Holistic development, learning and culture

Students display academic integrity when they submit for assessment work that is their own. When this is not the case, the students are engaging in cheating or dishonest practices. All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations. It is also inappropriate to submit sections of work completed for one course as part of an assignment for another course.

Assessment and grading system
The assessments are graded against the University scale A+ to E. All assignments must be submitted.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA Value        Marks

A+              9            90 – 100
A                8            85 – 89.99
A-               7            80 – 84.99
B+              6            75 – 79.99
B                5            70 – 74.99
B-               4            65 – 69.99
C+              3            60 – 64.99
C                2            55 – 59.99
C-               1            50 – 54.99
D                0            40 – 49.99
E               -1             0 – 39.99

A Pass is 50 marks or over

Distance students are expected to attend class sessions during any compulsory On-site Intensive (OSI).  Students must also participate in the course sufficiently via Learn to meet the learning outcomes.

Work is assessed and moderated by course lecturers.

Work handed in after the due date with no extension granted is considered late. Late work will be accepted up to one week after the due date. The highest grade a "late" assignment can achieve is a C-.  If, for any reason, you are having difficulty in keeping to the deadline for assignments, you must make contact via email with one of the course lecturers so that we can work with you as to what is possible and reasonable. Marks will be deducted for lateness. Lecturers reserve the right not to mark late work, and no work will be accepted after assignments have been returned.

Under exceptional circumstances (e.g.. illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension of the due date for an assignment. There is, however, a limit to the length of time that an extension can be granted and this should be negotiated with the course coordinator in the first instance. Extensions will not normally be given for longer than one week from the due date, unless exceptional circumstances prevail. Extensions are not granted automatically to students.

Requests for extensions should be emailed to the course coordinator at least two working days prior to the due date for the assignment. Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the course coordinator to make a decision about whether or not to grant an extension. Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due at about the same time. Students are encouraged to plan their work in a realistic manner and in advance so that they can meet their assessment deadlines.

Where for reasons beyond their control, students are prevented from completing an assessment or suffer significant impairment, they may apply for what is known as “special consideration”. University of Canterbury Special Consideration provisions may apply to impaired performance, non-completion of assessment items, and to late discontinuation (withdrawal) from a course.

A detailed description of special consideration and materials to support the applications process are available at: Special Considerations Process.  


Generally speaking, applications for special considerations should be lodged within five working days of the due date of that assessment item. For more details on this, please refer to the Special Considerations Regulations.



This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

As well as attending classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn class site by 9.00am on or before the due date. Assignments are automatically sent through Turnitin to check for Plagiarism on submission of assignments. submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site.

It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated.  Students who have unreliable internet access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures.

For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000.  Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university holidays).