Published for 2024-25
1. | A Material Irregularity is an administrative or procedural error which has a significant, negative impact on a student’s performance at summative assessment or a situation in which the integrity of summative assessment has been compromised. A Material Irregularity may affect one student or a group of students. It does not include disagreement with an academic judgement about the quality of student work submitted for assessment. |
2. | Where a student has a concern about a Material Irregularity, they must follow the procedure set out in Section 7: Academic Appeals Procedure.Ìý |
3. | Where a °×С½ãÂÛ̳ member of staff identifies a potential irregularity in the assessment process, it must be investigated to establish whether the circumstances are material, which students have been affected and how °×С½ãÂÛ̳ will address the irregularity. |
4. | Where Industrial Action affects assessment, progression, and award, guidance for staff can be found within Annex 6.6.2: Managing the Impact of the Industrial Action on Assessment. |
5. | Where the investigation concludes that a material irregularity has occurred, the Faculty Board of Examiners is responsible for determining an appropriate course of action in consultation with °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Education Services. This can be done by Chair’s Action if necessary. |
6. | The options open to the Faculty Board of Examiners include: |
Ìý | a) | Where possible, rectifying or mitigating the irregularity before the assessment takes place, ORÌý |
Ìý | b) | Offering a coursework extension, OR |
Ìý | c) | Suspending the late submission penalties, OR |
Ìý | d) | Adjusting an existing exam paper or assessment (the External Examiner must be informed), OR |
Ìý | e) | Offering an alternative method of assessment (approved by the External Examiner), OR |
Ìý | f) | Offering the student another opportunity to take the assessment as if for the first time and without penalty (Deferral with or without Tuition), OR |
Ìý | g) | Exclusion of the affected component/ module from Completion, Progression, Award or Classification decisions, OR |
Ìý | h) | Making a recommendation to the Director of Education Services or Director of Student Operations as appropriate on behalf of the Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience) for a Suspension of Regulations, OR |
Ìý | i) | Where the Board of Examiners has already made a decision on Progression or Award, recommending to the Director of Education Services or Director of Student Operations as appropriate on behalf of the Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience) that the decision is overturned and a new decision is put in its place, in consultation with the relevant External Examiner, OR |
Ìý | j) | A combination of the above mitigations. |
7. | In no circumstances should a student be awarded additional marks to compensate for the irregularity. |
8. | ÌýAll cases must be clearly recorded in the Faculty Board of Examiners minutes and any changes to student results recorded on Portico. |