Masters obsession

[mrshiddleston69]

So I’m a single mum of two (11&5), currently pursuing a masters degree which my work is paying for. They’ve said as long as I pass that’s all that counts. But I’ve done very very well so far and I’m set to graduate with a distinction. I’ve only got my dissertation left to do and submit in September. Issue is I’ve just got a 58% in one Module ( pass is 50%) and I’m gutted. It will probably affect me getting a distinction now unless I get 70% or more on my dissertation. I feel like applying to have the mark removed to redo the assignment. The brief will be the same so I can just use the lecturers feedback to redo it but it will take up a lot of my time. I work full time as well…help

Well you aren't set to graduate with a distinction are you ?

I feel like applying to have the mark removed to redo the assignment.

That probably won’t be successful unless you have exceptional extenuating circumstances.

Could you ask for a remark to see if it could get a few more marks? I've just finished a degree ( retraining )and got a first in everything this year except one assessment, and it too has really annoyed me so I can relate. But, I know I did the best I could.
Ps I did masters years ago as and literally NO-ONE has ever enquired about the mark.

Can you speak to the course team (probably the administrator) to find out the award criteria?
some programmes will specify that you need to get a distinction across your modules plus a distinction in your dissertation to be awarded a distinction, but some might have other rules. As a PP said it’s unlikely you can just “apply to have the mark removed” unless you had extenuating circumstances, in the institution where I work this would likely be capped at the pass mark unless you had extreme circumstances affecting you. Once you know the award criteria, have a look at the weighting of the module marks vs the dissertation, and have a look at what mark you’ll need to get for your dissertation to see if it’s realistic. It’s great to aim for a distinction but you are a full time working single mum with young children and undertaking a masters at the same time is a MASSIVE achievement! Please don’t forget this!! I’m in awe of my students who do the same, and it makes me sad when they are disappointed not to get the top mark, as passing a masters under those circumstances should always be celebrated 🎉

At my university you wouldn't be allowed to apply for a remark. Marks are moderated and seen by an external examiner, before being ratified. You could use in-year reassessment to try to get a higher mark, but we don't allow this on Masters programmes. Have you checked your policies thoroughly and had a tutorial with your module lead?

Same with my university Read. Just thinking you deserve a higher mark doesn’t warrant a remark (or we’d be remarking all day). Depending on the criteria, one 58 shouldn’t prevent you getting an overall distinction. Even if you don’t get it you should easily get a merit. If you apply for a PhD (the only time your marks are likely to count), they will look at your transcript and one 58 in a sea of distinctions just looks like a blip (unless that topic is what you want to do your PhD in obviously). Good luck with your dissertation.

Thanks for all the comments ☺️ I will have a look into it but probably won’t go for a remark