Published assessment rules

How you are assessed

These rules are published so you know, before you start, how every mark is reached and how to question it. They follow the Council on Higher Education's policy on assessment (2016), which requires published marking and aggregation rules, internal and external moderation and an open appeal process, and section 71 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, which means no result about you is decided by a machine alone. UMP's own General Rules govern the formal award.

Grade bands

To pass a module you need 50% overall and at least 40% in any component worth 30% or more. All six credit-bearing modules passed and Module 7 judged Competent. Credit-weighted average of at least 70, no module below 60, and observed components that confirm the written work.

What the tool scores, and how

• Unit quizzes. One scored attempt each, with questions drawn for you from a bank. Answers lock when you submit. Keys and explanations are released when the quiz window closes. Your lowest quiz in each module is dropped.
• Decision scenarios and simulations. Your first complete run of each scenario and simulation counts. You may replay to learn; replays are not scored.
• Exercises. One scored attempt; the full workings are shown afterwards.
• Partial credit. Single choice: 1 or 0. Multiple response: Each correct choice earns its share, each wrong choice takes a share away, never below 0. Numeric: Full marks within the stated tolerance, otherwise 0. Order: Share of neighbouring pairs in the right order. Categorise: Share of items placed in the right group. There is no negative marking.
• Peer review. Median of the peer scores for each rubric criterion, then confirmed or changed by a marker.

Generative AI

Every written task shows one of three positions. Where AI is allowed you must declare how you used it.

• Position 1. No AI use. The task tests your own unaided work.
• Position 2. Limited AI use, declared. You may use AI to check language or brainstorm; say how you used it.
• Position 3. Full AI use, declared. You may use AI throughout; say how, and take responsibility for every claim.

Each module also has at least one observed component, such as a presentation, an oral defence, a live simulation or an invigilated examination, so the panel can confirm that your written work is your own.

From calculation to release

1. Calculated: the tool scores the item or applies the rubric scores entered
2. Marker confirmed: a named marker confirms or changes every mark
3. Internally moderated: a sample is checked by someone not involved in teaching the module
4. Externally moderated: summative tasks are checked by an independent external moderator
5. Ratified: the assessment committee approves the results
6. Released: you see your result, how it was calculated, and how to make representations

Written feedback is returned within 15 working days. One reassessment of a failed component only, capped at 50. After release you may make representations within 14 days; a named member of staff reviews them and replies in writing.

Study period and certificate

You are approved for your cohort's study period. Each module opens and closes on set dates inside it: after a module closes, its scored online activities close and the quiz answers are released. Access to the programme ends after the last day of the study period.

At the end of the programme, everyone who has met the completion rule (all six credit-bearing modules passed and Module 7 judged Competent.) receives a numbered programme Certificate of Completion from the University of Mpumalanga. Each module is also an online certificate course of about six weeks: complete it online (work through the lessons, take each weekly quiz, and pass its online graded work with an average of at least 50%) and you receive that course's own certificate, issued by the programme office. Every certificate can be verified at /verify with its number or QR code.

Module weights