Introduction
King's College London maintains comprehensive academic regulations to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment across all faculties and departments. This document outlines the key components of the academic regulations for the 2022/23 academic year, providing students with essential information regarding their rights, responsibilities, and the academic framework within which they study.
The academic regulations are designed to support the university's commitment to academic excellence while ensuring fairness, consistency, and transparency in all academic processes. These regulations apply to all registered students at King's College London and cover everything from program structures to assessment methods, examination procedures, and degree classifications.
Program Structure and Requirements
King's College London offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, each with specific requirements regarding:
- Credit accumulation and progression
- Module selection and combination
- Attendance requirements
- Prerequisites and corequisites
- Maximum and minimum study periods
- Optional and compulsory elements
Undergraduate programs typically require 360 credits for completion (120 credits per level), while taught postgraduate programs generally require 180 credits. Research degrees follow alternative structures aligned with the specific doctoral or master's research program.
All programs establish clear learning outcomes that students must achieve to demonstrate they have met the requirements for their award. These outcomes are assessed through various methods detailed within individual module specifications and program handbooks.
Assessment Regulations
King's College London employs a wide range of assessment methods designed to evaluate students' attainment of learning outcomes in a fair and consistent manner. Key aspects of assessment regulations include:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Formative Assessment | Non-graded assessments designed to provide feedback to support learning progress |
| Summative Assessment | Graded assessments that contribute to the final module mark and degree classification |
| Coursework | Essays, reports, projects, presentations, and other assignments completed during teaching periods |
| Examinations | Timed assessments typically administered under controlled conditions |
| Group Work | Collaborative assessments where students receive either group or individual marks |
| Practical/ Clinical Assessments | Skills-based evaluations particularly important in healthcare and science disciplines |
Assessment criteria and marking schemes are clearly communicated to students through module handbooks and other documentation. All work submitted for assessment must be the student's own, with proper acknowledgement of all sources used, in accordance with the university's academic integrity policies.
Late submission penalties typically apply to coursework, with standard deductions of marks for each working day overdue, though specific regulations may vary by faculty or department. Students facing exceptional circumstances may apply for extensions or mitigating circumstances consideration.
Academic Progression
The academic regulations establish clear criteria for progression between years of study. For undergraduate students, progression typically requires:
- Passing modules worth at least 90 credits at the current level
- Achieving an overall weighted average mark of at least 40%
- Meeting any specific requirements for core modules
- Completing any professional competency requirements for regulated programs
Students who fail to meet progression requirements may be offered opportunities to:
- Resit failed assessments during specified reassessment periods
- Retake modules with attendance and assessment requirements
- Transfer to alternative programs more suited to their achievements
- Take a period of suspension of studies
Award boards, comprising academic staff from relevant departments, review student performance and make decisions regarding progression, awards, and degree classifications. These decisions follow the regulatory framework and are subject to quality assurance processes.
Degree Classification
King's College London awards degrees with classification based on students' overall performance in relevant modules. The classification framework for undergraduate honors degrees typically follows:
| Classification | Overall Mark Range |
|---|---|
| First Class Honours | 70% and above |
| Upper Second Class (2:1) Honours | 60-69% |
| Lower Second Class (2:2) Honours | 50-59% |
| Third Class Honours | 40-49% |
| Pass/Ordinary Degree | Below 40% but meeting minimum requirements |
For taught postgraduate programs, classifications typically follow:
| Classification | Overall Mark Range |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 70% and above |
| Merit | 60-69% |
| Pass | 50-59% |
Classification algorithms may include weighting modules differently, considering only the best-performing credits, or applying boundary rules that allow for classification upgrade when a student's performance approaches the next classification level.
Academic Conduct and Integrity
King's College London maintains rigorous standards regarding academic conduct and integrity. All students are expected to adhere to these standards, which include:
- Avoiding plagiarism in all forms (submitting work that is not one's own without proper attribution)
- Refraining from collusion (improper collaboration on individual assignments)
- Avoiding cheating in examinations and other assessments
- Providing accurate information in all academic documentation
- Maintaining appropriate academic conduct in research activities
The university employs sophisticated text-matching software to detect potential instances of plagiarism. Students found to have breached academic integrity regulations face penalties ranging from requirement to resubmit work, reduction of marks, to termination of studies in serious cases.
King's College London provides extensive resources to help students understand and maintain good academic practice, including online tutorials, library guides, and access to academic skills advisors who can provide guidance on referencing, citation, and academic writing.
Appeals and Complaints
The academic regulations establish formal procedures for students who wish to appeal against academic decisions or make complaints regarding their academic experience. Key aspects of these procedures include:
- Academic Appeal: Students may appeal against decisions of award boards on specific grounds, such as procedural irregularity, evidence of prejudice or bias, or mitigating circumstances not previously submitted
- Academic Complaint: Students may raise complaints about the quality of teaching, supervision, or other academic services
- Formal Review: If initial internal procedures do not resolve issues, students may request a formal review
- Office of the Independent Adjudicator: Following exhaustion of internal procedures, students may refer complaints to this external body
All appeals and complaints must be submitted within specified timeframes, typically within 20 working days of the decision being communicated. Students are advised to utilize appropriate sources of support, including academic advisors and student representatives, when considering formal appeals or complaints.
Special Considerations
King's College London recognizes that students may face exceptional circumstances affecting their academic performance. The regulations provide for:
- Mitigating Circumstances: Serious illness, personal trauma, or other significant events that may impact academic performance
- Adjustments for Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations ensuring equal access to assessment for students with disabilities
- Language Support: Additional provisions for students studying in a language other than their first language
- Religious Observance: Consideration for religious practices affecting academic activities
Students requiring special considerations should apply through established processes, providing appropriate documentation and evidence. Applications should be submitted as early as possible, ideally before relevant assessments take place.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The academic year at King's College London typically follows this structure:
- Induction Week: Late September
- Semester 1: Late September to mid-December (teaching), January (examinations)
- Semester 2: Late January to late March (teaching), May-June (examinations)
- Resit Period: August-September
- Congregation Ceremonies: Throughout the year
Important dates vary by program, and students should consult their specific academic calendars for precise deadlines regarding assessments, coursework submissions, and other academic requirements.
Conclusion
Familiarity with King's College London's academic regulations is essential for all students to successfully navigate their academic journey. These regulations ensure fair and consistent standards across the institution while accommodating the diverse needs and circumstances of the student body.
Students are encouraged to seek clarification from departmental tutors, academic advisors, or relevant support services if they have questions about any aspect of the academic regulations. The university provides detailed documentation through its website, departmental handbooks, and the Quality Manual, which contains comprehensive information on academic policies and procedures.
While this overview highlights key components of the academic regulations for 2022/23, students should refer to the complete regulations available through King's College London's official channels for authoritative guidance on specific matters affecting their studies.
