SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Marking Criteria
Pass marks
The pass mark for all work is 50%, and this must be achieved in each module
and the dissertation. 60% is a merit grade. 70% is a distinction grade.
You will be assessed on a very wide range of skills, and there is obviously no
single model of academic excellence. Nevertheless, tutors will be looking in
particular for evidence of the following abilities:
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Research excellence as evidenced in the quality of the material located
and selected.
The ability to produce clearly structured and coherently argued written
work.
Critical analysis of existing scholarly interpretations.
Analytical depth in evaluating primary sources.
The quality of your bibliographic and presentational skills.
Writing skills, as evidenced in the production of effective, thoughtful,
sensitive and interesting prose.
The academic commitment and engagement you bring to your chosen
topic.
Marking Criteria
MRes in the Humanities/ MA in Victorian Studies
DISTINCTION
PASS
FAIL
85-90%
Outstanding work showing an excellent understanding of the issues and
methodologies; original, independent thinking informs work based upon
rigorous argument accurately supported by evidence derived from a wide range
of source material; could not be bettered at Master’s level.
75-84%
Work demonstrating an excellent level of understanding of the issues and
methodologies; the work displays independent thought, and strong and
well-organised argument, using a wide range of sources.
70-74%
Work showing most but not necessarily all of the above, but deemed to be of
distinction level.
67-69%
Work demonstrating very good understanding of the issues and methodologies
at stake, with a good and well-organised argument accurately supported by a
standard range of sources.
64-66%
As above, though lacking the sustained critical judgement and the ranges of
sources and/or examples.
60-63%
As above, with some shortcomings but no fundamental errors.
57-59%
Work which shows a satisfactory grasp of the main issues, familiarity with the
basic reading, some minor errors and omissions of essential material. Faithful
reproduction of material without any significant critical judgement.
54-56%
As above, but less coherently organised/presented, with a tendency to lapse into
narrative or purely descriptive passages.
50-53%
Satisfactory, as above, but with a larger number of errors and/or the inclusion of
some irrelevant material, reflecting limited reading.
47-49%
Work which shows some understanding of some of the issues raised by the
topic, but the approach and conclusions are superficial and organisation is
muddled.
44-46%
As above, but with substantial omissions or irrelevant material, and limited use
of relevant material.
40-43%
Work/answer showing barely adequate and limited grasp of some of the issues,
poorly conceived and poorly directed to the topic set.
35-39%
First degree pass level: unsatisfactory, though may show skeletal grasp of some
relevant issues and necessary material and/or skills.
20- 34%
Work which is thoroughly confused, containing widespread factual error, and
reflecting little understanding of the subject/context; there may be gross
misconceptions which nevertheless show some evidence of an elementary grasp
of issues.
10-19%
Shows some evidence of having benefited from the course.
Zero
No work offered, or work which is totally irrelevant, fundamentally wrong,
orplagiarised.