DVP (AA) V2.0-2nd February 2017
Acceleration Policy and
Process
Background
Pearson Business School undergraduate degree programmes are available to be studied on an
accelerated basis, giving students an opportunity to complete their degree in two years rather than
the traditional three. Acceleration allows students on an integrated Masters programme to
complete in three years, rather than four. Students who accelerate study during the summer term,
thus completing three terms per academic year, rather than two. Accelerated degrees are an
important aspect of Pearson College’s distinctive and flexible approach to higher education
provision.
Students do not apply for accelerated programmes from the outset. Instead, they start on the threeyear programme (or four year, if an integrated Masters) and apply to accelerate during the second
term of their first year. Accelerated programmes are academically demanding and require high
levels of commitment as well as good time management skills. They are not suitable for all students
and students do not have an automatic right to accelerate.
Under current regulations, students at private colleges are only able to access government loans of
up to £6,000 per year. There is no exception for students on a two-year accelerated programme i.e.
they can only access loans of £12,000, whereas a student on a three-year traditional programme is
entitled to a £18,000 loan. There are therefore significant financial implications for many students
who may wish to accelerate in that the government loan may not cover all of their fees.
This policy sets out the basis upon which Pearson College makes decisions about whether or not
students may accelerate their studies and the process to be followed. This policy also details the
information which students require to ensure that they are fully informed about the implications of
acceleration and can make an informed choice. Accelerated programmes are available subject to
minimum student numbers, so may not be available to all cohorts of students.
Aims and principles
The aims of this policy are:



To support students in their studies so that those students who accelerate have the best
opportunity to succeed
To set out fair and transparent criteria for approving applications to accelerate
To establish a clear process for making acceleration decisions


To detail the information required by students in order to make an informed choice about
whether to accelerate, if given the option
To establish a process for disseminating this information
The principles of this policy are:



Transparency: all students should be aware of how decisions are made
Objectivity: acceleration decisions will be made on the basis of objective criteria
Information: students should be fully informed about the implications of acceleration
Criteria for acceleration
Students are permitted to accelerate on the basis of satisfactory performance on the programme,
based on their absence record, results in Level 4 assessments and feedback from their personal
tutor. The specific criteria for individual programmes are set out below.
BSc Business and Enterprise




80% attendance at scheduled classes (authorised absences count as attendance)
Passed all assessments at first attempt, with a discretion for students who have either (a)
passed seven of their eight assessments at first attempt with not more than 4 assessment
criteria missed or (b) passed six of their eight assessments at first attempt with not more
than 2 assessment criteria missed.
All Level 4 assessments to be passed prior to the start of Level 5.
Supporting reference from the personal tutor focussing on participation in class.
BA Business Management (and combinations), LLB/MLaw and BSc/MSci Professional Accounting



80% attendance at scheduled classes (authorised absences count as attendance)
Passed all assessments at first attempt with 2:1 grades or above.
Supporting reference from the personal tutor focussing on participation in class.
Process for acceleration
Decisions about acceleration will be made by the Progression and Retention Committee.
The Programme Leader will contact students prior to reading week in the Spring term, explaining the
decision-making process and criteria for acceleration and drawing students’ attention to this policy.
The Programme Leader’s email will set out the benefits and drawbacks of acceleration, in general
terms. Students will be asked to apply if they believe they fulfil the criteria and would like the option
to accelerate. Applications for acceleration will be sent to Student Services by the end of Week 8.
Student Services will acknowledge receipt and send each student a customised account of the
financial implications of acceleration.
The Progression and Retention Committee will meet in the second week of May. It will consider the
following evidence for each applicant for acceleration:

Absence record
2


Assessment results for Level 4. If necessary, the marking of work submitted at the end of the
Spring term will be expedited.
Personal tutor reference
Student Services will communicate decisions to students within one week. Students who are given
the option to accelerate will be asked to confirm within a week. There will be no right of appeal for
students who are not given the option.
Dissemination of information to students





This policy will be made available on the College website.
A section on acceleration will be added to relevant Student Handbooks, with an outline of
benefits and drawbacks of acceleration, a summary of this policy and a link to the full policy
Staff in the student recruitment and admissions teams will be made aware of this policy so
that applicants who enquire about accelerated programmes are given correct advice
Student Services is responsible for giving students individual information about the financial
implications of acceleration prior to confirmation
The Programme Leader is responsible for ensuring that students are aware of the benefits
and drawbacks of acceleration when inviting students to apply.
Review
This policy will be reviewed as required and at least annually.
Person responsible
Approval date
Version Number
Approved by
Date of next formal review
Status (Current or Post DAP)
Deputy Vice Principal Academic Affairs
2.2.17
2.0
Review and Enhancement Committee
2.2.18
Current
3