Equra College London
Version: 1.0
Approved by: Governing Body / Academic Board (as applicable)
Effective from: 20/01/2026
Review date: 15/01/2026 (annual review)
Owner: Quality Lead / Head of Academic Services
1. Purpose
These Assessment Regulations set out Equra’s core rules for assessment, progression and reassessment across taught provision. They ensure consistency, fairness, transparency and academic standards.
These regulations should be read alongside:
- Assessment and Feedback Policy
- Assessment and Moderation Procedure
- Academic Misconduct Procedure
- Mitigating Circumstances Procedure
- Consolidated Student Appeals Procedure
2. Scope
These regulations apply to all taught provision delivered by Equra, including:
- Higher Education (HE) pathways (where applicable);
- Diplomas and short courses where assessment contributes to certification/progression; and
- CPD programmes where assessment is required for completion/certification.
Partner/validation note: Where Equra delivers under a validating/franchising/awarding partner, the partner’s academic regulations take precedence where required. Equra will confirm the applicable regulations to students in writing and in programme handbooks.
3. Definitions
- Module/Unit: A discrete taught component with defined learning outcomes.
- Credit: A measure of learning volume used in HE frameworks (where applicable).
- Assessment component: Any element contributing to the module/unit outcome (e.g., coursework, exam, presentation).
- Attempt: A submission sitting for assessment, including reassessment.
- Pass mark: The minimum mark required to pass.
- Condonement/compensation: A regulated mechanism allowing limited failure to be offset (only where permitted).
- Assessment Board/Results Panel: A body that approves results and progression decisions (where used).
4. Core principles
Equra’s assessment decisions will be:
- Outcome-aligned: mapped to learning outcomes and level.
- Transparent: criteria, deadlines and rules published in advance.
- Consistent: supported by moderation and standardisation.
- Inclusive: reasonable adjustments available where required.
- Integrity-led: misconduct addressed via due process.
5. Assessment structure and weightings
5.1 Each module/unit will have one or more assessment components as set out in the Assessment Brief.
5.2 Weightings (where applicable) will be stated clearly. The overall module/unit mark will be calculated as the weighted total of assessed components.
5.3 Where a component is mandatory (must be passed), this will be stated in the handbook/brief (e.g., professional standards, safety, competency components).
6. Marking scale, pass marks and grading
6.1 Default marking scale: 0–100%.
6.2 Pass marks (default)
- HE pathways (where applicable): 40% pass mark (unless a programme specifies otherwise)
- Diplomas/short courses: 40% pass mark (unless stated otherwise)
- CPD: normally Pass/Fail or 40% (as published per course)
6.3 Grade descriptors
Equra will maintain grade descriptors appropriate to level/type of provision. Where a partner framework applies, the partner grade scheme will be used.
6.4 Rounding
Marks will be recorded to whole numbers unless a programme specifies otherwise. Where rounding is applied, Equra will apply it consistently (e.g., 39.5 rounded to 40).
7. Submission, extensions and late submission
7.1 Submission requirements (method, format, word count and deadline) are set out in the Assessment Brief.
7.2 Extensions are managed through the published extension/mitigation route and must normally be requested before the deadline.
7.3 Late submission rules must be stated in the Assessment Brief and applied consistently.
Default rule (unless the programme states otherwise):
- Up to 5 working days late: mark capped at pass mark (e.g., 40%)
- More than 5 working days late: recorded as non-submission (0%)
(Equra may refine this rule for different programme types; any variation must be published in advance.)
8. Feedback and return of marks
8.1 Feedback will be issued in line with Equra’s Assessment and Feedback Policy (normally within 15 working days for coursework unless otherwise stated).
8.2 Marks may be provisional until moderation and results approval are completed. Equra will indicate status clearly.
9. Moderation and quality assurance
9.1 Internal moderation must be completed in accordance with the Assessment and Moderation Procedure.
9.2 Where moderation identifies inconsistency or error, Equra will take appropriate corrective action (remarking/standardisation/additional sampling) and document decisions.
10. Failure, reassessment and number of attempts
10.1 Minimum entitlement (default): students are normally entitled to one reassessment attempt for a failed module/unit, unless programme rules specify otherwise.
10.2 Reassessment format:
Reassessment will normally be the same task type or an equivalent assessment addressing the same learning outcomes.
10.3 Reassessment timing:
Reassessment deadlines and dates will be published.
10.4 Reassessment mark cap (default):
Where a student passes on reassessment, the overall module/unit mark may be capped at the pass mark (e.g., 40%) unless programme rules specify otherwise.
(For CPD and certain diplomas, a pass may be recorded as “Pass” without a numeric cap.)
10.5 Non-submission of reassessment:
If a student does not submit reassessment without approved mitigation, the module/unit remains failed.
10.6 Repeat study (where permitted):
Where reassessment is not possible or has been exhausted, a repeat of the module/unit may be offered where programme rules allow. Any fee implications must be communicated transparently.
11. Compensation / condonement (limited and controlled)
11.1 Compensation/condonement may be permitted only where:
- It is appropriate to the programme type and level;
- It does not compromise learning outcomes or any required competencies; and
- It is approved through the relevant results approval process.
11.2 Default position:
Equra will apply compensation/condonement sparingly and will publish any programme-specific rules (e.g., maximum credits/units eligible, minimum mark threshold such as 35–39%).
11.3 Compensation will not normally be applied where:
- The module/unit is “must pass”;
- Professional/competency requirements apply; or
- Academic misconduct penalties apply.
12. Mitigating circumstances
12.1 Mitigating circumstances are considered under Equra’s Mitigating Circumstances Procedure.
12.2 Valid mitigation may result in outcomes such as:
- Extension approval;
- Deferral of assessment;
- A new first attempt (where appropriate and permitted);
- Other proportionate remedies consistent with programme rules.
Mitigation does not automatically change marks.
13. Academic integrity and misconduct
13.1 Students must comply with academic integrity requirements, including referencing and assessment rules.
13.2 Suspected misconduct will be handled under the Academic Misconduct Procedure, and outcomes may include mark penalties, module failure, reassessment conditions, or other sanctions.
14. Progression and award decisions (where applicable)
14.1 Progression rules (e.g., required passes, credit thresholds) must be published in programme handbooks and may vary by programme type.
14.2 Progression and award decisions (where used) are confirmed through an Assessment Board/Results Panel or equivalent approval route.
14.3 Where Equra delivers under partner validation/franchise, partner progression/award rules apply.
15. Results approval and publication
15.1 Equra will use a results approval step (Results Panel/Academic Board or equivalent) to confirm marks and progression/awards where applicable.
15.2 Equra will publish results in the manner and timeframe set out in programme information. Students will be informed whether results are provisional or confirmed.
16. Errors and changes to marks
16.1 Equra may correct administrative or calculation errors at any time when identified, with:
- Clear documentation of the correction; and
- Notification to the student where it affects their outcome.
16.2 Equra will not change marks based on academic judgment reconsideration except through approved processes (e.g., appeal upheld, verified procedural error).
17. Appeals and complaints relating to assessment
17.1 Appeals against marks/grades are handled under the Consolidated Student Appeals Procedure — Part C and must be based on valid grounds (procedural irregularity, new evidence, bias, decision not supported by evidence).
17.2 Dissatisfaction about service/process (e.g., feedback delays) may be raised under the Student Complaints Procedure.
18. Transcripts, certificates and confirmation of study
18.1 Equra will provide appropriate confirmation of achievement (e.g., results letter, transcript/statement of results, certificate of completion) in line with programme type and regulatory/partner rules.
18.2 Where awards are made through a partner arrangement, certification will align with partner requirements.
19. Reasonable adjustments
Equra will provide reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements where required, documented and implemented consistently, while maintaining academic standards.
20. Review and governance
These regulations will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if required by regulatory changes, partner requirements, or quality improvement needs.
Appendix A — Programme Handbook Requirements (minimum)
Each programme handbook must state:
- Programme aims and learning outcomes
- Assessment methods and weightings
- Pass mark and grading approach
- Late submission/extension rules
- Reassessment rules and mark capping
- Any “must pass” components
- Mitigating circumstances route
- Appeals route and deadlines
- Academic integrity and AI rules
- Results approval and publication process