NFAAR-PGT: Information for students on Taught Postgraduate Programmes (NFAAR Phases 2 & 3)
Terminology | Details in Programme Structure | Examples of NFAAR-PGT information in Programme Catalogues | Where to access further information
NB. The information below pertains only to students on taught postgraduate programmes (links to pages for students on other types of programme can be found on the NFAAR index page).
In 2008/09 the University introduced a new academic framework of assessment regulations governing most undergraduate degree programmes. In 2010/11, Phase 2 of this framework, covering some taught postgraduate programmes (see list below) was implemented. From the 2011/12 academic year, this new framework is being extended to cover most postgraduate taught programmes.
The framework - called the New Framework for Assessment: Assessment Regulations Phases 2 & 3 for taught postgraduate programmes (NFAAR-PGT) - describes the rules for progression from one stage of a degree programme to the next (including supplementary assessment, and the extent of failure that can be condoned), as well as for the award of degrees. Students taking programmes which fall within the NFAAR-PGT will be assessed according to these rules.
Phase 2 of the NFAAR-PGT (implemented from 2010/11 onwards) covers the following programmes:
1. Full-time programmes in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry as listed below:
- TSBB-AFM03: MRes Biosciences
- TSBB-AFM14: MRes Developmental Biology
- TSBB-AFM15: MRes Evolutionary Biology
- TSBB-AFM16: MRes Molecular Microbiology
- TSBB-AFM17: MRes Molecular Plant Sciences
- TSXX-AFM10: MRes Regenerative Medicine
2. Full-time programmes in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering as listed below:
- TEEE-AFM01: MSc Electrical Power Systems
- TEEE-AFM02: MSc Wireless Systems
- TEEE-AFM03: MSc Digital Communications
Phase 3 of the NFAAR-PGT (implemented from 2011/12 onwards) covers:
...most other taught postgraduate programmes not exclusively part of the Continuing Professional Development (CDP) Framework (there is a separate version of NFAAR covering CPD programmes - called 'NFAAR-CPD').
How do I know which version of NFAAR my programme is being assessed under?
You will be able to see which version of NFAAR your programme is being assessed under by looking at the relevant entry in the programme catalogue. Programmes assessed under NFAAR-PGT will have a box at the beginning of the programme structure containing text which begins "NFAAR-PGT assessment regulations:"; for programmes assessed under NFAAR-CPD the text in this box will begin "NFAAR-CPD assessment regulations".
These changes will not affect students who commenced programmes of study included in Phase 2 of NFAAR-PGT (see list above) prior to the 2010/11 academic year or students who commenced programmes of study included in Phase 3 of NFAAR-PGT prior to the 2011/12 academic year.
Terminology
The NFAAR-PGT has necessitated the introduction of new terminology which you may come across within the postgraduate programme catalogues:
- 'Taught' and 'Dissertation/Project' units : these describe the breakdown of a programme for the purposes of the NFAAR-PGT.
- Designated Essential Units and Designated Essential Optional Units (DEUs): these are units which must be passed in order to qualify to proceed with a programme or to receive its normal award at the end; marginal failure in such units cannot be condoned.
- Designated Alternative Programmes (DAPs): these are programmes which are specified alternatives to a student's current programme of study.
- Programme Progression Requirements (PPRs): a programme progression requirement describes the minimum average mark a student must achieve across all of their taught units before they will be allowed to start their dissertation/project (e.g. if a programme has a programme progression requirement of 40%, a student must have an average mark of at least 40% across their taught stage units before they will be allowed to start their disseration/project). This will mean that, where reassessment is required and a student's average mark is below the programme progression requirement, the student will have to wait until after supplementary assessment has been completed for a decision on whether they will be allowed to undertake their dissertation/project.
- Stage Required Units (SRUs): these are units which must be passed before a student will be allowed to progress to the next stage of a programme. Any SRUs will be clearly indicated in the information box at the beginning of each programme of study. Students who fail a stage required unit will not be able to progress any further through their programme. Condonement may be allowed for SRUs according to the normal programme regulations.
- Stage Required Designated Essential Units: these are units which must be passed before a student will be allowed to progress to the next stage of the programme and which cannot be condoned.
You can find a full list of the terminology used in the NFAAR-PGT in Appendix 2 (
) of the NFAAR documentation.
Programme Structure
The programme catalogues have been structured to help you understand the way in which the NFAAR-PGT has been applied to each programme of study. Years of programmes which fall within the NFAAR-PGT will have the relevant taught and dissertation/project units described as well as any designated essential units (or designated essential optional units) and stage required units. Also, at the beginning of each year within the programme, the catalogues include a block of text providing further NFAAR-PGT information:
- Whether a Designated Alternative Programme (DAP) is available for the relevant year of study and, if there is a DAP, what type of award this leads to.
- Links to the University's official NFAAR documentation relevant to the specific programme/year of study (this includes flowcharts describing how you can progress through your programme).
- Details of any exemptions granted for the relevant stage of the programme (e.g. some programmes may require you to achieve an average mark for assessment across a particular stage which is different from that given in the standard documentation). See Appendix 10 of the NFAAR-PGT documentation () which lists any exemptions currently approved.
- Details of Programme Progression Requirements/Stage Required Units (if any) - this shows the minimum average mark required for students to progress to the project/dissertation stage of a programme plus details of any SRUs. Note that a programme may have SRUs but no PPR or a PPR with no SRUs or may have a combination of the two (see above for definitions of PPRs and SRUs).
- A count of the taught and dissertation/project credits to help with following the NFAAR-PGT flowcharts.
This information will appear in a shaded box at the top of each year of study within the programme catalogues.
Example 1: a programme with a DAP and a Higher Programme Progression Requirement
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Example 2: a programme with a DAP, Programme Progression Requirement and a Stage Required Unit
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Example 3: a programme with no DAP and no Programme Progression Requirements
NFAAR-PGT assessment regulations:
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Where to access further information
- You can find full details of the NFAAR-PGT on the NFAAR web page. This page includes links to the full Assessment Regulations document .
- Details of the way in which the NFAAR-PGT has been applied to your programme of study should be provided in your programme handbook. Your Director of Studies will also be able to help with any queries you might have.