39. Awards and Classification: Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Awards

39.1          A student will be eligible for their intended award where they achieve the necessary credit points as set out in the University’s credit framework (see section 3) and fulfil any other requirements for award as set out in the programme specification.

Exit Awards

39.2          If a student does not obtain the necessary credit points for progression or award following application of the academic regulations or chooses to withdraw from the University, the student may receive a lower exit award according to the credit points they have obtained.

Classification

39.3  The classification of a taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes), is provided below.

39.4   An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications.

An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

39.5   The classification of the award in relation to the overall taught component mark and the dissertation mark is as follows:

  • Award with Distinction          at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for Masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds*.
  • Award with Merit                  at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds*.
  • Pass                                    at least 50 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for Masters awards, at least 50 out of 100 for the dissertation.
  • Fail                                     49 or below out of 100 for the taught component overall or, where relevant, 49 or below out of 100 for the dissertation.

* Any higher threshold for classification should be detailed in the relevant student handbook

39.6   The classification of a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, where applicable, is as follows:

  • Award with Distinction          at least 70 out of 100 for the programme mark
  • Award with Merit                  at least 60 out of 100 for the programme mark
  • Pass                                    at least 50 out of 100 for the programme mark
  • Fail                                     49 or below out of 100 for the programme mark

Exceptions

  1. Where applicable, the classification of the award for programmes using the 5-point (A-E) scale should be reached by using a fixed mid-point for each grade where A = 75, B = 65 and C = 55. The same boundaries as in 39.3 will apply.
  2. See the specific regulations for the classification of degrees in the MA in Law