Your study and assessment

The Academic Framework Regulations provide a structure and rules that define how your programme of study will be taught and assessed.

At LJMU, we refer to a course as a programme of study or programme. This includes everything you study to gain your qualification. For example, an undergraduate (UG) programme may be a BA (Hons) Criminal Justice, but commonly just shortened to Criminal Justice programme. Each programme is made up of several modules, which have different credit sizes and may be delivered in a semester or over the year. Successful completion of the modules releases credit. Each module and their credits are associated with a particular level of study. At LJMU, most UG programmes have three levels, Level 4 is first year, level 5 is second year and level 6 is third year. Most postgraduate (PG) programmes (such as Masters programmes) are level 7.

All modules will have one or more assessments. This could be an exam, coursework, portfolio, practical, etcetera.

As an undergraduate student, the pass mark is usually 40%. A postgraduate module pass mark is usually 50%. If there’s more than one assessment on the module, then you usually need to just pass the module overall with the pass mark and don’t need to pass the individual assessments, but you must attempt all assessment items. Assessment rules may vary if your programme is accredited by a professional body (PSRB).

As part of our Personal Circumstances Policy there is an option to submit a request for an extension. Extension requests are submitted via MyLJMU. Under the My Services tab there is a section labelled Personal Circumstances and you need to select the Extensions request. Extensions will be considered by your Module Leader and do not usually require evidence. Based on your requested new submission date, the Module Leader will indicate a new deadline that will support you to complete the assessment.

Your Module Leader can grant an extension up until the deadline by which they need to mark your assessment, complete University moderation processes and submit the marks to complete our admin processes.

No, an approved extension will mean the full range of marks are available. You will receive an email to confirm your application for an extension has been approved.

Your request must be submitted before the assessment deadline. However the earlier you submit the request the more time the module leader has to consider and provide relevant support to you. This will also support you to manage your assessment deadlines effectively.

Late Applications will not normally be considered, however if you can demonstrate why you could not submit before the deadline, then this may be considered.

Late submissions of coursework are allowed up to five working days following your assessment deadline, on your first attempt at an assessment item (not applicable to referral attempts). Any late submission will have the mark capped at the pass mark for the module, This normally 40% for UG modules and 50% for PG modules. However, some modules and programmes (for example those with an associated professional accreditation (PSRB)) may have specific rules relating to assessment marks that mean this is not possible. If you think this applies to you please consult with your Programme Specification documents and your Programme Leader.

If you are not able to meet any approved deadline you can apply for a non-attempt at assessment. This is when you cannot complete the assessment and need more time than an extension would allow. In these cases, you need permission to submit at a much later date.

The request can be submitted up to five days after the assessment deadline.

This is commonly referred to as a ‘Deferral’ - in other words you have deferred or postponed completion of your assessment to a later date. It is important that you understand that a deferral may delay your completion of the programme and you might not graduate with your cohort (although, of course you will be invited to a later graduation ceremony). Application for a Non-Attempt or deferral is via MyLJMU - follow the instructions for ‘Personal Circumstances: Non-attempt’.

Please note:
Evidence will be required where it is feasible for you to provide it.

Appropriate evidence will vary depending on the nature of individual claims, however if you were unable to meet a deadline due to ongoing illness then a Doctor’s note may be appropriate. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of your programme team or student advice and wellbeing services.

No, an approved extension will mean the full range of marks are available. You will receive an email to confirm your application for a non attempt has been approved.

If you choose to submit your assessment after receiving an approved non attempt request then your work will be marked as an attempt and your request becomes invalid. This is what can be referred to as declaring yourself fit to attempt the assessment.

You have up to five working days after the assessment deadline to submit your non attempt request. Late Applications will not normally be considered, however if you have independent evidence explaining why you could not submit before the deadline, then this may be considered.

Candidates may leave an examination early but not in the first or the last 30 minutes. Therefore, if you have a one-hour examination you must remain for the full duration. Before you can leave, you must raise your hand to attract the attention of the invigilator, who will collect your script and then you will be allowed to leave.

Yes. You should have your student card to gain access to all university buildings, including external venues where examinations take place. If you forget your student card, another form of photo ID such as a driving licence or passport may be accepted.

If you have been granted extra time, and are sitting your exam in the main venue, you should make yourself known to an invigilator upon entering the examination room. You will have been allocated a specific seat where disruption will be minimal when the rest of the attendees are leaving.

No. Mobile phones, smartwatches or any other electronic devices must be switched off and kept in your bag. If you do not have a bag, you must surrender the item and place it in an envelope provided by the invigilators.

Please note:
Make sure you write your name, person number and desk number on the envelope and this will be returned to you at the end of the examination.

Not necessarily. Exams do take place in LJMU buildings but may be in a building which you have not visited before, so please check the location of your examinations. Check the Exams Venue section below for further information.

You should complete the Non-attempt form if something serious and unexpected happens and you cannot undertake your exam. You can view the Personal Circumstances Policy and apply for Personal Circumstances and Special Mitigation using the relevant forms via My Services within My LJMU.

As part of the Academic Framework Regulations, LJMU has a process called ‘compensation’ which allows a Board of Examiners to give you the credit (but not a pass mark) for a module that you have nearly passed.

• A mark of at least 30% at levels 3 to 6, 40% at level 7 or other compensatable grades must have been achieved in failed modules.
• At least 100 credits at the level must have been passed, in which case up to 20 credits of the target credit may be compensated.

Example of compensation

A level 4 student has the following profile (assuming all 20 credit modules) after both their first and referral attempts:

• Module 1: 45% (attempted all components)
• Module 2: 55% (attempted all components)
• Module 3: 61% (attempted all components)
• Module 4: 39% (attempted all components)
• Module 5: 40% (attempted all components)
• Module 6: 65% (attempted all components)

Student has achieved 100 credits with a mean mark of 50.83%.

Compensation would be applied and the student would progress to Level 5.

In cases where compensation is applied, credits will be awarded to eligible modules but the mark or grade for such modules will not be changed and this will be included in award calculations where appropriate.

• Compensation is only applied after you have been given the opportunity for a referral attempt at the module.
• Compensation can then be applied to any attempt at the module.

UG.C7.8 Failure within a level will be compensated in the light of overall performance at that level according to the following criteria:

• A mark of at least 30% at levels 3-6, 40% at level 7 or other compensatable grades must have been achieved in failed modules. In cases where compensation is applied, credits will be awarded to eligible modules but the mark/grade for such modules will not be changed.
• At least 100 credits at the level must have been passed, in which case up to 20 credits of the target credit may be compensated.

Compensation credit, once awarded, cannot be revoked.

Ceremonies are held twice throughout the year. Summer ceremonies are the second week in July. Winter ceremonies are subject to change.

The next set of ceremonies are March 2025 and July 2025. See the university's Academic Calendar.

If you are unable to attend, you will have the opportunity to defer your attendance until the next set of ceremonies. You only have one chance to defer.

You are unable to attend graduation until your award has been conferred. Awards (for example BSc Business Management) are conferred at Academic Board following consideration at a Board of Examiners following your completion of all of the modules on your programme.

Certification is posted to your permanent home address within eight weeks of your course conferral date. Please ensure your address details are up-to-date. If you need to change your address, please do this via ‘My Services’ or by raising a helpdesk via ‘Help Me’.

You are unable to attend graduation whilst you have outstanding tuition fees. Your certification will also not be produced until the debt is cleared.