Section F: interpretation and significant disruption

Regulations 55 - 56: Interpretation of regulations, approval of concessions and standards in the event of significant disruption.

Regulation 55 Interpretation of the regulations

The Academic Policy and Regulations Committee has authority to resolve any dispute arising from these regulations. The University Secretary and their nominees have authority to make urgent decisions relating to assessment issues.

Application of the regulation

55.1 Staff who need guidance on the postgraduate assessment regulations for research degrees, beyond that provided in the regulations and associated guidance, should contact the relevant Dean and/or the Academic Policy Officer with responsibility for the Academic Policy and Regulations Committee:

Academic Policy and Regulations Committee

55.2 The University uses questions on the regulations as a source of information for training and development of the regulations.

Regulation 56 Significant disruption: concessions and standards

When the University’s assessment practices are vulnerable to significant disruption then the Academic Policy and Regulations Committee may approve temporary concessions to mitigate the impact of assessment disruption on students, without compromising academic standards. The College takes decisions that ensure the consistency of treatment of students and the maintenance of academic standards. The overriding principles are that:

  1. the academic judgement of the examiners remains paramount;
  2. the University’s academic standards will be maintained; and
  3. the provisions of the University’s Postgraduate Assessment Regulations for Research Degrees remain in force except where a concession has been approved by the Academic Policy and Regulations Committee.

These concessions will only be used where necessary: if a College Postgraduate Committee is able to operate without a concession then the Committee will do so.

Application of the regulation

56.1 Significant disruption can be extremes of weather, loss of facilities, and factors beyond the University’s control which have an impact on the assessment of students. This may result in College Postgraduate Committees only having partial results available.

56.2 In response to individual significant disruptions that may have a widespread impact on assessment, the University will adopt a communication strategy for students, staff and key external stakeholders, for example External Examiners, to ensure that they are aware of the measures that are adopted.

56.3 All forms of assessment, such as theses submitted for assessment, examination scripts and course assignments, are the property and responsibility of the University, not of individual examiners or markers. They therefore must be accessible to the University when required.

56.4 Drawing on previous experience [CSPC 14/15 2 C], the issues and regulations where APRC may consider concessions include, but are not limited to:

(a) participation of External Examiners;

(b College Postgraduate Committee quorum;

(c) annual progression decisions.

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