The paper outlines proposed changes to the regulations for certain Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes delivered by the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and awarded by the University (UoG).

In GSA’s view, owing to the nature of study, the University’s current Grade Point Average (GPA) scheme of assessment is inappropriate for programmes within the Schools of Design and Fine Art. Their view is that the final award should be focused on Stage 3 of the programme – the dissertation or “other substantial piece of work”. In terms of progress, GSA’s view is that students who have met the requirements for the award of PgDip should be eligible to proceed to Stage 3 of a Masters programme.

The proposals are summarised below.

1. Requirements for the award of Masters Degree and rules for the award of Merit and Distinction would be determined only by the grade achieved in the dissertation or “other substantial piece of work” and not be calculated using the GPA from the taught courses. The changes would not apply to the Mackintosh School of Architecture programmes;
2. Progress to the dissertation/other substantial piece of work should only be permitted where the student has met the requirement of the award of a PgDip – a GPA of 9 (equivalent to D) in 120 credits, with not less than 80 of these credits at Grade D or above and all credits at Grade F or above. Currently, the requirement for progress to dissertation is a GPA of C3 in taught courses, with at least 75% of credits at D3 and all credits at F or above. While not specified in the paper, the Senate Office has been advised that this change would apply to the programmes within the Mackintosh School of Architecture;
3. There are no proposed changes to the current regulations in relation to reassessment. The paper states that GSA does not believe there is any conflict in lowering the progression threshold for Masters but keeping the current reassessment opportunity available to students. This is in conflict with the Code of Assessment where thresholds for reassessment are aligned with progress thresholds.
4. There are no proposed changes to the current regulations in relation to the award of PGCert or PgDip.

Section 5 of the paper outlines the position regarding programmes delivered in conjunction with the University. It should be noted that the paper refers to a ‘lead’ institution in each case. For clarification, this refers to the institution which administers the programme - the ‘Administering’ institution. The situation outlined in the third bullet point of Section 5 is never likely to apply therefore as there can only ever be one ‘Administering/Lead’ institution.

A copy of the current GSA generic PGT regulations is appended for reference.

The Committee is requested to consider for approval the proposed amendments to the assessment regulations for GSA Postgraduate Taught programmes, noting in particular that the proposed amendments will be at variance with current UoG regulations, including the position on reassessment.

GSA, Senate Office, Academic Collaborations Office.

No direct resource implications have been identified.

The changes would be effective academic session 2014-15.

GSA has an established equality policy in place.