Cambridge will not be offering a ‘no detriment’ policy for students this year

The Cambridge Tab asked the University if there could be a safety net… and they said no


Cambridge will not be providing a “no detriment” policy to students this year, according to a statement from a University spokesperson to The Cambridge Tab this evening.

This is because last year’s results relied on summative assessments from the previous year, and it would not be appropriate to replicate this system for the 2020-21 academic year. More details will be released to students later this term.

The statement reads: “In line with other Russell Group Universities, Cambridge will not be adopting a ‘no detriment’, or safety net, policy in assessing students’ work this year. This is because most of last year’s results relied on summative assessments from the previous year and, since these are not available for 2020, it would be inappropriate to replicate this system.

“Further methods of assessment have been specifically designed for this academic year to ensure that they are robust in the light of the impact of the pandemic. Students should be reassured that their academic performance will be assessed fairly and any disruption brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic will be taken into account.”

“More details on a package of measures will be released later this Term, following consultation with Faculties, Departments and student representatives, to safeguard student achievements from the impacts of the pandemic and the quality and integrity of a Cambridge degree.”

The Russell Group said that no detriment policies are not necessary or appropriate this year, in a joint statement from its 24 universities.

However, York decided to offer a safety net to students four days ago, becoming the first Russell Group university to do so. Bristol and Liverpool have also announced that they are looking into the possibility of a no detriment policy, with more information to follow.

Students across the country have been petitioning for no detriment policies to be adopted at their universities, with petitions at Glasgow, Bristol and King’s College London each surpassing 2,000 signatures. 

Cover image credit: Geograph via Creative Commons Licence