Regulations for the Foundation Degrees

September 2024

Entry

1. To be eligible for admittance to study for a Foundation Degree of the University, a candidate shall have fulfilled any further entry conditions which may be required by the University and/or institution in respect of the scheme in question.

Scheme Structure

2. Foundation Degree schemes shall be offered on the basis of a two year or three year full-time period of study (or part-time equivalent).

3. Full-time candidates shall be required to pursue the equivalent of at least 120 credits during each academic year.

Credit Transfer

4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the University may, within the overall limits shown below, deem the performance of a student in either study previously pursued and/or any prior experiential learning to count towards the requirements for the award of a Foundation Degree. Such prior study or experiential learning shall be relevant to the scheme to be pursued and shall be credit-rated at the discretion of the admitting institution. The prior study shall have been completed at the University, or at another University or Institution whose schemes have been recognised by the University for the purpose of satisfying its policy on Credit Accumulation and Transfer.

The maximum number of credits which may be accepted to count towards a Foundation Degree of the University shall be not more than 120. Where the maximum transferable credit allowed has been accepted, the remaining credits to be pursued through the admitting institution will normally be at least at HE Level 2/ CQFW Level 5.

Assessment

5. Progress of a candidate will normally be assessed in the period immediately following completion of the unit of study.

6. The pass-mark for units of assessment, modules and awards shall be 40%.

7.*  To allow for retrieval of failure and periods of temporary withdrawal, the maximum time limit for completion of the award shall be the study scheme duration plus two years. e.g.

Full-time mode of study- two-year scheme: not more than four years from the start of the scheme

Part-time mode of study - three-year scheme: not more than five years from the start of the scheme

Extensions to these time limits based on exceptional special circumstances may be granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) on submission of a request by an academic department to the Academic Registry, supported by evidence of the special circumstances and a strong and reasoned case, showing that completion can reasonably be expected within a further 12 month period.

(* Time limit wording updated September 2024 in line with Module Initial Degree regulations)

Where credit transfer has been approved, under paragraph 5 above, the University may calculate a pro-rata reduction to the overall time-limit for the individual candidate. This time-limit shall be communicated to the candidate at the outset.)

Failure

8. At the discretion of the Examining Board, Part One (normally year 1) students may be permitted up to three attempts to redeem a failed module. Students shall be eligible for the minimum pass mark of 40% in Part One resits. Part Two students will be permitted two further attempts to resit a failed module. They shall be eligible only for the award of the minimum pass mark (ie 40%) in each such module, irrespective of their actual level of performance.

Award

9. An exit qualification (a Certificate of Higher Education) may be awarded to candidates who have pursued a minimum 120 credits but find themselves unable (or are not permitted) subsequently to complete the scheme.

10. To be eligible for consideration for the award of a Foundation Degree, a candidate shall have:

i. pursued an approved scheme of study for the period prescribed by the University, except as provided by Regulation 4 above;
ii. pursued a minimum of 240 credits, of which at least 120 shall be at HE Level 2/CQFW Level 5, or above;
iii. have fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the University.

Candidates must pass 200 out of 240 credits which contribute to the award of the Foundation Degree. Candidates must not fail more than 20 credits in their Final Year;

11. In determining whether the award of a Foundation Degree might be made to a candidate, Examining Boards shall follow conventions approved by the University. These conventions may include procedures or mechanisms for the exercise of discretion by the Examining Board. An Examining Board may take account of the candidate's academic development throughout the scheme of study.

12. Foundation degree candidates who have fulfilled the requirements of the scheme shall be awarded the following classes:

• Pass
• Merit
• Distinction