Assignment(Including Essay) | A written/typed task with a deadline but not carried out under time constraints, for example essays, literature reviews, briefings, or online discussions. |
Exam (In-person) | High-stakes closed-book exam, often at the end of a learning period, to assess if students have met module's learning outcomes. It's in-person and timed; generally takes place in an exam centre. |
Exam (Online) | High-stakes closed-book exam, often at the end of a learning period, to assess if students have met module's learning outcomes. It's online and timed, with students online for the exam duration |
Exam (Open Book) | A high-stakes exam where students have access to learning materials/resources during the exam as specified by the lecturer. It can take place either in-person or online and is a timed exam. |
Exam (Take-Home) | A high-stakes exam completed remotely ‘at home’. Students have longer time (for example, a few days, up to a week) to submit their exam, and have unrestricted access to their learning materials. |
Group Work Assignment | Assignment involving group work, grading the individual and/or the group on the product (e.g., project, report, video, podcast, presentation) and/or the process (e.g., participation, reflection) |
Individual Project | Students are assessed based on project outputs, e.g., multimedia projects, presentations, performances, artwork, new products, or posters. Does not include dissertation or written report. |
Participation in Learning Activities | Activities where students are graded for their participation in learning activities, generally low stakes, e.g., contributions to in-class/online discussions, debates or presenting |
Portfolio | Used to organise various pieces of work to evidence knowledge, skills, values, or achievements on a topic/theme. Typically require reflective accounts (diary/log) for context and meaning |
Practical Skills Assessment | Practical skills/competencies are assessed via direct observation or recorded performance e.g. clinical, oral, lab techniques, studio work. Indirect assessment focuses on written account of skill. |
Quizzes/Short Exercises | Short questions or task to assess knowledge, application, analysis, problem-solving, or evaluation skills e.g., online/in-class exercises, quizzes (incl. MCQs), narratives, data/problem-solving tasks |
Reflective Assignment | Student reflection on their own experiences, views and actions relating to learning, work/life, in written or multimedia format, e.g., journals, logs, blogs, or diaries |
Report(s) | Detailed record/account of an experience or experiment, in a format aligned to discipline norms. Commonly used in practical activities like lab work, fieldwork, or work experience/placement |
Student Negotiated/Choice of Assessment | Assessment method is chosen by the student to demonstrate their learning from a given choice, or by negotiating the choice with the lecturer, or from an unrestricted choice of assessment methods. |
Thesis/Dissertation | A substantial piece of independent research undertaken by a student, under the guidance of a supervisor. Typically presented in written form. |
Viva Voce | Typically an oral examination (either in-person or online) used in specific circumstances such as clarifying assessment decisions reached via other means. Generally associated with research degrees. |