Assessment issues

Students must complete a range of coursework as part of their course; essays, reports, team-work, presentations and case studies are all types of coursework. We usually call written coursework and practical exercises that are to be formally assessed ‘assignments’. Assignments are normally launched during teaching.

Most assignments must be submitted online through Canvas. You must ensure that you leave ample time to submit your assignment. In some cases, alternative methods of submission will be needed, but you will be notified of this.

Once you submit your assignment, you should receive a receipt on which the exact time of your submission is logged. This provides you with proof that you handed in your work and may prove valuable in the rare cases when assignments are misplaced. The burden of proof of submission of a particular assignment will lie with you. There are some courses where you will be permitted to send your assignment by post or email. You must follow carefully the instructions provided by the Tutor approving this, and must keep a copy of the assignment.

If you have a query on the grade awarded to a piece of coursework or the feedback provided on it, please make an appointment to meet with your unit tutor. During this time, the tutor can go through the assignment with you and address any concerns that you have. Most issues can be sorted out at this stage.

Students should not make any holiday arrangements or, for overseas students, book tickets to leave the UK before any published examination period. It may not be possible to reschedule any examination a student may miss under these circumstances, which may result in failure of the examination. If this situation is unavoidable then please contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Students are reminded that the completion of exams does not mean that they are completely free to begin holidays, etc. Within the published term dates, students may be required to attend resit examinations or to provide additional information which would help in the decision making process. You must make yourself available within the term dates for such activities.

If students are scheduled to sit an examination in a location outside of the University College Birmingham Buildings, maps are available on Canvas and from the Examinations Unit (Third Floor, The Link).

University College Birmingham places a great deal of importance on the conduct of examinations and in ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to do well. The information below will help students to be ready for their examinations:

• Students must bring their University College Birmingham identity card to every examination that they attend.
• During an examination you are not allowed to use any mobile device, earbuds, watch etc.,
• Students must bring their own stationery for the examination in a clear pencil case or bag. 
• Possession of any unauthorised material during the examination will be reported and will be considered evidence of an attempt by the student to complete the examination by unfair means. 
• Only bottled water (labels removed) will be allowed in the exam venue.
• Students are required to use only approved examination booklets and stationery.
• Any student who leaves the examination room without the permission of the invigilator will be deemed to have withdrawn from the examination and will not be readmitted to the examination room.
• If a student wishes to communicate with an invigilator, they should raise their hand and wait until the invigilator is able to attend.
• No student will communicate with another student in the examination room or attempt to complete their script by unfair means.
• At the end of the examination, Students must remain seated until an invigilator has collected all the scripts.
• In all cases, the exam rules of the awarding body will take precedence.

In the event of adverse weather, it should be assumed that exams will continue as timetabled. Where a student claims to be affected by such conditions and is unable to take the exam they should contact their Group Tutor.

If a student requires special support or facilities to undertake an examination, such as additional time or large print, he or she should contact the Academic Skills Centre as soon as possible so that suitable arrangements can be made.