University policies
The rules we work by, written so that anyone can read them. They take effect when enrolment opens.
Policy 1
Assessment of experience
- Experience is assessed course by course, against the published learning outcomes of each course.
- Each claimed course requires a test taken after an identity check. The test result is the grade.
- In a bachelor's program, up to 70% of courses may be met by assessment. The graduation project is always completed with the University.
- Every decision is recorded with its evidence. A sample of decisions is audited every month.
Policy 2
Grading
| Grade | Score |
|---|---|
| A | 90 to 100 |
| B | 80 to 89 |
| C | 70 to 79 |
| D | 60 to 69 |
- The minimum to pass a studied course is 60%. The minimum to pass an experience test is 70%.
- A result below the minimum is recorded as "not yet mastered" and may be retaken. Only earned grades appear on a transcript.
- Graduation requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Grades come only from assessments. The University never issues a grade, a date or a pass that did not happen.
Policy 3
Academic integrity
A Berkshire grade says that a named person showed what they know. Everything in this policy protects that sentence.
What we ask of every student
- The work you submit is your own. Where you use the words or ideas of others, you say whose they are.
- Tests are taken by the registered student, alone, after an identity check.
- Documents submitted as evidence of study or work are genuine and are yours.
- You do not share test questions, and you do not use answers supplied by someone else.
Artificial intelligence
- The University's AI study assistant gives coaching feedback on practice work. It does not take part in graded assessments. Graded assessments are marked by a separate marking tool, and any result can be reviewed by a person.
- In a graded assessment, work produced by an AI tool and presented as your own is treated as work that is not yours.
When the policy is broken
- The student is told in writing what was found and is given the chance to reply before any decision.
- Depending on what happened, the assessment may be cancelled and retaken, the course may be cancelled, or the enrolment may be ended.
- A document found to be false ends the application or the enrolment.
- Every decision can be appealed under Policy 4.
Policy 4
Appeals and complaints
A student may appeal any assessment result or decision, and may complain about any service of the University. Doing so never affects a student's standing.
- Write to the registrarSend the appeal or complaint to [email protected] within 30 days of the result or event. Say what happened and what outcome you are asking for.
- AcknowledgementYou receive a reply confirming that your case is open within 3 working days.
- Review by a personYour case is examined by a person with the authority to change the decision, who reads the record and the evidence behind it. No appeal is decided automatically.
- Written decisionYou receive the decision and its reasons in writing within 15 working days of the acknowledgement.
- Second reviewIf you disagree, you may ask once for the decision to be reviewed by a senior officer of the University who took no part in it. That review is final.
Every appeal and complaint is recorded with its outcome, and the record is used to improve our courses and services.
Policy 5
Equal opportunity
- Admission, assessment and grading depend only on a person's record and on what they show they know.
- The University does not treat an applicant or a student less favourably because of nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
- Students and staff are expected to treat one another with respect in every message, session and forum.
- A student who believes they have been treated unfairly may raise it under Policy 4.
Policy 6
Accessibility and accommodations
- A student with a disability or a health condition may ask for adjustments to study or to an assessment, such as extra time or a different format.
- Requests are sent to the student's academic advisor before the assessment, with a short description of what is needed.
- An adjustment changes how a student shows what they know. It does not change what has to be known, and the pass mark stays the same.
- Information given in a request is kept confidential and is used only to arrange the adjustment.
Policy 7
Privacy
- Your documents and records are used to admit, teach, assess and certify you, and for nothing else.
- We never sell personal data, and we do not store card numbers.
- The public verification page shows only what is needed to confirm a certificate. Grades, contact details and photos are not shown.
- You may ask for a copy of your data, for a correction, or for deletion of what we no longer need.
Policy 8
Enrolment and refunds
- You receive your offer, your study plan and the enrolment agreement before any payment.
- You confirm that you have read the accreditation statement before any payment.
- You pay for one course at a time. If you withdraw from a course before starting its assessment, the fee is refunded in full in the first 7 days and at 50% from day 8 to day 21.
- The application fee is not refundable once the review of your documents has started.