This Assessment Handbook is for you to use during your course or programme of study. It outlines the University’s policy relating to the different elements of assessment you may have to complete for your course or programme and explains the outcomes and/or course result you will receive at the end of each course. You'll find our formal Code of practice for student assessment (along with our other student regulations and formal policies) on our website at www.open.ac.uk/our-student-policies or in the Conditions of registration booklet sent to you when you registered.
This Handbook tells you the general rules and regulations for completing and submitting your work and explains the result grades we use, while course or programme-specific information such as your Course Guide, Study Calendar and Assignment Booklet will tell you about the individual elements of assessment in your course.
Most courses have assessment throughout the course rather than just at the end. You should check your Course Guide, Study Calendar and Assignment Booklet for details. Remember that assessment during the course often aims at consolidating what you have learned, improving your understanding of the subject and your skills as a student.
Sections 1 to 4 of this handbook address assessment in relation to individual courses while Section 5 addresses assessment across and within a professional programme of study (for example, the Pre-Registration Nursing programme, the Social Work degree and foundation degrees). All students should read sections 1 to 4, but if you are studying as part of a professional programme, you should also read Section 5.
