Part 1 - Introduction to Academic Regulations and Awards 2025-26

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.