Date sent:      	Thu, 22 Apr 1999 09:39:23 +0100
Subject:        	Exams taken overseas
From:           	Jenny Beaumont <[log in to unmask]>
To:             	[log in to unmask]
Send reply to:  	[log in to unmask]

> Apologies for cross-posting.
> 
> We are reviewing our arrangements for students permitted to take resits
> overseas, and I'd appreciate info. on how other institutions handle this.
> Could you please answer the questions below and add any comments. Please
> note that this is *not* about students on franchised courses overseas, but
> those who are on UK courses.
> 
> 1) Do you allow students to take resit exams overseas?

Under certain circumstances - see below
> 
> 2) If so, what are the criteria for granting permission?
> 
There have to be adequate mitigating factors, i.e. medical or other 
significant personal difficulties. Requests normally require 
documentary evidence and/or a letter of support from the student's 
dept.

> 3) Are arrangements handled centrally or by the student's department? (Or
> in another way?)

Centrally. We use British Council Offices, sometimes other 
academic institutions, to host the exams
> 
> 4) Do you charge students for this (in addition to any charges made by the
> overseas host)?

Students pay us an enhanced resit fee, currently £125 (a flat-rate 
fee irrespective of the number of papers they are taking), for the 
arrangements. This is supposed to cover the costs of the overseas 
centre and the centre sends us its invoice so students are not 
charged directly by the overseas centre.

> 
> 5) How do you monitor facilities and standards in the host institution?

We would only use British Council Offices or other reputable 
academic institutions. All requests to take resits overseas are 
approved subject to it proving possible to make satisfactory 
arrangements. We try to arrange the exams so the sessions 
overseas at least overlap with the same paper at Warwick. This 
can be a problem, however, especially in September when there 
are 1st yr Science students who may be resitting a lot of papers. 
Sometimes when there cannot be an overlapping slot we've asked 
whichever invigilators are supervising the first session to ensure 
removal of the exam papers from the students and have issued 
warnings about collusion to the overseas candidates. But in the 
email era I admit I'm not entirely happy about such arrangements.

Joe Taylor
Academic Office
University of Warwick




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