2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 These regulations include essential details about the admissions requirements by which all taught courses and modules are governed. They should be read in conjunction with the Admissions Terms and Conditions presented to applicants as part of the admissions process and Admissions Complaints process (see; https://www.wlv.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/).

2.1.2 Applicants will be provided with timely information and advice needed for them to make informed choices about courses best suited to their individual needs and circumstances and financial support and costs.

2.1.3 The University will inform prospective students as soon as possible of any significant changes to a course which may occur from the time of the offer being made and enrolment, and will inform successful applicants of the arrangements for enrolment, registration and induction, in accordance with the Code of Practice on Informing Students and Applicants of Changes (see; https://www.wlv.ac.uk/media/departments/office-of-the-vice-chancellor/documents/Code-ofPractice-for-the-Management-of-Changes-to-Modules-and-Courses-(approved).pdf)

 2.1.4 For applicants outside the European Union, additional statutory requirements will operate and take precedence over the Academic Regulations. These requirements will be communicated to applicants by the University as part of the admissions process.

2.2 Application to the University 2.2.1 All applicants to the University will be required to follow the appropriate application process for the course. 2.2.2 The University will not admit or allow the continuation of study for any person found to have made a fraudulent application and/or breached other standards and requirements specified by a PSRB (where relevant).

2.2.3 Students who have previously been excluded from any course in the University for reasons of discipline, academic misconduct, professional misconduct or fitness to practise will have no right to study at the University again (see; https://www.wlv.ac.uk/media/departments/office-ofthe-vice-chancellor/documents/Fitness-for-Practice-Procedure-Revised-2018.pdf).

2.2.4 Students who have studied for two consecutive years or more on any University course without attempting summative assessment will not normally be permitted to re-apply for another course within 5 years.

2.3 Entry with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

2.3.1 Students may be admitted to the University with accredited prior learning where they have previously successfully completed relevant study at higher education level, in the UK or abroad. Students may also be admitted with accredited experiential learning on the basis of relevant prior learning which has occurred outside a formal course of study, which may include in-company training or relevant work experience. 

2.3.2 The procedures for the assessment of prior learning are determined by the University Academic Enhancement Committee on behalf of Academic Board and set out in the guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning (normally a maximum of 50% from a course is permitted).

2.3.3 Credits acquired from a previous University of Wolverhampton qualification may normally only be used once as RPL for entry onto any future University of Wolverhampton qualification.

2.3.4 The total credit and level value of awarded RPL will be recorded on the student record. Any grades associated with the previous study and/or RPL will not be individually recorded and are excluded from the final classification calculations.

2.3.5 The minimum number of University of Wolverhampton credits students must study and pass on their current course are detailed below;

2.3.6 Students registered on Foundation Degrees, Undergraduate Certificates/Diplomas and Higher National Certificates/Diplomas will be permitted to progress onto a Single Honours Bachelor’s Degree, Sandwich Bachelor’s Honours Degree or Top-up Single Honours Bachelor’s Degree, prior to completing their first award. Students with only 80 credits at level 4 or 5 may progress if they have not exhausted their reassessment opportunity to gain the outstanding credits.

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 The academic year runs from 1st August to 31st July. Modules that begin before 31st July and end after 1st August will belong to the University academic year in which the module ends.

3.1.2 An academic calendar will be published annually by the Academic Registrar. This will include start and end dates for undergraduate and postgraduate semesters. The calendar will include dates for the current academic year, plus the following three academic years.

3.1.3 “Registration” is the activity confirming a student’s place on a qualification or module for its full duration.

3.1.4 “Enrolment” is the annual process through which students formally agree to be a student member of the University for either the whole or part of the academic year, and also agree to abide by the University Regulations, Bye-Laws and their liability for annual fee payments. Third party organisations, such as employers, may be liable for payment of student fees where this is dictated by agreed sponsorship arrangements with the University. A student may therefore be registered for a qualification but not enrolled in a particular academic year (when on Leave of Absence for instance).

3.2 Student Modes of Study

3.2.1 An undergraduate full-time student is normally expected to study 120 credits in each University academic year. An undergraduate full-time student on an accelerated course is normally expected to study 180 credits in each University academic year. A postgraduate full-time student on a Master’s course is normally expected to study 180 credits over a 12 month period.

3.2.2 A part-time student can study a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 80 credits in any University academic year.

3.2.3 A full-time student may request a temporary period of part-time study if they fail to meet the progression regulations on their course. During this period students will remain registered on their full-time course. Students with International status may not normally study part-time.

3.3 Enrolment

3.3.1 Students are responsible for ensuring that they are fully enrolled on the correct course by the course commencement date. Students may be admitted later than the course start date provided they are enrolled no later than the start of the third week of teaching according to the academic calendar.

3.3.2 Students not fully enrolled by the third teaching week may be de-registered from their course.

3.3.3 All new students will be required to provide evidence of their identity and relevant qualifications as part of the enrolment process.

3.3.4 Students requiring a visa to study in the UK must ensure that they meet, both at the beginning and for the duration of the course, requirements stipulated by the UK Government and conditions of their visa.

3.3.5 Continuing students who do not re-enrol will be assumed to have withdrawn from their course and be presented at the next Award Board for consideration of a relevant interim qualification.

3.3.6 Students must ensure that all academic fees and other academic payments due to the University are paid within the academic year such costs are incurred. Students owing the University money from a previous year or course, outside any agreed limit set annually by the University, will not be permitted to enrol. Students unable to enrol, because of outstanding academic debts, will be obliged to either take a Leave of Absence or withdraw permanently from their course. Third party organisations, such as employers, may be liable for payment of student debts where this is dictated by agreed sponsorship arrangements with the University.

3.3.7 Any student who is not enrolled may not be covered by relevant University policies such as those relating to health & safety. It therefore follows that a student must be enrolled before engaging in any formal learning and teaching activities (including lectures, tutorials, seminars, lab work, fieldwork, clinical and vocational placements). Students who are not enrolled will be excluded from learning activities and any assessment submitted will not be marked.

3.3.8 Students must, at all times, ensure that the data the University holds for them are accurate. The enrolment process allows students to check and update key personal information in their record. Changes which occur at other times in the academic year must be notified to the University via the student portal. This includes notifying the University of their withdrawal, Leave of Absence or changes to contact/emergency contact details.

3.3.9 If an enrolled student does not engage with their course of study within the first 50 days of the start date of the course, the Dean of Faculty will recommend to the Academic Registrar that the student is discontinued and their registration terminated. The Faculty must provide evidence that there have been repeated and reasonable attempts to contact the student and establish their engagement with the course.

3.4 Registration Periods

3.4.1 All students who enrol on a credit rated course validated by the University of Wolverhampton will be registered for the highest qualification validated for the course.

3.4.2 Maximum registration periods will be defined for each qualification offered by the University. Where registration periods differ, this is stated in the relevant Course Guide (apprenticeship students for example, may legitimately have their maximum period of registration extended, depending upon when they complete End Point Assessment). Any significant extension to a maximum registration period should be requested exceptionally by the Course Leader (or the Conduct & Appeals Unit) on behalf of the student for consideration by the Academic Registrar. If the request is approved, the new registration period for the student is subsequently reported at the next Award Board. Extended registration periods may be supported in those instances where student progression has been unintentionally disrupted by the University or a third party and cannot normally be granted retrospectively (academic failure, financial difficulties, poor time management or work pressures for example would not be considered as legitimate reasons). Extensions to registration periods, not including any Leave of Absence entitlements, should be granted in one month blocks and not exceed more than 12 months in total. Students may not be granted extensions on professionally accredited programmes. Students may be liable for fees for any extended period of registration. The following table lists normal and maximum periods of registration according to qualification and mode of study;