Plans for iterative results release on Portico from 25/26

Timely and accurate Mark Entry and Results Release administration processes are fundamental for Exam Boards to run and underpin our students’ progression and award outcomes. We are aware that these processes also carry huge administrative burden at key points in the year.

Following our cross-faculty and department workshops at the end of last year, we have developed and reviewed an action plan in consultation with Faculty leaders, including Faculty Tutors and Directors of Education and Student Experience. This plan has now been endorsed by EdCom and the Education Policy Scrutiny Panel.   

From September 25, we will introduce termly results release on Portico. Departments will therefore be asked to work towards new Mark Entry Deadlines: Mark Entry Deadline – Term 1 (date to be agreed with faculty consultation) and Mark Entry Deadline – Term 2 (date to be agreed with faculty consultation). We are also considering the changes that can be made for assessments taking place in term 3. We will communicate these dates once available. We will also be working with Education Services and relevant policy stakeholders to consider policy changes required to support this operational change.

In the meantime, the Current Student and Student Lifecycle Services teams will be progressing a number of actions to encourage timely and accurate mark entry this academic year, including:

• Launch new assessment grade codes for deferral with tuition, and scenarios where marks are expected but not yet available due to pending EC outcome or pending marking.
• Launch Portico enhancements including revised mark entry display view and new mark entry dashboard / tracker, improved A26/A27 marksheets, availability of more relevant EC information from the mark entry view and an enhanced module report.
• Communication about the importance of the mark entry deadline and the impact of late marks which can be shared with all staff involved in the Mark Entry process.
• Create a set of bite sized Mark Entry guidance videos covering key mark entry topics including new assessment grade codes and managing EC decisions.

We would also encourage you to support this initiative by:

• Considering where you can use the Moodle>SITS Marks Transfer tool: this will have a huge impact on reducing manual error and overhead in the transfer of marks from Moodle to SITS. Assessments must be set up in line with certain conditions in order to use this tool and we encourage you to review the Moodle>SITS Marks Transfer guidance and / or reach out to your Moodle Admin Faculty Champions with questions.

Considering the potential for DAPs extensions (5 working days) when planning marking / mark entry dates and ensure that you have sufficient contingency. This is particularly important for assessments in May where there is a short window of time before the Mark Exchange Deadline (Monday 16 June).

Contact for further information: currentstudent@ucl.ac.uk