PDIS Student Handbook 2010-2011
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ROYAL HOLLOWAY INTERNATIONAL
Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students
Student Handbook
2010/11
Disclaimer
This document was published in September 2010 and was correct at that time. The Department reserves the right to modify any statement if necessary, make variations to the content or methods of delivery of programmes of study, to discontinue programmes, or merge or combine programmes if such actions are reasonably considered to be necessary by the College. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, and to give as much notice as possible.
Contents Pages
Introduction to the Department 1-2
1 Welcome
2 How to find us: the Department
3 How to find us: the staff
Communication 2-4
1 E-mail
2 Post
3 Your telephone number and postal address
4 Noticeboards
Teaching 4-5
1 Dates of terms
2 Reading weeks
3 Attendance requirements
Language-Learning Resources and Facilities 5-6
1 Computer-based language-learning resources
2 Language-learning facilities in the International Building
3 Language-learning facilities in Founder’s Library
General Assessment Information 6-13
1 Illness or other extenuating circumstances
2 Submission of written work
3 Extensions to deadlines
4 Penalties for late submission of work
5 Anonymous marking and cover sheets
6 Penalties for over-length work
7 Return of written coursework
8 Plagiarism
9 Other assessment offences
10 Marking of illegible scripts
11 Academic discipline and monitoring of progress, including the formal warning procedure
12 Progression and award requirements
5.13 Examination results
Student Support 13-14
1 Students in need of support, including students with special needs
2 Student-staff committee
3 Students’ Union
4 Careers information
5 Non-academic policies
6 Complaints and academic appeals procedure
Health and Safety Information 14
1 Code of practice on personal harassment for students
2 Lone working policy and procedures
Equal Opportunities Statement 15
1 Equal opportunities statement
Teaching Programme 16-28
1 Aims and learning outcomes
9.2 Programme structure
9.3 Core English language and academic skills courses
9.4 In-sessional English language courses
9.5 Courses in academic departments
9.6 Independent project
9.7 Cultural insights task
9.8 Independent learning
9.9 Information technology training
10. Personal supervision
Assessment 29-35
1. Assessment structure
2. Programme outcomes
3. Resubmit/resit/ repeat regulations
4. Submission of assessed work
5. Additional notes on assessment
6. Appeals procedure
7. Assessment criteria
8. Assessed seminar discussion
9. Oral presentation based on cultural insights task
10. Assessed essay
11. English language examination
12. Independent project assessment criteria
General information 36-39
11.1 Programme calendar
11.2 Admissions procedure
11.3 Management of the programme
11.4 Attendance
11.5 Withdrawing from the PDIS
11.6 End of programme arrangements
11.7 Other activities
11.8 Health and safety
Appendices 40-52
a) Staff/Student committee
b) RHI Self-Access Guide for Students
c) Additional Study Materials
d) Royal Holloway International: RHI Student Resources
e) RHI Student Resources: Membership Form
f) Independent Project Record Form
g) Independent Project Final Draft: Declaration to be signed by the
student
h) Assessed Work Submission Form
i) Assessed Work Extension Form
j) Important Information Concerning Enrolment and Attendance
k) Profile of Assessed Presentation
Section I
Introduction to the Department
1.1 Welcome
Welcome to Royal Holloway International! We are pleased you have decided to study with us, and look forward to helping you develop your potential as a student in the UK over the coming months.
Royal Holloway International (RHI) is a recently established department which unites a number of activities aimed at supporting international students. As part of this role, RHI is responsible for promoting the College in overseas markets, developing partnerships worldwide, and enhancing study abroad and student exchange activity whilst offering a range of taught courses and programmes to international students enrolled at Royal Holloway. Specifically, this includes:
• the teaching of a pre-sessional English language programme for international students who have been offered a place to study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level at Royal Holloway,
• the management and teaching of a pre-Masters programme for graduate students,
• the management of a foundation programme for students wishing to apply for undergraduate study on completion,
• the teaching of English language support courses for international students,
• the teaching of tailor-made courses for visiting overseas students who need substantial English language support.
Some of you have joined us shortly after arriving in the UK for the first time, while others may have previous experience of studying in this country. The Pre-Master’s Diploma for International Students (PDIS) provides everyone a wonderful opportunity to learn and to develop the necessary language and study skills for success as a student in the UK.
This Student Handbook tells you about the PDIS and contains comprehensive information, both about the Department and the College. Please make sure you keep this handbook safely, for future reference.
We look forward to working with you and hope that you have an enjoyable and productive time whilst in RHI.
Sheryl Simon
Director, Royal Holloway International
1.2 How to find us: The Department
Royal Holloway International is located on the ground floor of the International Building (no. 15 on campus map). Our departmental reception is based in IN008 and open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday.
1.3 How to find us: The Staff
|Name |Title |Ext |Room |
|Liz BURGER |Administrative Assistant |3829 |IN009 |
|Gerard CLOUGH |Academic Co-ordinator |3756 |IN044 |
|Vicky COLLINS |Language Tutor |4324 |IN003 |
|Norlene CONWAY |Academic Co-ordinator |4111 |IN043 |
|Gerald DAMPIER |Language Tutor |4124 |IN003 |
|Marion ENGRAND-O'HARA |Language Tutor |3898 |IN037 |
|Hannah LEGG |Admissions Assistant |4037 |IN009 |
|Stella LIN |Administrative Assistant |6373 |IN008 |
|Zohreh MOGHIMI |Language Tutor |4319 |IN035 |
|Heather MUSTARD |Assistant Director |3841 |IN042 |
|Silke PLACZECK |Assistant Director |3110 |IN033 |
|Marie SANDELL |Admissions Assistant (temporary) |3368 |IN009 |
|Sonya SAUNDERS |Language Tutor |3367 |IN035 |
|Rachel SCOTT |Executive Assistant to Director |4112 |IN009 |
|Katie SHAW |Language Tutor |3812 |IN002 |
|Sheryl SIMON |Director |3335 |IN039 |
|Sophia STAVRAKAKIS |Language Tutor |4320 |IN002 |
|Karin WHITESIDE |Language Tutor |6263 |IN002 |
|Katy WRIGHT |Language Tutor |3556 |IN035 |
|Stuart WRIGLEY |Language Tutor |4033 |IN037 |
|Kay ZHENG |Administrative Assistant |3250 |IN008 |
| | | | |
|Please Note: | | | |
|If the telephone extension begins with '3' | | |
| the full telephone number will be 01784 44 plus the extension | | |
|If the telephone extension begins with '4' | | |
| the full telephone number will be 01784 41 plus the extension | | |
|If the telephone extension begins with '6' | | |
| the full telephone number will be 01784 27 plus the extension | | |
2 Communication
It is vitally important that you keep in touch with us and we are able to keep in touch with you. Members of staff will often need to be able to contact you to inform you about changes to teaching arrangements, homework tasks or meetings you might be required to attend. You will need to be able to contact members of the Department, for example, if you are unable to attend a class, or wish to arrange a meeting with a tutor or your Personal Tutor.
E-mail to your College e-mail address is routinely used and you should check regularly (at least daily) if any official communication has been sent to you. Do not ignore this as it will be assumed that it will have been received by you within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays and Sundays.
You should also make a habit of checking the student pigeonholes in the Department.
2.1 E-mail
The College provides an e-mail address for all students free of charge and stores the address in a College e-mail directory. Your account is easily accessed, both on and off campus, via the Student Portal (Campus Connect) or via Outlook webmail. E-mail communications from College staff should be treated as important and read carefully.
It is your responsibility to make sure your College e-mail account is kept in working order. If you have any problems contact the IT help desk.
The Department will only use the address in the College directory and does not use private or commercial e-mail addresses, such as hotmail or gmail. Students who prefer to use commercial e-mail services are responsible for making sure that their College e-mail is diverted to the appropriate commercial address. Detailed instructions on how to forward mail are available in the FAQs from the Computer Centre.
If you send an e-mail to a member of staff in the Department during term time you should normally receive a reply within 3-4 working days of its receipt. Please remember that there are times when members of staff are away from College.
2.2 Post
All post addressed to students in the Department is delivered to the student pigeonholes (alphabetical by surname) which are located opposite IN009. At the end of each term student pigeonholes are cleared of accumulated mail which is then destroyed. Important information from Registry is often sent by internal post, and tutors sometimes return work to you via the pigeonholes so you are advised to check them regularly.
2.3 Your telephone number and postal address
It is your responsibility to ensure that your telephone number (mobile and landline) and postal address (term-time and forwarding) are kept up-to-date on the Student Portal (Campus Connect). There are occasions when the Department needs to contact you urgently by telephone or send you a letter by post.
The Department does not disclose students’ addresses and telephone numbers to anybody else (including relatives and fellow students) without the student’s specific permission to do so.
2.4 Noticeboards
The official student noticeboards are on the walls in the lobby opposite IN009. Every effort is made to post notices relating to teaching-related matters well in advance, but occasionally changes have to be made at short notice and in that case e-mail will be used.
It is your responsibility to check the times and venues of all classes and to make a note of any requirements relating to your courses (e.g. essay deadlines), so, if in doubt, please ask!
3 Teaching
3.1 Dates of terms
|Autumn Term |Spring Term |Summer Term |
|20 September 2010 – |10 January 2011 – |26 April 2011 – |
|10 December 2010 |25 March 2011 |10 June 2011 |
4 Reading weeks
|Autumn Term |Spring Term |
|1 November – 5 November 2010 |14 February – 18 February 2011 |
3.3 Attendance requirements
Students should be aware of the following College regulations:
• It is a requirement of enrolment with the College that a student attends as far as reasonably possible all parts of a course/programme for which s/he is registered and presents all set work for assessment within specified deadlines.
• Where in the absence of a satisfactory and adequately documented reason a student has failed to satisfy the requirements for attendance or submission of work specified for a course/programme, the Head of Department responsible may terminate that student's registration for the course/programme.
• A student who is not registered in the department, or whose registration has been terminated, may not attend classes, submit work or access facilities for that course/programme.
Students enrolled on courses in the Department are normally required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes.
In line with immigration regulations laid down by the Home Office, all student attendance will be monitored. For those of you who entered the UK on a General Student Visa non-attendance can result in you being required to leave the UK by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Attendance is therefore essential.
Language-Learning Resources and Facilities
4.1 Computer-based language-learning resources
Royal Holloway students have access to a range of language-learning resources, including the following:
Writing Insight
Road to IELTS
Study Skills Success
Tensebuster
Through Metalib students can access a range of electronic resources, including academic journals, newspapers and dictionaries (both monolingual and bilingual).
Moodle is the College’s Virtual Learning Environment, in which students can access course materials and information about their programmes, engage in discussions in online forums and take advantage of a variety of other resources. All RHI programmes have resources on Moodle, which you will be informed about in class.
You may like to access the “Royal Holloway International” area, which, along with other resources, features the EAP Toolkit suite, which includes:
▪ Academic Communication Skills
▪ Academic Listening and Note-taking
▪ Academic Reading and Critical Thinking
▪ Academic Writing
▪ Learning to Study
▪ Subject-specific Needs
▪ Grammar for Academic Purposes
▪ Vocabulary for Academic Purposes
4.2 Language-learning facilities in the International Building
RHI Student Resources is the Department’s library of self-study materials which is located opposite IN032 in the International Building. It is normally open weekday lunchtimes from 1.00 to 2.00 pm and offers a range of language-learning materials for loan to students. These include books, worksheets, CD-ROMS and audio and video cassettes. Portable cassette recorders may be borrowed for project work linked to classes. Details of how to join are in the RHI Student Resources Conditions of Membership form.
Computer laboratories are situated in IN005 and IN006. Computers are connected to the campus network and equipped with a soundcard. Students will need to supply their own headphones.
Access to the computer labs is subject to timetabling constraints and timetables will be posted outside the labs in question. Outside of normal working hours (approximately 8.00 am to 7.00 p.m.), students will need a swipe card to enter and leave the building. These are the same cards used to enter and exit the Computer Centre and can be obtained from the Computer Centre reception.
For any technical problems (e.g. the printer is out of paper), contact Computer Centre reception.
4.3 Language-learning facilities in the Founder’s Library
Founder’s Library offers a range of language-learning resources for loan to students. These include books, worksheets, CD-ROMS, CDs, DVDs, audio and video cassettes. Items are subject to the usual lending conditions (see Library and Information Services leaflets on display in the Libraries or via their website). Multi-media items (audio and video tapes, DVDs, CD-ROMS) are normally shelved in the Short Loan sections, with accompanying books where relevant. These can only be borrowed for short periods (up to one week), but some material is restricted to use within the Library. Students may consult the Library catalogue for further information.
Viewing facilities are also available in Founder’s Library:
• A group viewing room, which needs to be booked. The room houses a wide-screen TV, video, PC and DVD player, and can seat 12 people.
• 9 individual viewing booths comprising monitor, DVD and video player, headphones. This facility does not need to be booked.
General Assessment Information
5.1 Illness or other extenuating circumstances
These should be read in conjunction with the “Instructions to Candidates” issued by the Examinations Office.
If you are taken ill or there are other extenuating circumstances that you believe have adversely affected your performance at any point during the academic year, you must inform your department(s) in writing, and provide the appropriate evidence. Additionally, if you feel you need to make a further statement on how you consider your circumstances have had an impact on your work, you should submit this to the Chair of the Sub-board of Examiners in your department(s). The Sub-board of Examiners will review all evidence of extenuating circumstances submitted during the year, however, it is at the Sub-board’s discretion whether to take any circumstances into account. There is no guarantee that any allowance will be made. The main points to note are:
(a) It is your responsibility to notify your department(s) and Chair of the Sub-board of Examiners, if appropriate, in writing of any extenuating circumstances. Do not assume that if you have discussed your circumstances with the College Health Centre or Counselling Service, or informally with a member of staff in your department, that the information will be passed on to the Sub-board of Examiners on your behalf. Members of staff are not permitted to divulge personal information about students in this way; you must inform your department(s) in writing if you wish your circumstances to be considered.
(b) It is your responsibility to submit the supporting evidence of your circumstances (see below). For medical or psychological circumstances, this will need to be a note from a suitably qualified medical practitioner (normally a GP or hospital specialist), psychologist or educational psychiatrist as appropriate, who has seen you during the period of the condition and is not a close friend or relative and can attest to the impact of your circumstances on your studies. For other personal circumstances (eg. divorce, or the death of a family member), a written statement of the circumstances from you should be sufficient.
(c) As an undergraduate student, you must submit your written statement and supporting evidence, where appropriate, before 12pm on Wednesday 1 June 2011 (but should also check with your department regarding specific assessment/exam-related submissions).
(d) It is recommended that you submit your request and evidence as soon as possible, even if you are unsure whether your circumstances have affected your performance, or you feel that your circumstances are very private or confidential (see below). Do not wait until you receive your marks. Requests for special consideration will not be considered retrospectively and the private or confidential nature of circumstances will not later be accepted as grounds for appeal.
You should submit your statement and relevant supporting evidence to the Departmental Supervisor in the Department, in a sealed envelope marked ‘Confidential’ and addressed to the Chair of the Sub-board of Examiners. The request must state clearly how you consider your circumstances have affected your academic performance whether this relates to absence from classes, non-submission of work, and/or the impact on your ability to study and on the quality of your work.
If you have circumstances with long-term implications you should register with the Educational Support Office so that they can assess any needs you might have and arrange for appropriate support to be provided for you. If you have circumstances which continue to affect you in subsequent years and for which it would not be appropriate to register with the ESO you should notify your Sub-Board of Examiners each year.
Please note that it is not possible for Sub-boards of Examiners to make accurate and consistent assumptions about the standard of work which a student may have achieved and therefore examiners will not raise individual marks on the grounds of extenuating circumstances. Furthermore, please note the statement that it is at the academic judgment of the examiners whether to take any circumstances into account.
All evidence must be written in English, or as an official translation obtained by you. Blank forms for completion by medical practitioners can be obtained from the Examinations Office.
All evidence must include the following information:
(i) your name;
(ii) the name, position and official stamp of the person providing the evidence;
(iii) the date on which the document is produced;
(iv) a description of the nature and severity of the circumstances [NB Please note that if you have a condition which is under investigation, it is not necessary to have this diagnosed before submitting details. The supporting evidence should stipulate the effect of the condition on your work and performance and the relevant information must be submitted before the deadline];
(v) an exact indication of the period during which you were affected by the circumstances;
(vi) an assessment of the effect, if any, which the condition may have had on your work and performance.
Your statement and relevant supporting evidence will be considered by only a small panel of examiners, including the Chair of the Sub-board of Examiners, the Head of Department/School and at least one of the Visiting Examiners, in a closed meeting to protect your privacy.
Absence from an examination / failure to submit coursework
If you miss an examination or fail to submit a piece of assessed coursework without acceptable cause, this will normally be given an outcome of ‘Incomplete’.
If you miss an examination or fail to submit a piece of assessed coursework through illness, or other acceptable cause for which adequate documentation is provided in accordance with section 6.1 above, the Sub-board of Examiners may take this into account when considering your results.
Please also note the guidance given above in (a), (b) and (d) and about disclosure of extenuating circumstances.
Special arrangements for examinations for students with special needs
For students with special needs there is a process to apply for special arrangements for your examinations and other forms of assessment. Such requests should be made to the Educational Support Office (ESO) which will carry out an assessment of your needs. Please see Section 7 for further guidance about registering with the Educational Support Office.
5.2 Submission of written work
The Department requires all assessed coursework to be submitted to the departmental reception in IN008 and to complete an Assessed Work Submission Form for each assessment done outside of class.
5.3 Extensions to deadlines
An extension to the deadline of assessed work can only be granted by one of two named individual members of staff in the Department and extensions will only be granted in special circumstances.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, s/he must do so by submitting an Assessed Work Extension Form to the relevant named individual member of staff at least two working days before the submission deadline for consideration.
5.4 Penalties for late submission of work
The following College policy applies to all students on taught programmes of study.
All coursework should be submitted by the specified deadline. Please ensure that you are aware of the deadlines set by your department(s). Work that is submitted after the deadline will be penalised as follows:
• For work submitted up to 24 hours late, the mark will be reduced by ten percentage marks* subject to a minimum mark of a minimum pass;
• For work submitted more than 24 hours late, the maximum mark will be zero.
*e.g. an awarded mark of 65% would be reduced to 55%
If you have had extenuating circumstances which have affected your ability to submit work by the deadline these should be submitted in writing, accompanied by any relevant documentary evidence, to your department(s). As with all extenuating circumstances it is the discretion of the examiners whether to accept these as a reason for having not submitted work on time. Please see section 6.3 on applying for an extension to the deadlines set, and section 6.1 for details on submitting requests for extenuating circumstances to be considered.
37 Anonymous marking and cover sheets
All students taking examinations are issued with a candidate number which is to ensure that exams and, where appropriate, coursework are marked anonymously. All students are allocated a personal candidate number which can be found on the ‘Study’ tab of the Student Portal.
Because the purpose of the candidate number is to ensure that your work is marked anonymously, it is essential that you do not use your candidate number in conjunction with anything that identifies you, such as your name or Student Reference Number. All members of staff who are authorised to see your candidate number (and who will not be involved in the marking process) will already be able to look it up so you should never have to give it to anyone.
The Department requires all students to complete an Assessed Work Submission Form for each assessment done outside of class. It is the student’s responsibility to supply this form with each submission.
5.6 Penalties for over-length work
The following College policy applies to all students on taught programmes of study:
All over-length work submitted will be penalised as follows:
• For work which exceeds the upper word limit by at least 10% and by less than 20%, the mark will be reduced by ten percentage marks*, subject to a minimum mark of a minimum pass.
• For work which exceeds the upper word limit by 20% or more, the maximum mark will be zero.
*e.g. an awarded mark of 65% would be reduced to 55%
In addition to the text, the word count should include quotations and footnotes. Please note that the following are excluded from the word count: candidate number, title, course title, preliminary pages, bibliography and appendices.
Where it is appropriate to a particular assessment task, the Departments will endeavour to specify a range, rather than just an upper limit.
5.7 Return of written coursework
The Department regards the regular completion and submission of coursework as an essential element of learning. We undertake to mark and return all course and assessed work within two weeks of receipt, if at all possible.
5.8 Plagiarism
Students should refer to the regulations on assessment offences for information on plagiarism. Plagiarism, that is the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were your own, must be avoided. You should be aware that College regulations require that all work a student submits for assessment must be written in his/her own words and incorporate his/her own ideas and judgments. This includes copying from a book, journal or website without clearly mentioning the original source. You must not copy from the work of another student or a native speaker of the language you are studying. Intentional plagiarism in coursework is as serious as cheating in exams. Remember that plagiarism is considered to be dishonest and a particular kind of stealing.
In your English language classes you will be taught how to avoid plagiarism. You are expected to use the Harvard Method of referencing and will be taught how to use this method in class.
Please note that RHI guidelines and College regulations will be applied when dealing with instances of plagiarism. Serious offences will be referred to the Head of Department.
Identifying plagiarism is a matter of expert academic judgement, based on a comparison across the student’s work and on knowledge of sources, practices and expectations for professional conduct in the discipline. Therefore it is possible to determine that an offence has occurred from an assessment of the student’s work alone, without reference to further evidence.
5.9 Other assessment offences
The College also has regulations on other assessment offences which include duplication of work, falsification, collusion, failure to comply with the rules governing assessment (including those set out in the ‘Instructions to candidates’). The regulations set out the procedures for investigation into allegations of an offence and the penalties for such offences.
1 Marking of illegible scripts
It is College policy not to mark scripts which are illegible. If you anticipate that you may have difficulty in handwriting scripts which would lead to your scripts being illegible you should contact the Educational Support Office.
2 Academic discipline and monitoring of progress, including the formal warning procedure
Students are expected to observe College regulations, particularly in relation to academic discipline which includes the monitoring of attendance and academic performance. Should students fail to meet these requirements we will take the necessary steps to ensure that students are warned formally. Please note that this process may lead to the termination of a student’s registration at Royal Holloway. With regard to the formal warning procedure students should note the following:
• Where a student’s record of attendance, academic performance or productivity is unsatisfactory to the extent that it would be appropriate to terminate the student’s registration, the Head of Department shall issue the student with two formal warnings by letter. If the Head of Department is the student’s Personal Tutor, it may be appropriate for a different member of staff to be involved in making such a recommendation and in monitoring the student’s progress.
• Each letter shall state the reason(s) for the warning, the nature of any requirement made of the student in order to demonstrate improvement and the period of time within which this is to be done in order for the student to avoid his/her registration being terminated. The second letter of formal warning shall state the fact that it is the final warning.
• At least four weeks, or three weeks in the case of courses taught over only one term, must elapse between the first and second formal warnings in order to give adequate time for the student to demonstrate a satisfactory level of improvement.
• At each warning the student will be offered the opportunity to submit a written response and/or to meet with the Head of Department in order to discuss the grounds for the warning. The student may be accompanied at the meeting by another student or member of staff of the College. The Head of Department may set the warning aside and confirm this decision to the student by letter on provision of satisfactory and adequately documented explanation for the student’s record of attendance, academic performance or productivity. Formal warnings which have not been set aside will remain active for the duration of the student’s programme of study.
• If after the second letter of formal warning there is insufficient improvement, it may be decided to recommend that the student’s registration should be terminated. The Head of Department shall communicate the decision and the grounds for it in writing to the Academic Registrar.
3 Progression and award requirements
The regulations governing progression and award requirements are set out in your programme specification and also more generally in the College regulations.
If you do not pass a course unit at a first attempt you may be given an opportunity to‘re-sit’ or ‘repeat’ the course unit.
Re-sit of a failed unit - Normally the opportunity to re-sit any failed parts of a course unit not passed at the first attempt will be during the following academic session.
Repeat - If you are given the opportunity to repeat a course unit you will need to register for the course unit for the next academic session and satisfy afresh the coursework and attendance requirements.
Please note that it is not possible to re-sit or repeat a course unit which you have passed.
Outcomes of course unit assessment
The Undergraduate Regulations require that for a student to qualify for final consideration in a course unit by the Sub-board of Examiners, a candidate must first:
(a) have satisfied the attendance requirements specified for the course;
(b) have completed and presented for assessment all work specified for the course within specified deadlines.
The Sub-board of Examiners will determine an outcome and a percentage mark recorded as an integer between 0% and 100%, inclusive for each candidate who qualifies for final consideration, as follows:
(a) an outcome of ‘Pass’ (P) with a percentage mark will be returned where the candidate has gained a mark of 40% or above overall and in all elements of the assessment which carry an individual pass requirement;
(b) an outcome of ‘Fail’ (F) with a percentage mark will be returned where the candidate has gained a mark of 39% or below overall or in any element of the assessment which carries an individual pass requirement.
The assessment of a candidate who does not qualify for final consideration will be marked ‘Incomplete’ (IN) without a percentage mark.
The Sub-board of Examiners may return an outcome of ‘Allowed’ (AL) without a percentage mark where a candidate has satisfied them in the course, but it is their opinion that the candidate's capacity to qualify for final consideration, or his/her performance in the assessment was compromised by illness and/or other adequately documented cause judged sufficient. A student may be granted an outcome of ‘Allowed’ in courses to a value of no more than three units across the programme, and no more than two units within any one stage.
Students entered to re-sit an examination will normally not receive an overall percentage mark greater than 50% for that course unit.
5.13 Examination Results
Please see the Examinations Office website for details of how you will formally receive your results.
Information on obtaining your candidate number and on appealing your results can also be accessed.
6. Student Support
1 Students in need of support, including students with special needs
The College offers a high level of student welfare support which includes a comprehensive Health Centre, a highly regarded Counselling Service, dedicated educational and disability support, as well as a wealth of financial, career and other advice. Further details of each service can be found on the Student Support page.
Students with special needs
If you have a disability or special educational need, it is important that you bring it to our attention as soon as possible. You must contact the ESO (Founders East 151; tel: 01784 443966; email: educational-support@rhul.ac.uk) who will arrange for an assessment of needs to be carried out and will advise on appropriate sources of help. Further information is available in the Handbook for Students with Special Needs.
2 Student-staff committee
The Committee meets at least once per teaching term and plays an important role in the Department as a forum for airing student views. Student representatives from programmes taught in the Department will attend these and provide feedback on all aspects of their respective programme. Elected student representatives are also asked to consult all students on the programme before this committee meets, and to represent the views of the group at the meeting. The reps will provide general feedback about the courses, the facilities, etc. but may also wish to raise problems or complaints, or ask about arrangements which they think should be made. Minutes of these meetings are available to everyone and will be displayed on noticeboards.
3 Students’ Union
Royal Holloway has a Students’ Union which offers a range of services, clubs and societies for students.
At the beginning of the Autumn Term the Students’ Union organises a Freshers’ Fayre in which societies and clubs recruit new members. Freshers' Fayre gives you the opportunity to talk to students about clubs and societies and to learn more about social life in the university.
4 Careers information
The College has a Careers Advisory Service, housed in the Horton Building, which is open to any student during normal College hours.
5 Non-academic policies
Please see the Online Student Handbook which includes information on non-academic policies, regulations, and codes of practice as well as the Student Charter.
6 Complaints and academic appeals procedure
If you have a complaint relating to any aspect of the Department or its staff or to any academic or College matter, you should first discuss it informally with your Personal Tutor or with another member of staff in the Department. We would hope that the majority of issues of this kind can be resolved by informal discussion. There are, however, procedures that can be invoked in serious cases. These are set out in the College Complaints Procedures for Students. You should raise your complaint as soon as possible.
If the complaint concerns an academic decision, there is an academic appeals process. Please note that an academic appeal can only be submitted once you have received your results. Details of the appeals procedures and permitted grounds for appeal can be found on the Examinations Office website.
Health and Safety Information
1 Code of practice on personal harassment for students
All members of the College are responsible for helping to create an environment that is free from hostility; for helping to ensure that individuals do not suffer any form of harassment, and for helping and supporting them in any legitimate complaint. Personal harassment can seriously harm working, learning and social conditions at the College. Harassment will be regarded seriously and could be grounds for disciplinary action, which may include termination of registration as a student. Harassment can be a source of great stress to an individual. It may be so serious and unrelenting that the person who is being, or has been, harassed feels it necessary to change their course of study, their accommodation or their employment. Further information can be found in the regulations of the Online Student Handbook.
2 Lone working policy and procedures
The College has a ‘Lone Working Policy and Procedure’ that can be found on the Health and Safety Web pages. Lone working is defined as working during either normal working hours at an isolated location within the normal workplace or when working outside of normal hours.
Any health and safety concerns should be brought to the attention of the Departmental Health and Safety Co-ordinator or the College Health and Safety Office.
It is likely that most activities will take place on College premises. However, the principles contained in the above section will apply to students undertaking duties off campus.
Equal Opportunities Statement and College Codes of Practice
1 Equal opportunities statement
The University of London was established to provide education on the basis of merit above and without regard to race, creed or political belief and was the first university in the United Kingdom to admit women to its degrees.
Royal Holloway, University of London (hereafter 'the College') is proud to continue this tradition, and to commit itself to equality of opportunity in employment, admissions and in its teaching, learning and research activities.
The College is committed to ensure that:
• all staff, students, applicants for employment or study, visitors and other persons in contact with the College are treated fairly, have equality of opportunity and do not suffer disadvantage on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, age, marital or parental status, dependants, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political belief or social origins;
• both existing staff and students, as well as, applicants for employment or admission are treated fairly and individuals are judged solely on merit and by reference to their skills, abilities qualifications, aptitude and potential;
• it puts in place appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity;
• teaching, learning and research are free from all forms of discrimination and continually provide equality of opportunity;
• all staff, students and visitors are aware of the Equal Opportunities Statement through College publicity material;
• it creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere, based on respect for diversity within the College;
• it conforms to all provisions as laid out in legislation promoting equality of opportunity.
Section II
9 Teaching Programme
9.1 Aims and Learning Outcomes
There are many reasons why international students need additional preparation before entering postgraduate degree level studies. These include:
0. the need to improve English language skills: even students who are good at using English for general communication will need to improve such things as their vocabulary, their reading skills, the accuracy and style of their writing;
the need to get used to university education in Britain: academic life in Britain is often very different from your own culture, including ways of teaching (such things as seminars and tutorials), and forms of assessment (writing extended research papers);
the need to understand the intellectual culture of study in Britain: this so-called ‘critical or analytical thinking and argumentation’ is an essential element of academic life and you will need to learn how to present your own ideas within that culture;
the need to learn or improve study skills: many students need to learn to read faster and more efficiently, to structure essays in an appropriate way, to develop skills for listening to lectures in another language while taking notes at the same time.
The Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students (PDIS) sets out to prepare international students both educationally and linguistically for graduate study. Within the general aims listed above, the will prepare you to do the following:
understand a wide range of both written and spoken language and communication, including academic texts;
take an active part in tutorials and seminars and make clear oral presentations;
produce written academic English appropriate for graduate study in a variety of formats, including essays, projects and reports;
gain an internationally recognised English language qualification;
find, analyse, critique and use information from many sources, including libraries and the Internet;
be able to work well as an independent learner;
make appropriate use of IT facilities, including word-processing and other skills considered necessary for graduate study;
experience what it is like to work and study in Britain; through this experience, to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the cultural differences and expectations of working and studying in Britain.
9.2 Programme Structure
The Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students consists of four main components:
English language and academic skills
an undergraduate academic unit
independent study
consultations
The programme is taught over the three terms of the academic year. During Terms 1 and 2 you will participate in a range of English language and academic skills courses in Royal Holloway International, take the equivalent of one undergraduate course unit in an academic department, take IT training courses in the Computer Centre if needed, and complete a short Cultural Insights Task as well as completing the assessed oral presentation at the end of Term 1, and the assessed seminar discussion and assessed essay at the end of Term 2. Term 3 is devoted to the writing up of the Independent Project as well as English language and academic course assessments and examinations. In addition, you will take the IELTS test at the end of Term 1 and Term 2.
Most of the teaching occurs during Terms 1 and 2. The table below provides an overview of the programme.
| | |
| |Contact hours per week |
|Programme Structure | |
| |Term 1 |Term 2 |Term 3 |
| |
|English Language and Academic Skills |
|Core courses |8 hours per week in total |9 hours per week in total | |
| | | | |
| |1 hour per week |1 hour per week | |
|Accuracy in Writing |2 hours per week | | |
|Reading Focus | |2 hours per week | |
|Critical Reading |2 hours per week |2 hours per week | |
|Writing Focus |2 hours per week | | |
|Oral Communication Skills |1 hour per week | | |
|Additional Skills | |3 hours per week | |
|IELTS Preparation | |1 hour per week | |
|Skills Focus |Assessment: oral presentation |Assessment: assessed essay | |
| | | | |
| | |Assessment: seminar skills | |
| | |discussion | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | |Assessment: English |
| | | |language examination |
| | | | |
|In-sessional English Language |3 or 4 hours per week (2/3/4 |3 or 4 hours per week (2/3/4 | |
|Courses |courses) |courses) | |
| | | | |
|At least two of the following writing| | | |
|courses: | | | |
| | |If you did not take Referencing | |
|Essay Structure and Academic |Each of these courses runs for 2 |Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism or| |
|Language |hours a week for 4 weeks |Critical Thinking for Academic | |
| | |Writing in Term 1, you should take| |
|Referencing, Sources and Avoiding | |them in Term 2 | |
|Plagiarism | | | |
| | | | |
|Critical Thinking for Academic | | | |
|Writing | | | |
| | | | |
|Or | | | |
| | | | |
|A-Z: Aspects of Academic Writing |2 hours a week for 7 weeks | | |
| | | | |
|And | | | |
| | | | |
|Pronunciation for Presentations |1 hour a week for 7 weeks | | |
| | |2 hours a week for 4 weeks (if you| |
|Academic Listening and Note-Taking | |did not take this course in Term | |
|Skills | |1) | |
| | | | |
| | |You will be advised which courses | |
| |+ 1 other course; you will be |to take | |
| |advised which to take | | |
| |
|Academic course |
|Lecture and seminar in academic |2 hours |2 hours |Examination/s |
|department | | | |
| |
|Independent Learning |
|Independent Project | |Support through weekly consultations and 8 hours of academic |
| | |supervision of which at least 4 will be face-to-face |
|Cultural Insights Task |Completed in Term 1 | | |
|Independent Learning |At least 20 hours |At least 20 hours | |
|IT training courses |As needed | |
|Consultations |1 hour |1 hour |1 hour |
|IELTS examination |
|Arrangements will be made by Royal Holloway International for students to take the IELTS examination at the end of Term 1 and at the end|
|of Term 2. |
During the induction sessions you will be given a timetable for the core English language courses on the PDIS. You will then need to add the details of the courses in your academic department and your In-sessional courses. Give a copy of your final timetable to your Personal Tutor during the second week of Terms 1 and 2. Remember to notify your Personal Tutor of any changes to your timetable.
9.3 Core English Language and Academic Skills Courses
The core courses are tailor-made to deal with the needs of the students on the PDIS. The courses develop and revise the language and study skills you will need for successful graduate degree-level studies; specific attention is focused on the development of critical discussion and academic writing. The courses run for ten weeks in Terms 1 and 2; no classes take place during Royal Holloway International Reading Week.
Writing Focus (2 hours a week in Term 1 and Term 2)
In the first part of the course, students write shorter essays of 300 - 500 words, which focus on the microskills of writing as well as the development of critical thinking skills. Some time will also be devoted to the IELTS Writing Paper. In the second part of the course, the focus will be on longer texts and timed writing and will include preparation for the Independent Project. Research skills of collecting information as well as acknowledging and evaluating it will be included.
Students will be encouraged to use the written tasks as vehicles for their own ideas and interests. A ‘process’ approach, in which work is redrafted and the response of various readers is sought, will be encouraged.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
16. produce written academic English to an acceptable graduate standard in a range of formats including essays;
summarise, analyse and critique written and spoken texts;
deal with writing essays in exam conditions.
Key Texts
Pallant, A. 2006, English for Academic Study: Writing 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
Slaght, J. and Harben, P. 2006, English for Academic Study: Reading 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
Accuracy in Writing (1 hour a week in Term 1 and Term 2)
This course provides an opportunity for students to improve their accuracy at sentence and paragraph level. Language items will be selected that are relevant to the areas of language used in the Writing Focus course and the IELTS Writing course. These will include passives, tenses, articles and relative clauses.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
19. independently recognise errors in their own writing;
increase their awareness of the appropriate use of tense and syntax for academic written work.
Key Texts
Bailey, S. 2006, Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students, London: Routledge.
Reading Focus (2 hours a week in Term 1)
This course is intended to prepare students for reading at postgraduate level. The emphasis will be on reading more quickly and efficiently, understanding how texts are structured, and recognising the main ideas in a text.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
understand a wide range of academic texts;
locate, analyse, critique and use information from a variety of sources in the production of written and spoken work.
Key Text
Slaght, J. and Harben, P. 2006, English for Academic Study: Reading 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
Critical Reading (2 hours a week in Term 2)
This course will focus on identifying the writer’s purpose and attitude, and developing skills of critical analysis when reading. In order to do this, you will study a range of texts from a variety of sources including the media and academic journals.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
further develop comprehension of academic texts with an understanding of the basic skills in critical analysis;
assess logic, relevance and reliability of reasons given.
Key Text
Slaght, J. and Harben, P. 2006, English for Academic Study: Reading 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
A selection of materials from various other sources will be used.
Oral Communication Skills (2 hours a week in Term 1)
This practical course is designed to enable students to communicate more effectively in a range of situations relating to academic life. The course will examine communication skills needed for everyday life on campus in both academic and non-academic settings, focusing particularly on the skills needed to give effective oral presentations. It will also enable students to practise the speaking and listening elements of the IELTS examination.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
function in academic and non-academic situations;
take an active role in tutorials and seminars;
comprehend a wide range of spoken English and respond appropriately;
be linguistically and culturally prepared to deal with a variety of situations in British daily life.
Additional Skills (1 hour a week in Term 1)
This is a practical course which is designed to enable students to deal successfully with the range of tasks they will face outside the seminar room. Students are introduced to both the Independent Project and the Cultural Insights Task and there is also a more general focus on effective independent study strategies. Another key area of concern for students is the process of finding and then applying to a Master’s programme. Students are therefore introduced to the Royal Holloway Careers Centre which offers very useful guidance in this area. In addition, the course provides advice and practice in filling out application forms, and writing personal statements.
IELTS Preparation (3 hours a week in Term 2)
This course will teach and practise the skills needed to complete each section of the IELTS examination: reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
be aware of what is expected of a candidate in each of the four sections of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, in order to attain a band of 6 or 7.
Key Texts
Allen, M., Powell, D. and Dolby, D. 2006, IELTS Graduation: Student’s Book, Oxford: Macmillan.
McCarter, S. 2002, Academic Writing Practice for IELTS, Midlothian: IntelliGene.
McCarter, S., Easton, J. and Ash, J. 1999, A Book for IELTS, Midlothian: IntelliGene.
O’Connell, S. 2003, Focus on IELTS, Essex: Longman.
O’Sullivan, K. and Lindeck, J. 2000, Focusing on IELTS Reading and Writing Skills, Sydney: NCELTR.
Wyatt, R. 2001, Check your Vocabulary for English for the IELTS Examination, London: Peter Collin Publishing.
Skills Focus (1 hour a week in Term 2)
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop their reading and speaking skills in preparation, in particular, for the assessed seminar discussion which takes place at the end of Term 2.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
• increase awareness and understanding of reading and speaking skills.
Key Texts
A selection of materials from various sources will be used.
9.4 In-sessional English Language Courses
In-sessional English Language courses are open to all students at Royal Holloway who are non-native speakers of English. They cover a range of language levels and skills giving you the opportunity to develop and practise the language skills where you experience the greatest difficulty. In Term 1 all students on the PDIS are required to take either A-Z: Aspects of Academic Writing or two of the four-week academic writing courses:
• Essay Structure and Academic Writing
• Referencing, Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Critical Thinking for Academic Writing
Which course you take will depend on your IELTS score and/or whether you attended the Pre-sessional English Language Programme at Royal Holloway International. In Term 2 you may be required to take a further one or two four-week writing course/s. In Term 1 you should take Pronunciation for Presentations to prepare for the assessed presentation at the end of that term. In either Term 1 or Term 2 you will be required to take Academic Listening and Note-Taking Skills. You may take a total of three or four hours of In-sessional courses each term. Your Personal Tutor will advise you on choice of In-sessional courses based on your IELTS scores.
Once you have enrolled on the PDIS you will be given a Student Handbook for In-sessional English Language courses which will give you further details about all the courses. You will receive full information about enrolment for the In-sessional English Language courses during the induction session.
9.5 Courses in Academic Departments
You will be required to take the equivalent of one undergraduate course in an academic department. This course may consist of one full course unit, or two half-course units. The purpose of this course is to provide you with the opportunity to develop understanding and familiarity with the language used and the approach taken to the study of the discipline which you intend to follow at Master’s level. In general, full course units are taught over two terms whilst half-course units are one term in length.
Most academic courses consist of approximately two hours of teaching per week: this usually consists of one hour of lecture and one hour of tutorial/seminar, or two hours of seminar. In addition, students will normally be required to do the following for each course:
read the recommended texts (sections of books, articles in journals etc.) in preparation for lectures or seminars;
read and prepare short presentations in seminars or tutorials. This is sometimes done individually and sometimes in small groups;
read for and write essays – usually two per term;
take part in other activities common to the discipline.
You are strongly advised to find out what essays or other course work you have to do as soon as possible at the start of each course. This will enable you to plan well ahead as deadlines can come at the same time.
Please make sure you complete the necessary undergraduate Course Unit Registration Form in order to register with departments. The Course Unit Registration Form also registers you for any final examinations that you will be required to take for the specific course. Shortly before the end of Term 1, you will be able to check that you have been registered for the correct courses via Campus Connect. You should check that the correct courses are listed so that you are entered for the correct exams. If you have any doubts please discuss these with your Personal Tutor.
Towards the end of Term 2, you will be able to access on-line your examination timetable for Term 3 listing the time and place of the academic course examination(s) you are required to take. If you cannot access the timetable, or you are concerned about the information in any way, you should inform your Personal Tutor immediately.
Academic departments follow differing approaches to which course units are made available to students. In some departments there are key courses at Level 1 or 2 which are appropriate. For some academic departments, choices available will depend on the skill level of the individual student. The Programme Leader for PDIS is responsible for placing students in academic departments.
9.6 Independent Project
The Independent Project forms a major part of the PDIS programme and provides essential preparation for research and other forms of writing at postgraduate level. The Independent Project normally consists of a 6000 - 8000 word essay which aims to produce:
a review of the relevant literature in the topic suggested by the title;
a critical discussion of significant literature and the major issues;
a piece of writing undertaken in the appropriate academic language.
Students are required to do the Independent Project in an area related to their field of academic interest. It will be supervised and marked by your Personal Tutor in Royal Holloway International, and your Academic Supervisor who will provide the specialist academic knowledge and support relevant to the student’s field of study. If Royal Holloway International is unable to find an Academic Supervisor with knowledge of your chosen topic, you will be required to change your topic.
It is important to start thinking about possible topic areas as soon as possible; you are recommended to choose a topic related to your academic study within the course unit you are taking. You will have to obtain approval for the Independent Project title from your Personal Tutor and subsequently from your Academic Supervisor. You should be aware that a title can be refused on academic grounds.
Once a working title has been established, you will meet with your Academic Supervisor. Please note that you are required to keep a record of progress while working on your Independent Project. See Appendix f) for a copy of the Independent Project Record Form.
The following table indicates the schedule of work and support provided throughout the Independent Project.
|Timetable |Task Achieved |
|By Friday 19 November |Decide on a general area of interest in consultation with your Personal Tutor. |
|By Friday 3 December |Narrow the area of interest and develop a working title in consultation with your Personal Tutor |
|By Friday 28 January |Meet with your Academic Supervisor. Agree on a title for your Independent Project with both your |
| |Academic Supervisor and your Personal Tutor. Your Academic Supervisor will provide general research |
| |guidance and an initial bibliography |
|By 8.00 am on Monday 21 February |Complete and submit: |
| |a) a title |
| |b) a 500 word outline indicating the scope and direction of the intended research for your |
| |Independent Project |
| |c) a sample bibliography. |
| | |
| |Discuss all of the above with both your Personal Tutor and your Academic Supervisor |
|By 8.00 am on Monday 21 March |Complete and submit 1500 words of your Independent Project; a copy should be given to both your |
| |Personal Tutor and your Academic Supervisor. |
|By Monday 28 March |Meet with your Personal Tutor and your Academic Supervisor to discuss their feedback on your 1500 |
| |words. |
|By 8.00 am on Thursday 21 April |Complete and submit a first draft of your Independent Project; a copy should be given to your |
| |Personal Tutor and your Academic Supervisor. In addition, an electronic copy should be e-mailed to |
| |your Personal Tutor. |
|By Friday 29 April |Meet with your Personal Tutor and your Academic Supervisor to discuss their feedback on your first |
| |draft. |
|By 12.00 pm on |Complete, bind and submit three copies of your Independent Project; all three copies should be |
|Monday 16 May |handed in to the Royal Holloway International Reception. In addition, an electronic copy should be |
| |e-mailed to your Personal Tutor. |
Please note that Personal Tutors and Academic Supervisors will not accept or mark any work related to the Independent Project until you have submitted all of the above and received feedback that your work is of a satisfactory standard to progress further.
Submission of the First Draft (Thursday 21 April)
Towards the end of the Spring Vacation you are required to hand in two copies of the first complete draft of your Independent Project. One should be given to your Personal Tutor and the other to your Academic Supervisor. In addition, an electronic copy should be e-mailed to your Personal Tutor. The electronic copy will be submitted to the Turnitin Plagiarism Detecting Software which will check your work against all websites and electronic journals. The resulting report will be shown to you by your Personal Tutor. The written drafts will be returned with comments within one week. At this stage it is still possible to change sections of the Independent Project if you are advised to do so by your Academic Supervisor and/or Personal Tutor. You will then have approximately two weeks to review and make changes to your Independent Project before handing in the final draft.
Submission of the finished Independent Project (Monday 16 May)
Three bound, word-processed copies of the Independent Project must be handed to the Administrative Assistant in Royal Holloway International Reception, Room IN008, by 12.00pm on Monday 16 May. In addition, an electronic copy should be e-mailed to your Personal Tutor by the same deadline. The electronic version will again be submitted to the Turnitin Plagiarism Detection Service to check that there are no instances of plagiarism. For more details on the presentation of the Independent Project, see below.
Late submission
Please see the guidelines and regulations (Section I of this Student Handbook) for regulations relating to the late submission of assessed work.
Independent Project Record Form
Please note that you must complete the last section of the Independent Project Record Form (see Appendix g) when you submit your Independent Project. The Independent Project Record Form must be signed by you and by a member of staff from Royal Holloway International. In signing this form, students will also be guaranteeing that the work is their own, and free from ‘plagiarism’ (i.e. that any sources that they have quoted are referenced in the correct way). Please see the guidelines and regulations (Section I of this Student Handbook) for further information about plagiarism.
Guidelines on the Presentation of the Independent Project
a) The Independent Project must be word processed, double- spaced with a left margin of 4 cm, on A4 size paper;
The project should be presented with the following items bound together in the order shown below:
Cover with the title of the Independent Project, author’s name and date;
Independent Project Record Form (second section only) signed by the student and a member of staff from Royal Holloway International;
Abstract which should not be more than 250 words and should carry the author’s name, Independent Project title, and date;
29. Contents page;
30. Chapters of the Independent Project, each starting on a new page;
31. Appendices (if needed);
32. Alphabetical bibliography.
c) The Independent Project must be bound; students are responsible for getting their own work bound. This can be done in the Students’ Union or in the Computer Centre, or by buying executive clip files or report files from the College shop.
9.7 Cultural Insights Task
During Term 1 you will be encouraged to establish links with the local community by visiting and undertaking research into a place of interest to you. You will be introduced to this Cultural Insights Task in the Additional Skills Course which will put forward suggestions for places you may wish to investigate in your research. You may also wish to choose an area not included on the list, but will need to get the agreement of your Additional Skills tutor that this is a suitable option.
Your research and preparation must be completed before the final week of Term 1 (by Friday 3 December). In the final week of Term 1, you will be required to give an Assessed Oral Presentation based on the research you have undertaken into the place you have chosen. In the Oral Communication Skills Course you will be taught how to give an effective presentation and will have the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice with feedback on your performance from the tutor teaching the course.
For further information about the Assessed Presentation see Section III, Assessment.
Aims and Objectives of the Cultural Insights Task
The Cultural Insights Task is useful for the following reasons:
8. it provides a context for practising English in a variety of authentic situations outside a conventional learning environment;
9. it will broaden your experience of British culture and help promote your intercultural understanding by bringing you into contact with life beyond the academic environment.
Preparation and Process
a) You will be invited to indicate which kind of organisation you wish to do your research into. However, you may need to be flexible on this matter. The final decision of place chosen rests with Royal Holloway International. You may suggest organisations other than those listed by Royal Holloway International but these need to be agreed by your Personal Tutor. If it is felt that a particular location is not appropriate, for whatever reason, Royal Holloway International has the right to reject it.
b) The organisations involved will be local or in other locations, such as London.
c) On any visits to the place selected, you will be expected to pay your own travel expenses.
d) All students will be required to complete a Risk Assessment Form prior to visiting the place agreed for their Cultural Insights Task. This must be submitted to and signed by a permanent member of Royal Holloway International staff before the visit is made.
9.8 Independent Learning
In order to function successfully in the postgraduate academic environment, it is important to develop learner independence. This means that you have to take responsibility for recognising your learning needs as well as playing an active role in deciding what your learning priorities are. You will note that significant emphasis is placed throughout the programme on developing your strategies as an independent learner so that you can make appropriate and informed decisions about your academic needs as well as your future plans and goals.
Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning plays an important part in this process as it provides you with a clear framework through which you can measure how much you have progressed and identify elements that need further work.
Personal Development Plans or Records have been used to help employees analyse their progress within private companies and certain branches of the public sector for a number of years, and all universities in the UK have been offering some version of Personal Development Planning since September 2005. At Royal Holloway, the steps entailed in generic PDP can be summarized as follows:
• Assessing your academic and non-academic strengths and areas for improvement (see ‘Intelligent Planning’ on the website).
• Monitoring your recent progress against a set of personal and interpersonal ‘competency benchmarks’ (see ‘Intelligent Planning’ on the website).
• Reflecting on your values and priorities and engaging in active decision-making with respect to the future (see ‘Intelligent Planning’ and ‘Independent Research’ on the website).
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities for skills development both on and off campus (see ‘Independent Research’ on the website).
• Documenting and interpreting your learning highlights, achievements and career-related activities (see ‘Keeping a Record’ on the website).
• Setting goals and constructing an action plan for personal and academic development (see ‘Keeping a Record’ on the website).
Personal Development Planning is entirely optional and you are not obliged to undertake all or any of the activities outlined above. Should you decide to do so, the records you produce remain your private property. Staff in Royal Holloway International will not require you to share their contents or retain them. However, it is often helpful to discuss learning, achievement and employment goals, as well as completed Personal Development Records, with someone else, such as your Personal Tutor.
Please refer to the website rhul.ac.uk/pdp/z4.htm for full details about Personal Development Planning.
Language Learning Facilities
As part of independent learning on the PDIS you are expected to make use of the self-access facilities available at Royal Holloway. These include the English language materials available in:
Founder’s Library: books, audio and video tapes, CDs and DVDs. Check what is available by looking at the website:
English language websites and Computer Assisted Learning. See Royal Holloway International website:
TV viewing facilities (in the library), language laboratories and the Computer Assisted Language Learning Laboratory (CALL lab) (in the International Building)
Students Resources (located opposite IN032)
For full information about all these facilities see Appendix b) Self–Access Guide.
Other Learning Facilities
There are three libraries on campus: the Bedford Library, Founder’s Library and the Music Library. See your Online Student Handbook or the library website: for detailed information of the services provided.
The Computer Centre contains PC laboratories and gives advice on computing problems. It also offers a wide range of courses on computer skills. See the Online Student Handbook or the Computer Centre website: for further information.
9.9 Information Technology Training
Information Technology training courses are run by the Computer Centre throughout Terms 1 and 2 and provide a broad range of computer skills in a variety of course structures. Students are able to choose a course which is most suited to their individual academic needs or level of technological knowledge. During the Enrolment Week you will be able to attend an IT Training session which will help you to identify any weaknesses in your IT skills. You will then be able to enrol for courses which provide training in those areas. Further details can be found in the leaflet provided at the IT Training session.
Please note that the cost of courses is not included in the PDIS course fees.
Aims and Objectives
The IT training courses have three broad aims:
a) to enable students to learn the basic IT skills using industry standard packages for use in their own academic work;
a) to prepare students for academic courses where this level of IT knowledge is essential;
c) to provide students with IT skills necessary for the work environment.
These aims complement those of the PDIS by preparing you for graduate study and the world of work. It is therefore essential that you acquire the necessary IT skills during the year.
Please note that even though IT training is not directly included in the assessment structure of the PDIS, the assessment of the Independent Project and the Oral Presentation will require these skills. You may also be required to demonstrate a certain level of IT skills for work handed in to academic departments.
Further information on IT training, including the registration process, will be provided within the induction.
9.10 Personal Supervision
Personal Tutor in Royal Holloway International - Consultations
All students on the PDIS will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is a member of the language teaching staff in Royal Holloway International. During term time you will meet with your Personal Tutor on a weekly basis for an individual consultation of one hour. You can also see your Personal Tutor at other times, but if anything longer than a brief meeting is required, you need to make an appointment with the Personal Tutor concerned. You can contact your Personal Tutor by calling at his or her office, or by e-mail. (See Section 1 of this Student Handbook for e-mail contact details.) The consultation is a very valuable opportunity to gain close help and guidance in a number of areas, including:
Language support
help with structuring and expressing ideas in written work;
analysis of language errors and extra practice on problem areas;
feedback on drafts of essays and on already marked assignments;
help with preparing seminar or tutorial presentations;
follow-up work on topics covered in Royal Holloway International courses;
strategies for improving understanding of lectures;
strategies for participating in seminars.
Support in other areas of study
37. guidance and feedback on your work for your Independent Project;
the development of an independent approach to study;
guidance and support in preparation for your Cultural Insights Task;
advice and support in applications for your future academic studies;
personal advice on matters related to university life, e.g. settling in, accommodation, welfare issues etc.
Please note that if your Personal Tutor is unable to deal with issues relating to your welfare he/she may refer you to someone more qualified such as a Student Counsellor.
Please remember that it is primarily your responsibility to ensure that the consultation time is used effectively. This is your time to use in the way you think best, although, of course, your Personal Tutor will be ready to make suggestions.
Consultations provide an opportunity to look closely at the writing you do for your academic department and in the core courses. However, the consultation does not offer a correction service for your essays. Personal Tutors will be happy to comment on general problems such as the overall structure of an essay and places where meaning is unclear. They will also focus on the most common errors but will use a correction code to identify them. Your Personal Tutor does not simply want to correct mistakes you have made; they will explain why something is wrong, and expect you to correct it.
Academic Supervision on the Independent Project
Royal Holloway International will be responsible for appointing an appropriate person to supervise your Independent Project. Your Academic Supervisor will provide the specialist academic knowledge and support relevant to your field of study and will give you guidance on research and feedback on the academic content of your work. You will have a minimum of eight consultations, of which at least four will be face-to-face. As the number of meetings is limited, you must ensure that you use the time as effectively as possible. The following guidelines will help you:
before you meet be very clear about what help you want to ask for;
always give your Academic Supervisor any work on which you want comment well in advance of your meeting so that he or she has time to read and think about it in advance;
do not fall behind with the schedule of work for the Independent Project – it is a very short period of time to complete a lot of work.
Section III
10 Assessment
10.1 Assessment Structure
The PDIS consists of the following three un-weighted and individual elements of assessment.
• English Language and Academic Skills
• Independent Project
• Academic unit (or two half-units)
The table below shows the different components that comprise the English Language and Academic Skills element and their weighting within that element.
|Element of Assessment |Weighting |Term 1 |Term 2 |Term 3 |
| | | | | | |
| |English Language Exam (Reading |50% | | |( |
| |and Writing) | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|English Language and Academic Skills | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| |Assessed Oral Presentation |20% |( | | |
| | | | | | |
| |Assessed Seminar Discussion |20% | |( | |
| | | | | | |
| |Assessed Essay |10% | |( | |
| | |100% |20% |30% |50% |
In addition, students will be required to seriously attempt and submit at least four pieces of formative coursework for Writing Focus taught over Term 1 and Term 2.
10.2 Programme outcomes
a. eligibility for consideration by the Sub-Board of Examiners
• In order to qualify for final consideration by the Sub-Board of Examiners, (meeting expected to be held in the week beginning 6 June 2011) a student must first have satisfied the department’s attendance requirements. In addition, students must have completed and presented all work specified for the programme within the specified deadlines. This refers to both Royal Holloway International and the academic departments offering the chosen academic unit or half-units. For Royal Holloway International this includes all summative assessment done in Terms 1, 2 and 3, and a minimum of four completed pieces of formative coursework for the core course entitled Writing Focus taught over Terms 1 and 2.
b. in relation to programme classification
In order to achieve a PASS a student
• must achieve a final mark no lower than 40% in the English Language and Academic Skills component;
• must achieve a final mark no lower than 40% in the Independent Project;
• must achieve a mark of at least 40% in the academic unit or a mark of 40% in both of the two half-course units taken during the Diploma year.
All students will receive a transcript detailing their results. Students who achieve a PASS will receive a Royal Holloway Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students.
10.3 Resubmit/Resit/Repeat Regulations
Resubmissions/resits will be permitted under the following circumstances:
• Project: a student who fails the Project with a mark of between 30% and 39% may resubmit the Project within one month of the programme results being confirmed. Unless extenuating circumstances apply, the student will not receive an overall percentage mark greater than 50% for the resubmitted project.
0. English Language and Academic Skills: a student who fails English Language and Academic Skills with a mark of between 30% and 39% because of failing either the Assessed Essay and/or the English Language Exam (Reading and Writing) may resit the failed assessment/s. Unless extenuating circumstances apply, the student will not receive an overall percentage mark greater than 50% for the course.
Resubmissions/resits will not be permitted under the following circumstances:
1. English Language and Academic Skills: a student who fails English Language and Academic Skills because of failing either the Assessed Oral Presentation and/or the Assessed Seminar Discussion will not be permitted to resit these assessments and will therefore be deemed to have failed the entire programme.
• Students who fail the Academic Unit(s) will not be permitted to resit the assessment/s and will therefore be deemed to have failed the entire programme.
2. Students who fail the Project and English Language and Academic Skills will not be permitted to resubmit/ resit these assessments and will therefore be deemed to have failed the entire programme.
Students who gain an overall outcome of fail for the programme may be permitted to repeat the entire programme subject to the discretion of the Sub-Board of Examiners. In this instance, marks for courses will not be capped at 50%.
10.4 Submission of Assessed Work
All assessed work completed for the Writing Focus course must be submitted as follows:
• The first draft of your essay must be stapled on top of the plan for your essay. A completed Assessed Work Submission Form must be stapled on top of the first draft.
• The second draft of your essay must be stapled on top of the first draft and plan. A completed Assessed Work Submission Form must be stapled on top of the second draft.
• The third draft of your essay must be stapled on top of the Error Correction Sheet, second draft, first draft and plan. A completed Assessed Work Submission Form must be stapled on top of the third draft.
A copy of the Assessed Work Submission Form can be found in Appendix h) of this Student Handbook. Copies of this form can be downloaded from the Royal Holloway International website.
All drafts (whether first, second or third) must be handed in to Royal Holloway International Reception (IN008) by 12.00 pm on a Monday morning (unless told otherwise by your Writing Focus tutor).
Please also refer to Section 1 in this Student Handbook (Regulations relating to the late submission of work, missed assessment, the outcome of course assessments and over-length work).
10.5 Additional Notes on Assessment
Academic course marks are given as percentages (although non-assessed work may be expressed as grades). It is very unusual for students to gain percentages higher than 70%; the norm is between 40% and 60%.
Students are subject to individual departmental regulations and practice in relation to all academic work done within a particular academic department and should therefore familiarise themselves with the relevant departmental information.
10.6 Appeals Procedure
The appeals procedures are set out in the Undergraduate Regulations 2010/11. These state that students ‘must submit their appeal in writing to the Head of Academic Development within one month of the date on which they were formally notified of their outcome, either via Campus Connect or otherwise.’ Details can be accessed on the following website: .
10.7 Assessment Criteria
Assessment criteria for the assessed English language elements of the PDIS are shown below.
10.8 Assessed Seminar Discussion
Towards the end of Term 2, there will be an Assessed Seminar Discussion. Students will prepare ideas around a topic with input from a number of texts. You will be given the marking criteria for the assessment at the start of Term 2.
10.9 Oral Presentation based on the Cultural Insight Task
At the end of Term 1, students will prepare and present a 15 minute (maximum) Oral Presentation, based on their Cultural Insights Task, to the other students on the programme in small class groups of four to six. The use of the Cultural Insights Task content provides a common experiential framework. Please see Appendix k.
10.10 Assessed Essay
In Term 2 one of the essays you are required to submit will count towards the final mark for the English Language and Academic Skills element of the PDIS. This will be assessed using the same marking scheme as that used for the writing component of the English Language Examination (see below).
Marks given for the assessed essay will form 10% of the English Language and Academic Skills element of the PDIS.
10.11 English Language Examination
The English Language Examination will consist of a two and a half-hour English language paper which will comprise one section for reading and one section for writing. The reading will primarily test understanding and manipulation of texts. The writing task will be an essay related to the topic covered in the reading section of the examination.
The writing task requires the student to:
write a discursive essay in which you make judgements as well as assess evidence and arguments;
draw on a text that you have already read in some detail and to use appropriate language and writing conventions when doing so;
contribute ideas or relevant information in support of your argument.
The essay will be marked according to the marking scheme for the writing assessments below.
|Criterion |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% |60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% | 60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% | 60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% | 60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% | 60-69% |70% and above |
Marks given for the English language examination will form 50% of the English Language and Academic Skills element of the PDIS.
10.12 Independent Project Assessment criteria
Students are required to submit a 6,000 to 8,000 word Independent Project towards the end of Term 3. A single set of criteria for assessment will be used. The Academic Supervisor will primarily be concerned with the aspects referring or relating to academic content and the Royal Holloway International tutor will award a mark based on the criteria relating to language.
The following five strands are used in assessment. For each, indicative descriptors are provided.
Knowledge and understanding; use of source material
Analysis, interpretation, critical comment, e.g. apply frameworks as appropriate to topic
Organisation and development of ideas
Language appropriacy and fluency, including range
Quality of presentation; language accuracy
These five strands are equally weighted: 0 – 20 marks each. Both tutors will mark on all five criteria, but the first two are more the domain of the subject specialist, and the last two of the language tutor.
| |
| |
|Assessment Scheme for the Independent Project |
| | |
|Mark |A: Knowledge and understanding; use of source material |
|17 – 20 |Displays excellent grasp of topic, with points well-substantiated and little, if any, irrelevance. Excellent use of sources.|
|13 – 16 |Displays good grasp of topic, and substantiates points. Good use of source materials. |
|9 – 12 |Displays satisfactory grasp of topic, and an ability to substantiate points. Satisfactory use of source materials. |
|5 – 8 |Some grasp of topic, but unsteady substantiation of points and only a limited amount of relevant material, though there may |
| |be a lot of irrelevant material. Poor use of source materials. |
|0 – 4 |Very limited relevance to topic, with scant reference to the appropriate literature. May show evidence of confusion and |
| |possibly irrelevance. Very poor use of source materials (or none). |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|Mark |B: Analysis, interpretation, critical comment |
|17 – 20 |Displays excellent analytic skills and insightful interpretation and critical comment. |
|13 – 16 |Displays good grasp of appropriate analytic skills and a clear interpretation and critical comment. |
|9 – 12 |Displays satisfactory grasp of appropriate analytic skills, and provides some interpretation and critical comment. |
|5 – 8 |Some attempt at analysis but little interpretation or critical comment. |
|0 – 4 |Very poor analysis (or none), uninformed or one-sided comment. |
| |
| | |
|Mark |C: Organisation and development of ideas |
|17 – 20 |Material very effectively organised and developed within a clear and well-planned framework. Displays excellent logic. |
|13 – 16 |Material well organised and developed. Argument coherently presented. |
|9 – 12 |Organisation can be followed, ideas are developed, but coherence may be patchy, there may be inappropriate repetition or |
| |divergence |
|5 – 8 |Development of ideas not very successful due to weak organisation, though there are attempts at logical organisation |
|0 – 4 |Organisation of material very poor, lack of coherence, little or no ability to draw conclusions |
| | |
|Mark |D: Language appropriacy and fluency, including range |
|17 – 20 |Excellent communication. Language almost always fluent, varied and appropriate. Impressively wide range of appropriate lexis|
| |and structures used effectively. Native speaker reader very rarely notices any non-native speaker features in the writing. |
|13 – 16 |Good communication. Language generally fluent, varied and appropriate. Good use of appropriate lexis and structure. Native |
| |speaker reader may occasionally notice some non-native speaker features in the writing. |
|9 – 12 |Satisfactory communication but sometimes lacks comprehensibility. Some variety of structures and lexis, satisfactory control|
| |of cohesion. Native speaker reader generally aware that writer is non-native user of English, and sometimes has to struggle |
| |to understand. |
|5 – 8 |Communication not always successful, with some breakdowns. Language range rather basic. Native speaker reader constantly |
| |aware of non-native speaker features and regularly needs to struggle to understand. |
|0 – 4 |Very limited communication. Language used only at a basic level, much repetition. Native speaker reader may be unable to |
| |understand much at all. |
| | |
|Mark |E: Quality of presentation; language accuracy |
|17 – 20 |Text and any data excellently presented. Abstract and bibliography both done to an excellent standard. Length and other |
| |specifications adhered to. A very high level of language accuracy, with very few errors. |
|13 – 16 |Text and any data well presented. Abstract and bibliography both well prepared. Length and other specifications generally |
| |adhered to. A good level of language accuracy, though there will be errors. |
|9 – 12 |Text and any data acceptably presented. Abstract and bibliography both acceptable, though there is room for improvement. |
| |Length and other specifications may not have been adhered to. An acceptable level of language accuracy, though the number of|
| |errors is noticeable. |
|5 – 8 |Text and any data poorly presented. Abstract and bibliography may just reach a minimum level. Length and other |
| |specifications may have been ignored. The high level of language inaccuracy looks careless. |
|0 – 4 |Presentation unacceptable, data perhaps missing, probably no abstract or bibliography, no attention paid to the |
| |requirements, and writing displays constant errors, often of a basic kind. |
Section IV
11 General Information
11.1 Programme Calendar
Important dates to remember for the Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students are given in the table below:
| | | |
|Term 1 |Dates |20 September – 10 December 2010 |
| |Enrolment Week |20 September – 24 September |
| |In-sessional English Language course dates |4 October – 10 December |
| |Royal Holloway International Staff Student Committee |To be confirmed |
| |Royal Holloway International Reading Week * |1 - 5 November |
| |Cultural Insights Task |Completed by 3 December |
| |Assessed Oral Presentation on Cultural Insights Task |Week of 6 -10 December |
| |IELTS examination |December |
| | | |
|Term 2 |Dates |10 January – 25 March 2011 |
| |In-sessional English Language course dates |17 January – 25 March |
| |Royal Holloway International Staff Student Committee |To be confirmed |
| |Assessed essay |Week of 28 Feb - 4 March |
| |Royal Holloway International Reading Week* |14 - 18 February |
| |IELTS examination |late March / early April |
| |Assessed seminar discussion |Weeks of 14 – 25 March |
| | | |
|Term 3 |Dates |26 April – 10 June 2011 |
| |College exam period |End of April – end of May |
| |Submission of Independent Project |16 May |
* Please note that there are no classes in Royal Holloway International this week but academic departments may still have courses
11.2 Admissions Procedure
Entry Requirements
Normally all students will have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 5.5 (or an equivalent English language qualification such as TOEFL).
In terms of academic qualifications, students will normally be required to have completed a first degree with grades that are enough to qualify for postgraduate study at Royal Holloway or other institutions of Higher Education in the UK. Applications from candidates over the age of 24 who do not have the necessary academic qualifications, but have relevant work experience, are also considered.
Enrolment
During the first week of Term 1 (Enrolment Week) all students are required to register as students at the university by completing the on-line enrolment process at rhul.ac.uk/registry/enrolment. This website contains essential information on tasks that must be completed during Enrolment Week.
11.3 Management of the Programme
The management and development of the programme rests with Royal Holloway International. It constitutes one of two academic bridging programmes within RHI, (the other being the University Foundation Programme). The Assistant Director in Royal Holloway International, Mrs Heather Mustard, has direct responsibility for the Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students.
11.4 Attendance
In line with College regulations, students are expected to attend all classes. As a courtesy to their tutors, students should notify tutors in writing of any absence. Prolonged or repeated non-attendance of a course without adequate written explanation or supporting documentation, may result in action being taken against the student concerned and may result in the student not passing the course/programme.
In the absence of satisfactory and adequately documented reasons for non-attendance, the Head of Department responsible for a course/programme may terminate a student's registration via the normal disciplinary process.
By completing the enrolment process, all students acknowledged understanding of the enrolment and attendance requirements which apply to students who entered the United Kingdom on a General Student Visa. Please refer to Appendix j).
11.5 Withdrawing from the PDIS
If a student decides to withdraw, it is very important that he or she informs Royal Holloway International, the relevant academic department, and the Registry in writing of his or her decision and completes the required withdrawal forms.
11.6 End of Programme Arrangements
Examinations take place during Term 3 and students in College accommodation are normally required to leave by the end of term. If you want to stay in College accommodation after the end of term, you should make the necessary arrangements with the Student Housing Bureau. Please note that it is essential that you keep your address and contact details in the UK up to date while you are a registered student at Royal Holloway. It is your responsibility to do this on your student portal ().
Getting Your Results
The Examinations Sub-board is expected to meet in the week beginning 6 June, but the final results have to be confirmed by the College Board in the following week. Results, once confirmed, will be available from Royal Holloway International in the form of a transcript. This will be sent to the address supplied by the student and sent as an e-mail attachment to the student’s RHUL account.
Admission to Graduate Degree Programmes on Completion of the PDIS
It is important to note that applicants are admitted to the PDIS only and those wishing to take further postgraduate studies will be required to apply during the year of study on the PDIS.
Students on the PDIS will be given assistance to apply for postgraduate and other courses. Help and advice with applications will be provided within the programme structure including selecting appropriate courses, and writing personal statements to accompany course applications. While students are encouraged to consider the postgraduate courses offered at Royal Holloway, they may also choose to continue their studies elsewhere. Academic departments at Royal Holloway welcome able students, but are under no obligation to accept applicants enrolled on the PDIS.
11.7 Other Activities
In order to make your stay at Royal Holloway as happy and as productive as possible, you are strongly advised to take advantage of various activities both on and off campus, some of which have been listed below. By joining a sports club, doing homestays or taking part in Students’ Union activities, you can make friends with people from very different social and ethnic backgrounds.
Students’ Union: Clubs and Societies
At the beginning of Term 1 the Students’ Union organises a Freshers’ Fayre in which societies and clubs recruit new members. Freshers' Fayre gives you the opportunity to talk to students about the clubs and societies and to learn more about social life in the university.
For more information about clubs and societies see the Students’ Union Handbook or check the Students’ Union website: su.rhul.ac.uk. This website also provides information and contacts for postgraduate issues.
Off-campus Activities
In addition to the clubs and societies run by the Students’ Union, many Royal Holloway International students become involved in activities off-campus. This is an excellent way to meet local people and find out more about the British way of life. Some suggestions are given below:
50. Ramblers Association: for those who like walking;
51. Local Adult Education Centre at the Oast House, Staines for classes in a variety of subjects;
52. Local churches and religious organisations;
53. Groups such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace;
54. Sports activities and clubs at Egham Sports Centre;
Voluntary work for charities, eg Oxfam.
If you have a specific interest or hobby which you would like to pursue whilst in Britain, and you are unsure where to find out more about it, please ask your Personal Tutor.
Homestays
During the programme breaks, you may have the opportunity to take part in a homestay where you spend time as the guest of a British family.
Homestay visits fall into two categories: those organised by commercial organisations and those organised by non-commercial organisations. If you participate in homestays organised by commercial organisations you should expect to pay for the time you spend with a host family.
In addition to commercial organisations, there are non-commercial or charitable organisations which offer homestays where you do not pay for the time you spend with a host family. Royal Holloway is a member of one such organisation called HOST, which organises short homestays, usually weekends, with British families. The families do not receive any payment for hosting international students, and the only cost to you is the fare to and from the host family. Many families participate in HOST because of a genuine interest in people from other countries. A number of students have, in the past, made friends with their host families and kept in touch after returning home. Information on HOST is available from the International Student Support Office (FE139) or have a look at the HOST website at .
Royal Holloway Community Action Volunteering
Royal Holloway Community Action Volunteering exists to connect, train and support students seeking to volunteer in the local community. There is a whole range of project opportunities including sports coaching, youth work, support for people with needs, tutoring and mentoring school pupils, teaching English or IT to young refugees, victim support, reminiscence work, befriending elders, charity shop assistance, fundraising, animal support work, events management, culture, arts and music, media and photography, environmental, conservation and preservation work and much more. There are also office placements and internships with local charities available too. Volunteering enhances students’ transferable skills and employability, builds a healthy long-term community spirit, and provides an enjoyable experience whilst meeting new people.
Community Action Volunteering provides support for volunteering work through hosting the Volunteering Fair, organising Get Involved week, sourcing Christmas and Summer opportunities, running regular transferable skills workshops, managing the Community Action student team and giving recognition through the Volunteering Awards. It partners various accreditation schemes such as with Volunteering England, Vinvolved and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. During the year students are invited to join a project team as part of a one-off initiative such as Make A Difference Day, the BIG spring clean and Volunteering Week, where volunteers get involved in a range of local community projects.
To show interest in Community Action Volunteering then come to the Freshers' Fair and Volunteering Fair, drop by the office in the Students’ Union, call 01784 414078, text 07799 378052, e-mail volunteering@rhul.ac.uk, join the Facebook group or go online at rhul.ac.uk/CommunityAction and click Get Involved.
11.8 Health and Safety
The law in England requires colleges and universities, and their staff, to supervise the health and safety of students on campus and in Halls of Residence. It is a criminal offence to cause danger for yourself or others by acting in an irresponsible or careless manner. For example, if you cover up a smoke alarm in your Hall of Residence bedroom in the hope that it will not ring if you smoke or burn incense, you are acting irresponsibly and your action can be a criminal offence. For fuller details, look in the current Royal Holloway Online Student Handbook.
Staff have a responsibility to make sure students are told how to leave a building if the fire alarm sounds, and to supervise all students in such an emergency. You must obey instructions from staff in these circumstances.
Please note that there is a no smoking rule inside all College buildings, including Halls of Residence. Smoking is only allowed in special rooms, not in corridors.
Please note that the UK has very strict traffic laws which everyone in the UK must obey. These include displaying lights at night (even on bicycles) and never driving a vehicle without suitable insurance.
Remember the phone number for the Emergency Services in the UK (Police, Fire, Ambulance Services) is 999.
Appendix a)
Royal Holloway International
Staff-Student Committee
Guidelines for students on RHI courses/programmes
Your opinions on your course/programme are important for its successful running and for Royal Holloway International in general. In order to provide an opportunity for you to give your opinions and to discuss relevant issues which affect students, elected student representatives from all RHI courses/programmes attend the Royal Holloway International Staff-Student Committee. The committee meets once a term and its aims are given below:
• to develop and maintain communication within Royal Holloway International between staff and students;
• to facilitate communication between students on different programmes and provide a forum to discuss common concerns;
• to discuss matters of concern to both staff and students of Royal Holloway International.
Notes for Elected Student Representatives
Thank you for agreeing to take on this very responsible role. We hope that the following guidance notes will be useful:
a) consult as many of your fellow students as possible to establish whether there are any issues they would like you to raise. Some of the issues to consider are:
• the course itself, e.g. whether it teaches the language skills it aims to teach;
• the teaching and learning materials used on the course, including those available in the Library;
• whether the course is well organised;
• whether the classes are interesting and well focused;
• whether the teaching rooms are suitable for language learning;
• issues outside the department which affect your learning.
b) remember issues of concern can be raised with your course tutor, or other relevant members of staff, outside of the framework of the Staff-Student Committee. All staff can be contacted via e-mail and this is an efficient way to arrange a meeting.
c) if you have any items for the agenda please send them to Hannah Legg (Hannah.Legg@rhul.ac.uk) at least three working days before the meeting;
d) when speaking at the meeting you need to make it clear whether a specific issue was raised by many students, or only by a few, or whether what you are saying is your personal opinion;
e) all constructive suggestions, whether positive or negative, are welcome.
Appendix b)
RHI Self-Access Guide for Students
Self-access study - also frequently referred to as Open, Independent or Autonomous Learning - is an important part of the language learning process. It may consist of traditional homework (done either in preparation for, or following on from, a lesson), larger assessed projects or of any other independent study. It may involve books, audio-visual materials such as videos and audio tapes, as well as CD-ROMs and other software, and, of course, the World Wide Web.
The following guide is designed for current students of Royal Holloway International (RHI).
Self-Access Language Learning Facilities at Royal Holloway are available Online, in the International Building, and in Founders Library.
1. Online Self-Access Resources
Networked Software Various software packages are available for language learning on the College Network. Material can be accessed via the Start menu. Click on the Start menu and select the following in order: Start >> Programs >>Academic Applications >> Language Learning >> English
The following Language Learning Programmes are currently available on the College Network:
Academic Listening: EASE Vol. 1 Listening to Lectures
Grammar and Vocabulary: EWP CALL library
Mindgame
Tensebuster Intermediate and Advanced
Web-based Software Royal Holloway students have access to the following programmes on the Internet:
IELTS Preparation: Road to IELTS
Study Skills and IELTS: Study Skills Success Online
Grammar: Tensebuster
These can be accessed via The Royal Holloway International Website.
The RHI website features a list of recommended links to other organisations and materials on the World Wide Web such as general language learning sites; information on language tests; collections of language learning material; news and current affairs sites (e.g. BBC World Service, newspapers).
Through Metalib students can access a range of electronic resources including academic journals, newspapers and dictionaries (both monolingual and bilingual) through Oxford Reference online.
Moodle Royal Holloway has a Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, in which students can access course materials and information about their programmes, engage in discussions in online forums and take advantage of a variety of other resources. Students can log on to Moodle at All RHI programmes have resources on Moodle, which you will be informed about in class.
You may like to access the “Royal Holloway International” area, which, along with other resources, features the EAP Toolkit suite, which includes:
▪ Academic Communication Skills
▪ Academic Listening and Note-taking
▪ Academic Reading and Critical Thinking
▪ Academic Writing
▪ Learning to Study
▪ Subject-specific Needs
▪ Grammar for Academic Purposes
▪ Vocabulary for Academic Purposes
Enrolment for Royal Holloway students interested in these courses is at
2. Language Learning Facilities in the International Building
RHI Student Resources A library of self-study materials is located opposite IN032 in the International Building. It offers a range of Self Study language materials for loan to students. These include books, worksheets, CD-ROMS, DVDs and audio and video cassettes.
Details of how to join are in the RHI Student Resources Conditions of Membership form. Information about opening hours for RHI Student Resources can be found on the noticeboard adjacent to the bookcases.
Language Laboratories Rooms IN001 and IN007 both contain language labs. IN001 is the main lab for most scheduled classes. IN007 is open during the day (i.e. when the building is unlocked) for self-access study: times may be booked for particular languages both by RHI and the other academic departments. Instructions for using the machines are displayed in each lab.
Computer Laboratory (IN005) & Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) Lab (IN006) Similar to the language labs, rooms IN005 and IN006 contain computers which are connected to the campus network and are equipped with a soundcard. Students will need to supply their own headphones.
Access All the above rooms may be booked for lessons, but RHI aims to provide times for its students when they can use most self-access facilities without supervision. This applies to the computer labs and the language lab in IN007, but not to the language laboratory in IN001. Timetables will be posted outside the labs in question. Outside of normal working hours (approximately 8.00 am to 7.00 p.m.), students will need a swipe card to enter and leave the building. These are the same cards used to enter/exit the Computer Centre and can be obtained from the Computer Centre reception.
For any technical problems (e.g. the printer is out of paper), contact Computer Centre reception.
3. Language Learning Facilities Founders Library
Founders Library offers a range of Self Study language materials for loan to students. These include books, worksheets, CD-ROMS, CDs, DVDs, audio and video cassettes. Items are subject to the usual lending conditions (see Library and Information Services leaflets on display in the Libraries or via their website). Multi-media items (audio and video tapes, DVDs, CD-ROMS) are normally shelved in the Short Loan sections, with accompanying books where relevant. These can only be borrowed for short periods (up to one week), but some material is restricted to use within the Library. Students may consult the Library catalogue for further information (e.g. whether material is currently on loan): see the Library website: .
Viewing facilities are also available in Founders Library:
• Group viewing room, which needs to be booked. The room houses a wide-screen TV, video, PC and DVD player, and can seat 12 people.
• 9 individual viewing booths comprising monitor, DVD and video player, headphones. This facility does not need to be booked.
Guidance and Problems
For problems with:
Hardware …………………… ……….contact Computer Centre reception
Software …………………….. ……….contact Computer Centre reception with technical problems; but for guidance in using particular software refer to a tutor
Website …………………….. ……….email RHI following the link at the bottom of each webpage
Access to Facilities …………………contact RHI Reception (IN008)
Obtaining Library Materials ……… go to the Library Enquiries desk or notify your tutor
Appendix c)
Additional Study Materials
A number of textbooks are of key importance to courses on this programme. These books may be used in the classroom and/or used for independent study outside the classroom.
Core Texts
Allen, M. Powell, D and Dolby, D. 2007, IELTS Graduation, Oxford: Macmillan.
Bailey, S. 2006, Academic Writing, London: Routledge.
McCarter, S. 2002, Academic Writing Practice for IELTS, Midlothian: IntelliGene.
O’Sullivan, K. and Lindeck, J. 2000, Focusing on IELTS Reading and Writing Skills, Sydney: NCELTR.
Pallant, A. 2006, English for Academic Study: Writing 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
Slaght, J. and Harben, P. 2006, English for Academic Study: Reading 2nd ed., Reading: Garnet Publishing.
You will also need a good monolingual dictionary e.g. Longman, 2005, Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture, Essex: Longman.
Self-Study Materials: Useful Texts
The following books will be useful for the programme. You may want to buy a copy for yourself or borrow them from the library or from RHI Student Resources.
Adams G. and Peck, T. 2000, 101 Useful Exercises for IELTS, Marrickville: Adams and Austin Press.
Adams G. and Peck, T. 2001, 202 Useful Exercises for IELTS, Marrickville: Adams and Austin Press.
Eastwood, J. 2001, Oxford Practice Grammar, Oxford, OUP.
Hopkins, D, and Cullen, P. 2007, Grammar for IELTS, Cambridge: CUP.
Hewings, M. 1999, Advanced Grammar In Use, Cambridge: CUP.
Jakeman V. and McDowell, C. 2003, Insights into IELTS Extra, Cambridge: CUP.
McCarthy, M. and O.Dell, F. 2008, Academic Vocabulary in Use, Cambridge: CUP.
Murphy, R. 1998, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge: CUP.
Porter D. 2001, Check your Vocabulary for Academic English, London: Peter Collin Publishing.
Swan, M. 1995, Practical English Usage, Oxford: OUP.
Vince, M. 1994, Advanced Language Practice, London: Heinemann.
Wyatt R. 2001, Check your Vocabulary for English for IELTS, London: Peter Collin Publishing.
Yule, G. 2006, Oxford Practice Grammar, Oxford: OUP.
Appendix d)
Royal Holloway International
RHI Student Resources
(located on the ground floor of the International Building, opposite IN032)
Conditions of Membership
RHI Student Resources
A. Membership
1. Membership is open to all students studying on Royal Holloway International programmes within the current academic year, usually from 1st September.
2. Members must complete a membership form which will be held on file in Royal Holloway International.
3. Members will be issued with a membership card which they must bring each time they sign in/sign out an item.
B. Borrowing Materials
1. Materials may be borrowed for the following periods of time:
Books 1 week
Cassettes 1 week
Videos/DVDs 1 week
CDs/Software 1 week
Short Loan Materials 3 days – items with coloured stickers
2. A maximum of three items may be borrowed at any one time, with certain packages allowing four.
3. Each item must be signed out when borrowed and signed in when returned.
4. If members wish to extend the loan period, they must request this in person and must complete the sign out/sign in form.
5. All items must be returned at the end of each term.
6. Each item returned late will incur a fine of 50 pence per day.
7. Lost, damaged or defaced items must be reported to RHI Student Resources and their cost must be reimbursed in full.
8. ERA permitted recordings of TV and radio broadcasts are for educational purposes only.
9. When RHI Student Resources is closed, items can be returned via the box in the door of IN008.
Opening Hours
Please refer to the opening days and times notice on the notice board located in the International Building, opposite IN032.
Appendix e)
Royal Holloway International
RHI Student Resources
(located on the ground floor of the International Building, opposite IN032)
Membership Form
RHI Student Resources
Family Name: ………………………………….. Mr / Ms / other: …………….
First Name: …………………………………..
Student Number: …………………………. e-mail: ………………………………
Please tick the programme you are enrolled on:
English Study Abroad with Academic English
Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students
In-sessional English Language Courses
Pre-sessional English Language Programme
University Foundation Programme
Date of finishing RHI course/programme: …………………………………..
Date of leaving Royal Holloway: …………………………………..
I agree to abide by the conditions of membership. If I fail to return an item, or an item is returned damaged or defaced, I agree I will reimburse the full replacement cost.
Signature: ………………………………….. Date: …………………………
Appendix f)
|Royal Holloway International |
|Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students |
|Independent Project Record Form |
| |
|Please ensure that this document is kept in a safe place. Note that it has to be submitted at various stages during your Independent |
|Project, including the second section (see the next page) with your finished Independent Project. The stages and the dates they are to be|
|completed are indicated below. |
| |
| |
|Name: ……………………………………………………………….………….. |
| |
|Agreed Area of Interest and Working Title: (by Friday 3 December) |
|………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
|………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
| |
|Personal Tutor’s signature: ………………………………………………………. |
|Student’s signature ………………………………………………………………. |
|Date ……………………………………………………………………………… |
| |
| |
| |
|Agreed Title: (by Friday 28 January)…………………………………………………… |
|………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
| |
|Personal Tutor’s signature: …………………………………………….….….… |
|Academic Supervisor’s signature: ……………………………………….….….. |
|Student’s signature: ……………………………………………………….….… |
|Date: ……………………………………………………………………….…... |
| |
| |
| |
|Submission of 500 word outline (by Monday 21 February) |
|Personal Tutor’s signature:………………..…………………………………… |
|Date:…………………………………………………………………………….….. |
| |
| |
| |
|Submission of 1500 words (by Monday 21 March) |
|Personal Tutor’s signature:……………………………………………………… |
|Date: …………………………………………………………………..…………… |
| |
| |
| |
|Submission of First Draft (by Thursday 21 April) |
|Signature of staff ……………………………….……………………………. |
| |
| |
|Date: ……………………………………………………………………………. |
Appendix g)
| |
|Royal Holloway International |
|Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students |
|Independent Project (final draft) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Declaration to be signed by the student: |
| |
| |
|I have read the following guidelines on plagiarism and declare that all work submitted is my own and that full reference has been made to |
|other material used. |
| |
| |
|“All work submitted by students as part of the requirements for any examination or other assessment must be expressed in their own words and|
|incorporate their own ideas and judgements. Plagiarism - that is the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were|
|one’s own - must be avoided, with particular care in coursework and essays and reports written in students’ own time. Deliberate plagiarism|
|in coursework is as serious as deliberate cheating in an examination. Direct quotations from the published or unpublished work of others |
|must always be clearly identified as such by being placed inside quotation marks, and a full reference to their source must be provided in |
|the proper form. A series of short quotations from several different sources, if not clearly identified as such, constitutes plagiarism |
|just as much as does a single unacknowledged long quotation from a single source. Equally, if a student includes a summary of another |
|person’s ideas or judgements the source must be acknowledged and the work referred to included in the bibliography. Failure to observe |
|these rules may result in an allegation of cheating. Students should therefore consult their Personal Tutor, Personal Adviser or Course |
|Director if they are in any doubt about what is permissible.” |
| |
| |
|Student’s signature: ………………………………….……………………………… |
| |
|Date: ………………………………………………………………………………… |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Submission to Royal Holloway International |
| |
| |
|Signature of staff :………………………………………………… |
| |
| |
|Date: ……………………………………………………………………………….. |
| |
| |
|Time: ……………………………………………………………………………….. |
| |
Appendix h)
| |
|Royal Holloway |
|University of London |
|Royal Holloway International |
|Assessed Work Submission Form |
| |
| |
|It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is handed in on time. Assessed work must be submitted in IN008 (International |
|Building) where it will be signed for. |
| |
|Please also note that the deadline for submission of work is normally 12.00 p.m. on the date specified. Work handed in after 12.00 p.m. |
|on the day of submission will be regarded as being late. |
| |
|You have to complete and attach this form to all assessed work to be handed in. Please note that you will have to download this form |
|from our website. |
| |
|You should submit two copies of all assessed work, unless your student handbook specifies that you do not have to do this. If you are |
|unsure about what to do, please check with the relevant tutor before the day of submission. |
| |
| |
|Candidate Number (as appropriate): ………………………………………….. |
|Student Name (PDIS only): ………………………………………………………. |
|Title of course for which you are submitting work: …………………………………………….. |
|………………………………………………………………… Group: …………… |
|Title of piece of work: …………………………………………………………………..…… |
|…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. |
|Name of tutor/marker: ……………………………………………………………………… |
| |
| |
|Declaration: |
| |
|“I declare that I have read the Royal Holloway guidelines on plagiarism and declare that all work submitted is my own and that full |
|reference has been made to other material used.” |
| |
| |
|Signed: …………………………………………… Date: ………………………… |
| |
| |
| |
|Office Use: Staff Signature ………………………. Date: ……………… Time: ……………... |
| |
|2010/11 |
Appendix i)
|Royal Holloway |
|University of London |
|Royal Holloway International |
|Assessed Work Extension Form |
| |
|Please note that extension to the deadline for assessed work can only be granted by Mr Gerard Clough (primarily for students on the |
|Pre-Masters Diploma or taking Background to Modern Britain courses), or Ms Silke Placzeck. Extensions must be requested at least two |
|working days before the submission deadline. Please see your student handbook for further details. |
| |
| |
|Student’s name: ………………………………………… Candidate No: ………………….. |
|Course title: ………………………………………………………… Group: ……………… |
|Title of assessed work: ………………………………………………………………………… |
|………………………………………………………………………………………………..… |
|Due date: ………………………………………… |
| |
|Extension request due to: |
| |
|□ medical circumstances (a note from a suitably qualified medical practitioner will be required) |
|□ psychological circumstances (a note from a suitably qualified psychologist or educational psychiatrist will be required) |
|□ other personal circumstances (you will be required to provide a signed statement) |
| |
|Student signature:……………………………..… Date:………………………………… |
| |
| |
|To be completed by the department |
| |
|Documentary evidence provided: □ Yes □ No |
|Extension agreed until: …………………………… |
|Staff signature: ……………………………………………………………………… |
|Staff name: ………………………………………………………………… |
|Date: ……………………………………… |
|This form is not valid unless all sections are completed. The completed form must be stapled on top of the piece of assessed work to |
|which it relates. |
| |
|2010/11 |
Appendix j) ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Important Information Concerning Enrolment and Attendance
This information on student enrolment and attendance is relevant to all Royal Holloway students and it is therefore essential that you follow the procedures below. Students who entered the United Kingdom on a General Student Visa, and who fail to comply with the procedures set out below may be required to leave the UK by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
Enrolment Requirements
All students are required to enrol at Royal Holloway on arrival.
If you have a General Student Visa, in order to be able to study in the UK Royal Holloway is required by the UKBA to hold a copy of your passport and visa:
• if you are enrolling at Royal Holloway for the first time, you must ensure that you take your passport to an enrolment session during your first week at Royal Holloway;
• if you were enrolled at Royal Holloway last year, you will be contacted by student records and given information on when to go to the Student Administration Centre (opposite the Windsor Building), with your passport so that a copy can be taken.
If there is any change to your visa or passport details, you must inform the Student Administration Centre. This can be done by sending an e-mail to student-records@rhul.ac.uk in the first instance.
We are required to keep your address and contact details in the UK on the College database. It is your responsibility to keep your contact details on your student portal up to date throughout the time you are a registered student at the College.
Attendance Requirements
Students enrolled at Royal Holloway are expected to attend all classes. Your Departmental/School Handbook will give any specific attendance requirements relating to your programme of study.
Your attendance will be monitored. You will be contacted by your Department/School if there are any concerns about unexplained absences. If you have circumstances, such as illness, which prevent you from attending any classes, you must inform your Department/School by following the procedures set out in your Departmental/School Handbook. Failure to attend classes without adequate explanation and evidence may lead to you being subject to the academic disciplinary process (details are set out in the Academic Regulations ).
If you have a General Student Visa and have been absent from classes or supervisory sessions without explanation this may lead to your absence being reported to the UKBA, which could result in you having to leave the UK.
Appendix k) Profile of Assessed Presentation: The global mark for your oral presentation is based on the following criteria:
|Criterion |Fail |Fair |Good |Very Good |Excellent |
| |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% |60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |Fail |Fair |Good |Very Good |Excellent |
| |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% |60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |Fail |Fair |Good |Very Good |Excellent |
| |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% |60-69% |70% and above |
|Criterion |Fail |Fair |Good |Very Good |Excellent |
| |39% and below |40-49% |50-59% |60-69% |70% and above |
Notes
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