University of Brighton
Brighton Business School
Brighton Business School
MSc Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Studies
Course Handbook
Part-time
Full time
September 2015
PREFACE
The purpose of this course handbook is to provide you with key information about your
course, including administrative and academic procedures, and to give you some practical
advice on how to make the most of your studies and to explain what to do if you experience
any difficulties. Please read the handbook very carefully and keep it at hand for future
reference.
Other key documents that you should be familiar with are:

the University of Brighton Student Contract;

the University of Brighton Plagiarism Awareness Pack;

the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook;

the University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations
(GEAR).
Copies of all these documents are accessible in electronic format on the University’s student
intranet, studentcentral (see 7.6 below), via your Course Area. You will also be provided with
copies of the University Student Handbook and the University Plagiarism Awareness Pack.
Because of increasing incidents of cases of plagiarism both in this university and others, you
are strongly urged to carefully read the Plagiarism Awareness Pack. Penalties for plagiarism
can be very harsh and ignorance is no defence! The University has access to special
software which can detect plagiarism and we will be using this at random throughout the
year at all levels, so you have been warned.
If you would like to see any other items included in your course handbook please contact
your course leader and, whilst we cannot promise to change things straight away, we will do
our best to improve the handbook in future years.
IMPORTANT
Please note that the provisional dates for 2015/16 resit examinations are 22 August to
2 September 2016. Any referred student unable to attend examinations between these
dates will be required to resit in 2016/17 academic year and will be unable to proceed
with the course meanwhile.
CONTENTS
1.
COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION
2.
ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
3.
ABOUT YOUR COURSE - MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Course management team, course board and examination board
Communications between staff and students
Where to turn for advice and guidance
Student representation and feedback
Annual academic health process
4.
ABOUT YOUR COURSE - STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
The Course overall
Course aims and learning outcomes
Course structure and content
Academic calendar
Careers support
5.
ABOUT YOUR COURSE - ASSESSMENT
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
Nature of assessment
Coursework marking guidelines
Coursework presentation
Referencing your work
Coursework word limit and word ranges
Coursework submission
Late coursework
Coursework extensions
Return of coursework
Examination timetables
Examination past papers
Examination results
Mitigating circumstances
Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations
Appealing the decision of an examination board
6.
YOUR COURSE - SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
Admissions
Course specific regulations
Minimum pass mark and referrals
What happens if I then fail a referral?
Deferrals
Progression Regulations
Awards
Continuation
Claiming exemptions from the ACCA
7.
LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
The library service
Library services for part-time students
The Online Library
Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb
Media Centres
Studentcentral
ASK Study Guide
Useful web addresses
8.
STUDENT SERVICES
9.
STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
Student Charter
Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy
Disability statement
Fire evacuation
Observing copyright laws
10.
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
Course Handbook
ACCA Student Membership
ACCA Fees
Students with Disabilities
The role of the course leader
Quality Assurance
APPENDIX
A Employability
B Learning Support Plans (LSPs)
C Career Planning – wherever you are in the journey
1.
COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the University of Brighton's Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Studies and the
MSc Accounting. Some of you are full-time; some of you are part-time. Some of you will have
already studied here and will be familiar with the workings of the School and the University.
Others of you will have come here from another educational institution. Some of you may be
returning to study after a long absence from formal education. Hopefully all of you will have an
enjoyable and successful experience of being a student at Brighton.
This handbook will attempt to give you the essential information that you need to complete that
experience, and should be read in conjunction with the University Student Contract. These
documents are complementary and should be read through carefully at least once during the
academic year, and retained for reference. They contain important information which we
expect you to know.
I hope you have a successful and enjoyable time here. Good luck with your studies.
Nigel Padbury
Brighton Business School
Sept 2015
Important Notices
1)
During the year could you ensure that you:


check Studentcentral regularly for timetable and other changes
notify the Professional and Partnership Office of any changes of address and telephone
number (Louise Letchford at [email protected])
2)
To gain exemptions from ACCA papers you must actually be a registered (student)
member. Please see section 10.2 for further information.
3)
Please note that if you join either phase of the PgDip/MSc in Accounting with one subject
outstanding it is your responsibility to notify the course administrator when you have
passed that subject and to provide the appropriate evidence. If you do not provide this,
the examination board will not be able to grant you the PgDip or MSc in Accounting.
4)
You are advised that for all course and examination queries for course you should, in the
first instance, contact the Course Leader. Enquiries about membership, ACCA
regulations, exemptions, etc should be directed to ACCA contact details in section 10.2
or on their website www.accaglobal.com
2.
BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
Your School is Brighton Business School. The Director and Head of Brighton Business
School is Professor Aidan Berry. More information about the work of the School may be
found on the school web site at: www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs. The Vice Chancellor of the
University is currently Professor Julian Crampton.
The Business School’s contact details are:
Brighton Business School
University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
BRIGHTON
BN2 4AT
Tel:
Fax:
(01273) 600900 (Switchboard)
(01273) 643597 or 642153
--------------------------------------------------
The Academic year dates for the School are:
AUTUMN TERM
28 September 2015 – 11 December 2015
SPRING TERM
4 January 2016 – 18 March 2016
SUMMER TERM
11 April 2016 – 10 June 2016
w/c 16 May 2016 to w/c 6 June 2016 (examination period)
SEMESTER DATES
Semester One
28 September 2015 – 5 February 2016
Semester Two
8 February 2016 – 10 June 2016
IMPORTANT
Please note that the provisional dates for 2015/16 resit examinations are 22 August to
2 September 2016. Any referred student unable to attend examinations between these
dates will be required to resit in 2016/17 academic year and will be unable to proceed
with the course meanwhile.
3.
COURSE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
3.1
Course management team, course board and examination board
3.2
Communications between staff and students
3.3
Where to turn for advice and guidance
3.4
Student representation and feedback
3.5
Annual academic health process
___________________________________________________________________
3.1
Course management team, course board and examination board
3.1.1
Course management team
Responsibility for the day-to-day running of your course lies with the course management team,
comprising your course leader, your course administrator, and the members of staff teaching on
the course. Their contact details are as follows:
Responsibility
Staff
Course Leader
AJ Cilliers
Module Tutor AAP01
Module Tutor AAP02
Module Tutor AAP03
Module tutor research
methods
Module tutor research
project
Module tutor Dissertation
Tel no
E-mail address
127
Ext 2590
[email protected]
Sandra Holmes
102
Ext 2957
[email protected]
Nigel Padbury
134
Ext 1268
[email protected]
Andrew Grantham/
Graham
Clifford/Asher
Rospigliosi
Room no
130
Ext 2985
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
tbc
tbc
tbc
Profiles of academic staff may be found on the School website at:
http://www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs/contact/academic.php
3.1.2
Course board
Each course within the School has a course board. The responsibilities of course boards
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ensuring the smooth operation of the course;
reviewing syllabus content, teaching methods, assessment and resources and generally
monitoring the course in operation;
supervising the administration of the assessment procedures in accordance with the
assessment regulations and the aims of the course;
liaising with the Examination Board and advising when necessary;
maintaining effective feedback arrangements between the lecturers and the course
members;
planning and recommending policy with regard to the operation of the course;
exercising such other functions as may be requested by the School Board.
The membership of course boards is as follows:
Course Leader Nigel Padbury
Student Representative(s) TBA
Course Administrator Louise Letchford
Information Adviser (or nominee) Pauline Coverdale
Module Leaders Where a module is taught by just one person that person is the module leader.
Assistant Head Peter Stock
Each course board will normally meet two or three times a year to hear reports on the progress
of each year of the relevant course. The board will discuss both students' and tutors’ reports
and take action where appropriate. If an issue arises which is clearly beyond the scope of the
course board and requires further consideration, then it will be referred to the School Board.
Copies of the minutes of course boards will normally be published on the school area on
studentcentral within three weeks of each board on the “My School:Brighton Business School”
area.
3.1.3
Examination boards
Each course within the School is allocated to an examination board, which considers each
student’s overall performance and makes decisions on awards and progression (see section 6
of this course handbook).
3.2
Communications between staff and students
Effective communication between staff and students is very important, and the School facilitates
this in a range of ways.
3.2.1
We contact you






Through the student notice boards
Through the plasma screen in the student lounge
Through the professional courses student mailboxes
Through Studentcentral
By e-mail – using your University e-mail address (see 3.2.6 below)
By mobile phone
The notice-boards, plasma screen and student mailboxes are all in Mithras House, close to the
Professional and Partnership Office (M139). Through them you will be told about changes in
timetables, cancellations and re-locations, the membership of groups, notes about examinations
and essays, internal and external mail. Changes are frequent at the start of the academic year
so please check them daily. It is your own responsibility to keep up with any announced
changes.
You must complete the personal information from which will be given to you during induction
and return it within two weeks of starting your course. Please ensure that you have uploaded a
photograph of yourself onto studentcentral. If you change your personal details (address, name
etc) you must notify the Professional and Partnership Office immediately in writing (by letter or
e-mail) and change your personal details on-line on Studentcentral.
3.2.2
You contact us



By knocking on the doors of academic and administrative staff
By slipping messages under our doors when we are not there
By calling us by phone


By e-mail. E-mail addresses of all staff are readily available.
Important messages and official documents can be handed in to the Professional
and Partnership Office (M139)
3.2.3 Professional and Partnership Courses Office
Course administration is carried out in the Professional and Partnership Office. The
professional courses administrative team is located in the Professional and Partnership Office
(M139) and is staffed by Hazel Brown and her team of course administrators. They have
responsibility for all initial enquiries: for most queries you should see them first (what to do,
where to go, requests for freely available handouts, information sheets, etc).
Opening times during term time
Mithras House:
07.00 – 21.00 (Monday- Thursday)
07.00 – 19.00 (Friday)
Professional and Partnership Office:
08.30 – 17.00 (Monday to Thursday)
08.30 –16.30 (Friday)
3.2.4
How to locate an office or lecture room
Most University room numbers are in two parts each of which conveys information. For
example, to find room M160, you need to go to Mithras House, then the first floor (the first digit
is a “1”) and then look for room M160. Similarly the computer pools will have numbers such as
MA201, signifying Mithras Annexe, on the second floor and W321, somewhere on the third floor
of the Watts Building. Outside the Professional and Partnership Office (M139) you will find on
the wall a list of all the staff with their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and office numbers.
Next to the list is a display of all the staff photographs.
3.2.5
University telephone numbers
The standard University telephone exchange number is 01273 600 900. To directly reach a
member of staff, once you know their internal extension number you need to add 64 before the
internal extension number. For example, the course administrator’s extension is 2502. To reach
him from outside you would need to dial 01273 642502. Alternatively dial 01273 600 900 and
ask for a particular member of staff.
3.2.6
Your email address
Every member of the university has a central email address usually in the form
[email protected]. This is the address that we will use to contact you and it is your
responsibility to ensure that the Professional and Partnership Office is kept fully informed of any
changes.
3.2.7 Proof of enrolment
If you need a letter confirming your enrolment on a University course (e.g. for the purposes of a
career development loan from your bank) you must request this from the University Student
Office (Registry), Mezzanine Floor, Cockcroft Building. Please note that your School staff are
not permitted to produce these letters
3.3
Where to turn for advice and guidance
Although every effort is made by staff to ensure that your course runs without problems we
recognise that these do occasionally arise. The following notes provide guidance on the
procedures to be followed in the event of problems arising during the course or with
assessment. At each stage it is expected that the staff involved will try to find a solution to the
difficulty. However, you should bear in mind that in some cases it is not within their power to
solve them and, as such, it may need to be referred on to another body. It is permissible to miss
out a stage in these procedures when a problem is urgent and the appropriate lecturer/tutor is
unavailable, or where for other reasons it may be appropriate.
3.3.1
Administrative problems
In the first instance, you should contact your course administrator about problems of an
administrative nature. If the problem still remains unresolved then you should contact your
course leader.
3.3.2
Personal problems
In the first instance, you should contact your course leader.
3.3.3
Academic problems (unrelated to coursework and examinations)
Stage 1
Discuss with lecturer
concerned
Not Resolved
Stage 2
Resolved
No further action needed
Resolved
No further action needed
Bring to attention of
the Course Board
through your year
course representative
Not Resolved
Stage 4
No further action needed
Bring to attention of
course leader or deputy
course leader
Not Resolved
Stage 3
Resolved
Bring to the attention of the Head of School
The Head of School will take appropriate action directly or if necessary refer the problem on to
the School Board, Examination Board or other appropriate body.
3.3.4
Problems associated with completing coursework and/or sitting examinations
Problems completing coursework should follow the pattern below:
Stage 1
Discuss with lecturer concerned
Stage 2
If necessary complete an Assignment Extension
Form, getting the approval of your Course
and/ or Mitigating Circumstances Form and notify
your course leader in writing of the
nature of the problem and its potential effect
Stage 3
Lodge copies of the document outlined in Stage 2 with
the Professional and Partnership Office marked for the
attention of the lecturer concerned and the Chair of the
Examination Board.
Please make sure that you obtain a
copy from the Office staff when submitting these forms
For problems relating to sitting examinations the normal pattern should be as follows:
Stage 1
Bring the problem to the attention
of the invigilator
Stage 2
Bring the problem to the attention of your course
leader. This should be in writing with, wherever
possible, an assessment of the effect the problem had
on performance
Stage 3
Lodge a copy of a mitigating circumstances form
with the Professional and Partnership Office marked for
the attention of the Chair of the Examination Board.
Again, please make
sure that you obtain a copy from the Office staff when
submitting this form
For further information about obtaining coursework extensions see section 5.8, and for further
information about submitting a mitigating circumstances form see section 5.13.
3.4
Student representation and feedback
3.4.1
Student representation
Each year student representatives are elected for each course, and they are an important
formal channel of communication between students and staff. The names and contact details of
student representatives are published on studentcentral from early November each year.
All students are urged to consider standing for election as a student representative. It can be a
very rewarding role, is an excellent personal development opportunity, and looks great on your
CV. All newly elected student representatives are offered training for the role by the School, in
conjunction with the University of Brighton Students Union, and support is available during the
year as required. For further information about standing as a student representative, please
contact the course leader.
3.4.2
Student feedback
The School recognises the importance of formally obtaining and responding to the views of
students in a systematic, consistent and transparent manner, taking action where necessary,
and “closing the loop” by giving students feedback on resultant action, and the outcomes of
student participation in decision making.
Feedback is formally obtained from students via annual course feedback forms, the student
representative system (see 3.4.1 above), and operation of the School’s policy for resolving
academic problems (see 3.3. above). For example, the Student Liaison Committee comprising
student representatives and chaired by the School Quality Director meets two/three times a year
in order to provide a forum for students to comment on issues that may arise at both course and
School level. Formal mechanisms for obtaining student feedback are inevitably, and often
usefully, supplemented by informal channels and contacts with students.
Feedback from students is formally considered, and responded to, at course boards and at the
School Board, and as part of the annual academic health process (see 3.5 below). Copies of the
minutes of course boards will normally be published on the school area on Studentcentral within
three weeks of each board.
3.5
Annual academic health process
The basic building block of the University’s quality assurance system, is the Annual Academic
Health process, which ensures that all courses and their constituent modules are reviewed
annually, drawing upon a range of data as appropriate. Reports are produced from module
through to course level, and are synthesized into school reports which consider the range of
courses within their portfolio. Schools’ reports are considered at faculty and university level.
External examiner reports and student feedback are a vital part of this process.
Within Brighton Business School, all course academic health reports are considered and
approved at the School’s Annual Academic Health Afternoon in October, to which student
representatives are invited to attend and participate. Copies of all approved academic health
reports and the School Academic Health Report will normally be published on the school area
by mid-November.
4.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
4.1 The Course overall
4.2 Course aims and learning outcomes
4.3 Course structure and content
4.4 Academic Calendar
4.5 Careers Support
4.1 The Course overall
The course offers you the opportunity to gain an MSc Accounting or a Post graduate Diploma in
Accounting while at the same time part-qualifying as a professional accountant and working
towards membership of one of the world's leading accountancy bodies, the Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
In the MSc/Post graduate Diploma in Accounting students will study modules which are very
closely aligned with the Professional Papers of the ACCA’s Essentials syllabuses which gives
them the opportunity to sit the Professional Papers of the ACCA simultaneously if they so
desire. Additionally, there is normally the opportunity to study some of the ACCA Professional
Options papers subject to them being run in that academic year. (Please check with your course
administrator at the appropriate time). There will be internal exams for the three modules on the
MSc/Post graduate Diploma in Accounting course which count towards the Diploma but it is not
possible to gain exemption from the ACCA Professional Essential papers by doing these
internal exams.
See Section 4.2.1 for programme structure table
4.2 Course aims and learning outcomes
The aims of the PG Diploma and MSc programmes are:
Common aims
1. to provide a programme of study which has a clear vocational focus and educates
students as specialists in Accounting theory and practice within the context of
professional regulation, ethics, and general business management general business
and management within organisations.
2. to provide students with the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of
accounting and of financial regulation in its broadest sense to aspects of business
management to improve the financial management and accountability of
organisations.
3.
to enable students to prepare for and/or continue in their careers in accounting by
developing skills and knowledge at a professional level, including developing a
conceptual understanding that enables them to evaluate the rigour and validity of
published research and assess its relevance to new situations, and extrapolate from
existing research and scholarship to identify potential new or revised approaches to
practice.
4. to provide students with the conceptual understanding which will enable them to
critically evaluate current research and literature in the discipline.
5. to provide students with the tools and techniques necessary to research a problem
using appropriate research methods and tools
The PG Diploma has the following additional aim:
6. to provide an opportunity to develop a piece of work which applied a knowledge of the
literature and research methods to a research or work based problem.
The MSc Accounting substitutes the aim in 6 above with the following aim:
6. to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a substantial piece of research in
a subject of their choice, through research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis
and written communication. Such research will combine theory and practical
application.
The outcomes of the programme provide information of how the primary aims are
demonstrated in students following this programme:
Knowledge and theory
By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a high level of understanding of the financial reporting rules, regulations, concepts
and conventions and the ability to prepare, critique and analyse the financial
reports of complex and specialised organisations.
a complete understanding of the role of the professional accountant in
governance, internal control, risk evaluation and mitigation and the professional
and ethical framework in which the professional accountant operates; the ability to
apply these principles and concepts to case study problems and to critique the
current frameworks and practice and identify areas for improvement.
The ability to apply relevant knowledge and skills and exercise professional
judgement in assessing strategic position, determining strategic choice, and
potential ways of implementing strategic action taking cognisance of issues
around structural change, knowledge systems, IT, quality systems, and people
within financial and resource constraints.
demonstrate an understanding of the processes and practice for identifying a
research problem and the application of appropriate research methods to that
problem.
For the MSc the following additional knowledge must be demonstrated:
5.
a clear and critical understanding of the literature relating to a specific area of
accounting, and the application of appropriate research methods to a major
issue/problem in accounting.
Skills
By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
the capacity for critical evaluation of literature and current practice
the ability to apply appropriate analytical and problem solving techniques to a
range of business and accounting issues and problems
the ability to effectively communicate their understanding of the current practices
and regulatory frameworks informing the role of the professional accountant
the ability to communicate complex financial data, both quantitative and narrative,
in a form appropriate to intended audiences
5.
6.
that they can acquire and analyse data and information, to evaluate their
relevance and validity, and apply to a variety of situations
a range of academic transferable skills in relation to problem definition, research
and methodological awareness, presentation, time-management and effective
writing
For the MSc the following additional skill:
7.
the ability to identify and critically appraise the literature relating to an area of
accounting, to identify appropriate research methods, carry out a substantial piece
of research, analyse the results and present their finding in a clear and concise
manner.
4.2.1 Curriculum
MSc Accounting/Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Module
Module Title
codes
AAMP1
Governance, Risk & Ethics
AAMP2
Corporate Reporting
AAMP3
Business Analysis
AAM11
Research Methods Module
Level 6 credit
AAM13
Research Project
OR
AAM12
Dissertation
Credit
Status *
Level of
module *
7
7
Post graduate
7
Diploma in
7
Accounting
30
30
30
10
20
10
M
M
M
M
M
7
60
M
7
MSc
Accounting
* M = mandatory
It is not possible to gain exemption from the ACCA Professional Essentials papers by doing the
internal exams on the MSc/Post graduate Diploma in Accounting course. Students will be need
to complete the professional level examinations with the ACCA for the professional qualification.
The University examinations could be seen as preparation for those external Essentials papers
as their content mirrors that of Papers P1 Governance, Risks & Ethics, P2 Corporate Reporting
and P3 Business Analysis
Assessed directly by the ACCA
Students not taking the MSc Accounting or Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting would receive
the same tuition as those on the university award but are only required to sit the exams directly
with the ACCA for the professional award.
MSc/Postgraduate Diploma students have the option of receiving tuition for the two professional
option papers alongside their university awards.
Essentials
Essentials
Essentials
Options
Options
Options
P1
P2
P3
P5
P6
P7
Governance, Risk & Ethics
Corporate Reporting
Business Analysis
Advance Performance Management (subject to demand)
Advanced Taxation
Advanced Audit and Assurance
PA
CR
BA
APM
ATX
AAA
Please see section 4.3 – FIGURE 1, to see the course timetable
4.3 Course structure and content
Mode of Study
The course has been designed primarily as a part-time course, with the option of continuing on
the full-time intensive mode. It will normally take two years for part time students to complete,
while students who wish to take a more intensive route can complete the MSc/Postgraduate
Diploma in Accounting in one year, subject to the entry requirements identified in section 6.1. It
is not recommended that students attempt the full time course if they have significant work
obligations.
Part time
In the MSc/Post graduate Diploma in Accounting students will take three examinations in the
May/June exam period, based on the Professional Essential syllabuses. Many students also
choose to receive tuition for the Professional Option external examinations at the same time.
(Subject to availability)
The following year students will do the research methods module, followed by the research
project (Post graduate Diploma in Accounting) or the dissertation (MSc Accounting)
All examinations for the internally assessed examinations take place prior to the ACCA external
exam period.
Full time
Full time students complete three modules (P1, P2 and P3) as well as the research methods
and research project (Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting) in one year or submit the
dissertation (MSc Accounting).
Students may normally then go on to take the Professional Option papers for the ACCA external
examinations. There is the option to gain tuition for the option papers in the same year as the
other assessments but this would be an intensive workload for students
See Figure 1 - Course Structure/timetable where the above framework is shown
diagrammatically.
FIGURE 1 - COURSE STRUCTURE/TIMETABLE
Part time timetable (Indicative only)
Below are typical timetables, your course administrator will give you the finalised timetables
nearer the start date.
Year 1
Wednesday
09.00 – 11.00
11.30 – 13.30
14.00 – 16.00
Subject
AAMP1
AAMP3
AAMP2
Governance, Risk & Ethics (P1)
Business Analysis (P3)
Corporate Reporting (P2)
Year 2
Workshops
Supervision
AAM11
AAM13 or AAM12
Research Methods
Project (PgDip) or Dissertation (MSc)
As mentioned above students have the option to gain tuition for the option papers in the same
year as the other assessments but this would be an intensive workload for students (otherwise
students can come back for the option paper tuition after they have completed their university
award)
Professional Options
Thursday
15.00 – 17.00
10.00 – 12.00
Commencing
08.10.2015
Subject
AAXP6
AAXP7
Advanced Taxation*
Advanced Audit and Assurance*
Professional Options modules are run subject to demand. The decision as to whether any Professional
Option will run in any given academic year is the responsibility of the Director of the Business School and
the decision is final.
Full time Timetable (indicative)
Wednesday
09.00 – 11.00
11.30 – 13.30
13.30 – 14.00
14.00 – 16.00
Thursday
10.00 – 12.00
Commencing
08.10.2015
15.00 – 17.00
Workshops
Supervision
Subject
AAMP1
AAMP3
TBC
TBC
AAMP2
Subject
AAXP7
Governance, Risk & Ethics (P1)
Business Analysis (P3)
Lunch
Corporate Reporting (P2)
(choose 2 out of 3 option papers)
Advanced Audit and Assurance*
AAXP6
Advanced Taxation*
Research Methods
Project or Dissertation
* Modules not included in degree programme – tuition provided for external examinations
subject to demand
Please note that these are the hours of formal contact teaching time. You should remember that
to be successful in the ACCA examinations, a substantial amount of private study time in addition
to class contact time is required.
Sessions for the Research Modules and dissertation will be arranged directly with the
dissertations supervisor(s).
Professional Option papers – some guidance
In order to gain the ACCA qualification, all Professional papers must be sat externally with the
ACCA, including 2 of the 4 option papers, which students are required to take. Two of the
option papers, P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance and P6 Advanced Taxation are suitable for
students working in or considering a career in accountancy practice. The other two option
subjects, P5 Advanced Performance Management and P4 Advanced Financial Management
are more relevant to students working in industry or the public sector.
Please note that this year the P4 and P5 Option will not be running.
The following notes have been prepared to give students some guidance when choosing their
options.
P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance
This subject builds on the knowledge of the processes of auditing examined in F8. The aim of
this subject is enable students to analyse, evaluate and conclude on the assurance
engagement and other audit and assurance issues in the context of best practice and current
developments. Auditing is not carried out in a vacuum, and students should recognise that they
will be required to demonstrate a good understanding of business and accounting, as well as
auditing theory and practice. To be successful in this examination, it is not sufficient to merely
pick up an auditing manual and learn it. Students who have some practical experience of
auditing may be at an advantage, although the wide ranging syllabus will contain elements that
will be new material to everyone. The syllabus includes the following topics: professional and
ethical considerations, practice management, audit processes including strategy and planning,
audit and assurance assignments for companies and groups, and current issues and
developments.
P6 Advanced Taxation
This subject covers all the subject F6 Taxation material and expands into more complex areas.
The main new area of study is Inheritance Tax. The subject F6 material will be revised partly
through directed self study. Exam questions are largely numerate, but there are always parts
of questions which require an explanation of taxation issues.
Tax is an important subject for those who work in professional offices and for those in industry
and commerce who are concerned with the preparation of statutory accounts, tax returns and
business planning. There will be a considerable time gap for most students between the two tax
subjects (F6 and P6), so revision is going to be very important.
P5 Advanced Performance Management (Not running 2015/2016)
The aim of the module is to ensure candidates can apply judgement and technique in the
analysis of relevant data to provide management with the information required to contribute to a
range of strategic planning, control and decision-making situations.
The syllabus includes the following key areas: management accounting framework, design of
management accounting systems, performance measurement, planning and control, and
decision making.
The module is suitable for students who have enjoyed the management accounting aspects of
subject F5, and who are considering following a career involving more specialised management
accounting knowledge. It is also a requirement for students who wish to take the ACCA 'top-up'
degree.
For information only:
P4 Advanced Financial Management (Not running 2015/2016)
The aim of this module is to help students to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise
professional judgement as expected of a senior financial executive or advisor, in taking or
recommending decisions relating to the financial management of an organisation. The syllabus
includes the following key areas: Treasury and advanced risk management
Techniques, advanced investment appraisal, acquisition and mergers, corporate reconstruction
and re-organisation The module is suitable for students who did well in Fundamentals Skills F9
Financial Management and see themselves progressing in a strategic financial decision making
capacity.
4.4 Academic Calendar
2015/2016
Sem
1
1
1
Teaching
Week
Week No commencing
Monday 1
28.09.15
2
05.10.15
12.10.15
3
1
1
1
4
5
6
1
7
1
1
1
1
8
9
10
11
1
1
1
1
1
12
13
14
15
16
2
17
2
2
2
2
2
18
19
20
21
22
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
19.10.15
26.10.15
02.11.15
09.11.15
16.11.15
23.11.15
30.11.15
07.12.15
14.12.15
21.12.15
28.12.15
04.01.16
11.01.16
18.01.16
25.01.16
01.02.16
08.02.16
15.02.16
22.02.16
29.02.16
07.03.16
14.03.16
21.03.16
28.03.16
04.04.16
11.04.16
18.04.16
25.04.16
02.05.16
09.05.16
16.05.16
23.05.16
30.05.16
06.06.16
13.06.16
20.06.16
27.06.16
04.07.16
Session
Notes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Consolidation week for some
modules
Yes
Yes
Yes
Term Ends Fri 11.12.15
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Term Starts Mon 04.01.16
Yes
Sem 2 Starts Mon 08.02.16
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Term Ends Fri 18.03.16
Yes
Yes
Yes
Revision
Revision
Examinations
Examinations
Examinations
Examinations
Term Starts Mon 11.04.16
Bank Holiday May 2
Bank Holiday May 30
Term Ends Fri 10.06.16
4.5 Careers Support
The Careers department will provide a workshop in semester 2 for students. We also advise
students to acquaint themselves with the ACCA website (www.accaglobal.com) which is full of
useful contact information including the P.E.R requirements.
Careers planning agreement
A Career Planning Agreement (CPA) for your course has been developed. Having a CPA
means that your Course Leader and careers counsellors have identified career-relevant work
happening within your course and that your lecturers will make this content explicit to you during
your time at Brighton. The Careers Centre is involved as part of the agreement and you can
book an appointment for a careers interview.
The purpose of the CPA is to help you assess your skills, think about and choose what you want
to do on graduation, how to get there, and how to develop the career management skills
needed for the rest of your life.
The CPA covers four learning outcomes as follows:
- competencies in self-assessment and personal review
- competencies in researching job ideas and occupational information
- competencies in decision making, goal setting and action planning
- competencies in the transition to work, self employment, further study and training.
Further details of your CPA is available on the School Area of Studentcentral and from there
you can explore the many helpful Career links
CLICK
STUDENTCENTRAL
CLICK
STUDENT LIFE
CLICK
CAREERS & PART TIME JOBS
We also have a range of workshops scheduled into your course so if you are interested in these
Career Planning workshops please check your timetable. We know that some of you are
already happy with where you are in your career path, many of you may be sponsored by an
employer, or changing your career for reasons of self-actualisation. Wherever you see yourself
in terms of your career position, we have plenty of resources here at the University of Brighton
to help you.
5.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
Nature of assessment
Coursework marking guidelines
Coursework presentation
Referencing your work
Coursework word limit and word ranges
Coursework submission
Late coursework
Coursework extensions
Return of coursework
Examination timetables
Examination past papers
Examination results
Mitigating circumstances
Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations
Appealing the decision of an examination board
5.1
Nature of assessment
To achieve the Post graduate Diploma in Accounting you must pass the internal assessments
for Papers P1 Governance, Risk & Ethics, P2 Advanced Corporate Reporting and P3 Business
Analysis (which offer no ACCA exemptions) and the research Methods and research project
modules, normally, in the same academic year.
To achieve the MSc Accounting you must pass the internal assessments for Papers P1
Governance, Risk & Ethics, P2 Corporate Reporting and P3 Business Analysis (which offer no
ACCA exemptions) plus the research Methods modules, normally, in the same academic year
and pass the Dissertation module the following academic year.
Assessment Regulations
Each of the following modules will be assessed by the University for the award of MSc/Post
graduate Diploma in Accounting
P1 - P1 Governance Risk & Ethics GRE
P2 - P2 Corporate Reporting CR
P3 - P3 Business Analysis BA
Research Methods Module
Dissertation/Research Project
Modules P1, P2 and P3 will be assessed by examination only and the research elements will be
assessed by 100% coursework. The pass mark for all subjects will be set at 50% in accordance
with University regulations. The internal examinations for P1, P2 and P3 do not offer any
exemptions for the external ACCA papers.
For the ACCA qualification, each of the subjects that comprise the Professional course will be
externally assessed by the ACCA:
P1 Governance, Risk & Ethics GRE
P2 Corporate Reporting CR
P3 Business Analysis BA
P5 Advance Performance Management APM
P6 Advanced Taxation ATX
P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance AAA
Assessment Grid
Weighting
Module Code and Title
Assessment
AAMP1 Governance, Risk & Ethics
Examination (3 Hour)
100%
AAMP2 Corporate Reporting
Examination (3 Hour)
100%
AAMP3 Business Analysis
Examination (3 Hour)
100%
AAM11 Research Methods
Coursework
100%
AAM13 Research Project
Coursework
100%
AAM12 Dissertation
Coursework
100%
Examinations
Each examination on the course takes the form of a 3 hour unseen paper with 15 minutes
reading time. The format of each examination varies, so details of each subject and specimen
examination papers can be found on Studentcentral.
Examinations are held in accordance with University of Brighton regulations, and during the
busy examination period, may start at any time from 9 am to 4 pm and may be at any University
of Brighton site.
Timing of assessment
The summer diet of University of Brighton examinations usually ends the day before the ACCA
external exams start (May/June). Examination dates are organised centrally and the business
school therefore cannot normally give the dates before Easter of the year in question.
The resit examinations for students who have failed an examination at the first attempt will be
held in late August/early September.
Coursework
Coursework hand out/in dates will be furnished at the beginning of the academic year by the
module tutors concerned.
Please note that in all cases, any marks given out by tutors are provisional until they have been
confirmed by the Examination Board.
Timing of Assessments
The exams will take place in the summer term and the Dissertation module which runs year
through will have a submission date in the summer term. Any resits of these papers set by
University of Brighton will take place in the resit period of that academic year (normally
August/September). Any failed Dissertation will also be submitted in the following academic
year.
Any student who is prevented by sufficient cause from sitting or completing all or part of the
main examinations may, at the discretion of the Course Examination Board, be allowed to sit or
complete the examination(s) as a first attempt. This will take place during the resit examination
period of that year in respect of each examination not previously attempted or at the first
available full diet of examinations as appropriate.
Course Examination Board
There will be a single tier examination board structure, comprising a Course Examination Board
(CEB).
The membership of the CEB will comprise:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
An Associate Head of Brighton Business School
the course leader
the academic staff responsible for the teaching and assessment of the course
the external examiners.
The Associate Head of Brighton Business School will normally chair the CEB.
In the absence of the Head of the School an appropriate senior member of the university with
the exception of the course leader will chair the CEB.
The responsibilities of the CEB will be those laid down in Section D4 of GEAR (General
Examination and Assessment Regulations) as apply to CEB's in a single tier system, except as
specified in section 6 of this Handbook.
5.1.1 Examination regulations
1. Students must attempt all subjects at the same sitting, unless they are resitting a failed
subject, having passed the other subjects in that stage at the first attempt
2. The pass mark is 50%.
3. The exact nature and timing of the resit will in all cases be decided by the examination
board
Please note that all marks (including coursework marks) are provisional until agreed by
the examination board
5.2
Coursework marking guidelines
Assignment Marking Guidelines *
The following guidelines indicate the marks and classifications to be awarded for various
standards of written work. As each subject has its own emphasis and as assignments may vary
in their approach (e.g. essays, reports, projects etc.) so descriptions offered here are inevitably
generalised and will need to be interpreted and adapted to the specifics of each assignment.
However, these guidelines do emphasise the type of approach students should be developing.
Grading criteria
The following grading criteria, based on the University’s postgraduate marking/ grading
descriptors, indicate the marks and classifications to be awarded for various standards of
written work. Your work will be marked in percentages, with the exception of those few
modules that just need Pass/fail As each subject has its own emphases and as assignments
may vary in their approach (e.g. essays, reports, projects etc.) so descriptions offered here
are inevitably generalised and will need to be interpreted and adapted to the specifics of
each assignment. Sometimes you will be issued with supplementary grading criteria which
are specific to the particular task you have been set.
High Distinction (80-100%)
An outstanding response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have
been achieved to an exceptionally high level. The work demonstrates most or all of the
following
characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline:
 Exceptional display of understanding, exploration, insight and/or research
 Potential for publication/exhibition1 and/or ability to undertake further research
 All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit where appropriate, have
been strictly adhered to
 The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including any subjectspecific conventions2 where appropriate, are exemplary throughout
 Evidence of effective communication of work to specialist and non-specialist audiences
 Stimulating and rigorous arguments that are likely to be at the limits of what may be
expected at this level
 The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in an original way
 Inspirational, innovative and authoritative - evidence of intellectual rigour, independence
of judgement and insightful contextualisation, including relevant
theory/literature/artefacts/performance
 Clear evidence of extensive study and demonstration of ability to reach appropriate
decisions based on incomplete or complex evidence
 Evidence of very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
 Outstanding problem solving skills – suggests alternative approaches
 Ability to address complex issues both systematically and creatively - challenges
established knowledge
Distinction (70-79%)
An excellent response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been
achieved to a high standard and many at an exceptionally high level. The work
demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the
given level of study within the discipline:
 In-depth understanding, exploration, insight and/or research
 Potential for publication/exhibition3 and/or ability to undertake further research
 All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit where appropriate, have
been adhered to
 The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including any
subject-specific conventions4 where appropriate, are excellent throughout
 Evidence of effective communication of work to specialist and non-specialist audiences
 Convincing arguments that are likely to be at the limits of what may be expected at this
level
 The work has been approached and/or executed/ performed in an original way
 Insightful contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/ performance
 Clear evidence of extensive study and demonstration of ability to reach appropriate
decisions based on incomplete or complex evidence
1 Includes equivalent influential dissemination
2 For example use of language, referencing
3 Includes equivalent influential dissemination
4 For example use of language, referencing
 Evidence of high to very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
 Excellent problem solving skills – suggests alternative approaches
 Ability to address complex issues effectively – challenges established knowledge
Merit (60-69%)
A good to very good response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria
have been met fully at a good or very good standard. The work demonstrates most or all
of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within
the discipline:
 Good to very good understanding and exploration, some insight and/or thorough research
 Some capacity to undertake further research
 No significant inaccuracies, misunderstandings or errors
 The specifications for the assessment task, including word limit where appropriate, have
been adhered to
 The work is well organised, coherent and the standard of presentation including any
subject-specific conventions5 where appropriate, is at least good
 Evidence of effective communication of work
 Ability to present structured, clear and concise arguments
 The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a comprehensive way with
some degree of originality
 Appropriate contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance
 Evidence of extensive study and demonstration of ability to reach appropriate decisions
based on incomplete or complex evidence
 Evidence of high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
 Good or at least competent problem solving skills – suggests alternative approaches
 Ability to address complex issues competently – explores established knowledge
Pass (50-59%)
An adequate to sound response to the task: all learning outcomes/ assessment criteria
have been met. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation
to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline:
 Sound understanding and exploration, some insight and/or appropriate research
 Some minor inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings – small but not significant errors
 Some minor aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task, including word
limit where appropriate
 The work is suitably organised6 and the standard of presentation, including any subject



specific conventions7 where appropriate, is at least sound
Ability to develop an argument but can lack fluency
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a standard way with limited
evidence of originality
Some contextualisation but with a heavy reliance on a limited number of sources and, in
general, the breadth and depth of sources and research are lacking
Evidence of study and demonstration of ability to reach appropriate decisions based on
incomplete or complex evidence
5 For example use of language, referencing
6 Clearly presented but with little development
7 For example use of language, referencing
 Some, but limited evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
 Some evidence of problem solving skills
 Some evidence of ability to address complex issues adequately
Fail (40-49%)
An unsatisfactory response to the task: one or more of the learning outcomes/
assessment criteria have not been met. The work may display some strengths but these
are outweighed by several weak features in relation to those expected at the given
level of study within the discipline, such as:
 Limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with very little insight and/or
minimal research
 Some significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings – gaps in understanding and/or
knowledge
 Insufficient attention paid to some of the assessment criteria and some significant
aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task8
 The work is too descriptive, somewhat disorganised and unclear and the standard of
presentation, including any subject-specific conventions9 where appropriate, is poor
 Development of an argument is limited and often flawed
 The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in poor way
 The context provided takes the form of description lacking any breadth, depth and
accuracy
 Limited or inappropriate research and demonstrated ability to reach decisions
 Insufficient evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
 Little evidence of problem solving skills
 A struggle to address complex issues
Fail (0-39%)
An unsatisfactory response to the task: most of the learning outcomes/assessment
criteria have not been met. The work fails to meet the requirements in relation to those
expected at the given level of study within the discipline, exemplified by:
 Very limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with little or no insight and/or
minimal research
 Several significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings – minimal or no evidence of
knowledge and understanding of the subject
 Insufficient attention paid to several of the assessment criteria and some serious
deviations from the specifications for the assessment task10
 The work is mainly descriptive, poorly structured and the standard of presentation,
including any subject-specific conventions11 where appropriate, is poor






The work lacks supporting evidence or argument
The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a very poor way
Failure to contextualise from sources
Little or no evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
Little or no evidence of problem solving skills
Failure to address complex issues
8 Such as not keeping to the word limit and/or minor elements of the work missing
9 As 1
10 Such as not keeping to the word limit and/or major elements of the work missing
11 As 1
5.3
Coursework presentation
These guidelines are based on our requirements for placement projects and dissertations,
but should be valid for most written work produced during your course. Please note,
however, that special conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal
scholarship. Therefore, if you are submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the
detailed guidance in the Studying Law at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic
copy of the Handbook is available on the School area of Studentcentral.
Where a word document is required to be submitted, the report should be on A4 paper with
one-and-a-half spacing between the lines, single or double sided. Appendices may be singlespaced. Each page in the main report should be numbered with page numbers at the foot of
the page.
There should be a margin of at least 1.5 inches (4 cm) on the left side of the page, both for
the text and for any diagrams. Top, right and bottom margins should be at least 1.25 inches
(3 cm). The right margin should be unjustified (i.e. left 'ragged') to aid readability.
The main text should be in a single 12-point font, e.g. Times New Roman or similar. An
alternative font such as Arial in a smaller point size may be more appropriate in diagrams
and tables. Use bolding for emphasis within the text and for section headings.
Any material copied directly from another author must be enclosed in quotation marks,
followed immediately by a reference to the source. Individual quotations should not normally
exceed one paragraph, and quotations should not exceed 5% of the length of the report.
You are responsible for the accuracy of the finished work so after it has been completed you
should use the spell-checker to catch any typographical and spelling errors. You should also
proof read it yourself (or have it read by someone else), as the spell-checker is not likely to
catch every error.
5.4
Referencing your work
It is important in academic writing to reference all the important ideas and facts in your work. It
is also the best way to avoid any risk of plagiarism (see 5.15 below). You should do this:

When you quote directly using others’ words in quotation marks

When you paraphrase the arguments or theories of others in your own words

When you use evidence from the work of others to support your own arguments

When you rework published data or use it as the basis of your own calculations.
To ensure that you reference properly, you should carefully read and follow the guidance
contained within the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook, which is based on
the Harvard referencing system. An electronic copy of the Handbook is also available on the
School Area and all Course Areas on Studentcentral. Please note, however, that special
conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal scholarship. Therefore, if you are
submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the detailed guidance in the Studying Law
at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic copy of the Handbook is available on the
School area of studentcentral.
Therefore, no student has any excuse for not referencing properly, and poor referencing may
have a negative impact on the mark that you receive for your work. Non-referencing will
constitute plagiarism, which is considered a very serious form of academic misconduct
(see 5.15 below).
5.5 Coursework word limits and word ranges
Every piece of coursework you are set will either have a word limit or a word range, which you
should make sure you observe. Normally, if your coursework has a word limit e.g. 2,000 words,
then the marker will stop reading the work once you have exceeded the word limit by 10%. If
you write less than the word limit you risk not maximising your potential mark. If your
coursework has a word range e.g. 1,500-2,000 words, then the marker will stop reading the
work once you have exceeded the upper figure. If you write less than the lower word limit you
risk not maximising your potential mark. For the purpose of calculating the word count, footnotes
are included (apart from law coursework where they are excluded), whereas appendices and
reference lists/bibliographies are always excluded.
You are required to declare a word count for every piece of work you submit
5.6 Coursework submission
Your lecturer will specify the date and time by which your assessed coursework has to be
submitted. You must keep to this deadline unless you have been granted an extension by the
Course Leader. If you are likely to face difficulties submitting at the specified time, then
submit your work in advance.
All coursework must be submitted digitally via studentcentral. For word documents you
are required to submit a digital copy of your assignment using Turnitin on studentcentral. For
documents using Excel, submission of the digital copy is via Blackboard on studentcentral.
We only accept coursework for marking on submission of the digital version and
reserve the right to scan versions for plagiarised material.
5.6.1 Submission of digital copy
Each module has its own area on studentcentral and, if the module involves coursework, you
will find a link in the menu called “Assessment” through which you should submit your work.
Details on how to submit the digital copy on studentcentral can be found on
http://ask.brighton.ac.uk/portal/public/?querytext=assignments&tabid=2&searchradio=search
all&searchsubmitted=true
5.6.2 Submission of paper copy (where applicable)
Where a paper copy (or copies) is required, for example, for placement projects,
dissertations or research elective reports, you will be given details of the arrangements for
submission.
The front page of your assignment should also contain the following information:
Your Name
Module Leaders Name
Course Name
Module Name and Module Code
Assignment Title
Date due in
Number of pages
Word count
Your paper copy should normally be word-processed and stapled or bound, but you are
requested not to enclose each page in a plastic envelope, since this usually makes marking
extremely difficult.
5.7 Late coursework
Submission deadlines are sacrosanct. Students must submit all work for assessment in the
manner and by the date previously notified to them unless an extension to deadline has been
granted (see 5.8 below). Assessed work submitted after the published submission deadline
will be considered late submission and will be subject to a standard penalty. Students
submitting work within two weeks after the submission deadline (this includes a new
submission deadline following an agreed extension to deadline) or the last working day
immediately prior to the feedback date where this is shorter than two weeks can be provided
with feedback. Beyond this date assessed work will not be accepted and a mark of zero will
be awarded for non-submission. The penalty for submitting late work is that the work will be
capped at the pass mark i.e. 50% or the actual mark where it is a fail. There is no entitlement
to submit late for the submission of referred work. Individual members of staff cannot waive
these penalties as it is University policy.
5.8
Coursework extensions
In exceptional circumstances students may apply for an extension to the submission date.
An extension is granted in order that an assignment can be submitted as if on time i.e. the
deadline for students with extensions is effectively put back to a later date.
5.8.1 Grounds
It is not possible to give a full list of reasons for which extensions may be granted. The typical
case is where you have been ill during the time when an assignment was due to be written.
However, any unforeseen circumstances which disrupt your study may represent an
appropriate reason.
If the standard of your work has been affected by the circumstances which caused you to
apply for an extension, you should also submit mitigating circumstances at the end of the
semester (see 5.13 below) and explain, in your supporting documentation, both the nature of
the circumstances and the reason that the extension was not sufficient for you to produce
your best work.
In considering whether or not an extension to a deadline should be granted, the designated
signatory will be mindful of the following points:

When applying for an extension you are normally required to submit documentary
evidence of the reason for the application.

The nature of coursework is such that minor illnesses during the time when you would
be expected to be working on the assignment will not constitute good grounds for
granting an extension, even if these occur within the final few days before the
deadline. Serious illness or injury, where supported by documentary evidence, will
normally be appropriate reason for an extension to be approved.

Computer failure, or the loss of data from a computer disk, will not normally be
deemed a satisfactory reason for late submission.

Paid employment commitments do not constitute grounds for an extension, or
mitigating circumstances, for full-time students. Part-time students who are in full-time
employment are expected to prioritise University deadlines. Exceptionally, such as
where work commitments change at short notice through circumstances beyond your
control, an application will be appropriate. In such cases , and especially where the
course is undertaken as professional development, it is anticipated that the
designated signatory will consider applications sympathetically where they are
supported by evidence in the form of, for example, a letter from your line manager.

In considering an application for an extension, the designated signatory will have
regard to the other students on the programme who have not requested an extension,
and will ensure that these students would not be unfairly disadvantaged by the
granting of the extension.
5.8.2 Procedure
Students should complete an Application for Extension to Deadline Form, obtainable from
the Postgraduate Office, attaching any medical certificate or other written evidence, and
return it to the Course Administrator. Students must normally apply as soon as possible but
no later than two days before the submission date. All such applications will be dealt with
by the Course Leader who will reply in writing, setting a new submission date where
appropriate.
5.9
Return of coursework
Your module tutors will indicate when you should receive feedback on your coursework,
which will normally be available within 20 working days if the work has been submitted on
time. However, where work is due for submission during or after the first week of the
Summer term, the marks will not be made available to students until after the relevant
examination board has met to agree the results. Occasionally, due to unforeseen
circumstances (such as staff illness), there can be other delays in returning your coursework,
and where that happens your module tutor will let you know and provide you with a revised
date for return of the work.
However, please note that all coursework marks returned prior to the relevant
examination board are provisional, and are subject to approval of the examination board.
Normally examination scripts are not returned to students.
5.10
Examination timetables
Examination timetables will be published at least three weeks in advance of the relevant
examination period on your course area on Studentcentral. It is your responsibility to obtain
the details of your examinations, and make sure that you attend at the right location, on
the correct day and at the correct time. If you arrive late for an examination, you will not
necessarily be given extra time, and if you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the
examination you will not be permitted to enter the examination room. If you are unable to attend
an examination you should submit a Mitigating Circumstances form (see 5.14 below).
5.10.1 Resit examinations
Where a student is required to take a resit examination, it is the responsibility of the student
to ascertain the date of the examination and make themself available on that date. Note:
failure to attend a resit examination on the specified date may preclude a student from
proceeding with their course the next academic year.
5.11
Examination past papers
Copies of the past two years examination papers for all modules are available on the “My
School: Brighton Business School” area on Studentcentral. However, answer guidelines are not
available. For new courses and modules specimen papers should be made available.
5.12
Examination results
A pass list will be published on studentcentral as soon as possible after the Examination
Board and a letter will be sent to you detailing your results within two weeks of the Board.
Due to current data protection legislation, examination pass lists identify students by their
University student number rather than their name. Therefore if you attend the University to
consult the pass lists it is important to bring along your student number. Administrative staff
will be very busy at this time preparing results letters and will not be able to look up student
numbers.
Please do not ask the tutors, course leader or course administrator for your results. They are
under a lot of pressure to get the results out to you as speedily and as accurately as possible
and any such requests just slow them down. Under no circumstances will results be given by
telephone or e-mail.
Where you consider that your performance in an assessment has been adversely affected by
circumstances beyond your control and you wish the Examination Board to take this into
account you should complete a Mitigating Circumstances form. If you are unable to attend an
examination you should also submit a Mitigating Circumstances form. Full details on mitigating
circumstances can be found in GEAR. However, the following should be noted:
5.13
Mitigating circumstances
Where you consider that your performance in an assessment has been adversely affected by
circumstances beyond your control and you wish the Examination Board to take this into
account you should complete a Mitigating Circumstances form. If you are unable to attend an
examination you should also submit a Mitigating Circumstances form. Full details on mitigating
circumstances can be found in GEAR. However, the following should be noted:
5.13.1 Grounds
In considering claims for mitigating circumstances, your Course Examination Board (or other
appropriate body) will consider:


the severity of the mitigating circumstances, and the reasonableness of a claim that such
circumstances might have affected performance;
the documentary evidence;

the time period affected, and the likelihood that performance may have been affected;

whether it is reasonable to suppose that the circumstances should have been foreseen
by the student, or were avoidable.
The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will normally be considered
valid, where the evidence and timing are available to support the claim:




personal illness;
illness of a family member;
death of a family member or close friend;
personal/psychological problems.
The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will NOT normally be
considered valid, even when they can be supported by independent documentary evidence:











paid employment;
other University deadlines;
car breakdown;
lateness of lift to the University;
missing a bus or train;
oversleeping;
misunderstanding timetable, or not knowing about times;
computer problems (including corrupted disks or printing problems);
job interview;
any ongoing situation known to the student;
other circumstances which it is reasonable to suppose might have been foreseen.
Note: Your mitigating circumstances are unlikely to be considered unless some
documentary evidence is provided. Your personal tutor, year tutor or course leader may
be able to advise you of the sort of evidence required, if it is not obvious (Also see 5.15.2
below).
5.13.2 Procedure
If you believe that your mitigating circumstances should be considered you must complete
and submit a Mitigating Circumstances form, via the Professional and Partnership Office, to the
Chair of the Course Examination Board explaining:
(i)
(ii)
Which assessments were affected
How the circumstances affected your performance.
You need to ask the Professional and Partnership Office staff if you do not know who the Chair
of the Course Examination Board is. The form and any supporting letter must be
accompanied by third party documentary evidence, e.g. medical certificates. Self
Certification of Illness notes will NOT be accepted- you must produce a doctor’s
certificate.
The form and any supporting letter together with supporting evidence must be handed into the
Course Administrator as soon as possible and certainly no later than 5 working days after
the assignment/ examination to which they relate. Students should try and consult their
Course Leader before submitting their forms and supporting evidence so that the Course
Leader can speak on their behalf when mitigating circumstances are considered.
Any Mitigating Circumstances not submitted in this way will not normally be considered
by a Course Examination Board. See also the section on appealing against an
Examination Board decision where it warns that late submission of mitigating
circumstances is not normally allowable.
5.14
Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in assessment
If you attempt to gain a grade by fraudulent means you can be severely punished by the Course
Examination Board – see GEAR.
5.14.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is essentially presenting (directly or indirectly) another person's thoughts, writing,
etc. as your own. Quoting directly without quotation marks and attribution is plagiarism.
Copying material from a textbook, lecture material, article, digital file or another student,
even if you paraphrase, may be considered plagiarism.
It is your responsibility to be fully aware what constitutes plagiarism and what does not. As a
starting point, you should read the University’s Plagiarism Awareness Pack – you will be
provided a paper copy of this pack when you start your course, and electronic copies are
available on the “MY School: Brighton Business School” area and all Course Areas on
Studentcentral. Also, a short Powerpoint presentation showing the sort of copying our
plagiarism software can detect can be found on the School Area and all Course Areas
Studentcentral. By properly referencing all your work, you can avoid a plagiarism allegation,
so you should also be fully conversant with the Brighton Business School Referencing
Handbook.
Plagiarism is an issue facing all universities across the world and strikes at the heart of
academic standards. Be warned we shall be sampling this work with highly effective
software designed to detect copying.
5.14.2 Collusion
Collusion is defined as one or more people working together for the purposes of perpetrating
a fraud. In academic terms this generally means attempting to pass of a piece of work done
by a fellow student or group of students as an individual’s own work. As it is only in
exceptional circumstances that this could happen inadvertently the presumption is that all
parties were involved in the decision to share work and to try pass that work of as the work of
an individual rather than that of a fellow student or group. Therefore it is important to make
sure that if the assignment is an individual piece of work it is your own work and not that of a
group. Presenting a piece of work as yours when it is, in fact, the work of a fellow student or
group is collusion and is a form of fraud.
The Business School treats collusion as seriously as plagiarism and, even if you are the
originator of the work, in order to avoid suffering a similar penalty to fellow students who
‘copied’ your work you will have to provide a coherent explanation to the panel of why you
gave them sight of your work. As the panel will be operating on the presumption that this is
unlikely to happen inadvertently you should be very wary of lending your notes, computer
disks or assignments to other people, as you will find it difficult to prove that you were not
directly involved in an attempt to collude
5.14.3 Cheating
Cheating in examinations by whatever means, including copying from unauthorised material or
from another student’s script, consulting information or individuals while absent from the
examination room, or attempting to gain a higher grade by fraudulent means, is also strictly
forbidden.
Recently a small number of students were caught bringing into the examination hall illegal
material that could have been of benefit to them when answering questions. In all cases the
students were heavily penalised. The default for most modules is that you are not allowed to
take any material into the examination room apart from pens, pencils and possibly non
programmable calculators- and , of course, yourself!. If you are allowed to take material into the
examination room please make absolutely certain that you have checked with your lecturer
exactly what you are and are not allowed to take in long before the date of your examination.
As each module is likely to have different forms of assessment you will need to check with the
Lecturer for each module. Ignorance of the rules is not a defence that we will listen to.
5.14.4 Penalties
Penalties for plagiarism and collusion include being marked as zero for the assignment,
zero for the module or even harsher penalties. A similar penalty is applied for cheating in
examinations. Repeat offences carry stiffer penalties.
5.15
Appealing the decision of an examination board
Examination Boards are conducted under the University of Brighton’s General Examination
and Assessment Regulations (GEAR), a copy of which is available on the “My School:
Brighton Business School” area on Studentcentral.
Following notification of results, students may wish to meet with their Course leader or
Personal Tutor in order to discuss any concerns before the student decides whether or not
to submit a Stage 1 Formal Appeal.
Where a student wishes to request a review of an examination board decision, s/he should
give notice in writing by completing in full the Stage 1 Formal Appeal form which should be
sent together with supporting evidence to the Appeals and Complaints Office (ACO) via
post or electronically ([email protected]) within 21 calendar days
from the publication of results on Studentcentral or the date of notification whichever is
earlier. The form is available on Studentcentral, on the University’s website, from School
offices and the Students’ Union. Appeals not on the prescribed form will be rejected.
Grounds for appeal
A request for a review of an Examination Board decision may only be made on one or more
of the following grounds:
1. That a procedural irregularity in the assessment process led to a decision detrimental
to the student. Procedural irregularity refers to circumstances where the University’s
procedures or regulations have not been followed or where other errors may have
been made by the University in considering the assessment.
2. That the student had mitigating circumstances (as defined in GEAR) which the
Examination Board could not be made aware of because the student had been
unable for valid reasons to divulge them before the Examination Board reached its
decision.
3. That there was an arithmetical error in the student’s marks.
These are the ONLY grounds for appeal. There is no right of appeal against decisions of an
Examination Board which are matters of academic judgement. Similarly a student may not
lodge an appeal on the grounds of dissatisfaction with the design, curriculum or delivery
(teaching, departmental support, etc.) of a course.
Note in particular that marks awarded are matters of academic judgement, i.e. you cannot
ask for an examination script to be re-marked.
6.
COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
Admissions
Course specific regulations
Minimum pass mark and referrals
What happens if I then fail a referral?
Deferrals
Progression Regulations
Awards and Classification
Intercalation and Withdrawal
___________________________________________________________________
6.1 Admissions
Minimum Entry Requirements to MSc/Post graduate Diploma in Accounting
Direct entry students wishing to join the MSc/Post graduate in Accounting must, in accordance
with University and ACCA regulations:
i)
be currently registered students of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
ii)
be competent to read, speak and write in English. This normally requires an IELTS
minimum 6.5 overall with 6.5 in the written test and a minimum of 5.5 in the other
elements.
iii)
be able to provide documentary evidence that they have passed all but one of the
Fundamentals Knowledge and Fundamental Skills examinations to that point. Students
may carry only one outstanding paper on to the programme.
In all cases, the final decision for acceptance on to the course rests with the course leader.
Entry to MSc Accounting Top Up Phase
Direct entry students wishing to join the MSc Accounting must, in accordance with University
and ACCA regulations:
i)
be currently registered with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants or
equivalent
ii)
be competent to read, speak and write in English. This normally requires an IELTS
minimum 6.5 overall with 6.5 in the written test and a minimum of 5.5 in the other
elements.
iii)
Be fully qualified ACCA (or other professional accounting body) accountants i.e. have
the equivalent of 110 CATS points at master’s level
6.2 Course specific regulations
This course forms part of the Brighton Business School’s Post graduate Programme. The
general rules governing the assessment of the programme are to be found in the University’s
General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR)(a copy of which can be found
via the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral). The regulations are
necessarily detailed and complicated.
Due to the PSRB requirements we have made some exceptions to GEAR on this course
which can be seen below
6.3 Minimum pass mark and referrals
The minimum pass for a module is 50%. The course uses the numerical mark scheme in
order to establish the grades which can be achieved within a module (see section 5.2 for
further details):
If you do not achieve a minimum pass mark for a module the Examination Board will
normally decide to REFER you in that module. A REFERRAL is classed as a provisional
failure, which can be overturned as a result of you providing additional satisfactory evidence
of achievement of the objectives of the module. To present evidence you will be re-assessed
and asked to undertake additional assessment(s). The type of assessment will be specified
by the Examination Board and must normally be completed before the start of the next
academic year.
As a general rule any referred coursework has to be received by the end of August whilst
referred examinations almost always take place during the late August and early
September. You should always check dates with the professional courses office and
on Studentcentral before arranging other commitments because if you do not submit
outstanding referred coursework or attend a referred exam at the required time you
will automatically fail the module and may not be able to progress to the next year of
the course.
A referral is only awarded to students who at the first attempt have demonstrated that they
could achieve a pass by undertaking additional assessment. A referral is not an automatic
right and the Examination Board will not normally sanction referrals is no more that a
maximum of 50% of the total credit in a stage of study.
The pass mark for any referred module is normally set at 50%.
The University of Brighton’s General Examination & Assessment Regulations state that
permission to undertake a referral is at the discretion of the Examination Board, except in the
following circumstances when a referral is not permitted:
1. A student initially failing a module as a result of not attempting any or some of the
assessment tasks (unless there are mitigating circumstances when the student would
be deferred and then be required to make good the assessment tasks at a later date)
2. A student failing to satisfy the learning contract associated with a module.
So if you do not submit a coursework assessment task or fail to attend an examination and
do not have acceptable mitigating circumstances which would allow an extension to a set
deadline, or to a deferment to some future occasion, then you will fail the module, not be
allowed an opportunity to be referred, and may be required to repeat the module again with
attendance the following year.
6.4
What happens if I then fail a referral?
A student who fails a referral may be given the opportunity to repeat their failed modules in
full once only with attendance.
Repeating a module means attending all the classes/seminars/workshops and undertaking
all the assessments for that module. The opportunity to repeat a module is not a right and
will be at the discretion of the Course Examination Board.
Decisions in relation to the repeat performance will not be as if the module were being
assessed for the first time. Any module that is passed after having been repeated will only
be credited with a mark of 50%.
The normal expectation is that students have to pass all modules at a particular level
before being allowed to progress to the next level.
A maximum of up to three attempts may be allowed on a piece of assessment.
6.5
Deferrals
It unfortunately happens sometimes that a student has serious mitigating circumstances
whilst undertaking assessment in one or more modules that prevents them from passing
those modules. In such circumstances, where there is verifiable evidence that this is so and
the student has submitted a properly completed Mitigating Circumstances form in advance of
the meeting of the Course Examination Board meeting, the Course Examination Board may
allow a student to be DEFERRED in the affected modules. This is not an automatic right and
it is up to the discretion of the Course Examination Board to allow this.
Where the Course Examination Board has agreed a deferral the student must assume that
they will be asked to submit themselves for assessment at the next available opportunity
offered by the Course Examination Board.
It is hoped that such a student will then pass all of their outstanding modules. Where this
does not happen and a referral or deferral (if mitigating circumstances are ongoing) has to be
satisfied, the Course Examination Board may allow a student to take the assessment at the
next available sitting.
6.6
Progression Regulations
Part time
 Part time students will complete the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting over two
years
 Normally students would have successfully completed the three modules in Year 1 of the
part time course before proceeding to Year 2, but students who have failed no more than
one module in Year 1 may be admitted to Year 2 of the part time course.
6.7
Awards and Classification
6.7.1 MSc Accounting
Students who have successfully gained at least 180 CATS points will be eligible for the
following MSc award as per GEAR.

MSc Accounting
Masters degrees are awarded as pass, merit or distinction.
Merit will be awarded to students for the Masters award who have satisfied the requirements
of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules across the
award of at least 60.00 and a mark of at least 60 in the final element.
Distinction will be awarded to students for the Masters award who have satisfied the
requirements of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules
across the award of at least 70.00 and a mark of at least 70 in the final element.
The ‘final element’ will normally be valued at 60 credits at level 7 and includes the following
types of modules; dissertation, research project or completion element of a Masters award,
as defined in the programme specification. Where the final element is composed of more
than one module, the mark for the final element will be determined as a credit-weighted
mean mark over the modules.
6.7.2 Postgraduate Diploma
Students who have successfully gained at least 120 CATS points will be eligible for the
following Postgraduate Diploma award as per GEAR.

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma Masters degrees are awarded as pass, merit or distinction.
Merit will be awarded to students for the Masters award who have satisfied the requirements
of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules across the
award of at least 60.00 and a mark of at least 60 in the final element.
Distinction will be awarded to students for the Masters award who have satisfied the
requirements of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules
across the award of at least 70.00 and a mark of at least 70 in the final element.
The ‘final element’ will normally be valued at 20 credits at level 7 and includes the following
types of modules; dissertation, research project or completion element of a Masters award,
as defined in the programme specification. Where the final element is composed of more
than one module, the mark for the final element will be determined as a credit-weighted
mean mark over the modules.
6.7.3
Exit Awards
Students who exit the PG Diploma/ MSc programme after achieving 60 CATS points at M
level may be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting12.
 Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting
Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma degrees are awarded as a pass, merit or
distinction.
12
Subject to approval by University portfolio group
Merit will be awarded to students for the PGCert awards who have satisfied the requirements
of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules across the
award of 60.00-69.99.
Distinction will be awarded to students for the PGCert awards who have satisfied the
requirements of the award and have achieved a credit-weighted mean mark from all modules
across the award of at least 70.00
6.8 Intercalation and withdrawal
6.81 Intercalation
Students considering withdrawing or intercalating from either a module or the whole course
should contact the programme administrator at the earliest opportunity to discuss the matter
as there may be implications based on the timing of this decision. Students are encouraged
to contact the course leader if they are experiencing difficulties of any kind which might
impact on their attendance.
6.8.2 Withdrawal from the course
Students who wish to withdraw from the course should write to the course leader and course
administrator informing her/him that they wish to withdraw.
This notification should be
received no later than ten days before the first examination that the student is due to sit. If
this written notification is not received, or not received by the appropriate date, then the
student will be recorded as having failed through non-attendance at the examination.
7.
LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
The library service
Library services to part-time students
The Online Library
Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb
Media Services
Studentcentral
ASK Study Guide
Useful web addresses
_________________________________________________________________
The Information Services department provides library, computing and media services in
support of learning, teaching, research and administration at the University of Brighton.
7.1
The library service
7.1.1 The University of Brighton libraries



There are five libraries at the University of Brighton; the Aldrich, Falmer and St Peter’s
House libraries in Brighton, the Queenwood Library in Eastbourne and the Hastings
Campus Library.
You will be issued with a student identity / library card (Unicard) when you enrol, which
will enable you to borrow material from all University of Brighton libraries. Your Unicard
will also allow you reference access to the University of Sussex library.
The Aldrich Library is located in the Cockcroft Building on the Moulsecoomb site. It
stocks a broad range of books and other materials relevant to your studies, covering all
aspects of business studies, management and law.
7.1.2 Opening hours
Up to date information the about opening hours for all site libraries can be found at
www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Libraries > Locations and opening times, or here
Current opening hours for the Aldrich Library Help Desk (on the Moulsecoomb site):
Term time:
Monday – Thursday
Friday
Saturday & Sunday
08.30 – 21.00
08.30 – 19.00
11.00 – 15.00
Vacations:
Monday – Friday
Saturday
Sunday
09.00 – 17.30
Closed
11.00 – 15.00 (except August)
The Aldrich Library is open for study only until 02.00 every night during term time. After the
library Help Desk closes, entrance to the Ground Floor is via the entrance in Queensdown
School Road and you will need your Unicard to gain entrance.
In addition the Aldrich Library has extended opening hours during exam revision periods.
For more information about this look out for posters displayed in the library or visit
www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich.
7.1.3 Borrowing entitlements
You may borrow up to 20 items at any one time. The standard loan period is three weeks but
items in heavy demand are seven day loan or for use in the library only (Desk Loan
Collection). Desk Loan items can be booked in advance for use in the library or overnight
loan. You will normally be charged a fine if you return a short loan item late or retain an item
which has been reserved by another user and recalled by the library.
7.1.4 Renewing items
It is not always necessary to bring items which you have on loan into the library to renew
them. Provided that it has not been requested by another user, any item may be renewed:
 in the library at the Help Desk or on the self-service machines using your Unicard.
 by telephoning the library (the Aldrich Library number is 01273 642770). Outside of
library opening hours there is an answerphone where you can leave a message
requesting a renewal.
 online using the My Account tab in the library catalogue (via the Online Library at
http://library.brighton.ac.uk). You will need to log in using your Unicard number.
7.1.5 Returning items



If the library is open, return your items to the library using the self-service machines so
that they can be discharged from your record.
When the library is closed, you can use the secure book-drop bins situated at the site
libraries. At Aldrich there is one on the ground floor adjacent to the computer pool room
and a second one in the Cockcroft building reception area..
Items can be returned by post; however, they remain your responsibility until received by
the library.
7.1.6 The library catalogue
The library catalogue is available on dedicated terminals in each library and is also
accessible online via the Online Library (http://library.brighton.ac.uk). The catalogue has
information about all the material held in all of our site libraries. You can use the catalogue
to search for books, electronic books, print journals, electronic journals and audio-visual
items and to access your own borrower record for renewing books and to see your current
loans. You can also use the catalogue to reserve items when all copies are on loan.
7.1.7 Requesting items from other libraries
Undergraduate and postgraduate students are entitled to inter-library loans. This means that
you can obtain books or articles from other libraries (usually the British Library) when we do
not hold them in stock. For more information please refer to the Inter Library Loan section of
the Information Services website here under Libraries > Borrowing or ask at your library
Help Desk or contact the Aldrich Library Business Team.
7.1.8 Photocopying
All the libraries offer self-service photocopying and scanning facilities - you should read the
notices about copyright to ensure you stay within the legal limits of copying from printed
materials.
7.1.9 Audio-visual material
All the libraries have relevant collections of DVDs which you can use in the library or borrow
for home use. You can use the library catalogue to search for audio-visual items. There is
also a service called BOB: Box of Broadcasts, for watching and making clips from TV and
radio programmes, available from the Online Library http://library.brighton.ac.uk
7.1.10 Communications
The library uses your university Email address for all correspondence (e.g. recalled, loans or
notification of reserved items awaiting collection). It is possible to set your Email to be
forwarded to a personal email account of your choice. This can be done within
studentCentral by clicking on Email or from the Information Services website
www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Computing > Student email.
7.1.11 Library Rules and Acceptable Behaviour Policy
All students are advised to read these documents which supplement the university
regulations.
They
are
available
on
the
Information
Services
website
www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Libraries > Borrowing > Rules and regulations
7.1.12 EndNote
EndNote is a software programme installed on all University computers that allows you to
store and organise your references and create bibliographies or insert correctly formatted
references into assignments in whichever style you require eg. Harvard, Chicago, APA etc.
The online version is available free to all staff and students registered at the University
Brighton. You must register to use EndNote online using a University of Brighton computer
and renew your registration after one year. Further information can be found on the Online
Library website under Subject Guides here
7.1.13 Enquiries and further help
A Help Desk can be found in each of our libraries. You can also contact the Aldrich Library:
By phone:
Aldrich Library Help Desk:
01273 642760/642770
By email:
General enquiries:
[email protected]
Subject support team for Business and Law: [email protected].
If you have special needs, ask about the services that can be provided to enable you to use
the libraries effectively.
7.2 Library services for part-time students
If you are studying part time and living away from the university, please ask at your
University of Brighton home library about using another university library under the SCONUL
Access scheme. Ask at your home library Help Desk for more information and you can also
visit http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/ to check whether the library you want to use is part of
the scheme.
Part time students may also be eligible to join the University of Brighton’s Postal Loan
Service whereby items can be posted to you. For more information go to the Information
Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students and see Libraries > Part time students or
link from here.
7.3 The Online Library
The Online Library (available via the Online Library link in StudentCentral, or here) contains:

OneSearch: for searching across a number of our resources at once.

Links to our library catalogue, the catalogues of other local libraries and the British
Library’s catalogue.

Subject Guides: Providing research assistance, subject guides, and useful resources
compiled by Information Services. These guides include databases, Internet gateways,
government websites and professional organisations

Resources A-Z includes the databases used to search for articles and papers relevant to
your subject. Most of these databases contain the full text of documents. The non-full
text databases provide bibliographic detail and often an abstract.
A selection of the databases you may find useful are:
Business Source Premier
Emerald
FAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy)
Passport (global market information)
Key Note (market research reports and company data)
Lawtel
Lexis Library
UK Newsstand (Financial Times, Guardian, Times etc)
Westlaw
The majority of these resources are available both on and off campus using your university
username and password.
If you would like more information or assistance with using the Online Library please ask at
your library Help Desk or email [email protected].
7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb
7.4.1 Locations and opening hours for computer access
Aldrich library computer poolroom:
Term-time
Monday - Friday
Saturday – Sunday
08.30 – 02.00
11.00 – 02.00
Vacation
Monday – Friday
Sunday
09.00 – 17.30
11.00 – 15.00 (closed during August)
When the main library Help Desk is closed you will need your Unicard to gain entrance.
The computer poolroom has extended opening hours during exam revision periods as part of
the Aldrich Library. For more information about this look out for posters displayed in the
library or visit www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich
.
Mithras Annexe computer poolroom:
Term-time
Monday – Friday
Weekends:
08.30 – 02.00
Closed
Vacation
Monday – Friday
08.30 – 19.00
The Aldrich Library has a number of computers on each floor and the majority of study
spaces have connection points for laptops. The Aldrich Library is wireless enabled. For the
opening hours of Aldrich Library see section 7.1 above or go here
NB. LIBRARIES AND COMPUTER POOL ROOMS ARE CLOSED ON MOST PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS
The information above was correct at time of going to press., However as opening hours can
be subject to change, for latest information please check the Information Services website
here
7.4.2 Usernames and passwords
When you have completed your online enrolment / activation, your university username and
password will be generated. This can be used to access all the open access computers in
libraries and poolrooms, studentcentral and the majority of resources available via the
Online Library. If you wish to change your password to something easier to remember, you
can do this in studentcentral by clicking on Personal Settings.
7.4.3 Student email
You will be provided with your university email address when you activate your computer
account. You can read your email at http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk
Email is used as the primary means of communication throughout your course of study. Your
lecturers and other staff and students will send email to your Brighton University address.
You may wish to look at the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students
under Computing > Student email where you can also find instructions on how to set your
email to be forwarded to a personal email account and to set up Email on your mobile
device..
.
NOTE: If forwarding email to your personal address you will need to clear down your
university email account from time to time; if you exceed your disc space you will stop
receiving emails.
7.4.4 Connecting your own computer
You can connect your own computer via the network sockets in libraries and most halls of
residence using an Ethernet cable or via the Eduroam wireless network on each site. Once
connected, your computer is part of the university network and is therefore subject to our
conditions of use. Please see the Information Services website under Computing or link
here for information such as how to download anti-virus software, which is one of the
conditions, how to connect your laptop to the University network in the libraries and in halls of
residence, and computer clinics offered.
7.4.5 The Computer Store
The Computer Store in the Watts Building at Moulsecoomb sells a range of consumables
such as blank CDs, USB sticks, cables, software, computers etc. Many items are available
at special educational discount rates. The computer store is open 9am – 4.30pm Mon –
Thursday and 9am - 4pm Friday during term-time. See here for details.
7.4.6 Printing
Information Services provides a variety of high quality networked laser printers throughout
the university. You can use them from computer pool rooms, from libraries and from your
laptop on all main sites of the university.
A printing account is automatically set up for you once you activate your computer account
and you can add credit to your Unicard account online and via the blue Printer Credit
Stations which you will find located in the open access computer pool rooms. For more
information on printing see the Information Services website here
7.4.7 Scanners
Scanners are located in all open access computer pool rooms.
7.4.8 Software available in the open access computer poolrooms




Adobe Reader
EndNote (bibliographic software)
InfoZip
Internet Explorer







MS Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access)
MindGenius (mind-mapping software)
Minitab
PhotoShop Elements (on machines connected to scanners only)
Sophos (anti-virus software)
SPSS
TextHelp Read & Write Gold (screen reading and reading/writing tool)
In addition there is specialist software available as relevant in the different poolrooms /
libraries. For a full, up to date list go to the Accessibility Support section of the Information
Services website, or link from here
7.4.9 Computing help
Online help is available in studentcentral (see below) and the Information Services website
here. Technician help is also available in the libraries at advertised times. For help with
username and password problems you can contact your local library help desk.
7.5
Media Services
The Central Media Services Team can help with the recording and editing of
media production to assist students as part of their assignments. See here for further
information.
7.6
Studentcentral
Studentcentral is the student website for the University of Brighton; it is how you access
most online information whilst studying here. You can access your study information and
materials, email, and the online library as well as keep your personal information up-to-date.
If you need technical support with any aspect of using studentcentral please contact the
[email protected].
Once logged in you are taken to the home tab where you can see News and Events as well
as ‘What’s New’ on your modules. The Studies ‘Tab’ is where you will see your school,
course and modules. The school area contains information about the school and includes
timetables and exam schedules. The course area contains information about the course and
the module areas are where the online teaching takes place and is also where you will be
submitting any coursework (speak to your tutors for more information). You will also find a
link to your Reading List providing access to information about recommended reading
including books, ebooks, journal articles, websites and videos.
Studentcentral on your mobile or tablet – an app is available which gives you access to
studentcentral on your mobile or tablet. Particularly useful for the push notifications so that
you are alerted to any new content posted on your modules. The app is called Blackboard
Mobile Learn and is available from your app store. For details see:
http://student.brighton.ac.uk/mobile
7.7
Academic Study Kit (ASK) Website
In addition to course-specific guidance, online resources to help you study effectively are
available through the ASK Study Guide see: http://about.brighton.ac.uk/ask/ . The ASK
website offers advice on how to develop the study skills required for academic success at
University. There are a range of resources and study tips on how to make the most of
seminars and lectures, reading and notemaking, preparing for exams, tackling stress, essay
writing, oral presentations, group work and many other topics. You will also find information
about the weekly Study Support workshops held at all university sites, how to book tutorials
or groups and specialist services such as the Maths & Stats Support Unit and English
Language Support Programme.
7.8
Useful web addresses
Information Services web site
http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/
Online Library
http://library.brighton.ac.uk
student mail
http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk
studentcentral
http://studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk/
studentcentral help
Login to studentcentral and use the Help and
Advice tab
HelpDocuments
http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/Documents.aspx
8.
STUDENT SERVICES
Opportunities and support to help you get the most out of your time at university.
Student Services is a central department that provide a range of services to support you
through university and to help you get the most from the student experience.
Our experienced and supportive staff offer advice on a range of issues, including:
- Advice about money worries and how to live on a budget.
- Support in finding jobs and volunteering opportunities.
- Help accessing academic support if you have a disability, learning difficulty or longterm medical condition.
- One to one support for students with worries or concerns in a safe, confidential
space.
Here for you, whatever the issue
Below is an outline of some of the ways in which we can help you during your time here.
Career development
Build your employability skills and boost
your graduate potential, with careers
guidance, enterprise skills, and
employment and volunteering
opportunities.
Chaplaincy
There’s more to the Chaplaincy than you
think with social events, retreats, worship,
discussion, support and listening.
Childcare
With two Ofsted rated nurseries open to
children of staff, students and the local
community, the University of Brighton is an
excellent choice for high quality, affordable
and flexible childcare.
Counselling
Whatever the reason, if you are finding
academic life is causing you concern, or
for personal reasons you need someone
to talk things over with, you don't need to
feel that you are all alone with your
worries. Talk to one of our trained
counsellors in a safe and confidential
space.
Disability and dyslexia support
If you’ve got a disability, specific learning
difficulty or long term-health condition and
choose to disclose it in confidence to the
Disability and Dyslexia team, you’ll
discover the wide range of academic and
personal support available.
Health and wellbeing
Looking after yourself whist at university
helps you to get the most of your
experience. Our links to local surgeries
give you access to a doctor, while our
health and wellbeing workshops and
information help you to keep everything in
balance – so look after your mind and
body whilst you are here.
Student Advice Service
When it comes to your finances at
university it pays to be money wise; so for
expert advice on financial issues, including
fees, grants, bursaries, loans, and money
management, contact the Student Advice
Service. They can also help if you are an
international student needing immigration
advice, or support if you’re experiencing
culture shock and home sickness.
Get in touch
You can find further information about our services and answers to your student life queries at
http://www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students/index.aspx, see also the ‘help and advice’ tab on
student central for access to FAQs, ask a question or book appointments.
We can help answer your questions in confidence via email, at [email protected] or
you can access our services at each campus by visiting our student centres, or call us to find out
more or book an appointment.
Eastbourne - Trevin Towers, Gaudick Road
Falmer – E354, Checkland Building
Grand Parade – Student Centre, Ground Floor, Main Building
Moulsecoomb - Manor House, Moulsecoomb Place
Hastings – The Student Centre, Level 1, Priory Square
T: 01273 643845
T: 01273 643584
T: 01273 643187
T: 01273 642895
T: 01273 644643
9.
STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
Student Charter
Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy
Disability statement
Fire evacuation
Observing copyright laws
_________________________________________________________________________
9.1 Student Charter
The relationship between the University, its students and the Students’ Union is based on the
principle of partnership: a relationship through which mutuality and interdependence in the learning
process are emphasised and celebrated. This has as its principal goal the development of
confident, independent researchers and professionals, fully capable of succeeding in their chosen
vocations and as well-informed citizens. The Charter (which is due to be reviewed in the
forthcoming academic year) seeks to emphasise this partnership and to sustain it through a set of
shared commitments and expectations, set out in the table below and embodied in the detailed
policies, procedures and regulations of the University of Brighton accessible at
http://www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/studentadvice/regulations
The University aims to:
Students are expected to:
The Students’ Union aims to:












Provide a stimulating learning
environment.
Give all students the right to
be represented in University
Governance through the
Students’ Union.
Provide access to personal
tutors and appropriate study
support.
Continuously seek to improve
the quality of teaching,
research and support
services.
Ensure appropriate and timely
feedback on all coursework.
Assess and mark work fairly,
consistent with clearly stated
learning objectives.
Provide clear regulations,
procedures, policies and
information.
Enhance personal
development and
employability skills and
provide access to careers
counsellors.
Facilitate access to
appropriate welfare, support
and services.
Foster an inclusive
environment treating all with
fairness, dignity and respect.
Operate fair, accessible and
timely processes for handling
appeals, complaints and
disciplinary matters.
Encourage students to provide
feedback on their university
experience, and, where
appropriate, act upon this.














Share responsibility for the
learning process, recognising
the role of independence and
self- motivation in your studies.
Engage fully with all learning
activities, whether face to face
or through e-learning.
Attend and contribute to
lectures, seminars or tutorials.
Adhere to the standards of
academic practice of your
course.
Reflect critically on feedback to
improve your work.
Comply with University
regulations and procedures.
Make arrangements for prompt
payment of all fees and charges.
Be pro-active in seeking
appropriate advice and support
in the event of difficulty whether
academic or personal.
Use opportunities to enhance
personal development including
extracurricular choices and
volunteering.
Treat university staff, other
students and our neighbours
with dignity and respect.
Respect the University and local
physical environment.
Support student representatives
and participate in the processes
to select them.
Provide information requested
by the University and ensure
that your records are current.
Provide feedback on the
University experience.
55









Promote a sense of enjoyment in all
aspects of university life.
Work in partnership with students
and the University in maintaining a
culture that promotes a critical and
independent learning environment.
Work with students and the
University to ensure the financial
support packages available are
suitable and continue to meet the
needs of students.
Offer information, advice or
representation to students through
the SU Advocacy Service.
Provide opportunities for all
students to get involved in any part
of the Students’ Union.
Foster a caring inclusive
environment for all students.
Ensure the elected representatives,
policies and actions of the
Students’ Union reflect students’
needs.
Provide support, training and
resources to students and their
representatives so that they may
contribute effectively to the
evaluation and enhancement of the
university experience.
Seek to ensure that Students’
Union and the University learn from
the experiences of students.
9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy
Engagement with your studies
You are expected to engage with all the learning activities which form part of your programme and
attend all scheduled course workshops, lectures and seminars. Attendance registers will be
maintained by your course team and should your individual attendance fall below an average of 75%,
this may be taken into consideration by Examination Boards when deliberating on the granting of
referrals.
You may however be unable to attend scheduled workshops, lectures and seminars from time to
time due to exceptional circumstances (for example personal illness, family bereavement,
hospitalisation etc.). In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the course
management team are informed at the time and that such absence is discussed with and recorded
by the course team. Where possible, students are expected to provide evidence supporting their
absence and a lack of evidence may limit the decision making options of the course leader and/or
examination board.
Should your record of attendance be consistently poor (i.e. fall below the 75% minimum
requirement), you may be required to attend a meeting with your Course Leader to discuss your
absences. In the event you fail to attend the meeting without due notice, you will receive a further
letter inviting you to a re-arranged meeting. If you do not attend this meeting, you will then be
considered to have withdrawn from the course.
Your responsibilities as a student
We encourage you to make use of all the facilities and resources available to you, including
libraries and ICT facilities, to enable you to pursue your studies diligently and take responsibility for
your own learning. You should familiarise yourself with University and Brighton Business School
Rules and Regulations including any relating to your course and should be aware of the
requirements of your course. Your course programme team, including the course administrators
are available to clarify any questions you may have. Contact details of all the course team are
available in your course handbook.
9.3 Disability Statement
The University of Brighton is fully committed to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act
2001 (SENDA), which extended to educational institutions the provisions of the 1995 Disability
Discrimination Act. The booklet entitled Access and Support for Disabled Students summarises the
University’s approach to and provision for students with all types of disability, including long-term
conditions, mental health difficulties, sensory impairments and specific learning difficulties. A copy
of the booklet is available from Student Services, and a reference copy is held in the School Office.
Fuller information about relevant services can be found at: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/disability/
Staff who co-ordinate support for students with disabilities or specific learning needs are based in
the Disability & Dyslexia Team in Student Services located in the Manor House. For contact details
see section 8.
If you have disability or specific learning needs please also raise this with Donna Clark in the
Undergraduate Office (M160) who can make you aware of student support available.
9.4
Fire evacuation
On hearing the fire alarm
Leave the building by nearest route
Close all doors behind you.
Report to assembly point as shown on nearest fire action notice.
56
At all times:
Use the nearest available exit.
Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Do not run or try to pass the person in front.
Do not use the lift.
Do not re-enter the building.
Do not congregate outside the main entrance.
NB These are generic procedures; please refer to any additional specific procedures
associated to individual buildings.
Students with a disability or mobility problems should notify their personal tutor,
course leader or course administrator so that evacuation arrangements can be set
up for them.
For further information on health and safety procedures at the University go to:
http://staffcentral.brighton.ac.uk/safety/
9.5 Observing copyright laws
Under UK copyright law, you must not copy someone else’s copyright material unless (a) you have
their permission or (b) it falls within the limits of what is known as ‘fair dealing’. Most works remain
in copyright for 70 years after the death of the author/creator.
‘Fair dealing’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ permits you to make
a single copy of a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a copyright work. ‘Reasonable’ is not legally defined
but it is recommended that you keep within the following limits:
•
one complete chapter or up to 5% of a book;
•
one article from any one issue of a periodical or set of conference
proceedings;
•
up to 10% (up to a maximum of 20 pages) per short book (without chapters), report,
standard or pamphlet;
•
one poem or short story (maximum 10 pages) from an anthology;
•
•
one separate illustration or map up to A4 size;
short excerpts only from musical works (not whole works or movements) and no
copying for performance purposes.
In all cases, you should acknowledge the source of the work.
9.5.1
Multiple photocopies
Should you need to make multiple copies of copyright material for classroom use, please first read
the notice ‘Copyright – multiple copies’ which should be on display near each university
photocopier. Further information is available online at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright.
9.5.2
Copyright and the internet
Do not assume that just because something appears on the internet, it must be in the public
domain. All material on the internet is protected by copyright. Look for a copyright statement (often
on the website’s home page under ‘copyright’, ‘terms and conditions’, ‘disclaimer’ or similar) and
unless copyright has been explicitly waived, seek permission before re-using it in any publiclyaccessible document (web page, poster, etc). Taking a single paper copy of a ‘reasonable
proportion’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing
limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above) is OK but cutting and pasting from someone’s web
page to add to your own website or to send to a group is not. For more guidelines on electronic fair
dealing, see http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/pa/licence/fairnote
57
If you are looking for an image to use in your coursework, remember that images retrieved from
Google, Yahoo, etc are often subject to copyright. Start by checking the sources listed on the
Online Library’s ‘film, image and sound sources’ page on the Reference Shelf
http://library.brighton.ac.uk/pages/Film__Image_and_Sound_Sources/index.php
Many of these collections are available for non-commercial use without payment.
9.5.3
Scanning
You may scan a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a printed document for ‘private study or research for a
non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above)
but it must remain for your personal use only. Do not put scanned copyright material on a computer
network and do not distribute it by email. If you use any scanned copyright material in your course
work, do not alter it, always put text between quotation marks, and always acknowledge your
source. Remember, unacknowledged use of scanned material in your course work could make you
liable to accusations of copyright theft and plagiarism.
9.5.4
For further information on copyright
The UK Intellectual Property Office website (http://www.ipo.gov.uk/) is a useful starting point for
copyright information but much of the university’s use of copyright material is determined by
individual licence agreements covering material such as print materials, digitised texts, OS maps,
newspapers, T.V. and radio programmes, e-journals etc. If you need any further information on this
subject, please check out the documents on copyright at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright .
.
58
10.
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
Course Handbook
ACCA Student Membership
ACCA Fees
Students with Disabilities
The role of the course leader
Quality Assurance
______________________________________________________________________________
10.1 Course Handbook
This Course Handbook contains course-specific information which you will need as a student.
On entry to the University of Brighton, all students have access to the University Student Contract,
which can be found on studentcentral, it contains information on general University matters. Both
handbooks are important and should be read very carefully, and retained for future reference.
The University Student Contract contains, among other things relevant to being a student in Brighton,
important information on the following:
i)
Extracts from examination and assessment regulations.
noted in the previous section;
Please note exceptions to GEAR
ii)
Disciplinary procedures;
iii)
Library services;
iv)
Computer services and facilities;
v)
Guide to Students Services, including Careers, Welfare, Special needs, Counseling services,
the Chaplaincy, Medical services, and Childcare;
vi)
Guide to the Students Union;
vii)
Information on the personal tutor system.
10.2 ACCA Student Membership
You should be a current registered student of the ACCA to commence the course at the University of
Brighton and have already passed or be exempted from the Fundamentals Skills modules of the
Association's examinations. Documentary evidence of this was required as part of the entry criteria.
If, exceptionally, you are not already a registered student of the ACCA then information about
membership may be obtained from:
ACCA
89 Hydepark Street
2 Central Quay
Glasgow. G3 8BW
Tel: 0141 582 2000
Problems or queries involving exemptions should be directed to Glasgow.
Any problems encountered in obtaining student membership or exemption from Fundamentals
Knowledge should be brought to the attention of your course leader as soon as possible. Please
59
however see the notice in the course leader introduction section.
10.3 ACCA Fees
The fees you pay to the University of Brighton cover the tuition you receive from the University. They
do not include any stationery or books, nor do they cover ACCA membership, exemption fees, or any
other ACCA charges.
You will therefore be expected to pay separately to the ACCA:
•
registration fees
•
annual membership fee
•
exemption fees, for converting the University of Brighton examinations to ACCA exemptions (if
you are successful)
•
examination fees for any exams you decide to sit directly with the ACCA (instead of University
of Brighton exams)
Details of all these will be sent to you separately by the ACCA, along with any other charges they may
make, any queries regarding these payments must be taken up with the ACCA directly.
10.4 Students with Disabilities
A summary of the University of Brighton's policies towards students with disabilities is given in Access
and Support for Disabled Students booklet.
You can in addition, help us in the following ways:
•
If you have a disability, please disclose this to a member of university staff (the course leader,
course administrator or any other member of staff), so that we can then make any additional
arrangements that are necessary.
•
Please let us know of any other ways in which we can help you.
Remember, though, that any arrangements made with the university will have to be separately
organised with the ACCA when you come to take the external examinations.
10.5 The role of the course leader
The course leader is expected to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
oversee the academic integrity of the course;
provide the academic leadership of the course;
review the academic content of the course;
review the student progression by subject/cohort etc including comparison with previous
years;
produce an annual review to form part of the Monitoring and Evaluation report;
work with the course team;
ensure intra-subject integration takes place.
60
In addition to providing academic leadership of the award, the course leader is also responsible for
the day-to-day management of the course, assisted by the course teaching team, the Course
Administrator and the Courses Assistants.
The course leader is also responsible for holding meetings with student representatives, which take
the form of Course Boards.
10.6 Quality Assurance
Student participation in the evaluation process is viewed as essential at all stages. Within Brighton
Business School, students are asked to complete a Module Evaluation Form at a convenient point
during the course and the course leader will convene a Course Board, at least once a semester, to
meet with elected student representatives from the course at each institution.
Also, more generally, student representatives have places on the ACCA Annual Course Review
Board, Course Boards, Programme Boards, Boards of Study, Faculty Boards, Academic Board and
its committees, and the Board of Governors.
61
APPENDIX A
Employability
Work experience of any kind can enable you to broaden your experience, develop confidence, gain
skills, maximise your potential, acquire business experience and learn to sell yourself. It is also an
opportunity to find out what a job or occupation is really like before you commit to working in it.
It has always been crucial in helping you get ahead in competitive industries, but in the current
climate work experience is crucial in giving you the advantage over other applicants – your
qualification is only part of the package employers are looking for.
There are many opportunities to get involved in different paid and unpaid activities, both across the
university and beyond.
Volunteering
Volunteering can equip you with invaluable work-related skills such as team work, communication
and being able to demonstrate initiative and commitment.



Active Student provide a supported volunteering programme for students, which aims to
match the placement to your current skills as well as looking at what you would like to gain
from participation. More information about the benefits of volunteering and the
opportunities available on the www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/why-volunteer/
Within the University you can also volunteer with Sport Brighton www.brighton.ac.uk/sportbrighton/about-us/job-and-volunteer-opportunities, and the
Student union www.brightonsu.com/volunteering/.
Some courses also have the opportunity to undertake volunteering as part of your
university course - www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/community-engagement-module/
Doing internships and placements
Many of our courses are designed to include compulsory professional placements
(www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/placements-and-internships/) as part of the
curriculum, while others offer placements and volunteering opportunities as optional parts of
specific module choices. Employer and graduate feedback consistently suggests that these
choices offer a real chance to improve your employability, your confidence and to start linking up
your academic skills within the professional environment. If you want to know more about what
opportunities may be available within your course structure, talk to your Course Leader, Personal
tutor or Year Tutor and they will be able to provide you with further details.
Working part-time
Many students now work part-time to fund their studies. Even the most basic jobs will help you to
gain additional skills to put on your CV. The Careers Service runs a vacancy and events service
which students can register for and get alerts when vacancies become available www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/.
In addition there are a number of ways to work part time for the University – Student Ambassadors,
Student Helpers (Library shelving and Computer helpers), Student Union STARRS – see
www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/working-for-your-university/
Careers fairs, recruitment events and workshops
The Careers Service run different events that provide the opportunity to network with employers
and find out about the skills they are looking for in employees. There are also a host of
employability workshops to help you identify and learn new employability skills. Find out what’s
events are coming up on our events page www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/events/
Beepurple
Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship network, made up of students, graduates and staff
who are interested in developing their enterprise and creativity skills and/or their business ideas.
They run a variety of activities, workshops and talks throughout the year as well as providing the
opportunity to network with current and former students. For further details, please see
www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/
Get involved in the Students’ Union
The student union offer a range of activities and opportunities that can help you to develop different
skills such as team-working, confidence and self-management. This includes opportunities for
part-time work and volunteering, the chance to stand for election as a student-representative or
sabbatical officer, and through getting involved in the hundreds of student union societies, clubs
and activities. For more information please see website www.brightonsu.com/
Mentoring
Mentoring can provide an excellent forum for personal development, not just for the mentee but for
the person mentoring too. This can include improved confidence, listening skills, cooperation and
strategic thinking. The Careers Service runs 2 mentoring schemes – these pair students with
business mentors
www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/momentum-mentoring-scheme/
www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/lgbt-uni-amex-mentoring-scheme/
Leadership development
There are several student roles within the institution that may particularly suit students who are
looking to develop their leadership skills. These include opportunities to work as Student
Ambassadors at open days or within local schools, working as a sabbatical officer or a course rep
for the students union, being captain of a sports team or chair of a student society, or by working
as a leader for the Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) programme
www.brighton.ac.uk/ask/pass/
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Appendix B
Learning Support Plans (LSPs)
The University is committed to ensuring that all enrolled students have an equal
opportunity to succeed on their course. This includes ensuring that the university’s
teaching and assessment processes are as inclusive as possible for disabled
students and students who are experiencing temporary conditions (such as
pregnancy), to minimize any adverse impact on their access to learning.
Recommendations for adjustments to teaching, assessment and examinations are
made by the university’s Disability and Dyslexia Team.
You can find further information about groups that may be eligible for Learning
Support Plans in Section G of the General Examination and Assessment
Regulations, on studentcentral.
What sort of adjustments are included in a Learning Support Plan?
Each Learning Support Plan is tailored to the individual needs of a student that arise
because of their disability or other condition. For example, it may include
recommendations to teaching practices, assessments and examinations.
In some cases, more significant Variations to Assessment can be recommended. In
these cases, the academic Learning Objectives of your course are fundamental to
the decision as to what individual adjustments can be made.
How can I get a Learning Support Plan?
If you have a condition that you think might entitle you to a Learning Support Plan,
you should contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team in Student Services either in
person, by visiting your local Student Services office, or by telephoning 01273
643799 or emailing [email protected]
The Disability and Dyslexia Team will ask you to provide evidence of your
circumstances, such as a note from your doctor or an Educational Psychologist (EP)
Report. They can provide guidance and help you to obtain this evidence if you do
not already have it.
Once you have this evidence, you should then book an appointment with a Learning
Support Coordinator in the team, who will discuss what individual recommendations
can be included in your Learning Support Plan and share this information with your
school.
The process of implementing a Learning Support Plan can sometimes take
time and so it is recommended that you contact the Disability and Dyslexia
Team as soon as possible to discuss your requirements.
Adjustments for examinations cannot be guaranteed if information is received
within 6 weeks of the assessment date.
When you meet with the Disability and Dyslexia Team, they will also provide you with
information about other elements of disability support – such as funding that is
Page 65 of 67
available through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and 1-2-1 support
services.
I’ve told the university about a disability when I applied. Do I need to do
anything else?
Even if you disclosed a disability as part of your application, you will still need to
contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team to provide evidence and so that your
personal Learning Support Plan can be drawn up.
Temporary Conditions
These are usually quite sudden and normally result from physical injury. If time
permits, you should make an appointment through your site Student Services
Administrator to see the Disability and Dyslexia Team, and take your written
evidence (e.g. medical certificate). If there is insufficient time to do this, take the
documentary evidence to the School Office, where the administrative staff will be
able to check with the Disability and Dyslexia Team. While every effort will be made
to help, obviously the closer to the assessment period the more difficult it will be to
make alternative arrangements.
What other support is available from the Disability and Dyslexia Team?
As well as helping with Learning Support Plans, the Disability and Dyslexia Team can
also help with applications for Disabled Students Allowances and other disability
funding. This can help to finance 121 support such as (but not limited to) notetakers,
scribes, mentoring and/or learning support tuition. The type of support provided will
depend on the impact that your disability has on your studies. More information
about the support that the team provides can be found at
www.brighton.ac.uk/disability
Page 66 of 67
APPENDIX C
CAREER PLANNING – WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE
JOURNEY
You are studying accounting and presumably wish to become an accountant. Wherever you
are in this career journey we at the business school are here to help.
You will acquire many skills on this course, some are less explicit than others and to help you
judge your own progress we thought you may like to fill in the checklist below to assess
yourself at this moment through this skill set and then again next semester.
Identify your level by putting an X on what you feel is the appropriate place on the scale.
Basic level
High level
IT
I………………………………………………………..I
NUMERACY
I………………………………………………………..I
ORGANISATION
I………………………………………………………..I
TEAMWORK
I………………………………………………………..I
COMMUNICATION
I………………………………………………………..I
DECISION MAKING
I………………………………………………………..I
REPORT WRITING
I………………………………………………………..I
TIME MANAGEMENT
I………………………………………………………..I
CREATIVITY
I………………………………………………………..I
MOTIVATION
I………………………………………………………..I
PROBLEM SOLVINGI………………………………………………………..I
LANGUAGES
I………………………………………………………..I
FLEXIBILITY
I………………………………………………………..I
NETWORKING
I………………………………………………………..I