Product Development

Announcement

Announcement Title: Transition to Permanent Time-Controlled Assessments from

Summer 2021

Date: 29 September 2020

Assessment Cycle: Summer 2021 onwards

Award: L4DB/L4DC/L5DB/L5DC/BSc Hons Business Computing

and Information Systems

Release Number: PD0085

Dear Partner Centre,

As you will be aware NCC Education trialed the use of Time-Controlled assessments in the
Autumn assessment cycle. A Time-Constrained Assessment (TCA) is an assessment
which can be in assignment or exam format to be undertaken within specified time
constraints. Students will use the knowledge they have gained over the course of their
studies to complete the assessment. No sources, notes or textbooks are required unless
specifically specified.

Although the use of TCAs in Autumn was in direct response to centre closures due to the
global pandemic, two subsequent events have presented themselves which has
strengthened the case for this assessment method to be looked at more permanently:

1) Tighter restrictions are being imposed in countries around the world to try and curtail the
spread of coronavirus. Therefore, this may result in assessment venues not being able to
remain open for assessments.

2) The University of Central Lancashire who validates our BSc Hons Business Computing
and Information Systems top up degree, has now approved the move to TCAs for the
examination components, signalling a greater acceptance amongst the universities of this
assessment methodology. This methodology has been utilised by universities over a
number of years as it exhibits the principles of: Authenticity; reliability; validity; fairness and;
inclusivity.
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Benefits to Centres

Continued Study - Students will be able to complete their studies and progress on to the
next programme of study within the centre.
Centre registrations - centres may find it easier to register students onto the diplomas/into
an assessment cycle if they know that there is no potential barrier to the student sitting the
assessment.
Couriering time – less couriering time would lead to any potential issues being resolved
sooner and allow the centre to release student results on time.

Benefits to Students

Student progression – students will not be disadvantaged if unable to sit an assessment

and will still be allowed to progress on to further study or into the workplace.
Convenience – students complete an assessment within their own environment and do not
have to travel to an assessment venue, potentially reducing their anxieties.

Which units will it affect?

Business Units New Computing Units New

Assessment Assessment
Method Method
Level 4 Business 100% TCA Exam Software Development 100% TCA
Mathematics techniques Exam

Introduction to 100% TCA Exam Databases 50% TCA

Finance Exam/50%
assignment
Skills for Computing 50% TCA
Exam/50%
assignment
Level 5 Advanced Business 100% TCA Exam Network Security & 50% TCA
Mathematics Cryptography Exam/50%
assignment
Financial 100% TCA Exam Information Systems 100% TCA
Management Analysis Exam

BSc (Hons) Business Computing & Information Systems

Advanced Database 60% TCA Corporate Communication 60% TCA
Management assignment/40% Systems Management assignment/40%
Systems assignment assignment
eBusiness 60% TCA Managing Information 60% TCA
assignment/40% Systems Projects assignment/40%
assignment assignment
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This change will take effect for assessments being sat in:

• Summer 2021 and beyond – the above NCC Education units.

• Winter 2020 and beyond – the above BSc (Hons) Business Computing & Information
Systems degree

Should you have any queries relating to this announcement, then please contact your
Centre Support Executive.