Changes in 2024

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

A change has been made to the format of Section 4 of the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations to make it easier to access. There has been no material change to the policy

PROFESSIONAL WORKBASED LEARNING

In the academic year 2023/24 the University of Nottingham Online introduced a set of regulations to support learners engage in credit-bearing micro-credentials, and to allow the University of Nottingham Online to verify the provision of external providers of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Notes have been added to the Admissions, Personal tutoring, student support and development, Student engagement and representation and Registration, attendance and study pages to clarify that these sections do not apply to UoNO learners

ROLE AND APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINERS FOR RESEARCH DEGREE PROGRAMMES

The Role and responsibilities of the internal assessor and Role and appointment of examiners for research degree programmes regulations have been amended to bring practice into line with sector norms, streamline process and improve student experience.  

SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

New supplementary regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) for 2021 and 2022 cohort, and for those joining the programme in 2023 have been added to the Quality Manual.  

DEGREE OUTCOMES STATEMENT

A revised version of the University's degree outcome statement has been published.

QSC CASE REQUEST

The QSC procedure for cases outside of regulations has been updated to provide more clarity on roles and responsibilities. New online forms have been created to replace word documents for UG/PGT and PGR cases. The updated process and guidance on completing the forms will be communicated to Schools/Departments shortly.

QSC MEMBERSHIP

QSC membership has been extended to include a representative from the student wellbeing team and additional faculty representation from UNM and UMNC.

SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION

Clarification that, due to local context, the MA in Education Research and Postgraduate Diploma in Education Research are not applicable to University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) for applying as a degree/award nor as a result of Viva examination.

SET / SEM SURVEYS

Corrections have been made to the Student Evaluation of Teaching / Student Evaluation of Modules pages of the quality manual to bring them in line with current practice.

APPRENTICESHIP INDEPENDENT ASSESSORS

Clarification of the wording in the Quality Manual around the appointment for the role of Independent Assessor. 

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM ONLINE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES REGULATION

The UoNO Extenuating circumstances regulation has been published.

SENIOR TUTOR SURVEYS

Addition of the requirement on Senior Tutors to annually survey all students in their school about the tutoring system. This is for ongoing QA, and enhancement work. 

POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Due to feedback indicating misunderstanding of the earlier update, the Policy on Academic Misconduct (2.1.2) has been updated to clarify use of translation and paraphrasing software can be permitted by schools or assessment guidance. Where appropriate and permitted by relevant Units/Schools, students’ can continue to use this to improve their writing. Students should check locally as to what is permitted. 

THE ROLE OF THE PGR SUPERVISOR

Changes have been made to the role of the PGR supervisor:

• The role of the PGR supervisor has been updated to add in that supervision occurs until submission of the thesis and during any subsequent period of corrections.
• The number of supervisory meetings per annum has been increased (from 10 to 12 pa) and these must be at least monthly (pro rata for part time).
• If the required minima meetings are not possible, the supervisor is responsible to ensure that a written report is still prepared which records the reason for the missed meeting.  These reports will be reviewed on a case by case basis to see if additional support is needed.
• The definition of what constitutes a supervisory meeting has been clarified and that these must be formally recorded.  It is important that at these meetings the PGR’s progress to date and/or the future direction of their research or thesis writing is discussed.  
• These meetings need to be principally in person (and always in person where the PGR is in the UK on a student visa).

THE THESIS PENDING PERIOD (INCLUDING POLICY ON EXTENSION)

Minor amendments to reasons that do not warrant an extension to the thesis pending period for postgraduate research students have been made. 

The role of the PGR supervisor has also been updated to add in that supervision occurs until submission of the thesis and during any subsequent period of corrections.  The changes made to ‘Responsibilities of supervisors’ apply here too.

REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) AND MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (MPhil)

The role of the PGR supervisor has been updated to add in that supervision occurs until submission of the thesis and during any subsequent period of corrections.  The changes made to ‘Responsibilities of supervisors’ apply here too.

PROGRAMME AND MODULE DESIGN AND APPROVAL

This change is to limit new modules (and modules within new programmes) to restrict the length of in person exams to 1, 2 or 3 hours and of ‘at home’ exams to 1, 2, 3 or 24 hours. It is also intended that existing programmes/modules comply with these exam durations, unless there are necessary reasons why not (e.g. PSRB requirements).

VOLUNTARY INTERRUPTION OF STUDY

Change made to clarify the position regarding compulsory breaks in learning for apprentices. A new form has been introduced for this purpose.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISOR

To clarify the scope of the SPSA role and make corrections to incorrect Professional Service names

UG AND PGT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

Clarifications on the use of reassessment relating to ‘elements’ of assessment have been implemented within Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Assessment Regulations.