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Section 5: Feedback to Students

In this section, you will find information about the sort of feedback you can expect, how it is provided and how you are expected to engage with it.

5.1 Principles


The University has a number of principles relating to academic feedback with the aim that you are provided with:

  • Marking policy and practices;
  • Marking scales;
  • Consideration, approval, and publication of module marks.

Sometimes, your individual feedback will be supplemented with generic feedback that can be provided more quickly.

Generic feedback is given to all students about general performance in a particular assessment.

5.2 Information about Feedback


When assessment is set, you will be told when and how you will receive your feedback. The purpose of providing you with feedback will also be explained and you will be informed of who to contact should you want to discuss the feedback you receive.

In Leeds University Business School, feedback will be in a form appropriate to the type of assessment and will include information on common themes related to the performance of an assessment group as whole and linking the module to learning outcomes. The School will provide feedback in a retainable form appropriate to the assignment. Where written, it will be clear and legible. Assignments will be returned with annotated comments and/or with a supplementary comment sheet that refers to the script where appropriate.

Feedback is provided in many forms including written, collectively addressed to a class or group or more general than personal.

On all modules undertaken in LUBS, students are provided with information on their own performance (including marks on individual questions in examinations) and summary statistics on the overall performance on that module (e.g., mean, variance, distribution across classes), provided at the time of the publication of results for the module.

5.3 Feedback


In the Leeds University Business School, our processes will provide you with individual feedback that is fit for purpose, in an agreed timeframe. This will help you to set yourself academic targets; and support for this can be provided by the School if you need it.

Some disabled students such as those with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) will be eligible to attach an electronic cover sheet to their work. Feedback on the work will therefore be tailored sensitively.

Feedback mechanisms for individual modules are described within the module information section in the relevant module area of Minerva. For assessed coursework, written feedback is provided on an individualised basis, which may take the form of written comments, completion of mark sheet with tick boxes or annotations on the submitted work. For presentations, documented feedback will be provided and may take the form of written comments or oral recorded feedback.

For examinations, generic feedback is provided. Generic feedback is feedback given to the whole cohort about performance in a particular assessment. Whilst there are opportunities for individual feedback by request, this is usually not required as the generic feedback provided addresses most queries students may have about their performance in the assessment.

Individual feedback is also given through the statistics provided with the return of marks to students.

There will be occasions when (due to the nature or timing of the assessment) it will not be possible to provide individualised feedback within the normal timescale. When this occurs, we will help students to continue thinking about their work and to stay in the ‘learning loop’ through group feedback, either face to face, or via audio/video.

5.4 Feedback on Assessments Taken During a Formal Assessment Period


Your feedback on any assessment type (i.e. examination, Online Time Limited Assessment (OTLA)) taken during a formal assessment period can be different from other assessment feedback. For logistical reasons, you may not receive detailed individual feedback within the normal timescale.

Where an examination has taken place, your examination script belongs to the University and will be archived. Scripts have to be retained for use by External Examiners, internal review processes, and scrutiny by regulatory bodies if requested. You are encouraged to discuss your marked submissions as part of your feedback opportunities.

In Leeds University Business School, your examination feedback will be provided in the following way(s):

For every examination, including multiple choice examinations, generic feedback will be given to students by the module leader via Minerva.

Other feedback on examinations takes different forms, recognising that the nature of examinations varies as does the number of students on the module. Further to the expected generic statement of feedback, those forms include model outline answers, feedback sessions, individual feedback sheets and module statistics.

In case of queries after feedback has been provided, there are opportunities for students to discuss their examination performance on a one-to-one (for example, during academic support hours) or small group basis. The minimum requirement is that students have the opportunity to receive at least one form of feedback which helps improve their future performance, and feedback arrangements for each module are clearly outlined in the online module handbook in the relevant module area of Minerva.

To request feedback on an examination script you should contact the Module Leader directly.

5.5 Engaging with Feedback


Engaging with the feedback you receive is an important part of your learning experience. You are expected to be active in obtaining, reflecting on and acting on the feedback given to you. As a student, you will find that feedback is provided in many different ways. You are expected to make use of the range of different feedback opportunities available to you.

You should take up the opportunities for formative assessment and you should ask for support if you need it.

The School aims to offer timely opportunities for meetings with Module Leaders, Personal Tutors, or another relevant academic member of staff to discuss feedback in greater detail. Students should contact the relevant academic staff member directly, or refer to the module information area of Minerva, for individual academic support hours.

5.6 Timing of Feedback


Usually, you will receive your feedback before your next assessment for the module is due.

Occasionally, an exception to the feedback timeline guidance might need to be made. The most common reasons for this are late changes outside of the School’s control, such as staff illness. If this happens, you will be told why the date has been changed and the school will provide you with a new date for when you can expect your feedback.

At the end of Semester 2, a significant amount of administrative work is undertaken which involves confirming, checking and processing marks to ensure Progression and Awards Boards can take place. If you submit assessment for any undergraduate modules at this time, the School will aim to provide your feedback in the normal timeframe, but your final results cannot be released until the University’s official publication date (see Section 4.11 Publication of Module Marks).