4.1 Methods of Assessment
We have described in each course unit outline the mix of self-assessment and marked assessment expectations. The assessment will be closely linked to the learning outcomes of each course unit. Factual knowledge is assessed by self-assessment assignments/quizzes. The marks from these self-assessments are purely for feedback purposes, and are not part of your assessment and not made available to course unit tutors, although tutors will know if you have completed them. Marked assignments will focus on the ability to synthesize and implement knowledge. There are no formal examinations, as most work is assessed by essay-type assignments. Some courses have assessed discussion boards or online activities. Please refer to individual course unit outlines for details; dates will be found in the actual Blackboard activities at the start of each semester. Course unit outlines are available on our website at:
Assignment Submission
All coursework assignments should be completed in Microsoft Word or in a rich text format documents and submitted via Blackboard. For full details of how to submit an assignment please see On-line Skills and Resources. Please note that this is also the method by which you are expected to submit your dissertation.
Use of Turnitin
The University uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for marking. Such systems include TurnitinUK, the plagiarism detection service used by the University.
As part of the formative and/or summative assessment process, you may be asked to submit electronic versions of your work to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University. If you are asked to do this, you must do so within the required timescales.
The School also reserves the right to submit work handed in by you for formative or summative assessment to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University.
Please note that when work is submitted to the relevant electronic systems, it may be copied and then stored in a database to allow appropriate checks to be made.
4.2 Feedback Policy
The following policy has been developed in line with the University ‘Policy on feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students April 2010’.
“The University of Manchester is committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to students on their academic progress and achievement, thereby enabling students to reflect on their progress and plan their academic and skills development effectively. Feedback, and acting on feedback, is therefore part of the active learning process throughout a student’s course of study.” Teaching and Learning Support Office, University of Manchester (2010).
On the MPH/MRes programme we are committed to;
- Providing students with personalised feedback for their mid-term and final summative assignments, within 15 working days for mid-term assignments and 20 working days for final submission
- Providing more opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) during a course unit.
- Personalised feedback on written assignments will be provided for mid-term and final assignments
We aim to offer the same quality of feedback across the programme, however the form that this feedback will take will vary from unit to unit, and this will be specified in each individual Blackboard unit. Some assignments will benefit from a summary at the end of the paper, short answer questions may receive feedback after each question and in other units feedback may refer to the model answer.
All feedback will be given through ‘Grademark’ within Blackboard, unless specifically stated differently in the course unit materials. Your tutor may use a variety of different tools within the software. A guide to accessing feedback within Grademark will be found in each unit.
We aim to get feedback uploaded into Grademark and your assignments marked in under 15 working days or less for the mid-term papers and in 20 working days or less for the final assignments. In the case of tutor sickness delaying feedback, students will be informed by e-mail or an announcement placed in Blackboard.
Feedback is designed to be positive to show you how you can improve. In most cases it will be linked closely with the programme marking criteria found in the handbook.
We encourage you to reflect on the feedback and to incorporate the ideas into your next work. If you are uncertain about it, or have any questions please contact your Course Unit Lead. Do this via Blackboard. If you are advised to improve your referencing then please do so using the skills units for guidance. If you still do not understand how to reference then contact your Course Unit Lead or the Programme Director before your next assignment.
Some discussion board and small group exercises are also assessed. Details of the marking and assessment will be explained in the individual course unit.
Feedback for assessed discussion board activities can be found in Blackboard in ‘Gradebook’ along with your mark for the work. We aim to provide these within a week to ten days of the exercise finishing.
- Providing opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) during a course unit
Formative feedback gives you the opportunity to develop and improve with the unit and/ or programme of study. In our programme this is offered in several different ways, for example:
- Feedback by tutors and fellow students on discussion boards or WIKI’s
- Automated feedback from self-test or quizzes
- Peer review exercises
- Reflective exercises which provide sample answers
These are not assessed and therefore optional, however we do encourage you take part and reflect on the feedback that you receive.
4.3 Programme External Examiners
The role of the External Examiners
External Examiners are individuals from another institution or organisation who monitor the assessment processes of the University to ensure fairness and academic standards. They ensure that assessment and examination procedures have been fairly and properly implemented and that decisions have been made after appropriate deliberation. They also ensure that standards of awards and levels of student performance are at least comparable with those in equivalent higher education institutions.
External Examiners’ reports
External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the programme committee, where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiners’ comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiners’ reports or the process for considering them.
External Examiner Details
We have two External Examiners for this programme.
The first External Examiner for this programme is Dan Pope who is a Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology and is based at The University of Liverpool.
The second External Examiner for this programme is Tony Stewart who is a retired Professor in Public Health, and Public Health consultant.
Please note that this is for information only and it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regards to a student’s individual performance in assessments.
Other appropriate mechanisms are available for students, including the University’s appeals or complaints procedures and the UMSU Advice Centre. In cases where a student does contact an External Examiner directly, External Examiners have been requested not to respond to direct queries. Instead, External Examiners should report the matter to their School contact who will then contact the student to remind them of the other methods available for students. If students have any queries concerning this, they should contact the MPH Administration Team in the first instance.
4.4 Faculty Assessment Criteria for Assignments and Dissertations
NB A more comprehensive assessment criteria specific to the MPH/MRes course units can be found in each Blackboard unit.
| BAND
|
MARKING CRITERIA
Descriptor |
| 90% – 100% | EXCELLENT (may allow award of distinction*)
Exceptional work, nearly or wholly faultless for that expected at Master’s level. |
| 80% – 89% | EXCELLENT (may allow award of distinction*)
Work of excellent quality throughout. |
| 70% – 79% | EXCELLENT (may allow award of distinction*)
Work of very high to excellent quality showing originality, high accuracy, thorough understanding, critical appraisal, and very good presentation. Shows a wide and thorough understanding of the material studied and the relevant literature and the ability to apply the theory and methods learned to solve unfamiliar problems. |
|
60% – 69%
|
GOOD PASS (may allow an award of a merit*)
Work of good to high quality showing evidence of understanding of a broad range of topics, good accuracy, good structure and presentation, and relevant conclusions. Shows a good knowledge of the material studied and the relevant literature and some ability to tackle unfamiliar problems. |
| 50% – 59% | PASS
Work shows a clear grasp of relevant facts and issues and reveals an attempt to create a coherent whole. It comprises reasonably clear and attainable objectives, adequate reading and some originality. |
| 40% – 49% | DIPLOMA PASS, POTENTIALLY COMPENSATABLE FOR MASTER’S
Work shows a satisfactory understanding of the important programme material and basic knowledge of the relevant literature but with little or no originality and limited accuracy. Shows adequate presentation skills with clear but limited objectives, and does not always reach a conclusion. |
| 30% – 39% | FAIL, POTENTIALLY COMPENSATABLE FOR DIPLOMA
Work shows some understanding of the main elements of the programme material and some knowledge of the relevant literature. Shows a limited level of accuracy with little analysis of data or attempt to discuss its significance. |
| 20% – 29% | FAIL
Little relevant material presented. Unclear or unsubstantiated arguments with very poor accuracy and understanding. |
|
0 – 19%
|
CLEAR FAIL
Work of very poor quality containing little or no relevant information. |
* The award of Merit or Distinction for the final degree is dependent upon a number of criteria laid out in the list below.
Dissertations
Please see the MPH /MRes dissertation handbooks in Blackboard for further details.
4.5 Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations
4.5.1 For students starting prior to September ’12
Postgraduate Taught degrees at The University of Manchester are based on the National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This framework requires students to achieve credit at masters’ level in order to get an award. For a standard postgraduate taught Masters programme this will normally mean passing 180 credits. A standard Postgraduate Diploma will normally have 120 credits and a Postgraduate Certificate 60 credits. The way in which you study these credits will be defined later in the programme handbook and the programme specification.
The University sets standards relating to your performance on every unit but also on your progression through the programme. The programme and course unit specifications will set out the requirements for passing the credit on individual units.
The following guidance should be read in conjunction with this regulations policy document:
http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=7327
Students will normally successfully complete the taught component of the Degree of Master before they can progress to the dissertation (or equivalent), and must successfully complete the taught component before submission of the dissertation (or equivalent).
Recommendation for award:
The Masters level pass mark for a unit is 50%. To obtain a Masters level award, students must have accrued 180 credits (including any provision made for compensated or referred units).
The Diploma pass mark for a unit is 40%. To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma award, students must have accrued 120 credits (including any provision made for compensated or referred units).
The Certificate pass mark for a unit is 40%. To obtain a Postgraduate Certificate award, students must have accrued 60 credits (including any provision made for compensated or referred units).
Pass marks
- To obtain a pass for a Masters programme, the student is required to obtain both a weighted average of 50% or more on the taught element (after compensation or reassessment as necessary), and 50% or more on the dissertation (or equivalent) (after reassessment as necessary).
- To obtain a pass for a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate, the student is required to obtain a weighted average of 40% or more on the taught element (after compensation or reassessment as necessary).
Merit
A student on a Degree of Master or Postgraduate Diploma programme who has satisfied all the following criteria will be awarded a merit:
- A weighted average at first assessment of 60% or more in the taught component of the programme with no mark below 50% in any course units.
- A mark of 60% or more on the dissertation (or equivalent), project or extended essay where this is part of the programme.
- A Pass at first assessment in components of the programme where a Pass/Fail is
- Students who have been reassessed in any unit(s), or individual components of any unit(s), or have been granted a compensated pass, will not be eligible for the award of merit
Distinction
A student on a Masters programme or Postgraduate Diploma programme who has satisfied all the following criteria will be awarded a distinction:
- A weighted average at first assessment of 70% or more in the taught component of the programme with no mark below 50% in any course unit.
- A mark of 70% or more for the dissertation (or equivalent), project or extended essay where this is part of the programme.
- A Pass at first assessment in components of the programme where only a Pass/Fail is recorded.
- Students who have been reassessed in any unit(s), or individual components of any unit(s), or have been granted a compensated pass will not be eligible for the award of distinction.
Students on a Postgraduate Certificate will not be eligible for the award of Merit or Distinction.
Re-sits:
A student registered on a Postgraduate Diploma or Masters programme who fails a taught unit may be permitted to resubmit the assessment or retake the examination on one further occasion, up to a maximum of 45 credits. A student registered on a Postgraduate Certificate programme who fails a taught unit may be permitted to resubmit the assessment or retake the examination on one further occasion, up to a maximum of 30 credits. The maximum mark to be awarded for resubmitted coursework or retaken examination will normally be 50% for the Degree of Master and 40% for the Postgraduate Diploma. This mark will be used in computing the overall mark for the course unit.
Compensation:
Students may be awarded a compensated pass for a Degree of Master up to a maximum of 30 credits providing they receive a mark of at least 40% (but less than 50%) and have gained an overall average taught mark of at least 50%. Students may be awarded a compensated pass for a Postgraduate Diploma up to a maximum of 30 credits providing they receive a mark of at least 30% (but less than 40%) and have gained an overall average taught mark of at least 40%. Students may be awarded a compensated pass for a Postgraduate Certificate up to a maximum of 15 credits providing they receive a mark of at least 30% (but less than 40%) and have gained an overall average mark of at least 40%.
Please note compensation is not permitted on the following core units:
- MEDN60041 Evidence Based Practice (or DENT61010 Research Methods taken by MRes ACF students only)
- MEDN60991 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- MEDN60982 Biostatistics
Furthermore, if you are registered on the MRes Primary Care or any of the following specialist streams for PG Dip and MPH, there are additional core units, which cannot be compensated, as follows:
- Global Health specialist plan – MEDN62212 Health Systems in Low Income Countries
- Global Health + Emergency Humanitarian Assistance specialist plan– MEDN62212 Health Systems in Low Income Countries & SALC62211 Emergency Humanitarian Assistance
- Health Promotion specialist plan – MEDN60021 Health Promotion Theory & Methods
- Health Protection specialist plan – MEDN62051 Communicable Disease Control and/or MEDN64132 Emergency Planning, Response & Resilience
- Primary Care specialist plan– MEDN63111 Primary Health Care
Please note the maximum number of credits that can be failed at first attempt is 45 credits for a Masters and 30 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate. This means the combined allowable number of permitted compensations / re-sits are required to fall within these maximum limits.
Exit Awards
Exit awards are available for students who do not satisfy the criteria for the programme they are registered on or who needs to exit the programme early due to unforeseen circumstances.
To be considered for a PG Diploma (120 credits; exit point) students must have accrued 120 credits across the programme.
To be considered for a PG Certificate (60 credits; exit) students must have accrued 60 credits across the programme.
4.5.2 For students starting on or after September ’12
Postgraduate Taught degrees at the University of Manchester are based on the National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This framework requires students to achieve credit at masters’ level in order to get an award. For a standard postgraduate taught Masters programme this will normally mean passing 180 credits. A standard postgraduate diploma will normally have 120 credits and a postgraduate certificate 60 credits. The way in which you study these credits will be defined later in the programme handbook and the programme specification.
The University sets standards relating to your performance on every unit but also on your progression through the programme. The programme and course unit specifications will set out the requirements for passing the credit on individual units.
Please be aware that the programme has some higher requirements to the University degree regulations and details of these are outlined in the section ‘Programme Exemptions to PGT Degree Regulations’
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations
Please find below the link to the degree regulations:
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations (for new PGT students registering from September 2016):
http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=13148
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations (for students registered between September 2012 and prior to September 2016):
http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29208
The following guidance should be read in conjunction with the regulations policy document.
Criteria for Awards
Award of Masters Degree
The award of Master degree is based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 50%.
Distinction
Exceptional achievements over the course of the Programme according to the taught masters marking scheme will be rewarded with the degree of MPH/MRes with Distinction.
To obtain a Distinction, students must have:
- accrued 180 credits;
- have passed all units with no compensations or referrals;
- have achieved an overall weighted average of 70% or more across the programme;
Students who have compensated or have been referred in any course units are not eligible for the award of Distinction. In addition, the dissertation must be submitted by the end of the period of programme, unless there are significant mitigating circumstances, approved in advance for missing the end of programme deadline.
Merit
To obtain a Merit, students must have accrued 180 credits AND have achieved an overall weighted average of 60% or more across the programme, including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Pass
To obtain a pass, students must have accrued 180 credits including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Award Postgraduate Diploma
To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma award, students must have accrued 120 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Award Postgraduate Certificate
To obtain a Postgraduate Certificate award students must have accrued 60 credits (as specified by the programme) including any provision made for compensated or referred units.
Unless otherwise specified in the exemptions, the awards of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate degree are based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 40% for which there is no classification other than pass/fail.
Exit Awards
Exit awards are available for students who do not satisfy the criteria for the programme they are registered on or who needs to exit the programme early due to unforeseen circumstances.
To be considered for a PG Diploma (120 credits; exit point) students must have accrued 120 credits across the programme.
To be considered for a PG Certificate (60 credits; exit) students must have accrued 60 credits across the programme.
Please note the pass mark for course units making up the Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate exit awards is 40%.
Compensation
MPH/MRes Degree
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 40‑49% in no more than 30 credits in the taught component.
Postgraduate Diploma
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 30‑39% in no more than 30 credits in the taught component.
Postgraduate Certificate
Students may be awarded compensated credit if they receive fail marks in the range 30‑39% in no more than 15 credits in the taught component.
The combined total number of credits compensated and referred cannot exceed half the taught credits.
Compensated credit retains the original failed mark for the course unit and this is used in the weighted average for the calculation of the final classification/award.
Please note that some programmes do not allow compensation. Please refer to the Programme Exemptions section of the handbook where specific exemptions applicable to the programme will be listed.
Reassessment
Where the overall unit mark is below the compensation zone (40% for Masters and 30% for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate) OR the number of compensatable fails (30 credits for Masters/Diploma and 15 credits for Postgraduate Certificate) has been exceeded, reassessment may be taken.
Reassessment as a result of a fail is known as a “Referral”. Reassessment as a result of approved and verified mitigating circumstances is known as “Deferral” and may be permitted where students are reassessed as a first attempt, for which no penalty applies.
Students may be referred in up to half of the total taught credits. The combined total number of credits referred and compensated cannot exceed half the taught credits. Decisions with regard to which components should be reassessed are made by the Examination Board. When a student is referred they will normally be permitted to retake the assessment/exam on one further occasion.
At the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, students will normally be allowed one resubmission of a failed dissertation or project and this will normally be within four months of the date of the publication of the result. For September 2016 starters only, failed PGT dissertations can only be re-submitted if they achieve a mark of 30 or above. The Board of Examiners, in agreement with the External Examiner may, exceptionally, decide not to allow resubmission.
The pass mark for a reassessment is the same as the first attempt (i.e. 50% for masters and 40% for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate).When a reassessment is passed, the mark is capped at the lowest compensatable fail mark (i.e. 40R for Masters and 30R for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate), unless the previous mark was within the compensation zone, in which case the original mark will stand with a suffix ‘R’. This mark is used in the weighted average/total mark for the final award. The capped mark is applied to the whole unit and not the failed component.
Referrals may also be compensated providing the number of quota of compensations has not been exceeded. When a student’s referral mark is in the compensation zone (and the student/unit is eligible for compensation), the student’s mark will be capped at the lowest compensatable fail mark (i.e. 40R for Masters and 30R for Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate).
Please note that some programmes do not allow referrals. Please refer to the ‘Programme Exemptions to PGT Degree Regulations’ section of the handbook where specific exemptions applicable to the programme will be listed.
Programme Exemptions to PGT Degree Regulations
PG Dip, MPH, MRes programmes
The programme will not permit compensation rules to be applied to the following units:
All pathways
MEDN60041 Evidence Based Practice
MEDN60991 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
DENT61010 Research Methods MRes ACF students only
Global Health pathway
MEDN62212 Health Systems in Low Income Countries
Global Health & Emergency Humanitarian Assistance pathway
MEDN62212 Health Systems in Low Income Countries
SALC62211 Emergency Humanitarian Assistance
Health Protection Pathway
MEDN62051 Communicable Disease Control OR
MEDN64132 Emergency Planning, Response & Resilience
Health Promotion Pathway
MEDN60021 Health Promotion Theory & Methods
Primary Care Pathway
MEDN63111 Primary Health Care
