Pass marks and degree classification
Degree classification is based on the marks from the four components weighted as outlined in section Assessments and examinations (Level 3) (Optometry), and is determined at a meeting of the Board of Examiners for a particular Degree Programme, with the External Examiner present to act as advisor and arbiter. The following numerical boundaries will be used as guidelines by the Board of Examiners in deciding your degree category:
- First class 70% and above
- Upper Second class 60% and above
- Lower Second class 50% and above
- Third class 40% and above
Please note, that there are additional criteria to be met in order to obtain a degree class commensurate with the final weighted average mark. In addition to obtaining a final mark within boundaries set out above, in order to obtain a lower second degree or above, 80 final year credits must have marks of at least 40%. To obtain a third class degree, 60 final year credits must have marks of at least 40%. Please read carefully the “Regulations for Undergraduate Awards” paragraphs 35-39 which sets out these criteria and those for the award of an ordinary degree. See http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=13147
N.B. The Board of Examiners will take into account the following points when deciding degree classification
- Where there are factors that may have adversely affected a student’s performance OR where a student is within 2% below a boundary, cases will be considered individually to determine whether the higher degree classification should be awarded. In deciding these cases the examiners will take into account such relevant evidence as exists to the student’s advantage and may be influenced by factors such as: the spread of the marks; the performance in core components of the programme; advisors’ reports; performance in earlier years; performance in elements of assessment that have either particularly low or particularly high class averages; medical or personal circumstances. External examiners will participate in this process and may include in the discussion their judgement of the academic aspects having reviewed examination papers and looked at students’ assessed work. External examiners may seek additional information derived, for example, from a viva voce examination (see paragraph vii below).
- The External Examiner plays an important role. He/she moderates examination question papers and reads student examination scripts and placement/project reports. Prior to the meeting of the Board of Examiners, the External Examiner may hold an Oral Examination (viva voce) for some or all candidates in a particular Degree Programme.
- To decide degree classifications for candidates whose average overall mark falls within 2% below the borders between degree classifications and who have accrued the necessary credits, and those who have an overall mark within a degree class but have failed to obtain the correct number of credits, mark review will be carried out. This is a two stage process. If you have marks in the next higher degree class over 80 final year credits then you will automatically be awarded the next higher classification. If you do not fall into this category, then mark review by viva voce will occur, as set out in “Regulations for Undergraduate Awards”Appendix A. You will be invited to attend a viva voce Some External Examiners also request to viva benchmark candidates for each degree classification and some other students (e.g. those with mitigating circumstances) may also be invited to attend a viva. It is your responsibility to find out if you are required to attend an oral examination and to be available on the appropriate dates, normally during the 2 weeks AFTER the end of the examination period, i.e. mid to late June. Performance in all examinations will be included in the deliberations of the Board of Examiners. A document explaining the viva voce can be found at https://www.intranet.ls.manchester.ac.uk/public/downloads.aspx?DocId=16218
- In reaching their decision on academic results, Examination Boards may take account of certain circumstances brought to their attention (for the University’s policy on mitigating circumstances please see Section 14.7.
Absence from any final-level examination will normally result in a zero mark being returned for that examination. There are no referrals. A candidate who is ill must follow the procedures indicated under ‘Guidelines on Ill Heath’ Section. However, students should make every effort to take the paper..