Examinations: Guidance for students
1. Introduction
1.1 This document sets out guidance for students with regards to examinations.
2. Purpose
2.1 The document applies to students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes of study.
3. Scope
3.1 This document refers to all formal examinations which take place as part of a student’s programme of study.
3.2 The document sets out the practical arrangements for students’ participation in and conduct during examinations, including arrangements for what students can or cannot take into examinations.
4. Guidance
Attendance
4.1 If you have not fulfilled the Work and Attendance regulations prescribed for your programme of study, and you have been formally notified of this, you will not be allowed to sit University examinations.
4.2 You should arrive at the examination room in good time for the start of the examination; at least 15 minutes beforehand is recommended. If you arrive late, you will be admitted up to 30 minutes after the pre-scheduled timed start, but you will not be given any extra time. If you are more than 30 minutes late you will not be admitted, and you should then report immediately to your School.
4.3 If you are absent from an examination without a valid excuse, you will be deemed to have failed that examination. Misreading the timetable is not a valid excuse.
4.4 If you have been given a particular seat number for an examination you must sit in the seat that has been assigned to you, unless an invigilator tells you to move to another seat. Seat numbers are given on your individual student examination timetable.
What to bring to Examinations
4.5 You must bring your University Student ID card and leave it visible for inspection on your desk for the duration of the examination.
4.6 Since different people are comfortable in different room temperatures, you may find it advisable to wear extra warm clothing when attending January examinations.
4.7 The University takes no responsibility for the loss of students' belongings from examination rooms. You are therefore strongly advised to take with you into the examination room only those items you need to complete the examination (pens, ruler, etc). If you need to keep your pens and pencils together at the examination desk, they must be in a transparent pencil case or small transparent plastic bag. Any personal property that you do choose to bring into an examination room (coats, bags, other valuables etc.) must be left in the area designated by the invigilator (usually at the front or back of the room).
4.8 As a general rule you are not allowed to bring food or drink into an examination room, except for a small packet of sweets (or similar) and a small bottle of water or other soft drink.
What not to bring to Examinations
Electronic Equipment
4.9 The University has separate guidance on the use of calculators and dictionaries in examinations. These are available online and are displayed outside all examination rooms. It is your responsibility to consult these and observe what they say.
4.10 Electronic calculators are not permitted unless the exam rubric states otherwise. If calculators are permitted, your School can advise you as to what models can be used.
4.11 Mobile phones, smart watches and other wearable technology must be turned off and placed in the clear plastic bag provided at your desk. This bag must be sealed and placed on the floor under your desk.
4.12 Any other electronic devices (e.g. computers or personal music players) are not permitted in the examination room.
4.13 Any student found with unauthorised devices or equipment during an exam will have them confiscated, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action.
Other non authorised materials
4.14 It is a serious offence to take to your examination desk any books, notes, blank paper, other materials or aids that have not been specifically authorized for use in that examination. If you are found in possession of any unauthorized material, whether or not you intended to use it, you will be subject to disciplinary action and will normally find that, as a minimum penalty, your examination paper will be cancelled (that is, given a mark of zero). More severe penalties are available, depending on the circumstances of individual cases.
4.15 Ensure that your hands and person are clean of any writing or symbols. If you are found with any writing or symbols on your hands or person, you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Cheating
4.16 It is an offence: to copy from the work of another candidate, or allow copying from your own work; to obtain assistance from another candidate, or provide assistance to them, by whatever means; and to impersonate another candidate, or allow yourself to be impersonated.
Conduct during Examinations
4.17 You must write your registration number (the 7 or 8 figure number on the front of your Student ID card) on every examination answer-book you use. Remember to fill in all the other information asked for.
4.18 You must write all your answers legibly. If your work is deemed illegible by the examiners, you will normally be required to pay for it to be converted to typescript. You must write in blue or black ink. Pencil is not allowed, except for graphs and diagrams.
4.19 Examinations are marked anonymously. At the end of the examination make sure you fold over and seal the gummed edge of the panel on the top corner of each of your answer-books, before they are collected from you.
4.20 You must write only in the examination answer-books provided (including any rough work). Do not tear pages out of answer books. Any work that you do not wish to submit for marking must be clearly crossed out, but must not be removed from the answer book. You must not remove answer books (used or unused) from examination rooms. Any other materials that have been provided for the examination must not be removed. Students found doing any of these things will be subject to disciplinary action. Question papers may be taken away unless you are specifically told verbally or in writing not to do so.
4.21 You must maintain silence throughout the time you are in the examination room. You must not cause any kind of disturbance or distraction, or attempt to communicate with other candidates, by any means.
4.22 You must remain seated at all times. You must raise your hand to summon the attention of an invigilator for whatever purpose. If you wish to leave the examination room temporarily you may only do so if accompanied by an invigilator. If you wish to leave the examination before the allotted finishing time you must remain seated and raise your hand: an invigilator will come to collect your answer book, after which you may leave, silently. You are not permitted to leave during the first 30 minutes or the last 15 minutes of the examination. At the end of the examination you must stop writing immediately you are told to do so and remain seated and silent until all answer books have been collected.
4.23. If a fire alarm should sound during an examination, follow the instructions given by the invigilator. These will be the standard procedures for evacuating the building. You should leave the room in an orderly way, without talking and without taking anything from your desk, or from the room. Leave the building and assemble in the designated area. You must not leave this designated area. You should return to the examination room immediately when you are instructed to do so. Candidates who are still absent once the examination has re-started will not be re-admitted.
And finally
4.24. If you are at an examination and you realise that you have failed to comply with any of these rules, or have any questions, you should contact an invigilator immediately. Students failing to do this, when knowingly breaking examination regulations, may face disciplinary action.
5. Supporting documents
The Assessment Framework contains other relevant guidance to students relating to examination practice, including the Policy on Examinations, Guidance on the use of calculators and Guidance on the use of dictionaries.
Updated September 2023