Undergraduate regulations
Sections
Version control statement
Author: Academic Registrar
Approved by: Education Committee (EC)
Approval date: 13 November 2024
Further information: Degree Programme Tables
Introduction
These regulations form one element of the Regulatory Framework of the University of Stirling. The framework includes:
- Ordinances;
- other Academic Regulations;
- Codes of Practice;
- Policies and Procedures;
- Module Descriptors and Programme Specifications.
These regulations apply to all categories of undergraduate student at the University, except where the Academic Council has qualified them through agreements with third parties such as a Memorandum of Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, a collaborative agreement, or a joint venture.
In order to meet professional, regulatory or accreditation requirements, the regulations are qualified for some individual programmes of study. Approved exceptions are provided within these regulations.
Faculties may operate procedures or guidance which supplement or are relevant to these regulations; however, where this is the case, these regulations take precedence.
Some programmes of study are governed by additional requirements defined by professional, regulatory or accreditation bodies.
Authority for Regulations
Academic Council has the authority to vary these regulations and delegates authority to the Education and Student Experience Committee (ESEC) to approve the regulations and any amendments.
Authority to apply exceptions to regulations for individual students is delegated to the Academic Panel (Taught), a sub-group of the Education and Student Experience Committee.
Academic appeal
A student has the right to submit academic appeals in line with the Policy and Procedure on Academic Appeals.
Programmes of study
The undergraduate qualifications offered by the University are included within Ordinance 58. Ordinance 17 prescribes the basis of admission to the University. Ordinance 18 prescribes the basis for matriculating and becoming a student of the University.
1. A student will have been registered on a programme of study as part of the admissions process. The programme of study may lead to a qualification, or may relate to study on a 'credit only' basis where no qualification will be awarded.
2. A student cannot register for a Certificate in Higher Education or a Diploma in Higher Education; these are exit awards only.
3. A student cannot normally commence a programme of study more than two weeks after its formal start date.
4. A student must matriculate (enrol) every academic year, unless on an approved leave of absence for the duration of that academic year. Matriculation confirms agreement to the regulations in force for that academic year, and the programme being studied.
5. With the exception of an unnamed ordinary degree and some credit-only programmes, each programme's curriculum is defined through its degree programme table.
Recognition of prior learning
6. As contribution to a University of Stirling award, credits achieved at other institutions may be acknowledged in recognition of prior learning (RPL), provided that the credit was achieved no more than five years previously.
7. RPL credit can also be given for recognised academic or vocational qualifications or experience considered to be of equivalent status.
8. RPL credit must be applied for as part of the admissions process.
9. Credit can either be:
- General credit exemptions - allowing prospective students to omit a specified number of credits from their programme of study; or
- Specific credit exemptions - allowing prospective students to omit one or more particular modules from their programme of study.
10. An award from the University of Stirling requires that a minimum of one-third of the total credits are acquired through study at or validated by the University of Stirling. For some specific qualifications, this level may be higher.
11. Study undertaken at another institution during a period of authorised leave of absence cannot contribute to an award of the University of Stirling.
12. Credit previously used as part of recognition of prior learning at another institution cannot contribute to an award of the University of Stirling.
Duration of study
13. The following maximum periods include any extensions and periods of leave of absence.
Ordinary Degree
The maximum academic period for completion of a specific named Ordinary degree programme is nine years from commencement.
Honours Degree
The maximum academic period for completion of a specific named Honours degree programme is 11 years from commencement.
Integrated Masters Degree
The maximum academic period for completion of a specific named Integrated Masters Degree programme is 13 years from commencement.
Modes of attendance/Attendance and engagement
14. A student will be designated as full-time or part-time. Where part-time, a programme may be studied on a part-time structured basis or a part-time intermittent basis.
15. A student studying for an individual module will be designated as studying on a part-time intermittent basis.
16. A student can change mode of attendance, provided that the mode of attendance definition is satisfied, and there is sufficient capacity on the programme of study. There may be financial and, where relevant, visa implications of a change for the student.
17. A student must attend and participate as required in all aspects of their programme of study as prescribed under the University’s Attendance and Engagement requirements. This includes being available for and completing all forms of assessment.
18. A student must attend and engage with the required academic contact points and activities and actively participate in all of their modules including any dissertation/equivalent module.
19. A student who fails to attend a compulsory class will be deemed to have failed the module, due to failure to comply with published requirements.
20. A student who is absent for more than a third of prescribed classes will have their mark capped at a maximum of 40 for that module.
Temporary absence from studies
21. A student who is prevented from engaging with their programme of study for up to five working days is required to self-certify absence for University approval.
22. A student who is prevented from engaging with their programme of study for longer than five working days must submit documentation related to the absence for University approval.
Leave of absence
23. A student may be authorised to take a leave of absence from their programme of study.
24. A student may take leave of absence from their programme of study for a maximum of two years cumulatively.
25. Where a programme is to be discontinued or significantly amended, it may not be possible to authorise a leave of absence.
26. A student who does not re-matriculate (enrol) on the agreed recommencement date, or who has not communicated intentions towards their studies by the end of their period of leave of absence, maywill be deemed to have withdrawn from the programme of study.
27. A student may undertake re-assessments (second attempt and assessment only) during a period of leave of absence, but may not repeat a module in its entirety nor attempt a module for the first time.
28. Any module for which the first attempt assessment has not been completed at the point of leave of absence may not be resumed following return to studies; the module must be repeated. There is a financial implication for repeating a module. There may be exceptions made for dissertations (or equivalent), which will be considered on a case by case basis.
Studying away from the University
29. A student requires authorisation to attend another academic institution on a recognised exchange scheme or other approved programme of study, to undertake an approved placement, or to undertake studies such as a fieldtrip.
Change in programme of study
30. A student can change programme of study, provided that (i) admissions criteria for entry to the new programme and year of study are met; (ii) the requirements of the degree programme table for the new programme are or can be met; and (iii) there is a space on that programme of study (and its compulsory modules). There may be financial and, where relevant, visa implications of a change for the student.
Termination of studies
31. The University has the right to terminate a student’s studies where regulations or policy requirements are not met; examples include:
- Failure to make adequate academic progress or complete within the prescribed maximum period of study
- Failure to comply with the University's disciplinary code
- Non-attendance, including persistent non engagement with the programme of study and its modules, or prolonged and unauthorised absences from the programme of study
- Failure to matriculate (enrol), including failure to return from a leave of absence or failure to present satisfactory evidence of permission to study in the UK.
- Failure to comply with the requirements and expectations of the Academic Integrity Policy.
Readmission to a programme of study
32. Readmission of a student to a programme of study is at the discretion of the Head of Admissions in consultation with the academic faculty. A student’s previous academic history will stand, provided that credits were achieved within the past five years.
33. Where a student has previously failed to achieve an award due to academic failure, their case for re-admission will be considered by the Academic Panel (Taught).
34. If readmitted, the current regulations and degree programme table requirements will be applied.
35. If readmitted to a programme of study, the student will be required to surrender certification for any previous University of Stirling qualification awarded for previous study on the programme once a higher award is achieved.
Module selection
36. A maximum of 80 credits may be attempted during one semester. This includes 'assessment only' and modules repeated in their entirety.
37. Additional fees may be due for additional modules taken above a baseline of 120 credits per annum for full-time students.
38. Before being permitted to register on some modules, a student may be required to have undertaken prerequisite modules.
39. Successfully completed prerequisite modules will not be counted after five calendar years from module commencement.
40. A student must register and ensure that they register on at least the minimum set of modules as prescribed by the programme of study's degree programme table for each semester of study.
41. A maximum of 40 credits from personal development modules may contribute to an award of the University.
42. A student may not normally register for a module (including transfer from one module to another) later than two weeks after the start of teaching.
43. A student is permitted to withdraw from a module no later than two weeks from the commencement of teaching. Thereafter, fees are due for the module, and the module will remain on the student's record with a result of failure to comply with published requirements.
44. A student may undertake a module on a 'non-assessed' basis, provided that all prerequisite and admission requirements are met, and there is capacity. A fee will be charged. No academic credits can be achieved for taking a module on a non-assessed basis.
Assessment
The University’s Policy and Procedure on Assessment, Policy on Academic Integrity and Procedures on Poor Academic Practice and Academic Misconduct accompany these regulations.
Academic Integrity
45. Students are required to adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy and by submitting a piece of work for assessment, a student is stating that it is their own work.
46. A student must not make use of unfair means in any assessment, or do anything prejudicial to the good conduct of an assessment.
Assessment attempts
47. A student is permitted a maximum of two assessment attempts per module.
48. Failure to comply with published requirements counts as an assessment attempt.
Components of assessment
49. Each module's descriptor specifies the elements of assessment for that module, the assessment criteria, and the weight of each component to the module as a whole.
Common Marking Scheme
50. A student's level of achievement is denoted by the mark (a whole number in the range 0 – 100) achieved under the University's Common Marking Scheme:
|
Mark |
Equivalent Grade |
Result |
Descriptor of Attainment of Learning Outcomes |
|
90+ |
1st |
Pass |
Meets all the requirements to attain 80 – 89 but in addition demonstrates an exceptional degree of originality and exceptional analytical, problem-solving and/or creative skills. |
|
80 -89 |
Meets all the requirements to attain 70 – 79 but in addition demonstrates outstanding quality evidenced by an ability to engage critically and analytically with source material, exhibits independent lines of argument, is highly original and uses an extremely wide range of relevant sources where appropriate. |
||
|
70 - 79 |
Excellent range and depth of attainment of intended learning outcomes, secured by discriminating command of a comprehensive range of relevant materials and analyses, and by deployment of considered judgement relating to key issues, concepts or procedures |
||
|
60 - 69 |
2:1 |
Pass |
Attainment of virtually all intended learning outcomes, clearly grounded on a close familiarity with a wide range of supporting evidence, constructively utilised to reveal an appreciable depth of understanding. |
|
50 – 59 |
2:2 |
Pass |
Attainment of most of the intended learning outcomes, some more securely grasped than others, resting on a circumscribed range of evidence and displaying a variable depth of understanding. |
|
40 – 49 |
3rd |
Pass |
Acceptable attainment of most intended learning outcomes, displaying a qualified familiarity with a minimally sufficient range of relevant materials, and a grasp of the analytical issues and concepts which are generally reasonable, albeit insecure. |
|
30 - 39 |
Fail - Marginal |
Fail |
Appreciable deficiencies in the attainment of intended learning outcomes, perhaps lacking a secure basis in relevant factual or analytical dimensions. |
|
0 - 29 |
Fail - Clear |
Fail |
No convincing evidence of attainment of intended learning outcomes, such treatment of the subject as is in evidence being directionless and fragmentary. |
|
X |
Fail |
Fail |
Failure to comply with published module requirements |
51. A student registered on a module will be given a mark for each element of assessment.
52. The overall mark for the module is calculated from the sum of weighted component marks, rounded to the nearest whole number; a pass is not required in each component. This module mark represents a summary of performance on that module.
53. Some modules are assessed on a pass or fail basis only, due to the nature of content and the learning outcomes and competencies to be assessed.
Submission of work
54. Students are responsible for ascertaining and meeting submission deadlines.
55. If a student fails to submit a piece of coursework on time, work will be accepted up to seven calendar days after the submission date (or expiry of any agreed extension) but the mark will be lowered by three marks per day or part thereof.
56. After seven calendar days, the piece of work will be deemed a non-submission and will be given a mark of 0 (zero).
Attendance for examination
57. Students are responsible for ascertaining final examination dates, times and locations, and for attending at the appropriate point.
58. Deferred examinations can only be authorised for students whose absence is on acceptable grounds.
59. Deferred examinations can only be authorised if all required prior components of assessment have been submitted (where the deadline is in the past), and any class attendance requirements have been met.
60. If a student fails to attend a compulsory examination without formal approval for deferral, the student will be deemed to have failed the module, due to failure to comply with published requirements.
Extenuating circumstances
61. If a student's academic performance has been affected by personal circumstances, a case for extenuation may be submitted for consideration by the appropriate Board of Examiners.
62. Extenuating circumstances for each module must be submitted at least 14 days before the meeting of the Boards of Examiners.
Re-Assessment
Principles
63. A student who has achieved a module mark of 40 or higher will not be allowed to repeat that module or be re-examined in that module.
64. A student who fails a module upon re-assessment will not be awarded a lower mark than that awarded at the first attempt.
65. The faculty will determine the nature of the re-assessment required. It will be equivalent to the original in terms of both difficulty and educational benefit.
Second Assessment Attempt
66. Where a module is failed, the student has the option to be re-assessed through a further attempt. This includes a dissertation (or equivalent).
67. The dissertation (or equivalent) second attempt will be unsupervised and must be resubmitted within a maximum of six weeks from confirmation of failure, and by the deadline date for resubmission in the relevant semester, as set by the University. The minimum level of support students should be given is feedback and one meeting with their supervisor (or an appropriate alternative member of staff if the supervisor is not available).
68. The second attempt of a module must be taken at the next scheduled offering.
69. The maximum mark for the module that can be awarded for a second attempt is 40.
Repeating the module
70. Having failed a module following two attempts, a student has the option to repeat the module in its entirety. This has financial, visa and progression implications.
71. A student must repeat the module at the next scheduled assessment period. Not every module is delivered each academic year.
72. A student repeating a module in its entirety (i.e. both teaching and assessment) is subject to the same attendance and participation requirements as a student taking the module for the first time.
73. A module can be repeated on a teaching and assessment basis on one occasion only; both first and second attempts at the assessment can be undertaken.
74. The full range of marks is available for the first attempt of a module repeated (i.e. there is no restriction to the mark awarded).
Compensation
Principles
75. A student who has marginally failed a module may be eligible for compensation and the award of credits for that module. A marginal fail is one where a mark for the module is in the range 30 to 39.
76. A marginal fail in a dissertation (or equivalent) is not eligible for compensation.
77. A student with passes in fewer than 80 credits for each 120 credits is not eligible for compensation.
78. Compensation will be applied systematically based on a student's overall profile in line with the provisions of the Policy and Procedure on Assessment that relate to compensation
Progression
Progression to next year of study
79. To progress to the next year of study, a student must meet the following requirements for progression:
A student must achieve passes in at least two-thirds of credits required by their degree programme for the current year.
In order to progress to the next year of study, a full-time student studying a diploma, degree or honours degree must, therefore, have attained a minimum of:
- 80 credits by the end of year 1
- 200 credits by the end of year 2
- 320 credits by the end of year 3
In addition a student must:
- achieve a pass in modules within their current year of study which are compulsory prerequisites for modules in the next year of study of their degree programme.
- have taken and satisfied the published requirements for modules within their current year of study which are module content prerequisites for modules in the next year of study of their degree programme.
80. Where a student does not meet the requirements to progress to the next year of study, at least half of the credits required by the degree programme table must be passed in order to be eligible to repeat part of the year of study.
81. If a student has not passed at least half of the credits in any year of study, the University is likely to terminate studies.
82. A student must have achieved credits (passed) all required modules prior to the academic year of their study abroad period.
Awards
83. University of Stirling programmes adhere to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework for the purposes of the level of named programmes and credit accumulation.
84. A student who has passed a module (e. has achieved a module mark of at least 40, or has been awarded a Pass) will be awarded the credits for that module.
85. A student following a programme of study which does not lead to a qualification (a credit-only programme) may be provided with an award of completion, in addition to a transcript of credits achieved.
86. Students who study abroad will be awarded block credit for the successful completion of the study abroad period. Individual grades are not translated or included in the calculation of the final degree classification.
87. A student who has accumulated sufficient credits for a qualification, and meets all of the regulatory requirements (including financial and disciplinary) will become eligible to be awarded the qualification.
88. With the exception of the unnamed Ordinary Degree, the Certificate in Higher Education and the Diploma in Higher Education, qualifications can be awarded with named subject(s). Degree programme tables define the curricula and conditions to be met in order to be eligible for an award in named subject(s), subject to satisfying all regulatory requirements.
89. Where a minimum number of credits are stipulated for distinction or merit, these are applied on a pro rata basis where some modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis only.
Certificates
90. For the award of a Certificate, a minimum of 120 credits must be achieved.
91. Where the student is not registered on a Certificate with named subject(s), the award designation will be 'in Higher Education'.
With Distinction
92. For the award of a Certificate with distinction, a mark of at least 70 must be achieved for 40 credits, and a mark of at least 50 in a further 80 credits.
With Merit
93. For the award of a Certificate with merit, a mark of least 60 must be achieved in 40 credits, and a mark of at least 50 in a further 80 credits.
Diplomas
94 For the award of a Diploma, a minimum of 240 credits must be achieved.
95. Where a student is not registered on a Diploma with named subject(s), the award designation will be 'in Higher Education'.
With Distinction
96. For the award of a Diploma with Distinction, a mark of at least 70 must have been achieved for 80 credits, and a mark of at least 50 in a further 140 credits. At least 20 credits must be achieved as SCQF level 9 or above.
With Merit
97. For the award of a Diploma with Merit, a mark of at least 60 must have been achieved for 80 credits, and a mark of at least 50 in a further 140 credits.
First Degrees
Ordinary Degree
98. For the award of an Ordinary degree, a minimum of 360 credits must be achieved, with a minimum of 60 credits at SCQF level 9 or above and, in addition, a minimum of 90 credits at SCQF level 8 or above.
99. For the award of an Ordinary degree in named subject(s), a student must meet the requirements as set out in the equivalent Degree Programme Table of the honours programme (3 years for full-time, equivalence for part-time).
100. Where unnamed, the ordinary degree of 'Bachelor of Arts' will be awarded where the primary subject is arts, the ordinary degree of 'Bachelor of Science' where the primary subject is science.
With Distinction
101. For the award of an Ordinary degree with distinction, a mark of at least 70 must be achieved in 120 credits (of which at least 60 credits must be at SCQF level 9 or above), and a mark of at least 50 achieved in a further 200 credits.
With Merit
102. For the award of an Ordinary degree with merit, a mark of at least 60 must be achieved in 120 credits (of which at least 60 credits must be at SCQF level 9 or above), and a mark of at least 50 achieved in a further 200 credits.
Degree with Honours
103. For the award of an Honours degree, a minimum of 480 credits must be achieved, with a minimum of 180 at SCQF levels 9 and 10, including a minimum of 90 credits at SQCF level 10 as defined by the Degree Programme Table.
104. Honours degree classifications are determined in line with the Determination of Honours Degree Classifications Policy.
First Class (1st)
105. A mean mark of 70 or greater (when rounded to the nearest whole number) ie a mean mark of 69.5 would be rounded up to 70.
Second Class, Upper Division (2:1)
106. A mean mark of between 60 and 69 (when rounded to the nearest whole number) ie a mean mark of 59.5 would be rounded up to 60.
Second Class, Lower Division (2:2)
107. A mean mark of between 50 and 59 (when rounded to the nearest whole number)ie a mean mark of 49.5 would be rounded up to 50.
Third Class (3rd)
108. A mean mark of between 40 and 49 (when rounded to the nearest whole number) ie a mean mark of 39.5 would be rounded up to 40.
Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards
109. A board of examiners may recommend to Academic Council that an aegrotat award be conferred in respect of an undergraduate programme.
110. Aegrotat awards may be considered where no degree award may be made within the regulations, and the student is close to completing the award but is prevented from doing so because of illness.
111. In recommending an aegrotat award, a board of examiners should be satisfied that: the student's prior performance clearly demonstrates that the student would have satisfied the requirements for the award, but for the illness experienced; and the student is very unlikely to be able to return to complete their studies at a later date.
112. A board of examiners may recommend to Academic Council that a posthumous award be conferred in respect of an undergraduate programme.
113. A posthumous award can be considered where a student has died and has either; completed the programme of study, including the required assessments, and has satisfied the requirements of the award; or has not completed the programme of study but the board of examiners is satisfied that the student would have been able to complete or satisfy the requirements for the award.
114. In making a recommendation for a posthumous award where the programme has not been completed, the board of examiners shall consider the evidence of the student’s academic performance overall and in respect to any coursework submitted or assessments completed.
Exceptions to regulations for individual programmes
115. Exceptions to the general regulations are detailed below.
Nursing, Bachelor of Science
116. Study Duration. A student must complete the programme within 6 years of programme commencement (inclusive of periods of leave of absence).
117. Compensation. A student cannot be awarded compensation.
118. Progression during the Academic Year. A student can progress within an academic year carrying one 20 credit module as a fail (academic or practice), however, any failed modules must have been passed and the credit for the modules achieved by the end of the academic year to enable progression to the next academic year of study.
119. Progression to the Next Academic Year. A student must satisfy the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council standards in order to progress to the next year of study. In keeping with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) Future Nurse Standards, a student must evidence within the practice learning environment, achievement of all proficiencies within the seven platforms in order to progress to the next year (part) of the programme. To progress to year (part) two of the programme, 120 credits must be achieved and to progress to year (part) three of the programme, 240 credits must be achieved.
Professional Practice, Bachelor of Science
120. Recognition of Prior Learning. A minimum of 60 credits must be obtained through study at the University of Stirling; recognition of prior learning of up to 300 credits can be awarded.
121. Study Duration. A student must complete the programme within five years of programme commencement (inclusive of periods of leave of absence).
122. Ordinary Degree with Distinction. A mark of at least 70 must be achieved in the 60 credits studied at University of Stirling.
123. Ordinary Degree with Merit. A mark of at least 60 must be achieved in the 60 credits studied at University of Stirling.
Initial Teacher Education Programmes
(programmes of study leading to the award of a teaching qualification)
124. Progression to Year Two of Study. To progress to the second year of study, a student must meet the following criteria achievement of 120 credits, Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme clearance, satisfactory completion of a professional interview, completion of a two week self-arranged placement with submitted evidence in support of this.
125. Progression to Year Four of Study. To progress to the fourth year of study, a student's professional performance must be deemed satisfactory, and a student must have achieved an average of at least 50 in their best 160 credit of SCQF level 9 and 10 modules.
126. Students who wish to/or are required to drop the professional element of their degree programme are permitted to study an additional 20 credit module in Semester 8 and therefore exceed the typical maximum credit load allowed for a semester by 10 credits.
BA Hons Social Work
127. Progression. A student must be registered as a social work student with the Scottish Social Services Council, including clearance under the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme in order to progress to Semester 2. Registration must be maintained throughout the entire programme of study.
128. Progression. Any leave of absence of one year or more will require the student to complete a readiness to return to studies assessment prior to recommencing the programme.
129. Assessment. Some modules may contain elements of assessment that are assessed on a pass/fail basis and these assessments require to be passed in order to achieve a pass in the module. Where a module contains such an assessment the module mark will not be calculated on a weighted average basis.
130. Study Duration. A student must complete the programme within 6 years of programme commencement (inclusive of periods of leave of absence).
LLB Accelerate Graduate Programme
131. Module Registration. Students will be registered for 90 credits per semester.
Contact us
If you have any queries about the Academic Regulations please get in touch with Academic Registry.