The Open University

There are different types of assessment used throughout Open University study. Here’s a quick run-down of the types you may come across:

For any questions or issues regarding assignment submission please contact SiSE-Accessibility@open.ac.uk

Please do not send assignments directly to tutors or to any other SiSE mailboxes.

You can use the SiSE Assignment Tool to keep track of assignment deadlines and submitted work.

Where possible, please submit students' work to the University digitally using the information below. If postal submission is required please visit the next page. Postage instructions

Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)

There are usually have a number of these throughout each module
Each one can be an essay, a series of questions, a skills test, a speaking assessment or something else that allows students to show what they've learned
They’ll each have a submission deadline
When the tutor returns them, they’ll provide detailed feedback on where students can improve

If it’s not possible to submit a TMA by the deadline date please contact the tutor who can discuss an extension.

How to submit TMAs by email

Interactive Computer-Marked Assignments (iCMAs)

These can be completed online, on the Assessment tab of the Virtual Campus module website
Generally these will be available online a couple of weeks before the deadline date
Printed copies will also be provided in the offline print pack
They’re normally marked by a computer, but offline versions will be marked by the Module Team

If it’s not possible to submit an iCMA by the deadline date please contact SiSE-Accessibility@open.ac.uk for guidance, the tutor cannot grant an extension.

How to submit offline iCMAs by email/online

End-of-Module Assessments (EMAs)/End-of-Module Tutor-Marked Assignments (emTMAs)

These are the final, marked piece of work on some modules
They may be similar to TMAs done on the module, but will usually be a longer piece of work
They'll usually cover the whole module rather than a part of it
The EMA/emTMA deadline will always be fixed, extensions are not permitted
If the module has an EMA or emTMA, it won’t normally have an exam as well
EMAs are assignment number 30 when submitted by email

If it’s not possible to submit an EMA/emTMA by the deadline date please contact the regional SiSE support team for guidance, the tutor cannot grant an extension.

How to submit EMAs/emTMAs by email

End-of-Module submission guidelines

EMA Policy

Cut-off date and late submission for EMAs and emTMAs

Date	Time	Status
Cut-off date	Submission received by 12:00 noon (UK local time)	Received in time – work accepted for marking
Cut-off date, between 12:00 noon and 23:59	Submissions received by 23:59 (UK local time)	Grace period – work accepted for marking and no penalty incurred
Day 1 after cut-off date, between 00:00 and 23:59	Submissions received by 23:59 (UK local time)	Work accepted for marking – penalty incurred
Day 2 after cut-off date, 00:00 onwards	Submissions received by 00:00 (UK local time) onwards	Work not marked

Exams

Exams are the final assessed task on some modules. If the module has an exam, it won’t normally have an EMA as well
The exam date will be fixed
Exams will normally take place remotely and the SiSE Team will provide information in the run up to the exam

Detailed information on exams

Special Circumstances

If something happens which negatively affects a students performance in an assignment, they can ask the Module Result Panel to take this into account when the module result is agreed. It can relate to a TMA, iCMA or any other part of the assessment. It must be something that affected the student for four weeks or more up to the submission cut-off date.

How to submit special circumstances information