3. A candidate, who has not already done so, is required by the College to matriculate on registration for the programme.

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF GLAMORGAN REGULATIONS FOR THE BMUS (HONS) JAZZ AT THE ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA 1. The BMus Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (the College) is an initial degree of the University of Glamorgan (the University), which may be awarded following successful completion of a modular programme of study. Entry conditions 2. Instrumental and vocal candidates will be required to attend an audition at which they are expected to demonstrate musical ability equivalent to the standard of a Distinction at ABRSM Grade VIII. Typically, minimum entrance criteria also include A levels, BTEC or equivalent qualifications in music. Applicants should also have ABRSM Grade V theory. Candidates with an exceptional level of practical ability may be considered without a full range of formal qualifications. Students for whom English is not the first language are required to demonstrate a level of fluency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 540 (207 for the computer based test). Matriculation 3. A candidate, who has not already done so, is required by the College to matriculate on registration for the programme. Eligibility for awards 4. To be eligible for the University of Glamorgan award of BMus Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a candidate shall: a) have pursued the approved programme for a period of four years at the College; b) have attained a minimum of 480 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 4, 180 at Level 5 and 180 at Level To be eligible for the University award of Diploma of Higher Education a candidate shall: a) have pursued the approved programme for a period of two years at the College: b) have attained a minimum of 240 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 5 or above To be eligible for the University award of Certificate of Higher Education a candidate shall: a) have pursued the approved programme for a period of one year at the College; b) have attained a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4 or above. 1 1 Derogation from the regulations of the University of Glamorgan

2 7. A candidate exiting a degree scheme with a Certificate of Higher Education shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where 80 credits out of the 120 are graded at 70% or above, provided the remaining 40 credits are graded at Pass by Compensation (PC) or above. 8. A candidate exiting a degree scheme with a Diploma of Higher Education shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where 80 credits out of the 120 are graded at 70% or above, provided the remaining 40 credits are graded at Pass by Compensation or above. 9. Where more than one qualification is awarded, the final (terminal) certificate document should be endorsed to indicate that the higher level award (BMus Jazz or Diploma of Higher Education) incorporates any intermediate or exit-point qualification (Diploma of Higher Education and/or Certificate of Higher Education) which might previously have been awarded. Period of Study 10. Every candidate for the BMus Jazz degree shall complete all examinations within no more than six years from initial registration. Modules 11. A module is the name given to the basic element of the BMus Jazz programme. A module is a self-contained and coherent package of learning, with a general credit rating, an assigned level, defined learning outcomes and assessment strategies appropriate to its level and the outcomes. The College s standard module is a grouping of 20 credit points carrying a total of 200 notional hours students learning time, defined as the total learning effort required by the average student to achieve the module learning outcomes. The overall programme of study is prescribed but students may select and combine options within modules in accordance with the framework of the BMus Jazz programme which has been designed by the College and approved by the University. Credit 12. A credit weighting is assigned to each half module, single module and multiple module or year of full-time study as follows: half module = 10 credits single module = 20 credits multiple module = 20 credits plus increments of 20 credits year of full time study = 120 credits. 13. Credits are awarded for satisfactory preparation, attendance and contribution to classes and for the satisfactory completion of assessment requirements. BMus Jazz students are normally required to pursue the equivalent of at least 120 credits during each academic year.

3 Level 14. A level is assigned to a unit of study as a means of defining the position which it occupies in the BMus Jazz curriculum. Levels are defined as follows: Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 develop a rigorous approach to the acquisition of a broad knowledge base; employ a range of specialised skills; evaluate information using it to plan and develop investigative strategies and to determine solutions to a variety of unpredictable problems; operate in a range of varied and specific contexts; taking responsibility for the nature and quality of outputs. generate ideas through the analysis of concepts at an abstract level, with a command of specialised skills and the formulation of responses to well defined and abstract problems; analyse and evaluate information; exercise significant judgement across a broad range of functions; and accept responsibility for determining and achieving personal and/or group outcomes. critically review, consolidate and extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, utilising specialised skills across an area of study; critically evaluate new concepts and evidence from a range of sources; transfer and apply diagnostic and creative skills and exercise significant judgement in a range of situations; accept accountability for determining and achieving group and/or personal outcomes. 15. In Year 1, the units of study are all at Level 4. In Year 2, the units of study are all at Level 5. In Year 3, half the modules are at Level 5 and half the modules are at Level 6. In Year 4 all the modules are at Level 6. Credit accumulation and transfer 16. Candidates must normally have pursued the equivalent of at least 480 credits, 180 of which are normally at Level 6, in order to be eligible for the award of BMus Jazz. However, exceptionally, within overall limits stipulated by the University for credit accumulation and transfer, the College may, at its discretion, deem the performance of a student in study previously pursued and/or any prior experiential learning to count towards the requirements for the award of the BMus Jazz degree. Such prior study or experiential learning shall be relevant to the BMus Jazz programme and shall be credit-rated by the College. The prior study shall have been completed at the University or at another university or institution whose schemes are recognised by the University for the purpose of satisfying its policy on credit accumulation and transfer. Students must normally take the following minimum credits with the University to qualify for one of its awards: at least 60 Level 4 credits for a Certificate of Higher Education; at least 100 Level 5 credits for a Diploma of Higher Education; at least 100 Level 6 credits for a degree with honours. To qualify for the award of BMus Jazz, students must normally take at least 180 Level 6 credits with the University.

4 Assessment, examination and progression 17. The assessment for each module must be completed within its total learning time, as defined by the number of credits it carries. Progress of students on the BMus Jazz programme will normally be assessed in the period immediately following completion of the teaching of the module. 18. The modular pass-mark shall be 40%. Failed components of modules may be compensated for by marks achieved in other components within the same module provided that an overall mark of 40% is achieved and unless the passing of all components is identified as a requirement within the module descriptor. 19. Candidates for the BMus Jazz may choose to submit assessed written work in either Welsh or English in accordance with the Welsh Language Scheme of the College. 20. It is not permitted to offer for examination material which has been offered for examination on a previous occasion, with the exception of resits of recitals, composition and creative music technology portfolios, learning portfolios and dissertations. 21. In respect of recitals, composition and creative music technology portfolios, learning portfolios and dissertations, candidates who are required to resubmit work for assessment are permitted to resubmit modified versions of the original work which failed to satisfy the examiners. 22. Students are responsible for informing themselves of the assessment regulations as published, for submitting work for assessment as required and on time and for attending examinations and other formal assessment events. If students fail without good cause to submit work for assessment as required and on time, they will be allowed a further five days to submit the work but this work will be awarded a minimum mark of 40%. If students fail without good cause to attend examinations and other formal assessment events they will be deemed to have failed the assessments and receive 0%. Marking 23. End-of-year recitals and composition portfolios are assessed by a panel. 24. Technical assessments are normally assessed by the relevant head of study and specialist teacher of the appropriate instrument (or another internal examiner). 25. Short performances and assessed rehearsals (composition) are assessed by a panel. 26. Written assessments (excluding dissertations) are normally first-marked by the relevant module leader. A representative sample of not less than one-third of the total number of submissions is moderated by a second (internal) marker. All written work is available for scrutiny by an external examiner. 27. Seminar presentations are assessed by a panel. A video recording is normally available for scrutiny by an external examiner. 28. Dissertations/extended essays are normally assessed by two internal examiners (one of whom is the supervisor).

5 29. All work submitted for assessment and all reports concerning the candidate submitted as part of the assessment process shall be made available to the External Examiner. Assessment of students with special needs 30. The policy of the University and the College is to provide the widest possible access to those who wish to benefit from its awards and to remove barriers which already exist to students with disabilities. 31. If a student with a disability is unable to be assessed by the approved methods, an examination board may vary these as appropriate, bearing in mind the learning outcomes of the module and the need to assess the student on equal terms with other students. 32. Assessment formats and possible adjustments should be discussed by disability advisors and appropriate staff within the College, to ensure that the methods employed are practical and consistently applied. External examiners should be provided with information on the reasonable adjustments made for disabled/dyslexic students prior to examination boards and should confirm at the examination board(s) that the policies of the University and the College have been observed. Mitigating circumstances 33. Students are responsible for providing the mitigating circumstances committee, by a published date, with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account. Students should note that this is a requirement for an appeal against a decision of the Board of Examiners. Academic offences 34. Students are responsible for fulfilling their assessments honestly and in accordance with the regulations. If students are found to have committed any academic offence, for example cheating or plagiarism, in an attempt to gain unfair advantage for themselves, they will be subject to penalty under the academic offences regulations. Retrieval of failure 35. Students who fail any module overall, or an element of a module assessment which has been identified as a passing requirement, may retrieve the failure through reassessment, according to the following regulations. 36. The first reassessment is through a referral, defined as a second attempt at all or part of the assessment for a module, following initial failure. A referral is normally taken without further teaching input. 37. Students have the right to a referral in up to and including 50% of the credits taken in any academic year. This right is for one referral for the assessments of each failed module only.

6 38. Where students have failed more than 50% of the credits taken in any one academic year they lose the right to referral; in such cases, the number of referrals permitted (if any) is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. 39. Where students have failed to undertake any assessments for a module, they lose the automatic right to referral. Boards of Examiners may apply discretion where modules have only one element of assessment, for example, dissertations. 40. Referrals are only allowable in cases of failure. Examiners cannot require students to re-take any assessment for which they have already gained credit while they remain enrolled students. Students cannot re-take any module assessment which they have already passed in order to improve a grade. 41. Notwithstanding, a candidate who, with the agreement of the Board of Examiners, is to restart a full year of study may do so for the actual marks attained provided that at the outset he/she agrees formally to relinquish his/her previous marks in full. 42. Exceptionally, where there are approved mitigating circumstances, students have the right to be assessed in each case as if for the first time, even though they have achieved a pass grade. However, where a student elects to take this opportunity, the previous attempt is forfeited, and the new first attempt grade must stand, even if a previously passed assessment is now failed. The examination board should ensure the students are appropriately counselled of this right and its implications. 43. Where students have failed a referral, or failed to take the referral without good cause, the Board of Examiners may at its discretion permit them to repeat the failed module(s), Students, however, do not have the right to repeat any failed module. 44. In cases of failure, the Board of Examiners shall have discretion to specify the point at which the candidate is permitted to resubmit and whether he/she shall do so as an external or internal candidate. An external candidate is one who has failed part or the whole of an assessment and who has been permitted by the Board of Examiners to re-register for assessment purposes only. 45. Candidates who pass a module overall, or an element of a module assessment, at resit shall be eligible only for the award of the minimum pass mark of 40% for that module or element, irrespective of their actual level of performance. 46. A re-examination fee shall be paid to the College in respect of each module which a candidate fails and in which he/she is re-examined. Compensation in cases of partial failure 41. The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, allow a student s overall performance to compensate for partial failure. In exercising its discretion, the Board of Examiners must be mindful of the grounds for allowing it, the rest of the student s profile, and the normal compensation regulations set out below. 42. Core modules, ie those which were approved at validation as being essential for students to pass in order to achieve the award, are not eligible for compensation. Students should retrieve any failure at the earliest opportunity.

7 43. Compensation is normally limited to 20 credits per undergraduate level 44. To compensate 20 F1 credits, graded between 30 and 39%, a full-time student must normally have passed the remaining 100 credits at that level 45. At level 4 only, to compensate 20 F2 credits graded between 20% and 29%, a full-time student must normally have passed the remaining 100 credits at that level and have achieved an average mark of 50% or more in these 100 credits. 46. Where a student's failure in a module(s) is compensated by an award board, the module grade will be recorded as PC (Pass by Compensation). 47. In considering compensating a failure, the award board must remember that the student has the right of referral in the failed modules and that in certain circumstances a compensated module will adversely affect the overall award outcome. Students must therefore be offered the choice of accepting compensation or exercising their right of referral, and be made aware of any consequences following each alternative 48. Where a student is exiting with a possible qualification and with a profile that evidences partial failure, the board of examiners may, in exceptional circumstances, consider allowing an award where the failed modules are not core to the programme of study Referred assessments 49. Referred students must normally take the referral at the earliest available opportunity. Students wishing to amend the pace of their study or take a year away may apply to the Board of Examiners to defer a referral. In approving or rejecting such a request, the Board of Examiners must bear in mind both the reasons for the request and the integrity of the award involved. 50. Most referrals are held in the summer vacation. However, where a Board of Examiners determines that this is not possible, for example because the assessment requires studio facilities or involves group work, they are held in the following academic session. In such cases, referred students cannot be required to repeat the module in full. 51. Students failing a module are referred in the failed element of assessment only and carry forward any other grade(s) achieved in any element of assessment of the same module already completed successfully. 52. The regulations for passing a referred module will be the same as the first attempt and there will be no capping of marks for referred elements. 53. The overall module mark for any referred module will be capped at 40%. 55. Exceptionally, a Board of Examiners may allow a further referral, rather than requiring students to repeat a failed module. This is in circumstances where attendance throughout a module and/or a repetition of the full assessment diet is judged not to be required, e.g. where a small but essential element of assessment only remains to be completed. All such permissions must be given either on clear academic grounds, or when mitigating circumstances in respect of the module have been approved.

8 Repeating modules 56. Students who have failed a referred assessment may be permitted to repeat a module once only, unless there are exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. In such cases, the student either progresses to the next level, repeating up to 20 failed credits (one module), or continues on the same stage, repeating the failed credits. 57. Students cannot be asked to repeat a module for which they have gained credit if they fail to progress to the next level or stage of the programme. The credit already gained remains on their record, and they repeat only those modules they have failed. 58. Students cannot repeat a module for which they have already gained credit in order to improve a grade. 59. Students repeating modules are treated as if taking the module for the first time, and all the first attempt regulations and rights apply. Thus: students repeating a module are expected to take all elements of assessments for that module, and may not carry elements of assessment passed at the first attempt; there is no ceiling on the grade which the student may achieve; students referred in a repeated module are subject to the referral regulations, including the right of referral. Determining the Award 60 Students Completing the BMus Jazz 2012/13 will receive the best classification outcome from either of the two following classification systems. The classification for Students completing in 2013/14 will be based on the system based on averages. Profiling System: 61. The classification is determined by the student s classification profile. Three identical profile scores are awarded for Level 5. Nine individual profile scores are awarded for Level In order to determine the three identical profile scores for Level 5, the marks achieved for the following modules are added up and a mean score calculated: Jazz Repertoire & Style II (40 credits) Professional Development Option (20 credits) The Session Player in the Community (20 credits) The highest scoring 60 credits of the remaining 100 credits. These may be a combination of 10 or 20 credit modules. 63. The marks achieved for each 20 credit unit of the Level 6 modules produce the nine individual profile scores for Level 6, for each mode as follows: mode 1: Jazz Repertoire & Style III (40 credits) 2 profile scores Performance Planning (20 credits) 1 profile score Performance Option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores Performance Option (40 credits) 2 profile scores Professional development option (40 credits) 2 profile scores

9 mode 2 Jazz Repertoire & Style III (40 credits) 2 profile scores Performance Planning (20 credits) 1 profile score Performance Option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores Performance Option (20 credits) 1 profile score Professional development option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores Professional development option (20 credits) 1 profile score mode 3 Jazz Repertoire & Style III (40 credits) 2 profile scores Performance Planning (20 credits) 1 profile score Performance option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores Professional development option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores Professional development option (40 credits) - 2 profile scores 64. The final classification profile comprises ten of the twelve profile scores. It must include: For mode 1: the four level 6 Performance Option scores and the two level 6 Professional Development Option scores. For mode 2: the three level 6 Performance Option scores and the three level 6 Professional Development option scores. For mode 3: the two level 6 Performance Option scores and the four level 6 Professional Development option scores. Of the remaining six Level 5 and Level 6 profile scores, the four with the highest marks are included in the final classification profile and the two with the lowest marks are excluded. A mean % is calculated. 65. The classification profile of ten grades is interpreted as below: Class First Mean % over 200 credits Classification % First Class Honours Degree % Upper Second Class Honours Degree % Lower Second Class Honours Degree % Third Class Honours Degree Profile at least 120 credits graded at 70% or above at least 30 of the remaining 80 credits graded at % (i) And normally a mean of at least 68.0%

10 Upper second Lower second at least 80 credits graded at 70% or above at least 80 of the remaining 120 credits graded at % (ii) And normally a mean of at least 68.0% at least 120 credits graded at 60% or above at least 30 of the remaining 80 credits graded at % (iii) And normally a mean of at least 58.0% at least 80 credits graded at 60% or above of which at least 30 credits must be graded at 70% or above at least 80 of the remaining 120 credits graded at % (iv) And normally a mean of at least 58.0% at least 120 credits graded at 50% or above at least 30 of the remaining 80 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 48.0% at least 80 credits graded at 50% or above of which at least 30 credits must be graded at 60% or above at least 80 of the remaining 120 credits graded at % (v) And normally a mean of at least 48.0% Third at least 200 credits graded at PC or above 66. Some students, for example those entering the College at the final degree stage, cannot be given an overall Level 5 profile scores. The classification for these students is based on the 180 credits studied at Level 6, as follows: either: Mean % over 180 credits Classification % First Class Honours Degree % Upper Second Class Honours Degree % Lower Second Class Honours Degree % Third Class Honours Degree Class First Profile at least 120 credits graded at 70% or above at least 30 of the remaining 60 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 68.0% at least 90 credits graded at 70% or above at least 60 of the remaining 90 credits

11 Upper second graded at % And normally a mean of at least 68.0% at least 120 credits graded at 60% or above at least 30 of the remaining 60 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 58.0% at least 90 credits graded at 60% or above of which at least 30 credits must be graded at 70% or above at least 60 of the remaining 90 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 58.0% Lower second System Based on Averages at least 120 credits graded at 50% or above at least 30 of the remaining 60 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 48.0% at least 90 credits graded at 50% or above of which at least 30 credits must be graded at 60% or above at least 60 of the remaining 90 credits graded at % And normally a mean of at least 48.0% Third at least 160 credits graded at 40% or above the remaining 20 credits graded at Pass by Compensation (PC) or above 68. Students on BMus/BMus Jazz degree programmes are given honours classification at the end of the period in which they attain the minimum credit required for a BMus honours degree, i.e. 480 credits. 69. The level 5 (intermediate grades) are determined at the end of the period in which students attain 180 credits at level The classification is calculated as follows: Method 1 Calculate the average of the marks from the best 90 credits at level 5 and the 180 credits at level 6. The 90 credits at level 5 must include the mark for the, 40 credit Principal Study/Jazz Repertoire and Style module.

12 Method 2 Calculate the average of the marks from the 180 level 6 credits. The Student receives the better of the two averages above and is awarded a classification based on the table below. Mean % Classification % First Class Honours Degree % Upper Second Class Honours Degree Lower Second Class Honours Degree % Third Class Honours Degree Performance Assessments 67. a) It is a requirement that each End-of-Year Recital be passed before a student may proceed to the next year. Composition is an exception; here students must achieve a pass within the Portfolio element of the Principal Study module in order to proceed. b) End-of-Year Recital assessments must comply with the duration specified in the syllabus. A completed Programme Proposal Form should be submitted by the date notified, this should include timings of each item and an allowance for tuning, breaks between pieces and any short verbal introductions. Failure to submit the form may result in the student not being entered for the exam. c) The Examiners will exercise discretion when assessing performances which fail to observe the required duration as stated in the syllabus. The following guidelines will apply. For overlength recitals, the panel will stop the performance if the recital exceeds the maximum allowable time by more than 60 seconds. If possible, the panel will warn the student between movements or pieces, that this may be about to happen. For underlength recitals, the following guidelines will be used. Where syllabus repertoire requirements are deemed to have resulted in an unavoidably short programme, no penalty will be applied. Where the repertoire is of an especially demanding or virtuosic nature and the performer has clearly risen to these demands, an underlength programme will not automatically be penalised. In other cases, where a programme is at least TWO minutes underlength, up to 5 marks will be deducted. If the length is regarded as seriously short, then marks up to a maximum of 10, will be deducted. Where a programme s length, coupled with the demands of the chosen repertoire, is judged to be unacceptably beneath the requirements, the panel may elect to fail the candidate, however well the music was performed. d) The Examiners will exercise discretion when assessing performances which fail to observe requirements relating to the memorisation of repertoire. The following guidelines will normally apply. Candidates who fail to present repertoire which is required to be played from memory will be subject to a penalty of 10 marks for the entire assessment. Candidates who encounter memory loss during their performance may be subject to a reduction in their mark in accordance with the requirements of the published Criteria for Assessment. e) Notice of details relating to the Short Performance assessment (Professional Studies module) must be submitted to the Head of Department (or Study Area Leader) 14 days in advance, using an appropriate form. Assessments must comply with the duration specified in the syllabus. Penalties for non-compliance here is the same as

13 that used for the End-of-Year Recital. Short Performance assessments must be completed by the end of the Spring Term. f) Duplication of repertoire offered in any performance assessment (including those within Projects) within the year and from year-to-year is not permitted. g) The College provides staff accompanists for performance assessments, but it is each student's responsibility to make arrangements for one of these in advance of the exam. h) For assessed performances, a copy of the music must be provided for the examiners (Jazz is an exception here). Results 68. The Registry is responsible for the transfer of results to the University. August 2012