Rules and Regulations concerning the submission of assignments/ coursework as part of Compulsory Components of the Course
For a number of modules/units, deadlines for submission of assignments/ coursework will be given. Failure to adhere to these deadlines will normally result in a penalty being enforced. Academic Council has recently issued the following rules.
Late submission of assessed coursework
University regulations state that assessed work submitted after the deadline will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the total marks available for each working day late up to a maximum of five working days, after which a mark of zero shall be awarded, i.e., day one is 100% - 5%; day two is 100% -10%; day three is 100% - 15%, etc. Where the assessed work element accounts for a certain proportion of the module mark, the 5% penalty will apply to the assessed element mark only and not to the overall module mark.
Exemptions shall be granted only if there are exceptional circumstances, and where the student has made a case in writing to the member(s) of staff designated by the School within three working days of the deadline for submission or where a concession has been agreed on the grounds of a student’s disability. A list of guidelines on acceptable exceptional circumstances is available in the University Study regulations and is presented for your information below. A copy of the form to be used for application for exemption from penalties is also provided; when required copies of these forms may be obtained from the School Office. Extensions to deadlines shall be proportionate to the impact of the exceptional circumstances.
Interpretation: A piece of coursework assessed to be worth 65% will be awarded 60% if submitted one working day late, 55% if submitted two working days late, 50% if submitted three working days late, and so on. If it is submitted more than five working days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Remember, coursework must still be submitted, even if it is more than five working days late (and hence would be awarded a zero mark), as a student who submits less than 80% of the specified coursework will normally be deemed to have failed to complete the coursework component of the module and will not have the opportunity to retake coursework in the current academic year.
Please note that this policy applies to coursework submitted by individuals, not groups, and does not apply where late submission of coursework results in non-attendance at an associated compulsory workshop or presentation. In these cases, the penalty applied will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions shall be granted only if there are exceptional circumstances, and where the student has made a case in writing to the member(s) of staff designated by the School within three working days of the deadline for submission or where a concession has been agreed on the grounds of a student’s disability. A list of guidelines on acceptable exceptional circumstances is available in the University Study regulations and is presented for your information below. A copy of the form to be used for application for exemption from penalties is also provided; when required copies of these forms may be obtained from the School Office. Extensions to deadlines shall be proportionate to the impact of the exceptional circumstances.
Interpretation: A piece of coursework assessed to be worth 65% will be awarded 60% if submitted one working day late, 55% if submitted two working days late, 50% if submitted three working days late, and so on. If it is submitted more than five working days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Remember, coursework must still be submitted, even if it is more than five working days late (and hence would be awarded a zero mark), as a student who submits less than 80% of the specified coursework will normally be deemed to have failed to complete the coursework component of the module and will not have the opportunity to retake coursework in the current academic year.
Please note that this policy applies to coursework submitted by individuals, not groups, and does not apply where late submission of coursework results in non-attendance at an associated compulsory workshop or presentation. In these cases, the penalty applied will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
Submission and Collection of Coursework
- All coursework submitted must be accompanied by a cover sheet (available on QOL under ‘resources’ in each module)
- Coursework must normally be collected from the School Office in person.
- Any coursework not collected by the designated deadline will be destroyed
Queen’s University Belfast Guidelines for Late Submission of Assessed Work (Exceptional Circumstances)
The Exceptional Circumstances Forms are available from the School Office.
Further details about exceptional circumstances can be found at:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/StudentGuidance/ExceptionalCircumstances-AStudentGuide/
Further details about exceptional circumstances can be found at:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/StudentGuidance/ExceptionalCircumstances-AStudentGuide/
general points
- A breakdown in the student’s car on assessed work submission day should not be treated more generously than any similar misfortune on other days. It is incumbent on students not to leave things until the last minute. If they do and arrangements go wrong, the University is under no obligation to alleviate the consequences. This is distinct from clear cases of force majeure, for example rail strikes, civil unrest, where things done by other people affects the student’s ability to do things properly.
- All applications for extension of time or penalty exemption are required to be on the approved form (copy attached). This is to ensure comparability of evidence, and to assist with comparability of outcomes. Exceptional circumstances may NOT be considered unless the student has requested it.
- Supporting documentation should, where appropriate, accompany the application form. Self-certification is not acceptable, nor are uncorroborated statements from friends or relatives.
- Assessed work submitted after the published submission deadline will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the total available mark for each working day late, up to a maximum of 5 working days late, after which a mark of zero will be awarded.
- Application for late submission of assessed work should be made to the School Office within 3 days after the deadline for submission of the work.
