Generic assessment criteria to guide marking in qualitative and quantitative work at each level (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are available here. 

ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK

The first edition of the  University's Assessment Handbook, endorsed by the Teaching and Learning Committee in June 2001 was circulated to School offices in October 2001 for distribution to all academic staff with teaching responsibilities.  It was also sent to partner Colleges.

The handbook has been compiled as a practical guide, to assist academic and other staff engaged in the assessment of students of the University or of its partner institutions.  It is intended to promote best practice.  Written at a general University level, it does not stand in isolation from faculty or subject-level policies and strategies which it complements.

The Working Group which compiled the Assessment Handbook undertook a review in 2002. A second edition was published in 2003 and a third edition in 2007. 

The 2009 edition is available here.  This edition incorporates the following developments in 2007 – 2009:

•  new designations for credit levels: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 replacing A, 1, 2, 3, M;

•  new definition of pass standard and removal of condonement of failure from regulations;

•  adoption of ‘exit velocity’ principle for the summary grading/classification of all awards and removal of requirement for applicable standard in 50% of the modules contributing to the overall grading;

•  introduction of ‘Distinction’ award in all undergraduate qualifications except Honours degree;

•  removal of restriction on use of coursework and examination in year 1 of undergraduate degrees;

•  change in distribution of marks for DAS award associated with Business Education Initiative (BEI) scheme;

•  revised Guide to Good Practice in Placement;

•  availability of staff guidance booklet in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (SENDO);

•  explicit encouragement of external examiner’s involvement in moderation of assessment schemes for modules at Levels 3 and 4 in undergraduate degrees;

•  removal of requirement for deposit of all Master’s dissertations in University Library;

•  right of appeal to the University by Associate Students;

•  new Academic Standing codes;

•  launch of Centre for Higher Education Practice.

 Web addresses and references have been updated where necessary.

If you have any comments on these webpages, please send them to:
academicoffice@ulster.ac.uk
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