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Only two levels

Every degree programme that has courses at Levels 1 and 2 only has two weights associated with it. These are called w 1 and w 2. They denote the relative importance given to each course at Level 1 and Level 2 respectively. The weights are recommended by the relevant examination board but approved by Academic Board. The weights must always satisfy 0<w 1 < w 2; normally they must also satisfy 2w 1 < w 2 <6w 1.

Two levels; full course-units only

If the degree programme has only two levels and all courses are full course-units, then M is calculated by the formula

where:

D = 3w 1 + 7w 2
X = total of the marks on the best 3 course-units at Level 1
Y = total of the marks on the best 7 course-units at Level 2

Note that w 1, w 2 and D are the same for the whole degree programme; only X and Y change with each candidate.

Example of Rule
Suppose that w 1 = 1 and w 2 = 4. Then D = 3 + 28 = 31 and

Example of Candidate
Suppose that a candidate's marks are:

Level 1: 56, 71, 61, 64
Level 2: 83, 43, 32, 67, 52, 33, 47, 50

Then:

X = 71 + 64 + 61 = 196
Y = 83 + 67 + 52 + 50 + 47 + 43 + 33 = 375
X + 4Y = 1696
M = 1696 = 54.71
          31

Two levels; half course-units only

If the degree programme has only two levels and all courses are half course-units, then M is calculated by the formula

where:

D = 6w 1 + 14w 2
X = total of the marks on the best 6 half course-units at Level 1
Y = total of the marks on the best 14 half course-units at Level 2

Note that w 1, w 2 and D are the same for the whole degree programme; only X and Y change with each candidate.

Example of Rule
Suppose that w 1 = 1 and w 2 = 4. Then D = 6 + 56 = 62 and


Example of Candidate
Suppose that a candidate's marks are:

Level 1: 58, 41, 68, 55, 58, 53, 39, 28
Level 2: 59, 66, 76, 55, 56, 68, 55, 64, 66, 67, 50, 76, 88, 58, 78, 73

Then:

X = 68 + 58 + 58 + 55 + 53 + 41 = 333
Y = 88 + 78 + 76 + 76 + 73 + 68 + 67 + 66 + 66 + 64 + 59 + 58 + 56 + 55 = 950
X + 4Y = 4133
M = 4133 = 66.66
          62

Two levels; full and half course-units

If the degree programme has only two levels, and some courses are full course-units and some are half course-units, then either of the following procedures may be used. They should give the same answer.

(a) Count each full course-unit as two half course-units at the same Level and with the same mark. Then use formula for two levels; half course units only.
(b) Decide which are the best courses equivalent to 3 full course-units at Level 1, and the best courses equivalent to 7 full course-units at Level 2. Make allowance for the fact that it is possible for only half of a full course-unit to contribute to a total. Then divide all marks on half course-units by 2. Then use formula for two levels; full course units only.

Example of Rule
Suppose that w 1 = 1 and w 2 = 4.

Example of Candidate
Suppose that a candidate's marks are:

Level 1: 56, 70, 61, 64   full course-units
Level 2:   60, 57, 58, 63, 50, 60, 80  full course-units
   46, 70        half course-units

Then:

X = 70 + 64 + 61 = 195
Y = 80 + 70/2 + 63 + 60 + 60 + 58 + 57 + 50/2 = 438
X + 4Y = 1947
M = 1947 = 62.81
         31

If you have any queries about the way in which your final result is calculated, please contact your Departmental Examinations Officer.