Student Handbook Academic Year: 2020-21 Contents
1. Introduction 4 11. Let’s Grow 21 14. Degree classification 42 18. Professional services support 50 11.1 Enhancing academic 14.1 Calculating the ‘mean’ 43 18.1 The Student Self-service 2. Academic Regulations 5 Portal (SSP) 50 knowledge 22 14.2 Certificates 11.2 Skills development 22 and transcripts 44 18.2 Centre for Student 3. Quality and Enhancement Engagement, Wellbeing 11.3 Graduate employability 23 14.3 Graduation 44 Manual (QEM) 7 and Success (SEWS) 50 11.4 Developing leadership 18.3 IT services and support 51 skills 26 15. Interim exit awards 45 4. Student Services area 18.4 Professional services staff: of our website 8 key contact details 51 12. Bloomsbury Radio 27 16. Learning resources 46
5. Programme specification 9 16.1 Birkbeck College library 46 19. Student Guild 52 13. Assessment 28 16.2 IT facilities 46 19.1 Societies 6. Modules and Award Map 11 13.1 Feed-forward 16.3 Virtual learning and clubs 53 and feedback 28 6.1 Taking modules environment: Canvas 47 13.2 Information and at mixed levels 11 16.4 Bloomsbury Online 20. Student representation and assessments 29 Library and Databases Course Committees 54 7. Module Study Guide 12 13.3 Submitting assignments 30 (BOLD) 48 13.4 Extensions Appendix A: Key student-facing 8. Academic staff 13 to assignment deadlines 32 17. Academic support 49 policies on the Quality and 13.5 Mitigating circumstances 34 Enhancement Manual 57 8.1 Office hours 13 17.1 Academic staff 49 13.6 Re-sitting/resubmitting 8.2 Staff absence 13 17.2 Learning enhancement 49 assessments 35 Appendix B: Attendance FAQs 60 17.3 University of 13.7 Assessment grading 36 9. General teaching methods 14 Northampton Skills Hub 49 13.8 Passing a module 37 Appendix C: Grade criteria 62 9.1 Behaviour and classroom etiquette 16 13.9 Students with disabilities, long-term medical Appendix D: Assessment FAQs 64 conditions and specific 10. Learning enhancement 20 learning difficulties 40 13.10 Plagiarism and cheating 40
2 | Student Handbook 3 2. Academic Regulations
The Academic Regulations which apply Where students have a profile of to you throughout your studies are those non-engagement with assessments of the University of Northampton. The and learning across the year, they Regulations, and the University's Student may also still be considered for Handbook 2020-21 which provides an termination under the accumulated explanation of the Regulations, are failure regulation, shown below available at: (if the levels are breached):
https://www.northampton.ac.uk/ • More than 60 credits at Level 3 about-us/governance-and-management/ (Foundation Study Framework) university-policies-procedures-and- regulations/ • More than 80 credits at Level 4
The University of Northampton has • More than 60 credits at Level 5 introduced new regulations called • More than 60 credits at Level 6 ‘Emergency Regulations’ due to the impact of Covid-19. These regulations Progression to next stage for Level apply to your studies for the year 2019- 3 students (Regulation 3.7.3) 20 and it also impacts the academic year 2020-21. • As an exception to 3.7.3, if you are studying the Level Some of the University’s Academic 3 year of the Foundation Regulations apply differently to our Study Framework, you are not 1. Introduction courses, because they consist of permitted to progress to Level 30-credit modules. The following 4 until you have passed all 120 differences are particularly important: credits at Level 3.
This Student Handbook should be read alongside your Programme Handbook, Accumulated failure (Regulation Condonement (Regulation 3.7.13) which contains information specific to your chosen programme of study. 3.7.2) Condonement does not apply and, Revisions to accumulated failure therefore, you must pass every count to remove any credits failed module at a minimum grade of D- in 2019-20. in order to successfully complete your degree.
4 | Student Handbook 5 Maximum number of credits that can be studied each academic year (Regulation 3.3.2) 3. Quality and You can only take four 30-credit modules [120 credits in total] in one Enhancement academic year.
If you are taking a 2-year accelerated course, then you Manual (QEM) can study a total of six 30 credit modules [180 credits in total] in one academic year. The Quality and Enhancement Manual Section Three: All policies (QEM) can be found on our website and If, after exhausting all opportunities includes information and documents This section contains all our policies for reassessment, you fail a module relevant to your course. and other key documents, many of your studies will continue into an which are very relevant to students, additional academic year, provided The QEM is broken down into three such as: you are not in breach of the key sections: accumulated failure rule. • Engagement Policy Section One: Corporate and You can obtain further advice Academic Governance • Disability Policy from our Academic Registrar or • Student Complaints Policy your Course Leader. This section includes information on our corporate structure, and Procedures our corporate and academic You can find a list of key student-facing governance framework and our policies in Appendix A below. core values. The QEM is available at: Section Two: Operational areas www.bil.ac.uk/qem This section provides information about all our key operational areas. Within each sub-section, you can explore the Quality Code’s expectations for the area and how we do things at Bloomsbury Institute.
6 | Student Handbook 7 4. Student 5. Programme Services area specification
The course that you are studying e.g. Business Management (4-Year) or LLB (2-Year) sits of our website within a programme e.g. Business Management or Law.
Accounting The Student Services area of our website contains links to many important sources Business Programme Law and Financial Management of information that you will need to refer to on a regular basis during your studies. Management The Student Services area includes links to: BA (Hons) BA (Hons) Business Accounting Attendance Portal: access to check Student Self-service Portal (SSP): LLB (Hons) Law Management and Financial your attendance a vital tool for any communication including Foundation including Foundation Management year (Four Year) with your Academic Administrator year (Four Year) including Foundation Timetable: access to check (see Section 18.1 below) year (Four Year) your timetable IT Support Knowledgebase: access BA (Hons) Disability and Wellbeing: advice BA (Hons) Business Accounting to search for information on various Courses LLB (Hons) Law Management and Financial and support on short-term or long- learning technology related matters (Three Year) term health conditions and specific (Three Year) Management (Three Year) learning differences Canvas: access to our virtual learning environment BA (Hons) Academic Calendar: access to check BA (Hons) Business LLB (Hons) Law Accounting your academic calendar i.e. semester Student Forms: an area where you Management (Two (Two Year and Financial dates, submission and exam periods, can find all the main forms you Year Accelerated Accelerated Management (Two Year Accelerated resubmission periods etc. might need
BISG – Bloomsbury Institute IT and LT Services: link to Student Guild – where you can find information and support in these all the latest events and information areas about societies The Student Services area of our website BOLD (Bloomsbury Online Library is available at: and Databases): access to our online library and databases www.bil.ac.uk/student-portal/
8 | Student Handbook 9 For each programme there is a Programme Specification, which includes information on the following: 6. Modules and • The educational aims of • Assessment Regulations the programme • Support for students and their • The subject-specific knowledge learning, career and progression Award Map and skills (i.e. the learning opportunities outcomes) that a student will • Methods for evaluating and enhancing demonstrate achievement of A module is set at one of four levels: Levels 6.1 Taking modules through formal assessment the quality and standards of teaching 0 and 4-6, Level 0 being the least complex and learning and Level 6 being the most complex. at mixed levels • The transferable skills that a student The module level is demonstrated by the • Indicators of quality and standards will have developed (with an indication learning outcomes for the module. Upon Taking modules at mixed levels is of those skills that a student will possible, but subject to the following: Specific programme information [i.e. for successful completion of a module, you demonstrate achievement of through Accounting and Financial Management, are awarded the specified number of formal assessment) • You cannot progress from Foundation Business Management, and Law] can credits at the specified level. Year and take any Level 4 modules be found in the relevant Programme • The teaching, learning and assessment Modules are taken at set levels and in unless you have successfully completed Handbooks. methods and strategies designated semesters. The way in which all Foundation Year modules. The Programme Specification is published the modules must be taken is outlined in • The structure of the course • You cannot take a module at the within the Programme area of Canvas the Award Map. higher level if there is a pre-requisite • Professional body requirements (see Section 16.3 below). For information about the modules and module which has not been passed. Award Map for your programme, please • Emergency regulations have refer to your Programme Handbook. suspended the restriction on the number of credits from a lower level that students can study alongside credits from a higher level. Students will be able to study full-time (up to a maximum of 120 credits) if repeating failed modules, subject to any pre- requisites or other restrictions that are in place [University of Northampton, Academic Regulation 3.7.3].
10 | Student Handbook 11 8. Academic staff
8.1 Office hours 8.2 Staff absence
Lecturers are available for students If a member of staff is unable to deliver a outside of class time during their office teaching session, you will be notified. hours. Their office hours are published within Canvas and/or as a signature to If the lesson concerned is due to be held their emails. For 2020-21, office hours will more than 24 hours from the time of mean that the lecturer is available online. notification, you will receive an email on Wherever possible, appointments should your Bloomsbury Institute email address be made. Lecturers may also be available to inform you. If the lesson concerned is to speak with students at other times by due to be held less than 24 hours from appointment. Students can also contact the time of notification, you will receive lecturers by email to arrange an email and a text message. an appointment. All missed lessons will be made up at an 7. Module Study agreed mutually convenient time. Lecturers will aim to respond to student emails within 2 working days. Please note that the response may be a ‘holding’ Guide response such as: ‘Thank you for your email. I will get back to you with a full answer by the end of this week’. A Module Study Guide is available on • The transferable skills that a student Canvas for each module. It includes the will have developed (with an indication Note: Please make sure to email the following for the module: of the skills that a student will lecturer in advance if you are unable to demonstrate achievement of through make an agreed appointment. • The content (i.e. the syllabus) formal assessment)
• The delivery schedule • The teaching and learning methods
• The subject-specific knowledge • Key texts and additional reading and skills (i.e. the learning outcomes) that a student will • An overview of how the module demonstrate achievement of is assessed through formal assessment
12 | Student Handbook 13 9. General teaching Note: Teaching Methods for 2020-21
Semester 1: methods This handbook provides information that is relevant to both online and face-to- face teaching. For Semester 1, all teaching will be taking place online.
Your safety remains our top priority, and if Government advice changes, Modules are delivered through a information, but to develop a deep we will keep you updated with any impact this may have. combination of lectures, seminars, understanding of that information. workshops, and independent study. Students will be expected to prepare for We will make a decision about Semester 2 teaching and communicate this seminars usually through reading to you as soon as possible. Through this combination, students or researching topics and themes gain the opportunity to engage with the of the lecture. content of their module in different ways and, thereby satisfy different aims. Workshops follow on from lectures In short: and seminars and are designed to reinforce proactive learning by providing • Lecture = active listening opportunities for discussion and interaction. Workshops will often be • Seminar = discuss and develop deep focussed on the application of the theory understanding and knowledge that has been engaged • Workshop = apply/practise with through the lectures and seminars. Workshops may also include development Lectures provide a broad outline of ‘soft skills’ (e.g. innovation, structure for each topic to be covered. developing personal values, developing Lectures offer a good way of covering communication skills etc.) and personal a lot of information and, more development activities that lead from, and importantly, of conveying ideas to support, the content of the module. many people at once. Independent study is an important Seminars are generally much smaller feature of higher education. For all groups than lectures and are an modules you will be expected to work opportunity for students to explore around 150 hours on your own. further the topics/theory/concepts introduced in the lecture. The purpose of the seminar is not just to receive
14 | Student Handbook 15 9.1 Behaviour and We expect all members of our academic 9.1.2 Mobile phones Most importantly, engagement is community to: necessary to: classroom etiquette In all face-to-face taught sessions, mobile • Treat others with courtesy, politeness, phones should be set to silent. You • enhance your educational 9.1.1 Dignity and respect and kindness. should never answer your phone in class, development within your area of study unless it is an emergency. If you do have • Encourage others to express opinions • encourage a sense of belonging We are committed to creating and to answer your phone, you should leave and ideas. and mattering within our sustaining a positive and mutually the room immediately to take the call. academic community supportive environment where all are • Listen to what others have to say equally valued and respected, and • contribute to the learning of others before expressing your viewpoint. 9.1.3 Engagement encouraged to thrive. Our Dignity and Never speak over, butt in, or cut • receive information about the course Respect Policy aims to reassure students Students are required to attend all online off another person. and staff that allegations of harassment and face-to-face timetabled classes for • prepare for all assessments their relevant course, unless there are or bullying will be dealt with quickly • Recognise and praise others for their exceptional circumstances preventing • undertake any practical work and sensitively with no fear of reprisal. work and ideas. or group work This commitment is at the heart of our them from attending a class. Timetabled classes include lectures, seminars, Strategic Framework, which includes the • Treat people the same regardless • maintain compliance with the UKVI, workshops, and revision sessions. following values: of their race, religion, gender, age, SLC and other external agencies, as or country of origin. appropriate Be inclusive: Welcome difference Students are also required to engage as a source of strength and • Be inclusive. regularly on Canvas, the virtual learning • develop skills for the workplace, enrichment. environment provided by Bloomsbury including: • Be aware of their body language, Institute to augment the learning which Show courage: Challenge yourself. tone of voice, and demeanour takes place. Canvas provides students • planning and managing time and expression. Dare to think differently. Stand up with opportunities to review lecture • developing stronger for what’s right. slides, read the resources recommended We do not tolerate actions or words that: communication skills by teaching staff and engage in Don’t be mean: Talk straight. Don’t • learning how to give and receive • Insult others, name call, disparage or discussion with staff and peers play games. Treat people well. feedback on performance put down people or their ideas. through Discussion Boards. We value diversity within our academic • Constantly criticise, belittle, judge, Students should note that the academic 9.1.4 Timetable changes community and the huge range of demean or patronise. A series of year is not restricted to timetabled experience and perspective that this If you would like to change the timetable seemingly trivial actions, added up classes or teaching weeks alone as re-sits brings. An appreciation of diversity that you have been allocated, you can over time, constitutes bullying. generally take place after teaching ends. and the equitable treatment of all are request a timetable change through the among our core values, underpinning our • Treat people differently as this Most students who fail their courses do SSP (see Section 18.1 below). There is a success as a community of scholars. can constitute harassment or so as a result of not attending class and deadline for timetable change requests. For these reasons, we will not tolerate create a hostile environment within not engaging with the virtual learning The deadline for 2020-21 is 8 October any form of bullying or harassment. the classroom. environment. Regular attendance 2020. Please note that it is not always requires time discipline and management possible to change timetables, so there skills, both of which are beneficial to is no guarantee that we will be able to whichever career a student chooses. accommodate your request.
16 | Student Handbook 17 9.1.5 Attendance monitoring From 10.01 am both face-to-face and If your absence is a result of illness and 9.1.8 Seminar and Workshop online attendance will be recorded as is up to 7 days in length, then you should preparation Attendance is recorded using a swipe ‘late’. When late attendance is recorded, complete the Self-certification form card system for face-to-face workshops the system notes ‘how late’ the student (available from the Student Services Learning to manage independent study and seminars. Students’ ID cards are was, so we can monitor the actual time area of our website) and upload it to the time is an important part of higher used to swipe a reader placed inside each you were present during the session. SSP. If your illness is longer than 7 days, education. It is essential that you prepare teaching room. Attendance at all teaching Our Student Engagement, Wellbeing then you will require some documentary for seminars and workshops: not doing so sessions, online and face-to-face, is and Success team (SEWS) check the evidence e.g. a letter from your doctor or can lead to disruption to those who have recorded via our attendance management attendance data on a weekly basis and counsellor to confirm your illness. prepared and impede successful group system, be they lectures, seminars, will intervene in instances of persistent work. In addition, lack of preparation will Full information on engagement, notifying workshops, revision sessions or other. lateness or absence, or patterns impact on your own academic experience us of absence, and the Self-certification Tutors will sometimes take a written of absence. and ultimate success. register as well for verification purposes. form can be found in our Engagement You can log into the attendance Students are expected to respect the Policy, which is downloadable from our Students who arrive unprepared may management system [and check your integrity of our attendance monitoring online Quality and Enhancement Manual be asked to work alone in order to attendance record] via the attendance system and only swipe their cards (see Section 3 above). participate effectively in the lesson. portal, which can be found at: to record their own attendance. If a https://www.bil.ac.uk/student-portal/. student is found to have swiped in on 9.1.7 Timekeeping 9.1.9 Student Charter behalf of another student who is not Online and face-to-face attendance is in the classroom, both students will be Punctuality is not only a common Our Student Charter, found on the QEM recorded once per session. If you have a referred to SEWS for an interview which courtesy but is also something that of our website, outlines what you can 2-hour seminar, then attendance will be could result in a referral to the Academic employers will expect. Students arriving/ expect of us and what we expect of you recorded just once for that session. Registrar for disciplinary action. logging in late will have their attendance as a member of our academic community registered as ‘late’ and our systems (all our staff and students), and how we Students can register their face-to-face Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will record the time that they enter all strive to contribute towards creating a presence (i.e. swipe) up to 10 minutes on attendance can be found in Appendix the session. cooperative learning environment in line before the beginning of the session, so, B of this Handbook. with our vision, mission, and values. In cases of persistent lateness, the if the session starts at 10 am, attendance The Student Charter covers areas such as: can be registered from 9.50 am to 10.00 9.1.6 Absence lecturer may decide you cannot enter the am. However, students logging in 10 session if it is proving disruptive to the • Participation and engagement minutes early for an online session will If you are going to be unable to group. This approach has been adopted • Equality, diversity and inclusion be required to wait in the ‘lobby’ until the attend class, you will need to raise an (with the support of our students) in lecturer admits them, and their attendance ‘attendance request’ on SSP. You should order to create an environment conducive • Assessment will be recorded from 10:00 am. also email your Module Leader/Tutor to to effective teaching and learning. notify her or him. In the request, state Latecomers are disruptive to both • Academic standards clearly how long you are going to be the lecturer and other students. absent for and why. Contact details for • Communication Module Leaders and Tutors are available from the home [landing] page of your Canvas module area.
18 | Student Handbook 19 11. Let’s Grow
Our Let’s Grow programme for To promote, encourage and reward employment, enterprise and personal work-related learning. success for life (which replaces the ‘LEAD’ programme) is designed to promote a To continue to build and create person-centred approach to personal new key partnerships with and professional development. This employers, professional bodies and ensures that students are well-prepared postgraduate study providers. to take on the challenges of postgraduate To reward students taking study, employment, self-employment or ownership of their career entrepreneurship, and lead lives that are development and student-centred rewarding and constructive. 10. Learning interventions. The aims of Let’s Grow are: Let’s Grow is embedded within the To enable students to communicate curriculum (i.e. it forms a part of some enhancement their skills and experiences modules). In addition, it takes place effectively to a range of audiences outside the curriculum through the from employers to investors. provision of personal, academic and We embed academic skills development Additionally, we have a suite of cross- career development opportunities. into all our courses to improve student course academic skills development To actively encourage students to These extra-curricular opportunities are performance in lecture/seminar/ sessions delivered face-to-face and take on opportunities, provided by set out in Sections 11.1 to 11.4 below. workshop interactions, develop electronically through one-to-one and the Institute, to develop and apply a reading and writing skills, and improve small group sessions. These sessions wide range of employability skills, assessment performance. Embedding cover topics such as: To provide students with a global learning enhancement sessions include: • Formality in academic writing outlook, international opportunities • Understanding an Assessment Brief and up-to-date analysis of the UK • Delivering effective presentations and international job market. • Recognising and responding to feedback • Note-taking
• Effective use of BOLD, our online • Structuring an academic essay library and databases • Editing and proof-reading • Referencing support
20 | Student Handbook 21 11.1 Enhancing Six events take place each semester, three 11.3 Graduate Lunchtime Dialogues and three evening academic seminars. Information on Bloomsbury employability Institute’s seminar events is published on knowledge Canvas, the Bloomsbury Institute website, 11.3.1 Internship module and through emails sent to students in 11.1.1 Extramural lectures On all programmes students can elect advance of each event. to take the Internship module. Our location in the centre of London’s university district provides a stimulating 11.2 Skills development Students will gain a beneficial experience context for student learning. You can of carrying out practical activities in greatly benefit from the experience 11.2.1 Peer Assisted Learning a workplace or by working virtually. of attending online lectures, talks and (PAL) Learning supports the placement presentations by accomplished academics experience which involves carrying out from other places of learning and from Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is an work-based activities and reflecting fields beyond your own subject area. internationally recognised scheme on the benefits of the activities to based on research indicating that the business and to the student. It is By engaging with these extramural students benefit academically from expected that students will be supervised lectures, you will discover how your own peer teaching. Our trained and accredited in the workplace or when working studies can relate to the wider world and members of staff train students to lead virtually in addition to the supervision how your own learning can be enhanced supplementary online study sessions provided by Bloomsbury Institute. by exposure to the ideas of others. for students studying in the year Each term we invite students to engage below themselves. 11.3.2 Volunteering with public lectures that are organised These online study sessions are offered Volunteering enables students to gain by neighbouring institutions. In the past, on selected modules in addition to excellent professional experience and can students have attended lectures at the regular classes and are focused on boost their career options by enhancing London School of Economics, Gresham helping students to master the material their team-working, networking, College, Goodenough College and they study during lectures, workshops communication and organisation skills. University College London. and seminars. Becoming one of our Our advisors, based in the Centre for trained students, and leading a study Student Engagement, Wellbeing and 11.1.2 Bloomsbury Institute session, is an excellent way for you to Success, can assist you to find a suitable External Speakers develop graduate employability skills volunteering opportunity. Programme such as group working, autonomy, communication and problem-solving. Bloomsbury Institute’s external speakers programme offers students the The scheme is managed by the Centre opportunity to hear from leading figures for Student Engagement, Wellbeing from their areas of study to enhance their and Success and we encourage you to learning and build networks in the fields volunteer when training is offered. in which they may one day be employed.
22 | Student Handbook 23 11.3.3 General graduate Participation in employability events employability skills requires students to keep an up-to-date Let’s Grow plan. The plan template we The development of general graduate use is introduced to students during employability skills is delivered both induction and academic staff refer to it through the curriculum and through Let’s throughout the delivery of the Let’s Grow Grow. Activities include the Bloomsbury sessions within the course. Institute external speakers programme, specialist online seminars and courses in 11.3.4 Student Guild societies communications skills, leadership, finance and clubs and business, and visits to employers or other educational institutions. The aim Being active in the Student Guild, is to equip students with sought after especially through participation in the employability skills such as: societies and clubs, will help you get the most out of your student experience both • Self-belief during and after your academic journey.
• Learning to learn Bloomsbury Institute’s Student Guild • Communication creates opportunities for you to extend your learning beyond the classroom and • Group work share and acquire knowledge in a social and friendly environment. Central to this • Self-management is participation in the different societies • Problem solving and clubs or, indeed, your involvement in setting up a new society or club. • Use and application of If you decide to set up a club or society information technology or become involved in the running of • Processing of numerical data an existing one, you can enhance your employability skills through activities The Centre for Student Engagement, such as event planning, organisation, Wellbeing and Success provides a wide fundraising, budgeting, and marketing. range of information, advice, guidance, However, simply being a member of online training and workshops for a club or society shows any future students on how to start and develop employer that you are a well-rounded their careers. Students can talk to an individual. For more information on the advisor who specialises in employability Student Guild societies and clubs, please matters. Work experience is essential for (see Section 19.1 below). securing graduate-level employment and our Advisors can help students to find and obtain work experience, internships and placements.
24 | Student Handbook 25 12. Bloomsbury Radio
Our in-house radio station, Bloomsbury Radio, broadcasts continuously from its studio in Bedford Square. The station broadcasts a range of programmes covering all aspects 11.3.5 Networking 11.4.1 Student Representatives of student life. Full details and schedules are published and updated on our website. Networking is a daily activity which Our student representatives play an To find out more, or to get involved email [email protected]. involves engagement with friends, fellow important role in the life of our Institute students, family members, academics, by providing feedback on course mentors, former colleagues and managers. delivery and by representing the views Students can also network through social of other students on several important media, e.g. LinkedIn and through joining a committees. Student views are essential professional, statutory or regulatory body. to the running of the Course Committees (see Section 20 below). Networking involves building relationships, seeking advice, sharing 11.4.2 Peer Advisors information and using connections in personal and career development. The Student Guild is the official representative body for all students. Staff from the Centre for Student Every year Bloomsbury Institute works Engagement, Wellbeing and Success with the Student Guild to train newly can provide students with advice on selected Peer Advisors to provide a networking opportunities. virtual and onsite Peer Advice Service as required. This friendly and supportive 11.4 Developing service includes disseminating information, helping with Bloomsbury leadership skills Institute systems access/usage, and signposting where applicable. They By undertaking the leadership roles contribute to a great student experience. below, students develop transferable skills such as leadership, team working, 11.4.3 Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) self-management, communication and organisation, all of which are valued in PALs are students who lead study groups the workplace. on subjects they themselves have succeeded in.
26 | Student Handbook 27 Feed-forward and feedback comes 13.2 Information and in many forms and it is important to 13. Assessment recognise all the feedback opportunities: assessments Tutor written summative From Week 1 of each semester, comments on an individual Assessment Briefs [ABs] are available on Modules can be assessed in different student’s work. Canvas [within the syllabus area] for each ways, depending upon the nature of the 13.1 Feed-forward item of assessment. ABs include: module, its level, content and learning and feedback Tutor written on-script/in text outcomes. Generally, there are four types comments on an individual Assessment structure for the Prior to the final submission of an of assessment: student’s work. module, including the weighting for assignment, you will be offered the the item of assessment • Assignment: e.g. essay, problem opportunity to gain feed-forward on your Generic written or oral feedback, question, case study, business draft work. This is offered to help you for example an assessor’s report/ Details of the assignment (i.e. for simulation and seen examination target your study activities and develop summary of strengths and the item of assessment, unless it is your ideas; this feed-forward will not weaknesses of work submitted an unseen examination): • Presentation: a class assessment include any indications of speculative by students who completed an that can occur during teaching hours. grading. In the context of your assignment. This can be delivered • The assignment task This can be an individual work or a development through the stages of your and discussed in class and/or (e.g. question(s)) group work studies, the detail and extent of feed- through Canvas. • Guidance to complete • Time Constrained Assessment (TCA): forward will reduce as you progress. Self-assessment/reflection tasks. the assignment a class assessment that can occur There is a specified maximum level during teaching hours • Submission requirements of feed-forward on which the tutor Peer feedback. can comment: • Examinations: any unseen examination A discussion in class, or on Canvas, Details of any unseen examination: of model answers. Only a few modules will have an unseen • Foundation Year: Assignment plan • Duration of the examination and 50% of assignment examination, most will be assessed by ‘Informal’ feedback given during (including, if applicable, assignments, others a mixture of the reading time) • Level 4: Assignment plan and 20% contact hours. four. Assignments may be text-based or of assignment non-text based. Text-based assignments Informal tutor feedback given • Material which may be brought into the examination (if applicable) include essays, problem questions and • Levels 5 & 6: Assignment plan or 20% during office/consultation hours. seen examinations. Non-text-based of assignment • Structure (e.g. number of assignments include presentations and Feedback on summative work can be questions set; number of video CVs. delivered through Canvas in written or audio medium, and/or face-to-face questions to be answered; Please note: to receive feed- with the marking tutor. You can find whether there are any forward on your draft work, more information about feedback in our compulsory questions; you will have to submit the work Feedback Policy and Guidelines. allocation of marks) at least 10 working days prior to • The syllabus content that will the submission deadline. be examined
28 | Student Handbook 29 The key skills which are being You need to take note of the due dates for Attach your work file so we have a copy of assessed for the item of assignments. You may well find that there the work that would have been submitted assessment are clashes (i.e. that work for two different before the deadline! Your file willnot be modules is due on the same day, or on accepted if you send a copy after The learning outcomes which dates that are close to one another). It is the deadline. are being assessed for the item your responsibility to plan around such of assessment clashes to ensure that you begin work on Include in the email: each assignment sufficiently in advance of Extensions and mitigating • Your full name the deadline, so that you can complete all circumstances work required by the due date. • Your student number Appendix 1: Submission Checklist (e.g. LON987654321) Even the best organised student can have • The module name (e.g. Digital Appendix 2: Declaration of her/his plans disrupted by a variety of Marketing [Oct-19]) Authorship (for assignments) events, such as minor illnesses, missed buses, computer malfunctions, and a • The assessment name (e.g. Appendix 3: Use of external multitude of similar obstructions that life Assessment 2: Case Study) editorial and proof-reading services scatters onto our paths! It is essential • Your mobile or other contact phone that you include some 'slack' in your number so a member of our IT Services planning, so that such difficulties do not team can respond to your issue Please note: There is an Assessment cause you to miss a deadline. FAQ document, that can be found in To help our IT Services team investigate Appendix D of this document. 13.3.1 Formatting guidelines the problem, also provide details, such as: for submitting work • The type of device used: desktop, 13.3 Submitting Unless advised otherwise, when laptop, tablet, phone submitting assignments, you should use: assignments • Operating system: Windows, • Font style: Arial Apple, Android If the item of assessment is an assignment, the Assessment Brief will include the • Font size: 11 or 12 • Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Internet deadline date for submission of the Explorer, Edge, Safari • Line spacing: 1 to 1.5 assignment. The deadline given is the latest possible date for submission. The • Network: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Mobile • Paragraph spacing: double line space submission date will be a Monday or a phone connection Friday, and the time of submission will be 13.3.2 Problems submitting work 3pm. This time has been decided upon as a Please note: Although the IT Services result of student feedback. All assignments If you are experiencing technical issues team will do all they can to help must be submitted on time. If you submit with submitting your work, you should resolve any technical issues, they work within 7 calendar days from the email IT Services [[email protected]] will not submit your work on your submission deadline, your work will still be copying in your Module Leader/Tutor. behalf; submission of your work is accepted and marked, but your mark will be your responsibility. capped at a minimum pass (D-). 30 | Student Handbook 31 13.3.3 Word limits In a similar way, learning to manage your Although extensions are allowed, it is If you have an extension and submit work time is an important skill and you should important that you do hand work in on to check for similarity [during the time of All written assignments will include clear plan your time so that work is submitted time, since delaying the submission of your extension] our system will not allow guidance in the Assessment Brief on the on time. your assignment can lead to you having you to submit another piece of work. maximum amount that should be written difficulties in submitting other work on You will need to contact our Learning in order to address the requirements of Occasionally, circumstances beyond your the due date. Technology Team [[email protected]], the assessment task, a ‘word limit’. If the control may affect your ability to submit copying in your Module Leader, to ask submission exceeds the stipulated word work on time. In these cases, it is possible To request an extension, you need to them to remove the work you submitted, limit by more than 10%, the submission to request an extension to a deadline of complete the “Extension Request Form” thereby allowing you to submit your will only be marked up to and including up to 2 weeks. The granting of such an which you can find under Student Form final work. the additional 10% (i.e. the excess will extension will depend upon the nature of page on the website; to support your not be taken into account when awarding the difficulty that you are experiencing, request you need to provide documented Note: There are no extensions for a grade for the assignment). Abstracts, whether the difficulty could and should evidence. You can submit your Extension re-sit work. footnotes, reference lists, bibliographies have been anticipated, and the extent to Request Form and evidence via the The University of Northampton Student and appendices are excluded from any which the circumstances were outside Student Self-service Portal (SSP) [see Handbook (Undergraduate) 2020-21 word limit requirements. your control. For example, serious health Section 18.1 for information on the SSP]. 1 difficulties that prevent you studying A copy of the form will be held on your provides further details on assessment. Where a submission is under the word for a number of days during the period student file. limit, the full submission will be marked when you were expected to be working on the extent to which the requirements on an assignment would usually provide of the assignment have been met. legitimate grounds for an extension; 1 https://searchtundra.northampton.ac.uk/?tag=a9d12d76-8a7b-48f4-841b-f1048c26edc0 a crashed computer or assignment Generally speaking, submissions which overload would not! are substantially under the word limit will fall short of the requirements of the If an extension of up to two weeks assignment task. is not sufficient you should make a claim for mitigating circumstances 13.4 Extensions (see section below). to assignment deadlines The University of Northampton's general policy with respect to Assignments are expected to be assignment extensions is to submitted by the due date. We are all be supportive of students who expected to deliver on time in many have genuine difficulties, but parts of our lives and should be prepared not to tolerate bad planning or for the consequences of not meeting poor organisation, and not to submission deadlines. encourage an 'excuse culture'.
Do not assume you will be granted an extension.
32 | Student Handbook 33 13.5 Mitigating Applications for mitigating 13.6 Re-sitting/ You are only allowed one resubmission/ circumstances, with supporting evidence re-sit opportunity. If you pass at the circumstances (such as medical certificates), can be resubmitting second attempt, your mark will be capped submitted via the Student Self-service at ‘D-, unless you have successfully Mitigating circumstances are defined as Portal (SSP). assessments applied for mitigating circumstances. a serious or acute problem, or an event If you fail an item of assessment (i.e. beyond a student’s control or ability to Please note: As outlined in Section 4.1 You are strongly advised to resubmit/ you receive an ‘F+‘, ‘F’, ‘F-’ or ‘G’ grade), foresee, which has prevented completion of the University of Northampton’s re-sit all failed assessments (‘F+‘, ‘F’, ‘F-’ you will have one final opportunity to of assignment/s or attendance at Mitigating Circumstances Policy or ‘G’ grades) or have upheld mitigating resubmit/re-sit that work. examination/s. If you are experiencing and Procedure: circumstances, and not to gamble on unforeseen or unexpected events – such If a student fails an item of assessment making up the marks in other items of A student who submits an assessment as serious illness or severe disruption (i.e. achieves an F+, F or F-), the student assessment for the module, as there will or attends an examination is normally of your personal life – that may affect needs to rework their original submission. be no further opportunities to resubmit/ considered to have proclaimed your ability to complete assignment/s If a student receives any G grade (i.e. G, re-sit after the deadline for resubmission/ themselves 'fit to sit', and therefore s/ or sit examination/s please meet with NG, LG or AG) or an H grade for upheld re-sit has passed. he may not later claim that any failure your Module Leader, Course Leader or mitigating circumstances claim, then a is due to mitigating circumstances. If you have a holding grade (i.e. ZZ grade), Academic Administrator or a Student new assignment is set (e.g. AS2r). The new The only exception is when a student is you strongly advised to resubmit/resit Wellbeing Advisor to discuss assignment [re-sit assignment] will be taken ill during an examination, when the assessment in the resubmission/resit available options. available in the Syllabus area of Canvas. the Invigilator's report may be used to period specified in the Assessment Briefs If you are unable to sit an exam or submit support a mitigating circumstance claim. For resit examinations and TCA, a and Academic Calendars. This may avoid an assignment, you may be able to claim new exam or TCA paper will be used. any delays in receiving your final results. The University of Northampton’s mitigating circumstances, which, if The resubmission/re-sit period will be Mitigating Circumstances Policy Please be aware that no extensions can accepted, would allow you to complete published in the Academic Calendar and Procedure document can be be given for resubmission work and the assessment for the first time at a and Module Study Guides. later date and receive an uncapped mark accessed through our Quality therefore all resubmission work must for it. Following the acceptance of your and Enhancement Manual: The resubmission/re-sit opportunity be submitted by the deadline given. mitigating circumstances. If the MC are will be before the start of the next www.bil.ac.uk/qem upheld for a first sit item of assessment, academic year. Resubmission dates for Please note: If you get a provisional the assessment would be taken at the Following introduction of Emergency assignments will be published in the G grade overall for a module at the next sitting or the assignment would Regulations 2020-21, incorporation of Assessment Briefs and Module Study first opportunity, you might not be be submitted at the next submission a new option into existing processes Guides. Re-sit dates for examinations will permitted to resubmit/re-sit any opportunity (resubmission/resit). If the (Study Breaks, Restarts etc) that will allow be published during the academic year. failed assessments and might fail MC is upheld for a resubmission/resit students to identify that their request the module without a resubmit/ item of assessment, there will be no is being made because of Covid-19. re-sit opportunity. It is better to further opportunity to resubmit/resit This will enable the teams considering sit each assessment and get an that assessment. A claim for mitigating those requests to do so in a manner F- rather than a G grade. circumstances must be submitted before that takes the specific circumstances the original date for submitting the around Covid-19 into account assignment or sitting the exam. [Regulations 3.10.2-3.10.8].
34 | Student Handbook 35 13.7 Assessment grading
Bloomsbury Institute marks in letter grades rather than percentage marks. This is considered to deliver the most accurate and fair outcomes for students. Whilst a broad mapping of letter grades to percentage marks is possible, you are encouraged to work in letter grades rather than attempt to convert those grades to percentage marks. The table below shows how each letter grade relates to a percentage mark. All grades from D- and above are pass grades.
Letter Grade Percentage Mark
A+ 90 Each assessment (assignment and exam) it is not possible for a mark to be queried A 78 that you undertake will be assessed using after the process has finished. A- 73 a common grading system: The Grade Criteria (provided in Appendix C). The Previous external examiner reports are B+ 68 Grade Criteria sets out what is expected available to students in Part A of the B 65 of a student at each grade (A+ through QEM at: B- 61 to G). It helps you to know what is needed http://www.bil.ac.uk/qem PASS to be awarded a particular grade and C+ 58 helps to ensure consistent marking to 13.8 Passing a module C 55 grades by all academic staff. C- 51 In order to pass a module, you must Assessments are marked by your D+ 48 achieve an overall grade of at least lecturers, and then a sample of the D- in the assessment for that module. D 45 marked assessments are moderated The items of assessment for each of (checked against the grade criteria D- 41 your modules and their weightings are and marking scheme) by a moderator F+ 38 published in the Module Study Guides [another member of academic staff]. For and Assessment Briefs (see Sections 6 F 27 assessments at Levels 5 and 62, a sample and 10.1 above). The weighting of the is then sent to an external examiner to F- 13 assessment gives you an indication of ensure that appropriate standards have H 5 [Mitigating Circumstances upheld] its significance, for example: FAIL been adhered to. The sample will include G 0 [Non-Submission] scripts at a range of grades i.e. grade • 2-hour exam (60%) and 2,000-word LG 0 [Late Submission] ‘A’ scripts, ‘F’ scripts, plus a range of essay (40%) intermediate scripts. Providing that this NG 0 [Nothing of Merit] procedure has been properly adhered to, • Portfolio (100%) AG 0 [AMP Outcome (Academic Misconduct Panel)] ZZ N/A [Grade Withheld]
2 In addition, the professional bodies also require the assessments for some Level 4 modules to be sent to the external examiner.
36 | Student Handbook 37 As you need to get a D- overall, you • 60% of 14pts (see [1] in the table below) = 8.4pts may still be able to pass the module if you achieve a fail grade in one item • 40% of 18pts (see [2] in the table below) = 7.2pts of assessment, provided that you • 8.4pts + 7.2pts = 15.6pts = C (see [3] in the table below) achieve a pass grade in another item of assessment. However, if the item of assessment which you fail is weighted Item grade Item value Total module value Module grade at (for example) 70%, it may be very difficult to pass the module. A+ 25 24.0 or more A+ A 23 22.0 - 23.99 A 13.8.1 Calculating the overall A- 21 20.5 - 21.99 A- module grade B+ 20 19.5 - 20.49 B+ In order to calculate the overall module B 19 18.5 - 19.49 B grade, for each item of assessment the University of Northampton converts 2 B- 18 17.5 - 18.49 B- each letter grade (e.g. A+) to a number C+ 17 16.5 - 17.49 C+ (referred to as the “item value”). C 16 15.5 - 16.49 C 3 The following steps are then completed: C- 15 14.5 - 15.49 C- D+ 14 13.5 - 14.49 D+ • The relevant weighting is applied to 1 the “item value” D 13 12.5 - 13.49 D D- 12 11.5 - 12.49 D- • The weighted item values for each item of assessment are added together F+ 11 9.50 - 11.49 F+ F 8 6.00 - 9.49 F • The total is converted back to a letter grade (using the “total module value”) F- 4 2.00 - 5.99 F- G 0 0.00 - 0.99 G The number (i.e. the item value) to which grades are converted are not percentages. Look at columns 1 and 2 in the table below to see the number (i.e. the item value) Please note: You may have provisionally passed the module overall but still each grade is converted to. have an outstanding resubmission/resit opportunity for an item of assessment; Taking the example of a module with this may be a referred or deferred item. In this situation, you can undertake the a 2-hour exam (weighted at 60%) and assessment to improve the overall module grade. 2,000-word essay (weighted at 40%), if a The University of Northampton (UoN) has changed how students can see student passed the exam with a D+ and their results and module grades. This is done through their Student Hub the essay with a B-, the overall grade will and UoN mobile App. be calculated as follows:
38 | Student Handbook 39 If you have not already set up your that you are supported. Dr Michail’s the original author! Collusion is working 1. Reduction in grade for assignment. account to access your results, please office is based in the Centre for Student with someone else on an assessment follow the instructions on the website for Engagement, Wellbeing and Success task which is intended to be wholly your 2. Grade for module reduced to AG [fail 'setting up your account' available at: on the Lower Ground Floor of 7 Bedford own work. for academic misconduct] and right Square. Dr Michail can help provide the to repeat module withdrawn. https://www.northampton.ac.uk/ support you require. Plagiarism and commissioning are 3. Termination from studies. student-life/it-support/ To contact Dr Michail, email: disability@ regarded by us, the University of Northampton (and all universities), and bil.ac.uk or telephone 020 7078 8796. We only admit to our courses students It is important to note that any results professional bodies as a very serious who we believe are capable of gaining displayed are subject to confirmation and Information on how we can support matter. Instances of suspected plagiarism a degree without resorting to any form approval by the Board of Examiners and those with a disability, long-term medical and commissioning will be investigated of cheating; in other words, whatever may therefore change. The portal can be condition or Specific Learning Difficulty by our Academic Integrity Officers. challenges you feel you may face with accessed at: can be found in our Disability Policy your work, we feel you can overcome which is available on our Quality and If you are suspected of plagiarism, https://user.northampton.ac.uk/IDM/ those through fair means. We have a Enhancement Manual at: collusion or commissioning academic jsps/login/Login.jsp work, you may be called to a meeting with range of support available for you. www.bil.ac.uk/qem an Academic Integrity Officer to discuss If you have any problems logging in, All lecturers are happy to provide your work. Cheating or attempting to please use the UoN contact details at the guidance on how to reference work cheat in exams is also regarded as a bottom of the page provided at: 13.10 Plagiarism properly. Support is also provided serious matter. The student(s) will be through our Academic Skills programme. reported, and the matter will be dealt https://www.northampton.ac.uk/ and cheating Additionally, our AIM [Academic Integrity with in accordance with the University student-life/it-support/ Matters] campaign offers guidance and Plagiarism is passing the work of another of Northampton’s procedures. materials in this area; look out for AIM Alternatively, please telephone the UoN off as your own, whether by copying on Canvas. IT Service Desk Team: 01604 893333 from a textbook, an internet site, or another student. In the latter case, the Please note: Submitting work which Online guidance is available through student whose work is copied is liable is not your own [and cheating in the University of Northampton’s 13.9 Students with 3 to be regarded as having colluded in the exams] can be considered as fraud Skills Hub4, within the ‘Academic Skills’ disabilities, long- plagiarism and is therefore also liable to and handled in accordance with section. Additionally, there is plagiarism the imposition of a penalty. term medical the University of Northampton’s awareness material available Academic Integrity and Misconduct through Canvas. conditions and Commissioning academic work (also Policy (which is available on the known as contract cheating) is a specific QEM). Penalties can include: specific learning type of plagiarism which occurs when a student pays someone else to write their difficulties assignment for them, and then submits it as their own. A further form of plagiarism If you have a disability, long-term medical is ‘self-plagiarism’. This is when you condition or Specific Learning Difficulty 3 If a student is suspected of commissioning (e.g. paying someone to write an assignment for submit the same piece of work for two or and require additional support, please them), this could be classed as fraud under student disciplinary procedures, separate to academic more assignments. At university, you can misconduct procedures. If proven, the consequences would be severe, including removal from contact our Disability and Wellbeing only submit work once, even if you are their course of study. Advisor (Dr Nadia Michail) who will ensure 4 skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/
40 | Student Handbook 41 14.1 Calculating the ‘mean’ 14. Degree When calculating the ‘mean’, only 200 out of the 240 credits at Levels 5 and 6 count towards your final degree classification. classification The first 100 credits are made up of your best three Level 6 modules (which must include the grade for your 30-credit dissertation/project) and 10 credits of your ‘worst’ Level 6 module. These credits are double weighted, so they are ‘twice as important’ in the calculation. For your BA (Hons) degree, you will complete 4 x 30-credit modules totalling 120 credits at each of the four levels (Level 0 and Levels 4-6). There are four award (degree) The second 100 credits will be selected from the best 100 credits from your Level 5 classifications: 1st, 2i, 2ii, 3rd. The basic requirement for each of these classifications is: modules and the ‘left over’ 20 credits from Level 6. This means (see example below) if you did badly in one Level 5 module, it will not count towards your final degree classification, provided all your grades in all your Level 6 modules are better than your Class Requirement worst Level 5. In the example, only 80 credits of Level 5 would be used in the calculation. First Class (1st) Mean of A- or above; or more than half* the grades A- or above Example: Mean of B- or above; or more than half* the counting grades B- Upper Second (2i) or above Mean of C- or above; or more than half* the counting grades C- Lower Second (2ii) Level 6 B- B+ B- B+ or above Level 5 A- B- B+ D- Mean of D- or above; or more than half* the counting grades D- Third class (3rd) or above Your counting grades would be B- or above because the D- will not count towards * Note that the term 'more than half' takes account of differential credit rating the final degree classification. This would equate to an Upper Second-Class Honours and is simply a guide degree classification.
It is only Level 5 and Level 6 modules that count towards your award classification. All of your Level 0 and Level 4 module results only count for progression purposes Please note that Algorithms for the 2020/21 graduating cohort will be considered, (i.e. to move on to the next year of study), nonetheless, some Level 4 modules may and any adjustments approved at Senate, around January 2021. require a minimum pass grade of C- to enable the student to get a specific professional body accreditation.
42 | Student Handbook 43 14.2 Certificates Full information on certificates and transcripts can be found at: and transcripts 15. Interim exit https://www.northampton.ac.uk/study/ Any Record of Achievement (certificate student-life/graduation/your-certificate- or transcript) is only issued after course and-transcript/ awards completion (full or interim award) or course withdrawal (if credits have Queries regarding documentation issued been achieved). need to be emailed to certification@ northampton.ac.uk stating your full name If you fail to meet the requirements for Bloomsbury Institute does not issue your and UoN Student Number. the award of an honours degree, you may Please note: Students cannot certificates or transcripts; this is done by be eligible for an interim or exit award. apply for these awards; they are the University of Northampton (UoN). Once an interim or exit award has been granted at the discretion of the You need to be aware that the name that 14.3 Graduation made, there will be no further assessment University of Northampton’s opportunities for any element of the Award and Status Board. will appear on your award certificate All students who achieve an award are programme leading to that award. will be the name on our student record eligible to graduate at both the University system. Once you have been through of Northampton’s graduation ceremony the award procedure, the name on your and the Bloomsbury Institute’s ceremony. certificate cannot be changed because The UoN ceremonies normally take place Level Interim award Credits Required the formal conferment record will hold in July and February and ours takes place 300 [120 at Levels 4 & 5 and 60 6 BA (Ordinary Degree) the name as it appears on the records and in November. at Level 6] if changed could lead to your certificate 5 Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) 240 [120 at Levels 4 and 5] being unverifiable. Therefore, you must Please note: If you fail any assessments ensure that our student record system in your final year [Level 6], it may result 4 Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) 120 [all Level 4] holds your correct and full name prior in you not being able to graduate to award. Missing middle names, or at the University of Northampton’s abbreviated names or nicknames will July ceremony, even if you have re- appear or be missing on the certificate submitted/re-taken the assessment depending on the name you used when and passed it. This is because you can you enrolled. only graduate once all your results have been confirmed by a University of If you would like to check the name we Northampton Award and Status Board, [and therefore UoN] hold on our student and the Re-sit Award Board takes place record system, or if you want to inform us after the July graduation ceremony. of a change, please contact us via the SSP. We will then notify UoN of any changes. Further information on graduation can be Please note that your name cannot found at: be altered if you have already been awarded your certificate or transcript. https://www.northampton.ac.uk/ student-life/graduation/
44 | Student Handbook 45 If you have not already set up your For example, where: account to access your results, please 16. Learning follow the information below. • Your date of birth is: 23 March 1972 1. Please follow the instructions on the • Your family name is: Holloway website for 'setting up your account' resources Your password will be: 230372Ho= here: https://www.northampton. ac.uk/student-life/it-support/ Note: the first two letters of your family name are always used, ignoring any 2. Once the actions above have been punctuation, so McChesney would be 16.1 Birkbeck College 16.2 IT facilities completed, you will can either access 'Mc', O'Reilly would be 'Or', etc. your results from My Northampton library We have two self-study computer labs at App or you can login here: Bedford Square available to all students. If you need any support with UoN All students can apply for access to the https://user.northampton.ac.uk/ Student printing services are also username and password, please library at Birkbeck College, University of IDM/jsps/login/Login.jsp available. Our IT services Team can contact your Academic Administrator at London. You are entitled to borrow up to be contacted if you require support [email protected]. five textbooks. Applications for library To access the University of Northampton in this area. cards are made through the SSP. Further (UoN) results page (see Section 10.8.1), you will need your UoN username information about Birkbeck College’s All students receive Wi-Fi access through 16.3 Virtual learning and password. library is available at: the Eduroam network. Full information on environment: this access is available in the Wi-Fi access www.bbk.ac.uk/lib Your UoN username will be available Canvas pages in: on the SSP under the ‘Profile’ tab. You can Please note that availability of Birkbeck access the SSP from the ‘Student Area’ at https://www.bil.ac.uk/itsupport/kb/ Canvas, our virtual learning environment, Library for Semester 1 may be impacted the top right-hand side of our website faq.php?cid=11 is where you will find most of the materials by Covid-19 safety measures. We home page: for your course and where you will also recommend that you check the Birkbeck be required to engage in discussions 16.2.1 University username https://www.bil.ac.uk/ Library website for updates. around key themes of your studies. You and password You will also receive an email directly will learn more about Canvas from your The University of Northampton (UoN) from UoN once your student ID has been lecturers. Canvas is used as a key means Please note: We order library cards has changed how students can see their generated. If you are a returning student, of communicating with students. on Fridays and they take around a results and module grades. This is done your existing username and password week to be produced and delivered All the information on how to access and through their student hub and UoN should remain active. use Canvas is available from the Digital to our premises, so, depending mobile App. on the day that you make the SSP Your username is your UoN student ID Essentials area (to which all students have request for your card, it could be up To download UoN mobile App and access number, and your password is formed access) in Canvas. Relevant information to a two weeks’ wait before you are your results, please follow instructions from your date of birth and family name. is also available from the IT Support notified that the card is ready provided here: Knowledgebase, accessible from our for collection. https://www.northampton.ac.uk/ website home page (see Section 3 above). student-life/results-app/.
46 | Student Handbook 47 16.3.1 Accessing Canvas 16.4 Bloomsbury Log on to Canvas through the quick link Online Library and 17. Academic in the Student Services are’ at the top right-hand side of the homepage of Databases (BOLD) our website. Bloomsbury online library and databases support You will need to login using your is our institutional online library for username and password (emailed to you all staff and students. BOLD contains when you have enrolled). If this doesn't extremely useful resources from across and synthesising; paragraphing; work on your device, you can also access a variety of industry standard databases, 17.1 Academic staff introductions and conclusions; Canvas through typing in the following: including Westlaw, Financial Times punctuation; revising, editing and canvas.bil.ac.uk and the Business Premium Collection. Academic staff publish the times they Students can search for key texts, core are available to students on Canvas and/ proofreading. You can also book a If you wish to login to Canvas on your textbooks, additional reading, or use or on the signature section of their emails one-to-one feedback session on your phone, you can download the Canvas app generic search terms to find thousands (see Section 8.1). spoken (presentation) or written found in the App store and login using of freely available eBooks, journals academic English. Details of these group your Bloomsbury Institute details. and articles. The collections have been Academic staff also run study reviews and and one-to-one sessions and information chosen to best suit our programmes, so assessment preparation sessions, the on how to sign-up are published on If you cannot find the information and you whichever subject you study, you will be details of which are published on Canvas. Canvas and advertised throughout require support, you can: able to find information and resources to Bloomsbury Institute. support you in your studies. • Raise a support ticket 17.2 Learning You can contact our Learning If you have any questions around Enhancement tutors at: • Email [email protected] enhancement particular resources, or if you need help [email protected] • Come to the Student Success Hub and locating additional or suggested reading, We provide all our students with free speak to one of our Peer Advisors please email: [email protected] support, guidance and tuition in all areas of academic skills and English language 17.3 University of through the academic skills programme. Academic skills tutors work with you Northampton to improve academic performance, Skills Hub regardless of existing level: good students who want to be excellent ones are catered You can access the University of for equally as struggling students who Northampton’s Skills Hub at: want to achieve a pass level result. skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/ Students can take advantage of the timetabled sessions on key areas of The Skills Hub includes a wide range of academic study and skills: academic resources covering all areas of academic language; note-taking; reading strategies; and research skills. referencing; paraphrasing, summarising
48 | Student Handbook 49 18. Professional services support
18.1 The Student 18.2 Centre for Student Self-service Engagement, Portal (SSP) Wellbeing and
The Student Self-service Portal (SSP) Success (SEWS) is a vital tool for any communication We have a well-developed student support with your Academic Administrator. network which can offer you additional You should use the SSP for making 18.3 IT services and support help and advice with most problems. requests and raising general queries. SEWS works to ensure that the time you Full information about any problems you may be experiencing with your email, wireless Your Academic Administrator will spend here is as happy, productive and access, passwords, printing and scanning, and information about the availability of resolve, forward or close the query successful as possible. SEWS Advisors computer rooms, can be found on our IT Services Frequently Asked Questions page, at: and you will have a complete record are always happy to talk through any of communication. Some examples of problems you may be experiencing. They https://www.bil.ac.uk/itsupport/kb what you can do through the SSP are: can also point you in the right direction if You can also contact IT Support by emailing [email protected]. • Request different types of letters problems arise in your studies. They are like Council Tax exemption letters here to support you through the highs and and bank letters, lows of student life. 18.4 Professional services staff: key contact details You can make an appointment to speak • Request a timetable change with a member of SEWS by emailing Name Email Position • Apply for Mitigating Circumstances [email protected]. Student Engagement, Student Engagement, [email protected] • Apply for an extension Wellbeing and Success Wellbeing and Success Please note: If you are experiencing [email protected] IT Support • Notify us of any issues, for example in difficulties which are interfering IT Services Learning Technology connection with your attendance with your progress, wellbeing and [email protected] Support happiness on your course, please In short, the SSP can be used to raise any Assessment request an appointment with a Assessment Team [email protected] queries that are administrative in nature. Administration SEWS Advisor, using the above Academic email address. [email protected] Academic Administration Administration Team
50 | Student Handbook 51 19.1 Societies The Guild currently has the following societies and clubs for you to join: and clubs • The Law Society: The Student Guild societies and clubs [email protected] enable you to build your social capital by interacting and networking with a diverse • The Accounting Society: number of fellow students, lecturers, [email protected] professionals and influential people • The Business Society: outside your usual remit. The societies [email protected] and clubs have a unique way of creating a sense of belonging and purpose, further The following societies are ‘umbrella empowering your journey after studying societies’ for any number of clubs: at Bloomsbury Institute. Becoming a member of Friends of the Guild (linked • Sports Society to Bloomsbury Institute’s alumni) • Football Club: encourages you to give back when [email protected] you complete your studies and remain connected to the society you joined. • Equality Society: Registration is required to join any of [email protected] 19. Student Guild the societies with the option to renew annually. For each society there is an • Recreational Society: annual membership fee of £5 to join. [email protected]
The Student Guild is the official • Assisting with inductions The Student Guild hosts several online For more details of all societies and clubs, representative body for all Bloomsbury social activities and events, including and how you can get involved, visit the • A welcoming environment to all Institute Student Guild [BISG] students regular meetups, games, karaoke, Student Guild website (www.bil-guild.org), Student Guild members and visitors and is open 8:45am-5pm Monday debates, watching selected films and or the Student Guild. to Friday. • An all-inclusive representation documentaries. The Student Guild website will be posting relevant updates about The Student Guild aims to inspire of Student Guild members society activities, student life and general and empower students with valued • Opportunities for active inspirational content, while the Student experience that extends beyond the community participation Guild’s Instagram and Facebook pages classroom. The Student Guild encourages will be running several live events. Enquire creativity and adventure which challenges • Signposting services and facilities about the Student Guild app, intending to self and others, and it constantly liaises keep you up to date on the go. with the right people to make this • Society and club memberships happen. The Student Guild offers a range (see below) and regular social events of services to our students, including: • Disseminating of essential student cards e.g. Birkbeck library and Student Central cards
52 | Student Handbook 53 20. Student representation and Course Committees
Our student representatives play an Opinions of students are essential to the important role in the life of Bloomsbury proper running of Course Committees, Institute by providing feedback on course and the role of student representation delivery and by representing the views of is very important. The election of the other students on a number of important student representatives will be sought at committees, including our Quality the beginning of each academic year from Assurance and Enhancement Committee students across each year of the course. Additionally, we ask all students for their 3. At the end of each year you will be (QAEC), Academic Committee (AC), Volunteering as a student representative feedback on an individual basis through asked to complete an end of year and our Course Committees (CCs). can be a valuable addition to your CV. our course and module questionnaires. We survey. In your final year (Level 6) Students are also represented on our Student representatives benefit from conduct 3 different surveys: this will be the National Student Board of Directors. Course Committees special leadership training provided Survey (NSS). 1. In Week 3 or 4 of your first semester, meet each semester to discuss matters by staff in the Centre for Student we will conduct a Welcome Back relating to the operation of the course. Engagement, Wellbeing and Success, Survey. This questionnaire will explore Their membership includes the student and previous student representatives Please note: All questionnaires how the last academic year went for representatives, Course Leader, Module have found their job prospects greatly are anonymous. When you have you and how you’re settling into the Leaders, Director of the Centre for enhanced by their experience as completed and submitted the form, new year so far. Student Engagement, Wellbeing and representatives. If you are interested it does not include any identifying Success, Head of Quality and Compliance, in becoming a student representative, 2. Each semester you will complete features, so we do not know who and the Student Staff Liaison Manager. you should consult the Student one Student Module Evaluation has completed it. Representatives Guide for information on Questionnaire (SMEQ) for each of the nominations and elections. two modules that you have studied in that semester.
54 | Student Handbook 55 Appendix A: Key student-facing policies on the Quality and Enhancement Manual
Information on all the policies and procedures that affect a student can be found in Section 3 of our Quality and Enhancement Manual (QEM). The table below focuses on just some of the key policies you are advised to read.
Academic Appeals This is a University of Northampton policy which sets out Policy the academic grounds on which you can appeal.
This is a University of Northampton policy which informs Academic Integrity students of the expectations for and processes around and Misconduct Policy academic integrity.
Assessment The Assessment Procedures: Validated Degrees establishes Procedures: Validated and maintains standards of quality assurance throughout Degrees the whole assessment process on our validated degrees.
This policy is designed to ensure an environment that promotes a culture of respect in which harassment and Dignity and bullying are recognised as totally unacceptable behaviours. Respect Policy It also aims to reassure students and staff that allegations of harassment or bullying will be dealt with quickly and sensitively with no fear of reprisal.
This document sets out how we support and enable students with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, specific learning difficulties, special psychological needs Disability Policy and medical conditions which may have an impact on day- to-day activities, to take part in all aspects of our academic and social programmes.
56 | Student Handbook 57 This document provides information on the acceptable use of This document recognises our safeguarding obligations email by our students, staff, visitors and contractors. Its key and sets out the policy and procedures we have drawn up Email Acceptable Safeguarding Policy aim is to ensure that the content of any email communication to mitigate risk and address any safeguarding concerns Use Policy does not constitute a breach of any of our policies or the that might nevertheless arise. legislative framework within which we operate. Social Media This document outlines the guidelines for using social The main aim of this document is to provide clear Communications Policy media accounts. information to our students on the importance of Engagement Policy engagement (both in terms of attendance and engagement This document explains the mechanisms that in class and via Canvas) for academic success and the Student Complaints students can use to address any issues that they feel quality of the student experience. Policy and Procedures might be preventing us from providing a high-quality educational experience. This document articulates our commitment to creating Equality, Diversity an environment that respects the diversity of all staff and Student Disciplinary This document sets out the penalties and remedies to be and Inclusion Policy students and enables them to attain their full potential free Policy and Procedures applied for unacceptable behaviour. of discrimination, harassment or victimisation. This document aims to clarify the standards and This document builds upon our values by setting out seven arrangements that we have in place in relation to the Student Guide to ethical principles that we expect all our directors, staff, Health and Safety of our students while on our premises Ethics Policy Health and Safety students and external members who are represented on or those of Birkbeck College. In addition, it sets out the our committees to act in accordance with. expectations and responsibilities of our students. This document is designed to ensure within our academic Student Guide to This document provides some information and advice on community the right to freedom of speech within the Mental Health and not only mental health and wellbeing, but also the sources External Speaker Policy law. This means ensuring that opinions expressed do not Wellbeing and possible types of support available to students. create or contribute to an environment of fear, harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse or violence. This provides a summary of agreed needs for students with Student Learning a disability, long-term medical health condition or Specific This document sets out the rules which govern the use of Support Agreement Internet Acceptable Learning Difficulty. the internet if accessed using our IT facilities and resources Use Policy and applies therefore to access both on site and remotely. This document acts as a reference resource for elected This policy sets out our commitment to the mental health student representatives to help them understand the Mental Health and Student and wellbeing of our students and should be read alongside student representation system and their role within it at Wellbeing Policy Representatives Guide our Student Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing. our institution. It also signposts student representatives to other important sources of information. Mitigating This is a University of Northampton document which sets Circumstances Policy out the conditions under which a request for a deferral of Support for Pregnant This document provides details of the support we can and Procedures an assessment opportunity can be considered. Students provide to pregnant students and their partners.
This policy sets out our approach to the Prevent Duty which This document sets out the terms and conditions which is designed to prevent people from being drawn into form part of the contract between our institution and an Prevent Policy Terms and Conditions terrorism. We see the Prevent Duty as an extension of our applicant who has accepted an offer of a place on one of safeguarding obligations. our courses.
This document explains how we collect, use and share your Withdrawal Study The document explains the processes and deadlines, Privacy Notice personal data, and your rights in relation to the personal Break and Deferral including any consequences, with regards to a course data we hold. Policy withdrawal, study break or deferral.
58 | Student Handbook 59 Appendix B: Attendance FAQs
1. Will my attendance be recorded if I 3. I forgot my card but was present 7. If my friend is running late or cannot follow my friend’s timetable? in a face-to-face class. Can you make class, can I use their card to Your attendance is only recorded when update my attendance? record their attendance? you attend your online and face-to- If you forget your student ID card, You should always use your own face timetabled lectures, seminars and your attendance will not be recorded card to tap in for your face-to-face workshops. You may request a change or updated. timetabled seminars and workshops. to your timetable by contacting the 4. I will miss my class on Monday but can Tapping in for other students who are timetabling team via SSP. They will attend the same class on Thursday. not present is strictly forbidden by try their best to fulfil your request, Will my attendance record be Bloomsbury Institute and may result in however, please note that this is updated? formal disciplinary action. not guaranteed. Please note that your attendance is 8. Can I request a two-day timetable 2. I was unwell and have a doctor’s note. only recorded when you attend your of study? Can you update my attendance? timetabled lectures, seminars We do not offer two-day timetables We do not authorise absence at and workshops. at Bloomsbury Institute. Our courses Bloomsbury Institute. However, you 5. I will be away for a week due are full-time, and a two-day timetable are advised to record your absence and to personal reasons. Can you update cannot meet the demands of upload your doctor’s note on SSP. The my attendance? full-time study. only acceptable evidence in the case of We do not authorise absence at non-engagement (including absence) Bloomsbury Institute. If you are is valid third-party (i.e. independent) encountering personal difficulties, documentary evidence or, in the case please contact the SEWS team who are of illness, a self-certification form for here to support and guide you. the first 7 days of illness. We use self- certification information to alert our 6. I only used my card in the morning Wellbeing Advisors of your situation. but had classes all day. Can you They will monitor your attendance update my attendance? and intervene with helpful advice and Please note that you should tap your support should your medical-related card for every face-to-face seminar absences increase. and workshop on your timetable, even if you are in the same classroom for consecutive sessions.
60 | Student Handbook 61 Work of capable quality which contains some of the A very strong Pass C- characteristics of the grade above in relation to the Appendix C: OR Bare/Basic Merit relevant learning outcomes.
Work of satisfactory quality which demonstrates Grade criteria evidence of reliably achieving the requirements of the A strong Pass D+ learning outcomes, but to a limited degree. Acceptable command of academic / professional An outstanding Work which fulfils all the criteria of the grade below, conventions appropriate to the discipline. A+ Distinction but at an exceptional standard. Work of broadly satisfactory quality which Work of distinguished quality which demonstrates demonstrates evidence of achieving the requirements strong, convincing and consistent evidence appropriate A Pass D of the learning outcomes, but to a limited degree. A very strong A to the task or activity. Broadly acceptable command of academic / Distinction Rigorous and authoritative command of academic / professional conventions appropriate to the discipline. professional conventions appropriate to the discipline. Work of bare pass standard which demonstrates Work of very good quality which displays most, but not evidence of achieving the requirements of the learning A clear Distinction A- all, of the criteria for the grade above in relation to the A bare Pass D- outcomes, but only to a limited degree. learning outcomes. Broadly acceptable command of academic / professional conventions appropriate to the discipline. Work of highly commendable quality which clearly fulfils the criteria for the grade below but shows a Work which indicates some evidence of engagement A Distinction B+ with the learning outcomes, but which contains some greater degree of capability in relation to the relevant A marginal Fail F+ learning outcomes. significant omissions or misunderstanding, or otherwise just fails to meet threshold standards. Work of commendable quality which demonstrates good, robust and convincing evidence appropriate to Evidence included or provided but missing in some very the task or activity. important aspects. A very strong Merit B A Fail F Strong command of academic / professional Poor command of academic / professional conventions conventions appropriate to the discipline. appropriate to the discipline.
Work of good quality which contains most, but not all, Negligible or inappropriate evidence. A comprehensive A strong Merit B- of the characteristics of the grade above in relation to F- Fail Unsatisfactory command of academic / professional the learning outcomes. conventions appropriate to the discipline.
Work which clearly fulfils all the criteria of the grade Academic Work submitted, but academic misconduct proven, AG A clear Merit C+ below but shows a greater degree of capability in Misconduct and penalty given was to award AG grade. relevant intellectual/subject/key skills. Work submitted but given an LG grade due to late Late submission LG Work of sound quality which demonstrates submission. evidence which is sufficient and appropriate to A Merit C the task or activity. Work of nil value NG Work submitted, but work comprises no value. Sound command of academic / professional Non-submission/Nil G Nothing presented. conventions appropriate to the discipline. attempt
62 | Student Handbook 63 4. Can I appeal the grade I have been 2.3 Appeals will not be accepted awarded for my assignment? against the academic and/or No. The University of Northampton’s professional judgments Academic Appeals Policy st of examiners.
2.1 Except in exceptional 5. What happens if I fail a module after circumstances, the University the resit/second opportunity? will not entertain appeals If you fail a module after you have the against the academic judgment second opportunity for assessment, of marking tutors. Grades you will ordinarily have to retake the awarded to students’ work module the following academic year. will have been through a Retaking the module will result in rigorous process of marking you not being able to take one of the and moderation involving at following academic year’s modules, least two internal markers and you will then only be able to take and the oversight of marking that module the year after i.e. there standards by an External will be a domino effect that will result Examiner, who is also a member in you having to take a final module [or of the Assessment Board which Appendix D: more if you fail more than one module] approves grades. in an additional academic year. Assessment FAQs 2.2 The only grounds for an 6. What is a ZZ grade? academic appeal are: A ZZ grade indicates that your grade has been withheld. This is usually for • Irregularity in the recording, two reasons: an academic integrity 1. How can I get detailed feedback 2. Can I resubmit my work for an aggregation, collation or investigation or a pending mitigating for my final submission? assessment to improve my grade weighting of grades, i.e. that circumstances application. You will if I received a low pass grade e.g. the Academic Regulations You can find detailed feedback on receive an email with the details after ‘D’ at the 1st opportunity? have been incorrectly applied; your final submission on Turnitin. the grades are released. Instructions on how to access this No, you cannot resubmit a passed • Irregularity in the 7. Can I get an extension on a feedback can be found in the IT assessment to improve your grade. application of the resubmission, TCA [time constrained Support Knowledgebase and under 3. I did not submit my first assessment Assessment Regulations; assessment] or exam? ‘Information’ section (under ‘Module and received a G grade [or received No, you cannot get extensions Materials’) in Canvas VLE for each LG, NG or AG grade] at the first • Irregularity in the conduct of for resubmission work, TCAs, Module. Grades and feedback are sit opportunity; do I use the same the assessment/examination or for exams. released within 20 working days of assessment brief (AB1 or AB2) in which has had a direct and the submission deadline. the Syllabus area of Canvas for the demonstrably detrimental resubmission opportunity? effect on the student’s No. You will need to use the performance. ‘Resubmission’ Assessment brief (AS1r or AS2r).
64 | Student Handbook 65 8. Can I apply for Mitigating 12. I have been granted an extension for Circumstances at the resubmission/ my assignment and I have submitted resit opportunity? my work to check for similarity and Yes, you can apply for Mitigating now I want to submit my final work, Circumstances through the SSP. but I cannot. What is the problem? 9. Can I submit work late on a If you have an extension and submit work resubmission and receive a D- to check for similarity [during the time of capped grade? your extension] our system will not allow you to submit another piece of work. No. If you submit resubmission work You will need to contact our IT Services late, it will receive an LG [zero] grade. Team [[email protected]], copying 10. What is the maximum similarity in your Module Leader, to ask them to allowed for an assignment to not be remove the work you submitted, thereby plagiarised? allowing you to submit your final work. The is no ‘maximum similarity’ 13. When and how will I learn about allowed. A piece of work with, for progression [moving] to the next example, 12% similarity may include level of study? plagiarism/poor scholarship, whereas Your progression depends upon your a piece of work, for example, with 22% achievement, to be recognised by may not. It just depends where the the Status and Award Boards at the similarity is: a lengthy reference list University of Northampton. Once might produce around 15% similarity, we receive confirmation from the but this is fine. For information on Board, you will be invited to re-enrol how to read Turnitin similarity reports, for the next year. Award and Status check the IT Support Knowledgebase Boards are scattered throughout the 11. What do I do if I am having trouble year depending upon the assessment submitting my work through Canvas? periods. You will be invited to re-enrol You email your Module Tutor/Leader between the months of August- and IT Services attaching the work September, depending on your course that you are struggling to submit. They and intake. For example, if your course will get in touch with you to help you commenced in January or if you are submit the work you sent them; you on an accelerated course, usually your will not be able to submit any other invitation will be sent out in the last work and we will not submit your work week of September. for you. Full information on this can be found in Section 10.3.2 of your Student Handbook. Please note: Outstanding Mitigating Circumstances applications or suspected Academic Misconduct cases could cause delays to your invitation of re-enrolment. 66 | Student Handbook 67 Bloomsbury Institute 7 Bedford Square Bloomsbury London WC1B 3RA bil.ac.uk