Guidelines applying to all programmes
1. Award of marks for individual courses
1.1
The marking standards for all courses are the same as for College-based students of the University of London sitting equivalent degree examinations.
1.2
100, 200 and 300 courses are marked to the same standard. For degree classification and diploma grading purposes, however, 200 and 300 courses normally carry more weight than 100 courses.
1.3
The Examiners will determine a numerical percentage mark for each course attempted by a student based on the following scales:
| Degree Class equivalent | Diploma for Graduates | Diploma in Economics and Diploma in Social Sciences | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Honours | Distinction | Distinction | 70 - 100 |
| Upper Second Class Honours | Merit | Merit | 60 - 69 |
| Lower Second Class Honours | Pass | Credit | 50 - 59 |
| Third Class Honours | Pass | Pass | 40 - 49 |
| Fail | Fail | Fail | 0 - 39 |
2. Failed courses and resits
2.1
Students who are not eligible for award of the degree or diploma are required to make a further attempt at all failed courses (provided the maximum number of attempts has not been exhausted) on the next occasion that they take examinations, or to substitute a failed course with an alternative course where permitted in the relevant degree or diploma structure.
2.2
Although the maximum number of attempts permitted at an examination for any course or half course is three for the degrees, the Diploma in Economics and the Diploma in Social Sciences, and two for the Diplomas for Graduates, a student who is eligible for award of the degree or diploma will not be permitted to make any further attempts at any failed courses or to substitute any failed courses with alternative courses.
2.3
In all cases, marks are based on those obtained at the latest attempt at the relevant course.
3. Pairing of half courses
3.1
Half courses are paired and averaged (rounded up to a whole number) to produce marks for classification/grading purposes.
3.2
A fail in one half course of a pair counts as a half course fail in assessing the number of courses passed.
3.3
Each half course of a pair must either be passed or if one half course is failed, the overall result of the full course, once paired and averaged, must result in a pass, for a full course pass to be generated.
3.4
100 half courses cannot be paired with 200 or 300 half courses.
3.5
100 courses
Courses are paired according to the following criteria in the order given.
- Any two 100 half courses named together at one point in the programme structure (see Annex A) are paired.
- If both have been taken, ST104A Statistics 1 + ST104B Statistics 2 are paired.
- If both have been taken, MT105A Mathematics 1 + MT105B Mathematics 2 are paired.
- After the above criteria have been applied, any remaining 100 half courses are paired according to the marks awarded, as follows: the two half courses with the highest marks are paired, then the two with the next highest marks.
3.6
200 and 300 courses
Courses are paired according to the following criteria in the order given.
- Any two 200 or 300 half courses named together at one point in the programme structure (see Annex A) are paired.
- If there are precisely two half courses from any particular Selection group, these are paired. If there are more than two half courses from a Selection group, this rule does not apply to that Selection group and the criteria below are applied.
- If both have been taken, ST3133 Advanced Statistics: distribution theory + ST3134 Advanced Statistics: statistical inference are paired.
- After the above criteria have been applied, any remaining 200 or 300 half courses are paired according to the marks awarded, as follows: the two half courses with the highest marks are paired, then those with the next highest marks, repeating until all half courses are paired.
3.7
Degrees through the Standard Route only
If a student who has failed one half course of a pair is eligible for award of the degree, then the mark for that pair of half courses will be the average of the marks obtained. This may result in either a pass or a fail mark for the course as a whole. A half course fail will count on its own, along with any other fail marks, for determining the class band of the degree as a whole.
See 7.8 to 7.10 for how course and half course failures can affect the class band
3.8
Where an exemption has been granted for a half course of a pair, the mark for the pair will be the mark obtained in the half course taken.
4. Special circumstances
4.1
Consideration is given to students who experience difficulties immediately before or during the examination period, through illness or other adequate cause, provided these are supported by a medical certificate or other official documentation received within the time period specified.
Special circumstances for students NOT intending to complete their programme of study the same year
4.2
If, despite difficulties as described in 4.1, a student has attempted and passed his/her examination(s), the pass received will stand.
4.3
If a student has attempted but failed because of difficulties as described in5.1, and has provided documentation which is accepted by the Board of Examiners, the student may be given a result of Attempt not to count for that examination. The attempt will not count and the student will be allowed to take the paper again without academic penalty. The attempt will not count towards the maximum number of attempts permitted.
4.4
If a student has not attended an examination because of difficulties as described in 4.1, and has provided documentation which is accepted by the Board of Examiners, the student may be given a result of Absence certified for that examination. The attempt will not count and the student will be allowed to take the paper again without academic penalty. The attempt will not count towards the maximum number of attempts permitted.
4.5
Absence certified and Attempt not to count reflect decisions by the Board of Examiners that absence from or failure in an examination through certified illness or other adequate cause will not be counted as one of the permitted attempts. Future entries for these examinations will be treated as if they are resits. Students who receive a result of Attempt not to count or of Absence certified for a course which is a prerequisite for a 200 or 300 course may take the 200 or 300 course at the same time as retaking the prerequisite course provided all other prerequisites are satisfied.
4.6
Special circumstances for students entering to complete their programme of study the same year.
When a student enters an examination or examination(s) to complete their programme of study and experiences difficulties immediately before or during the examination period, and subsequently does not attend one or two examination(s) or attempts but fails one or two examination(s), the student should immediately inform the Examinations Office, and provide a supporting medical certificate or other official documentation received within the time period specified (see Section 4 of the Detailed Regulations). Provided the student has followed this procedure, the Board of Examiners will take the circumstances into consideration and may classify the student on the marks available. When reporting the special circumstances, students may also apply to receive an Aegrotat degree, subject to the Detailed Regulations, or to re-enter the examination at a later date.
