As a Union we are committed to lobbying LSE's academic assessment regulations. We aim to question whether their implementation impacts all students equally and whether, when combined with the School’s academic standards, they are contributing to poor student satisfaction and wellbeing.

2020/21

In 2020/21, sabbatical officers Bali Birch-Lee, Laura Goddard, and Morgan Fairless conducted a review of LSE's current assessment regulations and created a set of recommended changes. This is because LSE’s current assessment regulations and how they are applied are quite draconian in comparison with most other universities. In turn, they create a negative experience for many students because they exacerbate inequalities and poor mental health within our student community. 

The LSESU’s goal is to lobby the school to make their assessment regulations fairer and more empathetic towards students. We identified seven academic regulations which require reviewing: 

  1. Exceptional Circumstances 
  2. Fit to Sit
  3. Appeals
  4. Academic Misconduct
  5. Extensions 
  6. Late Submissions
  7. Evidence Requirements

Whilst these policies have been examined in turn, it is important to note that students will rarely have interacted with only one of these policies and that they often interact during a student’s academic journey. 

OBJECTIVES

  • Undertake a review of LSE's assessment regulations
  • Create a report with recommendations
  • Lobby LSE to commit to reforming the assessment regulations in line with our recommendations

THE REPORT

On 1 April 2021, we released the Assessment Regulations Report. You can find links to both the full report and to the executive summary for students below:

2022/23

A year on from the publication of the report, the LSESU is now seeking the input of all LSE stakeholders — from students to staff. We will continue to lobby the school to push LSE into making their assessment regulations fairer for students.

We are currently focusing on reforming the Resit Deferred Assessment Period (RDAP) with the aim to change the current policy that stipulates postgrads cannot resit exams during the school year and must wait until the following January. We will do this through a hybrid approach (report and campaign). 

Submit your testimonies here. 

GET SUPPORT

If you are a current student who would like to speak to someone about any of these regulations in relation to your current assessments or studies, our Advice Team can offer free, impartial and confidential advice and support. The best way to contact them is via: su.advice@lse.ac.uk

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