Part 1 - Introduction to Academic Regulations and Awards 2025-26
Last published date: 15 January 2026
1. Purpose and Scope
Purpose
1.1. To define how the University of East London (UEL) fulfils its requirements and Academic Standards as well as ensure the management of quality standards. The Manual of General Regulations will define the knowledge and skills a typical award holder will have achieved, in being granted an award under the academic framework that UEL has adopted. The definitions in this Regulation are intended to ensure that the standards of our awards are comparable with those in other UK institutions.
Scope
1.2. This Regulation applies to all courses offered by UEL (including academic partner institutions) at Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8.
1.3. Although ‘course’ is the preferred nomenclature, the term ‘programme’ can be used interchangeably with courses at UEL.
1.4. Undergraduate (UG) courses will normally refer to study at levels 3 to 6.
1.5. Postgraduate (PG) courses will normally refer to study at level 7.
1.6. Professional Doctorate (PhD) courses will normally refer to study at level 8.
1.7. Some courses may overlap levels of study and more information is available via the course specification, e.g., Integrated Masters, Research Degrees, etc.
2. Policy Statement and Principles
Statement
2.1. Each course of study approved or modified by our University will follow the relevant quality standard requirements and be published online via Course Specifications.
2.2. Course Specifications are publicly available on the University of East London’s website. It is the responsibility of the Academic partner to ensure that course specifications are made publicly available to their students.
2.3. The Course Specification will include the following statements as a minimum:
- Title of the course
- Awards available throughout and at the end of the course
- Durations and modes of study
- Aims, objectives and learning outcomes of the course
- Curriculum and structure of the course
- Admission requirements
- Progression requirements
- Number of contact hours for teaching/seminars/one-to-one
- Number of hours for self-directed learning
2.4. In addition to course specific aims (as defined in the Course Specifications), all University courses must incorporate general educational aims. These aims are defined in the University’s Quality Manual Part 4: Quality Criteria and are subject to review from time to time.
2.5. All courses of study shall be conducted and undertaken, and work submitted, in English, except where the assessment arrangement for the course specifically provide otherwise. Exceptionally, and only where there is good reason, a course offered in collaboration with an overseas institution may be delivered and assessed in a language other than English. In these circumstances, a range of additional approval criteria, as specified in the University’s Quality Manual Part 11: Collaboration with Other Institutions, must be checked and confirmed at validation.
3. Academic Framework Principles
Introduction
3.1. In order to ensure compatibility of its awards with UEL and within other institutions, and to facilitate transfer between courses, UEL has adopted an academic framework for its taught courses, which enables them to be defined in terms of the amount of study successfully completed at a given level.
3.2. The Academic Framework provides the award classification for unclassified degrees, foundation degrees and honours degrees at undergraduate level and for all level 7 and level 8 awards including taught elements. More information can be found in the Manual of General Regulations Part 3: Academic Regulations and Part 3a: Professional Doctorates.
3.3. UEL has adopted a Framework that consist of modules being taught in increments of 20 credits at UG level and 30 credits at PG level. More information can be found in the Manual of General Regulations Part 3: Academic Regulations.
Modes of Study
3.4. Courses may be offered in full-time, block teaching or part-time modes of attendance. In each case this may include a placement year.
3.5. Full-time and part-time study is defined as per Part 3: Academic regulations and in conjunction with the Tuition Fee Policy, where students meet relevant thresholds of credit studied.
3.6. Placement years are defined as:
- A course of study, which includes a 120-credit module and is approved as such,
- must include no less than 36 weeks of supervised work experience in addition to the period for the full-time award.
- The normal length of study for a placement modules is two terms
3.7. The period of supervised work experience must:
- form a compulsory element of the course of study;
- have specified objectives, related to the objectives of the whole course;
- include assessment of the performance of students;
- include satisfactory assessment of performance, and completion of the period of supervised work experience, as a requirement for the award.
3.8. Post graduate placements follow the same principles as undergraduate placement courses except in:
- Placement modules will be studied over a minimum of two terms and supervised work experience will be adjusted pro rata (1 normal term equates to 18 weeks, up to a maximum of 52 weeks in a year as per the academic calendar)
- Students who fail taught elements of their course of study may not be eligible to engage with the placement module as per Section 9 of Part 3 of the manual of general regulations
3.9. Students engaging with a placement must abide and follow UEL principles of code of conduct. Failure to do so may mean removal from the placement and course.
3.10. UEL will make available an alternative full-time award on a non-placement course, to be awarded to students who are unable, for valid reasons, to complete the placement element.
3.11. Block Teaching is intended for students in employment and require a number of short periods of full-time attendance (typically 1 to 2 weeks).
Assessment
3.12. Assessment is a fundamental of the student learning experience and is the general description for a set of processes which measures the success of a student’s Learning In order to maintain uniform standards, our University applies to all its courses of study (including those delivered by academic partners) a set of general principles governing the assessment of students. More information can be found via the assessment and feedback policy.
3.13. The term assessment means the process of making decisions or recommendations as to a student’s suitability to receive an award, or to be credited with achievements which may be used for this purpose.
3.14. Assessments are ratified by Assessment Boards with a standard constitution as set out in the Manual of General Regulations Part 3: Academic Regulations. Any variations exceptionally permitted to regulations must be specified in the course specification.
3.15. Assessment Boards derive their powers from Academic Board. They function as committees of that Board and are subject to such direction of the Board may from time to time be applied. See Registry School Assessment Service for more information.
3.16. Our University will appoint an appropriate number of external examiners to each of its designated modules of study in order to ensure that justice is done to the individual student and that the standard of our University’s awards is maintained in accordance with national standards. This includes modules at academic partner institutions. A full description of the scheme is set out in the External Examiner System.
3.17. Assessment regulations for courses leading to University awards shall be formulated in accordance with the Manual of General Regulations Part 3: Academic Regulations and the regulations specific to a particular course. For courses which lead to awards of external bodies, and are exempt from the academic regulations, this will be recorded on the course specification.
3.18. Students who are unable to engage with assessments due to unforeseen and impactful circumstances are directed to Manual of General Regulations Part 6: Extenuating Circumstances.
3.19. Course run at Academic partner institutions will be subject to equivalent procedures, with the process being administered by the Academic partner institution.
Progression Regulations
3.20. For undergraduate courses (levels 3 to 6) progression to the next level and/or continuation of studies will be managed via progression rules and ratified at Boards.
3.21. More information regarding progression decisions can be found in Part 3: Academic Regulations but decisions will be based on the following credit accumulation outcomes:
| Credits Accumulated at level | Full-time Study | Part-time Study* |
|---|---|---|
| 0 credits | Cannot continue | Cannot continue |
| 20 credits | Cannot continue | Cannot continue |
| 40 credits | Cannot continue | Repeat year |
| 60 credits | Repeat year | Continue part-time retaking failed modules |
| 80 credits | Return retaking failed modules part-time | Continue |
| 100 credits | Progress trailing 20 credits | - |
| 120 credits | Progress | - |
*Assuming student is studying 80 credits in one academic year. Progression decisions for students studying less than 80 credits will be done on a pro rata basis.
3.22. Progression decisions will be ratified at board and students will be eligible to amend decisions post board if within the regulations outlined in Academic Regulations Part 3. Students wishing to change decisions outside of the stipulated regulations can appeal their progression decisions as per Academic regulations: Part 6. Support and advice is available to students once progression decisions are made:
- Students Union
- Wellbeing Service
- Career Zone
- SMART
- International Office
- Any other links, etc.
3.23. Postgraduate students at level 7 follow a modular framework and therefore do not have progression decisions.
3.24. PhD students at level 8 follow the regulations as stipulated in Academic Regulations: Part 3a.
4. Awards
Title and scope of introductory awards at level 3
4.1. The following learning outcomes apply to all awards at level 3. A student who gains an award at level 3 will normally be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with their area(s) of study.
- Interpret underlying concepts and principles within the context of their area(s) of study.
- Present and interpret basic qualitative and quantitative data in simple and familiar settings.
- Develop basic lines of argument in accordance with the theories and concepts of their subject(s) of study.
- Apply given approaches to solving problems related to their area(s) of study and/or work.
- Demonstrate a basic ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving.
- Develop key skills within a structured and managed environment and with external evaluation.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.
Title and scope of undergraduate awards at level 4
4.2. The following learning outcomes apply to all awards at level 4. A student who gains an award at level 4 will normally be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with their area(s) of study.
- Evaluate and interpret underlying concepts and principles within the context of their area(s) of study.
- Present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
- Develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts of their subject(s) of study.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to their area(s) of study and/or work.
- Undertake further training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.
Title and scope of undergraduate awards at level 5
5. The following learning outcomes apply to all awards at Level 5. A student who gains an award at level 5 will normally be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the well-established principles of their area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have been developed.
- Apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in their subject(s).
- Evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in their field of study.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the limits of their knowledge and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.
- Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis.
- Communicate information, arguments, and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively.
- Undertake further training, develop existing skills, and acquire new competences that enable them to assume significant responsibility with organisations.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision making.
Title and scope of undergraduate awards at level 6
5.2. The following learning outcomes relate to all awards at level 6. A student who gains an award at level 6 will normally be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline.
- Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline.
- Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the student to devise and sustain arguments, and/or solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline.
- Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in the discipline.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
- Manage their own learning, and make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources.
- Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects.
- Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete); to formulate judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution, or identify a range of solutions, to a problem.
- Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility, decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts and the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.
Title and scope of postgraduate awards at level 7
5.3. The following learning outcomes relate to all awards at level 7. A student who gains a postgraduate award at level 7 will normally be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a systematic awareness of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
- Demonstrate an originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline and to evaluate new methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
- Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make informed judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
- Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations; and the independent learning required for continuing professional development.
Title and scope of doctoral degrees at level 8
5.4. The following learning outcomes relate to all doctoral awards. A student who gains a doctoral degree will normally be expected to have:
- Created and interpreted new knowledge, through original research, or other advance scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, which extends the forefront of the discipline and merits publication.
- Systematically acquired an understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.
- The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
- A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
- An ability to make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- An ability to continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas, or approaches.
- The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.
Conferment of Awards
5.5. All awards will be conferred via an Award Board on behalf of Academic Board.
5.6. A student must have completed all requirements for their course of study as per the validated course specification, and within the regulations as published and approved by UEL, to be eligible for their recommended award.
5.7. UEL reserves the right to withhold results and awards from students who have not discharged all financial or other obligations.
5.8. Where course regulations make provision for students to progress from one stage to another and qualify for an award at each stage, the assessments for each intermediate stage will be assessments for eligibility to receive the relevant award: conferment of that award will not occur where the student is proceeding to the next stage.
5.9. An award will be conferred with merit or distinction or with an Honours classification where course regulations make such provision and where the student has satisfied the requirements of the course regulations for such an award.
5.10. An aegrotat award may be conferred upon a candidate on the presumption that the candidate, who is unable to continue and complete their studies (this could be due to a diagnosis of terminal or debilitating illness), would have satisfied the standard required for the End Qualification, or Intermediate Award, had they been able to complete. An aegrotat qualification may also be awarded posthumously in the event of the death of a candidate prior to completion of their course.
5.11. A posthumous award of our University may be conferred and accepted on the student’s behalf by a parent, spouse or other appropriate individual. Any award offered by our University may be conferred posthumously. The level of the award will be at the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor.
5.12. An honorary award of our University may be conferred upon persons of distinction who have either made major contributions to the work of our University or who have earned distinction for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work or public service.
5.13. A fellowship of our University may be conferred upon persons of distinction who are deemed to have made a significant contribution to the work of our University.
Revocation of award
5.14. If, after conferment of a substantive award, a breach of regulations shall have been established, the Academic Board shall have power to revoke the award.
5.15. The Academic Board shall have similar powers in respect of an honorary award in cases where the conduct of the recipient is subsequently deemed to reflect adversely upon our University.
Collaboration with other awarding bodies and with other institutions
5.16. UEL may act jointly with professional bodies and with other awarding bodies to make available courses of study leading to recognised awards of such associations and bodies.
5.17. UEL may permit other institutions to offer courses of study leading to an award of our University. Such courses of study will be validated and approved by UEL in accordance with the provisions of the Quality Manual.
Publication of assessment results and decisions
6. Confirmed Assessment Board outcomes, including progression decisions and the conferment of awards, will be published via UEL Direct . It is the student’s responsibility to view their results in a timely manner to ensure that any requirement for reassessment is engaged with Provisional results may also be made available in some instances and before marks are ratified at an Assessment Board. Provisional results may be liable to change until final ratification at an Assessment Board.
6.2. Feedback on assessments will be made available to students as per the Assessment and Feedback Policy.
6.3. Degree certificates and diploma supplements upon full completion of the course, will be provided within 12 weeks of the award conferment. Hard copy documents will be sent to the home address recorded on the student record. For Academic Partners the degree certificates and diploma supplements may be posted to the partner institution in the first instance.
6.4. Where a student has not fully completed and withdrawn from their course, but has achieved sufficient credit to be conferred an exit award, certificates and diploma supplements will be issued upon request to the student.
Award Certificate
6.5. The certificate for every award offered by our University will bear the signature of the Vice-Chancellor and will record:
the name of our University;
- the recipient’s name;
- the award;
- the title of the course;
- an approved endorsement where appropriate.
6.6. Where a course is delivered in collaboration with another institution the name of the institution may, where previously agreed with the collaborating partner, appear on the award certificate. Where the partner is not named, the award certificate shall make clear that there is a diploma supplement which provides further information.
Diploma Supplement
6.7. A diploma supplement may be issued to a student who has successfully completed any approved elements of study.
6.8. The diploma supplement may record:
- the name of our University together with the name of any other institution sharing responsibility for the student’s course of study or research;
- for courses delivered overseas, the place of registration;
- the full name of the student;
- the dates of the student’s enrolment with our University;
- the elements of study successfully completed, with details of their length and level, grade achieved (where appropriate) and date of completion;
- the language of instruction where this is not English. If the language of assessment was not the same as that used for the instruction this should also be clearly recorded.
Record of Credit
6.9. A Record of Credit may be issued to a student who has successfully completed a credit-rated non-award-bearing course validated by our University.
6.10. The Record of Credit shall indicate that the individual named on the Record has satisfactorily achieved general credit points for assessed learning.
6.11. The Record shall give details of the individual’s assessed learning (both experiential and certified) together with the credit points and levels achieved for each, with dates.
6.12. The Record may be used to negotiate admission with credit to an approved course of study leading to an award.
Links to other Institutional Policies and Procedures
7. Internal Policies
7.1. This Policy/Regulation relates to the following institutional regulations, policies or procedures:
- University of East London Quality Manual (Part 4: Quality Criteria and Part 11: Collaboration with other Institutions)
- Manual of General Regulations (Part 3: Academic Regulations and Part 3a Professional Doctorates
- Appeal Regulations
- Mitigation Regulations
- Quality Manual
- Assessment and Feedback Policy
Exemptions and Professional Bodies
8. Glossary
Academic Calendar: The Academic calendar contains vital information confirming when teaching takes place and other important dates around exams, resits and result release. More information can be found via the key term dates.
Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct: Where a student is suspected breaching Academic Integrity and/or engage with academic malpractice outline in part 7 of Academic Regulations.
Academic Partner: An Academic Partner is normally where UEL may license other institutions to deliver whole programmes, or stages of programmes, designed by UEL staff, leading to an award or the award of credit by UEL. More information and types of partnerships can be found via the Academic Partnerships.
Appeal (against Assessment Board decisions): To provide a formal means for reviewing a decision made on student progression, assessment, and award in order to resolve a student’s concerns in a fair and consistent manner. More information can be found via part 6 of the Academic Regulations.
Bachelor’s degree: This is the name given to an undergraduate degree that usually lasts between three and four years. Graduates can receive either a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) depending on the subject studied.
Campus: is the term given to buildings and grounds at which a university or college is based. UEL has two main campuses. The word campus is generally used to refer to buildings grouped together in one area. University Square Stratford, UEL’s third site, is a single, stand-alone building but is occasionally referred to as a campus for the sake of convenience.
Core module: Core modules are modules that are central and compulsory to the programme of study. Passing assessment and/or examination in these is essential to enable the student to progress to the next level of the course.
Course leader: Academic who looks after the management of your course. They are supported by a course team.
CPD: CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. This is the process of continuing to develop skills and knowledge beyond any initial training.
Credits: Students will be registered for modules that contain a certain number of credit and is earned through learning and assessment. There is a specified amount of credit attached to each module you study (see Module below). As modules are completed, your credit will build up. Once enough credit is built up through successful completion of coursework, exams and other assessments, students are deemed to have earned their degree and are ready to graduate. Credit will be acquired at a specified level.
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS): Sometimes it is possible to gain credit for completing parts of a degree. A student may be able to transfer credits under CATS if they have already studied to a certain level, on a degree programme or for relevant professional qualifications before starting a degree.
Credit level/Level of study: Is a way to distinguish the difficulty of a module. First year modules are usually rated as Level 4, second year modules as Level 5, and final year modules as Level 6.
Degree grades: The typical degree grades are a First, an upper or lower Second (2:1 or 2:2), a Third, or a Fail.
Dissertation: A dissertation is a detailed and heavily-researched piece of writing, usually between 6,000 and 8,000 words and submitted at the end of the final year of a degree.
Exit Award: If unable to complete the required credits/modules to complete the course a student is enrolled on you may be eligible for an exit award that is based on the number of credits passed. More details can be found via the Awards offered by the University of East London and what is stipulated within the course specification.
First Degree: This is normally a bachelor’s degree, e.g., BA, BSc, BEng, LLB (see Honours Degree).
Foundation degree: This is a two-year course with the opportunity to work up to an honours degree over a further year.
Foundation year: This is a year-long programme providing students with an entry route to a BA/BSc honours degree.
Graduate: A graduate is a person who has completed and passed his or her degree and has had it officially conferred by a graduation ceremony.
Graduation: This is an event where students are formally awarded their degrees and receive degree certificates.
Higher degree: This is a postgraduate degree, usually done after a first, undergraduate degree. It can be a Master’s degree (MA or MSc) or a doctorate (PhD).
Honours degree: A first course of higher education study undertaken at university, normally lasting three or four years.
Mitigation: Where a student has unforeseen and/or unpreventable circumstances that hinder them from engaging with an assessment(s) and likely to have a serious impact upon your academic performance. More information can be found via the Academic Regulations Part 5.
Module: A module is a unit of study that explores a specific area within a subject. Each module has a set number of credits which will vary from course to course. A number of modules make up a course which then leads to a degree. Modules may also be referred to as Units in other universities.
Module leader: An academic who organises a module. This is your first point of contact if you are having difficulties or there is a problem with the running of a module.
Online learning: This is where a class or lecture takes place over the internet via a platform like Microsoft Teams. At UEL we use face-to-face learning and teaching, supported by online delivery and digital resources.
PGR: Stands for postgraduate research.
PGT: Stands for postgraduate taught and includes postgraduate master’s study. Placement year: A placement year is a year of a university course in which students gain experience in the workplace. A placement year is usually the penultimate (last but one) of a course.
Postgraduate (or PG): A postgraduate student is normally a person who is studying for their second degree at a level higher (level 7) than undergraduate.
Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB): External bodies which accredit, recognise and/or approve courses that lead to a professional or vocational qualification.
Quality Manual: The UEL Quality Manual provides an overview for the implementation of the quality and enhancement practice within UEL and responsibility.
Viva voce (often abbreviated to “Viva”): This is an examination in which you have a spoken interview rather than a written exam. Some university courses, especially in languages, will test students’ knowledge through a combination of written and viva voce examinations.
Undergraduate (or UG): An undergraduate is a person who is studying for a first degree and or at a course of study at Levels 3 to 6.