Annex B - Assessment criteria
These guidelines reflect the standards of work expected at postgraduate level:
70+ as for (60-69%) below plus:
- Shows clear evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement with the conceptual
issues
- Develops a sophisticated and intelligent argument
- Shows a rigorous use and a sophisticated understanding of relevant source materials,
balancing appropriately between factual detail and key theoretical issues. Materials are
evaluated directly and their assumptions and arguments challenged and/or appraised
- Shows original thinking and a willingness to take risks.
60-69% as for (50-59%) below plus:
- Shows strong evidence of critical insight and critical thinking
- Shows a detailed understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues and directly
engages with the relevant literature on the topic
- Develops a focussed and clear argument and articulates clearly and convincingly a
sustained train of logical thought
- Shows clear evidence of planning and appropriate choices of sources and methodology.
50-59% (50% = pass mark):
- Shows a reasonable understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues involved
- Shows evidence of planning and selection from appropriate sources
- Demonstrates some knowledge of the literature
- The text shows, in places, examples of a clear train of thought or argument
- The text is introduced and concludes appropriately.
45-49%:
- Shows some awareness and understanding of the factual or theoretical issues, but with
little development
- Misunderstandings are evident
- Shows some evidence of planning, although irrelevant/unrelated material or arguments
are included.
44% or less:
- Fails to answer the question or develop an argument that relates to the question set
- Does not engage with the relevant literature or demonstrate knowledge of the key issues
- Contains clear conceptual or factual errors or misunderstandings.
