STA Student Handbook (Taught Programmes) 2025/26

EXAMINATIONS

Queen Mary has Semester based exams, with an exam period in January for Semester A modules, and an Exam period in May for Semester B and Year-long modules.

Attendance at all examinations is compulsory. 

You must ensure that you are properly registered for all your modules, including those which do not have a written examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are registered for the correct modules.  You have a final opportunity to make amendments at the start of Semester 2, in consultation with your adviser and the School Office.  Please note, however, that you cannot change Semester A or Year-long modules after Week 2 in Semester A.

You must inform the Registry if there are any dates during the Examination Terms when you will not be available for religious reasons.  You will then be able to view your individual timetable shortly before each exam period starts via MySIS: as well as giving you the dates, times and locations of your written examinations, this is also your final opportunity to make sure that you are properly registered for all of your modules. Written, oral and aural examinations can be scheduled anytime during the Exam Term, so you should check the relevant QM+ module pages during the Easter vacation for your dates and times.

You must take care to follow the instructions on examination papers. If you do not do so, you will be penalised. This may lead to a mark of zero for a question inappropriately answered. In particular, you must not recycle assessed coursework in an examination answer.

If you miss an exam or an in-class test, due to illness or other unexpected circumstance, you need to submit a claim for Extenuating Circumstances to request a First Sit of the exam (First Sits take place over the summer). See the chapter on Extenuating Circumstances in this handbook.

Online exams

Online exams are like traditional exams, but taken over a slightly longer period of time, in order to allow for any technical problems and to accommodate students requiring extra time. Online exams are completed at home rather than in an exam hall, they are typed rather than handwritten, and you will have access to your notes while you complete the exam. Online Oral exams are submitted as recordings instead of taking place face-to-face. 

What format will the exam take (e.g. number/type of questions)? 

Individual module convenors or teachers will provide you with information on the format of the exam, along with any relevant past exam papers. 

How should I approach the exam? 

You should revise and prepare for an online exam as you would for a traditional invigilated exam. During the exam, you can consult any notes you have but you should not plan to do additional research during the exam period. The time you spend on the exam should be similar to that for a traditional exam and you will be provided with a suggested time frame in the instructions for each exam. You should not write for the entire duration of the exam, or even the majority of this period. 

What is the word limit for my online exam? 

Information on word limits will be included in the instructions for each exam. 

Should I include references and a bibliography in my online exam

As is the case for invigilated written exams, the requirements for online written exams are not the same as for essays and we are not expecting referencing according to normal academic writing style. However, it is good practice to explain the source of the points you make, and you can do this in an abbreviated way, just as you would in an invigilated examination (e.g. ‘As Fanon argues in Black Skins, White Masks, …’). You do not need to include a bibliography. 

How do I avoid plagiarism

Your online exam should be written in your own words, except for any direct quotations you may decide to give, which should be cited as indicated above. Note that all online exams will be checked for plagiarism via Turnitin. 

What is the date/time for the exam

The release date of the exam will be circulated by the module convenor and will appear on your personal exam timetable. The exam will take place over a set period. 

What if my online exam overlaps with a deadline I have for coursework on another module

It is your responsibility to manage any overlap between exams and coursework deadlines, the dates of which will have been communicated to you in advance. The extended period of online exams is intended to take into consideration that you may have other deadlines. You should make sure you organise your time accordingly and do not leave submitting until the last minute.

How will the exam be published? 

The exam will be released on the QMplus page for the module at the indicated start time of the exam. If you have trouble accessing it, you should contact the module organiser or teacher responsible for the exam.

How should I submit my exam? 

You should submit your exam through QMplus in the same way you would for essays and other coursework assignments. Please do not use the usual coursework coversheet but

rather make sure you include the special online exam coversheet, on which you should also write your student number. If you have a Special Learning Differences (SpLD) coversheet, you should also attach that, and account will be taken of this in marking as with other assignments. If (and only if) you encounter technical difficulties and are unable to submit via QMplus, you can email your exam to: STA-assessment@qmul.ac.uk  

Late submission is NOT ALLOWED for exams. You will receive a mark of 0F if your online exam is submitted after the deadline (just as you would in a traditional exam). For this reason, you should make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to submit and not leave it until the last minute.

Will I receive extra time if the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) has recommended that I receive additional time under traditional exam conditions? 

According to guidance from DDS, students who receive additional time under traditional exam conditions will not receive an extension for online exams, as the extended 24-hour period is designed to cover the needs of all students. 

What do I do if I cannot attend an online exam?