Rethinking educational assessments: the matrimony of exams and coursework

Standardised tests have been cemented in education systems across the globe, but whether or not they are a better assessment of students’ ability compared to coursework still divides opinions.

Proponents of exam assessments argue that despite being stressful, exams are beneficial for many reasons, such as:

  • Provides motivation to study;
  • Results are a good measure of the student’s work and understanding (and not anyone else’s); and
  • They are a fair way of assessing students’ knowledge of a topic and encourage thinking in answering questions that everyone else is also taking.

But the latter may not be entirely true. A  Stanford study says question format can impact how boys and girls score on standardised tests. Researchers found that girls perform better on standardised tests that have more open-ended questions, while boys score higher when the tests include more multiple-choice questions.

Meanwhile, The Hechinger Report notes that assessments, when designed properly, can support, not just measure, student learning, building their skills and granting them the feedback they need.

“Assessments create feedback for teachers and students alike, and the high value of feedback – particularly timely feedback – is well-documented by learning scientists. It’s useful to know you’re doing something wrong right after you do it,” it said.

Exams are important for students, but they must be designed properly to ensure they support student learning. Source: Shutterstock

Conversely, critics of exams say the obsession with test scores comes at the expense of learning – students memorise facts, while some syllabi lack emphasis of knowledge application and does little to develop students’ critical thinking skills.

Meanwhile, teachers have argued that report card grades aren’t the best way to measure a student’s academic achievement , adding that they measure effort more than achievement.

Coursework, on the other hand, assesses a wider range of skills – it can consist of a range of activities such as quizzes, class participation, assignments and presentations. These steady assessments over an academic year suggests there is fair representation of students’ educational attainment while also catering for different learning styles.

Quizzes can be useful as they keep students on their toes and encourages them to study consistently, while giving educators a yardstick as to how well students are faring. Group work, however, can open up a can of worms when lazy students latch on to hard-working peers to pull up their grades, or when work is unevenly distributed among teammates.

It becomes clear that exams and coursework clearly test students’ different ‘muscles’, but do they supplement and support students’ learning outcomes and develop students as a whole?

The shifting tides

Coursework can develop skills such as collaboration and critical thinking among students, which exams cannot. Source: Shutterstock

News reports suggest that some countries are gradually moving away from an exam-oriented education system; these include selected schools in the US and Asian countries.

Last year, Malaysia’s Education Minister, Dr Maszlee Malik, said students from Year One to Three will no longer sit for exams come 2019, enabling the ministry to implement the Classroom-Based Assessment (PBD), in which they can focus on a pupil’s learning development.

Meanwhile, Singapore is cutting down on the number of exams for selected primary and secondary school levels, while Georgia’s school graduate exams will be abolished from 2020. Finland is a country known for not having standardised tests, with the exception of one exam at the end of students’ secondary school year.

Drawing from my experience, I found that a less exam-oriented system greatly benefitted me.

Going through 11 years of the Malaysian national education system was a testament that I did not perform well in an exam-oriented environment. I was often ‘first from the bottom’ in class, which did little to boost my confidence in school.

For university, I set out to select a programme that was less exam-oriented and eventually chose the American Degree Programme (ADP), while many of my schoolmates went with the popular A-Levels before progressing to their degree.

With the ADP, the bulk of student assessments (about 70 percent, depending on your institution) came from assignments, quizzes, class participation, presentations and the like, while the remaining 30 percent was via exams. Under this system, I found myself flourishing for the first time in an academic setting – my grades improved, I was more motivated to attend my classes and learned that I wasn’t as stupid as I was often made out to be during my school days.

This system of continuous assessments worked more in my favour than the stress of sitting for one major exam. In the former, my success or failure in an educational setting was not entirely dependent on how well I could pass standardised tests that required me to regurgitate facts through essays and open-ended or multiple choice questions.

Instead, I had more time to grasp new and alien concepts, and through activities that promoted continuous development, was able to digest and understand better.

Mixed assessments in schools and universities can be beneficial for developing well-rounded individuals. Source: Shutterstock

Additionally, shy students such as myself are forced between a rock and a hard place – to contribute to class discussions or get a zero for class participation, and to engage in group and solo presentations or risk getting zero for oral presentations.

One benefit to this system is that it gives you the chance to play to your strengths and work hard towards securing top marks in areas you care about. If you preferred the  examination or assignments portion, for example, you could knock it out of the park in those areas to pull up your grades.

Some students may be all-rounders who perform well in both exam-oriented and coursework assessments, but not all students say the same. However, the availability of mixed assessments in schools and universities can be beneficial for developing well-rounded individuals.

Under this system, students who perform poorly in exams will still have to go through them anyway, while students who excel in exam-oriented conditions are also forced to undergo other forms of assessments and develop their skill sets, including creativity, collaboration, oral and critical thinking skills.

Students who argue that their grades will fall under mixed-assessments should rethink the purpose of their education – in most instances, degrees aim to prepare people for employment.

But can exams really prepare students for employment where they’ll be working with people with different skills, requiring them to apply critical thinking and communication skills over a period of time to ensure work is completed within stipulated deadlines, despite hiccups that can happen between the start and finishing line of a project?

It’ll help if parents, educators and policymakers are on the bandwagon, too, instead of merely chasing for children and students to obtain a string of As.  

Grades hold so much power over students’ futures – from the ability to get an academic scholarship to gaining entry to prestigious institutions – and this means it can be difficult to get students who prefer one mode of assessment to convert to one that may potentially negatively affect their grades.

Ideally, education shouldn’t be about pitting one student against the other; it should be based on attaining knowledge and developing skills that will help students in their future careers and make positive contributions to the world.

Exams are still a crucial part of education as some careers depend on a student’s academic attainment (i.e. doctors, etc.). But rather than having one form of assessment over the other, matrimony between the two may help develop holistic students and better prepare them for the world they’ll soon be walking into.

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

Smartphones in schools: Yes, no or maybe?

How do universities maintain a cohesive class culture?

Popular stories

Student protests in the us: how to attend and keep your visa safe as an international student, boarding schools in america providing an excellent education to inspire the next generation of leaders, how to increase productivity by at least 12%: 8 tips to help you crush deadlines, get a job in the us, uk, or australia with these companies that sponsor visas for international students.

Think Student

What is Coursework at University?

In University by Think Student Editor October 5, 2023 Leave a Comment

Compared to the rest of the British education system, university can seem so very different. Lessons are now lectures or seminars, you have complete independence, and you even have the option to live on campus. Plus, there are so many other differences on top of this. This might make you wonder if the components of studying at university are different as well, especially in terms of how the course works. One of the components that’s important to look at in this way is coursework and how it differs at university.

In short, at university coursework is similar to at previous levels of education, where coursework is a form of assessment without exams that helps to make up your grade. At university, this is because successfully completing coursework helps you to pass modules, allowing you to get your qualification. This coursework can come in many different forms and the types you do will depend on your course and your university. However, some of the main types are essays, reports and projects, including research projects such as dissertations.

Continue reading to learn more about what coursework is at university. This article will take you through how coursework works at university and what some of the main types of university coursework are.

Table of Contents

Is there coursework at university?

When thinking about coursework, we tend to be more familiar with the term when it’s associated with school or college. In this case, coursework is a form of internally assessed assignment that will make up a part of your grade.

As a form of assessment, it will often be essential to help you to get your qualification, whether that’s for a GCSE/ National 5 qualification, an A-Level/ Higher or Advanced Higher or a more vocational qualification, such as a BTEC or a T-Level. For more information about what coursework is like at this stage, check out this guide by NI Direct.

As university can feel so different from school or college, you may be wondering whether or not there even is coursework at university and whether it works in the same way.

Simply put, yes, there is coursework at university . In fact, some universities state that most modules will have some form of coursework involved in them.

Students take a range of modules to make up their degree programmes. This means that students are very likely to do at least a bit of coursework in a few of their modules across the course of their studies. You can learn more about this by checking out this page on the University of St Andrews website.

What do you do in coursework at university?

At university there is so much more variation in what you can study and how you study it. From the different classifications of degree, even just within the undergraduate level, from foundation degrees to all the different kinds of bachelor’s degree, such as the BA, BSc or LLB, to all of the other kinds of qualification that you can do at university.

Due to all of this variation, there should be no surprise that in each of these different kinds of courses, students will be taught in different ways. Moreover, there isn’t any actual standardisation across universities, meaning that even on very similar courses, students can be taught with completely different methods.

As a result of this, the coursework that you do at university will completely depend on your course and your university. However, there are some common types of coursework that are done.

Some of these main ones are essays, reports and projects . For more information about what different types of coursework at university might be, you can check out this page by the University of Leeds.

You can learn more about these in their respective sections below.

Is an essay a type of coursework at university?

An essay is an academic piece of writing where students will have to make an argument in response to a certain question. In secondary school and college, you may have come across essays in the form of exam questions, where they would be valued in terms of their marks. For example, you may have had to do a “10-marker”, a “20-marker” and so on.

Alternatively, you may have come across them as part of your own coursework or NEAs, particularly in humanities subjects, where the knowledge and argument you present would be more detailed and in-depth. For university study, essays as a form of coursework, are more similar to the latter as they will need to be well-researched and in-depth .

However, university is at a higher level that school and college . As a result, university essays will need to be as well with students needing to carry out some independent research and reading before they can start the essay rather than relying just on what they have been taught.

You can learn more about essays as a form of coursework at university on this page by the University of Nottingham.

Is a report a type of coursework at university?

Reports and lab reports are a type of coursework that you will probably not have directly come across in previous study, although you may have done something a bit similar. Unlike an essay, a report is purely factual and objective, where the main aim is to present findings and to analyse the data collected, rather than to make an argument.

While they are particularly present in the sciences and social science subjects, reports are a form of coursework that can be used across a large variety of different subjects. Due to this, there are many different types of report and which one you may have to undertake as a part of your coursework will depend on your degree.

For more information about this, look at this page on the University of York’s website.

One of the main types of report is a lab report. This is a type of report done by sciences students after an experiment has been done. You can learn more about them by checking out this guide by the University of Nottingham.

Is a project a type of coursework at university?

For university study, a project as a form of coursework can refer to a few different modes of study. First of all, when talking about a project, we might be referring to a research project.

A research project is an extended essay that students complete by undertaking and then presenting their own research and comparing this to the preexisting ideas. This kind of research project will typically be big and may even be an entire module.

In cases like this, the research project will most likely be in the form of a dissertation or even a thesis if done at doctorate level. You can learn more about this type of project by looking at this page on the University of Sheffield’s website and for more on dissertations, look at the following section.

However, projects can also be in the form of group projects that can vary a bit more across universities. For example, at Imperial College London, students undertake a multidisciplinary group project to try and come up with solutions to the biggest social challenges. You can learn more about this on this page on their website.

Also, the University of Edinburgh Business School runs group consultancy projects at both undergraduate and master’s degree levels. For more information about this, check out this page on their website.

Is a dissertation a type of coursework at university?

At university in the UK, a dissertation is a type of research project that can be taken by students for either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. As an extended essay, students will need to produce an answer to a specific question of somewhere between 5,000 and 50,000 words depending on the university and whether it is a bachelor’s or master’s degree that you’re doing.

There are different kinds of dissertation and depending on which kind students do will depend on how they go about writing it. For an empirical dissertation, students will need to carry out research and collect data first hand to use as part of their dissertation. Whereas for a non-empirical dissertation, students will have to research into data and information that is pre-existing.

You can learn more about what a dissertation is by looking at this Think Student article .

As previously mentioned, one of the main types of coursework at university are projects, including research projects. This means that yes, dissertations are a type of coursework at university as they are types of research project.

guest

Coursework and examinations

coursework or exams uni

Assessment by coursework

Advice and tips on submitting coursework:.

  • Avoid a last minute rush: at the start of your course, check all submission deadlines in your course handbook and plan ahead.
  • Our Online support site explains how to submit coursework online. This must be used where required for a course.
  • Check well before the submission deadline that you can access the online submission site from the computer that you will be using.
  • Back up and maintain a copy of your work in case of technical problems.
  • Never attempt to submit assignments directly to your tutors or to the Course Director.
  • Ensure that you submit the correct file version, together with any images and appendices.
  • Online submission is a two-step process, and work uploaded but left in ‘draft’ is not counted as submitted (your assignment will be deemed to be late if it is still in ‘draft’ after the deadline passes).
  • Ensure that files submitted online meet requirements on file size, type, name etc (see How to submit an assignment ).  
  • Seek  online ‘self-help’ , or assistance via e-mail and telephone from  TALL IT Help .
  • You may be liable to pay fees for late entry for examinations, late change of options, and for re-assessment—see  Other charges .

Word count limits and referencing

  • Refer to your course handbook or VLE (course portal) for information about word count limits, including what material (such as indices etc) should be counted or not.
  • If you have any doubts or questions about referencing, check with your tutor/ Course Director and refer to the University guidance on Plagiarism .

Late submission

If you submit work after the deadline, it will normally be subject to an academic penalty, as outlined in your course conventions (see your Course Handbook).

In exceptional circumstances, if you are not able to submit your work by the deadline, you may request permission to submit late—see our Late Submission Policy .

Withdrawal and resubmission of work

Before the deadline.

It is your responsibility to submit the correct document/file. However, as outlined on the Submissions page, you may withdraw and resubmit work on one occasion before the submission deadline, without permission. In these circumstances, you should contact your Course Administrator without delay.

After the deadline:

You have up to 30 minutes after the deadline to review the work that you have submitted. If you have made a substantive error (e.g. wrong file, earlier draft, missing bibliography) you can send a replacement to your course administrator. This process should not be used to correct incidental errors e.g. typos, a missing reference, formatting etc.

Files received from 30 minutes onwards will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Corrupt files

In cases where it is discovered that the submitted file is corrupt or cannot be accessed, your course administrator will contact you to request the file be emailed to them, possibly in a new format. The emailed file must be received by the course administrator within 7 days.

Examinations

Arrangements .

If you are required to sit an examination as part of your course, further details will be provided in your Course Handbook. For some courses, examinations will be held as an “ open book ” (online) examinations, for other courses they will be in person. Most examinations last for two or three hours. 

Preparing for handwritten examinations

For in-person examinations you are expected to handwrite your answers, unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing so. We recommend that you practice writing for a suitable period, making sure that your handwriting remains legible. (If the examiners deem a script to be illegible, then a transcription will be required. Transcriptions take place under examination conditions, usually within a week or so of the examination itself, and any costs are charged to the student.) See Sitting your examinations  for more information.

Alternative arrangements for examinations

If you have any special requirements for your examination, medical or otherwise, you should inform your Course Administrator (matriculated students should inform their college). Meeting such requests requires formal University approval, which can take some time, so it is important to submit your request as early as possible. See Alternative examination arrangements  for more information.

Past examination papers

Past examination papers are available through either the  Rewley House Continuing Education Library  or, for undergraduates, on your course VLE (e.g. Moodle or Canvas). Check with your Course Director which papers are most relevant for revision purposes.

Marking and moderation

You will receive marks and feedback on your assignments as you progress throughout the course. All marks are provisional until they are formally agreed by the Board of Examiners (which is normally convened at the end of the academic year).

Assessment is moderated, which means that someone other than the marker of your work will review the spread of all marks awarded within a class or cohort, as well as a sample of the marked assignments, to ensure that the marking is both consistent and fair. Work that is awarded a failing grade will be scrutinised by the External Examiner. You should not expect to be told if a particular piece of your work has been selected for moderation, but students will usually have at least one piece of work moderated during the year. Occasionally a mark will be changed (either increased or decreased) during the moderation process, and if this happens after you have received your work back you will be notified.

Marking feedback

Feedback from assessors (markers) will normally indicate what was good about your work, as well as where it was weaker, and how you can improve.

If you have questions about or are unhappy with the marking

You will probably receive a number of marks during the year, and these may vary as you learn new skills, or reach an element of the course in which you are more or less confident to some degree. This is normal - many students experience variations of marks within a body of assessed work.

If you have questions or concerns, or are dissatisfied with the marking process, you can raise this with the Director of Undergraduate Study or Director of Postgraduate Taught Study  (as relevant) in the first instance. You should not approach the marker or Course Director, because students are not permitted to discuss marks with Examiners.

If, after this, you remain dissatisfied with the conduct of the process, you may consider appealing under the Academic appeals procedure , however, please be aware that you are not able to appeal on the grounds of academic judgement.

Failed assessment and resubmission

If you fail an item of assessment, you will be informed of the reassessment opportunities. These will vary according to the requirements of the course, and are detailed in your course conventions (available in your Course Handbook).

You can normally only resubmit a failed piece of work once, and failure at a second attempt will usually mean will fail the course outright. Occurrences are rare, but should this happen, then you can ask your Course Director for advice about possible options.

An introduction to assessment and exams

coursework or exams uni

Award-Bearing Handbook

Assessment and exams, further information.

coursework or exams uni

The University of Edinburgh home

  • Schools & departments

Assessment: Coursework, exams & feedback

An overview of assessment, including coursework, exams & feedback.

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams.  The exact weighting between coursework and exam is listed on the course DRPS entry.  All marks are provisional until they are ratified by the relevant Board of Examiners.

The University of Edinburgh uses a Common Marking Scheme (CMS) for taught student assessment.  Students are marked against this marking scale.  You are not ranked against your peers.  The School of Informatics follows the University Common Marking Scheme.  The link below describes in more detail the level of performance corresponding to the different numeric and alphabetic grades in an Informatics context.

Common Marking Scheme

Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study

Assessed Coursework

Most courses in Informatics involve some form of assessed coursework which can include timed tests.  You will find the deadlines, weighting of each piece of coursework and associated extension rule on the course Learn Ultra page.

Deadlines are usually 12:00 noon but you must always check as individual pieces of coursework may differ. If you think you may miss a coursework deadline you may be able to make an extension request depending on the extension rule for that piece of coursework.

Late coursework and extension requests

Feedback on your progress

The aim of coursework is to help you learn about the subject you are studying.  All Informatics courses will provide you with feedback on your progress, in a variety of different ways. For example, this may be written comments on your work, a feedback sheet detailing performance in different areas, discussion in tutorials, or a special review lecture. You should always take careful note of feedback and make use of it in your studies. 

The University has prepared a range of materials on feedback, and how to use it to best effect, gathered on the Enhancing Feedback website. For information about how and when you will receive feedback in specific courses, see the individual course Learn Ultra pages.  If in doubt, ask your lecturer or tutor directly.

As a student you will usually receive marks and feedback on Informatics coursework within 21 days of submission. Arrangements may be different for particular pieces of work: for example if the work is substantial, such as an extended essay; or the class is very large.

We are committed to ensuring that you receive useful feedback.  Where feedback is falling short, you can use any channel to point this out (lecturers, ITO, year reps, Year Organisers, etc).  The sooner we know, the faster we can act.

Examinations

Informatics examinations are generally in-person and on campus and last for 2 hours.  Additional time is possible with a Schedule of Adjustments as part of Disability and Learning Support . 

Examinations will take place in either the December or May examination diets.  For semester 1 courses exams are usually held in December; semester 2 courses are examined in May.  Some semester 1 courses have exams in semester 2.  The sortable course list has information on exam diets for all Informatics courses:

Sortable Course List 

The examination timetable for the December diet is released during semester 1 and the timetable for the May diet is released during semester 2.  The link below provides details on when the timetable will be available and a full searchable timetable will be published here.   It is essential that you plan to be in Edinburgh for the time of your exam(s). 

Link to Examination timetables

The University Exam Hall Regulations explain what to expect when you enter the exam room and what you can bring with you.

Exam hall Regulations  

Each Informatics exam has instructions on the front page. It's important that you read and follow these instructions.  For example some exams will ask you to answer all questions, others will ask you to answer 2 out of 3 questions.  The front page also includes rules on what can and cannot be used as part of the examination.  For some exams you cannot bring calculators, notes, books or other written or printed material into the exam hall.  Most exams will have one of the following rules and your Course Organiser will tell you which one in advance. 

  • This is a NOTES PERMITTED, CALCULATORS NOT PERMITTED examination. Candidates may consult up to THREE A4 pages (6 sides) of notes. CALCULATORS MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS EXAMINATION.
  • This is a NOTES PERMITTED, CALCULATORS PERMITTED examination. Candidates may consult up to THREE A4 pages (6 sides) of notes. CALCULATORS MAY BE USED IN THIS EXAMINATION.
  • This is a NOTES NOT PERMITTED, CALCULATORS NOT PERMITTED examination. Notes and other written or printed material MAY NOT BE CONSULTED during the examination. CALCULATORS MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS EXAMINATION.
  • This is a NOTES NOT PERMITTED, CALCULATORS PERMITTED examination. Notes and other written or printed material MAY NOT BE CONSULTED during the examination. CALCULATORS MAY BE USED IN THIS EXAMINATION.
  • This is an OPEN BOOK examination: books, notes and other written or printed material MAY BE CONSULTED during the examination. The use of electronic devices or electronic media is NOT PERMITTED.

Where it is specified that "candidates may consult up to THREE A4 pages (6 sides) of notes", in practice this means that:

  • Candidates are allowed to have 3 sheets (6 sides) of A4 paper, with whatever notes they desire, written or printed on one or both sides of the paper.
  • Magnifying devices to enlarge the contents of the sheets for viewing are not permitted.
  • No further notes, printed matter or books are allowed.
  • Candidates with learning profiles that mandate the provision of larger format exam papers are allowed a proportionate increase in the number of sheets of notes taken in. (For example, if a student is given their exam on A3 paper, they will be allowed to take 6 rather than 3 A4 sheets of notes into the exam.)

Calculators

Some Informatics examinations allow you to use a scientific calculator.  Following the College Of Science and Engineering Policy  and Procedure of the Use of Calculators in Examinations it must:

  • not be a graphical calculator
  • not be programmable
  • not have text retrieval capabilities
  • not be able to communicate with any other device

You are allowed any calculator that satisfies the above requirements.  Examples of acceptable calculators are:

  • Casio fx82 (any version)
  • Casio fx83 (any version)
  • Casio fx85 (any version)
  • Casio fx96 (any version)
  • Casio fx991 (any version)
  • Texas Instruments: TI30 (any version)
  • Sharp: EL-531 (any version)
  • HP: HP 10S+, HP 300S+

Please note: The School of Informatics does not provide calculators.  You are entirely responsible for the working order of your own calculators and batteries.  

Other schools within the University may have different policies on providing calculators; please make sure you check this before any exams. 

Past Exam Papers

For established courses, past papers are available from the library archive to assist with preparation.  Model answers are not available.

Regulations and Guidance

Assessment is governed by the Taught Assessment Regulations

Taught Assessment Regs

The University's Assessment and Feedback Principles give guidance on how the School of Informatics organise assessment and feedback.

Assessment and Feedback Principles

coursework or exams uni

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing advice.

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

coursework or exams uni

Course Search & Discover

Start the search for your uni. Filter from hundreds of universities based on your preferences.

Search by Type

Search by region.

Recommended Universities

coursework or exams uni

Ravensbourne University London

London (Greater) · 88% Recommended

coursework or exams uni

Swansea University

Wales · 100% Recommended

coursework or exams uni

University of Surrey

South East England · 98% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

coursework or exams uni

Bangor University

Transform lives with a Health and Social Care Degree from Bangor

coursework or exams uni

University of Sussex

Prepare for a digitally advanced workplace with cutting edge Finance Degrees

Ranking Categories

Regional rankings.

More Rankings

coursework or exams uni

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 65,000+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

coursework or exams uni

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, not sure what to search for, take our quick degree quiz.

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

How does the UK university grading system work?

Whether you’re already studying or are about to, it is important to understand how the UK university grading system works.

null

When it comes to studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK, grading systems vary. Whether you’re about to start your degree, or you are close to the third year of your course, it’s important to understand how your final grade will be calculated. Luckily, it’s easy to understand.

Uni grade

University grading: degree classifications explained

Universities in the UK follow a standard grading system for degree classifications based on the overall percentage achieved. The four university grade boundaries are:

  • First-Class Honours (1st) (70% and above): Exceptional academic performance
  • Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) (60-70%): Strong performance, most common degree class
  • Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) (50-60%): Satisfactory performance, widely accepted by employers
  • Third-Class Honours (3rd) (40-50%): Minimum passing grade for an honours degree

What is the postgraduate grading system in the UK?

The British postgraduate grading system differs quite a bit from the undergraduate one. Depending on whether you are undergoing an Integrated Masters Degree or a Standalone Masters Degree the grading system will differ. Like undergraduate, Masters Degrees are graded by creating a weighted average, combining all your module results from the year(s).

An integrated masters is one which follows directly from an undergraduate course. Common in Science degrees, where you apply for a four year course. In your second year you will be able to choose to either complete a Bsc (Bachelor of Science) or follow the path to achieve an MChem (Masters in Chemistry) etc. Integrated Masters degrees are graded the same as undergraduate degrees.

Standalone Masters include Masters Degrees by Research and Taught Masters Degrees. Masters degrees by research commonly referred to as MRes or MPhil are focused more on individual research skills with less taught modules. These degrees are usually graded as a pass or a fail.

Taught Masters degrees require a total of 180 credits. These credits are split between assignments, assessments and a dissertation or final project. Each module will have a certain amount of credits attached. For example, you may have single modules weighted at 15 credits, double modules (that span over two semesters) at 30 credits and a dissertation weighted at 60 credits. As taught, Masters Degrees are typically only a year long, every module counts to your final grade.

Is 65 a good mark at university

Instead of a First, Upper Second, Lower Second and Third, there are only three grade classifications for a Masters Degree. These are Distinction, Merit and Pass. The boundaries for these may vary depending on your university, however the common boundaries are shown below.

  • Distinction: much like a First at undergraduate level, a Distinction is awarded when you achieve a percentage grade of 70% and above.
  • Merit: you’ll be awarded a Merit if you achieve a grade average between 60-69%.
  • Pass: a pass is awarded when you receive a grade average between 50-59%.
  • Fail: If you do not receive at the minimum an average of 50%, the Masters qualification is not awarded. If you do think you are heading towards failing, try not to stress. You can speak with your module leaders about retaking any assignments or examinations to bump up your grade.

What can I do if I think I am going to fail my degree?

If you feel as if you are heading towards failing your undergraduate or postgraduate degree try not to panic. Easier said than done but you do have plenty of options.

As an undergraduate, you have three or four years to make up the credits you need to pass your course. Therefore, you are able to retake any modules you have failed in other years. For example, if you fail a Film module in first year, you can retake this module in your second year. If you fail numerous modules you are able to retake the entire year.

Another option is to retake any failed assignments or examinations throughout the year. This is easily done through referral or deferral assessments. Referral assessments are like resits, whilst deferrals allow students to postpone any assessments or extend any coursework deadlines. To qualify for a deferral you will need to prove that your performance has been affected by a personal circumstance (e.g. medical condition). To be granted a deferral you will need to fill out an application. Referrals and deferrals can be implemented at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Finally, if you feel as if your grade is an unfair reflection on your work you can submit an appeal. If you do this, your mark will be re-marked or looked back over by an examination board or your lecturers. Simply speak with your lecturers if this is something you would like to do.

Interested in going to university? View our university rankings and league tables to help you with your decision.

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Photo of Ravensbourne University London

Ravensbourne

103 courses

Photo of Swansea University

Swansea Uni

1319 courses

Photo of University of Surrey

Uni of Surrey

750 courses

Photo of University of East London

Uni of East London

575 courses

Photo of The University of Law

114 courses

Photo of Arts University Plymouth

Northeastern Uni

Photo of University Academy 92, UA92

Uni of Roehampton

468 courses

Photo of Goldsmiths, University of London

Goldsmiths, UOL

344 courses

Photo of Middlesex University

Middlesex Uni

634 courses

Photo of University of Sunderland

Uni of Sunderland

340 courses

Photo of University of Brighton

Uni of Brighton

407 courses

Photo of Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Met Uni

501 courses

Photo of University of Winchester

Uni of Winchester

259 courses

Photo of University of Kent

Uni of Kent

580 courses

Photo of University of Suffolk

Uni of Suffolk

186 courses

Photo of SOAS, University of London

467 courses

Photo of University for the Creative Arts

Uni for Creative Arts

672 courses

Photo of West London Institute of Technology

West London IoT

Photo of University of Leicester

Uni of Leicester

432 courses

Photo of University of Portsmouth

Uni of Portsmouth

761 courses

Photo of Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett Uni

454 courses

Photo of University of Chester

Uni of Chester

645 courses

Photo of University of Bradford

Uni of Bradford

390 courses

Photo of University of Hertfordshire

Uni of Hertfordshire

584 courses

Photo of Leeds Arts University

Leeds Arts University

Photo of ARU Writtle

ARU Writtle

104 courses

Photo of University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)

886 courses

Photo of New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering, NMITE

Uni of C.Lancashire

798 courses

Photo of Queen's University, Belfast

Queen's Uni

635 courses

Photo of University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol

UWE, Bristol

497 courses

Photo of University of South Wales

709 courses

Photo of Wrexham University

Wrexham Uni

289 courses

Photo of University of Essex

Uni of Essex

1400 courses

Photo of Kingston University

Kingston Uni

617 courses

Photo of Escape Studios

Escape Studios

Photo of Coventry University

Coventry Uni

480 courses

Photo of Staffordshire University

Staffordshire Uni

472 courses

Photo of Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt Uni

334 courses

Photo of University of Westminster

Uni of Westminster

503 courses

Photo of Bangor University

548 courses

Photo of University of Bedfordshire

Uni of Bedfordshire

656 courses

Photo of University of Huddersfield

Uni of Huddersfield

668 courses

Photo of University of Reading

Uni of Reading

685 courses

Photo of Bath Spa University

Bath Spa Uni

520 courses

Photo of Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin Uni

808 courses

Photo of Edge Hill University

Edge Hill Uni

383 courses

Photo of University of Hull

Uni of Hull

498 courses

Photo of LIBF

Nottingham Trent

912 courses

Want to learn more about a university?

Get your questions answered by sending them an enquiry now.

The Essex website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. Please visit our cookie policy to find out which cookies we use and why. View cookie policy.

How exams will be run

Your exams will either be in an invigilated venue on campus, or remote via FASER or Moodle. You may have a mix of the two different formats, depending on the modules you are studying.

Information on how modules are assessed, including whether an exam is in-person or remote, and whether an exam is open or closed-book, is published in the  module directory . You can also find this information on My Essex in the section titled 'This Year's Modules'.

Your school or department will provide you with more information about how your modules are assessed, and will provide support and guidance to help you prepare for your exams. If you have questions about how your modules are assessed, please  contact your school or department .

Your exam timetable

You can check  this schedule  to see the dates of the exam periods and when your  personal exam timetable  will be published. You will receive an email to your Essex account when your exam timetable is ready to view.

Your personal exam timetable will show all the exams that you are registered to take. It will show the date, time and duration of each exam, and whether it is in-person or remote. For in-person exams, it will show the room and seat number. For remote exams, it will include a link to the online platform (FASER, Moodle or Perception).

For remote exams, the timetable shows the date and time when the exam questions will be released, and the date and time when your answers are due to be submitted. For each remote exam shown on your timetable, there is a link to FASER, Moodle or Perception, where you will be able to access the questions at the time shown.

To report a problem with your exam timetable, please click the button that appears below your personal exam timetable , or email [email protected] . The problem could be an exam clash; an exam that is not showing; or an exam that you are not expecting to sit.

For remote exams, if you have two exams of less than 24 hours that overlap, please report this and we will investigate for you.

If your remote exams overlap, but one or more of these exams is 24 hours or longer, this is not treated as an exam clash, because you are not expected to spend all of the allocated time on the exam. You should only be spending an amount of time similar to that which you would normally spend in an exam hall - usually two or three hours. The extended time period has been provided, where possible, to give you the flexibility to plan your time and work on your exam at a time that suits you and your circumstances, and to allow you time to download the question paper and upload your answers. If you have, for example, a 24-hour exam that overlaps with a 48-hour exam, this is considered reasonable for scheduling purposes, because both of those exams should take you between two and four hours to complete (approximately), and it is normal practice for a student to be assigned two remote exams within a 48-hour period.

If, however, you feel that the scheduling of two exams with overlapping completion windows negatively impacts your performance in either exam, please complete an  extenuating circumstances  form. 

Open and closed-book exams

The terms 'open-book' and 'closed-book' refer to whether you can access any resources during an exam.

All remote exams are open-book.

For in-person exams, your lecturers should make it clear to you during classes whether your exams will be open-book or closed-book. The information determines whether you are allowed to access any physical resources, such as notes or a textbook, to support you during the exam. For in-person exams, you will not be allowed to access notes on an electronic device or use the internet.

You can view the assessment information for your modules from the area in  My Essex  titled 'This Year's Modules', or on the  module directory .

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open-book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform (FASER, Moodle or Perception). You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open-book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials, such as paper study notes or a textbook, during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open-book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials, such as a named textbook, during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed-book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed-book exam. Any exceptions will be be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Remote exams

Remote exams are accessed via our online platforms (FASER, Moodle or Perception). You do not need to be on campus to take a remote exam.

The format of your remote exam will vary. You can contact your school/department for more information about these assessments; what is expected of you; and how to prepare. Generally there are three types of remote exam:

  • Take-home exam via FASER  - Take-home exams via  FASER  are made up of a number of questions that you can answer over a limited time period. The question paper will be available for you to download from FASER in one of the common file formats (Word or PDF) and when you have completed the exam you will upload your work back into FASER. The front page of the exam paper will tell you whether you need to type your answers on the question paper or upload them as a separate file.
  • Quiz via Moodle  - Some remote exams will be in the form of a  Moodle  Quiz. These tend to include multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and in some cases essay-style questions as well. 
  • Multiple-choice questions exam via Perception  - A small number of remote exams will be provided through  Perception  and these will usually be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). 

Your  personal exam timetable  will show the date and time of your remote exam and the platform it is using (FASER, Moodle or Perception). You can access the relevant platform by clicking the link provided on your personal exam timetable.

Remote exams are open-book exams. Open-book means you can refer to books and your notes to help you to write your answers. However, it is important that it is your own work, so you may not get help from others. Please see the section below on academic integrity.

For many remote exams you will have a longer period in which to write and submit your answers than you would have in an in-person exam. For example, you may have a 24, 48 or 72-hour completion window. You will not need, and are not expected, to spend all this time on the exam. The extended time period has been provided so that you have flexibility to plan your time and to work on your exam at a time that suits you and your circumstances. The duration also allows time for you to download the exam and to upload your answers. Your  school/department  will provide you with guidance on how long you might expect to spend on writing your answers/the expected length of an answer. You should normally expect to be able to write your answers in the same period of time that a standard exam would take, however, you do not need to do this all in one block of time.

Remote exam practice

If you're not familiar with using FASER or Moodle, we have set up some practice areas for you to try out ahead of your exams:

FASER practice area

Moodle practice area

If you are unable to log in to FASER or Moodle, please contact the  IT Helpdesk  so that this can be resolved in time for your exams.

Access to technology

You will need access to a computer and internet connection to take your exams remotely. If you need help with equipment/digital costs, please see our  hardship fund . If you experience problems with your technology that prevent you from taking the exam, please submit a  Notified Absence from Exams form  on My Essex and select 'Lack of IT facilities' as your reason for absence. You must also submit an  extenuating circumstances  claim.

Facilities on campus

If you do not have a quiet space at home in which to take a remote exam, you can  book a study space in the Library  and bring your own laptop computer to use on the campus wifi network; or, if you do not have suitable equipment, you can use an  open-access IT lab .

Help while your exam is in progress

Exam question queries.

When you have downloaded or started a remote exam, if you have a question that relates to the content of the exam questions, you should contact your school or department using the email address shown on the front of the paper.

Other exam queries

If you have a question or require support while taking a remote exam, help is available by contacting:

  • Live chat (button in the bottom right hand corner of the page)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +44 (0)1206 873926

Support is available on any day on which exams are running (including Saturdays, where applicable) from 8am until half-an-hour after the exam ends.

If you need technical help, our support staff are available by contacting:

Wellbeing support

If you need support with your wellbeing and your exams, please contact the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service . There is lots of support available for your mental and emotional health .

In-person exams

An invigilator will be available in your exam venue to answer any queries and help if you are unwell during the exam.

Individual exam arrangements

If you have a disability (including Specific Learning Differences), temporary medical condition or injury that will adversely affect your performance in exams, please contact Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) to discuss individual exam arrangements.

Arrangements vary depending on your requirements and supporting evidence but can include things like extra time for writing or rest breaks, advising the marker of your specific learning difficulties or autistic spectrum condition, using a computer, having someone to write/read for you and having exam papers in suitable format (eg braille, large print).

If individual exam arrangements are recommended to meet your disability related needs and there is any delay in when these will be in place for you, a named Adviser in SWIS will provide further advice and guidance to you. This might be, for example, if your exam arrangements are agreed close to an examination or main examination period.

Individual exam arrangements are brought forward automatically each year unless you have a change of registration number. If you start a new course or progress from undergraduate to postgraduate study, please contact SWIS please contact SWIS please contact SWIS so we can ensure your exam arrangements are brought forward.

Individual exam arrangements for remote exams

Extra time (writing and non-writing time).

If your exam is under 24 hours in length, your extra writing time will be in place. Although non-writing time (rest breaks) are not included in the exam length shown on your exam timetable, it is programmed into the submission times on FASER or Moodle.

For exams of 24 hours or longer, all students have been given extra time so that you have flexibility to plan your time and work on your exam in a way that suits you and your circumstances.

Your school/department will provide guidance on how long you might expect to spend on writing your answers and/or the expected length (i.e. word count) of those answers, and you can add your extra writing time to those guide times. If you feel that this arrangement has a negative impact on your performance in the exam, please submit an extenuating circumstances claim form .

Extra equipment

The University won't be able to provide this equipment for remote exams. If you feel that this has a negative impact on your performance in the exam, please complete an extenuating circumstances form .

Rest breaks

Your submission deadline on FASER or Moodle will be adjusted automatically to take account of your rest break time for remote exams of less than 24 hours in length.

If your exam is 24 hours or longer, then you will already be able to take more frequent and longer breaks during the exam, so no additional time will be added.

Reader / scribe

For remote exams, you will be able to use the same assistive software and other strategies you would normally use when completing your coursework assignments. We anticipate therefore that you will not need a human exam scribe or reader in place and will be able to use a computer. If you have questions or concerns about this please contact your named adviser in SWIS by emailing [email protected] as soon as you review your exam timetable.

If you have an injury please contact SWIS by emailing [email protected] and provide further information and medical evidence so any adjustments required can be considered.

Purple book / cover sheet

A purple book is not provided, please complete a cover sheet in the same way you would for coursework assignments. To download a cover sheet:

  • Log on to FASER with your username and password
  • Click the 'Help and Support' tab on the left-hand panel Click on 'Student Support' on the drop-down menu
  • Download your cover sheet
  • Submit this by uploading it alongside your exam.

Academic integrity – plagiarism and collusion

Answers must be your own work and must not be attempted with the help of other people. If there is a suspected case of academic misconduct this will be treated in the same way as all plagarism and collusion cases at the University and will be taken very seriously.

You must use your own words to answer questions, and should not cut and paste material.

If you refer to external sources such as books or journal articles, you must reference them in the way that you normally would in a typical exam situation, unless the front page of the exam paper tells you to do something different.

For more information see our academic integrity pages , where you will find explanations of the academic offence procedures and guidance on maintaining high academic standards. There are various penalties for academic offences, including formal written warnings, mandatory reassessment for capped or uncapped marks, a mark of zero for the assessment or module in which the offence occurred, or - in the most serious of cases - withdrawal from the University.

Academic integrity is taken very seriously at the University, whether exams are remote or in-person. The use of messaging apps and platforms to copy the work of others, work collaboratively for individual assessment, or to have discussions with others during your exam is prohibited and will be investigated as a suspected case of academic misconduct. It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete your exams with honesty and integrity.

If you are unsure about how you are expected to approach your remote exam, please contact your department for advice.

Sitting remote exams outside of the UK

The times shown on your timetable are in UK time. Please convert this to your local time, if you are undertaking your remote exam outside of the United Kingdom.

Students are generally expected to be in the UK during their studies, therefore timezone differences will not usually be considered a valid extenuating circumstance for missing a remote exam. You should complete the Notified Absence form on My Essex if you miss a remote exam. If the exam is of less than 24 hours' duration, and you have individual circumstances related to the timezone difference, you should also complete an extenuating circumstances claim. 

Exam absences and extenuating circumstances

Extenuating circumstances.

If you think that your performance in an exam has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you should submit an extenuating circumstances claim by the relevant deadline.

Guidance, deadlines and a link to the form can be found on the extenuating circumstances webpages .

Notified Absence

If you can’t take an exam at the scheduled date and time, please complete the Notified Absence from Exams form on My Essex . If your reason for missing an exam is outside of your control, you also need to submit an extenuating circumstances claim for the affected exam. If you are eligible to resit the exam, as most students are, the reassessment period is in August/September, but reassessment may be offered at other times.

Late submission of remote exams

Remote exams of under 24 hours' duration.

If the duration of the exam is less than 24 hours and is delivered on FASER, an additional hour has already been included within the standard time for the exam to reflect the fact that it is being delivered online. This is to allow time for you to download the question paper and upload your answers. There will be technical support available in case you have any difficulties and you are encouraged to use the practice test available in advance. Should you still experience difficulties uploading your completed work, you should email your work within the allotted period to [email protected].

Should the work be submitted late, your late submission will be treated as a missed assessment and will not be marked. You may wish to make an extenuating circumstances claim.

Remote exams of 24 hours and over

If the duration of the exam is 24 hours or more, you should upload your answer to FASER and submit a late submission claim using the extenuating circumstances form on My Essex . You should submit your work no later than 24 hours after the published deadline. You should explain the extenuating circumstances that caused you to submit your work after the deadline. Your school/department will decide whether to accept your claim. If your claim is accepted, your work will be marked.

Arrow symbol

  • For enquiries contact your Student Services Hub
  • University of Essex
  • Wivenhoe Park
  • Colchester CO4 3SQ
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy and Cookie Policy

X

Assessment planning: a guide for UCL students

At UCL you will experience a high volume of assessment, as coursework, in class tests, and exams. Your course work deadlines and exam dates may be close together, so good planning is essential.

You should start planning at the beginning of the First Term

The timetable for UCL’s Main Exam Period  is published in the Second Term at the beginning of March.

Scheduling coursework deadlines and exam dates

Create a schedule of coursework deadlines and in class assessments, formative and summative , so you can plan your workload.

You will be able to get the information from Module/Programme Handbooks and your department.

Find useful planning tools in our Exam Success Guide 

Work through our Person Productivity playlist on getting things done, time management, improving your focus and overcoming procrastination.

Check your exam timetable as soon as you receive your email  notifying you that it is available.

Add your exam dates to your study schedule. This will help you identify opportunities to complete some of your coursework early, for example, so that you have time to study for your exams. Build in some contingency time for unexpected events. 

Stick to your schedule.

Make sure it reflects all the different due dates – coursework and exams - that you have.   

Two Exams on One Day

Producing the exam timetable is a very complex task, coordinating over 2,700 different exam papers for 87,000 exam sittings for individual students.

Plan for multiple exams in a short period, perhaps even two exams on one day

If you have two exams scheduled on the same day, it’s really important to plan it into your study schedule.

Exams outside the Main Exam Period 

Make sure you’re available for exams outside the Main Exam Period in Term 3.

Most UCL exams are centrally organised and take place during the Main Examination Period but you may also have exams during the Late Summer Assessment Period or exams that are arranged by departments which could take place at any time during the academic year. Late Summer Assessment (LSA) takes place in late August and early September. Wait for your exam results from the Main Exam Period before you book late summer travels, in case you need to be available for LSA. 

Exam Adjustments

Request any reasonable adjustments needed..

If you have a disability or other ongoing medical or mental health condition, make sure UCL knows about it, so we can make reasonable adjustments to support your assessment.  

Find out more about exam adjustments .

Unexpected events

Make sure you know what to do if things do not go to plan.

Sometimes, things happen that might affect your performance in assessments (exams or assignments).  Use UCL’s Extenuating Circumstances process to request a deferral .

More Information

Find answers to many frequently asked questions like “what should i do if i have lost my ucl id card” .

  • Read the Examinations Candidates Guide for Candidates
  • Read the ‘Exams and assessments’ website  
  • Our comprehensive Exam Success Guide provides advice and resources to help you make the most of your revision and perform at your best in exams. 

Don't forget you can ASKUCL

If you still have questions related to your exams after reading the information online, we recommend that you visit the AskUCL student enquiry system to read the FAQ’s and submit an enquiry.

Examination guidance for candidates

All students taking exams at UCL must read the guidance before sitting assessments.

Read the exam guidance

UCL Academic Manual

Chapter 4 contains the UCL framework for assessments and should be read alongside departmental regulations.

Find out more on the Academic Manual

Assessments

There are several types of assessment that are used at the University and these differ between programmes and modules.

Essays, seminar performance, individual and group projects, presentations, practicals and labs.

In-semester tests

Written and timed assessments designed to provide an evaluation of your understanding at that point in the module. These are held during the semester.

Examinations

Written or computer based, take place during exam weeks towards the end of each semester and in the late summer re-sit period in August/September.

Your programme handbook and modules in SurreyLearn will give you further information about the assessments on your programme.

On SurreyLearn you will find details of the deadlines and when and how you can expect to receive feedback . 

Early in the module, you will be provided with full details of the nature and the timing of the assessments so you will have time to plan your work during the semester. You will also receive information about how marks will be allocated between different assignments and for different aspects of an assignment.

The mode of assessment will have been selected to suit the nature of the learning outcomes and can identified in the online module description .

Please note that where there is more than one element of assessment, weightings will vary e.g. 50%/50% or 20%/60%/20%. This is also identified in the module description.

You must achieve a minimum mark to pass a module, which are as follows:

  • Foundation year studies (FHEQ Level 3 modules) – 50%
  • Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 4, 5 and 6 modules) – 40%
  • BVMSci Veterinary Medicine and Science (FHEQ Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 modules) – 50%
  • Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7 modules) – 50%

Modules are normally worth 15 credits (except extended project/dissertation modules).

University grade descriptors are generic statements that describe achievement in terms of the range and breadth of knowledge and abilities a student is required to achieve.

The University’s generic grade descriptors can be found in the  Code of Practice for Assessment and Feedback  in Appendix 1. These generic descriptors are used as a basis to create discipline-specific descriptors and sometimes specific descriptors for particular types of assessment.

Students following taught programmes may be required to submit coursework (e.g. assignments, projects and other reports) in accordance with the relevant arrangements.

The submission deadline for all coursework, including resubmissions, will be a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday by 4pm.

It is recommended that you submit earlier than this.If you have lectures or other commitments on the day your work is due you are expected to plan ahead so you do not miss any timetabled sessions or your deadline.

Work should be submitted in the requested format and the quality of the presentation is important. Your work should be:

  • Double spaced
  • Page numbered
  • Within the word allowance
  • In an Arial font, size 12 point.

If a hard-copy is required please follow the arrangement given in your programme handbook and on your SurreyLearn module.

For online submissions you must submit by   4pm on the set deadline date. Work must be submitted in the relevant module assessment within SurreyLearn (not through the Similarity Checker in SurreyLearn).

Where students submit multiple versions of their assessment, the latest version submitted before the deadline is the one that will be marked.

Alternatively, if the assessment is submitted late, the earliest version submitted after the deadline will be the one that is marked.

Only work submitted as a Word or PDF document can be accepted, unless an alternative digital file type is specifically required for a module. Please note that if you submit to the wrong module page your work will be considered a non-submission and will result in a mark of 0% being awarded. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with SurreyLearn in good time of submission deadlines.

Students can avoid plagiarism  by following good academic practice.

You must keep a copy of all submitted work and an additional copy must be made available should it be requested.

If you have an issue submitting your assignment over the weekend (Saturday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday): please email your assignment to your module leader and Faculty assessment team [feps][fass][fhms] [email protected] . Submissions past the deadline will mean they are late and the late penalty regulations (PDF)  apply.

When submitting assignments you are required to confirm that your work is original by completing a declaration – either online or hard copy. When submitting through SurreyLearn you will be presented with the declaration of originality and by submitting your assessment you confirm the statements in the declaration.

Please note that you do not need to declare advice received from University professional/study support services, the accessing of which is encouraged.

The wording of this declaration is as follows:

"I confirm that the submitted work is my own work. No element has been previously submitted for assessment, or where it has, it has been correctly referenced. I have clearly identified and fully acknowledged all material that is entitled to be attributed to others (whether published or unpublished) using the referencing system set out in the programme handbook. 

I agree that the University may submit my work to means of checking this, such as the plagiarism detection service Turnitin® UK and the Turnitin® Authorship Investigate service.  I confirm that I understand that assessed work that has been shown to have been plagiarised will be penalised.

If in completing this work I have been assisted with its presentation by another person, I will state their name and contact details of the assistant in the ‘Comments’ text box below. In addition, if requested, I agree to submit the draft material that was completed solely by me prior to its presentational improvement."

Note for students : you do not need to declare advice received from Academic Skills and Development or other University professional/study advisory service (eg Disability and Neurodiversity, English Language Support), the accessing of which is encouraged .

Students are expected to submit assignments on time.

Submission times are strictly enforced (i.e. a submission at one-minute past is defined as late) therefore it is advisable to submit your assignment well before the deadline in case of any problems.

It is your responsibility to check the submission requirements for each assignment. Students are solely responsible for checking they have submitted the correct document and to the correct folder on SurreyLearn.

Where a student has not submitted a coursework unit of assessment by the deadline specified, and there are no confirmed extenuating circumstances, from 4.01pm the mark given for that unit of assessment will be reduced by 10 percentage points for work submitted in the first 48-hour period after the deadline. Where the actual assessment mark is above or at the Pass mark until the Pass mark is reached. If the assessment is failed, then the actual failed mark will stand without deduction for the late submission.

If the late work is submitted at any point between 48 hours (2 calendar days) and 120 hours (5 calendar days) after the specified submission deadline and there are no confirmed extenuating circumstances, the mark given for that unit of assessment will be the Pass mark (where the actual assessment mark is above or at the Pass mark) or the actual failed mark.

Penalties are applied after the assessed work is marked. The mark recorded for assessed work submitted from 4.01pm on the fifth day after the deadline (120 hours), or not submitted at all, is zero and will not be marked.

Failure to submit coursework, without confirmed extenuating circumstances, will not only result in 0% being awarded but it may also be deemed as failure to make progress with your studies and/or ceasing to participate in the programme. This may result in termination of registration.

Students should also be made aware, that where a unit of assessment has not been submitted at first attempt, and there are no confirmed extenuating circumstances, compensation may not be available at that point for that module.  In such cases compensation will only be available after resubmission.

For further information see the University's  Regulations for Taught Programmes .

When it comes to marking assessments here at Surrey, we’ve been able to respond to your feedback by talking more about how we ensure our process is fair and consistent.  

The animation below explains our 13-step process that we follow for every piece of summative work that you submit. You can find out more in on our  exams and assessments pages . 

Students sitting an exam

Introduction

UWE Bristol defines “coursework” as a piece of work that you would normally complete outside of the classroom. The following are all types of coursework (so the information on this page applies to them):

  • dissertations
  • pieces of group work
  • laboratory reports
  • oral presentations
  • research reports
  • final projects
  • portfolios.

Microsoft Office (Office 365) is available free for students. You are allowed to download and install the software on up to five devices. You need to login to your university email account to access the Microsoft Office download.

Assessment content limit

An assessment content limit gives you a clear indication of the maximum number of words you can use in an assessed piece of written work. You can find information on the maximum word count limit for all your assessments in the module handbook. View the Assessment Content Limits Policy.

Coursework deadlines

The deadline for the submission of all assessed work is normally 14:00, on a date specified at the start of each module.

You are expected to plan your workload to avoid being impacted upon by a minor illness or other cause. However, there is normally a  late submission window  of 48 hours following the original hand-in deadline during which you can submit your assignment without penalty if you experience a problem meaning that you cannot meet the deadline.

An assignment cannot be submitted after the late submission window has ended. Failure to submit the assignment within the late submission window will result in a non-submission being recorded.

In some circumstances a late submission window will not be available for an assignment, please see  assessment support options  for further details.

If you are unable to meet the original hand-in deadline you do not need to provide a reason or evidence indicating why you need to use the late submission window. 

See marks and feedback for further information.

If you're unable to meet a deadline or have a problem with an assessment

UWE Bristol provides a range of support processes to help students who are encountering situations which impact on their ability to submit work or to attend assessments.

How to submit

Online submission.

When submitting your coursework online, this will normally be through either the Blackboard or Pebble Pad, these are virtual learning environment platforms that have been designed and created for digital accessibility. View the  guidance for using Blackboard .

To submit coursework via Blackboard:

  • Log in, click the three lines icon in the top left hand corner of the screen and select the Coursework tab. You can submit your coursework by clicking on the link.
  • you may submit to the coursework as many times as you wish, but only the last submission you make will be assessed.
  • If your last submission is after the deadline but within the 48-hour  late submission window , this submission will be the one marked and not any earlier versions.
  • The date and time of your submission is taken from the Blackboard server and is recorded when your submission is complete, not when you click submit. With this in mind, make sure you leave plenty of time to allow your work to upload.

If your coursework is not received by the deadline, or within the  late submission window , you will see a non-submission (ns) on your record. 

What happens if I can’t submit my work due to a critical systems failure?

The following actions will only be considered in cases where there is a malfunction that means students can’t access critical systems (defined as Blackboard, MYUWE and UWE Bristol networks) for more than five minutes in the final two hours before submission.

If there is a temporary loss of access to online coursework submission caused by a critical systems failure, the University may decide to take the following action:

  • all deadlines for work submitted online will be extended by an additional 24 hours
  • all deadlines for assessments that are not submitted online will be extended by an additional 24 hours (due to the potential for losing access to Blackboard materials)
  • all deadlines where students have already been given an extension under Reasonable Adjustments will be extended by an additional 24 hours
  • if the extension falls on a Saturday or a public holiday then it will last until 14:00 on the next working day.

This response has been created to ensure that students are not negatively impacted, in the case of a critical systems failure.

Students will be advised of the extended deadlines via messages on Blackboard, MYUWE, the information screens and posters around the Coursework Hub. Make sure you also check the University’s and The Students’ Union social media accounts for updates in the event of a critical systems failure.

Please note that this process does not cover interruptions to:

  • other UWE Bristol services
  • residency networks
  • equipment and services not supplied by UWE Bristol (for example students' domestic network access or personal computers).

Interruptions or system failures limited to student computer labs are not covered.

The responsibility to submit on time remains with students.

What to do if you notice a problem

  • If you are unable to submit or have experienced an issue, please call the IT Service Desk on  +44 (0)117 32 83612  as soon as possible before the submission point closes.
  • If you have noticed a mistake with your submission after the coursework submission point has closed (after the late submission window), please contact an  Information Point  to review potential options that might be available.

Submission of hard copies

It is anticipated that the majority of your assessments will be submitted online. However, where there is a professional body requirement for coursework to be submitted as a hard copy, this is usually done via submission boxes located at your campus:

  • Frenchay Campus : the submission boxes are located at the Coursework Hub, Level 1 of A Block (underpass area)
  • Bower Ashton Campus : students should go to the C block corridor (or will be given alternative instructions where appropriate)
  • Glenside Campus : the submission boxes are located in A block behind the Information Point.

Some items of coursework (for example, posters or dissertations) are not submitted via a submission box, your lecturer will be able to tell you more about this and the arrangements for submitting your work, during your module.

In the event of adverse weather conditions and University closure, hard copy coursework should be submitted by 14:00 on the next day that the University is open. 

Balancing your assessment load

The benefits to submitting your assignment for the first deadline can be significant.

Module assessment deadlines are usually during or just after the run of the module and have been designed to take place at the ideal time for your learning.

You are encouraged to submit to the first deadline as it gives you the opportunity to: 

  • apply knowledge when it is fresh
  • spread your assessment across the year
  • receive feedback on drafts and ideas
  • act on feedback from staff and peers during the module
  • receive module specific support from your module and programme leader while undertaking the assignment
  • utilise an uncapped re-sit later in the year if you fail the first try.

There may be times when you are experiencing difficult personal circumstances or have multiple deadlines within a short time. We strongly recommend speaking to a Student Support Advisor  about your options and support available to you. 

Find out more about the risks and consequences of uncapped resits.

Resits and retake information

Submitting your coursework

You should receive specific instructions either online or in your module handbook on how you submit coursework at the start of each individual module.

Some modules may require you to submit your coursework online. If this is the case, you will receive detailed instructions at the start of your module.

Information about your coursework and submission methods is also given in MYUWE Learning. You can also view the guidance for using Blackboard .

Please note that you may not submit coursework by email.

Resit coursework

Module leaders are responsible for providing you with details of resit coursework on Blackboard.

If you have not received details of your coursework within 14 days of the publication of your results, you must contact your Student and Programme Support team  immediately.

Reasonable adjustment for a resit deadline

For a resit, a reasonable adjustment to the deadline will give an additional five days from the original deadline. This does not include assessments contributing to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, which are eligible for a three-day reasonable adjustment.

What are assessment offences?

Please see the assessment offences policy for more information on what constitutes an assessment offence, and the processes and penalties applied.

Assessment offences

You may also be interested in

Wide shot of group study space with students working on laptops and computers

Study skills

Support to help you study, including referencing, academic writing, research skills, time management, reading, plagiarism advice, and IT.

Student working on a laptop

Prepare for assessments

Advice to help you prepare for assignments and exams.

Two students using computers in a study area

Details of UWE Bristol term times and key dates for the current and future academic years.

  • International edition
  • Australia edition
  • Europe edition

Students often put off applying for extenuating circumstances after failing exams because they wrongly believe they don’t deserve it.

What can I do if I fail my university exams?

Failing tests or coursework can be expensive and stressful, but you may have mitigating circumstances and other options

K irsty Ackah was in her second year at Southampton Solent University when she went to hospital for 24 hours with mental health problems. “I missed my last exam,” she says. Although her university knew what had happened, it was marked down as a fail.

“I was going through severe mental health issues and I didn’t realise I needed to organise retaking the exam over the summer,” she says. “By the time I found out, it was too late.”

Ackah had to wait 12 months before retaking her third year. “It’s really sad because many students are young and not that well equipped to handle life-altering decisions,” she says. “Some guidance would’ve made all the difference to me.”

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa), increasing numbers of students are dropping out . Failing assessments can be a reason, as retakes are potentially expensive and stressful. Universities minister Michelle Donelan says institutions need to step up and take action. “We cannot let these students down and let talent go to waste,” she says. If you’re struggling or you’ve failed already, here’s what to consider.

Was it out of your control?

Although each university has its own rules and regulations, Lanisha Butterfield from the University of Oxford says key reasons for mitigating circumstances include acute illness, unforeseen circumstances such as a traffic accident or bereavement, or a disability or long-term health condition. “All cases are looked at individually. It’s about putting your case forward and asking for help with your application,” she says. Be aware that financial difficulties, mild illnesses, work commitments, poor time management or loss of material do not generally count as mitigating circumstances.

Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help

People often put off applying for extenuating circumstances because they think they don’t deserve it. James-John Connorwood, a law student at Glasgow Caledonian University, developed abdominal pains before sitting his last exam but the prospect of not graduating with his friends terrified him. “I attempted to push through and go ahead with the exam but the pain was excruciating,” he says. “I left the hall before finishing the paper.” Many universities now allow self-certification requests for extensions. You can often apply for one or two per academic year and they can be used for coursework, written assignments, dissertations and projects. Be careful not to waste them. “I used my free pass for the sake of having extra time on a subject I disliked,” says Valerie Cole (not her real name), who studied sociology and media studies. When she was unwell later that year, she was unable to use a self-certification request and failed two exams. “It cost me. It was £1,500 just for the retakes and I had to pay for the extra year. I’ve had to defer my graduation because I’m still paying my fees back in instalments.”

Keep a record

If you think you may be unable to perform in an exam, act quickly and make sure you keep a record of all events. Most universities will require written evidence. This can include an official police report if you have been a victim of a crime, a death certificate if you have suffered a bereavement, or a dated letter from a doctor or hospital. “It can be difficult as it can be quite defeating to fight your case. But you have to do it,” says Ackah. Take advantage of academic skills support services, student counselling, lecturer office hours and personal tutors.

You can challenge a mark

If your application has been declined, you can request a review of the decision. Education lawyer Rhys Palmer says students are increasingly taking legal action. “Many people don’t appreciate at the time that they have mental health conditions or were unwell and they want a fair chance to resit,” he says. After a conversation with lecturing staff, Connorwood was made aware of the mitigating circumstances process and will resit the exam. “It’s meant that I haven’t had to give up on my dream of becoming a solicitor. I feel hugely supported by my uni,” he says. “I recommend any student that finds themselves in a similar situation seek help. It could save you from dropping out.”

  • Tips for students
  • Higher education
  • Universities
  • Advice for students

Most viewed

The Calculator Site logo

  • Compound Interest
  • Compound Interest (Daily)
  • Amortization Calculator
  • APY Calculator
  • Boat Loan Calculator
  • CAGR Calculator
  • Car Loan Calculator
  • Credit Card Repayment
  • Currency Converter
  • Forex Compounding
  • How Long to Save
  • How Long Will Money Last
  • Interest Rate Calculator
  • IRR Calculator
  • Loan Calculator
  • Loan Payoff Calculator
  • Margin Calculator
  • Million to Billion Converter
  • Money Counter
  • Mortgage Calculator
  • Mortgage Refinance
  • Price Per Square Foot
  • Retirement Planning
  • Savings Calculators
  • Savings Goals
  • Simple Interest Calculator
  • SIP Calculator
  • Hourly to Salary Calc
  • Overtime Calculator
  • Pay Raise Calculator
  • Salary to Hourly Calc
  • Time and a Half Calculator
  • Centimeters to feet
  • Centimeters to inches
  • Feet to inches
  • Feet to meters
  • Inches to centimeters
  • Inches to feet
  • Meters to feet & inches
  • mm to inches
  • Grams to pounds
  • Kilos to stone & lb
  • Kilos to pounds
  • Micrograms to mg
  • Micrograms to grams
  • Milligrams to grams
  • Ounces to pounds
  • Stone to pounds
  • Cubic feet to gallons
  • Gallons to ounces
  • Liters to gallons
  • Liters to ounces
  • Cubic yards to tons
  • Gallons to pounds
  • Liters to tons
  • Inch-pounds to ft-lb
  • Newton-Meters to ft lb
  • Square ft and acres
  • Square meters to square ft
  • Square feet to cubic feet
  • Square feet to cubic yds
  • Amps to watts
  • Hertz to seconds
  • Lumens to Watts
  • Watts to amps
  • Acceleration
  • Data Storage
  • Data Transfer Rate
  • Fuel Consumption
  • Gold Weight
  • Length and Distance
  • Liquid Volume
  • Mass and Weight
  • Temperature
  • Water Weight
  • Weight to Volume
  • Cubic Feet Calculator
  • Cubic Meters Calculator
  • Cubic Yards Calculator
  • Electricity Cost Calculator
  • Gravel Calculator
  • How Much Flooring
  • LED Savings Calculator
  • MPGe Calculator
  • Mulch Calculator
  • Square Footage
  • Birthday Calculator
  • Roman Numerals
  • Scientific Calculator
  • Final Grade Calculator
  • Uni Grade Calculator
  • Age Calculator
  • Age Difference Calculator
  • Chronological Age
  • Date Calculator
  • Days Between Dates
  • Days From Today
  • Days Until...
  • Generation Calculator
  • Decimal to Fraction
  • Density Calculator
  • Fractions Calculators
  • Hex to Decimal
  • Percentage Calculator
  • Percentage Change
  • Baking Conversions
  • Butter Converter
  • Cooking Converter
  • Cups to Grams
  • Cups to Ounces
  • Cups to Tablespoons
  • Grams to Cups
  • Grams to Ounces
  • Grams to Tablespoons
  • Grams to Teaspoons
  • mL to Grams
  • Ounces to mL
  • Ounces to Grams
  • Oven Temperatures
  • Pints to Cups
  • Pounds and Cups
  • Quarts to Cups
  • Tablespoons to Teaspoons
  • Teaspoons to Grams
  • Teaspoons to mL
  • BMI Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • How Long to Walk a Mile
  • How Many Steps in a Mile
  • Kilojoules to Calories
  • Miles to Steps
  • Pregnancy Calculator
  • Sobriety Calculator
  • Steps to Km
  • Steps to Miles
  • WHR Calculator

University Grade Calculator

  • University Grade
  • Final Grade

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made in building our calculator tools, we are not to be held liable for any damages or monetary losses arising out of or in connection with their use. Full disclaimer .

Calculate your uni grade

Our university grade calculator takes a percentage mark for each of your university courses (assignments or modules) or academic years, together with the percentage or credit weighting, and returns a weighted average for the parts you have completed so far.

How do I calculate my weighted university grade?

In order to work out your weighted average grade for your university year, module, or assignment, we take the marks (or grades) multiplied by their respective weights, sum them together, and then divide the total by the sum of the weights. An example is shown below, and the calculation is shown at the bottom of the results.

Example calculation

Student A is studying a degree in Computer Science and has undertaken three modules so far. They want to calculate their average weighted grade for the three modules.

Student A's average mark is therefore calculated at 64.5%.

Unweighted calculations

If you wish to carry out an unweighted calculation, simply leave all the weight boxes blank, or make them equal. If you want to work out the mark you require on your final exam, you can use our final grade calculator tool .

What mark do I need from the rest of my course?

Our calculator can help you work out the average mark you need from the remainder of your course, in order to achieve a target percentage, so that you can see whether you're on track to achieve the grade you want.

If you have any problems using our university grade calculator, please contact us .

Popular features

  • How Much is a TRILLION?
  • How Long Does it Take to Walk a Mile?
  • How Many Miles is 10,000 Steps?
  • How to Calculate Square Footage
  • How Long Will it Take to Save?
  • The Compound Interest Formula

The History of the Calculator

From abacus to iPhones, learn how calculators developed over time.

Home & Garden

coursework or exams uni

Goodwin University Home

Getting a College Degree Online: What You Should Know

Online learning is more popular than ever as an increasing number of students pursue their degrees online. While online education was accelerated during the pandemic, college students continue to enjoy the flexibility, affordability, and wide range of online degree programs available.

Online learning also allows college students to continue working and managing their home lives while achieving a college degree. Plus, employers now recognize and respect the value of online education just as much as traditional, in-person programs.

So, what do you need to know to get a college degree online? We’re glad you asked.

Below we cover everything you need to know about getting a college degree online, including what types of online degrees are available and where students can start.

What is an online degree?

An online degree is an undergraduate or graduate award that you can earn through distance learning and, specifically, an online college or university. Online degrees make it possible for more people to achieve better careers and job stability by offering an alternative to the traditional, on-campus degree program.

Online degree programs allow students to attend college courses from the comfort of their own home or anywhere with an internet connection. Students complete their coursework online through distance learning, learning management systems (LMS), and tools such as:

  • Collaboration tools: Discussion forums and video conferencing software allow you to connect with classmates and professors.
  • Course reference materials: Access a variety of resources, such as audio and video files, PDFs, presentations, syllabi, and readings.
  • Exams and quizzes: Take exams, quizzes, and assignments online.
  • Grades and progress reports: Track your progress and see your grades easily.
  • Live or recorded lectures: Depending on the program, you may have access to live or pre-recorded lectures.
  • Technical support services: Many online programs offer technical support to help you navigate the online learning environment.

Lastly, online degree programs make college more accessible for anyone seeking to advance their education.

What types of degrees can you get online?

Now more than ever, you can earn almost every degree level online , including an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and professional degree.

Keep in mind that online degree offerings will vary by institution. However, online degrees fall into many categories: business, liberal arts, professional studies, and healthcare. For example, Goodwin University offers a range of comprehensive and career-focused online degree programs that can be completed exclusively online or in a hybrid format.

When it comes to an online degree program, courses are offered in the following formats:

  • Asynchronous: Asynchronous courses are conducted independently and are available to students on demand; this gives students maximum flexibility to study on their own schedule while meeting class deadlines.
  • Synchronous: Synchronous courses are live online sessions at scheduled times. During set virtual classroom hours, students log into video conferencing platforms, complete assignments, interact with peers, and notate live lectures.
  • Hybrid: Hybrid courses are a blend of online and on-campus classes. Online courses are primarily written work based on theory. Whereas, on-campus courses are typically held for clinical experiences, hands-on practice, laboratory work, or immersion weekends required for a specific profession, such as nursing. This gives students the flexibility of online learning, as well as valuable practical learning experiences to prepare for their careers.
  • Accelerated: Some online degree programs offer students the option to complete their education quickly by enrolling in an accelerated degree program. These online programs are a great way to get a degree quickly and into the workforce. For example, Master’s in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) students at Goodwin University can opt-in to seven weeks of online courses (as opposed to the standard 15-week schedule) and earn their degree in as few as 20 months part-time .

Students should consider their learning styles, preferences, needs, goals, and interests when determining which program format is best for them.

Get started today! Click here to learn more about what Goodwin University offers with their online programs.

Where can you get a college degree online.

Given the popularity of online degree programs, colleges and universities of all shapes and sizes are now offering online degrees. Students should research prospective schools to see what types of degrees their chosen school offers.

They should also ensure that their chosen school is reputable and accredited , as this ensures that they are receiving the best education possible.

Accreditation is the formal recognition that an educational institution meets the academic standards of the Department of Education. Specifically, it designates that an institution or program meets (or exceeds) expectations regarding curriculum, faculty, student success rates, and more.

Students should also consider factors like flexibility, affordability, and the online services and support they will receive. For example, at Goodwin University, our online studies services team offers:

  • Academic advising
  • Career services
  • Financial aid

How to get a college degree online

Getting a college degree online can be just as straightforward, if not more so, than getting a degree in person. Online degrees come with many other benefits like:

  • Accessibility: Individuals with busy schedules or geographical limitations have the ability to pursue higher education.
  • Self-disciplinary skills development: Online degrees require strong time management and independent learning skills.
  • Individualized attention: Smaller online class sizes can provide more interaction with instructors.

Enrolling in an online college degree program has many similarities to enrolling in an in-person one. Students should consider the following steps when looking to get a college degree online:

  • Research and choose your program: Identify the online degree program that aligns with your career goals and interests. Consider factors like program format, accreditation, and cost.
  • Apply and get accepted: Complete the application process for your chosen program by submitting transcripts, essays, and application fees.
  • Enroll and begin your program: Once accepted, finalize your enrollment and start your online coursework. Familiarize yourself with the LMS and use the available support services to set yourself up for success.
  • Graduate & start your career: You’ll receive your online degree upon completing your program requirements. Then, it’s time to use your training, knowledge, and skills to advance in your chosen career.

If you are looking to get a college degree online, consider Goodwin University , where you can earn your degree based on your needs, interests, goals, and schedule.

Our online programs are designed so you can do your coursework where and whenever you want to while still obtaining the same quality education you would on campus.

Contact us for more information , and start your future today!

Bild von einer Person, die sich Notizen macht

Guide to Examinations and Course Recognition

Course recognition (transfer credits), recognition of completed coursework.

Obtaining Transfer Credits for Completed Coursework (Course Recognition)

You can apply to receive EUF transfer credits for coursework you took before starting your current degree program, or for coursework you took abroad, through a process called "Anerkennung" (Recognition). For this you need to fill out a special form: either the "Anerkennung von Studien- und Vorstudienleistungen" (Form for Recognizing Prior Coursework) or - for external coursework - the "Antrag auf Anerkennung von erbrachten Studienleistungen" (Application for Recognition of Coursework Completed at a German Institute of Higher Education).

Take the completed form and all relevant evidence (certificates, course diplomas and/or transcripts) to the designated institute representative, who can then officially recognize the coursework. Once that person has signed and stamped your form, please submit it and all relevant documentation to the Service Center for Examination Matters (SPA), addressed to Karin Schulz-Sommer (Helsinki Building, mailbox number 39).

For students in the bachelor’s degree programs in International Management and European Cultures and Society and the master’s degree programs in European Studies, and International Management Studies (IMS):

To request recognition of completed academic coursework, please present the relevant evidence (certificates and/or transcripts) together with the Form for Recognition of Prior Academic Achievements to the university staff member responsible for the relevant module. You can then submit the signed and stamped form together with copies of all relevant evidence to the SPA IIM.

If you need to request recognition of coursework completed abroad, please use the "Anerkennungsantrag" (Form for Recognition of Coursework Recognition).

Appealing an Examination Grade

Ap pealing an Examination Grade 

If you object to the grade you received for a particular exam, you can file a written appeal with the Examination Committee. But you are required to do so without undue delay– no later than one month after the examination grades are published. To file the appeal, send a letter to the Central Examinations Office in which you clearly outline the reasons for your appeal. 

Notification of Illness / Withdrawing from an Exam

What to do if you are ill on the day of an exam / emergency withdrawal from an exam.

If you cannot take an exam because you are ill, and the exam withdrawal deadline has already passed, you must inform the Service Center for Examination Matters  immediately  .

On the same day that you report being ill, you are required to have a doctor fill out a formal document ("Bescheinigung der Prüfungsunfähigkeit;"see download below) certifying your unfitness to take an examination. This document must be sent by you to the Service Center for Examination Matters (SPA) that same day. As a temporary solution, you are allowed to send this certificate in to the SPA by fax or email. But you will need to send in the original paper copy of the certificate within three days.

For university purposes, your illness officially starts on the date that appears on your doctor's certificate. The university will not recognize any illness prior to that date. 

What happens if you fail to comply with these procedures:

If you fail to promptly inform the Examination Office (SPA) of your illness in such cases, the exam will show up in the system as Insufficient (grade 5.0)  with the explanation "student was not present." In this case, you will not be able to repeat the exam in the future.

Bescheinigung der Prüfungsunfähigkeit (Ärztliches Attest)

coursework or exams uni

Compensation for Disadvantages

Recognition of Special Needs / Compensation for Disadvantages

According to Section 3, subsection 5 of the Schleswig-Holstein Higher Education Act (HSG), the special needs of students must be taken into account. Regulations governing the recognition of special needs ("Nachteilsausgleich") can be found in the examination and study regulations of each degree program at Europa-Universität Flensburg. These regulations refer to:

  • Disabilities or long-term illnesses
  • Maternity protection periods and the legal regulations on parental leave
  • Obligations to care for children under the age of 14 in one's own household
  • Obligations to care for close relatives with legally recognized nursing needs

For information and advising in connection special needs recognition, please visit our

Equal Opportunities Area . 

Exam Registration and Withdrawal

R egistering and Withdrawing from Exams

As student at EUF, you are required to register for both examinations and courses within the official registration period using the form provided for this purpose by the Service Center for Examination Matters (SPA). Normally, students register for courses and examinations at the same time.

Registration: For module or sub-module examinations, you need to register in the Studiport online portal at least two weeks before the designated examination date.

If you have any problems registering for an exam, please contact the Examination Office (SPA) in a timely manner. The staff there will be happy to assist you.

It is not possible to register for an examination after the examination deadline has passed. In that case, you can postpone taking the exam until the next available exam date.

Withdrawing your registration for an exam: If you decide not to take an exam for which you have already registered, you must cancel your registration for that exam in Studiport at least two weeks before its scheduled date.

Go to Studiport

Examination Committees

Examination committees, decisions, and dates.

Examination Committee B.A. Bildungswissenschaften

The Examination Committee for the B.A. program in Educational Sciences also serves as the Examination Committee for all teacher education degree programs , except the master’s program in Vocational Education).

Examination Committee B.A. European Cultures and Society

Examination Committee B.A. International Management

Examination Committee M.A. Erziehungswissenschaft: Bildung in Europa - Education in Europe

Examination Committee M.A. International Management Studies

Examination Committee M.A. European Studies

Examination Committee M.A. Kultur-Sprache-Medien

Examination Committee M.A. Transformationsstudien

Examination Committee M.Ed. Lehramt an beruflichen Schulen (gewerblich-technische Wissenschaften)

Examination Committee M.Ed. Lehramt an berufsbildenden Schulen (Ernährungs- und Hauswirtschaftswissenschaft)

Examination Committee M.Eng. Energie- und Umweltmanagement / Energy and Environmental Management

Regulations Governing Academics and Exams

Important Documents and Regulations Related to Your Studies

You can find a list of the most important official documents about studying at EUF, including the  regulations governing academics and exams ,  student internship regulations, and module catalogs here:

Rules and Regulations at EUF

Examination Schedules

Exam schedules.

To the exam schedules

Transcripts

Your transcript of records.

You can print out your transcript of records yourself via the Studiport Portal

Fourth Examination Attempt (Joker)

The fourth examination attempt (joker).

Section 12 of the GPO stipulates the number of times a student in the Educational Science program can take examinations. Generally speaking, students are allowed to repeat an examination twice (in other words, you can take an exam a total of three times) You can petition to have this rule expanded as follows: In two modules of your choice, you may request to take an exam an additional (fourth) time  if you did not pass it on your third attempt. To request this so-called "joker" attempt, you need to submit a petition to the Examination Committee for Educational Science. Below you will find the petition form.

Vierter Prüfungsversuch "Joker"

coursework or exams uni

If you want to make use of the "joker" option, you need to request it within one month of the date when EUF releases your grade for your third examination attempt. Any petitions filed after this date will not be approved!

Getting a Head Start on Your Master's Degree

Getting a Head Start on Your Master’s Degree

The addition of section 2a of the GPO 2105 for Educational Science stipulates that:

  • registered students in the B.A. program in Educational Science
  • with at least 150 ECTS
  • who have advanced to at least the sixth subject semester in a degree component program [Teilstudiengang] within the bachelor’s program in Educational Science

may register in parallel for up to ten credit hours per week per semester in courses within a Master of Education program according to GPO 2015 or GPO 2020, in subjects for which they have fully completed the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. If you meet these criteria and want to complete coursework for a master’s program while finishing your bachelor’s degree, then you can apply to the Examination Committee for admission to parallel registration for the master’s degree program.

Please note the following deadlines for such applications:

  • May 15 for Spring Semester
  • November 15 for the Fall Semester

Applications filed after these deadlines will not be considered.

Antrag auf vorgezogenes Masterstudium (nach §2a GPO)

coursework or exams uni

Repeat Examinations (Term Papers)

Applying for permission to repeat a written examination (term paper exam).

Because the registration period for repeat examinations in Studiport sometimes expires before grades for term papers are released, it is possible to register to resubmit a term paper ("deadline 2") via the form below (in German only). You must complete the registration fourteen days before the date of the examination or the submission deadline for the term paper. If the failing grade on a term paper took place one or more semesters ago, you can register via the normal channel in Studiport before the first deadline.

Wiederholungsprüfung Hausarbeit

coursework or exams uni

  • Work & Careers
  • Life & Arts

Become an FT subscriber

Try unlimited access Only $1 for 4 weeks

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

  • Global news & analysis
  • Expert opinion
  • Special features
  • FirstFT newsletter
  • Videos & Podcasts
  • Android & iOS app
  • FT Edit app
  • 10 gift articles per month

Explore more offers.

Standard digital.

  • FT Digital Edition

Premium Digital

Print + premium digital, ft professional, weekend print + standard digital, weekend print + premium digital.

Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

  • Global news & analysis
  • Exclusive FT analysis
  • FT App on Android & iOS
  • FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
  • 20+ curated newsletters
  • Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
  • FT Videos & Podcasts
  • 20 monthly gift articles to share
  • Lex: FT's flagship investment column
  • 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts
  • FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition
  • Weekday Print Edition
  • Videos & Podcasts
  • Premium newsletters
  • 10 additional gift articles per month
  • FT Weekend Print delivery
  • Everything in Standard Digital
  • Everything in Premium Digital

Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

  • 10 monthly gift articles to share
  • Everything in Print
  • Make and share highlights
  • FT Workspace
  • Markets data widget
  • Subscription Manager
  • Workflow integrations
  • Occasional readers go free
  • Volume discount

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.

International Edition

ENGV 492 FE Exam

  • Course Description

This course serves as a graduation gate to assure that all civil engineering students take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam as a graduation requirement. The student will receive a passing grade (P) once the student demonstrates that the FE Exam was taken. The course will provide online materials to help students prepare for the FE Exam.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

Requires a student login to access.

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.

Course Assignment

Fe exam verification assignment.

For this assignment, the student will submit verification that he/she has completed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam.

Top 1% For Online Programs

Have questions about this course or a program?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists.

Inner Navigation

  • Assignments

Have questions?

coursework or exams uni

Are you ready to change your future?

Apply FREE This Week*

Request Information

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

Request Information About a Program

Request info about liberty university online, what program are you interested in, choose a program level.

Choose a program level

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Certificate

Select a Field of Study

Select a field of study

Select a Program

Select a program

Next: Contact Info

Legal full name.

Enter legal full name

Legal Last Name

Enter legal last name

Enter an email address

Enter a phone number

Full Address

Enter an address

Apt., P.O. Box, or can’t find your address? Enter it manually instead .

Select a Country

Street Address

Enter Street Address

Enter State

ZIP/Postal Code

Enter Zip Code

Back to automated address search

Start my application now for FREE

  • Office of the Registrar
  • MyLaVerne Portal

How to Log into MyLaVerne Portal

How to access the mylaverne portal:.

  • Go to MyLaVerne .
  • Username: First part of your University email (excluding the @laverne.edu) Password: Same password as your University email.
  • Click the Sign in button
  • For new users, go to New user Signup .

Frequently Asked Questions

To request your student ID number, please contact use the Request for Student ID Number Form .

If you need to reset your password, please go to MyPortal new user sign up.

Questions and issues related to MyPortal should be directed to the help desk at help@laverne.edu or (909) 448-4130.

COMMENTS

  1. Coursework vs Exams: What's Easier? (Pros and Cons)

    This work makes up a student's coursework and contributes to their final grade. In comparison, exams often only take place at the end of the year. Therefore, students are only assessed at one point in the year instead of throughout. All of a student's work then leads up to them answering a number of exams which make up their grade.

  2. Would you rather: Only coursework or only exams. : r/UniUK

    I actually tend to perform equally in exams and coursework but yeah that stress would not be for me. When stressed I lose my hair, get nosebleeds and nightmares. ... At my uni all coursework deadlines are before exams start, so I'd rather finish for uni a month earlier than have exams. I do history which is 90% coursework anyway.

  3. Rethinking educational assessments: the matrimony of exams and coursework

    It's 2019 - and high time we rethink educational assessments. Source: Shutterstock. Standardised tests have been cemented in education systems across the globe, but whether or not they are a better assessment of students' ability compared to coursework still divides opinions. Proponents of exam assessments argue that despite being stressful ...

  4. Coursework versus examinations in end-of-module assessment: a

    Assessment by coursework alone or by a mixture of coursework and examinations tends to yield higher marks than assessment by examinations alone. The increased adoption of assessment by coursework has contributed to an increase over time in the marks on individual modules and in the proportion of good degrees across entire programmes.

  5. What is Coursework at University?

    In short, at university coursework is similar to at previous levels of education, where coursework is a form of assessment without exams that helps to make up your grade. At university, this is because successfully completing coursework helps you to pass modules, allowing you to get your qualification. This coursework can come in many different ...

  6. Coursework Meaning & Definition: A Complete Guide

    Coursework is practical work or studies completed by a student in partial fulfilment of training or degree. Coursework includes projects, fieldwork, design studies, extensive college essays, and other activities. The type of work required varies on the course. It is mostly a part of the learning process and a step towards preparing students to ...

  7. Coursework versus examinations in end-of-module assessment: a

    The students prefer assessments based on coursework alone or a mix of both coursework and exams because these types of assessments tend to yield higher marks than exam based assessment alone [1 ...

  8. Coursework and examinations

    Arrangements. If you are required to sit an examination as part of your course, further details will be provided in your Course Handbook. For some courses, examinations will be held as an " open book " (online) examinations, for other courses they will be in person. Most examinations last for two or three hours.

  9. Assessment: Coursework, exams & feedback

    Assessment. You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. The exact weighting between coursework and exam is listed on the course DRPS entry. All marks are provisional until they are ratified by the relevant Board of Examiners. The University of Edinburgh uses a Common Marking Scheme (CMS) for taught student assessment.

  10. Coursework

    Coursework (also course work, especially British English) is work performed by students or trainees for the purpose of learning. Coursework may be specified and assigned by teachers, or by learning guides in self-taught courses. Coursework can encompass a wide range of activities, including practice, experimentation, research, and writing (e.g., dissertations, book reports, and essays).

  11. Should university be coursework-based or exam-based? : r/UniUK

    For Biological sciences I think it should be 100% coursework because I think that is a far better way of learning and particularly if you plan on doing more research based work. I know in my Uni they're attempting to do less exam-based work. Personally, I don't feel like I get much benefit from exams. Reply reply.

  12. Am I the only one who prefers exams to coursework? : r/UniUK

    Personally I find exams more stressful as I'm unsure of the questions which will appear meanwhile with coursework I have much more time to understand the question and formulate an answer. Moreover with exams if you're unwell or feeling slightly off on the day then that's it.

  13. How does the UK University Grading System Work?

    Universities in the UK follow a standard grading system for degree classifications based on the overall percentage achieved. The four university grade boundaries are: First-Class Honours (1st) (70% and above): Exceptional academic performance. Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) (60-70%): Strong performance, most common degree class.

  14. Information about how exams will be run

    Your exams will either be in an invigilated venue on campus, or remote via FASER or Moodle. You may have a mix of the two different formats, depending on the modules you are studying. Information on how modules are assessed, including whether an exam is in-person or remote, and whether an exam is open or closed-book, is published in the module ...

  15. Assessment planning: a guide for UCL students

    Make sure it reflects all the different due dates - coursework and exams - that you have. Two Exams on One Day. Producing the exam timetable is a very complex task, coordinating over 2,700 different exam papers for 87,000 exam sittings for individual students. Plan for multiple exams in a short period, perhaps even two exams on one day

  16. Assessments

    The mark recorded for assessed work submitted from 4.01pm on the fifth day after the deadline (120 hours), or not submitted at all, is zero and will not be marked. Deadline Monday 4pm. Monday 4.01pm -. 10 percentage points deduction until Pass mark reached, or the actual failed mark stands.

  17. Coursework

    In the event of adverse weather conditions and University closure, hard copy coursework should be submitted by 14:00 on the next day that the University is open. ... Advice to help you prepare for assignments and exams. Term dates. Details of UWE Bristol term times and key dates for the current and future academic years. Contact us.

  18. Uni modules

    At school I always hated coursework and did so much better in exams but having just finished first year, it seems the opposite now happens. I got 2.1's and 1sts on my coursework pieces and essays whereas exams I constantly ballsed up, getting 3rds and a 2.1 Im not really sure what happened, I just havent picked up on how to do exams at uni.

  19. What can I do if I fail my university exams?

    Most universities will require written evidence. This can include an official police report if you have been a victim of a crime, a death certificate if you have suffered a bereavement, or a dated ...

  20. University Grade Calculator

    In order to work out your weighted average grade for your university year, module, or assignment, we take the marks (or grades) multiplied by their respective weights, sum them together, and then divide the total by the sum of the weights. An example is shown below, and the calculation is shown at the bottom of the results.

  21. Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology

    Courses in this program are designed to provide you with the knowledge you need to take the valuable industry certification exams, which can help you increase your marketability to potential employers. Prepare for in-demand certifications including CompTIA Cloud+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv70), and many more.

  22. PDF Late Submission of Coursework; Frequently Asked Questions

    1. I submitted my coursework up to 59 mins and 59 secs late after the deadline, what will my late submission penalty be? Your marked grade will be reduced by 5 percent (%) of the total percentage available for the assessment (i.e. 100%), if your coursework has reached(or is above) the standard of the module pass mark.

  23. Guide to Getting a College Degree Online

    Online degree programs allow students to attend college courses from the comfort of their own home or anywhere with an internet connection. Students complete their coursework online through distance learning, learning management systems (LMS), and tools such as: Collaboration tools: Discussion forums and video conferencing software allow you to ...

  24. 2023 AP Score Distributions

    2022 AP Score Distributions. See how students performed on each AP Exam for the exams administered in 2022. PDF. 4.42 KB. 2023 AP score distribution tables show the percentages of 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s for each AP subject for all AP students.

  25. Coursework and Exams

    Registering and Withdrawing from Exams. As student at EUF, you are required to register for both examinations and courses within the official registration period using the form provided for this purpose by the Service Center for Examination Matters (SPA). Normally, students register for courses and examinations at the same time.

  26. Study casts doubt on 'wokeness' of US university courses

    A study of 5.6mn courses at nearly 4,000 higher education institutions by Open Syllabus, a non-profit group, shows just 0.08 per cent mention critical race theory (CRT), structural racism ...

  27. FE Exam

    This course serves as a graduation gate to assure that all civil engineering students take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam as a graduation requirement. The student will receive a passing ...

  28. How to Log into MyLaVerne Portal

    Final Exam Schedule; University Catalog; Course Descriptions; Course Schedules; Faculty/Staff Resources. Scheduling and Classrooms; Steps to Follow; Faculty/Staff Forms; Cognos Reports; 1950 Third Street La Verne, CA 91750 (909) 593-3511. Campus Safety: (909) 448-4950. Offices and Departments;

  29. Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate

    Receive professional-level training from Meta. Demonstrate your proficiency in portfolio-ready projects. Earn an employer-recognized certificate from Meta. Qualify for in-demand job titles: Social Media Manager, Social Media Specialist, Social Media Coordinator. $50,000 +. median U.S. salary for Social Media Marketing ¹.

  30. Christ University Entrance Test: Dates, Registration, Eligibility

    Christ University Entrance Test 2024 is an university level entrance exam conducted by Christ University, Bangalore. The university offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, however, not all of them require the entrance exam scores. Christ University Entrance Test session 2 results will be announced on May 19, 2024.