Early assessment: University Initiatives that demonstrate innovation in first-year assessment

This case study describes an attempt to introduce an assignment for Year I students at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff on academic writing skills before the half-term reading week to enable early feedback to be given and reduce anxiety regarding the build up of 'the' first assignment (hitherto handed in at the end of term 1). The early hand-in date will also result in a better spread of Year 1 assignments over the academic year.