GRADE DESCRIPTORS
Grade descriptors: encapsulate a level of achievement in relation to bands of marks. For
individual assignments they indicate how well the assessment criteria have been met.
Level 4 essays and exams
Coursework is marked according to the following schema:
0–29 Totally inadequate answer in all areas. Not relevant to the task and displays insufficient
evidence of understanding or knowledge.
30–39 Inadequate work that fall short in most areas. Of limited relevance to the task and
displays insufficient evidence of understanding or knowledge.
40–49 Poor work that falls short in several areas. Relevant to the task and shows basic
knowledge of facts, ideas and argumentation.
50–59 Satisfactory work that is competent in several areas. Relevant to the task and shows
good knowledge of facts, ideas and argumentation.
60–69 Good work that is competent in all or most areas. Treats the issues in a critical and
balanced way and shows an awareness of context, sources and different explanations.
70–79 Excellent answer in all or nearly all areas. Displays exceptional knowledge of the
subject, a clear well-organised argument and substantial evidence of independent thought.
80–100 Outstanding answer in all or virtually all areas, of a calibre far beyond what is
expected at this level. Contains substantial evidence of original and independent thought.
Undergraduate (Level 5 and 6) and Postgraduate Essays and Exams
Essays written for courses or during examinations are marked according to the following
schema:
0-29:
Totally inadequate work, which does not address the question and shows little or
no knowledge of the subject, and fails to deal with any of the issues.
30-39: Inadequate work, which says something relevant to the question, but does not
show much evidence of reading or an ability to develop a clear argument.
40-49: Poor work, which shows some knowledge of the literature and addresses the
question, but lacks organisation.
50-59: Satisfactory work, which shows an awareness of the major issues, shows
knowledge of the sources and of alternative approaches to the subject. Does not
show a clear understanding of alternative arguments and makes uncritical use of
sources.
60-69: Good work, which treats the issues in a critical and balanced way, and shows an
awareness of context, sources and different explanations.
70-79: Excellent work, which displays exceptional knowledge of the literature and/or a
substantial measure of originality.
80-100: Outstanding work in virtually all areas of a calibre far beyond what would be
expected at this level. Contains substantial evidence of original and independent
thought.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dissertations
0-29: A totally inadequate dissertation, which does not specify a research question, fails
to present an argument, is largely descriptive, shows little or no knowledge of the topic,
or its intellectual context, does not refer adequately to the relevant literature, fails to
follow an appropriate methodology, and is shoddily presented
30-39: An inadequate dissertation, which fails to identify a research question adequately,
does not present a clear argument, includes some relevant material, but does not evidence
of sufficient reading and is overly descriptive
40-49: A poor dissertation, which identifies a research question, states an argument,
shows some knowledge of the literature and addresses the question, but does not sustain
the argument, is overly descriptive, and lacks originality, sufficient knowledge of the
relevant literature, issues and debates, and organisation.
50-59: A satisfactory dissertation, which defines a research question adequately, makes
an argument, shows an awareness of the major issues, shows some knowledge of the
sources and of alternative approaches to the subject, but does not adequately develop or
sustain the argument, does not show a clear understanding of alternative arguments, and
makes uncritical use of sources.
60-69: A good dissertation, which offers a precise specification of the research question,
presents a clear and coherent argument that is well-substantiated by evidence, treats the
issues in a critical and balanced way, shows an awareness of context, sources and
different explanations, and achieves a high standard of presentation
70-79: A dissertation of distinction quality, which addresses a well-defined research
question, displays exceptional knowledge of the literature and/or a substantial measure of
originality, and achieves a high standard of presentation.
80-100: A dissertation of distinction quality, which is outstanding in virtually all areas of
a calibre far beyond what would be expected at this level. Contains substantial evidence
of original and independent thought.