Course Handbook
GDL (CPE LLB)
2015-16
Contents
Section
Sources of Additional Information
1.
Welcome
2.
Your course team
3.
An introduction to your course – aims and intended learning
outcomes
4.
The structure of your course
5.
The Staffordshire Graduate and Employability
6.
Professional recognition
7.
Learning, teaching and assessment on your course
7.1
Learning and Teaching
7.2
Assessment
7.3
Placements and work-based learning
7.4
How to submit assessments
7.5
Feedback on your work
7.6
External examiners appointed to your course
8.
Extra Costs
9.
Communication
10.
Support and Guidance (Including Personal Tutoring)
11.
The Student Voice
12.
Rules and Regulations
Appendices
Page
Sources of Additional Information
This handbook provides useful information about your course, how it will be delivered and
how you will be assessed. It does not try to give you all the information you will need during
your time at the university. More information can be found in the following places:
On-Line Student Guide
The on-line student guide (http://www.staffs.ac.uk/student/guide) provides important
information about the university and the services available to students, including:
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Welcome Week
Student Cards
e:VisionStaffs Portal
Our Student Charter
The Staffordshire Graduate
Term Dates
Timetabling
Student accommodation
Campus and travel information
Finance, fees and support
Disclosure and Barring Service
applications
Visas
Course and module enrolment
Changing your award or modules
Withdrawing or intermitting from
your course
University rules and regulations
Disciplinary matters including
academic misconduct
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Appeals and complaints
Referencing and study skills
(including guidance on completing
assessments)
What to do if you can’t hand in
work due to circumstances beyond
your control
Examinations
Getting feedback on your work
The student voice
Employability and careers
IT services and support
Disability and dyslexia
Counselling
The Nursery
The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy
Graduation
Certificates, Transcripts and
Verification Letters
Module Handbooks
Your course is made up from a number of individual modules. Detailed information on each
module is provided in separate module handbooks. Your module tutor will tell you how to
access the handbook for their module.
The Blackboard On-Line Learning Environment
Information and learning materials for your modules will be provided on the Blackboard online Learning Environment. Blackboard will form an important part of your learning
experience. Please let your module tutor know if you encounter any problems accessing this
material.
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1.
Welcome
You join us at a really exciting time as we launch our new, innovative and contemporary
programmes.
We use ‘real’ projects and create challenging problems for you to investigate. I am sure you
will enjoy working through these challenges and exercises which will prepare you for the
world of work – a world which is fast changing, demanding and increasingly competitive.
You will notice that enterprise and entrepreneurship are important to us at the University;
they are integral to the design of all our programmes. This means we need to have close
connections with employers, business practitioners and professional bodies that help us
make our courses relevant, interesting and up to date.
As Staffordshire students and through the “Staffordshire Graduate” programme, we focus on
you. We help you to learn to be independent thinkers, to debate, question and discuss key
issues in your chosen subject. You will be encouraged to be enterprising and
entrepreneurial, to be an effective communicator and successful team worker.
The people you meet in the faculty are friendly and approachable. They are all keen to help
you succeed. Our aim is to nurture and inspire you, to help you grow, to build your potential
through working in a vibrant, thriving, and sustainable international academic environment.
You will enjoy working with academic staff who love their subjects and who are passionate
about helping you to build your knowledge and expertise. They all come from different
backgrounds and they will enjoy sharing their research, the work they do with businesses
and in the local community and beyond with you.
The Faculty of Business, Law and Education is international in its perspective and the
people you meet will be able to talk to you about the strong partnerships we have with other
Universities and Colleges both in this country and around the world. There are many
opportunities for you to learn and gain a global perspective; from other students, the
academic staff and by working on international projects. Our job is to help you see new
possibilities and to bring new horizons into view.
Above all, our strongest partnership is with you, our students. You are at the heart of
everything we do and we are committed to giving you the best possible experience we can.
We understand the importance of the commitment you have made to us and we value the
time you spend with us and remember, we are always pleased to hear what you have to say.
I hope you have a successful, exciting, and fulfilling time with us.
Professor Susan K. Foreman, MSc, PhD
Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Education
Welcome to the Programme: The CPE (GDL/LLB)
We are delighted that you have joined our Law School community. At SULS we have been
teaching Law since 1965 and the CPE course since 1986. In 1995 we moved to our current
building, which was opened by our Patron, Lord Slynn of Hadley, one of the UK’s Law Lords.
As you will have seen, the building offers excellent facilities and resources which are
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considered to be among the best in English legal education. In addition to the CPE
(GDL/LLB), which can be studied full-time or part-time, the School offers a range of other
Law programmes, including the Legal Practice Course and LLM. In 2008 the university
approved a further award for students taking the CPE, the LLB (CPE) – a non-qualifying law
degree which supplements the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), the nationally recognised
award made at the end of the CPE programme. The LLB (CPE) is awarded on completing
the course at the same time as students receive with the GDL. We trust that you will get the
most out of the award programme and, more generally, from your wider experience at the
university.
Although the majority of Law students at Staffordshire University are based at the Law
School in Stoke, students are also based at Heart of Worcestershire College and we would
also like to extend a very warm welcome to all of you.
This handbook is for you to use as a reference point during your time in the Law School at
Staffordshire University. It tries to answer many of the questions you may have during your
time here and tells you where you can get more information and further guidance and
support.
For each module that you study, you will be provided with a module handbook providing you
with more specific information about that particular module. The Faculty uses Blackboard as
an online learning environment. Ensure you refer to the relevant module handbook and
Blackboard site on a regular basis.
We hope that you enjoy your time as a Law student at Staffordshire University.
The course team is committed to helping you achieve academic success and personal
fulfilment, and we look forward to working with you!
2.
Your Course Team
Academic Contacts
Award Leader
Dr Jo Beswick Room LW019 Tel. 01782-29(4916)
E-mail: j.l.beswick@staffs.ac.uk
Module Leaders
Criminal Law
Lisa Mountford Room LW122 Tel. 01782-29(4727)
E-mail : L.M.Mountford @staffs.ac.uk
Equity & Trusts
Gill Davenport Room LW 123 Tel.01782-29(4549)
E-mail g.davenport@staffs.ac.uk
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EU Law
Dewi Williams Room LW018 Tel 01782-29(4458)
E-mail d.williams@staffs.ac.uk
Law of Contract
Judith Tillson Room LW021 Tel.01782-29(4457)
E-mail jat2@staffs.ac.uk
Law of Tort
Kris Lines Room LW Tel.01782-29(4801)
E-mail k.l.nes@staffs.ac.uk
Land Law
Jo Beswick Room LW019 Tel.01782-29(4916)
E-mail j.l.beswick@staffs.ac.uk
Constitutional Law
Angus McDonald Room LW003 Tel.01782-29(4464)
E-mail a.h.mcdonald@staffs.ac.uk
Administrative Law
Dr Keith Puttick Room LW127 Tel.01782-29(4462)
E-mail k.a.puttick@staffs.ac.uk
Law Learning & Information Services Manager
Alison Pope Tel. 01782-29(4317): E-mail a.j.pope@staffs.ac.uk
Careers
Susan Wigglesworth Tel 01782 294589 email s.j.wigglesworth@staffs.ac.uk
The Management Team
In addition to the award management team, there is a Dean of the Faculty of Business, Education
and Law, Susan Foreman B315 s.foreman@staffs.ac.uk
The Dean has responsibility for strategic development, operation and Faculty management. The PA
to the Dean is Barbara Betts b.betts@staffs.ac.uk
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Student Guidance Advisor
Lisa Benson LW10 Tel. 01782-29(4684)
E-mail l.j.benson@staffs.ac.uk
3.
An Introduction to your Course
Your award has a set of written learning outcomes that describe what you should be
able to do by the end of the course. These statements are designed to help you
understand what you need to do to pass your course and receive your award. The
outcomes for your course can be found in appendix A of this handbook.
Each module you study has separate learning outcomes which join together to enable
you to demonstrate that you have achieved the overall learning outcomes for your
award. The learning outcomes for your modules can be found in your module
handbooks.
The specific learning outcomes for your award and modules have been matched to
eight university wide learning outcome statements (knowledge and understanding;
learning; enquiry; analysis; problem solving; communication; application; and
reflection). These standard statements describe the abilities and skills all Staffordshire
University students should demonstrate in order to pass their course. The statements
have been designed to meet national expectations contained within the Framework for
Higher Education Qualifications. This ensures that the learning outcomes for your
course are equivalent to similar courses at other UK universities and colleges. A table
showing how your module learning outcomes have been aligned with the eight
university learning outcome statements can be found in appendix B.
The design of your course has been guided by the national subject benchmark for Law.
Written by national experts, the benchmark describes the defining characteristics of the
subject area and the abilities and skills you should be able to demonstrate by the end of
the course.
On completion of the CPE course means you will have met the requirements of the Law
professional bodies for completing the Academic Stage of Legal Education. It will also entitle
you to receive two Law awards:
 The standard national award, which is the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
 The university’s LLB (CPE). This is a non-qualifying law degree awarded on the basis of
acquisition of 120 credits at entry, and then accruing the equivalent of 240 credits (30
credits for each of the 8 modules), ie a total of 360 credits. The LLB (CPE) is awarded
at the same time as the award of the GDL. If you complete four of the eight subjects
you are eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies, and can then return to
complete the remaining for modules in order to gain the GDL and LLB (CPE).
Award Values & General Aims
The awards are designed to achieve the following aims, namely to:
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meet the requirements of the Law professional bodies for the CPE/GDL graduate
‘conversion’ course, and of other external agencies, including the Quality Assurance
Agency, and requirements of the Law Benchmark statement
help you develop as an independent, autonomous, reflective learner
provide a rigorous academic programme of study as a foundation for a successful
career in the legal profession/occupations and non-legal employment contexts.
provide a creative and imaginative range of student-centred learning opportunities
which will stimulate your interest in, and commitment to, reflective individual and
collaborative study
provide you with personal and academic support and guidance in order to facilitate
your academic, personal and professional development
develop your intellectual skills in understanding, analysis, interpretation and
application of legal rules
develop the transferable skills that will enhance your employability, problem-solving
and communication skills, and ability to apply information technology and work as
part of a team
develop an appreciation of the value of life-long learning in society and acquire the
skills needed to become a life-long learner
Award-Specific/Joint Academic Stage Board Aims
The award has the following award-specific aims which the aims set by the Law professional
bodies. The course aims are to: provide an academically rigorous programme of legal
education designed to prepare you for entry onto the Vocational Stage of Training;
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provide a sound foundation upon which you can develop the legal knowledge and
competencies necessary for a career in legal practice;
enable the acquisition of a sound knowledge of those areas of law which are
generally considered to be fundamental to any study of law (ie the seven
Foundations of Legal Knowledge Subjects), and of one additional area (the 8th
Subject);
ensure that you acquire knowledge and understanding of the English Legal System
and process;
ensure an appreciation of the relationship between UK national and EU Law;
enable you to become information literate, and analyse legal problems and provide a
range of solutions to them using primary materials;
This award is delivered at the university’s Leek Road campus and at the Heart of
Worcestershire College
Course Outcomes
On completion you will be able to:
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demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the areas of law studied, of the
legal process and the inter-relationship between different areas of law in a national
and European context;
identify, find and use a range of sources of legal information, including IT, to assist in
legal study and to extract the essential points from that information;
analyse legal information and apply it to the solution of problems;
communicate legal information efficiently and effectively both orally and in writing;
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assume responsibility for the continuing development of your own legal education
and competence.
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Modules’ Contribution to Learning Outcomes Module handbooks for each Foundation
Subject module and the Individual Research Project module describe how each of the eight
CPE modules contributes to achievement of the course's aims and outcomes, including skills
development.
Careers & Vocational Stage of Legal Training All LPC students are automatically members
of the Law Society's Trainee Solicitors Group. Information is provided about this from time to
time. If you intend to become a Solicitor you may, on completion of the course, elect to enrol
on the Legal Practice Course, This is the first stage of ‘vocational’ training for the Solicitors’
profession.
You are responsible for completing necessary application forms and satisfying admission
procedures, including progression to, and enrolment on, the Staffordshire University Law
School's LPC if you elect to do this after the CPE course is completed. Personal Tutors can
assist with references. As part of our careers advice programme we will advise you about
other careers options, including progression to the Bar.
To benefit from such support we suggest you make an appointment with the Law staff
member responsible for careers, who is: Susan Wigglesworth(ground floor, Law School),
Tel.01782-29(4)589 E-mail s.j.wigglesworth@staffs.ac.uk
4.
The Structure of your Course
Unless you have received a formal exemption you are expected to enrol on, and complete
all seven Foundation subjects, namely:
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Tort Law and Civil Remedies
Contract and Problem Solving
Constitutional & Administrative Law
Law of Trusts and Equitable Remedies
Property law and Application
EU Law
Criminal Law
and the CPE eighth subject, which is the Individual Research Project (as authorised by Jo
Beswick) or a pre-approved taught subject (again this must be authorised by Jo Beswick). In
addition, it is a course requirement that you attend a workshop in the module Use of Legal
Sources and Research Skills and complete and pass two assignments prior to completion of
the Individual Research Project. Learning outcomes are set out in module descriptors.
Exemption Applications. Please note that it is your responsibility (not the Law School’s)
to formally apply for and obtain any appropriate exemptions, and to notify the Course
Administrator of these (with the appropriate formal letter of confirmation) before the course
begins.
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5.
Employability
Being employable involves the development of a set of skills, knowledge and personal
attributes that makes graduates more likely to gain employment, have the capability of being
effective in the workplace and be successful in their chosen occupation to the benefit of
themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.
Being enterprising involves a set of skills and attitudes that can enable a culture of
identifying opportunities, creativity, risk taking and innovation. It can involve many activities
– for instance organising an event, planning an overseas trip or involvement in a social
enterprise. Equally it can be about finding new solutions to old problems in your workplace,
conducting a piece of research in a resourceful way, starting a new society or being involved
in a community project. Employers value enterprising people!
Being entrepreneurial very often involves using enterprise skills to create new businesses
and bring them to market. There is considerable support for those wishing to do so while at
University. However, being entrepreneurial is not just about business skills or starting new
ventures; it is a way of thinking and behaving relevant to all parts of society and the
economy in terms of mindsets, behaviours, skills and capabilities to come up with new ways
of doing things well and the flexibility to change career direction.
6.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment on your Course
6.1 Learning and Teaching
There are three key stages to the course:
(1) Induction/English Legal System (ELS) Course
(2) The Main Programme
(3) Exams & Individual Research Project and Assignment Completion
(1) Induction/ELS. After an introductory welcome, a session in which students meet key
staff and the CPE Course Administrator, and a session in which representatives from the
University's Employability & Student Support service, the Induction/ELS commences.
ELS Course. This comprises, in particular, lecture/whole group and small-group sessions on
English Legal System (including European aspects)
 The Courts System
 Sources of Law – Legislation, Case-law, Precedent etc
 Legal Method and Accessing the Law
 The Role of Judges
Important skills development sessions are held with the Law Tutor Librarian, including a
session 'Introduction to Legal Sources'. Linked to that, after the ELS Course, there will be a
further skills workshop: 'Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills’.
NB It is a requirement that all students must attend the Induction & ELS Course, as required by
the award regulations.
English Legal System Assessment It is a formal course requirement that you must attend
and pass the Induction/ELS Course assessment after completion of the course, and before the
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Main Programme commences. In the unlikely event that the ELS assessment is failed, you will
normally have one further opportunity to pass. If it is not passed you must leave the course.
What is Required? The ELS assessment involves completion of a mandatory assignment that
is completed independently. This will assess your knowledge and understanding of the system
of ‘judicial precedent’ and at least two other key areas of the English Legal System. Results are
notified to students on a Pass/Fail basis, accompanied by ‘feedback’ in the form of any
necessary commentary on scripts. In addition, there are notes providing general guidance, and
group feedback on the cohort's general performance.This includes suggestions on approaches
to the completion of law essays and ‘problem questions’, including discussion of a ‘critical’
approach in legal studies. If you have difficulties in relation to written and oral English you will
be counselled, and assisted as far as is reasonably practicable.
The first Personal Tutorial provides a further opportunity in which to discuss your script. Note:
You should note that your overall performance in this assessment does not count towards your
formal assessment. You must, however, pass the assessment in order to progress on to the
Main Programme. This is unlikely, but if you are unsuccessful in the ELS assessment, there will
be one further opportunity provided which will enable him or her to successfully complete this
stage of the course. Feedback and guidance will be provided prior to any required ‘re-sit’.
(2) The Main Programme
Following the Induction Course, the Main Programme starts. This consists of:
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module lecture/whole group session each week, and
Foundation subject tutorials or small group sessions (fortnightly but please check with
individual module teams)
In each of the seven “Foundation” subjects, i.e. Criminal Law, Law of Trusts and Equitable
Remedies; EU Law; Contract law and Problem Solving; Tort Law and Civil Remedies; Property
Law and application; and Constitutional and Administrative Law.
Module teams make use of directed study, collaborative learning, and other alternative
approaches as well as the more conventional ‘lecture’ and tutorial. This is, in part, recognition
of the evidence that adult learners in Higher Education learn, and develop a better critical
understanding of key topics, through a mix of lectures and such approaches.
Study Guides Each module’s lecture programme, and the specific topics/themes dealt with in
the fortnightly tutorials/small group sessions (with dates details of tasks, and guidance on
preparatory work), aims, objectives, and learning outcomes, syllabus, assignment titles and
criteria, and the assessment regime, are detailed in their Study Guide. These are provided at
the start of the Main Programme.
In addition to the seven Foundation subjects, students complete work the GDL/CPE "Eighth
Subject", which is the Individual Research Project As with the Foundation subjects, a Study
Guide is provided at the start of the Main Programme. This part of the course is more “studentcentred”, relying to a greater extent on directed study and self-managed study. However,
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contact with the Module Tutor maintained during the programme. A period in which to complete
the 8th Subject is provided following completion of the Foundation examinations.
Assessment of Individual Research Project Assessment is by assignment (5000 words).
However, preparation for the assignment starts in Semester 1, and you will be required to
submit a Research Skills assignment (2000 words) and then a Project Outline (1000 words) by a
published date, usually January. Please check the noticeboard and Blackboard for details.
Lecture & Tutorial Programme
This commences (in accordance with the course calendar) after the Induction/ELS Course,
and continues until the Christmas vacation. It resumes again after that vacation. In addition
to attending lectures and tutorials/small group sessions, participants engage in directed and
self-managed study.
Skills
In addition to the development of substantive knowledge that features in the CPE
programme, the course develops the skills which you will already have at entry to the
programme as a result of your studies and experience. In addition to developing the specific
skills developed in the Foundation subjects, you are also encouraged to focus on more
general skills.
A resource to help you with this is the University’s ‘Key Skills’ Website:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/uniservices/infoservices/studyskills/
The Full-time GDL (CPE/LLB)
Introduction to
English Legal
Week
Welcome
System
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EU Law
Semester 2
Semester 1
Contract
Criminal
Law
(30
credits)
Law and
Problem
Solving
(30
Tort Law
and Civil
Law of
Constitutional
Trusts and
and
Equitable
Administrative
Remedies
Law
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Property Law
(15
and
credits)
Remedies
Application
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
credits)
Blended Learning and Self Directed Study
Use of Legal Sources and Research Skills (15 credits) &
Individual Research Project (30 Credits)
The Part-Time GDL (CPE/LLB) Course
There are two Part-Time modes, the Day course and the Evening course, and the following
notes provide guidance about the two modes.
Part-Time Day Mode If you are a Part-time student, you will attend a two-year programme.
Subject to any approved exemptions. You take four Foundation subjects in the first year, and
three Foundation subjects and the 8th subject in the second year.
If you are a Part-Time (Day) student you will attend the same Induction/ELS Course, and follow
the same lecture and tutorial/small group programme, as Full-Time students. The only
difference is that you will take four subjects each year. In all other respects the course is similar
to that taken by Full-Time students in every respect.
Welcome
Week
Part- Time Day
Introduction
to English
Legal
System
YEAR 1
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Semester 1
EU Law
(15 credits)
Criminal Law
(30 credits)
Contract Law and
Problem
Solving
(30 credits)
Tort Law and
Civil Remedies
(30 credits)
Semester 2
YEAR 2
Semester
1
Law of Trusts and
Equitable Remedies
(30 credits)
Constitutional and
Administrative Law
(30 credits)
Property Law
And
Application
(30 credits)
Semester
2
Blended Learning and Self Directed
Study
Use of Legal Sources
and Research Skills (15 credits)
&
Individual Research Project (30 credits)
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Part-time Evening
System
Week
Welcome
Introduction
to English
Legal
YEAR 1
Semester 1
EU Law
Criminal Law
Contract Law and Tort Law and
Problem
Civil Remedies
(30 credits)
Solving
(15 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Semester 2
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YEAR 2
Semester 1
Law of Trusts and
Constitutional
Administrative Law
Equitable
Remedies
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
and Property Law
And
Application
(30 credits)
Semester 2
Use of Legal Sources
Blended Learning and Self Directed
and Research Skills (15 credits)
Study
&
Individual Research Project (30 credits)
Final Exams - All Exams are in the Day! Please note that the final exams will be in the day,
when you attend with full-time and part-time day students.
NB It is not possible to hold separate exams or assessments to accommodate part-time
students’ daytime commitments. NOTE: It will be necessary to obtain any required leave of
absence from employers, or make any other necessary arrangements to facilitate this.
Teaching & Learning, Skills & ‘Study Time’
In the development of the course, the course team has taken careful account of a range of
factors such as students’ previous experience and skills as graduates, and the role of the
course as a Law conversion course. Entrants to the programme will in most cases usually
already have well developed study skills, and these will provide an important basis for the work
undertaken during the course. The main thrust of the programme, initially, is to introduce you to
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legal study skills, and to provide an overview of legal institutions and procedures as the context
for substantive law studies.
Research Skills
In all the CPE modules tutorial/small group work will require you to deploy legal research skills
both to find and to effectively use primary materials and sources to inform your work. The skills
introduced in the Induction/ELS Course and throughout the Main Programme are important
from the start. Effective use of such skills will assist you in completing assignments, and
undertaking the necessary research work for the 8th subject assignment.
The skills will also help you to achieve the aims of the ‘Staffordshire Graduate’ initiative
(described below in Section 7).
Contact Sessions: Lectures & Tutorials
Lecture/Whole-Group Sessions. These have the principal aim of introducing you to new
topics, and materials and sources which illustrate the operation of key principles.
Tutorials. The tutorial programme will supplement work done in lectures/whole-group sessions,
and will usually entail preliminary reading of text books, primary sources and learned journals.
It is designed also to enhance awareness of the wider context of legal studies. Tutorials
provide an important forum in which you will be involved in discussing prepared work and
substantive legal issues, and developing important skills, including analysis, communication,
and presentation (including the results of enquiry, and potential solutions to legal problems). In
general, there is an increasing emphasis on our students, as graduates, undertaking directed
study and independent learning to supplement traditional "lectures" and other contact sessions.
‘Study Time’: All CPE Modes
A question which is commonly asked by CPE students embarking on the course is “how much
time do I need to allocate to my studies - in particular, before and after lectures and
tutorials/small group sessions?” In formal terms a CPE course requires you to engage in at
least 1620 student study hours for the full-time course, and 810 student study hours in each of
the two years of the part-time course. Several observations can be made. First, it is important to
engage with topics by completing directed reading (and, in some cases, independent study)
before and after contact sessions in order to enhance your understanding of the topic. Second,
before tutorials and small group sessions you will be involved in preparatory study and other
preparatory tasks, whether in the library, at home reading, accessing electronic data sources,
or working with other students. In addition to pre-session work, subjects may need to undertake
‘reflective study’ after sessions. In some cases you may be asked to complete a record of such
reflective work - for example to complete an exercise, or to chart your progress.
Independent Research & Self-Managed Study: Study Time
You will need to engage in independent research throughout the programme and when
completing work on the Individual Research Project .
In each Foundation subject and the Individual Research Project Subject you will undertake a
total of ‘study hours’ made up of a mix of ‘contact time’ and directed or self-managed study
time.
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.
(3) Examinations & Individual Research Project completion. This is the final stage of the
programme. Apart from EU Law, which is assessed and finishes in January, the other
Foundation modules are assessed by summative examination in May: and then your
completed Individual Research Project assignment is submitted within a fortnight of the
exams finishing.
See also the section ‘Assessment, Assignments, Submission, etc’ (below).
6.2 Assessment
In the CPE (GDL/LLB) programme, your first formal programme assessment is EU Law. This
is assessed by a 3-hour examination in January, and other six Foundation modules are
formally (and summatively) assessed by exam in May. Opportunities for ‘dry run’
assessments, with feedback, are generally provided by each module. Pre-exam guidance on
the examination is provided by module teams. The Individual Research Project assignment
is completed independently, and submitted after the exams, giving you a brief period in
which to complete work on the assignment undertaken earlier in the year. This is designed,
primarily, to give you an opportunity to make final adjustments to your work before you
submit.
What follows is information about the assessment regime, and practical guidance on matters
like submission procedures and feedback.
Assessment Type and Guidance You will encounter two kinds of assessment during your
period of study.
Formative Assessment is used in some modules to assist your progress, and to enable
you to prepare for later, formal assessments like the CPE Foundation module examinations
at the end of the programme. The marks from such assessments do not count towards
your results, but they can provide you with valuable feedback on your knowledge and
understanding of the relevant topics – so it is important that you take the opportunity to
complete them.
Formal/Summative Assessment is assessment that does count towards your final mark
for the module. You must generally achieve a mark of at least 40% in all CPE assessments,
ie in the Foundation examinations and in the 8th Subject assignment. Further information, for
example on classification of the GDL and the LLB (CPE) awards, is in the Regulations
themselves (below).
Other Required Assessments. Although the results in these assessments do not ‘count’
towards your final award, you are required as a course requirement to complete the
assignments in the Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills module that precedes
completion of the 8th Subject assignment.
Guidance on Assessment
Module teams follow these principles of assessment-setting:
1. The module study guide will include assessment criteria for assessments, including
16 | P a g e
examinations.
2. The module study guide will state the duration of any examination and the format of the
examination (e.g. answer three from six questions).
3. Regular attendance at lectures will enable you to gain implicit and/or explicit guidance on
how you should approach legal questions.
4. General guidance is provided during the Induction/ELS Course, and in the workshop on
Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills.
5. You cannot expect to be given guidance as to the detailed content of examinations and
examination questions.
6. Only exceptionally will it be appropriate for a tutor to tell you what topics will be assessed
in the examination, for example if there is a pre-seen element (although this is not
generally a feature of CPE assessments).
Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills & Individual Research Project Assignments
Start your preparatory work and initial research. In this way you can identify any difficulties
you may encounter with the assignment, and enable you to consult your lecturer or tutor.
Some students will defer this area of assessment until the last possible moment, which is not
advisable.
Help on planning and structuring your assignments is available via the Assignment Survival
Kit (ASK). This can be accessed at www.staffs.ac.uk/ask Once you enter your assignment
deadline date, a detailed schedule mapping out key dates in the completion of this work is
returned. This schedule gives a suggested timescale for activities including planning the
essay or report, finding and evaluating materials, citing references and writing up and
presentation.
One of your workshops in Legal Skills will be designed to help you to work through Law
School’s Guidance on Presentation Referencing and Style and ensure that you understand
it. You should read this carefully before starting to work on your first assignment and should
comply with it for all Law assignments that you submit during the course of your degree
unless you are instructed otherwise.
You must submit all pieces of assessment required for each module on or before
the submission date for each piece of assessment. Failure to do so is likely to result
in failure of the module overall. There may be occasions when you are unable to
submit or undertake a piece of assessment due to circumstances beyond your
control. The University has put in place a procedure for dealing with such
extenuating circumstances. You can find more information on the university’s
extenuating circumstances procedure at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/extenuating/
ELS assignments are submitted by emailing them to the relevant tutor by the designated
time/date. NB A copy must be retained. Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills assignment
requirements will be advised – but, again, there must be compliance with procedures and
the submission deadline. Individual Research Project assignment submission will be on a
date, after the examinations, to be advised. Please remember to check dates carefully, and
any amendments to the dates that may be made during the academic session.
It is your responsibility to ensure coursework is handed in on the correct date.
6.3 Feedback on your Work
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Principles of good feedback have been adopted by the University and are being
progressively implemented:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Good feedback should
Be an interactive process involving student-tutor and student-student dialogue
Facilitate the development of self assessment and reflection
Clarify for students and staff, through dialogue, what good/bad performance is in the
assignment or task
Be developmental, progressive and transferable to new learning contexts
Be ongoing and embedded in the learning process
Motivate, and build esteem and confidence to sustain lifelong learning
Support the development of learning groups and communities
5.
6.
7.
8.
Feedback
Module study guides will set out the types of assessment guidance and feedback that will be
available. This may include the following:

Verbal feedback in tutorials on the contributions that you make. Clearly, the more
preparation you do the more benefit you will receive from this.
 Assessment criteria for particular pieces of assessment.

Individual written feedback on your assignment.

Group feedback, identifying common themes and areas of weakness.

The opportunity to seek individual feedback from a member of the team if,
having read the individual and group feedback, there is still something that you do
not understand.

Past exam papers, available via the module Blackboard site.

Guidance on what to expect on the exam paper.

Written group feedback on the exam paper.

The opportunity to see a member of the team for individual verbal feedback on
your exam paper or the 8th Subject assignment.
Individual modules may provide further guidance and feedback, for example in the form of
formative assessment or tutorial feedback sheets.
Guidance does not mean advance disclosure of questions, or provision of model answers.
Likewise, feedback does not mean a model answer.
Coursework and Other Assessments, Excluding Examinations
You will normally receive feedback on assessments other than examinations, or the 8th
Subject assignment, within 20 working days following the date of submission of your
assessment or actual date of the assessment (in the case of some modules’ assessed
exercises). In some cases, the marks for your work will be provisional and will be subject to
final ratification after second marking, moderation, and External Examiner approval – and
then confirmation by the relevant Assessment Board.
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Formal University Examinations
The university is working towards improved feedback arrangements, including feedback after
examinations, which will generally take the form of generic, group feedback. Following an
assessment, including examinations, it is possible to meet members of the relevant module
team to discuss your performance and obtain feedback in that way. It is essential that you
attend at the times when staff members advise they are available. The University hopes that
you will also play your part by ensuring that you obtain and act on feedback from the
relevant sources as soon as it is available.
6.4 External Examiners Appointed to your Course
More information on the role performed by external examiners can be found at:
www.staffs.ac.uk/externalexaminers/
Like all universities in the UK, Staffordshire employs external examiners who are specialists
in the areas you are studying. The majority are drawn from other universities or colleges in
the country. External examiners look at the assessments set for you and the work you
produce. Part of their role is to confirm that standards are appropriate for the level at which
you are studying.
External Examiners attend assessment and award boards as part of their task of monitoring
the quality of assessment processes, and write an annual report for the University. This is
used as part of the process of monitoring the quality and standards of your award. You are
entitled to see these reports and if you wish to do so you should contact your Faculty office.
Information about the award’s External Examiners is available from the CPE (GDL/LLB)
Award Leader.
External examiners responsible for your award include:
Mr Simon Boyes Nottingham Trent University
Mr Martin Burnett Birmingham City University
Dr Catrin Fflur Huws Aberystwyth University
Dr Pavel Repyeuski Leeds Metropolitan University
Further external examiners may be appointed during the academic year.
NB:It is not appropriate for you to make direct contact with external examiners, in particular
regarding your individual performance in assessments. There are other mechanisms you
can use if you are unhappy with your results or other aspects of your award, such as appeal
and complaints procedures.
If they are contacted directly by students, External Examiners will decline to comment and
will refer the student back to the University.
7.
Communication
Staying in touch with the course, lecturing staff, and the award’s administration is important
throughout your period of studies here. You should have entered your current home and
term-time addresses and telephone numbers when you enrolled online.
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It is also very helpful for us to have your mobile number, as we may on occasions need to
make contact with you urgently. This can be given to the award leader Jo Beswick
Should any of these details change, please go to Jo Beswick and complete a change
of personal details form. If you do not change your details, you may not receive important
information!
Staff may need to communicate important information to you. So please make sure that
you:




Check the student Portal regularly. The student Portal is available at
https://myportal.staffs.ac.uk and allows you to access a wide range of important
sources, such as your university e-mail account, Blackboard pages for the modules
on which you are enrolled, announcements and many other helpful links. It is
essential that you access it regularly.
Check your student e-mail regularly and do not allow your inbox to become full.
Check Blackboard for each module on which you are enrolled and the
undergraduate Blackboard site.
Module teams will often place important
announcements on these pages.
Check the post-tray, situated to the right of Reception, regularly.
Check the “Urgent” noticeboard near the entrance on the ground floor.
Each member of staff has an e-mail address, and should use this to get in touch with them.
Staff will also list their office hours and “availability” on the noticeboards by their doors.
These are times when staff can normally see students, subject to teaching or other
commitments. Staff may be able to meet with you outside the specified times but it would be
advisable to email to make an appointment.
If for any reason you are unable to attend, cancel your appointment in advance.
Most tutorials and meetings with students and other staff take place in the tutors’ office.
Emails
Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the University e-mail policy
(http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/regulations/it/email/index.php )
When arranging meetings and emailing staff it is important to be aware of staff members’
responsibilities. For example, module and teaching/learning matters will normally be the
responsibility of module team staff, or the particular module leader, not the Personal Tutor.
8.
Support and Guidance
Information on university support services can be found in the on-line student guide
(available at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/student/guide/)
The Student Advice Centre run by the Students’ Union provides independent, impartial
and confidential advice to students free of charge. More information on the Students’
Union can be found at: https://www.staffsunion.com/)
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9.
The Student Voice
During the course you will have the opportunity to share your views and opinions on
your modules, course and the university. Your feedback is key to ensuring that we get
an accurate picture of what it is like to be a student at Staffordshire University and
enables us to enhance the learning experience for current and future students.
Staff and student Liaison Committee meetings take place throughout the academic year.
Any GDL student would be welcome to attend please check with the course leader Jo
Beswick for the dates of these meetings. Each course within the University is entitled to
a representative again please contact your award leader(in the first instance) if you are
interested in becoming a representative.
10. Rules and Regulations
Introductory Points
CPE (GDL/LLB) students are subject to the requirements of the Law professional bodies at
all times, and the award regulations which are based on the CPE Rules.
Key requirements These are as follows. Students must note them carefully, and act on
them:
 Only those entrants who satisfy the entry requirements laid down in the CPE Rules
are eligible to start and remain on the programme.
 Students are required to attend all scheduled teaching and learning activities,
including the Induction/ELS course, Main Programme lectures and tutorials, and
must take assessments when these are required (for example, following a ‘fail’, or
inability to take the assessment, this would be at the next available opportunity).
 It is the student's responsibility to ascertain the submission dates and requirements
(including dates of ‘1st sits’ and re-sits), and then comply with them.
 It is generally necessary to take and pass all examinations and assignments on the
programme, at the appointed times for those assessments.
 Students who fail to attend a scheduled examination or submit coursework will be
given a ‘zero’ mark, and will fail that assessment unless an ‘extenuating
circumstances’ claim has been made and granted
 A maximum of three attempts is permitted for any assessment, subject to the grant of
‘extenuating circumstances’ in the event of illness or other permitted circumstances
that are supported by evidence as part of the extenuating circumstances process. If
an assessment has been taken and failed three times the student will fail the
particular module and also the award. The course must be completed within three
years in the case of full-time students, and four years in the case of part-time
students. After that, the course must normally be taken again if it is to be passed
 Non-submission of an assignment (including late submission), or non-attendance at
an examination, will be treated as a ‘fail’, with a mark of ‘nil’
Assessment
You are assessed in accordance with the Award Regulations set out below. The regulations
are subject to amendment, and must be applied in order to accord with the regulations and
any changes made by the Joint Academic Stage Board. Subject to any exemptions you have
obtained, you must complete an assessment regime comprising
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
a three hour examination in each of the seven Foundation modules

a 5000 words assignment in the Individual Research project
As a gateway to completing the individual research project, preliminary work on use of
sources and research is undertaken before the submission of a Use of Legal Sources &
Research Skills Assignment and 8th Subject Project Outline. Submission of both parts of this
assignment is mandatory. You will be given feedback on your work, but your work does not
count towards your marks.
Late Submission & ‘Extenuating Circumstances’
As previously noted, late submission or no submission (or non-attendance at an
examination) is penalised by an automatic ‘fail’ in the assessment unless an ‘extenuating
circumstances’ application has been made, and has been accepted. Further information
about the extenuating circumstances procedure and process to be followed, together with
guidance notes, is available on the university’s web-site under ‘Extenuating Circumstances
Form’, accessible under ‘E’ in the A-Z index) – or go directly to this link:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/M3212%20Extenuating%20Circumstances%20Form%202011
-2012_tcm44-25749.pdf
NB It is the student's responsibility to ascertain the submission dates and requirements
(including dates of 1st sits and re-sits), and then comply with them – see the preceding
section ‘Assessment, Assignments, Submission, etc’
Learning Outcomes & Assessment Criteria
Both the CPE (GDL/LLB) award itself and the 8 subjects that you take have ‘learning
outcomes’ setting out what you must achieve to gain the award or pass the subject. Module
learning outcomes are set out in each subject's module descriptor. This summarises the
subject content of the module, how it will be taught, and how it will be assessed. You will
find it in the study guide or on the ‘Module Descriptors’ section of the university’s web-site,
at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/student/modules/ The descriptor tells you which learning
outcomes are assessed, and by which form of assessment.
Introduction and General Requirements
Subject to any exemptions granted, students on the programme are required to take the
Induction and ELS Course and pass the ELS Course assessment before proceeding to the
Main Programme - a course consisting of the seven Foundation subjects and the Eighth
Subject-The Individual Research Project.
Assessment: Students’ Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every student to check the dates, times, and venues of all
examinations (including ‘re-sit’ and ‘1st sit’ examinations) and responsibilities and dates for
submitting coursework assignments by reference to information provided to them, and by
consulting notice boards and Blackboard (and other modes of communication in use), if
necessary, contacting the Law School Office to ascertain these details. Part-time students are
required to attend the same examinations and assessments as full-time students in the day,
and are responsible for arranging the necessary time off, leave from work, etc, to facilitate this.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they submit assignments in accordance with hand-in
deadlines and procedures. In the event of any extenuating circumstances affecting the ability of
a student to submit an assignment or sit an exam in accordance with published deadlines and
22 | P a g e
procedures, it is the responsibility of that student to make a timely application in accordance
with the published ‘extenuating circumstances’ procedure. Subject to that, and the exam
board’s discretion, a student is required to take any required ‘re-sit’ or ‘first sit’ assessment at
the next available opportunity.
Pre-Course Requirements, Eligibility & Competence at English
Students must have a good command of the English language before being admitted on
the course. For students who have obtained their degree/qualifications in a country where
English is not the official first language, entrants will be asked to provide evidence of
sufficient competence in the English language as a condition of admission.
English Legal System (ELS)/Induction Course & Assessment
There will be an Induction and ELS Course at the start of the course. After an
introduction to the course and to the University, there will be introductory lectures, and
teaching/learning activities relating to the English Legal System (including European
Union and ECHR aspects), legal method, legal institutions, and other induction topics
prescribed by the Course Committee. Students enrolled on the course, including both full
and part-time students, are required to participate in this programme, and attend on
designated days prior to the Main Programme. All students are also required to take and
pass an assessment of two and a half hours duration (or such other approved mode of
completing the assessment that may be set) to assess students’ knowledge and
understanding of ELS. It is a condition of eligibility to remain on the course that the
assessment is passed. Performance in the assessment does not count towards a
student's final course assessment. In the event of a student failing this assessment, one
further attempt may be undertaken. In the event of failure in that further attempt the
student will be required to withdraw from the course following discussion and counselling
of that student. Only in exceptional circumstances, for example illness or other
extenuating circumstances, will a third and final attempt be permitted.
Competence & Assessment of English
Students are required to have a good command of written and spoken English in order to
be admitted on to the course, and in order to remain on it following completion of the ELS
assessment (at which point an assessment of all students’ command of written English,
and ability to meet the standards of the course, is made). In determining what is a ‘good
command’ for this purpose, a sufficient level of competence will be presumed where the
student has been awarded a degree from a country in which English is the official first
language. For students who have obtained their first degree or qualifications in countries
where English is not the official first language the institution must satisfy itself that the
student is sufficiently competent in the English language. Regard will be paid to the
TOEFEL standard, and the need for a minimum score/standard of 550 (or other
appropriate ‘benchmark’ standard). For entrants to the course from September 2005
onwards, they must satisfy a minimum IELTS ‘score’ (which in the case of CPE is 6.5).
After consultation with the External Examiner, if a determination is made after the
Induction Course/ELS assessment has been marked that a student’s performance in the
Induction Course/ELS assessment that he or she is not able to satisfy the requirement of
this regulation, then he or she may be required to withdraw from the course. Before
requiring a student to withdraw from the course under this regulation, the ELS Course
assessment script of the student, and any other relevant evidence of the student’s work to
23 | P a g e
that point, must be submitted to the External Examiner for comment. A decision requiring
the student to withdraw will only be made after consultation with that student.
(iii) Assignment Work. All students are required to complete a coursework
assignment, the ‘Use of Legal Sources & Research Skills' Assignment of 3000 words
in length. The assignment consists of the following two components:


Use of Legal Sources Assignment (2000 words)
Research Skills & Project Outline Assignment (1000 words)
Marks for Examinations & Assignments
(i) A mark for each Foundation subject will be awarded based on the student's
performance in the examination.
(ii) A mark for the student’s 8th Subject Assignment will be awarded. Every student
is required to submit the 8th Subject assignment on a submission date after the
end of the exam period which will have been notified after the start of the Main
Programme (and by the time designated for the purposes of submission).
(iii) Submission of the coursework assignments must be made in accordance with
the Law School’s published procedures on submitting coursework assignments.
If work is received after the prescribed date the position will be governed by the
rules operating under the University’s extenuating circumstances procedure
Extenuating Circumstances: Procedures for Making a Claim (accessible on the
university’s web-site). It is the student’s responsibility, in the event of illness or
other potential extenuating circumstances to obtain the prescribed extenuating
circumstances application form, complete it, and then submit it with supporting
evidence in accordance with the published procedure.
Fails & Re-Sitting/1st Sitting Assignments
A student who fails assignment work, ie either the 8th Subject Assignment or the Use of
Legal Sources & Research Skills Assignment, may retrieve such failure by presenting new
coursework, but subject to the limitations imposed by the CPE Rules, namely a maximum
of three attempts at any assessment; and there must be compliance with the time limits
within which the award must be completed. The maximum mark that may be awarded for a
re-sit assignment shall be 40%.
In the event that the student fails the Individual Research Project Assignment they will be
required to complete that assignment, there will be a further opportunity to submit an
assignment in August of the same year. If a student fails the Use of Legal Sources &
Research Skills Assignment or is otherwise required to complete that assignment, he or
she must normally submit further assignment work within two weeks of notification of the
notification of the ‘fail’ (or the non-submission), and will be provided with instructions and
guidance on the completion and submission of that work. In the event of a further failure,
the student will have one further opportunity to submit that assignment work. A fail,
including a non-submission of assignment work that should have been submitted (but has
not been submitted when required) will otherwise be dealt with by the Exam Board in
accordance with procedures laid down in the regulations, including the requirements
referred to, and this includes the restrictions in reg.27 on the number of permissible
‘attempts’.
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Students are required to demonstrate competence in the research undertaken for the
purpose of the Individual Research Project Assignment. If a student is considered by the
examiners not to have attained the required level of research competence s/he may be
failed in that assignment and will receive such mark as the subject examiners determine to
be appropriate. The student will be required to complete a further 8th Subject Assignment.
Examinations & Fails & Re-Sitting/1st Sitting Examinations
The principal examination will be held each year in May. The examination of candidates
who are required to take an assessment, or assessments, following a failure, or failures,
shall be held at such time as the Board may determine being not less than 3 weeks after
the principal examination.
A student who fails the examination element of a subject’s assessment must re-sit the
examination for a second attempt at the next re-sit opportunity, which after a May examination
will be August of that year; or in the case of an August examination May of the following year;
and thereafter may re-sit the examination on one further occasion only.
The Exam Board may impose requirements regarding attendance on a student required to resit an examination, compliance with which will be a prerequisite of the permission to re-sit.
The maximum mark which may be awarded on successful completion of a re-sit
examination shall be 40%.
Requirements for a Pass & Compensation
The mark required for a pass in the Foundation subjects and 8th Subject is 40%. The
marks obtained for the Foundation subjects, and for the 8th Subject, shall inform the
student’s overall average mark for the purposes of classification.
A student obtains a Pass in the Common Professional Examination if s/he passes the
assessments referred to above, either at the first attempt or, in accordance with these
regulations. Normally a student, in order to attain a Pass, must pass all assessments,
namely every examination for each of the seven Foundation subjects and the assignment
that assesses the 8th Subject. In accordance with the CPE Rules rr.28, 29 on
‘Compensation of Marginal Fails’ the Board may, but is not required to, compensate a
maximum of one marginal fail in an assessment after considering the student’s
performance in all the other assessments and the board is satisfied that there is strength
elsewhere in the student’s performance to justify compensation of the marginal fail. Such
compensation may be made in one subject at the end of the first year of the part-time
course.
Pass with Commendation
A student must be awarded a Pass with Commendation where
 he/she has passed all assessments at the first attempt, without any subject
being compensated; AND
 he/she has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in the assessments
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A student may be awarded a Pass with Commendation where




He/she has passed all assessments at the first attempt, without any subject
being compensated, AND
He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 58%, AND
He/she has obtained an average of at least 60% in at least 50% of the
subjects counting towards the final award, AND
The Exam Board considers it is not inappropriate to award a commendation.
Pass with Distinction
A student must be awarded a Pass with Distinction where


He/she has passed all assessments at the first attempt, without any subject
being compensated; AND
He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70%
A student may be awarded a Pass with Distinction where




He/she has passed all assessments at the first attempt, without any subject
being compensated; AND
He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70% in at least 50% of the
subjects counting towards the final award; AND
He/she has obtained an average mark of at least 67%; AND
The Exam Board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a distinction.
Maximum Number of Attempts & Timing of Further Assessment
Students are permitted three attempts at an exam assessment for the Foundation subjects
and an assignment for the CPE 8th subject. Note: an ‘attempt’ will include a failure to attend
a re-sit or first examination the student was required to attend; or a failure to submit a
coursework assignment which s/he was required to submit, either as a ‘first sit’ or as a ‘resit’. A student who has a further assessment requirement must normally complete the
assessment again at the next available opportunity. Subject to the board’s discretion, s/he
may not be permitted to take the assessment again if the opportunity has been missed
without an extenuating circumstances application being upheld.
Time Limits for Completion
Students are subject to the CPE Rules on time limits for completion of the course. When
undertaken full-time, the course should normally be completed in one year, with a
maximum time for completion of three years, from the date of enrolment. When undertaken
part-time, the maximum period for completion should normally be two years, with a
maximum period for completion of four years from the date of enrolment. Where there are
exceptional mitigating circumstances of a sufficiently serious nature (within the meaning of
the CPE Rules, r.10), a student may be granted a maximum of one additional year in which
to complete the CPE, but subject to the procedure in the CPE Rules, r.11, including a
formal written request made by the institution on behalf of the institution, on behalf of the
student, and following a decision made by the Exam Board, and made at least two months
in advance of the next re-sit opportunity.
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Illness, Incapacity, Deferral, etc
A student who is prevented by sufficient cause from taking an examination, or any part
thereof, or who is unable to submit coursework, or whose performance in an examination
or coursework is substantially impaired by illness or other cause found acceptable by the
Board, may be permitted by the Board to be re-examined and/or submit or re-submit
coursework at such time(s) as the Board may determine. The Board will be guided in such
cases by the result of any application made by student to the “extenuating circumstances”
panel. A deferral of assessments may be granted where there are sufficient extenuating
circumstances to justify a deferral which are supported by independent evidence from a
relevant source (doctor, employer, etc). Students will only be permitted to defer a sitting of
examinations if prevented from sitting within the normal period by any of the following
circumstances: occupational or work-related problems; illness; family/domestic problems;
financial hardship; other relevant circumstances which are sufficiently beyond the control of
the student. A student may only intermit where this is justified by sufficient mitigating
circumstances that justify this, and if this is supported by independent evidence from a
relevant source.
ELS Assessment
A student’s enrolment on the CPE/GDL course is conditional on passing the Induction
Course/ELS Assessment, and he or she is not eligible to remain on the course if that
examination is not passed; and the provisions of reg.7 will apply.
Attendance & Progress
A student whose attendance, or record of work, or performance in tutorials/small group
sessions (or other elements of the course programme) is deemed unsatisfactory by the
CPE/GDL Award Manager after consultation with the External Examiner, may be deemed
to be ineligible to take the principal examination, or any specified examination or
coursework assignment. In this case the Board, having received a report from the
CPE/GDL Award Manager and External Examiner, shall determine what examinations or
assignments are to be taken, and when, and may impose such conditions relating to the
taking of such assessments, including conditions as to attendance) as it thinks fit.
Part-Time Students & Progression to Year 2
A part-time student may not normally proceed to the second year of the course until s/he
has passed all subjects required to be taken in the first year of it, unless the Board
determines that it is appropriate for that student to trail a failed subject into the second year
of the course. A maximum of one assessment may be carried forward.
Academic Dishonesty
Procedures for dealing with alleged breaches of assessment regulations, including
academic dishonesty, including sanctions, are in the university’s Academic Award
Regulations and ‘Procedures for Dealing with Breaches of Assessment Regulations –
Academic
Misconduct’,
published
on
the
university’s
web-site:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/academic_misconduct_tcm44-26770.pdf
27 | P a g e
A student who is shown to have breached the regulations in relation to any assessed
work is subject to the provisions in those regulations.
Appeals
These regulations are subject to the University’s appeals procedure.
General
These regulations are published on the award’s Blackboard site, and entrants’ attention will
be drawn to them when they join the university and during the Induction phase. A hard
copy of the regulations may be requested by students and will thereupon be provided
following the request. Amendments may be made from time to time, and will be published.
If the Board determines that any of the above regulations operates unfairly in relation to
any student it may take such decision as appears to it to be necessary to achieve a fair
system of assessment for that student. Notice of any such decision, and of the exceptional
circumstances of the case, will be given to the JASB.
Award of Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
A student who sits and passes all CPE subjects, or all those subjects which s/he is
required to sit and pass, and who otherwise satisfies the assessment requirements
stipulated in these regulations and the requirements of the Law professional bodies, shall
pass the course.
On passing the course students receive the University Graduate Diploma in Law.
A student who enrolled before September 2004 when the University award on completion
of the course became a Graduate Diploma in Law, in line with requirements governing
graduate conversion courses, and when the award was still a Postgraduate Diploma in
Legal Studies (PgDL) will continue (as a transitional arrangement) to be eligible for the
PgDL when he or she graduates.
Award of LLB (CPE)
A student who enrols on the course for the first time in September 2008, or later, shall also,
on passing the course, be entitled to the University’s LLB (CPE) (Hons).
Award of Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies (GCL)
A student who has passed in four out of eight subjects is entitled to, and shall be awarded,
the award of University Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies (GCL). He or she may later
elect to complete the remaining four subjects needed in order to be awarded the Graduate
Diploma in Law and LLB (CPE).
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Classification of the LLB (CPE)
For the purpose of classifying the degree of a student who is eligible for the LLB (CPE)
under reg. 40 above, the examination board shall make the classification on the basis of
the student’s performance at the end of the CPE programme; and a student shall be
entitled, as of rights to a classification based on the following table.
The exam board shall not have discretion to award a different classification.
LLB (CPE) Classification Table
GDL
Pass with Distinction
Pass with Commendation
Pass
LLB (CPE) (Hons)
1st Class
Class 2:1
Class 2:2
(Overall Average 50 or above)
Pass
3rd Class
(Overall Average 40 to 49)
The Exam Board shall be responsible for managing and awarding the degree of LLB
(CPE) and classifying the award in accordance with reg. 40.
Quality Assurance & ‘Oversight’
The operation of the course, including awards, shall be the subject of reports by the
External Examiners for the course
Mentoring Scheme Placements
Staffordshire University Law School offers the opportunity to LPC and CPE students to join
the mentoring scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to assist you to:





Gain a feel for what it is like to be a Solicitor in practice on a day to day basis
Understand the issues that practitioners face
Attend meetings and/or court with your mentor
Ask questions on aspects of substantive law and conduct in law practice
Undertake some work experience during your time with your mentor
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Every mentor is a solicitor or trainee, and many are former students. They give up some of
their valuable fee earning time to spend time with you when you attend for meetings or
speak over the telephone. It is therefore essential that you only agree to participate in this
scheme if you are prepared to follow through with the scheme with your mentor.
If you are interested in the mentoring scheme than please complete the necessary
application form and send it by email to the Law administrator responsible, namely Sue
Dawidczuk. Further information, form, etc, is provided in the GDL section of the Law
School’s ‘Student Information’ site.
Please Note: late applications cannot be considered.
Academic Misconduct, Plagiarism & Procedures
The University and Faculty take the issues of academic dishonesty, plagiarism or cheating
very seriously. If you are caught breaking the University’s rules, you can expect to be
punished – this might mean failing an assignment, failing a module, or even failing your
award and being asked to leave the University.
It is vitally important that you understand the rules regarding plagiarism. These can be found
at:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/academic_misconduct_tcm44-26770.pdf
Procedures for dealing with allegations of plagiarism or other kinds of academic dishonesty,
for example taking unauthorised material into examinations are dealt with by regulations that
you can see at this link:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/academic_misconduct_tcm44-26770.pdf
There are several resources available to help you in writing and preparing assignments so
that you do not break the rules. You might want to look at the resources at
www.staffs.ac.uk/ask/
If in doubt, make sure you ask the relevant module tutor before you submit work, or arrange
to see someone in the Study Skills Centre (located in the library).
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Appendix A – Award Learning Outcomes
At the end of your studies you should be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of key aspects of law, including coherent
knowledge of some areas of current development and change.
Learning
Carry out inquiry based learning, critical analysis and creative thinking and demonstrate an
understanding of the uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in the study of law.
Enquiry
Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and critical enquiry.
Analysis
Critically analyse arguments, concepts and data in order to make appropriate judgments
Problem Solving
Demonstrate a range of approaches to the analysis of law related problems, and identify possible
solutions to more abstract problems.
Communication
Communicate complex ideas, problems and solutions clearly and succinctly through a variety of
media.
Application
Use problem-solving skills developed at earlier levels of study to address more complex issues and
problems
Reflection
Demonstrate a high level of competence as independent learners by selecting appropriate
strategies for study and assessments, and taking full responsibility for determining and achieving
personal goals. Engage in informed critical reflections of your own practice throughout the course.
Appendix B – Curriculum Maps
Assessment Matrix per Level of Study: GDL LLB(CPE) Full-Time and Part-Time
Day
Assessment Profile Year One Part-time
Module:
Tort Law and Civil
Remedies
Teaching Block 1
Teaching Block 2
Unseen examination
3 hours (100%)
Overall
Assessment Profile
4 x Examinations
1 x Portfolio
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(30 credits)
Contract and
ProblemSolving(30
credits)
English Legal
System (Nonweight bearing
module)
Criminal Law (30
credits)
EU (15 credits)
Unseen examination
(100%)
Total Assessments =
5
A portfolio comprising a number of tasks
Unseen examination
(100%)
Unseen examination
(100%)
Assessment Profile Year Two Part-time
Module:
Property Law and
Application
Law of Trusts and
Equitable Remedies
Constitutional and
Administrative Law
(30 Credits)
Use of Legal Sources
and Research Skills
(15 credits)
Individual Research
Project
Teaching Block 1
Teaching Block 2
Unseen 3 hour
examination (100%)
Unseen 3
hour examination
(100%)
Unseen 3 hour
examination
(100%)
Portfolio (100%)
Project 100%
Overall
Assessment Profile
4 x Examinations
1 x Portfolio
1 x Project
Total Assessments =
6
5000 word
NB: Full-time students will complete the whole award (the modules as detailed above) in
one year. With assessments as indicated above.
Appendix C The Staffordshire Graduate
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AWARD TITLE:
GDL LLB(CPE Hons)
Staffordshire
Graduate Attribute
Award Module(s) including level and number
of credits
Method of Assessment
Work-ready and employable
ELS and Use of Legal Sources and Study Skills
(15 credits)
A portfolio including a short written piece and reflection on work-related
experience and employability skills. This is supplemented by the non-credit
bearing mentoring scheme.
Independent Research Project (30 credits)
Extended research assignment showing the ability to act under own initiative a
Discipline Expertise
All Modules at all Levels
Variety of assessment methods including portfolios, extended research
and unseen examinations.
Global Citizenship
EU Law (15 Credits)
Examination
Contract and Problem solving (30 Credits)
Examination
Communication skills
Presentation skills
The ability to interact
confidently with colleagues
English Legal System and Use of Legal Sources
and Research Skills (15 Credits)
A portfolio involving a number of employability skills. This is supplemented by
the non-credit bearing mentoring scheme.
All modules at all levels include team working
and group based exercises and discussion
All modules at all levels include team working
and group based exercises and discussion
Variety of assessment methods including portfolios, extended research,
and unseen examinations.
Individual Research Project
Extended research assignment.
All modules include team working and group
based exercises and discussion
Use of Legal Sources and Research Skills (15
credits)
Individual Research Project (30 credits)
Torts Law and Civil Remedies
(30 Credit)
Various
Independence of thought
Skills of team working
Ability to carry out inquiry
based learning and critical
analysis
Skills of problem solving and
creation of opportunities
Technologically, digitally and
information literate
Able to apply Staffordshire
Graduate attributes to a range
of life experiences to facilitate
life-long learning
Development of sophisticated research skills
Opportunity to critically and reflectively examine a focussed area of law
Reflection and Problem-Based Assessments
Contract and Problem Solving
(30 Credit)
Property Law & Application
(30 Credit)
All modules at all levels
English Legal System and Use of Legal Sources
and Research Skills (15 Credits)
Independent Research Project
(30 credit)
Variety of assessment methods including portfolios, extended research,
and unseen examinations.
A portfolio involving a number of employability skills. This is supplemented by
the non-credit bearing mentoring scheme.
The opportunity to critically examine an area of law which might either be
relevant to their past life experiences or future career intentions.
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