Glossary of terms used in regulations

Aegrotat degree

An undergraduate level degree awarded where a student has completed the taught element of the programme but, through illness, has not been able to take all elements of the assessment.

Academic year

All academic years begin in September and run for three university terms.  For undergraduate programmes the year runs from September to June and has a value of 120 credits. For most Masters programmes the year runs for 12 months, from September to September, and has a value of 180 credits. Some programmes may have non-standard start and end dates.  These are approved by Academic Board and published on the College website.

Boards of Examiners

Also referred to as ‘Examination Boards’, Boards of Examiners are responsible for assessing the performance of students and considering results, progression and degree awards to students. The College has programme and School Boards of Examiners.

Collaborative provision

The provision of learning opportunities leading or contributing to the award of Goldsmiths’ academic credit or a Goldsmiths qualification that are delivered, assessed or supported through an academic partnership with one or more approved organisation(s).

Compensation

In some circumstances, on undergraduate programmes, credit may be awarded for a narrowly failed module when the overall average mark for the modules at the same level is high enough to compensate for the failed mark.

Compulsory module

A module that students must take as part of their programme. Compulsory modules cannot be replaced with alternative modules.

Credits

Credit points awarded under Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) or the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All modules have a credit value, and a certain amount of credits must be taken and passed at any level to progress to the next level or to complete an award.

Coursework

Assessment through independently completed work.

Degree Programme

A coherent and structured combination of modules approved by Goldsmiths, which has its own specific learning outcomes. Degree programmes may have interim exit awards.

Enrolment

Within the process of registration, all students will complete an online enrolment process to register as students of the College.  Continuing students will re-enrol following confirmation of progression to the next level of study.

Examination

Formal, time-limited, written assessment that takes place at a specified date, time and location.

Extenuating circumstances & mitigating evidence

Extenuating circumstances are unforeseen events or conditions that may impair your ability to carry out assessments. For example, an extenuating circumstance could be temporary illness. It is your responsibility to inform the College of any extenuating circumstances, in enough time for them to be taken into consideration for your assessments. Extenuating circumstances should not be used for ongoing issues.

External Examiner

Examiners external to Goldsmiths who provide advice on the academic standards of awards, programmes of study and/or modules with reference to national frameworks and practice in comparable UK higher education institutions of which they have experience.

Full-time student

A student following a programme of prescribed and/or individual study or research, normally involving twenty-one hours or more per week of attendance or activities during term.

Formative assessment

An assessment which measures and provides feedback on a student’s progress in achievement of the learning outcomes of a module. A formative assessment may include an indicative mark but it does not contribute to the final mark awarded for the module, though departments may still make it compulsory for students to complete.

Home department

The academic department which has responsibility for the programme of study on which a student is registered.

Level

Refers to the academic level of a module or programme as defined within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies. The three years of an undergraduate degree are made up of modules at Levels 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Masters degrees are at Level 7

Member of the College

All staff, students and committee members, past and present, are considered to be Members of the College. A complete definition is set out within the Charter of Goldsmiths College. 

Module

A self-contained unit of teaching and study which has its own learning outcomes and is independently assessed. Modules are designated as having a credit value and a level. They may be taught either over a whole academic year or completed within one or two terms.

Non–compensatable module

A compulsory module on an undergraduate programme which is central to the achievement of the programme learning outcomes and which students must therefore pass to be awarded the degree.  Failure of a non-compensatable module cannot be compensated by achievement in other modules.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

An independent body that handles student complaints once the College’s internal appeal or complaints process has been completed. oiahe.org.uk

Part-time student

A student following a programme of prescribed and/or individual study or research, involving fewer than twenty-one hours per week of attendance or activities during term.

Programme of study

A programme with a prescribed structure, which may include supervised practice or research, and associated assessment which on successful completion leads to the award of a certificate, diploma or degree.

Programme specification

A document that provides definitive information on each programme of study including the aims, outcomes and structure.

RASA

A ‘Reasonable Adjustments Support Agreement’ (RASA) is used to take into account long-term or chronic circumstances, such as an ongoing health issue or disability, to be applied during term-time and for assessments. RASAs should be used for ongoing cases, whereas extenuating circumstances should be used for one-off and/or unforeseen cases.

Registration

The process of formally enrolling as a student at Goldsmiths.

Student

A person enrolled on a programme of study at Goldsmiths.

Summative assessment

An assessment which measures a student’s achievement of the learning outcomes of a module and which contributes to the final mark awarded for that module.

Trailing credit

Undergraduate students who fail modules up to the value 30 credits may be permitted to progress to the following level and simultaneously undertake the requirements of the programme in relation to the failed module(s). This arrangement is referred to as trailing credit.