Important assessment and exam update from Sheffield Hallam University

Student working

Information for students on a course that leads to a Sheffield Hallam University qualification.

UCEN Manchester and Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) has provided an assessment and exam update for all students studying on courses for which SHU is the validating partner in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Working together, the priority of both institutions is to ensure that learning, assessments, and results are not adversely affected as a result of COVID-19. The measures we have put in place to support you are outlined below.

Level 5 and Level 6 students

Assignments

We have made extension requests more flexible in response to issues and concerns that many of you have raised.

The criteria for extensions have been extended to include any situation related to COVID-19. These extension requests will not require evidence.

You can request an extension in the usual manner, by completing the form available online and submitting it to mc@ucenmcr.tmc.ac.uk.

You can also contact your teaching team or personal tutor for support if you have specific concerns about completing assessments.

Every department has reviewed their arrangements for coursework assessment and made adjustments where needed. Where assessment arrangements have changed, or deadlines are extended, you will be contacted about these. Otherwise you should continue to work to existing deadlines.

Feedback

It is our intention that you receive feedback as normal within UCEN Manchester’s planned timescales.

However, it is possible that some feedback may be subject to a delay. Your Department will keep you informed if this is the case.

Examinations

Examinations will be delivered online unless you are informed otherwise. In practice this means that:

  • No face-to-face exams will take place.
  • Exam papers will be available through Moodle.
  • Your answers will be submitted through Moodle in the same way as coursework assignments.
  • Where an online exam is not possible your department will communicate alternative assessment arrangements to you.

Our approach to marks and grades

No student will be disadvantaged as a result of the action the University has had to take in response to COVID-19

Therefore:

  1. Department Assessment Boards will carefully consider the profile of marks achieved and make adjustments where marks have been affected by circumstances related to COVID-19.
  2. Department Assessment Boards will take into account the overall performance of your cohort, your previous marks and any extenuating circumstances.

If you are dissatisfied with your assessment outcome, you will be able to retake the assessment or examination without detriment to your academic profile. Your mark will not be capped and your highest mark will stand.

Level 4 students

All Level 4 students will be able to progress automatically onto the next level of study.

We are doing this because you are at the beginning of your academic journey, and there is still time for us to ensure that you have covered the required academic content for your course, met learning outcomes and developed important skills.

We encourage you to make the most of this time to engage with any remaining course work and recap key topics for your course, even though they will not be formally assessed.

How these decisions have been made

In making these decisions we have taken several things into account.

  • We do not want any student to be disadvantaged.
  • We want to be able to respond to individual circumstances.
  • We want to ensure that you are able to progress in your studies.

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact your Programme Leader.