UCB standards for presenting your written work

Please use the standards within this link about text size, line spacing, margins, headers, page numbering, embedding quotations within your work and appendices.

Main headings – Arial, size 14, bold, centred

Sub-headings – Arial, size 12, bold, left-aligned

Main text – Arial, size 12, left-aligned

Margins – 2.5cm on all sides

Spacing – 1.5 line spacing

Between paragraphs – leave one line space between paragraphs

Reference list – use single spacing. Leave one space between each reference

Paper Size A4 (unless otherwise stated)

Tables – label numerically in order of when they are presented in the assessment. Table 1, Table 2 etc.

Charts/Graphs – label as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc

Labels should be centred directly above the Table/Figure in Arial, size 12.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically within your assessments

Please read the information below on how to use AI ethically within your assignments, including Grammarly. Please ask your lecturer or CASE if you are unclear about any information within this link. If a marker has questions about how you have used AI within your assignment, you may be invited to a meeting to discuss your work.

Teamwork Assessment

Should this assignment require you to work as part of a team, you will receive an individual grade based on your performance and personalised feedback. The assignment brief will provide clear details on how your individual grade and feedback will be determined against the task and marking criteria.

Importance of Word Count

Assignment word counts should always be observed. Ignoring a word count significantly increases the risk of your work losing marks because it will likely lack focus and clarity, and/or you would have gained an unfair advantage over others who have completed their work within the word count.  

Students will be required to state their word count on all submissions. A 10% leeway will be allowed, so the maximum a student should submit will be the word count + 10%.  The word count will exclude:

o The title page

o The contents page

o Models, graphs, calculations, data tables, and other exhibited figures or images

o Lists of references

o Appendices (these should be kept to a minimum)

Page limits in some assessments

For some projects/assessments, a page limit may be set to encourage you to focus on the most critical information. This is particularly important in projects that involve multiple elements such as tables, graphs, diagrams, calculations or extensive coding, where purposeful information is key.

E-submission

See the guidance below on e-submitting your assignment:

Assessment issues | University College Birmingham 

Cut-off date for late submissions (including for students with ECs and/or Support Plans)

The cut-off time for late submissions is as follows:

Original assessment period – 10 working days after the due date

Resit assessment period – 24 hours after the due date.

After this time, you cannot submit any late assessments, even if you have Extenuating Circumstances to cover them.  

Students with Support Plans may have additional time to submit their work after the formal submission date for the original assignments only. During the Resit assessment period, the maximum cut-off time for late submissions is 24 hours, regardless of whether a student has a support plan or extenuating circumstances.

If things go wrong | University College Birmingham 

(See Additional Information Section, ‘Assignments and how to Submit them’)

Generic Grading Criteria

The Generic Grading Criteria (GCC) are the generic features and expectations of work at a given level on your programme. The GCC per level is used in conjunction with the assignment marking criteria to determine the mark for your assignment.  For more information on the GCCs for Levels 4-7, please click on this link: Assessment fairness and marking | University College Birmingham

Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

Please read the policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct below. UCB will be robust in ensuring that marks awarded for assignments are based on fair and ethical assessment and referencing practices by students. Plagiarism | University College Birmingham 

Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating Circumstances (ECs) are significant personal difficulties which adversely impact your ability to complete your assignment. Please read the supporting information below if you have ECs impacting your ability to complete this assignment. If things go wrong | University College Birmingham 

UCB Referencing Guide

You are required to reference your sources within your assignments appropriately. Please click on the link below to learn how to reference various sources of information.  This Guide also includes how to acknowledge all Generative AI used within your assignment, ensuring that you comply with the Using AI Ethically within your Assignments policy (as covered above). ucbirmingham instructure 

Access the Assignment Life Cycle

The Assignment Life Cycle offers you additional support at each stage of the assignment process