Rules and Regulations

1. There shall be an orientation programme for fresh students at the beginning of the academic year, and all fresh students are required to be present. The purpose of the orientation may be summarized as follows:
   a. To welcome the fresh students and help them to adjust and adapt to Knutsford life.
   b. To expose them to the facilities available at Knutsford University that can make university education a rewarding experience.
   c. To advertise the rules and regulations that govern the relationship between students and the SRC.
   d. To inform students about their rights, privileges, obligations, and responsibilities in relation to Knutsford Authorities and statutory bodies.
2. The orientation shall involve representatives of Faculties/Schools who will explain programmes, courses, and prerequisites for courses.

3. The library shall organize orientation for all fresh students.

1. Matriculation is a very important exercise for new (fresh) students of Knutsford University.
2. Matriculation signifies the acceptance of fresh students into Knutsford University and grants them all student privileges.
3. The Vice-Chancellor presides over the matriculation ceremony. The ceremony involves taking the matriculation oath, which is read out by the Registrar, and the matriculating students read after him/her.
4. After the oath, each matriculating student should sign the oath and register in the Matricular (Register) to become a bona fide student of Knutsford.

A candidate admitted to a degree programme shall follow the approved programme of study within the prescribed time. Any change of programme requires approval by the Dean of Studies upon recommendation by the appropriate Head of School or Department.

• The minimum and maximum periods for completing a Bachelor’s degree are four (Top-up) and twelve semesters, respectively, from the date of first registration.

The academic year is structured as follows:

• Fall (1st) Semester: September – December
• Winter (2nd) Semester: January – April
• Summer (Inter-Semester) Session: May – August

A semester lasts 16 weeks, structured as:

• 13 weeks of teaching
• 1 week for revision
• 2 weeks for examinations

Students must register for the courses they wish to take for credits at the start of each semester. Registration must be done personally; proxies are not allowed.

• Students may suspend their studies for up to two consecutive semesters, exclusively on medical grounds, following proper procedures and obtaining permission.
• Students who cannot complete their programme within the maximum allowed period will lose all credits and their studentship will be canceled.

• One course credit is defined as:
  • One hour of lecture, or
  • One hour of tutorial, or
  • One hour of practical session (of two or three hours), or
  • Six hours of fieldwork per week for a semester.

• Full-time students are expected to carry between 15 and 18 credits per semester. Part-time students may carry less than the minimum credits prescribed for full-time status.

The Total Study Programme (TSP) for a Bachelor’s Degree includes:

• General Education Requirements
• Faculty Requirements
• School Requirements
• Electives

• Student performance is evaluated through continuous assessment and examinations.
• Continuous assessment includes essays, projects, tests, practical work, class attendance, etc.
• Examinations should cover various cognitive levels aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Assessment Modes

• General programme: 30% continuous assessment, 70% final exam.
• Programmes affiliated with the University of Ghana: 25% continuous assessment, 75% final exam.
• Programmes affiliated with the University for Development Studies: details to be specified.

A student absent for more than 21 days from all courses’ activities in a semester will be considered withdrawn and ineligible for exams.

Students must register for exams after fulfilling all conditions set by the Academic Office.

• Courses (except projects) are completed in one semester, with a final exam required.
• End-of-semester exams account for 70% of the grade, with continuous assessment making up the remaining 30% (or as per the affiliated institution).
• Exam duration varies according to credit hours:
  • 1 Credit hour course – 1 hour
  • 2 Credit hour course – 2 hours
  • 3 or 4 Credit hour course – 2 to 3 hours
• Students may defer exams due to health issues, with proper medical certification; approval is required for reasons other than health.

• Pass Grades: Grades A to D constitute passing grades.
• Failure Grades: Grades *E, F, X, Z constitute failure grades.
  • E (Concessionary Pass): This is a failed grade, but students allowed to graduate with it if not in a university-required course and if the credit hours do not exceed twelve in core/elective courses.
• Continuing: Grade Y (for continuing) is awarded at the end of a semester for courses that extend into the next semester.
• Non-Completion of Course:
  • Grade I (Incomplete): Awarded when a student cannot complete a course for acceptable reasons, expected to be rectified when the course is next offered.
  • Grade X: Awarded for unacceptable reasons, indicating failure (e.g., absence without satisfactory reason).
• Disqualification (Z):
  • Indicates disqualification due to examination malpractice or offence.
  • May lead to suspension, expulsion, or indefinite ban from exams.
  • Awarded only by the Examinations Committee.
  • It is a failing grade, with 0 grade points, involving students involved in malpractices.

• Results of examinations taken at the end of each semester shall normally be published before the commencement of the next semester. Result slips shall be made available to students by the Academic Affairs Department or the Dean of the School/Faculty.

• A student in good standing shall be one whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is at least 1.00 or 1.50 (Grade D) for the University of Ghana and the University for Development respectively.
• A student in good standing shall be eligible to progress to the next level.
• A student whose grade standing falls below 1.00 or 1.50 at the end of any semester examination shall be on probation for two semesters. Such a student shall be required to withdraw if he/she fails to achieve a CGPA of 1.00 or 1.50 at the end of the probation.
• Probation entails repeating failed courses and, where possible, making up the workload with appropriate courses from the next level or courses for which prerequisites have been met.
• A student who fails to reach the required CGPA at the end of the first semester and does not attain the average after the second semester must withdraw from the program. He/she must report to the Registrar and complete the necessary procedures. If a student leaves and fails to withdraw formally, it will be recorded as an ‘F’ on their permanent record.

i. Requirements for Graduation

• A student must have satisfied all prescribed academic requirements.
• A student must have fulfilled all financial obligations, including the graduation fee.

ii. Classification of Degree (University of Ghana)

iii. Confirmation and Presentation of Award

• A list of eligible candidates shall be approved by the Academic Board before being presented at a congregation.
• The diploma shall specify the principal subject(s) and class of degree awarded.
• Until the university attains its own presidential charter, diplomas will be awarded by the affiliated institution(s) in collaboration with the university.

iv. Cancellation of Award

• Notwithstanding the award confirmation, the degree can be revoked at any time if it is discovered that:
  • The candidate provided false qualifications.
  • The candidate impersonated someone else.
  • The candidate committed examination malpractice, attracting a grade Z.
  • Any other reason that would have prevented the initial award.

Assessment of Students’ Performance

The university shall use a combination of Continuous Assessment (CA) and examinations to evaluate student performance. This system enables lecturers to monitor progress effectively throughout the studying period.

The assessment system will involve:

• (a) Continuous Assessment = 25%
  • Class work/assignments = 15%
  • Mid-semester assessment = 10%
• (b) End-of-semester examinations = 75%

Lecturers are encouraged to provide regular performance feedback to the Academic Directorate through the Faculty.

• Pass Grades: Grades A to D constitute passing grades.
• Non-Completion of Course:
  • Grade I (Incomplete): awarded when a student cannot complete a course for acceptable reasons. The student is expected to complete the course at the next available opportunity without penalty.
• Disqualification:
  • Grade Z indicates disqualification due to examination malpractice or offence, awarded only by the Examinations Committee.
  • It signifies a failed grade with 0 grade points, and the student may face suspension, expulsion, or indefinite bans from taking exams if found guilty.

1. A candidate for a University examination must have followed the approved course as a regular student over the required period and must have registered for the examination.
2. Entry to the examination shall be by registration on a form on which the papers to be written shall be indicated by the title. The registration form duly endorsed by the Head(s) of Department shall be submitted to the Deputy Registrar (Academic Affairs) not later than six weeks after the commencement of the semester.
3. A candidate shall not be admitted to a University examination if:
   • he/she has not been registered;
   • he/she owes fees to the University;
   • he/she is under suspension or has been dismissed from the University.
4. It shall be the duty of the candidate to consult the daily timetable (to be made available at least 24 hours ahead of time) to ascertain the papers to be written each day and to make himself/herself available at the appointed place at least half an hour before the examination.
5. A candidate may be refused admission to a University examination if he/she reports more than an hour after its commencement.
6. It shall be the candidate’s responsibility to provide for himself/herself a pen, pencil, and eraser as needed. It is also his/her responsibility to ensure that he/she is given the correct question paper and other materials needed for the examination.
7. An examination candidate shall not bring to the examination centre or to the washroom of the examination centre or in the immediate vicinity any book, paper, written information, cellular/mobile phones, or any unauthorized material. Such materials shall not be deposited at the entrance to the examination room or in the immediate vicinity. No student shall enter the examination room until invited or called to do so.
   • Any candidate seen with lecture notes, books, cellular phones, or unauthorized materials before the examination shall be banned from the exam and awarded a grade X (Fail).
   • Candidates must uphold civility and courtesy. Any misconduct or violation of instructions by an examination official shall lead to suspension and a grade X.
   • If suspected of hiding unauthorized materials, candidates may be body searched. Refusal is misconduct.
   • For identification, candidates must carry their student identity card and class permit. The invigilator may refuse entry without proper ID.
8. No communication between candidates is permitted during the examination:
   • No passing or attempting to pass information or instruments.
   • No copying or copying attempts.
   • No disturbing or distracting others.
   • Candidates may raise their hands to attract attention.
9. Smoking or drinking alcohol is not allowed in the examination room.
10. Candidates may leave temporarily only with the permission of the invigilator, who will verify the absence of unauthorized materials and escort the candidate outside.
11. Candidates who finish early may leave after surrendering their answer booklet; they cannot return.
12. At the end of the exam, candidates must not take answer booklets away.
13. Candidates shall not interfere with stapling or handling answer booklets; complaints should be made to the invigilator.
14. Failure to appear at an exam without a satisfactory reason results in grade X (Fail). Acceptable reasons do not include misreading the timetable, forgetting the date, inability to locate the hall, failure to wake up on time, transport issues, death of relative, or pregnancy.
15. Breaching regulations may be sanctioned by:
    • Reprimand
    • Loss of marks
    • Cancellation of a paper (zero mark)
    • Withholding results temporarily
    • Award of grade X (Fail)
16. Grade Z (Disqualification) may be awarded if a candidate attempts to gain unfair advantage, which may result in:
    • Being barred from a specific examination for a period
    • Being indefinitely barred
    • Suspension
    • Expulsion from the University