Masters Award - Your classification
For candidates on postgraduate programmes that award module
marks rather than module grades (i.e 63% rather than Merit)
Important Points to note about your classification

You must pass or be condoned in all modules in order to be considered for a
classification. It is therefore of the utmost importance that you try to attain the
best possible mark in all modules.

The Scheme Award Board has the discretion to condone failure in up to 30
credits. However, condonement can only be applied to non-core modules
where the module mark is at least 35%. As condonement is discretionary you
must try to successfully pass all modules in order that you eliminate the risk of
not being awarded a classification.

In order to be awarded the MA/MSc with Merit or Distinction the dissertation
must be within 2% of the required level (i.e at least 58% for the award of
Merit or 68% for a Distinction)
With this in mind, there are two possible ways to achieve a classification:
i.
Your Average Percentage Mark (APM)
The APM is derived from a mean average of all marks, reflecting the credit values of
each module. For example, a 60 credit dissertation is given three times the weight of
a 20 credit taught module.
Once your final APM has been derived, the following method is used for calculating
the classification:
APM
70-100%
60-69%
40-59%
Classification
Distinction
Merit
Pass
For example, a student with an APM of 61% (using the above calculation) would
automatically be awarded a Merit providing that the dissertation is within 2% of the
classifying band.
ii.
Your Profile
Should you miss out on a classification of Merit or Distinction under the APM rule you
will be considered for the higher classification on the basis of your profile of marks. At
least half of your counting credits must be at the recommended level in order to be
considered.
Please see the following examples for further clarification:
Example 1
Module
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Dissertation
Credits
20
20
20
20
20
20
60
Mark
62
59
63
54
55
56
61
In Example 1, the APM is 59%. However, as at least half of the counting credits
(including the dissertation) are at Merit standard, the MA or MSc could be awarded
with Merit.
Example 2
Module
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Dissertation
Credits
20
20
20
20
20
20
60
Mark
59
59
59
54
55
60
61
In Example 2, the APM is 59%. However, as only 80 of the 180 counting credits are
of merit standard, a merit could not be awarded.
Example 3
Module
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Dissertation
Credits
20
20
20
20
20
20
60
Mark
64
66
59
67
60
61
57
In Example 3, the APM is 61% and in excess of half the counting credits are of merit
standard. However, a merit could not be awarded as the dissertation mark is not
within 2% of the merit standard.
Should you require any additional information, please contact a member of the Assessment
& Awards Team at assessmentteam@edgehill.ac.uk or 01695 584 432