CRITERIA FOR GRADING LEVEL FOUR – HIGHER EDUCATION – BA (Hons)
Classification
Grade
Class 1
(Excellent)
70 and
above
Class 2/i
(Very Good)
Level Four
Problem Analysis/Definition
Excellent problem
analysis/definition, directly
relevant to brief or concept
defined and evaluating the
key points/priorities.
Considers related factors.
Analysis effectively employs
both convergent and
divergent thinking.
Level Four
Research
Evidence of an excellent body
of research for idea
generation, drawn from a
wide variety of sources.
Demonstrating evidence of
excellent evaluation, editing
and employment of research
in material outcomes.
Level Four
Critical Awareness
Excellent evidence of the
ability to interpret and
evaluate underlying concepts/
principles, exercising critical
judgement and structured
argument.
Level Four
Visual Quality/Resolution
Excellent and structured
presentation or visual and
material resolution,
demonstrating strong
familiarity with the use of
visual language and
materials, and clearly showing
evidence of an individual
approach.
Level Four
Innovation
Contains good independent
thinking. Begins to formulate
an independent critical
position.
Level Four
Technical Competence
A good solution to the design
problem. Demonstrating
broad levels of skill in all
aspects of production/
presentation.
60 to 69
Very good problem
analysis/definition. Relevant
to brief, isolating key points,
developing strategies and
employing both convergent
and divergent thinking.
Evidence of a very good
body of research for idea
generation, drawn from a
variety of sources.
Demonstrating evidence of
very good evaluation, editing
and employment of research
in material outcomes.
Very good evidence of ability
to interpret and evaluate
underlying concepts/
principles. Analysis related to
own work, demonstrating
clear and structured
argument.
Very good, structured
presentation/visual and
material resolution,
demonstrating familiarity with
the use of visual language
and materials, and showing
some evidence of an
individual approach.
Work which expresses a
personal position in broad
terms and demonstrates
critical engagement.
A good solution
demonstrating proficiency in
all aspects of production/
presentation.
Class 2/ii
(Good)
50 to 59
Good problem
analysis/definition. Key points
in the brief identified.
Strategies attempted,
employing some convergent
and divergent thinking.
Adequate body of research
for idea generation, with a fair
range of relevant material.
Demonstrating evidence of
good evaluation, editing and
employment of research in
material outcomes.
Good interpretation and
evaluation of underlying
concepts/principles with some
clarity and structured
argument.
Good presentation/visual and
material resolution,
demonstrating some
structure, familiarity with the
use of visual language and
materials, and showing some
evidence of an individual
approach.
Personal view is adequately
formulated, demonstrating
limited critical engagement.
Quite good solution, showing
proficiency in most aspects of
production/presentation.
Class 3
(Satisfactory)
40 to 49
Identifies some points in the
brief/concept defined and
addresses them, employing
some convergent and/or
divergent thinking.
Satisfactory use of a limited
range of research/idea
generation material.
Satisfactory evidence of
ability to evaluate ideas.
Limited evidence of analytical
skills and argument.
Satisfactory
presentation/visual and
material resolution,
demonstrating some
familiarity with the use of
visual language and
materials, and showing some
evidence of an individual
approach.
Personal view is not
adequately formulated, very
little critical engagement.
Satisfactory solution, showing
limited proficiency in main
aspects of production.
Borderline Fail
37 to 39
Very little relevance to the
brief/concept defined. Little
evidence of problem solving
or understanding of the brief.
Limited use of a narrow range
of research material for idea
generation.
Little evidence of the ability to
evaluate strengths and
weaknesses, leading to
inappropriate solutions.
Poor presentation/visual and
material resolution,
demonstrating little familiarity
with the use of visual
language and materials, and
showing little evidence of an
individual approach.
Derivative, no personal view
is adequately formulated.
Deficiencies in some of the
main aspects of production,
leading to unsatisfactory
solution.
Fail
Below 36
Irrelevant to the brief/concept
defined. Failing to identify
any key points of the brief.
Shows no understanding of
the problem to be solved.
Information from research is
inadequate and/or
inappropriate for idea
generation.
Inadequate, inaccurate and
inappropriate conclusions
drawn. No evidence of the
ability to evaluate underlying
concepts/principles.
Very poor presentation/visual
and material resolution,
demonstrating no familiarity
with the use of visual
language and materials, and
showing no evidence of an
individual approach.
Ideas copied without signs of
development. No evidence of
personal thought.
Evidence of lack of
proficiency leading to nonattainment of required
standard of production.
Level Four
Professionalism
Demonstrates excellent
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows full
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.
Demonstrates very good
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows very good
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.
Demonstrates good
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows good
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.
Demonstrates satisfactory
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows some
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.
Demonstrates limited
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows little
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.
Demonstrates no
understanding of the
discipline as a professional
activity, of its H&S
requirements, and of its
critical and contextual
dimensions. Shows no
awareness and understanding
of own strengths and
weaknesses.