9.4 Schemes with integrated Sandwich Year (with integrated year in industry or with integrated year studying abroad)

1. This section provides a framework for schemes which include an integrated year in industry or year studying abroad, defined as a Sandwich Year in the Examination Conventions. These can either be:

(i) four year schemes with two years in Aberystwyth after Part One plus a Sandwich Year

(ii) five year schemes with three years in Aberystwyth after Part One plus Sandwich Year

(iii) Three year Foundation Degree schemes with two years in Aberystwyth plus Sandwich year

(iv) Two year Master’s schemes with Sandwich Year between the taught element and the submission of the dissertation.

2. It should be noted that Language schemes which include a year away from Aberystwyth so that students may gain linguistic proficiency and experience are not covered under this section.

3. The integrated year in industry will consist of a period working in the UK or abroad. The cascade weighting for the Sandwich Year in a scheme with integrated year in industry will be determined at scheme level in accordance with the Examination Conventions. Scheme titles will conform to the following wording: (with integrated year in industry).

4. Students on a scheme with integrated year studying abroad will be required to study at a university abroad. The Sandwich Year in a scheme with integrated year abroad will have a cascade weighting of zero. Scheme titles will conform to the following wording: (with integrated year studying abroad).

5. Schemes with integrated year in industry will include standard learning outcomes for the Sandwich Year. Generic learning outcomes are provided in a programme specification template and additional subject-specific learning outcomes may be approved for individual schemes.

6. Students on schemes with integrated year in industry or year studying abroad are not permitted to go on exchange placements during the year prior to the Sandwich year. This ensures that they are not away from Aberystwyth for more than one year, and that they receive appropriate preparation for the year in industry or year studying abroad.

7. The standard progression requirement of passing 100 credits in each year of study will apply for the Sandwich Year.

8. Students who fail to progress at the end of Year 2 (or equivalent year prior to the year in industry or year studying abroad) will be required to complete and pass August resits or repeat the year before embarking on the Sandwich Year.

9. Students are expected to be in employment or studying abroad for a minimum of 30 weeks. In exceptional cases Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellors or their nominees may approve shorter periods. Students must comply with Faculty requirements for maintaining contact with tutors during this period. Schemes which are accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies may also include additional requirements. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress during the Sandwich Year may be reported to the Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor or nominee under the Academic Regulation on Academic Progress.

10. The integrated year in industry will consist of a 120 credits. Assessments may include a log book or diary, interim reports, and a final reflective report. The final module mark and progression to the next year of study will be confirmed at the September meeting of Senate Examination Board.

11. The Sandwich Year will be marked in accordance with published assessment criteria, and Senate Examination Board will require students who fail to meet the learning outcomes and achieve a minimum mark of 40% or pass the year to transfer onto a related degree scheme which does not include the integrated year in industry / integrated year studying abroad.

12. The assessment of the year studying abroad will be determined at scheme level and may include credits awarded by other institutions, interim reports, and a final reflective report. For students starting from September 2018 no marks will be converted from studies undertaken at other institutions, and credits only will be included in the final degree classification. Where there is no assessment element at Aberystwyth, no mark will be awarded and students will be allowed to pass the year on the basis of credits completed during the Sandwich Year.