Marking process, passing and failing assignments

The programme uses its assignments as tools to assess trainee progress on the ten assessed domains of competence, which are a codification of the programme learning outcomes. In order to pass the programme, trainees are required to pass each individual assignment. Each assignment has been designated a fixed set of assessment domains upon which it is actively graded (positive and negative evidence is collected). In order to pass an assignment, trainees are required to reach an acceptable standard in each of the actively graded domains for that assignment. However, an assignment may also be failed if substantial negative evidence for any of the ten domains is identified in the course of marking. Assignments are not marked numerically, but rated pass, fail, or (for some assignments) pass with conditions. More detailed information on the criteria used to mark each specific assignment are contained in the marksheets for each academic assignment, which can be found in the programme handbook page for that assignment.

Submissions are marked blind by one or two markers. Markers can be either members of the programme team or clinicians/stakeholders who have been specifically trained to mark the assignment(s). Where two markers are involved, they will discuss their marking to reach a consensus outcome. Occasionally there may be a need for a third marker to be involved, which is typically a member of the programme team. All marking processes are subject to review processes (involving internal and external processes) in accordance with the University Manual of Academic Regulations and Procedures (MARP) before being ratified by the Exam Board.

The programme uses its assignments as tools to assess trainee progress on a series of competencies, which are a codification of the programme learning outcomes. In order to pass the programme, trainees must complete all assignments and any required resubmissions without registering more than two summative fails. Each assignment has been designated a fixed set of competencies upon which it is actively graded (positive and negative evidence is collected). These are numerically rated in order to produce a final mark in the range 0-100. In order to pass an assignment, trainees are required to attain a mark of 50 or higher. More information about the competencies and how they relate to each assignment can be found in the online handbook. More detailed information on the criteria used to mark each specific assignment are contained in the marksheets for each academic assignment.

All submissions and resubmissions are either single or double marked. Marking is conducted by a combination of programme staff and other suitably trained clinical psychologists and other stakeholders who are employed by the programme for this purpose. A sample of all submitted work is moderated by the programme’s external examiners. Information about the external examiners can be found in the online handbook.

Under certain circumstances when a trainee fails an assignment the exam board may recommend that they resubmit using a different topic.