4.4 BVSc Year 1 and Year 2: Rules for Progression

1. Progression rules

1.1 Rules for year 1 and 2 are the same.

1.2 The module pass mark is 50%. Candidates must gain a mark of 50% or more in each module.

1.3 All modules, i.e. 120 credits, must be passed to progress to the next year of study.

2. Resits during supplementary resit period – Students will be required to resit and/or resubmit the failed component(s) in the August resit period. The module mark will be capped at 50%. There will be no restriction on the number of modules which may be taken in the resit period.

3. Repeat year

3.1 A repeat year student will be required to take all modules, and all corresponding assessments again; the overall module marks will be capped at 50%. The year must be passed as a whole and previous module marks will not count.

3.2 Students may repeat either the first or the second year but not both. The maximum registration period of the pre-clinical element of the degree will mirror that of the RVC BVetMed i.e. 3 years. The time-limit may only be extended in exceptional cases upon approval by the University.

4. AU Special Circumstances policy will apply - including in relation to absence from assessment - see AQH Special Circumstances and Reasonable Adjustments.

5. Late submission of work - a mark of 0 will be recorded for late submissions where no extension has been granted. Extension requests will be managed through AU’s extension policy.

6. Additional Requirements to Progress to the Next Stage of the Course

For students starting before September 2024

6.1 To progress to Year 2. In addition to passing overall a student must have completed at least 6 weeks of AHEMS (in accordance with the AHEMS guidelines applicable to their year of study) prior to the start of BVSc Year 2. A student who has not completed 6 weeks will normally be required to delay their progression to the next year.

6.2 To progress to year 3. In addition to passing overall a student must have completed at least 12 weeks of AHEMS (in accordance with the AHEMS guidelines applicable to their year of study) prior to the start of BVSc year 3. A student who has not completed 12 weeks will normally be required to delay their progression to the next year.

For students starting from September 2024

6.3 To progress to Year 2. In addition to passing overall a student must have completed at least 5 weeks of AHEMS (in accordance with the AHEMS guidelines applicable to their year of study) prior to the start of BVSc Year 2. A student who has not completed 5 weeks will normally be required to delay their progression to the next year.

6.4 To progress to year 3. In addition to passing overall a student must have completed at least 10 weeks of AHEMS (in accordance with the AHEMS guidelines applicable to their year of study) prior to the start of BVSc year 3. A student who has not completed 10 weeks will normally be required to delay their progression to the next year.

7. Classification (used for the determination of Honours Points for the BVSc award)

7.1 A candidate who, at the first attempt, obtains an average mark for the year of 70% or more will be awarded a pass with Distinction.

7.2 A candidate who, at the first attempt, obtains an average mark for the year of between 65-69 will be awarded a Pass with Merit.

8. Exit awards - also see AU’s Conventions for the Award of Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education

8.1 A candidate who achieve an overall mark of 40% or more in year 1 but does not proceed with study will be eligible for the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) (Pre-clinical Veterinary Science)

8.2 A candidate who achieve an overall mark of 40% or more in year 2 but does not proceed with study will be eligible for the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) (Pre-clinical Veterinary Science)

9. Transfer onto other schemes

9.1 RVC schemes. Transfer to the BVetMed in year 3 will not be allowed.

9.2 For other RVC schemes the final degree classification will be based on marks achieved on the student’s new programme, i.e. only the credits will be transferred and the degree classification based on Year 3 marks.

9.3 AU schemes: A candidate who has achieved an overall mark of 40% or more in Year 1 or Year 2, but who does not proceed with study on the BVSc course, will be eligible to apply for transfer to an appropriate AU programme under the APEL rules

9.4 Depending on whether a student is accepted into year 2 or 3 of an appropriate AU scheme, year 2 module marks may be included in the cascade calculation for the final award to be determined in discussion with the department.

Details of the assessment and award regulations for years 3, 4 and 5 and the Honours points system are available through the RVC web pages: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/the-rvc/academic-quality-regulations-procedures#

 

Chapter reviewed: Sept 2024