When submitting a PEC, students can opt for ‘Board of Examiners (BoE) consideration’. But what does this mean? We’ve put together some FAQs to help answer your questions.
What does a PEC for Board of Examiners’ consideration mean?
If a student has had personal and extenuating circumstances and wishes to inform the Board of Examiners’, they can submit a PEC form via S3P requesting the adjustment “BoE consideration”. You will need to provide accompanying evidence to support your case. Your case will be discussed anonymously at the next PEC Committee meeting, usually February to discuss Semester 1 cases, June to discuss Semester 2 cases and September to discuss any resits/deferrals. The Committee will decide whether to “support” or “not support” your case. The decision is then passed to the Board of Examiners who will use this information when considering a profile of marks. The decision is passed to the Board of Examiners anonymously, only the decision and a unique ID will be visible.
NOTE: Sometimes the PEC Committee might decide to “not support” the application. This does not mean that they don’t believe the student or that the student has not been affected by their circumstances. It might mean that the PEC Committee can see that they have already received reasonable extensions for these assignments, and feel that they have been adequately compensated.
What happens at the Exam Board meeting?
The Exam Board meet to discuss marks and whether (a) you should progress to the next stage or (b) if you are in your final year, what degree classification you are entitled to. The Exam Board will see that the student has a decision of “PEC BoE supported” or “PEC BoE not supported”. The reason for your PEC is never disclosed to the Exam Board – only that the decision is either “supported” or “not supported”. If you have clearly passed the Stage you will move onto the next Stage. However, if you are a borderline case, the Exam Board will take into consideration your decision from the PEC Committee and look at your overall marks. The Exam Board may use their discretion to progress you to the next stage.
I am a Stage 3 student/in my final year. What does this mean for me?
The same as above, but this time they will consider what classification of award you should receive. If it is clear that you are due to receive a First, 2:1, 2:2 etc, then that is what you will receive. However, if you are borderline, the Exam Board will discuss whether or not you should go up into the next category of award. The Board follows university examination regulations, considers individual marks across stage 2 and 3 and whether or not you have a PEC rating for supported or not supported, for these stages. The Exam Board will have met previously to discuss other disruption, across all Stages and all students. Once everything has been taken into consideration, they may use their discretion to award a higher degree classification.
I have had previous extensions. Can I also request BoE consideration on the same assignment?
In extraordinary circumstances, the PEC Committee would look at your case and may decide to support it. It depends on the severity of your circumstances.
I have really struggled with personal and extenuating circumstances this year, but managed to submit my work on time. Is it worth submitting a PEC requesting BoE consideration if I feel my work has been affected?
Yes, definitely.
If I submit a PEC for BoE consideration, does this mean my work will be marked favourably?
No. Your work will be marked the same as everyone else on your module. Marks cannot be changed. Markers do not know which students have submitted a PEC for BoE consideration.
What sort of things are considered? What are “personal extenuating circumstances”?
This can vary from student to student, it might be personal illness, whether physical or mental, hospital admission, close friend or family bereavement, family illness, etc. Please see the Policy and Procedure and Guidance available on our website for further information. If you are not sure whether it will be accepted or not, please have a chat with your Personal Tutor, Senior Tutor or email Karen.Patterson@ncl.ac.uk
For more information, check out the PowerPoint presentation that Aditi Nafde, the Chair of the Undergraduate Board of Examiners in SELLL has prepared.
Please remember if you are struggling at all, do get in touch. There is lots of help available.