Regulations for Undergraduate Programmes
2023-2024

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Admission, registration and engagement

3. Recognition of prior learning

4. Programmes of study

5. Mode of attendance, suspension & duration of study

6. Modules, engagement & assessment

7. Progression

8. Repeat study

9. Short-term absence

10. Awards

11. Classification of Honours degrees

12. Readmission

A: Introduction

1. These regulations are the most important part of the University’s information for undergraduate students. They set out requirements and expectations for the University’s undergraduate programmes.  They should be read together with the specific requirements for the student’s programme of study, and the following University policies, procedures and guidance:

• Academic Appeals Procedure
• Code of Student Discipline: Academic Misconduct
• Assessment Policy
• Examination Rules for Candidates
• Fitness to Practice Policy
• Fitness to Study Protocol
• Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning
• Mitigating Circumstances Procedures (including Fitness to sit assessments)
• Guide to the Grade Point Average

2. These regulations apply to all undergraduate programmes of study unless an exception is specifically highlighted. Further information will be available to students in handbooks, the University website and the virtual learning environment, but in all cases these regulations take precedence.

3. Any cases for waiver or exception from these regulations will be considered by Senate, which may delegate authority to the Principal.

B: Admission, registration and engagement

4. Students who are admitted to the University must complete registration prior to the start of term 1. Students are not entitled to attend classes until registration has been completed, and in all cases students must have completed registration and started attending classes no later than the end of week 2 of term.  Changes of degree programme within the same academic year are not normally permitted later than the end of week 2, term 1 of the academic year.

5. Students must register at the start of each subsequent academic year of their programme, unless suspension of studies for the full academic year has been approved in advance. The University expects students to engage with all (on campus and/or online) lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory practicals; and access and engage with available learning resources on the University Virtual Learning Environment and library. If a student is unable to attend, they should inform the relevant module deliverer or School Academic Advisor.

6. The University reserves the right to withdraw the registration of students who have failed to disclose relevant information; or who have presented misleading or false information, in applying for a programme of study; or those who do not sufficiently engage with their studies through attendance at timetabled classes and/or learning materials on the University Virtual Learning Environment for a period of 15 working days or more. The University also reserves the right to decline or withdraw the registration of students who do not hold the appropriate immigration status, or who fail to comply with the conditions of their visa.

C: Recognition of prior learning

7. A student may be awarded credit in recognition of academic or vocational study completed elsewhere, or of equivalent experiential learning. Credit may be awarded in relation to a specific module or as general credit.  Further details are available in the Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning.

8. Requests for recognition of prior learning will normally be made before the start of the programme of study, so that an appropriate entry point and any variation to the standard programme can be agreed. Exceptionally, accreditation of prior learning in relation to a specific module may be considered within the first three weeks of the term in which that module is delivered.

9. The maximum amount of credit that can be counted towards the award of a Bachelor’s degree, Honours degree or integrated Master’s degree is 240, unless the student is admitted under a specific articulation agreement that permits a higher amount. The maximum amount of credit that can be counted towards a Diploma in Higher Education is 120.  No credit may be counted towards a Certificate in Higher Education.

D: Programmes of study

10. The undergraduate awards of the University are:

11. At the point of first registration, each student is registered for a specific programme of study, or as a student completing modules for credit only. The requirements for each stage of each programme of study are set out in the ‘Programme Structures’ section of OASIS.

12. A student seeking to change programme for the following academic year should complete the Programme Transfer Form available on OASIS. Programme transfers are at the discretion of the University and decisions will take into account the student’s qualifications on entry, modules taken and grades achieved, availability of places and any programme-specific requirements.¹

^{1. If a student transfers onto another university programme, they must complete their current studies successfully (where this is a requirement of the transfer) or suspend studies (when this occurs in term 1) with immediate effect (and by the end of week 10) and begin their new programme of studies at the next available opportunity. A student wishing to transfer after week 10 of term 1 must gain at least 60 credits in the academic year that the request is submitted. Otherwise, they must withdraw and reapply for admission for the new programme (see reg 74, 75 and 76).}

E: Mode of attendance, suspension and duration of study

13. A full-time student will study 120 credits in each academic session. Any student studying fewer than 120 credits will be part-time, except in cases where a student is studying 100 credits and has been granted recognition of prior learning for the remaining 20 credits.  A student following an accelerated degree programme will study 180 credits over 3 terms in year 2 and in year 3.

14. A student may apply to transfer from full-time to part-time, or vice-versa, by writing to the Director of Student and Academic Services. Approval to change will depend on the appropriateness of the proposed mode of study for the student’s programme and visa status.

15. A student may apply to suspend study for a period of up to 12 months ² by writing to the Director of Student and Academic Services. Normally only one suspension will be granted during a student’s period of study.

16. After the end of week 2 of a term, suspension for that term will only be considered in cases where the student has extenuating circumstances supported by evidence. Suspension for a term cannot be considered after the end of week 10 of that term.

17. In certain circumstances, suspension may not be possible, for example where a stage of a programme is running in its current form for the last time.

18. Where suspension is granted, a return to study date will be agreed. The student must register and resume their studies on that date; otherwise they will be withdrawn from study.

19. The maximum period of study, not including any approved suspension, for each award is:

20. Where a student transfers between full-time and part-time modes of study the maximum period of enrolment will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. This does not apply in cases where a student is required to register part-time in order to repeat failed modules.

21. The maximum period of study will be reduced by one year full-time or two years part-time for every 120 credits granted in recognition of prior learning.

^{2 Students who require a UK student visa to study at the University are only allowed to suspend study for up to 60 days to comply with UKVI immigration rules unless they return to their home country.}

F: Modules, engagement and assessment

22. Undergraduate programmes are made up of modules, which each carry 5, 10 or 20 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits³. Some placement or project modules carry 40 or 60 SCQF credits.  A programme stage will contain modules totalling 120 SCQF credits.

23. Students are expected to engage with the learning opportunities offered to them by the University, but also to study independently, taking responsibility for their own learning.

24. Exceptionally, Academic Quality and Standards Committee may approve a minimum attendance or participation requirement in order to pass a module.  Such requirements will be made explicit in the module descriptor.

25. Each module is assessed by one or more units of assessment. Each unit of assessment is given a percentage weighting in the calculation of the module grade.

26. In order to be awarded credit for a module, a student must meet the learning outcomes by completing all units of assessment for the module. If the student has failed to submit or attend for a unit of assessment, they will be unable to pass the module overall.

27. Students may submit work up to 5 working days after the published submission date⁴ or students with a valid reason, as defined in the Mitigating Circumstances Policy, may apply for an extension to the submission date of up to 5 or 10 working days⁵.

Students without a valid reason, as defined in the Mitigating Circumstances Policy, may submit work up to 5 working days after the published deadline but the mark will be subject to a penalty as follows:

• Up to 5 working days after the published deadline – a deduction of 0.5 GPA for each working day from the actual mark achieved by the student (e.g. from C+ to F, if an assessment is handed in on the fifth working day).
• After 5 working days a grade of NS will be awarded.

No late submission will be accepted for modules assessed on a pass/fail basis.

28. Students should ensure they are familiar with the Code of Student Discipline: Academic Misconduct and the Examination Rules for Candidates.

29. Exceptionally, Academic Quality and Standards Committee may specify that a pass grade must be achieved in a particular unit of assessment in order to pass a module. Such requirements will be made explicit in the module descriptor.

30. Student performance in each assessment and in each module will normally be assessed and recorded using the criteria and grades described below. Exceptionally, Academic Quality and Standards Committee may grant approval for a module to be assessed on a pass/fail basis only.  Grades will be confirmed by a Subject Assessment Board following the end of each term.

31. Credit will be awarded for a module where a student has achieved a grade of A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+ or D or Pass (where the module is a binary pass/fail). MF, F and NS are fail grades and no credit will be awarded.

32. Where a student has a grade of NS for any unit of assessment, they will receive an overall module grade of NS. However, they will normally be permitted to resit the assessment at the second assessment opportunity as a reassessment, with the unit grade capped at D.

33. A minimum grade of MF⁶ must be achieved in each unit of assessment, and a minimum of D overall, in order to receive a passing grade for a module.   

34. Where a student receives an overall module grade of MF or F, or a grade of F in a unit of assessment, reassessment will be available to them, once only, in each unit of assessment in which they do not yet have a passing grade, except in those units where reassessment is not possible (which will be set out in the module descriptor). Where the fail grade is in a final dissertation or project, one resubmission will be permitted.

There is no limit to the number of modules in which a student can be reassessed.

35. The highest unit grade that can be awarded following reassessment is D (or pass where the unit is a binary pass/fail). A student who has undertaken reassessment cannot be awarded a lower grade than that achieved at the first attempt.

36. A student cannot be reassessed in a unit of assessment⁷, or in a module, in which they already have a passing grade.

^{3 Unless otherwise defined in an agreed partnership arrangement with another institution.}

^{4 This includes submissions during the resit/resubmission period. Regulation 27(a) is also followed for resits/resubmissions so penalising the substantive grade not the capped grade.}

^{5 A student with a valid reason for an extension may not exercise the right to submit an assessment as ‘late’ as defined in reg 27 (a). Late submission after an extension will result in the award of ‘NS’.}

^{6 Refer to Literal Grading Policy relating to the calculation for MF.}

^{7 Except where a student is required to repeat study (see Reg 46).}

G: Progression

37. Student progression will be considered at the end of each term, including the summer term for Accelerated Degree students. The main progression point will be at the end of each stage of study.  However, interim progression decisions may be taken where a student has failed to engage or does not have the academic prerequisites to continue.  Students who have received grades of NS in all modules in a term will normally be required to withdraw.

38. The Programme Assessment Board oversees student progression. A student has the right to appeal against a decision of the Programme Assessment Board, in line with the Academic Appeals Procedure.

39. Standard progression at the end of a stage of full-time study is completion of 120 credits with passing grades. Such students will be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the degree programme.  Students progressing from stage 3 of an integrated Master’s degree programme require passing grades in 120 credits in stage 3, with a stage GPA of at least 2.5.  Students in stage 4 of the MSci programme must maintain a stage GPA of at least 2.5 to progress to stage 5.

40. The Programme Assessment Board (PAB) may opt to condone one module of up to 20 credits with an overall grade of MF, per stage of study. Condonement⁸ may be used at the end of year PAB only if a student has no more than 40 credits outstanding. Students who have a module condoned will receive a grade point of 1.0 for that module, for the purposes of calculating classification. Condonement may not be applied where a module has been identified as a Core Prerequisite, is integral to achieving the stage learning outcomes, or is required as part of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body’s (PSRB)

41. Where a student has studied abroad the Programme Assessment Board may opt to condone the equivalent of up to 20 SCQF credits of marginally failed modules taken during their study abroad, where no Condonement is applied to Abertay modules.

42. Students who have passed 95 credits of a stage will be permitted to proceed to the next stage but will be required to take the failed module(s), or an agreed substitute module, in the next academic year as a carried module, unless the failed module is a prerequisite that must be passed in order to progress to the next stage. Students may not progress to stage 5 of an integrated Master’s programme carrying failed modules.

43. Students who have passed at least 60 credits, but fewer than 95 credits of a stage, or who have failed a prerequisite module, will be required, if eligible, to undertake repeat study in the following year in order to retake the modules in which they have not achieved a passing grade, or to take agreed substitute modules. Students who undertake repeat study in stage 4 may not progress to stage 5 of an integrated Master’s programme.

44. Students who have passed fewer than 60 credits of a stage will normally be required to withdraw from study.

45. Those following a degree programme on a part-time basis will progress from one stage to the next on the same basis as above, will be expected to pass at least half the credit for which they have registered in each academic year, and must be able to complete within the maximum period of study.

^{8 Condonement cannot be granted for modules with proven academic deceit from an Academic Misconduct hearing.}

H: Repeat study

46. Where a student is permitted to repeat a module or modules in the next academic year, they must participate fully and complete all assessments. No previous attempts at assessment may be carried forward.  The grade achieved will not be capped if it is achieved at the first assessment diet.  The module(s) must be passed for the student to progress; otherwise they will be required to withdraw.

47. A student will be permitted to repeat a stage once only. To be eligible to progress after a repeated stage, the student must have passed the stage requirements in full; otherwise they will be required to withdraw.

48. No student will be permitted to repeat more than two stages of study. If a student fails to progress from a stage on a third occasion, they will normally be required to withdraw.

49. A student may not take the same module (or a module and an agreed substitute for that module) in more than two academic sessions.

I: Short-term absence and mitigating circumstances

50. For short-term illness and other issues that may be difficult to evidence, students are able to exercise an entitlement to ‘self-certify’ for two five working day extensions⁹ for two assessments in total¹⁰ in each academic year¹¹.  For any other absences when an assessment or multiple assessments are due, a student may apply for an extension or deferral of assessment as described in the Mitigating Circumstances Procedures.    Any request for extension must be submitted on or before the date on which the assessment is due. 

51. Any request for deferral should be submitted in advance of the assessment¹² deadline or examination date; where this is not possible, they should be submitted, including evidence, within 5 working days of the assessment date. Only in exceptional cases, such as emergency hospitalisation, will requests be accepted later. Deferral will not be considered after the Subject Assessment Board has met.

52. Where a student has completed an assessment but believes their performance has been affected by serious mitigating circumstances, the student should notify Academic Services in writing, with supporting evidence, within 5 working days of the assessment date.  The evidence may take the form of a statement from a student advisor , counsellor or mental health advisor in Student Services.  The Subject Assessment Board has discretion to set aside the attempt and allow deferral of the assessment.

53. Applications for extension and deferral are overseen by the Programme Assessment Board.

54. Where deferral of an assessment has been approved, a grade of ‘DF’ (deferred) will be recorded, and assessment should be completed by the end of the reassessment period. If assessment cannot be completed in the reassessment period, a final grade of ‘IN’ will be recorded, and the module may be repeated in the following academic year, provided the student is eligible to do so.

^{9 Excludes scheduled exams, class exams, vivas, or assessments that must be taken ‘live’ at a specified time and date.}

^{10 ibid.}

^{11 Once requested for use, self-certification will not be rescinded or reinstated.}

^{12 Including presentation or viva.}

J: Awards

55. Each undergraduate award has a minimum credit requirement that must be met in full.

56. For the award of the Certificate in Higher Education, students require passes in 120 credits.

57. For the award of the Diploma in Higher Education, students require passes in 240 credits, with at least 100 at level 8.

58. For the award of a Bachelor’s Degree with a specific title, students require passes in 360 credits, fulfilling the requirements specified in stages 1-3 of the programme structure for that title.

59. For the award of an Honours Degree with a specific title, students require passes in 480 credits, fulfilling the requirements of the programme structure for that title in full.

60. For the award of an integrated Master’s Degree, students require passes in 600 credits, fulfilling the requirements of the programme in full.

61. Where a student has passes in 360 credits but does not fulfil the requirements of a specific Bachelor’s degree title, they may be awarded a BA or BSc in General Studies provided they have passed at least 60 credits at level 9.

62. Where a student has passes in 480 credits but does not fulfil the requirements of a specific Honours degree title, they may be awarded a BA with Honours or BSc with Honours in General Studies provided they have passed at least 100 credits at level 9 and 100 credits at level 10.

63. For the award of the Graduate Certificate, students require passes in 60 credits at level 9.

64. For the award of the Graduate Diploma, students require passes in 120 credits at level 9.

65. The Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and integrated Master’s Degree may be awarded with Distinction or with Merit.

66. A grade point average will be calculated to determine eligibility for an award with Distinction or Merit. For the Certificate in Higher Education, it will be based on the passing grades achieved in stage 1; for the Diploma in Higher Education, on the passing grades achieved in stage 2; for the Bachelor’s degree, on the passing grades achieved in stage 3; for the integrated Master’s degree, on the passing grades achieved in stages 4 and 5; and for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma, on the passing grades achieved in all modules taken.  Failed modules, and any modules assessed on a pass/fail basis, will not be included in the GPA calculation. Grade Point Averages will be calculated on the basis of the best 100 credits achieved, out of the 120 credits required for the stage (where this is higher than the normal 120 credit calculation). For the integrated Master’s degree, Grade Point Averages will be calculated on the basis of the best 200 credits achieved across stages 4 and 5 (where this is higher than the normal 240 credit calculation).

67. An award will be made with distinction where a student has an overall grade point average of at least 3.75.

68. An award will be made with Merit where a student has an overall grade point average of at least 2.75.

69. Any of the University’s undergraduate awards may be awarded posthumously. A posthumous award will be calculated based on credit attained. 

70. Where a student has been prevented from completing sufficient assessment due to severe illness or other exceptional circumstances, the School may recommend to Senate that an Aegrotat award is made. An Aegrotat award does not carry a classification, merit or distinction.

K: Classification of Honours degrees

71. Degree classification will be determined based on a weighted grade point average of the passing grades achieved in the modules taken in stages 3 and 4 (normally 240 credits in total). Degree Classification will be determined based on a weighted grade point average of the passing grades in the 200 best credits achieved in stages 3 and 4 (where this is higher than the normal 240 credit calculation).

Failed modules, and any modules assessed on a pass/fail basis, will not be included in the GPA calculation. 

Credits achieved during a study abroad placement in stages 3 and/or 4 will not normally be included in the GPA calculation but will count towards the minimum credit requirement.

Degree classification for students who have undertaken a study abroad placement in stages 3 or 4 will be determined based on a weighted grade point average of the following:

• The best 140 credits out of 180 credits achieved at Abertay University (where 60 credits have been successfully undertaken at an approved partner); or
• The best 100 credits out of 120 credits achieved at Abertay University (where 120 credits have been successfully undertaken at an approved partner).

72. The calculated Grade point average corresponds to an Honours classification as detailed in the table below:

73. A degree classification will be calculated for each student who meets the credit requirements for an Honours degree in full. A student who has not met the credit requirements is not eligible for the award of the Honours degree, regardless of grade point average.

L: Readmission

74. Application for readmission should be made through UCAS by the end of June (subject to availability of places). Readmission to the University is at the discretion of the Director of Student and Academic Services or nominee, in consultation with the School in which the applicant seeks to study.  The applicant’s previous academic record will be taken into account.

75. Where an applicant was previously required to withdraw from study, the application for readmission will be considered by the Academic Appeals Panel/s.

76. Where readmission is approved, the previous academic record will stand in full, and the regulations in force at the point of readmission will apply.  If an academic award had previously been granted, the student will be required to surrender that award before a higher award may be granted.

Download this document