INSCAPE DESIGN COLLEGE

 

Promotion and Graduation Policy & Procedures                                R1.3

                                                                                                  2007/12/01

 

BAHELOR OF DESIGN PROGRAMMES

 

Promotion Policy

It is necessary for the student to meet the college’s minimum achievement criteria for any academic year to be promoted to the following year of study.

 

Promotion Procedure

Evaluation of learning

All projects, exercises and tests are weighted according to the relative importance of the outcomes to be achieved in the assignments. This means that all projects, exercises and tests are allocated a number of possible marks that a student can earn when submitting these projects on time.

 

The year-mark for each subject comprises the total of the possible marks that may be earned for all projects, exercises and tests in that subject.

Practical work accounts for approximately 50% of the total year mark and theory work accounts for approximately 50% of the total year mark in each year of study.

 

First and second year students are required to achieve a minimum aggregate of 50% in every subject, as well as a minimum of 50% for the “end of the year” portfolio assessment, in order to be promoted to the next year of study.

 

Students must pass all subjects in their current year of study in order to be promoted to the next year of study.

 

In addition to a minimum aggregate of 50% in each subject, students in their final year must also achieve a mark of at least 50% for the Final Year Project and at least 50% for their Final Portfolio in order to graduate.

 

Students who do not attain an average of 50% for all work done by the end of the first semester may be disallowed from completing the year.

 

There are certain minimum requirements that students must meet to be promoted or to graduate.  These include academic achievements and attendance.

 

DP: Minimum attendance

Students are required to arrive timeously for lectures and participate for the duration of the class.  The college promotes a healthy respect for punctuality and deadlines in students, in preparation for the ‘real’ world.

 

An attendance register is kept as an aid to determining Due Performance (DP).  It is vitally important to maintain an attendance register as it assists students to become disciplined in time management.

 

To be considered for promotion or to submit the Portfolio, students must have attended at least 90% of lecture sessions and have submitted at least 90% of projects and exercises.

 

Distinction

A distinction is awarded in a subject where the year mark for that subject equals or exceeds 75%.

 

Promotion Requirement

·      To pass a year, the student must achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each and every subject.

·      If the student does not achieve at least 50% in a minor subject, the student may be granted a condonation (may be promoted), at the Programme Co-ordinator’s discretion, if:

·       the student has achieved a mark better than 55% in the major subjects, and

·       the student has achieved a minimum of 40% in the minor subject/s, and

·       attendance of lectures has been good, and

·       there is reason to believe that the student could pass the following / subsequent year (each year is about 5% more demanding than the previous year.)

 

Unsuccessful…

In the event that the student does not meet the requirements for promotion…

 

Final Year Assessment

In the Design students’ final year, students will complete a number of design projects and a final Major Project.  Students are also required to submit a final Portfolio.

 

Final Year Year-mark

To pass the year, the student must achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each subject during the year (including in-service training but excluding the Major Project).

 

If the student does not achieve at least 50% for a minor subject, the student may be granted a condonation at the Programme Co-ordinator’s discretion, if:

·       the student has achieved a mark better than 55% in the major subjects, and

·       the student has achieved a minimum of 40% in the minor subject/s, and

·       attendance of lectures has been good.

 

Summative Assessment: the Major Project

The Major Project represents a comprehensive integration of all that the student has learned.  It is meant to simulate, as far as possible, all the characteristics of a typical project that would be executed by a professional designer.  It therefore comprises most, if not all, subjects. 

 

The Major Project is usually sourced by final year students themselves.  A suitable project is identified by approaching either a design studio or a client for a project brief.  The project should be as similar to a real project as possible.

 

The brief is evaluated with the lecturers to establish the suitability and comprehensiveness of the brief.  If necessary, the brief may be revised to ensure suitability.

 

The progress of the project must be continually monitored by the lecturers and if possible by the client.

 

The project should take about eight weeks to complete, from briefing to hand-over presentation and is executed during the final quarter.  Hand-over presentation must take place ten to twelve days before end of the academic year, before a panel of lecturers and moderators (to allow for marking before presentation of Portfolio).

 

The project is assessed by two Inscape lecturers. The pass mark for the project is 50%.

 

Final Year Portfolio

The Portfolio is a collection of the best of the student's work and the student passes or fails depending on the mark awarded to the Portfolio. 

 

The lecturers guide the student with regard to the suitability of work to be included in the Portfolio.  A collection of work reflecting the range of subjects in the Programme should be included in the Portfolio.  Where necessary, work may have to be upgraded before it is included.

 

The format of the Portfolio is not dictated but it should be suitable for use in interviews.  It should take the shape of both a traditional zipper-bag and a digital presentation.

 

The Portfolio is prepared during the final term of the year and is presented to a panel of designers and moderators seven to ten days before the end of the academic year (to allow for time for marking before graduation).

 

The Portfolio is assessed according to clearly defined criteria which are available to the students before submission of the Portfolio.  Portfolios are assessed by two Inscape lecturers and two competent and impartial external moderators, one of whom is an academic and the other a practitioner in the relevant industry.  The pass mark for the Portfolio is 50%.

 

Graduation

To be awarded a Bachelor of Design degree, the student must achieve:

·      a minimum mark of 50% for the year’s work (year-mark), and

·      a minimum mark of 50% for the moderated Major Project, and

·      a minimum of 50% for the externally moderated Portfolio.

 

Unsuccessful…

In the event that the student does not meet the requirements for graduation…

 

 

DESIGN DEGREE PROGRAMME

 

Graduation Policy

Under development

 

Graduation Procedure

Admission and Remarks

·      The opportunity to participate in this programme is only offered to the more academic candidates.

·      All the requirements for the award of the degree must be fulfilled within a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.

 

Personal consultation with study leaders.

This contact takes the form of: development of proposals for the Research Paper, regular presentation of work, group discussions, critical discussion of progress and feedback regarding completed assessments, guidance from the study leaders and occasional seminars and group presentations. The student takes initiative and is responsible in their approach to their work.

 

Requirements for the award of the degree

Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% for each of the following:

·      Coursework: year-mark for all subjects (including Internship / Community Service and short research papers); and

·      Major Design Project; and

·      Major Research Paper; and

·      Portfolio.

 

Marks are calculated as follows:

·      Coursework: 

the sum of the marks awarded to all projects in all subjects including internship, but excluding the portfolio.

·      Major Design Project: 

the average of three marks: one mark each awarded by the two principal lecturers for the project and one mark awarded by the study leader.

·      Major Research Paper: 

the average of three marks: one mark awarded by the study leader and one mark each awarded by two internal moderators.

·      Portfolio: 

the average of five marks: two study leaders, at least one internal moderator and at least two external moderators, one of whom is an design academic from another registered higher education institution and one from the design industry.

 

Unsuccessful…

In the event that the student does not meet the requirements for graduation…

 

 

DECORATING AND DRAUGHTING PROGRAMMES

 

Graduation Policy

Under development

 

Graduation Procedure

To be awarded a certificate, the student must achieve:

·      a minimum mark of 50% in each and every module.

 

 

           

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