Section 7: Word limits and penalties for exceeding word
limits
7.1
Convenors must ensure that their students are made aware of word limits/ranges on their
assessments and the penalty for exceeding this limit – these should be clearly specified in
assignment instructions.
7.2
The word limit should refer to the main body of the text. The purpose of the word limit is to
ensure that all students are working to common standards. Students must state the number
of words on the front cover.
Footnotes which have been produced by the student should be counted within the overall
word limit of written work. Tables in the main body of the assignment which contain text
should be counted within the overall word limit, unless otherwise specified in a unit’s
assignment instructions.
Appendices, contents pages, executive summaries, diagrams, figures and reference
lists/bibliographies should not be counted within the overall word limit of written work.
Appendices are additional evidence that are supplied for information to the examiner and
should not be regarded as part of the main body of the report. The appendices should not
be marked and the report should be able to stand independently without the appendices.
The purpose of appendices should be clear to the reader.
7.3
Convenors must make it clear to students if they are willing to allow a buffer. Some
examiners prefer to allow up to a 10% buffer but you are NOT obliged to allow students to
exceed the set word limit. Whatever you choose, please ensure students are aware of the
exact limit and any buffer at the time that the assessment is set.
7.4
If the assignment is judged to exceed the word limit set by the Convenor excessively, then
the script should be returned to the student with instructions to amend it so that it falls
within the permitted word count. The student should be informed that the re-submitted
work should be resubmitted direct to the Convenor within 5 working days and that it will not
gain more than the pass mark (40). If the student does not re-submit the work then they will
receive zero for that piece of work.
School of Management Assessment Handbook 2013/14 (Version 2013.1)
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