Academic Manual and Core Programme Information (CPI) 2024-25

The Academic Manual  has now been published for 2024-25 academic year, including Core Programme Information. The manual includes the academic regulations, policies and procedures applicable to all UCL taught and research students who are enrolled on the 24-25 academic session.

Changes to the Academic Manual for 24-25, approved by Education Committee, are published on the Recent Changes page.

The changes to the Academic Manual for 24-25 include:

Chapter 2: Changes to the Student Support Framework 2024-25

• Removal of self-certified extenuating circumstances
• Introducing the Delayed Assessment Scheme to allow students three permits per year to extend a coursework deadline or defer an exam, without a need to request permission.
• Change to the support to study process to introduce Faculty imposed mandatory interruption.

Chapter 4: Changes to the Assessment Framework for Taught Students 2024-25

• An agreed set of assessment principles has been added to the start of the Assessment Framework, emphasising the centrality of assessment in both learning and progression and the importance of feedback in enabling these two goals.
• The language used through Chapter 4 has been clarified to use working days throughout. This means that the marking service standard has been defined as ’20 working days’ rather than the previous ‘four weeks’.
• We have started the process of simplifying the presentation of Chapter 4 by removing duplication in advance of work to come in 2024-25 to review the look, feel and purpose of the Academic Manual.

Chapter 9: Changes to the Quality Review Framework 2024-25

• A name change for Student-Staff Consultative Committees (SSCCs) to Student Partnership Committees (SPCs). The name change reflects a change in approach for SPCs with an aim to encourage stronger partnerships with elected student representatives.  From September all Departments will be expected to run at least one SPC covering all programmes and meeting three times per year.
• Changes have been introduced to the focus of external examining, with External Examiners asked to provide assurance at programme not module level and sampling following this revised focus. Exam Board Chairs will also take responsibility for resolving any potential conflicts of interest.
• Advice on peer dialogue has simplified with all staff with significant teaching experience engaging with peer dialogue once per year, with further guidance provided on the Teaching and Learning webpages
• The Core Programme Information (CPI) for student handbooks (Chapter 9) was initially published in advance of the main Academic Manual and a small number of links and sections subsequently needed to be updated.  These can be seen in the tracked changes versions of the documents for those who need to update their handbooks (CPI Link).  The subsequent changes are:
  • Section 13.5 UCL Standard Feedback Turnaround Time (Text updated)
    Section 13.10.1 Absence from Assessment (Academic Manual link updated)
  • Section 15.1.2 SSW How to Contact us (Text and Academic Manual link updated)
    Section 19.1.1 TeamUCL (Academic Manual link updated)

Minor changes have also been made to other sections, including the attendance monitoring policy to support Departments in tackling poor attendance.

Guidance and FAQ documents continue to be developed and shared by Education Services.

Contact details for further information: apqs@ucl.ac.uk