The 0-20 grading scale  –  Honours Physics and Astronomy

The University uses a 20-point Common Reporting Scale or module grades. The minimum grade for which credit for a module is awarded (i.e. a bare pass) is 7.0.

The University applies a common formula for the calculation of the award of Honours classifications. Degrees are classified using a credit-weighted calculation of grades achieved for Honours-level modules (3000-level and above) taken during an approved Honours programme. Details are published in the University's policy on Honours classification.

When the University runs the degree classification system, a credit-weighted mean grade of 16.5 over the appropriate (and all passed) honours modules will result in a first classification, independent of the median grade. Similarly, a credit-weighted mean grade of 13.5 is enough to result in an upper second, and 10.5 a lower second. These thresholds apply to the degree programme and are noted on the table below.

Thus, while 7.0 is a pass in a module and credit for the module will be awarded, achievement at just this level will not permit the award of a good Honours degree.

In the School of Physics and Astronomy, normal practice is to assess submitted work in terms of percentage marks, combine various components where needed, and then convert the final module percentage mark to the module grade by a mapping procedure. In Honours modules that include marks from both a module exam and continuous assessment, the overall mark is normally determined by the weightings given to these two components as published in the University's Module catalogue.

The current mapping scheme normally adopted by the School for converting percentage marks to grades at Honours level is as follows, and is different to the mapping used for our 1000-level and 2000-level modules.

Grade 5.0 corresponds to 25%, grade 7.5 to 38%, grade 16.5 to 74% and grade 20.0 to 100%. Between these fixed points, linear conversions apply.

Thus 36% is mapped onto grade 7.1, and 50% is mapped into grade 10.5. This is shown in a different (and approximate) form below, where the classification boundaries are shown for the credit-weighted mean grades over a complete honours programme. The credit gained, fail, and re-assessment boundaries are for a single module. In principle the module board, which includes the external examiner, has the authority to change the mapping for any module. However, we aim not to need to do so, and this happens relatively rarely.

Any grade followed by the letter "S" on a transcript indicates that the performance of the student in that module was affected by special circumstances, for example illness. A letter "D" on a transcript shows that the assessment has been deferred to a later time. A letter "Z" shows that the grade has yet to be determined.

 

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%	Grade	Comment		%	Grade	Comment		%	Grade	Comment
15	3.0			50	10.5	2II, threshold		85	18.0
16	3.2			51	10.8			86	18.1
17	3.4			52	11.0			87	18.3
18	3.6	no re-assessment		53	11.3			88	18.4
19	3.8	possible		54	11.5			89	18.5
20	4.0	re-assessment		55	11.8			90	18.7
21	4.2	possible		56	12.0			91	18.8
22	4.4			57	12.3			92	18.9
23	4.6			58	12.5			93	19.1
24	4.8			59	12.8			94	19.2
25	5.0			60	13.0			95	19.3
26	5.2			61	13.3	2II, top		96	19.5
27	5.4			62	13.5	2I, threshold		97	19.6
28	5.6			63	13.8			98	19.7
29	5.8			64	14.0			99	19.9
30	6.0			65	14.3			100	20.0
31	6.2			66	14.5
32	6.3			67	14.8
33	6.5			68	15.0
34	6.7			69	15.3
35	6.9	fail		70	15.5
36	7.1	credit gained		71	15.8
37	7.3			72	16.0
38	7.5	3rd, threshold		73	16.3	2I, top
39	7.8			74	16.5	first class
40	8.0			75	16.6
41	8.3			76	16.8
42	8.5			77	16.9
43	8.8			78	17.0
44	9.0			79	17.2
45	9.3			80	17.3
46	9.5			81	17.4
47	9.8			82	17.6
48	10.0			83	17.7
49	10.3	3rd, top		84	17.8

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