In this article, you will find an overview of assessment across the Faculty. Please see your department handbook for department or programme-specific information.
For most modules, you are examined by in-course assessment and/or written examinations. There might be exceptions, for example, if the module is project-based.
These assessments may be treated as either:
- Formative: They are intended to promote further improvement of student attainment; feedback is provided but a mark is not always given.
- Summative: They summarise student attainment at a particular time in their study; a mark is given and feedback is provided.
Your module descriptors will advise you of the assessment methods for each particular module.
Word count limits
Some assessments (usually involving the production of reports) carry a specified word count. The rubric will include clear instructions about word counts, the inclusion of footnotes, diagrams, images, tables, figures and bibliographies. You are expected to adhere to the requirements for each assessment. If you exceed these parameters, you may receive a reduction in marks.
Absence from assessment
You are expected to complete all your assessments. If you are absent from an assessed piece of work, you will receive a mark of zero unless you obtain agreement for the absence and formally defer the assessment to a later date by submitting a request for mitigating circumstances.
Feedback on assessment
Regular feedback is an essential part of your learning. The feedback you receive will come in many different forms, both formal and informal. The most common type of feedback you can expect to receive will be on examination papers or coursework assignments. It is equally important to receive feedback from other assessed activities, such as presentations, performances, or laboratory work.
Feedback is a two-way process between yourself and your lecturers/seminar tutors. It is your responsibility to make sure that you understand the feedback you receive and to seek a more detailed explanation if needed. Feedback should be easy to understand and act upon, enabling you to improve your grade on the next piece of assessment.
Expected timelines for receiving feedback
It is University policy that you can expect to receive feedback within 4 weeks of submitting the assessment. You should be informed if there is a delay. Exceptions include feedback on dissertations, which may take longer and feedback due over public holidays. Further information on the policy can be found Policy Hub repository.
Reassessment
Resit: If you fail a module (i.e., you get an overall module mark below the pass mark) because you didn’t meet the academic requirements, submitted late, or missed an exam, you will usually be given a chance to resit. Your module mark will be capped at the pass mark. The number of resit opportunities depends on your module level.
Normally, you will be reassessed in the failed parts of the assessment in the same way as the first attempt. However, a different method might be used, and you will be informed of this in the module description or if an alternative assessment is approved due to mitigating circumstances.
Replacement: If you have submitted mitigating circumstances and they have been accepted, your assessment will be deferred. This means the assessment will be treated as a first attempt, your work will be marked as normal, and your mark will not be capped at the pass mark.
Retake: In some instances, if you have failed a module, you may be required to retake the entire module. As with resits, your module mark will then be capped at the pass mark. Further information on reassessment can be found in the academic regulations.
Assessment marks
All work submitted for summative assessment is marked by an internal examiner (with the majority of work then second-marked). The university makes a commitment to ensure that the assessment process is fair, equal and transparent. To meet this commitment, Assessment Sub-Boards select the most appropriate marking model for their assessment type. You should be advised which marking model is being applied to your assessments.
You can find out more in the Marking & award classifications at King's article.
External Examining
External examiners are senior academics or practitioners from other universities who help monitor the quality of education you receive as students. They scrutinise the assessment processes of each programme to ensure fairness, uphold academic standards and ensure qualifications are comparable with similar degrees at other UK universities. Each external examiner submits an annual report that your programme team must reflect on and address any issues raised in a formal response. The report and response are discussed with student representatives at the Staff-Student Liaison Committee and scrutinised by faculty and institution-level committees. You can access your external examiner report here. You are not allowed to contact external examiners directly, especially regarding individual performance in assessments.
Submitting and returning work
Instructions for submitting your work can be found on your module KEATS pages. You must submit your work by the deadline.
It is important that you do not leave your submission to the last minute. If you are submitting online, you are strongly advised to start your submission no later than one hour before the advertised submission deadline. This ensures you have plenty of time to confirm your submission is successful and correct. Allowing this extra time is also crucial in case you experience any difficulties in uploading. The online tool (KEATS) automatically marks submissions as late by highlighting them in red to both you and staff. Work recorded as being submitted on the deadline will be marked as late, e.g., if the deadline is 17.00, the work must have completed its submission by 16.59 at the latest. Penalties may be applied if you submit late.
Access to exam scripts
If you wish to view your marked examination scripts following the publication of provisional results, you may do so by contacting your programme administration team.