Academic Standards and Quality Regulations 2016-17
www.uhi.ac.uk/regulations
Amendments to student-specific regulations were approved by Academic Council in March 2016,
with any changes to quality processes approved by Academic Council in June 2016.
All section references refer to the new regulations. The regulations working group, chaired by
Rhiannon Tinsley (Academic Registrar), has meetings scheduled throughout the year and is always
keen to receive feedback and suggested improvements from colleagues. If you have any questions
or comments, please direct these through Tara Black (tara.black@uhi.ac.uk) in the first instance.
Please note academic proformas are now available as electronic versions only from the website. It
is very important that all students and staff are made aware of these changes.
INTRODUCTION
No changes.
SECTION 1 - ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND QUALITY POLICY
No changes.
SECTION 2 - QUALITY ASSURANCE
No changes.
SECTION 3 - ACADEMIC COMMITTEES
No changes.
SECTION 4 - SUBJECT REVIEW AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICE REVIEW
No changes.
SECTION 5 – ANNUAL QUALITY MONITORING
No changes.
SECTION 6 - FRAMEWORK FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
No changes.
SECTION 7 - PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
No changes.
SECTION 8 - PROGRAMME APPROVAL
No changes.
SECTION 9 – RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACADEMIC PARTNERS IN RESPECT OF ACADEMIC PROVISION
No changes.
SECTION 10 – CHANGES TO ACADEMIC PROVISION
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No changes.
SECTION 11 –ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP: SUBJECT NETWORKS
No changes.
SECTION 12 - ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP: DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND MODULES
Minor changes. Clarification that these processes also apply to HN programme leaders (see 12.1,
12.5, 12.6 and 12.10).
SECTION 13 – COLLABORATIVE PROVISION
No changes.
SECTION 14A - TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE REGULATIONS
No changes.
SECTION 14B – POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREE REGULATIONS
No changes.
SECTION 15 - APPOINTMENT AND ROLE OF EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
Minor change. External examiners are now only required to submit an electronic copy of their
report, by 31 August each year (15.16).
SECTION 16 - ADMISSIONS AND ENROLMENT
Minor changes. Minor clarification that complaints around admission decisions will only be
considered on the basis of an alleged breach of procedure (16.22).
Further minor changes (19 Sept 2016). Minor changes made to sections 16.22 and 16.44 referring
students to the assessment appeals procedure rather than the complaints handling procedure.
SECTION 17A - ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS (SQA AND OTHER AWARDING BODIES)
No changes.
SECTION 17B – ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS (DEGREE PROGRAMMES)
Various changes.
o Clarification of rounding of average mark calculation so that it applies to all final awards (now
17b.116)
o Module reassessment – students are entitled to one reassessment opportunity (see 17b.8617b.89).
SECTION 18 - ASSESSMENT APPEALS PROCEDURE
Major changes. Previously Section 18a Student appeals (SQA and other awarding bodies) and
Section 18b Student appeals (degree programmes), now framed as a single procedure applicable to
all HE students, including those enrolled on SQA and PGR programmes of study (anticipating rDAP).
1.
2.
Retention of three-stage internal procedure for consideration of appeals, and fourth stage
of (external) recourse to SPSO
Students on regulated SQA awards (SVQs) have right to appeal to SQA if they have exhausted
internal process, but HNC / HND / PDA students do not
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3.
Students have the right to appeal against an assessment decision notified to them made by
an academic assessment body authorised to make decisions on student progression,
assessment and awards, ie a progression board, a board of examiners or RDC
4. Grounds for appeal revised to include “evidence of prejudice or bias or improper/inadequate
assessment on the part of any of the examiners” for PGR students
5. Clearer and quicker process for students to reach final outcome of an appeal, particularly
where appeals require consideration over the summer vacation
6. Clearer and simpler process for staff, with clearer roles and responsibilities on decision
points in the procedure and avoiding any potential conflict of interest arising
7. Students dissatisfied with outcome of appeal at Stage 2 have the right to seek further review
at Stage 3 (Appeals panel) with no further gateway
8. Appeals panel powers revised so that it makes final decision on appeal outcome, acting on
delegated authority from Academic Council:
o Both parties (student and academic assessment body) have the right to representation at
the hearing
o Appeals Panel has the power to overturn an outcome of academic assessment body if an
appeal is upheld, including module marks, degree classification, eligibility to progress on
a programme, failure or exclusion/withdrawal on academic grounds
o Appeals Panel will be specific about next steps if an appeal is upheld eg student’s right to
reassessment or not, penalties or not, timing of reassessment opportunities, eligibility for
progression / continuing on the programme / enrolment status, or award outcome
o Appeals Panel decision is final. If an appeal is upheld, there is no requirement to
reconvene the academic assessment body. Any reassessment will be considered by the
next available meeting of the relevant academic assessment body
9. Stronger role for students’ associations in supporting students
10. Appeals procedure to be available for admissions and RPL assessment decisions.
SECTION 19 - ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Minor changes.
APPENDIX A - SCOTTISH HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY FRAMEWORK
No changes.
APPENDIX B - EXAMINATION GUIDELINES
No changes.
APPENDIX C - ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE NOTES (SQA PROGRAMMES)
No changes.
APPENDIX D - EQUIVALENCE POLICY
No changes.
APPENDIX E - PROGRAMME PROGRESSION BOARD (NON-DEGREE PROVISION)
Minor changes, bringing the appendix in line with current developments.
APPENDIX F - APPROVALS PROCESS FOR SQA AWARDS
No changes.
APPENDIX G – INTERNAL VERIFICATION OF SQA PROVISION
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No changes.
APPENDIX H - ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
No changes.
APPENDIX I - MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Minor changes.
o Clarification for claiming mitigating circumstances (I.9 and I.11)
o Late submission of assessment marks will be entered onto SITS with penalty applied (I.18).
APPENDIX J – STUDENT REFERENCING STANDARD
No changes.
APPENDIX K –COPYRIGHT POLICY
No changes.
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