University Regulations

Academic Review Panel

A panel constituted under instructions from the Clerk of Senate to review a student’s case where they have not met progress requirements. The Panel may grant reassessment, require the student to repeat courses, transfer them to a different programme, permit progress with conditions, recommend an exit award, or exclude them from further study.

Academic session

A 12-month period usually beginning in September during which courses are taught and assessed (for off-cycle cohorts such as January starts, the session runs from their own start date). Most programmes define study periods and maximum durations in terms of academic sessions.

Add-drop period

The period at the start of each semester during which a student may change their curriculum without requiring approval from their Adviser of Studies. The add-drop period for a course closes either two weeks after the start of the course or on the submission date of the first summative assessment for that course, whichever is the earlier.

Adviser of Studies

Varies based on College, but generally a member of academic staff who, amongst other duties, advises students on their curriculum choices. Changes to a student's curriculum outside the add-drop period require approval from the Adviser of Studies or the local equivalent body. See DR UG §2.1 and PGT §2.

Assessment

Judgement of the standard of attainment of the intended learning outcomes of a programme, course, or course component.

Assessment Officer

A member of academic or senior administrative staff appointed by the Head of School for each course, with delegated responsibility for the conduct and administration of the course’s assessment, including collating and reporting results, briefing examiners and returning authenticated results to the Registry (AR §16.58). An Assessment Officer may not chair the Board of Examiners (AR §16.66(b)).

Assessment Regulations

The University’s regulations (Regulation 16) governing all aspects of assessment, including GPA calculations, degree classification, endorsements of Merit and Distinction, reassessment, compensatory credit, and Extenuating Circumstances. Published for each academic session. Abbreviated to AR.

Award

The degree, certificate, or diploma conferred following the successful completion of a defined programme of study.

Award GPA

A GPA calculated using each course's grade after any reassessment, including capped grades under AR §16.13(a). Used for progression and for determining whether the requirements for an award have been met. Where no reassessment has taken place, the Award GPA is identical to the First-attempt GPA. See AR §16.34(d).

Band (or Secondary band)

A subdivision of a grade that reflects the granularity with which a judgment of grading is made. For example, grade B is subdivided into bands B1, B2, and B3; grade A exceptionally has five bands (A1 to A5).

Board of Examiners

The body responsible for confirming course results and programme awards for taught programmes. See AR §16.56.

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)

An undergraduate award following successful completion of 120 credits with a GPA of at least 9.0. Available as a standalone award or as an exit award.

Classification

The process of deciding the class of award conferred on a student. For Honours degrees, the classes are first, upper second, lower second, and third. For clinical degrees (MBChB, BDS, BVMS), the designations are Honours and Commendation. Classification is always based on grades achieved at first attempt. See the Assessment Regulations. Postgraduate taught awards, Ordinary degrees, and Certificates and Diplomas use endorsements (Merit, Distinction) rather than classification.

CNA (Credit Not Awarded)

An administrative grade recorded where additional requirements for the award of credit (under AR §16.42) have not been met and cannot be met in the current academic session. A CNA course counts within the session's credit total for the compensatory credit test but never as passed, and cannot receive credit by any route. CNA is primarily used as a student conduct penalty under AR §16.44(d).

CNY (Credit Not Yet Awarded)

An administrative grade recorded where additional requirements for the award of credit (under AR §16.42) have not yet been met but may still be met in the current academic session. A CNY course cannot receive compensatory credit while the requirement is unmet (AR §16.44(c)), and the session GPA waits for it to be resolved.

Code of Appeals

The University’s formal procedure (Regulation 26) under which a student may appeal against an academic decision.

Code of Professional Conduct

A code issued by a School, to which students on certain professional programmes must agree to follow at the start of each year of study. Failure to agree prevents access to teaching, assessment, and professional or clinical experience. Breach may engage Fitness to Practise procedures under Regulation 36 of the University Regulations.

Commendation

A mark of distinction for clinical undergraduate degrees (MBChB, BDS, BVMS), calculated from first-attempt assessment results across the full programme. The criteria are set out in programme documentation.

Committee of Examiners

The panel of internal and external examiners appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies to examine a postgraduate research thesis or equivalent submission. Distinguished from the Board of Examiners used for taught programmes.

Compensatory credit

A mechanism under which credit is automatically awarded for all completed courses in an academic session if the student has achieved grade D or above in courses worth two-thirds or more of the session’s credits and there are no pending course grades. Compensatory credit does not change any course grade. It is not available for substantial independent work, programmes or courses where the specification excludes it, courses where a conduct penalty specifies that credit must not be awarded, or courses where additional requirements under AR §16.42 have not been met. See AR §16.43-16.44.

Component of assessment

Each of the weighted assessments set out in the course specification document. A component may include sub-components. Individual questions in an examination or other piece of assessment are not components. See AR §16.2(b).

Compulsory course

A course that must be taken by all students on a particular programme.

Co-requisite

A course that must be taken alongside another course.

Course

A self-contained unit of study on a particular topic, with a defined level, credit value, intended learning outcomes, and scheme of assessment, and which may have pre-requisites, co-requisites, or excluded combinations.

Course grade

The grade awarded for a course, calculated from the weighted average of its component grades, expressed on Glasgow Grading Scheme 1 or 2 as set out in AR §16.30-16.32. The course grade is the unit used in GPA calculations.

Credit

A measure of workload, where 1 credit equates to 10 notional learning hours. The total annual workload for a full-time undergraduate student is normally 120 credits. For a full-time postgraduate taught Masters student, it is normally 180 credits (120 taught credits plus 60 credits of substantial independent work). Credit for a course is awarded when a student demonstrates engagement with the course ILOs through achieving a course grade of D or above, or through compensatory credit.

Curriculum

The set of courses on which a student is enrolled for a given academic session.

Deferred assessment

A first attempt at assessment taken at a later date because of approved Extenuating Circumstances. Deferred assessment is not reassessment. See AR §16.6.

Degree Regulations

The University's regulations governing the structure of programmes and awards, including credit requirements, progression thresholds, year weightings for classification, and the requirements for each type of award. Published for each academic session. Abbreviated to DR.

Delayed Assessment Permit (DAP)

A mechanism under which a student who is unable to submit an assessment by the published deadline may receive an extension, in accordance with the policy published by the Senate Assessors for Extenuating Circumstances. Requests should be made before the deadline. Where the circumstances require a longer deferral, where the student has documentary evidence available, or a DAP is not available for the assessment in question, a student may make an Extenuating Circumstances claim under AR §16.45-16.53. See AR §16.27.

Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

An undergraduate award following successful completion of 240 credits, including at least 80 credits at level 2 or above, with a GPA of at least 9.0. Available as a standalone award or as an exit award.

Double marking

Independent marking of an assessment by more than one marker, where neither marker sees the grades or comments of the other. Required for the substantial independent work and for single-piece course assessments, and available as an alternative to second marking for Honours and postgraduate assessment. See AR §16.3 and the guidance on moderation and second marking.

ECC (Extenuating Circumstances Complete)

An administrative grade recorded where approved Extenuating Circumstances apply and no further assessment opportunity exists. An ECC course does not qualify for the direct award of credit, but counts within the session's credit total for the compensatory credit test (without counting as passed). If compensatory credit applies, credit is awarded for the ECC course. An ECC course is excluded from all GPA calculations. See AR §16.41(b)-(c).

Elective course

A course that may optionally be taken by students on a particular programme. The same course may be compulsory for students on a different programme.

Endorsement (of Merit or Distinction)

An award designation applied to Ordinary degrees, Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education, Graduate Certificates and Diplomas, and postgraduate taught awards. Endorsements are calculated from grades at first attempt. The thresholds are set out in AR §16.35 for UG non-Honours, §16.38 for PGT Masters, §16.39 for PGDip/PGCert.

Excluded combination

Two or more courses that cover similar material and cannot both count towards a student’s award.

Exit award

An award available to a student who leaves a programme before completing it, provided they have met the requirements for the lesser award. Common exit awards include the Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, the Ordinary degree, and (for PGT students) the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.

External Examiner

A subject expert from outside the University, appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the Head of School, to participate in the moderation and assurance of assessment standards. See AR §16.64.

Extenuating Circumstances

Circumstances affecting a student which would reasonably result in components of their assessment not being completed. The University’s Extenuating Circumstances procedures are set out in AR §16.45-16.53 and in the Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

Faster Route

An entry route for some undergraduate programmes that allows a candidate with academic qualifications higher than the standard tariff to enter directly at level 2. The student is treated as having achieved 120 ungraded credits at level 1.

First-attempt GPA

A GPA calculated using only the course grades achieved at the student's first attempt. Used for classification and endorsement of awards, and for entry to Honours or the Integrated Masters. Where no reassessment has taken place, the First-attempt GPA is identical to the Award GPA. See AR §16.34(d).

Fitness to Practise

The requirement that students on professional and clinical programmes maintain the standards of conduct and behaviour required for their intended profession. Fitness to Practise concerns are dealt with under Regulation 36 of the University Regulations.

Glasgow Grading Scheme 1 (GGS1)

The University’s standard grading scheme, using primary grades A through H with secondary bands (e.g. A1-A5, B1-B3, C1-C3, D1-D3, E1-E3, F1-F3, G1-G2, H). Each secondary band has a corresponding grade point value, from 22 (A1) to 0 (H). See the AR for the full scheme and verbal descriptors. Abbreviated GGS1.

Glasgow Grading Scheme 2 (GGS2)

A grading scheme used for the assessment of professional, practical, or clinical competence. Uses grades A0 through H, with verbal descriptors and grade point ranges rather than the secondary bands of Glasgow Grading Scheme 1. See the AR for the full scheme and verbal descriptors. Abbreviated GGS2.

GPA (Grade Point Average)

The average grade point score across a student’s courses, weighted by credit value, used for progression, classification, endorsement, and the award of degrees. Calculated as set out in AR §16.34. Expressed to one decimal place with no further rounding: for example, a GPA of 11.9 does not meet a requirement of 12.0.

Grade

A designation on Glasgow Grading Scheme 1 or 2, awarded to reflect a student’s attainment of the intended learning outcomes of a course.

Grade point

The numerical value corresponding to a grade or secondary band, used in GPA calculations.

Graduate Certificate (GradCert)

An award for candidates who already hold a degree from a recognised institution, requiring 60 credits all at level 3 or above, with a GPA of at least 9.0.

Graduate Diploma (GradDip)

An award for candidates who already hold a degree from a recognised institution, requiring 120 credits all at level 3 or above with at least 60 credits at level 4 or above, with a GPA of at least 9.0.

Honours degree

An undergraduate degree awarded following successful completion of at least 480 credits (600 for the MA with a Language Year Abroad or Gaelic Immersion), including at least 120 credits at level 4, with a GPA of at least 9.0 in the Honours years and a grade of at least D3 in a piece of level 4 substantial independent work. Classified as first, upper second, lower second, or third class. See also Single Honours, Joint Honours.

Integrated Masters degree

An undergraduate degree of 600 credits, including at least 120 credits at level 5, in which a subject is studied to an advanced level. Includes the MSci and MEng. Classified using the Honours classification system.

Intercalated degree

A degree (typically one year of Honours-level study at 120 credits) undertaken by a student on a clinical programme (MBChB, BDS, or BVMS) who leaves their clinical programme temporarily. Governed by the UG regulations.

Joint Honours degree

An Honours degree in which two subject areas are studied equally, with 120 credits (or slightly above) in each subject area at Honours level. Both subjects are weighted equally in classification, regardless of the exact credit split.

Language Year Abroad

A required year of study abroad for students on MA programmes with a modern language at Honours, adding 120 credits to the programme (total 600 credits). The Gaelic Immersion year operates on the same basis.

Level

An indication of the standard at which a course is taught and assessed. The available levels are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which align with SCQF levels 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 respectively.

Masters degree (postgraduate taught)

A degree of at least 180 credits, including at least 150 credits at level 5, comprising taught courses and a piece of substantial independent work of at least 60 credits. Endorsements of Merit and Distinction are calculated as set out in AR §16.38.

Moderation

A review to check the consistency of grades awarded for an assessment, normally through sampling. Required as a minimum for non-Honours undergraduate assessment. Distinguished from second marking and double marking. See AR §16.3 and the guidance on moderation and second marking in the Guide to the AR.

MyCampus

The University’s student records system, used for enrolment, course selection, and curriculum management.

Non-submission

An assessment outcome recorded where work has not been submitted or an examination has not been attended. Contributes zero grade points to the course grade calculation. See AR §16.30(b). Does not appear as a course outcome, only an assessment component outcome.

Ordinary degree

An undergraduate degree of at least 360 credits, with a grade of D3 or above in at least 60 credits at level 3 or above, and a GPA of at least 9.0. May carry an endorsement of Merit or Distinction. Available as an award in its own right or as an exit award.

Pending (course grade)

A course grade is pending where the recorded outcome is Extenuating Circumstances with Deferred Assessment (EC), Outcome Deferred (DFR), or Interruption of Studies (IS). A course with a pending grade does not yet receive credit and is excluded from the session GPA calculation and from the compensatory credit test. See AR §16.41(a).

PGR Code of Practice (CoP)

The document setting out operational and procedural detail for postgraduate research programmes, including supervision, progress reviews, examination arrangements, thesis format, and resubmission.

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

An award of 60 credits, with at least 40 credits at level 5 and a GPA of at least 9.0. Available as a standalone award or as an exit award from a Masters or Diploma programme.

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

An award of 120 credits, with at least 90 credits at level 5 and a GPA of at least 9.0. Available as a standalone award or as an exit award from a Masters programme.

Posthumous award

An award made after the death of a student, on the recommendation of a Board of Examiners to the Clerk of Senate, where the student had completed the programme requirements, or where there is strong evidence that they would otherwise have done so. See AR §16.81.

Pre-requisite

A course that a student must have completed (and sometimes achieved a particular grade in) before enrolling on a particular other course.

Programme

A defined combination of compulsory and elective courses leading to a named award, with defined aims, intended learning outcomes, and scheme of assessment.

Programme specification

A document for each programme setting out the specific requirements for the programme, including compulsory courses, credit structure, professional body requirements, and any programme-specific entry, progression, or graduation criteria.

Reassessment

A further attempt at assessment following an unsuccessful first attempt. The course grade following reassessment is capped at the lowest secondary band of the threshold grade (on Glasgow Grading Scheme 1, this is D3 for undergraduate, C3 for postgraduate taught). Only first-attempt grades contribute to classification or endorsement. Reassessment grades contribute to the award of credit and to meeting GPA or grade requirements for progression and award, but cannot normally satisfy entry requirements for Honours or the Integrated Masters. See AR §16.6-16.13. Distinguished from deferred assessment, which is a first attempt taken at a later date."

RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)

Recognition of prior certificated learning from study at Glasgow or another institution towards a programme. Credit recognised from another institution is ungraded and excluded from GPA and classification calculations. The maximum credit that may be recognised is normally half the credits (or, for taught PGT programmes, half the taught credits) for the award. See also RPEL.

RPEL (Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning)

Recognition of credit for relevant professional or life experience towards a programme. Granted under the same terms as RPL. Some programmes do not permit RPEL, often because of professional accreditation requirements. See also RPL.

Satisfactory/unsatisfactory

A basis for course assessment where the student receives a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome rather than a grade on the Glasgow Grading Scheme. Credits from a satisfactory grade count towards the student’s total credits but do not contribute to GPA. A satisfactory grade satisfies any requirement that would otherwise need a grade of D3 or above.

Scheme of assessment

A specification of the components of assessment by which performance on a course is assessed, including the relative weighting of each component. See AR §16.2-16.3.

SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)

The national framework for describing the level and credit value of qualifications in Scotland. The University’s course levels 1 to 5 correspond to SCQF levels 7 to 11.

Second marking

Independent marking by more than one marker, where the second marker sees the first marker's grades and comments. Required as a minimum (through sampling) for Honours and postgraduate assessment. Distinguished from double marking and moderation. See AR §16.3 and the guidance on moderation and second marking.

Semester

A period of approximately 15 weeks during which courses are taught and assessed. Each academic session normally includes a first semester (September to December) and a second semester (January to May).

Senate Assessors

A cohort of academics appointed by the Senate, including one or more Senior Senate Assessor(s).

Within the AR, these generally refer to Senate Assessors for Extenuating Circumstances, who develop Extenuating Circumstances policies (including evidence requirements), consider complex or precedent-setting cases, ensure process documentation is available, and present an Annual Report to Senate. See AR §16.45(b).

Session

See Academic session.

Session GPA

The GPA calculated for a single academic session, before any aggregation across sessions for classification or endorsement. Each session GPA is expressed to one decimal place before aggregation. See AR §16.34(a), (e).

Single Honours degree

An Honours degree in which one subject area is studied in depth, with at least 180 of the 240 Honours-level credits in the Honours subject area.

Substantial independent work

A piece of independent scholarly work required for Honours degrees, Integrated Masters, and postgraduate taught Masters programmes. For undergraduate programmes, this is a single level 4 or 5 course of at least 20 credits with the letter “P” at the end of its course code, often referred to as a dissertation or independent project. For PGT Masters programmes, this is worth 60 credits or more and may take the form of a dissertation, project, or portfolio. Compensatory credit is not available for the substantial independent work.

Summative assessment

Assessment that contributes to the course grade and therefore to the student's GPA, award, and classification. Distinguished from formative assessment, which supports learning but does not contribute to the grade. See AR §16.2(a)(ii).

Thesis pending status

A registration status available to PGR students who have completed their prescribed period of study and require no further research project work, but have not yet submitted their thesis. Any period of thesis pending counts towards the maximum period of study.

Threshold grade

The grade below which a student is eligible for reassessment. Unless the regulations for a particular programme specify otherwise, the threshold grade is grade D for undergraduate programmes and grade C for postgraduate taught programmes. See AR §16.7.

Unclassified Honours degree

An Honours degree awarded without a classification (first, upper second, lower second, or third class) in exceptional cases where, due to Extenuating Circumstances, a student in the final year of an Honours programme has been unable to complete sufficient assessment for a classified degree. Requires a recommendation from the Board of Examiners and the agreement of the Senior Senate Assessor for EC and the Clerk of Senate. The student may decline the award and instead be considered for an exit award. See AR §16.53.

Ungraded credit

Credit that is excluded from GPA and classification calculations. Arises from recognition of prior learning from another institution or from Faster Route deemed credits.

University Prospectus

The University’s publication setting out its programmes and entry requirements.

University Regulations

The University’s overarching regulatory framework, including (among others) Regulation 16 (Assessment Regulations), Regulation 26 (Code of Appeals), and Regulation 36 (Fitness to Practise).

Visiting candidate

A candidate undertaking a period of study at the University of Glasgow as part of their degree programme at another institution. A visiting candidate may take any University of Glasgow course, and the scheme of assessment may be varied to accommodate their period of attendance. Course results must be confirmed by a University of Glasgow Board of Examiners. See AR §16.80.

Weighted course grade profile

The spread of individual course grades achieved at first attempt, weighted by credit value and (where applicable) by any weighting given to different years of the programme. Used for determining classification or endorsement in borderline cases where the GPA falls between the thresholds. See AR §16.36(d), 16.38(d), 16.39(c).

Working day

Monday to Friday, excluding days when the University is closed for a public or other holiday. Used in the calculation of late submission penalties and Extenuating Circumstances deadlines. Saturdays and Sundays never count as working days. See AR §16.26.

X-prefix

A component reassessment flag for clinical degrees, attached to a course grade of D3 or D0 or above where a required component grade has not been achieved. The student is offered reassessment in the deficient component only. The X-prefixed grade carries the same grade points as the unprefixed grade. See AR §16.8(d).