We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions relating to exams and transcripts.
The pass mark for an undergraduate module is 40%. If there is more than one element, you must have submitted assessment in all elements to pass, although you do not need to have achieved a mark of 40% in each element.
If you are undertaking an accredited programme there may be programme-specific regulations. This information will be provided in your programme handbook. It is essential that you make yourself familiar with the necessary requirements to pass each module you undertake.
You should contact the Module Leader if you have any problem with your mark. If they are unavailable you can either contact the Academic Registry directly, or log-in to Compass to log your query and this will be directed to the relevant people.
Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries | |
Faculty of Business Law and Tourism – Business programmes | |
Faculty of Business Law and Tourism – Law programmes | |
Faculty of Business Law and Tourism – Tourism programmes | |
Faculty of Computing Science | |
Faculty of Engineering and Advanced Materials | |
Faculty of Education – Social Science programmes | |
Faculty of Education – Culture programmes | |
Faculty of Education – Combined Studies programmes | |
Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing – Biosciences programmes | |
Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing – Nursing and Health programmes | |
Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing – Sport and Env programmes | |
Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing – Psychology programmes | |
Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing – Pharmacy programmes |
- Achieved at least 35% in the module concerned;
- Submitted all assessments for that module
- Has an average mark across all other modules at that Stage of at least 45%
Further compensation can be allowed at the discretion of the Assessment Board up to a maximum of 40 credits.
Some professionally accredited programmes may not allow compensation.
Compensation is not permitted on postgraduate taught programmes.
There are a number of reasons why the Programme Assessment Board may take the decision not to allow any further attempts at a module. For example you may have reached the maximum period of registration or had the maximum number of attempts at a module.
In some cases this might be due to insufficient academic progress or poor engagement with the programme. In these cases, the Programme Assessment Board may decide that it is not in your best interests to continue with your studies.
The column headed ‘Grade’ will say ‘R’, ‘RX’, ‘RM’, ‘D’, ‘N’, ‘NM’ OR ‘NX’ – this tells you element of assessment you need to retake. There may be times when you have one of these grades against an element of the module, but a passing decision against the overall module (i.e. you might not have achieved a pass mark in all elements of assessment but overall have a module mark of 40). If this is the case you do not need to repeat that element.
D Deferred
F Fail and Repeat Module with Attendance
FF Fail, Cannot Repeat Module
N Non- submission
NM Non-submission with Mitigation Accepted
NX Non- submission with Mitigation Rejected
P Pass
PA Pass via APA
PC Compensated Pass at Programme Board Level
PR Compensated Pass at Module Board Level
R Referred
RC Referred but Compensated at Component Level
RP Referred but Compensated at Component Level
W Withdrawn from Module
An Honours degree is awarded on the basis of a weighted mean average of the marks for the best 100 credits obtained at Stage 2 and the marks for the best 100 credits at Stage 3.
These averages are weighted so that the Stage 2 marks are worth 20% and the Stage 3 marks are worth 80%. A final mean average is obtained on the basis of this weighting and this determines the degree classification.
The Honours Degree classification bands are as follows:
First class Honours | 70% or above |
Second class Honours, Upper Division | 60% - 69% |
Second class Honours, Lower Division | 50% - 59% |
Third class Honours | 40% - 49% |
Where a result is borderline (48-49.99%, 58-59.99% or 68-69.99%), the higher classification will be awarded if sixty or more Stage 3 credits are at the higher level.
For a Masters degree students will undertake 180 credits. The classification is awarded on the basis of a weighted mean of all credits.
Distinction | 70% or above |
Merit | 60% - 69% |
Pass | 50% - 59% |
Where a result is borderline (58-59.99% or 68-69.99%), the higher classification will be awarded if the student's dissertation or project mark is at the higher level.
For students undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) the award will be classified as above. If a diploma or certificate (60 credits) is awarded as an interim award where the student was enrolled on a programme with an intended award of masters, this will not be classified.
To be awarded an Ordinary degree you will have passed 300 credits, with at least 60 credits at Stage 3. An Ordinary degree is not classified and is without honours.