G1 General Principles
G1.1 Explanation of Terms
(i) Assessment component - essays, presentations, group work activities, projects or other assessments (commonly termed coursework), and seen or unseen examinations. An assessment component may sometimes take the form of a number of smaller submissions or elements e.g. lab reports or short in-class tests. The mark for each assessment component is recorded in the student record system with the appropriate weighting, and these are used to calculate the overall module grade.
(ii) Assessment criteria - the requirements of an assessment, identified through specific learning outcomes, used when marking a student's work. They are a useful guide to the student to indicate the expected content or approach for an assessment.
(iii) Deferral - an approved extension to the deadline date for an assessment, usually as approved by an EEC panel (Section I). A deferred assessment will be marked across the whole grade range, up to 100% (G5).
(iv) Referral - when a student does not pass an assessment component at the first attempt they may be offered the opportunity to submit further work to achieve a pass standard. If the referral work is pass standard the work will be graded 50% (G7.2).
(v) Retake – when a student has failed a module at the first attempt, including any referral opportunities there may be entitlement to re-enrol and retake the module (G7.3).
G1.2 Awarding credit for learning achievements.
Credits are awarded to students in recognition of their learning achievements, either within modules studied in their programme, or from accredited prior learning (RPL, Section C). Every module has a validated credit value, which is expressed as a number of credits at a specific level, see Section B.
G1.3 Learning Outcomes
A learning outcome is a learning achievement, which may take the form of the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, an intellectual skill or a practical skill. Learning outcomes are the basis for the learning and assessment strategy in modules. Each module has a formally identified set of learning outcomes. The learning outcomes, credits, subject content and the level of the module together define the standard.
G1.4 Assessments
Assessments are designed to enable students to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Different assessment components (coursework and/or practicals/examinations) may be ascribed to a module. Each assessment component may carry one or more learning outcomes which will be assessed against assessment criteria. Students must be informed of the assessment criteria which are designed to test achievement of the learning outcomes of the module and indicate the level of performance required.
G1.5 Modules and Components
The combination of assessment components must test every stated learning outcome for a module. Some modules may have a pass/fail component weighted at 0%. Where this is the case, the pass/fail component will count as one of the components of assessment. The lowest weighting that can be applied to a percentage-marked assessment component is 10% and all weightings must be expressed as a multiple of 10%.
G2 Student Responsibilities
G2.1 Understanding what is expected
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they understand the assessment criteria and learning outcomes against which their work will be marked. Continual engagement with the delivery of the module is important to enable a student to gain this understanding (see the Student Participation Policy in Section E), and to fulfil their responsibility to the learning experience of fellow students. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they engage with all components of assessment within a module. Assignments must be submitted by the formally declared deadline.
G2.2 Academic offences
Students must understand what constitutes an academic offence (Section J), including plagiarism, collusion, breach of examination room regulations (Section H), and ensure that they do not commit such offences in their studies and assessments.
G2.3 Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances
It is the responsibility of a student to submit a claim for exceptional extenuating circumstances (EEC) where an unexpected or unpreventable situation that will affect their performance in assessment arises. This must be submitted prior to the original submission deadline, with evidence and the work completed to date. See Section I for full details.
G2.4 Support plans
If a student has a disability which affects their academic performance it is their responsibility to contact the Student Wellbeing Service and discuss whether a support plan is appropriate. Support Plans identify a student's support needs, and are used to help a student engage fully with assessment.
G2.5 Research ethics
Students must comply with the University Research Ethics Policy and Code of Practice and follow the requirements of the policy as it relates to their studies.
G2.6 Legibility of work submitted for assessment
If handwritten coursework is judged by the examiners to be illegible the work will not be accepted for assessment and will receive a mark of 0%.
In the event that examiners find their difficulties in reading an examination script affects their ability to assess the candidate's work, they may ask the candidate to produce a typed transcript of all or part of the work. In such cases the candidate will be required to work under supervised conditions using a copy of the relevant parts of the original script, and will normally be charged a fee to cover the additional administrative costs. This fee will be determined by the Academic Registrar.
G3. Outcomes of Assessment
G3.1 Judging academic performance in an assessment:
In assessing a student's work, the tutor is required to judge the standard achieved in accordance with the criteria stated in Section G3.2. If the work demonstrates that the learning outcomes have been achieved, a grade is assigned on the basis of the grade descriptors in Section G3.2 and the level descriptors in Section B3.2. If the learning outcomes have not been met, the appropriate fail grade is given. In the case of an examination assessment, it is the overall grade which matters, not the grades given for individual answers or sections.
G3.2 The Postgraduate Marking Scale
The Postgraduate Marking Scale applies to Level 7 modules. Level 8 modules are graded as pass or fail, and some Level 7 modules are validated to be marked as pass or fail only.
These are typical characteristics of the quality of work associated with each grade. The descriptors are illustrative only and for guidance only. They are not comprehensive, and will need contextualisation within individual courses to reflect the academic discipline concerned.
Some modules are validated to be marked as pass/fail; feedback will be given in line with the following Mark Descriptors.
| % Mark | Grade descriptors | Category |
|---|
| 90-100% |
Excellent
Meets all criteria in 80-89% range below, plus demonstrates exceptional ability and insight, indicating the highest level of technical competence; work is virtually flawless and has potential to influence the forefront of the subject and may be of publishable/exhibitable quality. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at the highest possible standard.
Exceptional achievement distinguishable even amongst the best quality work and deserving of the highest possible marks within the Distinction grade.
|
Distinction |
| 80-89% |
Excellent
High to very high standard work with most of the following features: authoritative subject knowledge; a high level of critical analysis and evaluation; incisive original thinking; commendable originality; exceptionally well researched, with a very high level of technical competence; high quality presentation; impressive clarity of ideas; excellent coherence and logic. Work is close to the forefront of the subject and may be close to publishable or exhibitable quality. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a very high level. Referencing is consistently used, complete and accurate. Only trivial or very minor errors.
Very high quality work worthy of a high Distinction grade mark.
|
Distinction |
| 70-79% |
Excellent
Authoritative, current subject knowledge; excellent critical analysis and evaluation - including dealing with ambiguity in the data; significant originality; well researched with a high level of technical competence – work is accurate and extensively supported by appropriate evidence; excellent presentation; commendable clarity of ideas; thoughtful and effective presentation; very strong sense of coherence and logic; relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a high level; referencing is excellent - consistently used, complete and accurate; a small number of misunderstandings/minor errors only.
High quality work deserving of a Distinction grade.
|
Distinction |
| 60-69% |
Very good
Work is well-developed and coherent; demonstrates sound, current subject knowledge; a very good level of critical analysis and evaluation; some evidence of original thinking or originality; well researched; no significant errors in the application of concepts or appropriate techniques; a very good standard of presentation; ideas generally clear and coherent; relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a very good level; referencing is very good; minor errors and misunderstandings only, possibly with some deficiencies in presentation.
Well above pass standard and worthy of a Merit grade.
|
Merit |
| 50-59% |
Good/Satisfactory
Has achieved intended learning outcomes as evidenced by the following features. Satisfactory subject knowledge; a fair level of critical analysis and evaluation; the work is generally sound but tends towards the factual or derivative, and there may be minimal evidence of original thinking or originality; adequately researched; a sound standard of presentation; ideas fairly clear and coherent; some significant errors and misunderstandings, possibly shown by conceptual gaps or limited use of appropriate techniques; relevant generic skills are generally at a satisfactory level; referencing is generally accurate; some weakness in style or presentation.
Satisfactory overall – a clear pass
|
Pass |
| 40-49% |
Unsatisfactory
Has narrowly failed to achieve intended learning outcomes as evidenced by the following features. Satisfactory subject knowledge to some extent; some sound aspects but some of the following weaknesses are evident: factual errors; conceptual gaps; inadequate critical analysis and evaluation; little evidence of originality; not well researched – limited use of appropriate techniques; presentation does not meet the standard required; ideas unclear and/or incoherent; some significant errors and misunderstandings; relevant generic skills unsatisfactory to some extent; referencing may be inadequate.
Work is unsatisfactory but shows potential for achieving learning outcomes if feedback is addressed - Marginal fail
|
Marginal fail |
| 5-39% |
Very Poor
Has failed to achieve intended learning outcomes in several critical respects. Will have some or all of the following features to varying extent: inadequate subject knowledge; factual errors; conceptual gaps; minimal/no awareness of relevant issues and theory; limited/no use of appropriate techniques; standard of presentation unacceptable; ideas confused and/or incoherent – work lacks sound development; a poor critical analysis and evaluation; no evidence of originality; inadequately researched; some serious misunderstandings and errors; quality of relevant generic skills does not meet the requirements of the task.
A clear fail well short of the pass standard
|
Fail |
| 1-4% |
Nothing of Merit
Nothing of value is contained in the submitted work. The work presents information that is irrelevant and unconnected to the task; no evident awareness of appropriate principles, theories, evidence or techniques
|
Fail |
| NS |
Non-submission
No work has been submitted
|
Fail |
| Z |
Academic offence notation
Applies to proven instances of academic offence
|
Fail |
G3.3 Assessment component grades
The mark assigned to an assessment component is recorded as a whole number and held for calculation purposes
(i) If the module involves more than one assessment component, a mathematical weighting is applied to reflect the relative importance of each component. These weightings will be used to compute the overall grade for the module.
(ii) Overall module marks will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage point. Calculations of level averages will be to 2 decimal places.
(iii) In the case of the Master’s degree the categories shown on the scale (G3.2) are applied to the final award, and are indicative only at module level.
G3.4 Module mark
(i) The relative weightings are applied to the grades achieved in each component of assessment in order to calculate the overall module grade.
(ii) To pass a module, and therefore be awarded credit, all assessment components must be passed. Where this has not been achieved, credits are not awarded and the referral regulations apply (G7.2).
G3.5 Feedback
Students are entitled to feedback on assignments and this may be verbal, or in written or electronic form. Feedback on examinations is available on request from the marking tutor.
G3.6 Designated Deadline and Assessed Extended Deadline (AED)
Work must be submitted by the published designated deadlines.
The exception is where a student has been granted an Assessed Extended Deadline via a university approved support plan. In such circumstances the student should ensure that the support plan is discussed with the module leader at the earliest opportunity. Any work submitted past the designated deadline or AED is deemed late.
Note: Where the AED is not in line with the assessment or professional requirements of the programme outlined in the programme specification and module handbook a further discussion between the student and module leader may be required and outcomes documented appropriately.
See G6 for Late Submission regulations.
G4 Passing Modules
G4.1 If a student passes a module, by achieving an average grade of at least 50%, the credit is awarded by the Assessment Board. It is not possible to retake a module that has been passed, unless there is allowance made by an external body associated with the programme, explicitly stated in the programme specification.
G5 Deferral
G5.1 Consideration in respect of illness, or other valid cause, is given only if the student concerned has submitted a formal written claim (EEC) with their work and has provided acceptable evidence according to the regulations in Section I. If the EEC panel decides to uphold a claim one of the remedies is to offer the opportunity for the student to submit a fresh piece of work by a revised deadline. This is a deferral.
G5.2 Deadlines for resubmission of work will usually be within the same academic year. In the case of examinations, the student will normally be directed to take the assessment at the next available exam period.
G5.3 The full range of grades will be available provided the work is submitted in line with the approved deadline. For work submitted after the deadline refer to G6, Late Submission.
G5.4 If, following deferral, the assessment is not submitted by the stipulated date, the assessment is considered failed and the referral regulations apply (Section G7.2).
G5.5 Students who have an Assessed Extended Deadline identified in their support plan will be entitled to a deferral. Where appropriate, the AED can be added to the deferral deadline.
G6 Late Submission
G6.1 Work which is submitted after the designated deadline (including any formally approved Assessed Extended Deadline)) for a coursework assessment is deemed late.
There may be module and /or programme specific requirements or Professional and Statutory Regulations where late submission is not appropriate or applicable. These exceptions should be outlined in the programme specification, programme handbook or ‘assessment brief’ as appropriate.
A student that is likely to miss a deadline should discuss the situation as early as possible with the personal academic tutor and the module leader.
G6.2 Late submission with good reason
a. Where a student has a good reason for late submission which does not amount to an exceptional circumstance, the relevant Discipline Lead or Senior Manager can authorise a late submission request granting an extension of up to a maximum of 7 days with no grade penalty. The student will be expected to submit the late submission request, and provide evidence to demonstrate that such an extension is appropriate
b. If serious circumstances beyond a student’s control affect their ability to complete an assessment they may submit a claim for Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances (EEC). This must be accompanied by evidence and the work done to date, by the original assessment submission deadline. An EEC panel will consider this. Details of the policy and procedure are in Part I of these regulations.
G6.3 Late submission without good reason with penalty
Where applicable this only applies to first sit coursework only, and only to graded work and not to work that attracts a pass/fail grade.
Where coursework is submitted late without good reason, but within 7 days of the designated deadline or an Assessed Extended Deadline (G3.6), the work should be marked in the normal way and a penalty applied.
For the purposes of the External Examiners and others, the original mark and the penalty should be clearly indicated. With the pre-penalty mark, being used for the purposes of student feedback and moderation purposes, and the post-penalty mark recorded in the student’s academic record, and used in any progression and award calculation.
The penalty for late submission:
i. If the work is of a pass standard the maximum that can be obtained will be 50%
ii. If the work is received after day 7 the work will not be marked and a NS will be recorded
iii. Referred works submitted late will not be marked and a NS will be recorded
iv. Any work submitted late after an Assessed Extended deadline (G3.6), will be entitled to submit late with penalty in accordance with G6.3 above
v. Work received after an approved LSR/or EEC deadline will be capped at 50%, up to a maximum of 7 days. Any work received after 7 days will not be marked and a NS will be recorded
The time stamp of the work will be indicated by the submission date recorded in the electronic submission or in the event of a manual submission clearly evidenced by the receipt issued.
Day 1 starts immediately after the deadline is passed, and will constitute 24 hours from that initial point.
G7 Failing Modules
G7.1 A module is failed if:
(i) The student does not pass all assessment components with a minimum of 50% and achieve a minimum overall module average of 50%.
(ii) Work has not been submitted for a module assessment. If a student fails to submit an assignment a mark of NS will be recorded.
(iii) The student has committed academic offences and a penalty of failing the module has been imposed (see Section J).
If a student fails a module, the appropriate option from the following will apply:
G7.2 Referral in an assessment component
(a) Entitlement to referral:
Students are normally entitled to one referral opportunity in each of the failed assessment components. The deadline for resubmission of work will be at the next assessment point. In the case of examinations, the student will be directed to take the assessment at the next available examination period. If work is submitted after the deadline, it will not be marked and NS will be recorded.
For the referral it may be necessary to set an alternative and equivalent assessment, appropriate to the learning outcomes of the module(s). Any and all entitlements to referral can be removed following a proven academic offence or if special conditions apply to meet the requirements of an external agency.
(b) The grade awarded for an assessment following referral:
(i) The highest grade that can be awarded for a referred assessment component is 50%. If that grade is achieved, it replaces the original fail grade on the student’s marks profile.
(ii) A referral grade of less than 50% will also replace the original grade unless it is lower than the grade obtained at the first attempt.
The student’s marks profile will show both the first and second attempt marks.
(c) Recalculation of the module grade following referral:
Following re-assessment, the overall module grade is recalculated using the grades recorded for the referred assessments (if higher than the first attempt grade) and the standing grades in the assessment components which were passed at the first attempt.
If a student fails the initial referral attempt they normally have the opportunity to retake the module in the next available session (Section G7.3).
G7.3 Retaking modules
(i) If a student has failed a module (grade below 50%) at the first attempt, including any referral opportunity, there is normally an entitlement to re-enrol for and retake the module in in its entirety. Retaking necessitates attendance and requires completion of all the assessments. Any assessment grades from the previous attempt at the module cannot be carried forward.
(ii) If a student fails the module, including the referral opportunity on the second attempt there is no automatic entitlement to a further attempt. The offer of a third attempt is at the discretion of the Assessment Board, and will only be made if there are compelling reasons to support that decision.
(iii) Students may only attempt a module in its entirety a maximum of three times, subject to additional requirements of relevant professional bodies or external agencies.
The maximum overall grade available for a retaken module is 50%.
G8 Failure in Independent Scholarship/Research and the Viva Voce Examination
G8.1 When a student does not satisfy the requirements of the Independent Scholarship/Research at the first attempt, the student is referred. The revision required is indicated in a written report prepared by the examiners. The examiners will also recommend the time available for the revision. Minor revision may be checked and approved by one examiner but major revision should be checked and approved by both examiners. If the resubmitted work satisfies the requirements, the student is awarded a grade 50%.
G8.2 If the resubmitted work still does not satisfy the requirements, then the Independent Scholarship/Research is confirmed as a fail. The offer of one further opportunity to re-take the module in its entirety (including a referral) is at the discretion of the Postgraduate Assessment Board, and will only be made if there are compelling reasons to support that decision. This may be subject to any additional requirements of relevant professional bodies or external agencies. It should be noted that the registration periods need to be considered before any offer of re-take is permitted (D11.4).
The Independent Scholarship/Research must be a new piece of work, and not revisions to the original and will be limited to the minimum pass mark of 50%.
There is no opportunity for a third attempt. In the event of a failure at G8.1 or G8.2, the programme leader* may advise the student to re-register for a lower award and to submit a revised version of the Independent Scholarship/Research towards this lower award.
G8.3 If a student for the master’s [MRes and MPr] or doctorate [DProf] awards fails to satisfy the examiners in the viva voce examination, they may require the student to undertake a second viva voce examination. In these circumstances the programme leader* will normally appoint an appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff to act as chair. If the second viva voce examination is also unsatisfactory [fail] then the student does not gain a pass in Independent Scholarship/Research for the registered award.
G9 Recommendations of the Postgraduate Assessment Board
G9.1 Following consideration of the evidence of student performance in assessment, an Assessment Board may recommend that the student should pass, or be referred, or be deferred or should fail a module. Where it is recommended that a student should pass a module, the Assessment Board will confirm the number of credits and the level of the credits to be awarded in respect of the module.
G9.2 It is important to note that marks for all assessment components will be considered at Assessment Boards, and only those marks will be accepted as the formal marks for the module. Students deferred or referred in named assessment components will be required to resubmit work for the whole component.
G9.3 Students who have qualified for the stage award at interim levels are entitled to progress to the next stage.
G9.4 The Assessment Board may permit a student who has been referred in one standard 20 credit module (or equivalent) in a stage to progress to the next. The student must redeem the failure in order to be awarded the qualification indicated at that stage. Students must complete the preceding award before they are eligible for the next.
G9.5 Profile indicating concern
If at any given time (normally at a meeting of the Assessment Board) a student has two or more standard modules (40 credits) in a referred/failed condition (that is failed and not yet redeemed), then the profile is regarded as indicating significant concern.
In these circumstances the Assessment Board may ask the programme leader* to issue a written warning to the candidate on behalf of the Board, expressing concern about the performance. The Assessment Board may wish to indicate the risk of termination of registration unless remedial action is effective within a specified timescale.
G9.6 Formal release of marks
The University will release module and award results on-line through appropriate student systems, currently College Student Centre. Students should therefore make themselves aware of publication dates as this will affect their rights under Section K4 Making an Appeal. These results might still be subject to ratification by an Assessment Board on behalf of Academic Board.
Students are expected to accept or reject referrals opportunities by the required deadline. Failure to do so may result in a referral examination not being scheduled.
G9.7 Results publication and notification
Students may view module results and classification outcome within the My Grades section of College Student Centre. At the end of each stage of the programme of study a Statement of Achievement will be available to every student to print from their College Student Centre. This will list all modules taken by the student which can count towards a postgraduate award, together with any modules (credits) approved through RPL thereby showing the total number of credits at each level achieved to date.
G10 Credit Structure, Stages and Awards for Postgraduate Programmes
For all awards, supplementary modules do not normally contribute to the accumulation of credits towards the stage award. The credit requirements for achieving a dual award are given in the programme specification, and will be greater in volume than for a standard degree awarded solely by the University of Derby.
G10.1.1 Credit Requirements for the Master’s Degree Programmes:
The minimum number of credits for each award are indicated in the tables below. Master’s degrees may be classified with Distinction or Merit for those students whose performance is outstanding (see Section G11).
| Stage | Award title | Credit requirements | Total credits per stage | Total credits overall |
|---|
| Stage 1 |
PG Certificate |
60 credits at Level 7 |
60 |
60 |
| Stage 2 |
PG Diploma |
60 credits at Level 7 |
60 |
120 |
| Stage 3 |
Masters MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, LLM |
60 credits at Level 7* |
60 |
180 |
May include up to 20 credits at level 6 in either stage 1 or 2 as validated in the programme specification.
*Normally including at least 60 credits from Independent Scholarship
G10.1.2 Credit Requirement for Integrated Masters
In order to qualify for the award of Integrated Masters students are required to gain 240 credits over level 6 and 7, subject to a minimum of 60 credits at level 6 and a minimum of 120 credits at level 7.
Step off awards, as detailed in G10.1.1 may be available for integrated masters if the programme design is suitable (B4.11).
| Stage | Award title | Credit requirements | Total credits overall |
|---|
| Stage 3 |
Integrated masters |
Minimum 120 credits at Level 7* and 60 credits at Level 6 |
240 over Level 6 and 7 |
*Normally including at least 60 credits from Independent Scholarship.
G10.2 Credit Requirements for the Master’s Advanced Diploma Programme
In order to qualify for the award of Master’s Advanced Diploma, students are required to gain 60 credits at level 7 from the third stage only of an existing master’s level award in a closely allied discipline. The student will have already satisfied the learning outcomes of the first and second stages.
| Stage | Award title | Credit requirements | Total credits per stage | Total credits overall |
|---|
| Stage 3 |
Masters Advanced Diploma* |
60 credits at Level 7 |
60 |
60 |
*Students who already hold a Master’s Degree may take Stage 3 only in a closely related discipline and qualify for a Master’s Advanced Diploma (MAdDip)
G10.3 Credit Requirements for the Master of Research Degree Programme
| Stage | Awards title | Contribution |
|---|
| Stage 1 |
PG Certificate in Research Training |
Research Methods 20 credits at Level 7; Research Skills modules: 40 credits at Level 7
Total: 60 credits |
| Stage 2 |
PG Diploma in Research Training |
Research Methods 20 credits at Level 7; Research Skills modules: 60 credits at Level 7; Specialist subject 20 credits at Level 6 or 7; independent research 20 credits
Total: 120 credits |
| Stage 3 |
Master of Research Degree |
Research Methods 20 credits at Level 7; Research Skills modules: 60 credits at Level 7; Specialist subject 20 credits at Level 6 or 7; independent research 80 credits
Total: 180 credits |
G10.4 Credit Requirements for the Master of Professional Practice Programme
| Stage | Award title | Contribution |
|---|
| Stage 1 |
PG Certificate in Professional Practice |
Independent Research into Practice: 20 credits Level 7 Research Skills modules: 40 credits at Level 7
Total: 60 credits |
| Stage 2 |
PG Diploma in Professional Practice |
Independent Research into Practice: 40 credits Level 7 Research Methods and Research Skills modules: at least 60 credits at Level 7; Work based professional practice: up to 20 credits at Level 7
Total: 120 credits |
| Stage 3 |
Master of Professional Practice |
Independent Research into Practice: at least 80 credits but not exceeding 120 credits at Level 7 Research Methods and Research Skills modules: at least 60 credits at Level 7 Work based professional practice: up to 40 credits at Level 7
Total: 180 credits
|
G10.5 Credit Requirements for the Professional Doctorate Programme
In order to qualify for the award of Doctor of Professional Practice [DProf], students are required to:
(i) Gain a total of 540 credits.
(ii) Achieve at least 420 credits at level 8 through Independent Research.
Achieve the remaining 120 credits at level 7, with the exception that up to 20 credits may be contributed at level (5 or) 6 where programme regulation permit.
(iii) No credits may be contributed from levels lower than level 5.
At least 60 credits at level 7 must be achieved in research skill, which encompass ethical and professional considerations, research planning, organisation, management, research methods and presentation.
G11 Determining the Overall Category of Master’s Degree Achieved
G11.1 Eligible awards for merit and distinction
The candidate must have passed all modules to fulfil the credit requirement of 180 credits.
Typically full Master’s awards are awarded with a category of pass, merit or distinction. The category is calculated using an average of the total of the level 7 credit marks achieved; the credit mark average.
Note; Some Postgraduate Awards maybe validated to be categorised as ‘Pass’ and graded between 100-50%.
G11.2 Calculation for Masters
The credit mark average is calculated by:
1. The credit mark is found by multiplying the percentage mark achieved in a level 7 module by the number of credits the module carries.
2. The credit mark average is calculated by totalling up the credit marks awarded for each module and dividing this by the credit value of the level 7 modules. The maximum number of credits used for this calculation will be 180.
- A credit mark average of 50%-59.99% will result in a Pass
- A credit mark average of 60%-69.99% will result in a Merit
- A credit mark average of 70% and above will result in a Distinction
Where the candidate has achieved more than 180 credits, the compulsory modules and the best results of the remaining modules are used. In the case of dual awards, where more than the number of credits expected at a level as stated in the programme specification has been achieved, the compulsory modules and the highest graded expected credits for the award will be used for the calculation.
G11.3 Calculation for Integrated Masters
For an Integrated Masters award the candidate must have passed all modules to fulfil the credit requirement of G10.1.2. The credit mark average required for the classification is calculated by:
1. The credit mark is found by multiplying the percentage mark achieved in a level 7 module by the number of credits the module carries.
2. The credit mark average is calculated by totalling up the credit marks awarded for each module and dividing this by the credit value of the level 7 modules. The maximum number of credits used for this calculation will be 180.
- A credit mark average of 50%-59.99% will result in a Pass
- A credit mark average of 60%-69.99% will result in a Merit
- A credit mark average of 70% and above will result in a Distinction
Where the programme specification requires an independent scholarship at level 7 this must be included in the classification.
The following table gives examples of programme structure and the modules required to calculate the award classification.
| Programme credit requirements - Level 6 | Programme credit requirements - Level 7 | Award classification - Level 7 - min 120* |
|---|
| 60 credits studied at Level 6 |
180 credits studied at Level 7 |
180 |
| 80 credits studied at Level 6 |
160 credits studied at Level 7 |
160 |
| 100 credits studied at Level 6 |
140 credits studied at Level 7 |
140 |
| 120 credits studied at Level 6 |
120 credits studied at Level 7 |
120 |
*Normally including at least 60 credits from Independent Scholarship
Where the candidate has achieved more than 180 credits, the compulsory modules and the best results of the remaining modules are used.
G11.4 Borderline credit mark averages
The borderlines are as follows:
- Pass to Merit: 58%-59.99%
- Merit to Distinction: 68%-69.99%
Where a candidate’s average credit mark places them in the borderline range between two categories, then the candidate’s performance in their Independent Scholarship will be given further consideration. The Independent Scholarship must be at level 7.
For the Pass to Merit borderline, if the candidate’s Independent Scholarship carries a mark of less than 60% then the candidate will remain in the Pass category. If the Independent Scholarship carries a mark of 60% or more then the candidate will move into the Merit category.
For the Merit to Distinction borderline, the same rules will apply with an Independent Scholarship graded at 70% or more moving the candidate into the Distinction category.
G11.5 Advanced Standing
Where a candidate registers on a programme with advanced standing, the method of calculating their final category will be as detailed in G11.2, G11.3 and G11.4 above. However, their average credit mark will be divided by the number of credits studied at the University of Derby rather than the full 180 credits of the programme.
G12 Preparation for Entry to Postgraduate Taught Programmes
Students who are required to enrol on preparatory modules, usually at levels 4, 5 or 6, are normally expected to complete these modules before progressing to Stage 1 of the postgraduate programme. However, the Assessment Board may use its powers of discretion to declare itself satisfied with the students’ participation and achievement in a preparatory module, and permit the student to progress without obtaining the formal academic credit.
The Assessment Board cannot withhold a postgraduate award to a student who has qualified for that award by accumulating the necessary credits on the grounds that a preparatory module has not been passed.