Exam information for degrees

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• Examination venues

  Degree examination venues.

• The examination

  The textbooks and examination are delivered in English. You will need a thorough working knowledge of the English language to study the modules. You will, however, be entitled to use your own English-foreign language dictionary in the examinations.

  Students should arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the examination and must produce an attendance notice and a form of government issued identification: for example a Passport, Full or Provisional driving licence or National Identity card.  

  All written examinations are 3 hours in length and allow an additional 15 minutes preparation time. The pass mark is set at 40%. Where a set reading booklet is supplied, a compulsory 40 mark question will be based on that reading.

• How the course is assessed

  BSc (Hons) in Financial Services and Associateship

  For all core modules, you must pass both the coursework element(s) and the examination to gain a module pass.

  Written exams last 3 hours with an additional 15 minutes preparation time. The pass mark is 40%.

  Modules with set reading have a compulsory 40 question exam based on that reading.

  Core modules

  The Monetary and Financial System and the Financial Reporting and Analysis modules comprise 2 assessment components:

  • a 3-hour written examination (70% of overall mark)
  • 1 coursework assignment (30% of overall mark)

  Management and Organisation in Financial Services and Risk Analysis and Evaluation modules comprise 2 assessment components:

  • a 3-hour written examination (70% overall mark)
  • 2 coursework assignments (30% overall mark)

  Compensation regulations for core modules
  For those modules of the degree programme that are assessed by a combination of assessed coursework and examination, students are able to pass the module even if they marginally fail 1 element, provided that they have performed well in the other to compensate. Core modules are assessed based upon a contribution of 30% coursework and 70% examination. A marginal fail (Fail A) in either the examination or the assessed coursework element can be compensated for by good student performance on the other assessment element provided that the combined weighted average result is 40% or above.

  Option modules

  All option modules comprise 1 assessment component:

  • a 3-hour written examination. 

  BSc (Hons) in Financial Markets and Management/Associateship (BSc/Aifs)

  Information will be available, within the regulations, in due course.

• Exam and coursework attempts

  BSc (Hons) Degree in Financial Services and Associateship (BSc/Aifs)

  To gain the BSc (Hons) from the University of Manchester, you must pass each module on either the first or second attempt. If you pass at the third attempt, then you will be eligible for the award of an 'ordinary pass degree' without honours.

  If you do not pass within 3 attempts you will not be eligible for either the degree or the Associateship. However if you gain a 'fail A' grade in both your first and second attempt, a third attempt to achieve an honours degree and a fourth attempt to achieve a pass degree is permitted.

  You must complete the qualification within 6 years. You will not be able to re-register for the programme if your time limit expires.

  BSc (Hons) in Financial Markets and Management/Associateship (BSc/Aifs)

  Information will be available, within the regulations, in due course.

• Exemptions

  How do I apply for degree exemptions?

  Please check your eligibility for subject exemption(s) with the Admissions Management and Student Services Office on +44 (0) 1227 828232 or email enquiries@ifslearning.ac.uk. We can only assess acceptable qualifications for exemption(s) if you are enrolled for a University of Manchester course of study. The ifs School of Finance will not assess qualifications for those who are not registered for a course of study.

  You must be able to demonstrate that you have covered a module (with at least an 80% match with specific topic areas being covered) through an acceptable qualification gained within the last 7 years. A detailed syllabus can be obtained from the ifs so that you can self-assess your qualification before applying.

  The following information will be required by the ifs if you wish to be considered for exemption(s):

  • Transcript: a letter from the university or other organisation that awarded your qualification, on their headed paper, listing all subjects taken by you and confirming that you have been successfully examined in them
  • Syllabus: a detailed syllabus of all courses taken and passed. Lecture programmes and reading lists are also of help if they are readily available. Coursework and photocopies of textbooks are not required
  • Question papers: these should be sent for all courses if possible. If the papers you actually sat are not available, papers from earlier or more recent years would be of help
  • Fee: an assessment fee will be payable and an overall fee will also be required if an exemption is granted

  We advise you not to register for modules from which you think you may be exempt. The ifs cannot grant exemptions on modules that you have attempted.

• HE Special Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances

  The ifs School of Finance recognises that after the withdrawal deadline date, students may experience exceptional circumstances that are beyond their control, and may render them unable to sit the examination or to perform to the best of their abilities. In such cases, students should read these guidance notes and complete the Special Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances and return to ifs.

  All claims must normally be submitted to ifs Higher Education Student Services in writing within 5 days of the written assessment or, on or before the date of submission for coursework. A claim for the latter must be accompanied by a copy of the assessment that has been completed at that date. Each claim should be accompanied by independent evidence of the extenuating circumstance but if this is not available at the date of submission of the claim, it may be sent separately but must reach the ifs no later than 4 weeks after the assessment date. Claims that are not complete at the end of the 4th week after the assessment date will not be accepted.

  Acceptable cases would normally include death or serious illness of a close relative or personal illness that can be substantiated with a medical certificate. Cases not considered would be holidays, house or job move or simple lack of preparation.

  All cases of potential extenuating circumstances will be considered by the Assessment Review Group (ARG) prior to the issue of results. Claims from students who sit an assessment against medical advice will not be accepted.

  The ARG has the authority to discount attempts (whether or not the assessment is actually sat) and extend the time limit for completion of the programme if it considers the case to be appropriate. Please be aware that any fees paid are NOT refundable or transferable. Re-sit fees must be submitted with the relevant re-sit form when the student next intends to sit the assessment.

• Resits

  BSc (Hons) in Financial Services and Associateship

  If you resit any examination or coursework you must take responsibility for ensuring that you have the most up-to-date study materials and syllabus especially if it has been some time since the last attempt or it contains set reading, as it is likely that the study materials have been updated.

  Core modules

  If you fail either the coursework or examination element of a core module, you can resit the failed element. If you are resitting the coursework, you are required to repeat the course of study. You should be aware of the earlier registration dates for resitting coursework as opposed to just the examination.

  Option modules

  Assessed by examination only. If you fail an examination at the first attempt you can either: proceed to a second attempt, or change to a different option module. You may only change modules after the first attempt. Changing option modules may benefit you if you feel you are unlikely to succeed in your original choice.

  Fees

  The cost for a re-sit for the BSc (Hons) in Financial Services/Associateship or Advanced Diploma is:

  • Examination only: £125.00
  • Coursework only: £125.00

  How to book a resit

  Please call the Admissions and Academic Management and Student Services Office on +44 (0) 1227 829499 to arrange your resit.

  When can I resit my examination?

  Written examinations are held twice a year in April and October. Please make sure you arrange your re-sit in plenty of time; the re-sit fees must be paid by 31 August for the October sitting, and by 28 February for the April sitting. Please check the examination timetable.

• Further information

  Further details about each module exam can be found in the module specification.

  For more information please contact:

  Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office

  T: +44 (0) 1227 829499
  F: +44 (0) 1227 786030
  E: enquiries@ifslearning.ac.uk.