Marking Scale - First and Second Levels

Within the School of History all work is assessed on a scale of 1-20 with intervals of 0.5. Module outcomes are reported using the same scale but with intervals of 0.1. The assessment criteria set out below are not comprehensive, but are intended to provide guidance in interpreting grades and improving the quality of assessed work. Students are advised that all continuous assessment grades are technically provisional until endorsed at the final Module Board with the External Examiner. Students should bear in mind that presentation is an important element of assessment and that failure to adhere to the guidelines set out in the School of History Style Sheet will be penalised.

Distinction 20.0 Exceptional work, displaying well above-average achievement; showing originality, independence of judgement, wide reading and deep thought.
19.5
19.0
18.5
18.0
17.5
17.0
16.5
High Merit 16.0 Very good work, with very positive merits in such matters as accuracy, comprehensiveness, intelligence of analysis and literary skills.
15.5
15.0
14.5
14.0
13.5
Low Merit 13.0 Good work, reasonable in such matters as comprehensiveness, precision, depth of analysis and expression.
12.5
12.0
11.5
11.0
Pass 10.5 Adequate work, showing some knowledge and understanding, but with deficiencies serious enough to suggest that grasp of the subject matter and of historical analysis is limited.
10.0
9.5
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.5
7.0
Fail (with the right to re-assessment) 6.5 Work displaying only minimal knowledge and understanding, failing to address the literature in depth and with a weak grasp of the subject matter and historical analysis.
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
Fail (without the right to re-assessment) 3.5 Work so weak as to indicate that only a nominal attempt has been made to complete the assignment, or that it displays virtually total confusion and misunderstanding of the subject.
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
Unclassifiable 0 No acceptable work presented.