Student Guide - Assessment

STUDENT GUIDE 2024/2025

Assessment

The UOC's learning model involves assessment that is online and that contributes to the continuous improvement of the learning process. The continuous assessment system ensures that you achieve the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies, while also gaining feedback on the process. In some courses, continuous assessment is rounded off with a final test.

What is the UOC's assessment system like?

At the UOC, we see assessment for learning as a formative process; it is planned and invites reflection. Learning is assessed entirely online in a flexible format that ensures rigour and quality. Throughout the process we use a range of mechanisms to verify students' identity and the authorship of their work. The assessment design and methodologies used are inclusive and respect diversity.

Assessment at the UOC requires that you complete activities and challenges where you not only acquire knowledge, but also develop and practise the skills that are most in demand in the professional sector you are preparing for. Throughout the course, you'll receive feedback so you know how you're progressing with your learning and get suggestions on how to improve. It's vital that you respond actively to this feedback and take advantage of it to improve your learning. You need to understand it fully and work to apply it to subsequent activities.

What sorts of assessment are there?

We explain what options you may encounter. Remember that information on the assessment model for each course can be found in your course plan.

There are two main forms of assessment that are often used together.

Continuous assessment is carried out through a series of assessment activities that must be completed and submitted during the semester.

From the beginning of the semester, you can find all the necessary information in the course plan: the number of activities, what they consist of and the dates for submitting them. There are different types of activities, depending on the nature of the course.

In some courses, in addition to continuous assessment, you'll need to pass a final assessment. This will consist of a final assessment test at the end of the semester. There are two types:

A synthesis test: This is used alongside your continuous assessment grade. It lasts, at most, one hour.
An exam: This assesses the entire course. It lasts, at most, two hours.

If the course includes a final exam, this is also done online. There are various types of final test, but in all cases there are certain requirements to take them, such as having a webcam.

There are also other specific assessment processes, such as final bachelor's and master's degree projects and internships in other institutions.

The UOC is firmly committed to academic quality, rigour and integrity, but learning and assessment also require a commitment from the student. To help you to help you stand by this commitment you make as a student, we provide resources to foster academic integrity and help avoid misconduct.

More information on the UOC assessment system