Module assessment methods are initially approved through a course approval process which external advisors from other universities contribute to, alongside internal staff from Cumbria.
This process ensures that assessment tasks are pitched at the right academic level and that they are appropriate to the module content and learning outcomes.
The External Examiner appointed for the module/programme also approves all draft examination questions.
The University has a policy for all assessments to be turned around within 20 working days (excluding public holidays, University closure days and under exceptional circumstances) so you should not have to wait longer than 20 working days for initial feedback on your submissions. Depending on the type and method of assessment you may receive feedback sooner.
Timely feedback should help you to develop your Academic Skills for subsequent assessment tasks. See Working with feedback for more guidance.
All module marks are provisional until they have been approved by the University Assessment Board, after which you will be advised, through the ICON, of your confirmed mark. Marks can sometimes change through the moderation process (see below) so you should ensure that you know what your confirmed marks are (see further sections below).
All modules (apart from dissertations and theses) are moderated through a representative sample of student work (i.e. a sample of all grades) being moderated by a second marker. The second marker may see the first marker’s comments on student work and will have sight of the actual mark given. The second marker marks the work using the same assessment criteria and marking scheme and if the two marks are within the same grade band (eg A, B, C etc) the first mark stands.
In the unusual situation where marks given by the first and second marker are within different grade bands, a third marker is used and the final mark will be that which is closest to the third marker’s mark.
Dissertations and theses are blind double marked. In these cases, student work is blind marked independently by a second marker who sees neither the mark nor the feedback comments from the first marker. The two markers then agree the final provisional mark ensuring to the consistent application of the marking criteria across the student group.
In the unusual situation where a mark cannot be agreed by the two markers, a third marker will be brought in (as detailed above).
In all cases, student feedback (comments) is only provided by the first marker and at this point, the provisional mark is given to students.
Where there is no physical evidence for assessment (e.g. non text-based assignments), appropriate systems will be put in place to enable internal and external moderation activity. This could be through joint observation of performance or presentation, or capturing of performance or presentation by audio or visual recording mechanisms.
Where modules are offered across a number of sites at the same time, a further process of moderation takes place, with a sample of student work from each site moderated.
This process is used to ensure that a student group at Campus A is not advantaged or disadvantaged by marking processes used at Campus B.
Assessment results are presented to the University Progression and Award Board (UPAB) for confirmation when a student is either: at a progression point; at an award point; or where issues require UPAB approval (eg failure of a module, extenuating circumstances etc).
Once results have been presented to a University Progression and Award Board (UPAB) and marks are agreed (and therefore no longer subject to change), you will be sent an email informing you that your results have been agreed by the UPAB.
Results can be viewed via ICON and you will be sent an email letting you know when they are available. It is at this point that you are also notified of the outcomes of any claims for Extenuating Circumstances (ECs) and any reassessment requirements will be outlined.
See Assessment Boards for more information and to download the current schedule.
