Brief description of the paper

Progress report on the work of the Academic Regulations Sub-Committee towards harmonisation of academic regulations. In April a first consultation document was sent to faculties giving the background and requesting initial views on:

• Progression regulations
• Requirements for Honours entry and entry to a specific Honours degree programme
• Progress within Honours and integrated Masters programmes
• Weighting of assessment for final award.

 In June ARSC met to consider responses. A further consultation document was issued to faculties in August and ARSC met on 1 October to consider the responses to this.

Action Requested

ASC is invited to consider progress made and to note:

• The view that while the latest responses indicated some further progress towards harmonisation, on several of the issues it had become clear that no further progress would be possible. It had always been anticipated that this was the likely outcome and that where there had to be different models for different programmes and disciplines, the reasons for this should be drawn out and articulated.
• Further proposals are being drafted for a third consultation document which will be issued to faculties shortly.
• ARSC will meet in early November with a view to drawing up firm proposals to be brought to ASC in November.

ASC is also invited to advise on the meaning of the term ‘first attempt’ in the context of requirements to be specified for entry to Honours.

Recommended Person/s responsible for taking action(s) forward

The Senate Office will co-ordinate action with the Academic Regulations Sub-Committee.

Resource implications

None identified.

Timescale for Implementation

If approved, and if current systems can accommodate, the revised regulations will be introduced in 2010-11.

Equality implications

Not applicable.