'coursework-based' originates from modern English, specifically the compound 'coursework' + suffix '-based', where 'coursework' meant 'assignments or projects completed during a course' and '-based' meant 'having as a base or foundation'.

'coursework' developed in the 20th century from the combining of 'course' + 'work' (with 'course' ultimately from Latin 'cursus' via Old French and 'work' from Old English 'weorc'); the adjectival formation '-based' comes from the adjective 'base' + the participial/derivative suffix '-ed', used to indicate 'having a base of'.

Initially it described something that literally had coursework as its base; over time it evolved into a standard adjective describing an assessment method or program structure that primarily relies on coursework rather than exams.