Student Update: Your Progression and Awards

The following update, which advises students on next steps in terms of progression and awards, was sent to students on Monday 22 May 2023. 

Now that the academic year is drawing to a close, you'll be keen to know what the next steps are - whether you're moving into your next year of study (progression) or about to finish your degree course (award). 

Here's what you need to know about the process over the next few months.

If you started your course in September, the University reviews your progress in late June to determine if you have enough credits to progress to the next level or be awarded your qualification.

If you have outstanding assessment at this point (either due to failure or extenuating circumstances) then your progression decision is deferred until August to allow you to submit the outstanding assessment in July.

Credits Needed to Progress

For undergraduate students to progress, you will need to have achieved 90-100 credits from your current level (unless you were previously progressed with 80 credits passed). Where you have achieved less than 90-100 credits you will be required to repeat and pass the outstanding study in the next academic year before being permitted to progress to the next level. If you have been studying on a course that has professional body accreditation or a course that is being taught out, the terms of progression may differ. You can find more information about this in your specific course guide via e:Vision. 

The award of qualifications follows the same process. If you have achieved your award at the June point, then you will be awarded, however, if you have outstanding assessment you will be given the opportunity to submit in July before being awarded in August.

Impact of the Marking and Assessment Boycott

Whilst we anticipate that the effects of the University and College Union (UCU) action short of strike (ASoS) might be minimal, the University has carefully considered how it best supports students impacted by the Marking and Assessment Boycott that some lecturers have voted in favour of recently. Our aim is to ensure that, wherever possible, students are not disadvantaged and are able to continue in their studies. To achieve this, the University has approved the following approach for impacted students.

If you're progressing on to your next year

Progression will be reviewed at the same points in June and August, however, where a decision is not able to be made in August due to missing marks resulting from the boycott, the University will calculate a temporary progression decision based on your first semester results. Where you achieved 40 credits or more (at the same level) in semester one, you will be temporarily progressed so that you can enrol onto your next year of study. Where you achieved less than 40 credits in semester one you will need to repeat study in your next academic year.

In each case, where missing marks from the boycott become available, the University will recalculate your progression accordingly – this might lead to your repeating status changing to a progressing one, and vice-versa.

If you're finishing your course and due to be awarded

The University has decided not to award qualifications without full sets of marks being presented and agreed – this decision was made in the best interests of the student, ensuring the integrity and value of the qualification awarded.

We will continue to work to ensure that assessment is marked as quickly as possible in order to reduce the impact on students who are completing their courses.

Please rest assured that if the delay in marking due to the boycott affects the timely confirmation of your award meaning that you are unable to attend the September graduation ceremonies, we are working to establish the possibility of scheduling additional ceremonies in March or April 2024.

Catch up on the latest Student News which includes more information about the Marking and Assessment Boycott, exam and assessment support and library opening times - as well as some health and wellbeing tips for you as the academic year comes to an end.

If you do have any queries relating to your studies or assessments, please log a call through e:Vision or make contact with a member of the ASK@WLV team.

Wishing you all the best with your exams and assessments and hope to see you when you return to study or at your graduation ceremonies.

Dan Kidd

Director of Registry Services