Dear Colleagues,
Richard Puttock has very kindly taken me through the 'meaning' of the
revised definition, and I can confirm that the interpretation is as both
Judith below and Ali previously have outlined. Richard did acknowledge
that a number of institutions have been confused by this wording (which
I would maintain is still unclear!), and HEFCE are considering placing a
full explanation of the 'meaning' on the HESES FAQ website. I was unable
to atend the seminar earlier this year, where clearly I would have got a
better understanding of the revised Guidance!
Now I will see what else I don't understand!
Best wishes,
Judy
--
Judy Evans
Head of Management Information
London Metropolitan University
London North Campus
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB
tel: 020 7133 2006
fax: 020 7133 2065
email: [log in to unmask]
"Judith Davison (PINS)" wrote:
>
> As we understand it here (and having been to one of the HEFCE seminars earlier this year when this was touched on) the new draft guidelines are actually relaxing the conditions for funding in that in some institutions (including ours now that we have a changed assessment strategy) a student can pass a module without attempting the final element of assessment. In such cases in previous years we have been unable to claim funding for such students, they were classed as non-completers. Under the new guidelines that will be possible
>
> Judith
>
> Judith A Davison
> ASIS Director
> Planning and Information Services
> University of Huddersfield
> Queensgate
> Huddersfield HD1 3DH
>
> Tel: 01484 472744
> Fax: 01484 472765
> e.mail: [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Judy Evans [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 02 October 2003 16:39
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: HESES 2003 and Non-completion
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> Whilst there are other pressures on us all at the moment, I am sure some
> of you will have already taken a preliminary look at the HESES Guidance
> for the 2003 return, and may have noted the changes made to the
> definition of, and terminology used for, non-completion in Annex D of
> these notes.
>
> In previous years, non-completion has been measured against the final
> assessment for the year of the programme of study "irrespective of the
> outcome of that assessment". Thus, provided a student got to the
> assessment point and undertook it, even if they failed that assessment
> (examination or whatever) they would be counted as a completion. If,
> however, they fell 'by the wayside' before the assessment point and
> therefore did not undertake it, they would be counted as a
> non-completion.
>
> For HESES 2003 there appears to be a change to this, in that the
> significantly revised wording of Annex D now states that "a student who
> fails to complete (that is undergo the final assessment of, OR PASS [my
> caps]) ... is to be returned as a non-completion ...". My interpretation
> of this is that even if they DO get to the assessment point but
> subsequently fail the assessment, they will now count as a
> non-completion. It seems to me that this is the opposite of the previous
> guidance therefore. Am I reading this correctly, or becoming unduly
> concerned?
>
> You will also note that I have " .... " all reference to 'modules' from
> the quoted statement above. The change of definition to "Non-completion
> is defined in terms of modular programmes of study. It applies to all
> institutions, including those that may not consider their programmes to
> be modular" is also one that is taxing me at the moment. I find the
> statement "A student who fails to complete ... any module within the
> year of programme of study is to be returned as a non-completion for ALL
> ACTIVITY [my caps] in that year" hard to comprehend. Given that the
> (current) HEFCE funding model does not fund institutions for
> 'non-completion' this definition on the face of it appears to suggest
> that we are now moving to a funding model whereby we will ONLY be funded
> if the student completes, AND passes, ALL elements of their programme
> within the year. Such a move seems to run counter to the Widening
> Participation agenda and the acknowledged difficulties associated with
> the recruitment of students from 'non-traditional' backgrounds, but
> could be taken as entirely in step with the Government's agenda to come
> down hard on poor progression rates!
>
> I would welcome comments/enlightenment!
>
> Judy
> --
> Judy Evans
> Head of Management Information
> London Metropolitan University
> London North Campus
> 166-220 Holloway Road
> London N7 8DB
>
> tel: 020 7133 2006
> fax: 020 7133 2065
> email: [log in to unmask]
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