Assessment & Examination Regulations

Principles, responsibilities and rules governing assessment and examinations for the International University Foundation Programme (IUFP).

ATHE‑endorsedEquity & consistencySecure assessments

IUFP is an ATHE Endorsed Programme (Ofqual‑regulated awarding organisation).

Assessment Principles & Responsibilities

Core Principles

Assessment enables students to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes; exam performance is the main evidence used by the Board of Examiners. Principles include validity, promotion of learning with feedback, explicit processes, reliability, equity/inclusion, and just management. One‑tier formal marking applies and students may only be assessed in registered subjects. Regulations form part of the student contract.

✅

Valid, reliable & explicit assessment processes

🧑‍⚖️

Equitable, inclusive & just management

📚

Learning‑oriented with clear feedback

Key Responsibilities

IUFP Global

Assess fairly; provide proper invigilation; publish results
Investigate malpractice; consider appeals and extenuating circumstances
Ensure subject leaders provide outcomes, schemes, and criteria via VLE

Students

Undertake learning activities; attend examinations
Keep contact details current; notify special needs in advance
Provide information on circumstances affecting assessment

ASSESSMENT PREPARATION

Subject Leaders provide outcomes, Scheme of Work, exam formats and grading criteria via the VLE. Programme Coordinators ensure students receive regulations, timetables, release procedures, conduct rules, and processes for extenuating circumstances, malpractice and complaints.

Exam Conduct & Student Support

Adjustments for Disabled Students

⏰

Extra Time: +15 mins/hour for documented dyslexia

🏠

Separate Room: Quiet environment & rest breaks

🛠️

Assistive Tech: Alternative formats & amanuensis

Process: Students must notify IUFP in good time with supporting evidence. Programme Coordinator advises on reasonable adjustments. If late notification prevents timely adjustment, exam taken as scheduled with re-sit option when available.

Examination Conduct Rules

📜

General Rules

Observe invigilator instructions; bring Student ID; offences trigger disciplinary procedures

🚪

Entry & Exit

Admit ≤15 mins before; no entry >30 mins after; no leaving within first/last 30 mins

⏱️

Timing

Start/stop only when directed; remain seated until scripts collected

✏️

Materials

Use provided answer books; calculators per rubric; phones off and stored away

🤫

Behaviour

Maintain silence; water only; no communication with others

🩺

Illness

Notify invigilator; escorted breaks; submit extenuating form if leaving

Marking & Assessment Standards

Assessment Design Principles

Learning outcomes, internal assessments and marking criteria align to subject level and IUFP's generic grading criteria. Assessment type and load are appropriate and practicable for students and staff.

🎯

Outcome‑aligned tasks

🧭

Transparent criteria

⏱️

Practicable workload

Grading System

Criterion‑referenced marking distinguishes categories of achievement across seven grade boundaries.

Grade	Mark Range	Status	Description
A*	≥ 80%	Pass	Exceptional achievement
A	70–79%	Pass	Excellent achievement
B	60–69%	Pass	Good achievement
C	50–59%	Pass	Satisfactory achievement
D	40–49%	Pass (min)	Threshold achievement
E	30–39%	Fail	Below threshold
F	0–29%	Fail	Significant gaps

Board of Examiners

🎓

Purpose
Oversees assessment and recommends awards; meets annually + re‑sit committees

👥

Membership
Chief Examiner, Subject Leaders, Board Secretary

🗂️

Results
Chair signs decisions; published within 5 working days by Student Number

Appeals & Academic Integrity

Assessment Penalties

Penalties are applied by the Board of Examiners when determining final marks. These may be waived based on valid extenuating circumstances or, exceptionally, at the Board's discretion with reasons recorded.

Note: All penalty decisions are subject to the appeals process outlined below.

Review of Marks (Appeals Process)

VALID GROUNDS FOR APPEAL

Material/significant administrative error in the assessment process
Procedural irregularity that affected the assessment outcome

IMPORTANT: Academic judgement cannot be appealed.

APPEALS PROCESS

Write to the Chief Examiner within 10 working days of result publication
Attach the original assessed work to your appeal
If valid grounds exist, remark by independent academic
Final mark may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged
No further appeal permitted after remarking
Systemic issues trigger review of all subject scripts

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Students experiencing circumstances beyond their control that may affect assessment performance should submit extenuating circumstances forms as soon as possible. The Board will consider these when making final decisions.