 45 credits of each
subject at level 6 in the final stage of the award and;
• at least 45 credits of each subject at level 5 in the penultimate stage of the award.

B5.2 Major/Minor Honours Degree (Subject A with Subject B)

Within the 360 credits required for an Honours degree the requirements for a Major/Minor
Honours Degree are:

• an overall minimum of 240 credits in Subjects A and B with at least 60 credits of

Subject A and at least 30 credits of Subject B at level 6 in the final stage of the Award
and;
• at least 60 credits of subject A and at least 30 credits of subject B at level 5 in the
penultimate stage of the award

B6 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

B6.1 Architects Registration Board

Awarded to a graduate student who successfully
Master of Architecture (MArch)
completes 240 credits at level 7.
Awarded to a graduate student who successfully
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) completes 300 credits at levels 4, 5, 6 and 7, of which at
least 180 credits are at level 7
Awarded to a graduate student who successfully
Diploma in Landscape Architecture
completes 120 credits at level 7

B7 UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATIONS

Awarded to a student who successfully completes, or is

Foundation Diploma/
otherwise credited with, at least 120 credits at level 3 or
International Foundation Diploma
above having followed a prescribed programme of study.
Awarded to a student who successfully completes at least
Diploma in Industrial Studies/
36 weeks of supervised work placement and the associated
Diploma in Professional Practice
assessment requirements.
Awarded to a student who successfully completes a
Certificate of Professional Development
minimum of 60 credits at level 4 having followed a
(generic)
prescribed programme of study
Awarded to a student who successfully completes a
Diploma of Professional Development
minimum of 60 credits at level 5 or above having followed a
(generic)
prescribed programme of study

B8 DUAL, JOINT AND MULTIPLE AWARDS WITH OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION

PROVIDERS

B8.1 The University may collaborate only with other institutions that have degree awarding
powers to design and offer jointly agreed, approved and delivered curricula; may recognise
taught modules offered by another institution and which may contribute to a University
award and may enter into twinning and exchange arrangements to facilitate student entry
to specific degree modules at the University.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 4

B8.2 Joint Awards involve the granting of single award for successful completion of one
programme of study offered by two or more collaborating institutions.

B8.3 Dual and Multiple Awards involve the granting of separate awards by one or more partner
organisations. Regulations governing the recognition and approval of dual, joint and
multiple awards can be found in the Academic Quality Handbook.

B9 DURATION OF STUDY

B9.1 The maximum periods of registration, during which a student must complete the
requirements for an award from the University, are as follows:
Full-time Part-time
Programme of Study
Maximum Maximum
Certificate of Higher Education 2 years 3 years
Diploma of Higher Education 4 years 5 years
Foundation Degree 4 years 5 years
LLB (Hons/Pass degree) 5 years 6 years
BA/BSc (Hons/Pass degree) 5 years 7 years
BA/BSc (Hons degree) Sandwich 6 years n/a
BA/BSc (Hons degree) Extended 6 years n/a
BA/BSc (Hons degree) Accelerated 4 years n/a
Top up programmes 2 years 3 years
Graduate Diploma 2 years n/a
Integrated Masters 6 years n/a
Postgraduate Certificate/Professional Graduate Certificate 2 years 3 years
Postgraduate Diploma 2 years 3 years
Masters 3 years 6 years

B9.2 The maximum period of registration defines the period within which a student must
achieve the credit required for the award. This includes any formally approved periods of
interrupted study or repeat study. The period of registration will be adjusted on a pro-rata
basis for direct entrants and students who change their mode of study.

B9.3 In exceptional cases, the Progression and Award Board may approve an extension to the
maximum period of registration where a student has failed to progress and can provide
valid evidence of extenuating circumstances that are accepted.

C. ADMISSION OF STUDENTS

C1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

C1.1 The University’s admissions policy and practices assist in meeting the strategic aims of the
University and enhancing its position as a leading higher education institution.

C1.2 The University is committed to operating admissions procedures that are fair, transparent
and consistent, and are also compliant with all relevant legislation and regulations. The
University strives to admit only suitably qualified applicants who have the ability to
complete their programme of study successfully. Further information is available in the
University’s Admissions Policy and Procedure.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 5

C1.3 The University has a long-standing commitment to widening access and maximising
student achievement. Further information is in the University’s Access Agreements.

C1.4 Approved programme specifications will identify the minimum entry requirements.

C2 RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

C2.1 In the recognition of prior learning (RPL) the following principles will apply:

a) Students may be awarded credit for prior certificated learning (RPCL) or prior
experiential learning (RPEL) at FHEQ Levels 4, 5, 6 or 7.
b) RPL credit can only be awarded for whole modules, not for part of a module.
Currency of credit:
− Formal certificated learning will normally be considered current when it has
occurred up to 5 years prior to the start date of the University of Greenwich
programme.
− Experiential learning will normally be considered current when it has occurred up
to 5 years prior to the start of the University of Greenwich programme.
c) Exceptions to the 5-year maximum period may be permitted where the learning is
deemed still appropriate and relevant.
d) The credit awarded for prior learning must contribute towards the achievement of the
learning outcomes of the programme. The mapping of prior learning against
programme and/or module learning outcomes is a matter of academic judgement.
e) Students on visas can only apply for RPL credit for up to 30 credits over the course of
an academic year.

C2.2 Credits utilised in attaining an initial qualification recognised by the FHEQ cannot normally
be used to secure advanced standing against another award of equivalent or lower status.
Such credits are considered ‘spent’ as part of the certification of the initial award. Such
credits, however, may contribute to a higher award in the context that the higher
qualification subsumes the lower.

C2.3 In determining the maximum credits available for RPL for any award within the FHEQ, the
University has sought to balance the recognition of prior learning with a desire to ensure
that conferred awards reflect sufficient evidence of study having been undertaken within
the institution. The following shall apply:

MINIMUM CREDITS
MAXIMUM RPL
AWARD TO BE STUDIED AT
(CREDITS)
THE UNIVERSITY
Certificate of Higher Education/HNC
60 60
(120 credits)
Diploma in Higher Education/Foundation
120 120
Degree/HND (240 credits)
Honours Degree
180 180
(360 credits)

Honours Degree – direct entrants

240* 120
(360 credits)

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 6

 MINIMUM CREDITS
MAXIMUM RPL
AWARD TO BE STUDIED AT
(CREDITS)
THE UNIVERSITY
Honours Degree – Single stage (level 6)
60 60
(120 credits)
Integrated Master’s Degree
240 240
(480 credits)
Postgraduate Certificate
20 40
(60 credits)
Postgraduate Diploma
60 60
(120 credits)
Masters Degree
90 90
(180 credits)

∗ Applicants applying for Direct Entry to the final stage of an Honours Degree will need to evidence
certificated learning equivalent to 240 credits; e.g. completion of a Foundation Degree or Diploma of Higher
Education but will not be required to make a formal claim for RPL. Where a student has been allowed Direct
Entry to the final stage of an Honours Degree, no further credit may be awarded through RPL.

C3 RETURNING TO STUDY

C3.1 Where a former student has previously chosen to withdraw from their programme of study,
they may apply to re-join the programme within a period of two years. Return would be at
the discretion of the university.

C3.2 Students’ previous marks for completed whole stages would be carried forward.

C3.3 Returning students would be required to re-join their programme at the stage after their
last completed and passed stage.

C3.4 Any previous certificates awarded by the university must be returned before the higher
award is made.

C3.5 Former students may not normally return to a programme of study if they were
discontinued from their studies due to academic failure.

D. ASSESSMENT

D1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT

D1.1 All programmes relate assessment requirements to specific learning outcomes. Students
are expected to demonstrate the attainment of these in their overall performance at
module/programme level.

D1.2 The purpose of assessment is to enable students to demonstrate that they have fulfilled
the objectives of their programme of study and have achieved the standard required for
the award. Assessment is a matter of academic judgement, not simply of computation.
Whilst grades provide information on which a decision about student attainment can be
based, they should not be considered as absolute values or exact measurements.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 7

D1.3 Where students cannot be assessed under normal conditions because of a disability,
specific learning difficulty or special circumstances beyond their control, alternative
arrangements may be made to carry out the assessment, where appropriate in accordance
with the Examinations & Assessments Regulations for Students with Disabilities, Specific
Learning Difficulties and Long-term Medical Conditions.

Where the assessment of students on a particular module is governed by an external

professional body, any alternative assessment strategy will need the approval of that body.

D2 THE PROGRESSION AND AWARD BOARD

D2.1 Academic Council is responsible to the Governing Body for the regulation of the academic
conditions for the admission of students to, and their progress within, the University. The
responsibility for the assessment of a student’s performance is delegated to the
Progression and Award Board for a programme or programmes.

D2.2 The Progression and Award Board has delegated authority from Academic Council for the
conferment of awards and decisions relating to the progression of students.

D2.3 Exceptionally, Chair’s Action may be taken following an initial Progression and Award
Board decision. In such circumstances the Chair should normally consult the External
Examiner. Chair’s Action decisions shall be reported at the next meeting of the
Progression and Award Board.

D3 EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

D3.1 Deviations from the Academic Regulations may be considered in exceptional

circumstances. The Vice-Chancellor or nominee may declare University-wide or campus
specific exceptional circumstances which will authorise the Emergency Regulations to be
implemented for a prescribed period of time.

Emergency Regulations

D3.2 The Emergency Regulations provide a framework to allow progression and/or award where
a full assessment of student performance is prevented or limited by acts or events which
may be beyond the reasonable control of the University.

Marking during University-wide or campus specific exceptional circumstances

D3.3 In the event that marking cannot be completed in accordance with the Assessment and
Feedback Policy, a Progression and Award Board may, with the approval of the Chair of
Learning, Quality and Regulations Committee, use an alternative marking model. This may
include relaxing some of the rules contained within the marking models.

D3.4 If External Examiners are unable to fulfil their duties, the assessment process may
proceed, with the approval of the Chair of Learning, Quality and Regulations Committee.

Progression during University-wide or campus specific exceptional circumstances

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 8

D3.5 In the event that students are unable to be assessed in the original format, the method of
assessment of a module and/or the relative weighting of the assessment components, as
defined in the module specification, may be modified with the approval of a Faculty Pro
Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Dean. This should take place no later than the SAP meeting.

D3.6 In the event that students are unable to be assessed in any format and/or results are
unavailable for some or all students, Progression and Award Boards may, if appropriate,
progress students pending assessment and/or ratification at a later date, unless prohibited
by the requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body.

Progression and Award Boards during University-wide or campus specific

exceptional circumstances

D3.7 In the event that the Progression and Award Board is unable to convene, Chair’s Action
may be taken by the relevant Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Dean to allow
progression, ratify results and/or ratify awards.

D3.8 In the event that the Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Dean is unavailable, the Chair
of Academic Council (or their nominee) will be appointed acting Chair.

D3.9 The Chair/acting Chair shall normally consult with the External Examiner but may make
decisions without the External Examiner’s involvement if the External Examiner is
unavailable. Chair’s Action decisions shall be reported to the next meeting of the
Progression and Award Board and to Academic Council.

Awards during University-wide or campus specific exceptional circumstances

D3.10 Regulation F1.1 will continue to apply in the event of University-wide or campus specific
exceptional circumstances. There are no exceptions to the rule governing classification
and award. Degree classification boundaries cannot be lowered and exceptions cannot be
made.

D4 CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRESSION AND CONFERMENT PURPOSES

D4.1 Each programme will have clearly defined credit requirements which students must satisfy
in order to gain the award for which they are registered.

D4.2 All progression is based on credit accumulation and conforms to the FHEQ expectations of
attainment (see B2.2).

D4.3 Each module shall have clearly defined, discrete assessment requirements which students
must satisfy in order to pass the module and gain the credits associated with that module.

D4.4 Where a programme forms part of the qualifications required by a professional or statutory
body, the requirements of that body may take precedence over those of the University
regulations in the awarding of credit and any professional qualification, including any exit
award.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 9

D5 GAINING CREDIT AND PROGRESSING

D5.1 Students gain credit by achieving the learning outcomes either by passing a module
through assessment, through compensation or through a successful claim for prior
learning.

Passing a Module

D5.2 Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required by the
stated deadlines; they must ensure that they are aware of these deadlines and comply with
university procedures governing student academic conduct.

D5.3 Any mark given to a student is provisional until ratified by the Progression and Award
Board.

D5.4 Students’ work will be graded numerically or on a pass/fail basis.

D5.5 The University pass marks for individual modules using numerical grading is:
a) 40% for modules at levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 (undergraduate awards)
b) 50% for modules at level 7 (graduate/postgraduate/integrated masters awards)

D5.6 Credit shall be awarded for those modules in which the overall grade achieved is the
minimum mark as in D5.5, or where compensation is applied, or RPL has been agreed.

D5.7 Coursework submitted up to 14 calendar days after the official submission deadline will be
accepted and marked. If it meets the criteria for a ‘pass’, the mark will be capped at the
minimum pass grade for that item of assessment.

D5.8 Coursework will not be accepted later than 14 calendar days after the deadline for
submission. In such circumstances, a non-submission and 0% or ‘fail’ will be recorded
against this item of assessment.

Compensation

D5.9 Compensation is the recognition of awarding credit to a module that has narrowly missed
being passed and satisfies the criteria to enable the credit to be awarded.

D5.10 The Progression and Award Board will apply compensation at any point in time provided
that the maximum credits of compensation permitted per academic stage are not
exceeded and the criteria under D5.11 are satisfied.

D5.11 In consideration of a student’s profile, the Progression and Award Board will apply
compensation up to a maximum of 30 credits per stage of study where all the following
apply:

• the work has been marked using a numerical scale (e.g. is not a pass/fail module).
• the overall module grade is no more than 10% below the minimum module pass mark.
• an average grade of the relevant pass mark has been achieved in all other modules
which have been completed at the point at which the student is considered at a PAB.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 10

 • the credit to be compensated is NOT the dissertation or major project piece of
assessment.

D5.12 Accelerated Honours Degree programmes may have compensation applied up to a

maximum of 45 credits in an academic year, provided that the maximum of 30 credits per
stage is not exceeded.

D5.13 Students who receive a compensated pass in a module will not be entitled to a resit or
repeat of that module.

D5.14 Programme specifications may identify particular modules to which compensation may not
be applied.

D5.15 In cases where compensation is applied, the actual grade attained will be recorded and
credits awarded.

Use of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credit

D5.15 Any credits gained via RPL will not be graded for the University of Greenwich award unless
it has been recognised as a result of a Faculty’s external Credit-Rating activity or where
there is an agreement with another Higher Education Provider to recognise such transfer
of grades.

D5.16 Credits awarded for prior learning alone do not provide usable credit for the purposes of
entitling a student to an exit award at an equivalent or lower level within the FHEQ.

D6 DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

Aggregation and Weighting for First Degree Awards

D6.1 Undergraduate Honours Degree programmes

a) Degree classification for the award of an Honours degree will be according to the
following bands:
70% or more = First Class Honours
60-69% = Upper Second Class Honours
50-59% = Lower Second Class Honours
40-49% = Third Class Honours

b) The class of Honours for students registered in the 2022/23 academic year on an
undergraduate programme (including extended and part-time modes of study) and
who remain continuously registered until completion of the programme will normally
be calculated and awarded on the higher of the following two algorithms:

i) the grades achieved in stages 2 and 3 of a programme in the ratio of 20:80.

Aggregation of grades to obtain the class of Honours will be based on averaging
the full spread of grades in Stage 2 to obtain 20% of the final grade and the
average of the best 90 credits of overall module grades in Stage 3 (Level 6 or
above) to obtain 80% of the final grade [20:80];

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 11

 OR

ii) the grades achieved in stages 2 and 3 of a programme in the ratio of 10:90.
Aggregation of grades to obtain the class of Honours will be based on averaging
the full spread of grades in Stage 2 to obtain 10% of the final grade and the
average of the best 90 credits of overall module grades in Stage 3 (Level 6 or
above) to obtain 90% of the final grade [10:90].

c) The class of Honours for students registered to commence their studies on an

undergraduate programme from the 2023/24 academic year will normally be
calculated and awarded on the grades achieved in stages 2 and 3 of a programme in
the ratio of 10:90. Aggregation of grades to obtain the class of Honours will be based
on averaging the full spread of grades in Stage 2 to obtain 10% of the final grade and
the average of the best 90 credits of overall module grades in Stage 3 (Level 6 or
above) to obtain 90% of the final grade [10:90].

d) The final average grade will be rounded to the nearest whole number e.g. 69.50 will be
recognised as 70 and 69.49 will be recognized as 69.

e) Students must pass, or otherwise gain (D4.1), the full number of credits required to
achieve the award for which they are registered.

f) Where a student on an undergraduate degree has undertaken only the final stage at
the University of Greenwich, the Honours classification will be based on the average of
the best 90 credits of overall module grades at level 6 or above to produce the Final
Average Grade.

Aggregation and Weighting for Other Undergraduate Awards

D6.2 Sub-degree programmes:

a) Students who achieve an Average Stage Grade of 60% or above in the final stage of a
sub-degree programme will have that award conferred ‘with Merit’.
b) Students who achieve an Average Stage Grade of 70% or above in the final stage of a
sub-degree programme will have that award conferred ‘with Distinction’.

D6.3 Foundation degree and HND programmes:

a) Students who achieve a Final Average Grade of 60% or above at final stage will have
that award conferred ‘with Merit’.
b) Students who achieve a Final Average Grade of 70% or above at final stage will have
that award conferred ‘with Distinction’.

D6.4 HNC programmes:

Awards will be calculated using the best 120 credits at Level 4 or above.

a) Students who achieve a Final Average Grade of 60% or above will have that award
conferred ‘with Merit’.
b) Students who achieve a Final Average Grade of 70% or above will have that award
conferred ‘with Distinction’.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 12

 Aggregation and Weighting for Integrated Masters Awards

D6.5 a) Degree classification for the award of an Honours degree will be according to the
following bands:

70% or more = First Class Honours

60-69% = Upper Second Class Honours
50-59% = Lower Second Class Honours

b) The class of Honours will normally be calculated on the grades achieved in Stages 3
and 4 of a programme in the ratio of 20:80. Aggregation of grades to obtain the class
of Honours will be based on averaging the full spread of grades in Stage 3 to obtain
20% of the final grade and averaging the full spread of grades in Stage 4 to obtain
80% of the final grade.

Aggregation and Weighting for Postgraduate Masters Awards

D6.6 The conferment of a postgraduate award with the classification of Merit is permitted
where students obtain an average of 60% across the programme as a whole.

D6.7 The conferment of a postgraduate award with the classification of Distinction is permitted
where students obtain an average of 70% across the programme as a whole.

D7 EXIT AWARDS

Undergraduate Awards

D7.1 The Progression and Award Board may also confer:

a) Degree without Honours to a student who successfully completes or is otherwise

credited with at least 300 credits (including 60 credits at level 6) on an Honours
programme
b) Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) to a student who successfully completes, or is
otherwise credited with, at least 240 credits, of which 90 must be at Level 5 or above,
and at least 90 at Level 4 or above
c) Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) to a student who successfully completes, or
is otherwise credited with, at least 120 credits, of which at least 90 must be at Level 4
or above
d) Foundation Diploma to a student who successfully completes, or is otherwise credited
with, at least 120 credits, of which at least 90 must be at Level 3 or above

Integrated Masters Awards

D7.2 The Progression and Award Board may also confer:

a) Undergraduate Honours Degree on successful completion of Stages 1, 2 and 3, upon

the proviso that the full credit requirements for an honours award (360 credits, of
which at least 90 are at Level 6) and other specific programme requirements have
been met. Exit awards to Honours Degree level will be classified using the University’s
current classification system.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 13

 b) Degree without Honours to a student who successfully completes or is otherwise
credited with at least 300 credits (including 60 credits at level 6) on an Honours
programme.
c) Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) to a student who successfully completes, or is
otherwise credited with, at least 240 credits, of which 90 must be at Level 5 or above,
and at least 90 at Level 4 or above.
d) Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) to a student who successfully completes, or
is otherwise credited with, at least 120 credits, of which at least 90 must be at Level 4
or above.

Postgraduate Masters Awards

D7.3 The Progression and Award Board may also confer:

a) Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) to a student who successfully completes, or is

otherwise credited with, at least 120 credits, of which at least 90 must be at Level 7 or
above
b) Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) to a student who successfully completes, or is
otherwise credited with, at least 60 credits, of which at least 40 must be at Level 7 or
above

Aegrotat Awards

D7.4 Where a student suffers severe or long-term illness, an aegrotat may be recommended
when a Progression and Award Board does not have enough evidence of the student’s
performance to be able to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate.
The Progression and Award Board must be satisfied that, but for illness or other valid
cause, the student would have demonstrated the standard required. In such
circumstances, the student or their representatives must have signified that the student is
willing to accept the award.

D8 REASSESSMENT

Resit

D8.1 A resit is the opportunity to re-attempt a component of assessment(s) in order to pass a

module overall within the same academic year as the original attempt as part of the
recognised resit period.

D8.2 Where compensation has not been or cannot be applied, students will normally be given
the opportunity to resit any failed modules (all or some elements of assessment within the
module). The reassessment in those failed modules will normally be permitted in the resit
period prior to the commencement of the student’s next academic stage of study.

D8.3 Regulation D5.7 will not apply for resit opportunities.

D8.4 Retrieval of failure obtained by resit will result in component capping i.e. the minimum
pass grade will be recorded for those elements that were resat. The overall grade for the
module will not be capped.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 14

 Best Grade Standing

D8.5 Where a student is required to undertake a resit of an assessment following an initial failed
first attempt, the greater of the two marks obtained will be recorded to calculate the
overall module mark. Any required capping of marks will apply where applicable.

D8.6 Where component capping has produced an overall module fail but the grade(s) achieved
would have resulted in an overall module pass had the component capping not been
applied, the Progression and Award Board shall have the discretion to confirm the overall
module grade with a pass mark.

Repeat

D8.7 Where a student is required to repeat a failed module(s) (all or only failed components of
assessment), the reassessment of that module will be deemed a ‘repeat’ and will be
undertaken in the student’s next academic year.

D8.8 Reassessment as a repeat in the next academic year will include a third attempt at the
module (including all or only failed components of assessment).

D8.9 The Progression and Award Board may exceptionally permit a fourth and final attempt at
the module (or failed components within) and will be guided by consideration of the overall
programme profile.

D8.10 Retrieval of failure obtained by repeating a module(s) will result in the overall uncapped
grade attained being recorded for progression and classification purposes.

D8.11 Where the failed module is an option module, the student may substitute an alternative
module by agreement with the programme leader. Previous opportunities must be included
as part of the total number of opportunities to achieve a pass.

D8.12 Students repeating a module in a subsequent year will not be assessed in modules which
are no longer current in the framework but will be offered an opportunity to achieve a pass
on an alternative module.

Progression Trailing Credit

D8.13 Progression trailing credit is the opportunity to repeat failed modules (all or only failed
components of assessment) alongside the modules in the next stage of study.
D8.14 Where at the point of progression to their next academic stage a student has not passed
all modules, they will normally be given the opportunity to progress trailing credit up to
the maximum credits stipulated below:

a) Undergraduate students may only be permitted to trail up to a maximum of 30 credits

worth of modules.
b) Postgraduate students who have undertaken 120-credits may only be permitted to
trail up to a maximum of 60 credits worth of modules.

D8.15 The failed modules (all or only failed components of assessment) will be taken alongside
the full credit worth of modules in the next stage.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 15

D8.16 Retrieval of a failure obtained by repeating a module(s) through ‘Progression Trailing
Credit’ will result in the overall grade attained being recorded for progression and
classification purposes.

D9 REASSESSMENT WITH ACCEPTED EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

D9.1 The Progression and Award Board will take account of the outcome of a successful claim
for extenuating circumstances in determining a progression or final award decision.

D9.2 Students who have an accepted extenuating circumstances claim for deferral or impaired
performance will be considered for a reassessment opportunity as outlined below. For
assessments solely for which an extenuating circumstances extension request has been
granted, the Reassessment regulations in D8 will apply.

Reassessment following an accepted deferral claim

D9.4 The Progression and Award Board will consider the student’s overall profile applying the
principles in D8 in to determine the timing of the reassessment opportunity as either:

a) A deferred resit - the reassessment opportunity will be taken during the resit period
prior to the commencement of the student’s next academic stage of study; or
b) A deferred repeat - the reassessment opportunity will be taken in the student’s next
academic year.

D9.5 The deferred reassessment will be treated as a first attempt and the regulations for
passing a module in section D5 will be applied to the deferred reassessment.

Reassessment following accepted impaired performance

D9.6 Where a student has passed an assessment at the first attempt the Progression and Award
Board will apply the principles in D8 to determine whether a student is given a
reassessment opportunity to improve their existing grade.

a) Where a reassessment opportunity has been offered, the greater of the two marks
obtained will be recorded to calculate the overall module mark. No capping will be
applied to the reassessment attempt.
b) Where the student does not undertake the reassessment opportunity, the existing
grade(s) will be confirmed.

D9.7 Where a student has failed an assessment at the first attempt, D9.3 and D9.4 will apply.

D10 APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISION OF A PROGRESSION AND AWARD BOARD

D10.1 A student may appeal against a decision of the Progression and Award Board in
accordance with the Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 16

E. EXTERNAL EXAMINERS

E1.1 For every programme or group of modules leading to a qualification awarded by the
University there shall be at least one examiner who is external to the University whose
primary role is:

i) to verify that academic standards are appropriate for the qualification, or part thereof,
which they have been appointed to examine;
ii) to ensure national comparability of academic standards;
iii) to ensure that the assessment process is rigorous, fair and fairly operated, in line with
the University’s policies and regulations.

E1.2 The External Examiners Handbook sets out the principles and requirements governing:

i) the functions of an External Examiner

ii) the nomination, appointment and induction of External Examiners
iii) the preparation and submission of External Examiner reports
iv) the University’s consideration of and responses to External Examiner reports.

F. CONFERMENT OF AWARDS

F1 GENERAL

F1.1 An academic award (other than honorary) can only be given to a student who is registered
for that award and who has satisfied the academic requirements to qualify for the award
and all other requirements of the university, including the discharge of any outstanding
financial obligations.

F1.2 The date of conferment of a taught award will normally be the date of the final decision by
the Progression and Award Board that the student has qualified for the award.

F1.3 In very exceptional circumstances it may be necessary for an award to be rescinded.

Quality Assurance (QA) should be informed of the circumstances and, subject to advice
from QA, the following action should be taken:

a) If an error in recording the decisions of the Progression and Award Board was
undetected up to and after the point of publishing the results the Chair of the
Progression and Award Board will inform all members of the Board and issue a
corrected record as quickly as possible, writing individually to the student(s)
concerned.
b) If it should come to the attention of the Chair of the Progression and Award Board
after the Board had met that there had been a breach of regulations which would
affect the final outcome of the assessment and of which the Board was not aware, all
students in that cohort should be informed that their awards are deferred and the
Progression and Award Board should be reconvened to reconsider the results of the
students involved.
c) In all other cases the Academic Registry and Quality Assurance will be consulted on
the appropriate procedure to be followed.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 17

F2 ISSUE OF AWARD AND ASSOCIATED CERTIFICATES

F2.1 The certificate available to a student will be that specified in the regulations for the
programme on which the student is registered. Unless specified in the regulations, an
interim certificate will not be awarded to a student who is continuing to the final award.

F2.2 A student who leaves the University having completed one or more stages of an award may
receive a certificate for the highest stage completed if the programme regulations allow it
and with the approval of the Progression and Award Board.

F2.3 Unless the award is made by an external body, the certificate will be in the format
approved by the University. Samples of the approved format and wording of certificates
will be held by the University Conferments Office. Certificates will bear the signature of
the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor. Certificates without these signatures, or which
have been amended after issue, are not valid.

F2.4 A Diploma Supplement (which incorporates the University’s transcript) will be provided for
any student who has successfully completed a programme of study leading to an award of
the University.

F2.5 A record of achievement (transcript) will be provided for any student who has successfully
completed any elements of a programme of study leading to an award of the University.
The transcript will be in the format currently approved in the University.

F3 POSTHUMOUS AWARDS

F3.1 In the unfortunate event of a student death, the deceased student will be
recommended for the award on which they were registered. Where all the required
assessments for the award were completed at the time of death the conferment
and any classification will be considered under D6. Where the required
assessments were not completed at the time of death, an unclassified award will
be conferred.

F3.2 A posthumous award will normally be the named award to which the studentwas
registered except in cases where professional body requirements advise otherwise.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Academic Registry 18

Appendix A: Grade Translation Policy and Scales for Study Abroad, Exchange
and Erasmus Students

Grade Translation Policy

and Scales for Study Abroad,
Exchange and Erasmus
Students

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Appendix A 19

University of Greenwich Grade Translation Policy and Scales for Study Abroad, Exchange and
Erasmus students

Students who spend part of their degrees overseas at an approved partner institution on an exchange
(including Erasmus) or on another approved Study Abroad opportunity will have their host institution
grades converted to University of Greenwich grades after they return to complete their studies at
Greenwich. This also applies to programmes of study that lead to dual or multiple awards, where there is
an agreement that grades awarded for credits studied at the partner should be imported into the
University of Greenwich record/transcript. Students must ensure that an official transcript is sent to their
Erasmus Coordinator or the Study Abroad and Exchanges Coordinator as appropriate, and should also
keep a detailed record of coursework undertaken at the host institution (including essay papers, exams,
projects and module syllabi wherever possible), to assist in the grade conversion process.

Grades from host institutions will be translated according to University of Greenwich grading
conventions. If a student takes more courses abroad than what is required at Greenwich, there will be a
preference in converting grades for courses that roughly correspond with modules which students would
have taken if they had stayed on campus throughout their degree. These grades will then be used
towards students’ overall degree classifications and considered at the relevant Progression and Award
Board (PAB). Notwithstanding these notes and the acknowledgement that translations of host grades
may be subject to some interpretation by Greenwich staff, the recommended grade translation scales
used by the University of Greenwich are included below:

Approx % of
successful
Indicative % ECTS definition and criteria of
ECTS grade students UoG grade
mark performance
achieving the
grade
EXCELLENT:
A 10 >70 1 an outstanding piece of work, with only
marginal mistakes

VERY GOOD:
B 25 60-70 2:1
some mistakes, but overall still very good

GOOD:
C 30 55-60 Upper 2:2 good and sound understanding, but with
some basic mistakes
SATISFACTORY:
D 25 50-55 Lower 2:2 an average piece of work, clearly
showing some deficiencies

PASS:
E 10 40-49 3
the work fulfils the requirements

Fail Minor improvements would be necessary

FX - 35-39
(Compensatable) in order to achieve a pass

F - <35 Bad Fail Considerable further work is required

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Appendix A 20

Recommended grade translation scales between the University of Greenwich and overseas
national grading systems for undergraduate students

UK (UoG) 1st 2:1 2:2 Third/Pass Fail

30-39%
80% or 29% or
70-79% 65-69% 60-64% 55-59% 50-54% 45-49% 40-44% (compen-
higher lower
satable)
Austria 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

Belgium 20 19 18 17 16 14 to 15 12 to 13 10 to 11 9 8

Croatia 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1

Czech Republic 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

Denmark 12 12 10 10 7 4 2 2 0 -3

Finland 5 5 4 4 3 2 1 1 0 0

France 18 – 20 16 – 17 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 <8

Germany (5
1 1.5 1.6 – 2.0 2.1 – 2.5 2.6 – 3.0 3.1 – 3.5 3.6 – 4.0 3.6 – 4.0 4.1 – 4.5 4.6– 5
point Scale)
Greece 10 - 9.0 8.9 - 8.5 8.49 - 7.5 7.49 - 7 6.9 - 6.5 6.49 - 6.0 5.9-5.5 5.49 - 5 0 to 4.9 0 to 4.9

Ireland 0.8 70 – 79% 60 – 69% 60 – 69% 50 – 59% 50 – 59% 45 – 49% 40 – 44% 30 – 39% <30%

Italy 29 - 30.00 29 - 30.00 27 -28.99 27 -28.99 24 -26.99 19 -23.99 18 -18.99 18 -18.99 14 - 17.99 0 - 13.99

Malta 95 – 10% 80 – 94% 75 – 79% 70 – 74% 65 – 69% 55 – 64% 50 – 54% 45 – 49% 35 – 44% <34%

5.26 –
Netherlands 9 – 10 7.5 – 8.9 7.1 - 7.49 6.5 - 7 6.1 – 6.49 5.5 - 6 5 – 5.25 4 – 4.9 0 – 3.9
5.49
Spain 10 9.0 – 9.9 8.4 – 8.9 7.5 – 8.3 6.9 – 7.4 6.3 - 6.8 5.6 - 6.2 5 - 5.5 3.7 – 4.9 0 – 3.6

Sweden (5U) 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 U U

Pass with Pass with Pass with Pass with

Sweden (UM) Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail
Distinction Distinction Credit Credit
Pass with Pass with
Sweden (UV) Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail
Distinction Distinction

Sweden (UG) Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail

Sweden (AF) A A B B C D E E F F

USA A detailed breakdown of the recommended grade translation scale for the USA is published overleaf.

This table will be updated as new partnerships are approved.

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Appendix A 21

Recommended grade translation scale between the University of Greenwich and American
grading systems

UoG US GPA US Letter

Percentage (on a 4.0 scale) Grade*
80% 4.00** A+
76% 4.00 A
74% 3.95
72% 3.90 A-
70% 3.85
69% 3.80
68% 3.75
67% 3.70
66% 3.65
65% 3.60
B+
64% 3.55
63% 3.50
62% 3.45
61% 3.40
60% 3.35
59% 3.30
58% 3.25
57% 3.20 B
56% 3.15
55% 3.10
54% 3.05
52% 3.00
50% 2.95
48% 2.90
47% 2.85
46% 2.80 B-
45% 2.75
44% 2.70
43% 2.65
42% 2.60
41% 2.55
40% 2.50
39% 2.45
C+
38% 2.40
37% 2.35
36% 2.30
35% 2.25
34% 2.20
33% 2.15 C
32% 2.10
31% 2.05
30% 2.00
24% 1.70 C-
16% 1.30 D+
10% 1.00 D
5% 0.7 D-
0% 0 F

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Appendix A 22

 Recommended grade translation scale between the University of Greenwich and grading systems
for postgraduate students

UK 90- 80- 70- 60- 50- 40- 30- 20- 10- 0-

(UoG) 100% 89% 79% 69% 59% 49% 39% 29% 19% 9%

France 18.0-20.0 16.0-17.9 14.0-15.9 12.0-13.9 10.0-11.9 8.0-9.9 6.0-7.9 4.0-5.9 2.0-3.9 0-1.9

Norway A B C D E F

Academic Regulations for Taught Awards: Appendix A 23