Degrees
Determining Honours Degree classification
Examination Board decisions are recommendations only. Even if some are ‘as of right’, the University ultimately makes the award. In many cases (for example where students have a debt to the University, or an ongoing disciplinary case) the University can withhold the award – hence Board decisions can only be ‘recommended’
- Examples of calculations leading to an appropriate degree classification (as of right) are given in Appendix 2 (Example 5). Boards are reminded that any students who are placed not more than two percentage points below a classification borderline must be considered (with any special circumstances being noted). They, and any others with e.g. medical problems, may be raised to the higher degree classification by the use of discretion.
- For Undergraduates, all modules taken beyond Stage 1 contribute to the final degree classification. For Postgraduates, all modules contribute to the final degree classification.
- A candidate for an Undergraduate honours degree who is not awarded the degree may be eligible for either a Higher Education Diploma (Undergraduate Examination Convention S65) or a Higher Education Certificate (Undergraduate Examination Convention S67) or a Pass Degree (Undergraduate Examination. Convention S62).
- A candidate for an Integrated Masters degree who is not awarded the degree may be eligible for the award of a Bachelors Degree and also a Postgraduate Certificate (Integrated Masters Examination Convention R60)
- A candidate for a Masters’ degree who is not awarded the degree may be eligible for either a Postgraduate Diploma exit award (Postgraduate Taught Examination Convention T63) or a Postgraduate Certificate exit award (Taught Masters’ Examination Convention U66).
- All Boards of Examiners should use, first, the most recent regulations, but should ensure that students receive any benefit that they would derive from the application of the regulations that were in place when they first registered. Thus it may be, for a few students, necessary to perform two calculations: one under current regulations and one under the previous (appropriate) set.
Failing Performance by Honours Degree Students
Undergraduate Examination Convention R60
Integrated Masters Examination Convention R60
Supplementary notes:
- If a candidate for an honours degree is not awarded this degree, then one resit only of failed modules is permitted, normally in August of the same year and this will be for, at most, a third class Honours degree (see Convention 60 c (i)). The marks of the modules passed at the first attempt, and the marks at the second attempt, are the sole basis for the decision of the Board of Examiners; thus a candidate may produce a poorer performance than at the first sitting, but this stands.
- All pass marks obtained at resit must be set to 40 before any calculations of degree class are performed (Examination Convention P59), however, the actual resit mark must be available to the Board of Examiners.
- Do not forget that a failure of not more than 20 credits beyond Stage 1 does not affect the right to the award of an Honours degree (Examination Convention N51).
- The Board should be reminded that discretion can be used to award an Honours degree even if more than 20 credits beyond Stage 1 are failed. However, the class of degree need not be that indicated by the final average mark (which includes the failed modules), but whatever is deemed appropriate, in the exercise of discretion by the Board. So, for example, a student with a final average mark on the programme of 52, but with 30 credits failed beyond Stage 1, might be awarded a Third Class Honours degree (rather than the 2:ii implied by the average mark). The reasons for using discretion, resulting in the recommendation of a particular award, must be recorded.
- Template note from the Chair of the Board of Examiners to the candidate:
Preliminary Points:
1. It is recommended that in advance of the examinations, Chairs of Boards of Examiners circulate a note to all final year undergraduate students advising that they may be contacted shortly after the meeting of the Board about resits – that students should check their emails etc.
2. It is recommended that students be advised in writing of the matter - but a telephone conversation may be more expedient provided that the note/email has already been despatched
Dear XXX
On XXX, there was a meeting of the Board of Examiners at which your results were considered. The outcome of that meeting is that you have a choice as to how you wish to proceed.
The Board has determined that you currently have an entitlement to be awarded a Pass Degree. However, under University Examination Conventions you also have a right to resit some or all of the failed final stage modules on one more occasion (August). This may enable you to obtain an honours degree - but you should note that under University Regulations the maximum degree classification is a 3rd. In addition, you should note that your resit mark will be taken into account - i.e. if you perform less successfully in the resit you may no longer be eligible for a Pass degree. (Please see Undergraduate Examination Conventions at www.ncl.ac.uk/regulations for more information.)
It is important that you consider this matter carefully and advise whether you wish (a) to accept the Pass degree OR (b) to undertake resits.
If you elect to undertake resits then the Pass degree will not be awarded. If you elect to take the Pass degree then you will have no subsequent entitlement to take resits.
Please contact me as soon as possible if you wish to discuss this matter. Otherwise, you must advise me of your decision by XXX (suggest 14 days max - but consider Congregation deadlines, especially if your Board meets late). If I do not hear from you in that time, the Pass Degree will be confirmed.
Note - an alternate version on this may be possible – where the candidate has met the thresholds for an HE Diploma and may be able to resit to obtain a pass degree.
Examples of calculations that do not involve a resit at Stage 3 are given in Appendix 2, Examples 6, 7, 8 and 10; two examples describing resits at Stage 3 (under new regulations) are 9 and 11.
Failing Performance by Taught Masters’ Degree Students
Postgraduate Taught Examination Conventions M, N, T and U
Supplementary notes:
- A candidate who has failed modules up to the value of 40 credits (Masters or PG Diploma) or 20 credits (PG Certificate) of the taught element of the programme is permitted, as of right, one reassessment per module. The marks of the modules passed at the first attempt, and the marks at the second attempt, are the sole basis for the decision of the Board of Examiners (subject to c) below); thus a candidate may produce a poorer performance than at the first sitting, but the Board of Examiners should use the second attempt marks.
- A candidate who has failed their dissertation and has not failed more than 40 credits of the taught modules has the right to one reassessment of the dissertation.
- All pass marks obtained at resit must be set to 50 before any calculations of degree classification are performed (Examination Convention R56), however, the actual resit mark must be available to the Board of Examiners.
- The Board should be reminded that discretion can be used to pass a student in failed modules, however when discretion to pass modules is applied s/he shall be eligible as of right only for the award of a Pass. Discretion can alternatively be used to award a candidate a higher award than the class of award to which the student is entitled to as of right. The reasons for using discretion, resulting in the recommendation of a particular award, must be recorded (see Examination Conventions P54, 55).
Oral / Viva Voce Examinations
The terms viva and oral are often used interchangeably. However, it is suggested that the following terms should be used more consistently throughout the University:
Oral — language competence test, generally an oral examination in a second language. A mark is usually awarded for the assessment, and requirements to retake failing assessments etc. apply as in any other University assessment.
Viva voce (viva) - an overall assessment of the candidate’s performance. Normally, no mark is awarded for the assessment.
Undergraduate Examination Convention D25 applies. It should be noted vivas are no longer to be used, for any purpose, in Undergraduate programmes in the University.
Postgraduate Taught Examination Convention S62 applies. Any postgraduate student may be required to take a viva, at the discretion of the board of examiners, as a means of monitoring standards or for determining whether a higher classification should be recommended.
