Degree_Rules

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Degree Rules - 2011/12

This is a summary of the rules for degree awards.
More details can be found in the University document Rules forAwards.,

Credit Rules - Classification Average - Degree Classes - Borderline Cases

Credit Rules

The credit rules below refer to the credits you need to have passed by the end of your studies; they do NOT refer to how many credits you need to enrol on at each level. The number of credits you need to enrol on in each year at each level are explained in the Programme Catalogue where you will find any further requirements specific to your programme.

To obtain an MSc Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Statistics with Applications to Finance, Mathematics and Computer Science, or Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics, in addition to the specific programme requirements, you need to have passed

at least 150 credits in total, of which
at least 135 credits are at level 5.
Your overall classification average must be at least 5.0.

IMPORTANT !!! Your classification average is computed over ALL modules you were enrolled in, not only the ones you have passed. Credits with a higher level value can count ‘backwards’ towards lower level credits, but this cannot be done in reverse.

Classification Average

A student’s classification average takes into account ALL modules taken in the following way:

Module marks on the 0 to 100 scale are converted to marks on the 2.0 to 9.0 scale by a piecewise linear function as indicated.	0 and AB	is converted to	2.0 (This does NOTapply to marks given as a penalty for plagiarism.)
	30	is converted to	3.0
	80	is converted to	8.0
	100	is converted to	9.0

For MSc Degrees, the classification average is the average of all module marks on the 2.0 to 9.0 scale, weighted by the credits for each module.

Important!

Your classification average will be calculated as a weighted average over all credits you are enrolled in (apart from supernumery modules).

For MSc Degrees:

Classification Average	Degree Class
7.00 - 9.00	Distinction
6.00 - 6.99	Merit
5.00 - 5.99	Pass

Borderline Cases

Examiners’ Discretion

The final degree class is determined during an Examiners’ meeting including academic staff and external examiner(s). Examiners are empowered to use their discretion to raise a student’s degree class according to the following guidelines:

Borderline Discretion

If a student’s classification average is within

0.10 of the threshold for the next higher degree class for MSc degrees,

the examiners have the discretion to raise the student’s degree class, taking into account:

The external examiners’ comments on the student’s examination scripts and final year project or dissertation,
The student’s grade profile, including

the marks achieved at the higher level,
the number of credits achieved at the higher level,
the class averages and mark distributions of the modules taken,
the level of the modules taken,
the scaling applied to the student's module marks

Special Circumstances the student experienced during their studies can be taken into consideration.

Important Note on Borderline and Special Circumstances Cases

The degree class should be an assessment of the performance and achievement of the student on the programme. Special circumstances are only taken into account if they indicate that the student’s performance in examinations (and assessed coursework) does not accurately reflect the student’s actual achievement. A degree class is NOT meant to be an assessment of the level of achievement of which the student might be capable in better circumstances. This means that the examiners are unlikely to award the student a higher degree class unless the student has shown that he/she is capable of achievement at that level.

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