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 4) 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, as set out below.

 

Credit points achieved

Award

Taught units

Research unit

Overall

PG Diploma (in the programme)

120

0

120

PG Certificate (in the programme)

60-100

0

60-100

PG Diploma in [discipline] (research)

60-100

60*

120-160

PG Certificate in [discipline] (research)

0-50

60*

60-110

* Or higher credit point value in MRes programmes

Classification

39.3   A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

39.4   A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

39.5   The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

39.6   The classification of the award in relation to the overall programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

Note: the classification for a student who registered on a programme of study before 2024/25 will be calculated using the classification set out above and the methodology set out in the 2023/24 regulations, with the student receiving the higher classification, if any.

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 6 will apply.
  2. See the specific regulations for the classification of degrees in the MA in Law

Amendments for 2024-25: approved by University Education Committee, May and June 2024