Postgraduate final result calculation

How module marks are combined to give your final postgraduate result.

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Most postgraduate programmes calculate the classification based on a weighted average. There are some exceptions to this rule including MFA programmes, the programme specification details how the classification is calculated if it differs to this rule.

2021-22 Calculations – where no assessments took place in 2019/20 or 2020/21

Where a student began their studies in 2021-22 and no assessments took place in 2019/20 or 2020/21, the algorithm used for classifying is the overall weighted average based on all marks achieved for the programme.

Example Calculation 1 - 180 credit programme
ModuleCredit ValueResult
Module 1 30 76
Module 2 15 66
Module 3 15 62
Module 4 30 78
Module 5 60 72
Module 6 30 70

You must convert to twelve 15 credit marks and add together. This means you will have to use the 30 credit results twice or 60 credit results four times:

76 + 76 + 66 + 62 + 78 + 78 + 72 + 72 + 72 + 72 + 70 + 70 = 864

Divide the total by the number of marks:
864 / 12* = 72 (to the nearest whole number)

72 = Distinction

*If your programme is more than 180 credits you'll need to ensure you divide by the number of marks once converted to 15 credit marks.

2021-22 Calculations – where assessments took place in 2019/20 or 2020/21

Where a student was enrolled and originally studied their programme in 2019/20 or 2020/21, the algorithm used for classifying is the overall weighted average based on all marks achieved for the programme, excluding the marks for the weakest 30 credits.

Example Calculation 2 - 210 credit programme
ModuleCredit ValueResult
Module 1 30 76
Module 2 15 66
Module 3 30 62
Module 4 30 68
Module 5 60 66
Module 6 30 62
Module 7 15 64

You must convert to twelve 15 credit marks, excluding the marks for the weakest 30 credits, and add together. This means you will have to use the 30 credit results twice or 60 credit results four times:

76 + 76 + 66 + 62 + 62 + 68 + 68 + 66 + 66 + 66 + 66 + 64 = 806

Divide the total by the number of marks:

806 / 12* = 67 (to the nearest whole number)

*If your programme is more than 180 credits you'll need to ensure you divide by the number of marks once converted to 15 credit marks.

Final Outcome = 67 = Merit

Borderline Classifications

Boards of Examiners may give additional consideration to those students whose overall weighted average falls within 2% below the borderline between two classifications where they have obtained at least a third of all credits contributing to the calculation of the classification (to the nearest 30 credits) at the higher classification category, as set out in the following table:

Credits contributing to the awardCredits in the higher classification
180 60
210 60
240 90
360 120

Example Calculation 3 - 240 credit programme
ModuleCredit ValueResult
Module 1 30 76
Module 2 15 66
Module 3 15 62
Module 4 30 78
Module 5 60 72
Module 6 30 70
Module 7 15 64
Module 8 30 63

You must convert to sixteen 15 credit marks and add together. This means you will have to use the 30 credit results twice or 60 credit results four times:

76 + 76 + 66 + 62 + 62 + 68 + 68 + 72 + 72 + 72 + 72 + 70 + 70 + 64 + 63 + 63 = 1096

Divide the total by the number of marks:
1096 / 16* = 69 (to the nearest whole number)
*If your programme is more than 180 credits you'll need to ensure you divide by the number of marks once converted to 15 credit marks.

69 = Distinction - As there are 60 credits or more in the higher classification band and the weighted average is within 2% of the next classification band the classification is eligible to be raised to a Distinction.

Classifications

The Scheme of Classification
ClassificationAverage mark
Distinction 70-100
Merit 60-69
Pass 50-59