Examinations and assessment

There is no extra time for 2022 Timed Online Coursework (TOC). An additional 45 mins has been added to allow for logging in, downloading the TOC, and uploading your completed work. You should still complete your TOC in the time allotted and use the 45 minutes to ensure the information is submitted on time. 

Heriot-Watt's Canvas VLE can easily support the upload volumes; however individual broadband or Wi-Fi upload speeds vary. The additional 45 minutes is to help ensure your exam is submitted within the deadline. Please do not leave it to the last minute. 

Students are required to settle debt 8 days before the date of their first Timed Online Coursework to gain access to Canvas. The Timed Online Coursework assessment information will not be issued by alternative means – the assessment information is only available via Canvas.

Timed Online Coursework for students with extra time allowance

If you have been allocated extra time to complete your Timed Online Coursework, please note that this will be added to the assessment duration only and not the download/upload time. Additional time will be added for downloading the assessment and then uploading your completed assessment. Here is an example of a 2 hour assessment with 50% extra time allowance:

TOC Start Time - 9am  TOC End Time - 12:45pm

• Standard TOC - 2 hours
• TOC Adjustment - 30 minutes per hour
• Adjusted TOC Duration - 3 hours
• Download/Upload Time - 45 minutes

Assessment for IDL/Online students will be in the format of Timed Online Coursework and the duration of the assessment will be published on the Assessment Timetable.

Timed Online Coursework (TOC) - General Guide

Timed Online Coursework (TOC) - Technical Guide

MACS computer Lab exams

Computer Science Canvas Based Digital Exams - Technical Guide

Timed Online Exams (F29KM, F20IF/F21IF, F21SP) - Technical Guide

If your TOC is submitted after the end of the upload period, it will not be marked unless you have a Mitigating Circumstances application accepted.

If you encounter technical difficulties that prevent or delay you from uploading successfully, please send your single PDF or Word document to examsupport@hw.ac.uk.

After the end of the upload period, you will no longer be able to submit your TOC via Canvas. You can still send your exam to the exam support team, but your exam will be classified as late. In that case, you should consider submitting an online mitigating circumstances application. Provide evidence as to why you were unsuccessful. Gather all the evidence you can including screenshots.

If your submission is late and your mitigating circumstance is rejected your coursework will not be marked.

If there are foreseeable but unavoidable reasons why you are not able to sit an exam, you may apply for Mitigating Circumstances in advance to avoid academic penalties.

If you encounter issues on the day which severely impact your TOC performance or prevent you from uploading your TOC by the end of the upload period, you should contact the exam support team (examsupport@hw.ac.uk) and you may apply for Mitigating Circumstances (MC). MC applications must be supported by evidence.

You will not need to apply for Mitigating Circumstances if your TOC was returned via the exam support team before the upload deadline.

If you intend to submit a Mitigating Circumstance application for a TOC or In-person examination, please ensure you meet these deadlines so that your application can be considered by the relevant Award or Progression Board.

• All undergraduate students deadline: Friday 06 January 2023
• All postgraduate students deadline: Friday 06 January 2023
• For students enrolled on the Direct Entry Programmes, Fast Track and Foundation Programmes in Malaysia or Dubai please consult your local School or Campus Academic Support Admin Team for advice.

Mitigating Circumstances Application

We wish you all the best as you prepare for the in-person exams and TOC7s. If you have any further questions, contact your personal tutors or course leaders and check out the Skills Hubs.