In Course Retrieval Policy
Last published date: 24 November 2025
1. Purpose and Scope of the Policy
1.1 Purpose
1.1.1 To support student success and academic achievement through offering additional assessment opportunities for students starting Higher Education.
1.2 Scope
1.2.1 In Course Retrieval applies to all Term 1 taught modules at undergraduate level (levels 3-6), including Apprenticeships.
1.2.2 In Course Retrieval will apply to academic partners of UEL unless equivalent alternative arrangements have been specifically agreed between UEL and the partner institution. The academic partner must also follow UEL’s academic calendar. Where arrangements have been approved, details will be included in the Memorandum of Agreement for the partnership and UEL’s Register of Exemptions.
1.2.3 Students studying at level 7 on an integrated Masters course are not eligible to engage with In Course Retrieval
1.2.4 This Policy applies to all forms of summative assessment via coursework and relevant assessments submitted online (e.g., portfolio) only.
1.2.5 Students who engage and submit Mitigating Circumstances will not be eligible to engage with In Course Retrieval.
1.2.6 Students who have engaged with late submission (without evidence/Self certification) on the original “on time” deadline will be able to engage with In Course Retrieval if the assessment is failed.
1.2.7 Students who have committed Academic Misconduct will not be eligible to engage with In Course Retrieval.
1.2.8 Assessments that have Professional Body Requirements may be exempt from engaging with In Course Retrieval with information published to students in advance of assessment deadlines.
1.2.9 In Course Retrieval marks will be capped at 40% and override (replace) any previous marks on the assessment at first (or third) attempt on the current enrolment.
2. Policy Statement and Principles
2.1 Statement
2.1.1 This policy will be implemented in conjunction with the Manual of General Regulations and other relevant policies. This includes:
- Manual of General Regulations – Part 3 Academic Regulations
- Manual of General Regulations – Part 5 Mitigating Circumstances
- Manual of General Regulations – Part 6 Appeals
- Manual of General Regulations – Part 7 Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct
- Exemption to Regulations
- Assessment and feedback Policy
2.2 Key information
2.2.1 A student is eligible to engage with In Course Retrieval if they have failed the assessment at the original assessment deadline date.
2.2.2 Provisional Results will be published to all students detailing assessment results before they are able to engage with In Course Retrieval
2.2.3 Term 1 assessment submissions will follow the below template (there may be variations regarding the original coursework submission deadline with more information made available via submission links and relevant Moodle pages);
| Academic Year 2025/26 | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| Term 1 | |
| Original Coursework Submission deadline* | Week commencing 5 January |
| Exams start | 5 January |
| Exams end | 16 January |
| In course retrieval starts | 19 January |
| In Course Retrieval Submission Deadline | 16 February |
*Original Coursework submission deadlines may differ to the above. More details can be found via the relevant moodle pages or module guide
2.2.4 In Course Retrieval marks will be capped at 40% and overall assessment results will be calculated as per the Manual of General Regulations (Part 3).
2.2.5 If a student fails In Course Retrieval the highest mark achieved will be entered. If the mark achieved via In Course Retrieval is lower than the original “on time” submitted assessment, the “on time” mark will stand.
2.2.6 Where a component consists of more than one element and student engages with In Course Retrieval (to a minimum of one element), capping at 40% is applied to the whole component in its entirety.
2.2.7 Students cannot apply for Mitigating Circumstances on In Course Retrieval submissions.
2.2.8 If a student does not engage with In Course Retrieval the original submitted assessment will be ratified at board.
2.2.9 Any confirmed Academic Misconduct that occurs on an In Course Retrieval Assessment will appear on the Student Record and normal penalties will be applied.
3. Links to other Institutional Policies and Procedures
3.1 Internal Policies and Regulations
This Procedure relates to the following institutional regulations, policies or procedures:
- Manual of General Regulations Part 3: Academic Regulations
- Manual of General Regulations Part 5: Mitigating Circumstances
- Manual of General Regulations – Part 6 Appeals
- Manual of General Regulations Part 7: Academic Integrity and Academic
- Manual of General Regulations: Part 10: Complaints
- UEL Equality and Diversity Policy
- UEL Disability Policy
- Exemptions to Academic Regulations
- Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies
3.2 Exemptions and Professional Bodies
4. Appendix I
4.1 In Course Retrieval Guidelines
4.1.1 In Course Retrieval has been implemented to support undergraduate students transitioning to Higher Education assessment. Students are eligible not to engage with In Course Retrieval.
4.1.2 Academics will be expected to mark and publish assessments results within the stipulated deadlines to ensure students can engage within a reasonable timeframe.
4.1.3 Students can access their provisional results via UEL Direct and/or via feedback provided by the relevant Academic as per the Assessment and Feedback policy.
4.1.4 All forms of summative assessment via coursework and relevant assessments submitted online (e.g. portfolio) are eligible for In Course Retrieval.
4.1.5 Assessments can “opt out” of In Course Retrieval if there is a sound rationale and/or professional body requirement. If an assessment is unable to engage with In Course Retrieval it is the responsibility of the module leader to publish the information to students via the module/course handbook and/or relevant Moodle pages.
4.1.6 Assessment marks are to be entered via WebMark entry, within the stipulated deadlines and assessments will be ratified at the relevant assessment board as per the Key Term dates.
4.1.7 If a student is unable to engage with in course retrieval, they will still be eligible to engage with their resit opportunity as per the Manual of General Regulations.
4.1.8 In Course Retrieval is only available to term 1, first sit assessments.
4.1.9 In course retrieval is not available at resit.
4.1.10 Students cannot engage with In Course Retrieval if they have submitted Mitigating Circumstances.
4.1.11 Students with Teaching & Learning Support Requirements (TLSRs) will not be given an additional 7 days to submit In Course Retrieval and all students will submit as per the relevant published deadline.
5. Appendix II
Deadlines and board dates
| Term 1 | Dates |
|---|---|
| CWK Submission deadline | 5th Jan |
| Exams start | 5th Jan |
| Exam ends | 16th Jan |
| IYR starts | 19th Jan |
| IYR Deadline | 16th Feb |
| WME | 23rd Feb |
| Boards & Release of Indicative Grades | Pre board – w/c 9th March Main Board – w/c 8th June Mark release – 15th June |
| Resit exam start | 20th July |
| Resit exam finish | 24th July |
| Final resit coursework submission deadline | 24th July |
| Resit boards & Release of Indicative Grades | Pre board – w/c 3rd Aug Main Board – w/c 10th Aug Mark release – 17th Aug |
Previous versions
Policy Owner: Head of Quality Assurance and Enhancement
| version | effective from | amendments | equity analysis | stakeholders consulted | approval date | author | date for review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 02/08/2024 | 02/08/2024 | |||||
| 2.0 | 01/09/2025 | Students who do not engage with assessments (non-submissions) and level 5 & 6 students are now eligible to engage with in course retrieval. Attempted clarity on point 1.2.9 | EEC Academic Board | 12/11/2025 | Helen Fitch |
This Policy is reviewed by Education & Experience Committee and approved by Academic Board.