Determining degree classification

[Scottishthreeberry16]

Can anyone tell me how the degree classification would work in a 2 year MA with credits and grades for the following? What would be the overall percentage score:

Level 1
Module A (30 credits): 56%
Module B (20 credits): 66%
Module C (20 credits): 70%

Level 2
Module D (20 credits): 74%
Module E (30 credits): 74%
Module F (60 credits): 67%

You need to look up the rules for your programme, as level 1 and level 2 modules may be weighted differently.

If however they are weighted the same, then you took 180 credits in total, so work out module A x 30/180 plus module B x 20/180 and so on to get your final mark.

There will also be rules specific to your programme about rounding marks close to boundaries, i.e. if you get 69.x% what classification that becomes.

You really need to know the regulations for your university and its masters programmes. It'll be on their website somewhere. This stuff varies from one place to another so any of us would only be guessing.

Okay. Thanks. The levels are weighted the same. So Module A would be: 56 x (180 divided by 30)?

As the others have said. Do the maths according to your University's regulations. This is not a question for randoms on the internet.

Steadyon there. I only asked for help. No obligation to answer if you can't.

Other way up. Module A is 56x30/180

Im wondering what you're really asking, OP as its pretty obvious to a current student how their modules are weighted. Are you concerned about your results, or your current performance, for example? Are you asking for advice about how to improve a possible borderline result?

Your 3 x 20 credit modules are an average of 70% (60 credits). Your 2 x 30 credit modules are an average of 65% (again 60 credits) and your 1 x 60 credit module was awarded 67%. So your overall average mark is (65+70+67)/3 = 67%

I've looked everywhere and can only find information regarding the individual modules being 20, 30 or 60 credits, nothing with respect to whether they are weighted between levels 1 and 2.

I'm just trying to work out what classification I'll get - and whether it's possible the board could bump up the grade into a distinction (70%). From what I've seen, 68/69 could be bumped up but not 67 - but that's assuming that levels 1 and 2 are equally weighted. I guess they are if it doesn't say anything to say they are variously weighted.

Thanks Titchy

67% surely can't 'round up' to 70% It's nowhere near.

67% surely can't 'round up' to 70% It's nowhere near.

Unfortunately, it sometimes can... Many universities set very liberal criteria for upgrading degree classifications, which is usually pitched as being in the students' interest but imo is more motivated by the fact that the proportion of "good" degrees (1sts and 2.1s) forms part of league table rankings. Departments have to follow these criteria at exam boards, no discretion allowed.

For instance, my current and past universities (research intensive / Russell Group) have had similar rules. Anyone with 67% or higher (typically based on a weighted average of 2nd and 3rd year marks) would be upgraded to a 1st class degree if the majority of their credits in final year were at 1st class level. Similarly, 57% can get upgraded to a 2.1.

I think it's a terrible idea. It contributes to grade inflation and devalues degrees over time. 10-15 years ago, roughly half of students in my field graduated with 2.1 or better and half with 2.2 or worse. Now, it's not unusual for 70% to graduate with 2.1 or better, and it's not because the quality of work has improved. I tend to view 2.1s with suspicion these days when evaluating PhD candidates, etc. - unless I see individual marks on a degree transcript, they might be great and academically strong enough for requirements, but then again they might not be.

When I graduated, I missed a 1st by 0.5% overall, in that my grade average was 69% and had it been 69.5% they would have upped it to 70%. They said if my dissertation had got a mark 1% higher, it would have been enough to do it, but they'd marked it, given it the grade it deserved, and got it externally moderated to double check themselves as it was so crucial for my classification. That's integrity.