Title: Assessment Policy Annex 2 Grade
Criteria
Document Type: Policy
Location: Academic Handbook Section 2O
Version: 2.0
Publication date: August 2015
Author: Academic Services
Approved by: ASDC
Last updated: July 2014
Section 2O: Annex 2
Annex 2: Generic Grading and Classification Criteria: Undergraduate and Postgraduate
1.
The grading/classification criteria presented in this Annex are matched to the
expectations and requirements represented in the University’s generic level descriptors
contained in Annex 1 of the Academic Framework and corresponding to the Quality Assurance
Agency Framework for Higher Education Qualifications award descriptors for Levels 3 - 7.
2.
The criteria are generic and should, therefore, be used with reference to the
appropriate QAA subject benchmark statements, to the intended learning outcomes
statements within the programme specification of the specific course and level being
assessed, and/or the intended learning outcomes for the specific unit or individual assessment
element.
3.
The criteria are intended to ensure consistency in the marking and classification of the
University’s awards, in accordance with Higher Education standards, while allowing for the
appropriate exercise of academic judgement in respect of subject or discipline expectations
and requirements.
4.
These generic criteria are designed to provide guidance for:
i.
Students in interpreting the marks or classification they are awarded and feedback
provided by tutors;
ii.
Staff in developing and applying marking criteria or marking schemes for individual
assessments;
iii.
Internal and external examiners and assessors in determining and verifying the marks
and classifications awarded; and
iv.
Employers or other interested parties in understanding the level of achievement
represented by the marks or classifications awarded.
2O.19
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND A1 and A2
• Accurately recounts a wide range of
factual information, with many indications
of greater breadth and depth of knowledge,
beyond expectations for this level;
• Information always relevant and drawn
from a wide range of sources, many of them
independently identified;
• Organisation of information is
exceptionally logical and convincing for
work at this level;
• Demonstrates an understanding of the
principles, terms, concepts, theories and
practices within the subject/discipline that
substantially exceeds expectations for the
level in many aspects.
• Selects appropriate methods from a range
well beyond that given, and may adopt or
refine a method to extend the analysis;
• Analysis of issues/problems, including
some that are unpredictable or loosely
defined is exceptional for this level;
• Demonstrates outstanding ability to apply
learning in less familiar contexts/situations.
The work produced is exceptional in most/all aspects, substantially exceeding expectations for this level.
Knowledge and
● Exceptional breadth and depth for work at
this level;
● Explores and evaluates information/ideas
from a wide range of sources (may include
primary sources);
● Excellent understanding of
concepts/theories (some of them abstract)
and/or current practice, and several of their
applications and implications.
Understanding
● Exceptional breadth and depth;
● Exemplary exploration and evaluation of
information/ideas from an extensive range
of sources, including primary sources (may
be at the forefront of knowledge/practice);
● Highly developed critical understanding of
abstract concepts, theories and/or cuttingedge practice, their implications and
applications.
Cognitive Skills
● Selects and applies appropriate methods
● Applies and refines appropriate methods
to address/solve complex and often
to address/solve complex, unfamiliar and
unfamiliar and unpredictable problems;
unpredictable problems;
● Exceptional judgement in selection,
● Exceptional critical judgement in analysis,
analysis and evaluation of information and
evaluation and reformatting of information
application of learning to different contexts; and application of prior learning in differing
contexts;
● Excellent investigative skills generate
well-founded and evidenced
● Excellent investigative skills, and research
skills beyond expectations for this level;
conclusions/practical solutions.
● Creative/original conclusions or practical
solutions are convincingly
justified/argued/evidenced.
2O.20
● Exceptional depth in breadth;
● Contributes new knowledge to the
subject/field of practice;
● Exemplary exploration and critique of
information/ideas from a comprehensive
range of sources (primary & secondary),
many at the forefront of
knowledge/practice;
● Advanced critical understanding of
abstract concepts, theories and/or cuttingedge practice, their implications and
applications, exceeds expectations for
undergraduate work.
● Designs methods that convincingly
address/solve complex, unfamiliar and
unpredictable issues/problems;
● Exceptional critical judgement in analysis,
evaluation, synthesis and
application/transformation of prior
knowledge to differing contexts;
● Systematic and extensive research which
exceeds expectations for undergraduate
work;
● Creative/original/compelling conclusions
or practical solutions; convincingly
justified/argued/evidenced.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND A1 and A2
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks is
exemplary, in many instances showing
independence, capacity and initiative
beyond expectations for this level.
• Presentation of information and data is
outstanding in its clarity, accuracy, stylistic
appropriateness and consistency of
referencing, with evidence of
ability/creativity beyond expectations for
this level;
• Demonstrates exceptional ability in
independent and group working, generating
outstanding outcomes/contributions;
• Exercise of reflection and self-critical
evaluation is exceptionally insightful and
sustained and beyond expectations for this
level.
The work produced is exceptional in most/all aspects, substantially exceeding expectations for this level.
Practical and Professional Skills
● Competence in all the required specialised ● Consistent competence, within broad
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
parameters, in all the required specialised
work-related skills exceeds expectations for
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
this level.
work-related skills, with indications of
exceptional ability in some and
understanding of professional contexts and
expectations.
Transferable
● Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and lucid communication in all
contexts;
● Exemplary referencing/citation;
● Work demonstrates independence and
initiative beyond level expectations, setting
objectives and taking responsibility for
outcomes;
● Evidences developed team-working and
indications of leadership ability;
● Critical reflection/self-evaluation
exceptional for this level.
and Key Skills
● Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and lucid communication in all
contexts;
● Exemplary referencing/citation;
● Work demonstrates autonomy and
initiative in setting challenging objectives
and taking accountability for outcomes;
● Evidences sustained team-working and
clear leadership skills;
● Critical reflection and self-evaluation
sustained and exceptionally insightful.
2O.21
● Consistent high-level competence in all
the required specialised practical,
technical, creative, scholarly or workrelated skills, with mastery in many areas
and developed understanding of professional
contexts and expectations.
● Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and fluent communication in all
contexts;
●Exemplary referencing/citation;
●Work demonstrates considerable initiative
and autonomy in setting challenging
objectives and taking accountability for
outcomes;
● Evidences advanced team-working and
leadership skills;
● Critical reflection and self-evaluation
sustained and exceptionally insightful.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND A3 and A4
• Accurately recounts a wide range of
factual information with several indications
of greater breadth and some depth of
knowledge;
• Information consistently relevant and
drawn from a wide range of sources, some
of which are independently identified;
• Organisation of information is consistently
logical and convincing;
• Demonstrates an understanding of the
principles, terms, concepts, theories and
practices within the subject/discipline that
exceeds expectations for the level in several
aspects.
• Selects from given methods appropriately,
often going beyond the given, and applies
these systematically to analyse
issues/problems, several of which are not
closely defined;
• Ability to apply learning in less familiar
contexts/situations exceeds expectations for
this level in some aspects.
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks is
excellent and shows independence, capacity
and initiative beyond expectations for this
level in several instances.
The work produced is of excellent quality, exceeding expectations for this level in many aspects.
Knowledge and
● Accurate and coherent in breadth, with
depth in many areas;
● Explores and deploys information from a
wide range of mostly secondary sources ;
● Thorough understanding of concepts and
theories (some of them abstract) and/or
current practice, and some of their
implications and applications.
Understanding
● Accurate and coherent in breadth, with
depth in most areas;
● Explores and evaluates information from a
wide range of sources, both primary &
secondary (some may be at the forefront of
knowledge/practice);
● Developed understanding of abstract
concepts, theories and/or current practice
and several of their implications and
applications.
● Accurate and coherent in breadth and
depth and generates an element of new
knowledge in some aspect(s) of the
subject/field;
● Explores and critiques information from a
wide range of sources (primary &
secondary), some at the forefront of
knowledge/practice;
● Excellent understanding of abstract
concepts, theories and/or cutting-edge
practice; their implications and applications
Cognitive Skills
● Applies appropriate methods to
● Selects and applies appropriate methods
address/solve complex issues/problems,
to address/solve complex, unfamiliar and
some unfamiliar/unpredictable;
unpredictable issues/problems;
● Exercises judgement in selection, analysis
● Critical judgement in analysis, evaluation
and evaluation of information and
and reformatting of information and
application of learning to a different
application of prior learning in different
context;
contexts;
● Thorough investigation generates well● Systematic and thorough investigation
founded conclusions/practical solutions.
generates well-founded
conclusions/practical solutions showing
some originality or creativity.
● Applies and refines appropriate methods
to address/solve complex, unfamiliar and
unpredictable issues/problems;
● Sustained critical judgement in analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information and
application/transformation of prior learning
in different contexts;
● Systematic and extensive research;
● Insightful conclusions/ practical solutions
closely argued/evidenced showing
originality and creativity in several aspects.
Practical and Professional Skills
● Competence in all the required specialised ● Competence, within broad parameters, in
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
all the required specialised practical,
work-related skills, exceeds expectations for technical, creative, scholarly or workthis level in some aspects.
related skills, exceeds level expectations in
some aspects and shows awareness of
professional contexts and expectations.
● Consistent competence in all the required
specialised practical, technical, creative,
scholarly or work-related skills, with
indications of mastery in some areas and
clear understanding of professional contexts
and expectations.
2O.22
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND A3 and A4 The work produced is of excellent quality, exceeding expectations for this level in many aspects.
Transferable and Key Skills
• Clarity, style and format of presentation
of information and data is excellent, with
consistently accurate referencing;
• Works independently with minimal
guidance and support; group working
excellent, with some contributions beyond
expectations for this level;
• Exercises self-critical reflection to
evaluation own strengths and weaknesses,
generating many critical insights.
●Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and lucid communication in most
contexts;
● Extensive, accurate referencing/citation;
● Work demonstrates independence and
some initiative in setting objectives and
taking responsibility for outcomes;
● Evidences developed team-working skills;
● Reflection and self-evaluation often
critical and insightful.
● Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and lucid communication in most
contexts;
● Referencing/citation comprehensive;
● Work demonstrates independence and
some initiative in setting challenging
objectives and taking accountability for
outcomes;
● Evidences developed team-working and
some leadership skills;
● Reflection and self-evaluation frequently
critical and insightful.
2O.23
● Excellent presentation and organisation of
work and fluent communication in most
contexts;
● Referencing/citation comprehensive;
● Work demonstrates initiative and
autonomy in setting challenging objectives
and taking accountability for outcomes;
● Evidences excellent team-working and
leadership skills;
● Reflection and self-evaluation consistently
critical and insightful.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND B1,B2, B3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in several of them.
• Accurately recounts a range of factual
information, with occasional indications of
greater breadth of knowledge;
• Relevant information drawn from a wide
range of sources is organised logically and
clearly;
• Recognises and demonstrates clear
understanding of the key principles, terms,
concepts, theories and practices within the
discipline/field.
• Selects from given methods appropriately,
occasionally going beyond the given, and
applies these to analyse issues/problems,
some of which are not closely defined;
• Evidences ability to apply learning in less
familiar contexts/situations.
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks is
accurate and sometimes shows elements of
independence and capacity beyond
expectations for this level.
Knowledge and
● Accurate in breadth, with depth in several
areas;
● Locates and organises a wide range of
information/evidence;
● Clear understanding of concepts and
theories (some of them abstract) and/or
practice and some of their implications and
applications.
Understanding
● Accurate in breadth, with depth in many
areas;
● Locates and explores a wide range of
information/evidence with some use of
primary sources;
● Thorough understanding of abstract
concepts, theories and/or current practice
and some of their implications and
applications.
Cognitive Skills
● Uses appropriate given methods to address ● Applies appropriate methods to
complex issues/problems, some
address/solve complex issues/problems,
unfamiliar/unpredictable;
some unfamiliar/unpredictable;
● Exercises judgement in selection and
● Largely consistent and critical judgement
analysis of information, with some
in analysis, evaluation and reformatting of
evaluation, and application of learning in a
information and application of prior learning
different context;
in different contexts;
● Investigation generates well-founded
● Thorough investigation generates wellconclusions/practical solutions.
founded conclusions/practical solutions with
some aspect of creativity or originality.
Practical and Professional Skills
● Competently uses all the required
● Competence, within broad parameters, in
specialised practical, technical, creative,
all the required specialised practical,
scholarly or work-related skills, with
technical, creative, scholarly or workindications of more developed ability in
related skills, with indications of more
some areas.
developed ability in some areas and an
awareness of professional contexts and
expectations.
2O.24
● Accurate and coherent in breadth, with
depth in most areas;
● Explores and deploys information,
including some aspects of new knowledge,
from a wide range of secondary and several
primary sources;
● Thorough understanding of abstract
concepts, theories and/or cutting-edge
practice and several of their implications
and applications.
● Selects and applies appropriate methods to
address/solve complex,
unfamiliar/unpredictable issues/problems;
● Largely consistent and critical judgement
in analysis, evaluation and synthesis of
information and application/transfer of prior
learning in different contexts;
● Effective and wide-ranging research;
● Conclusions/practical solutions logically
argued/evidenced, with some aspect of
insight, creativity or originality.
● Competence in all the required specialised
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
work-related skills, with indications of more
developed ability in some areas and
awareness of professional contexts and
expectations.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND B1, B2, B3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in several of them.
• Presentation of information and data is
consistently clear and appropriate in style
and format, with accurate referencing;
• Works independently with occasional
guidance and support; group working is
responsible and effective;
• Identification of own strengths and
weaknesses shows ability to respond to
criteria and given evaluations/feedback,
with some critical insights.
Transferable
● Presentation and organisation of work
appropriate to context and purpose,
communication clear;
● Referencing consistent and accurate;
● Work demonstrates independence in
setting some objectives beyond those given
and taking responsibility for outcomes;
● Evidences a high level of team-working
skills;
● Reflection generates a number of critical
insights.
and Key Skills
● Presentation and organisation of work
appropriate to context and purpose,
communication clear;
● Referencing/citation consistent and
accurate;
● Work demonstrates independence and
occasional initiative in setting objectives
beyond those given and taking accountability
for outcomes;
● Evidences a high level of team-working and
some leadership skills;
● Sustained reflection and self-evaluation
generates a number of critical insights.
2O.25
● Presentation and organisation of work
appropriate to context and purpose,
communication clear;
● Referencing/citation consistent and
accurate;
● Work demonstrates some initiative and
autonomy in setting objectives beyond those
given and taking accountability for
outcomes;
● Evidences a high level of team-working and
leadership skills;
● Sustained reflection and self-evaluation
generates a number of critical insights.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND C1, C2, C3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in some of them.
• Satisfactory range of factual information
accurately recounted;
• Relevant information drawn from
appropriate range of sources is clearly
organised;
• Recognises and demonstrates basic
understanding of the key principles, terms,
concepts, theories and practices within the
discipline/field.
• Selects appropriately from the range of
given methods and applies them to generate
satisfactory analyses of defined
problems/issues;
• Applies learning to produce a satisfactory
response to a less familiar context/
situation.
Knowledge and
● Accurate, with depth in some aspects;
● Locates and organises a satisfactory range
of information/evidence, some of it beyond
the given/familiar;
● Satisfactory understanding of the relevant
concepts, theories and/or practice;
● Shows some ability to deal with unfamiliar
and abstract ideas.
Understanding
● Accurate, with depth in several aspects;
● Locates and organises a satisfactory range
of information/evidence, with limited use of
primary sources;
● Satisfactory understanding of the relevant
concepts, theories and/or practice and their
main implications and applications;
● Understanding of more abstract aspects
sometimes less developed.
Cognitive Skills
● Uses given methods to analyse
● Uses appropriate (largely given) methods
issues/problems, some
to analyse unfamiliar/unpredictable and
unfamiliar/unpredictable and complex;
complex issues/problems, with some
● Satisfactory selection and analysis of
evaluation and reformatting of information;
information, with little evaluation;
● Applies some aspects of prior learning to
● Applies some aspect of learning in a
different contexts;
different context;
● Investigation generates satisfactory
conclusions/practical solutions with limited
creativity/originality.
● Accurate, with depth in many aspects;
● Locates and explores a satisfactory range
of information/evidence, with some use of
primary sources;
● Satisfactory understanding of the relevant
concepts, theories and/or practice and their
main implications and applications;
● Understanding of more abstract aspects
sometimes less developed.
● Uses appropriate (often given) methods to
analyse complex/ unfamiliar and/or
unpredictable issues/problems, with some
evaluation and synthesis of information;
● Applies some aspects of prior learning to
new contexts;
● Satisfactory research;
● Mostly relevant argument/evidence
supports logical conclusions/practical
solutions showing some critical insight and
limited creativity or originality.
Practical and Professional Skills
2O.26
Academic Services
July 2014
• Accurately performs set creative, creative,
practical, technical, work-related or
scholarly tasks, under appropriate levels of
supervision and guidance.
Level 3
● Competently uses all of the required
specialised practical, technical, creative,
scholarly or work-related skills, with more
developed capability in at least one area.
● Achieves a basic level of competence in all
the required specialised practical, technical,
creative, scholarly or work-related skills,
with more developed capability in at least
one area and an awareness of professional
contexts and expectations.
● Achieves a basic level of competence in all
the required specialised practical, technical,
creative, scholarly or work-related skills,
with more developed capability in at least
one area, and some awareness of
professional contexts and expectations.
Level 5
Level 6
Level 4
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND C1, C2, C3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in some of them.
• Presentation of information and data is
clear, in a satisfactory format and style,
with accurate referencing;
• Works independently with guidance and
support and demonstrates satisfactory
responsibility in group tasks;
• Identification of own strengths and
weaknesses is satisfactory in response to
given criteria and evaluations/feedback.
Transferable
● Satisfactory organisation and presentation
of work, communications mostly appropriate
to the context/purpose;
● Referencing mostly consistent/accurate;
● Work demonstrates satisfactory
independence in addressing objectives and
taking responsibility for outcomes;
● Evidences satisfactory team-working skills;
● Satisfactory reflection with some insights.
and Key Skills
● Satisfactory organisation and presentation
of work, communications mostly appropriate
to the context/purpose;
● Referencing/citation largely
consistent/accurate;
● Work demonstrates satisfactory
independence in addressing objectives (some
beyond those given) and taking responsibility
for outcomes;
● Evidences team-working and basic
leadership skills;
● Satisfactory self-evaluation and reflection
with some critical insights.
2O.27
● Satisfactory organisation and presentation
of work, communications mostly appropriate
to the context/purpose;
● Referencing/citation largely
consistent/accurate;
● Work demonstrates satisfactory
independence in addressing objectives (some
beyond those given)and taking responsibility
for outcomes;
● Evidences team-working and some
leadership skills;
● Satisfactory self-evaluation and reflection
with some critical insights.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND D1, D2, D3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes at, but rarely exceeding the threshold expectations for this level.
• Acceptable range of factual information
largely accurately recounted;
• Mostly relevant information drawn from an
adequate range of sources;
• Organisation of information is generally
clear;
• Recognises the basic principles, terms,
concepts, theories and practices within the
subject/field.
• Selects a limited set of given methods from
the available range;
• Application of method largely appropriate
• Analysis is adequate when dealing with
well-defined issues/problems;
• Tendency to description and reliance on
familiar approaches;
• Limited application of learning to address a
less familiar context/situation.
Knowledge and
● Largely accurate across most areas, with
limited depth;
● Locates and organises an acceptable range
of information/evidence mostly from
given/familiar secondary sources;
● Adequate understanding of the main
concepts, theories and/or practice;
● Engagement with abstract/unfamiliar ideas
or implications and applications is slight.
Understanding
● Largely accurate across most areas, with
limited depth;
● Locates and organises an acceptable range
of information/evidence often from
given/familiar secondary sources;
● Adequate understanding of the main
concepts, theories and/or practice;
● Limited ability to deal with abstract or
unfamiliar ideas and their implications and
applications.
Cognitive Skills
● Analysis using given methods is adequate;
● Uses appropriate given methods to analyse
● Limited ability to apply learning to
unfamiliar/unpredictable issues/problems,
complex, unfamiliar or unpredictable
with limited evaluation;
contexts/issues;
● Limited application of prior learning to
●Tendency to description and reliance on
new contexts;
familiar/given material or approaches.
● Tendency to description and reliance on
familiar/given material or approaches;
● Basic investigation generates adequate,
mainly derivative conclusions/practical
solutions, adequately argued/evidenced.
● Largely accurate across most areas, with
limited depth;
● Locates and organises an acceptable range
of information/evidence often from
given/familiar secondary sources;
● Adequate understanding of the main
concepts, theories and/or practice;
● Limited ability to deal with abstract or
unfamiliar ideas and their implications and
applications.
● Uses appropriate methods to analyse
complex issues/problems, with little
evidence of evaluation or synthesis;
● Limited transfer/application of prior
learning to new contexts;
● Tendency to description and reliance on
familiar/given material or approaches;
● Limited range of research;
● Few conclusions/practical solutions
sparsely argued/evidenced, mainly
derivative and with little critical insight.
Practical and Professional Skills
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks
generally accurate;
• Some tendency to rely on support,
supervision and guidelines with few
indications of independence.
● Use of all the required specialised
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
work-related skills is adequate.
●Achieves basic competence in all the
required specialised practical, technical,
creative, scholarly or work-related skills,
with little awareness of professional
contexts and expectations.
2O.28
● Basic competence in all the required
specialised practical, technical, creative,
scholarly or work-related skills, and partial
awareness of professional contexts and
expectations.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND D1, D2, D3
The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes at, but rarely exceeding the threshold expectations for this level.
• Presentation of information and data
mostly clear and in an acceptable format,
with occasional inconsistencies/ minor errors
in style, format or referencing;
• Independent activity requires clear
guidance and support;
• Participation/contribution to group tasks is
adequate and evidences some responsibility;
• Identification of own strengths and
weaknesses is acceptable when given very
clear criteria and detailed
evaluation/feedback.
Transferable
● Organisation and presentation of work and
communications adequate in most contexts,
with some mistakes/irrelevancies;
● Some errors in referencing;
● Work demonstrates adequate
independence in addressing given objectives
and taking some responsibility for outcomes;
● Tendency to rely on support/direction
from others;
● Limited team working skills;
● Limited reflection with few insights.
and Key Skills
● Organisation and presentation of work and
communications adequate in most contexts,
with some mistakes/irrelevancies;
● Some errors in referencing/citation;
● Work demonstrates adequate
independence in addressing given objectives
and taking some responsibility for outcomes;
● Tendency to rely on support/direction
from others;
● Limited team working skills;
● Self-evaluation and reflection limited with
few insights.
2O.29
● Organisation and presentation of work and
communications adequate in most contexts,
with some mistakes/irrelevancies;
● Some errors in referencing/citation;
● Work demonstrates adequate
independence in addressing mainly given
objectives and taking responsibility for
outcomes;
● Limited evidence of teamworking/leadership skills;
● Some evidence of self-evaluation and
reflection but with few critical insights.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND F1
• Recounts a limited range of factual
information with some
inaccuracies/omissions;
• Information not always relevant and drawn
from a limited range of sources;
• Some errors in organisation of information;
• Occasional
errors/omissions/misrecognitions of the
basic principles, terms, concepts, theories
and practices within the subject/field.
• Relies on restricted number of given
methods;
• Application of method not always
appropriate;
• Analysis partial when dealing with welldefined issues/problems, and marginally
inadequate for this level;
• Overly descriptive and reliant on familiar
approaches;
• Marginally fails to apply learning when
dealing with a less familiar
context/situation.
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks
shows some inaccuracies and is marginally
inadequate for this level;
• Tendency to rely on support, supervision
and guidelines with little indication of
independence.
The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is marginally inadequate for this level.
Knowledge and
● Inaccuracies/omissions in some areas,
depth limited;
● Range of information limited to the
familiar/given with some errors in
organisation;
● Occasional errors in understanding of main
concepts, theories and/or practice;
● Struggles to engage with
unfamiliar/abstract ideas and complexities.
Understanding
● Accuracy limited in breadth and depth;
● Some inaccuracies/omissions;
● Range of information/evidence limited,
mostly from familiar/given secondary
sources, sometimes poorly organised;
● Understanding of main concepts, theories
and/or practice not wholly accurate;
● Engagement with unfamiliar/abstract ideas
or implications and applications is slight.
Cognitive Skills
● Superficial analysis;
● Superficial analysis of
● Some failure to apply learning to complex, unfamiliar/unpredictable issues/problems,
unfamiliar or unpredictable issues/contexts;
lacking in evaluation;
● Overly descriptive and reliant on
● Little attempt to apply prior learning to
familiar/given material or approaches.
new contexts;
● More descriptive than analytical and tends
to rely on familiar/given material or
approaches;
● Basic investigation generates few or partial
and often derivative conclusions/practical
solutions, insufficiently argued/evidenced.
Practical and Professional Skills
● Use of some of the required specialised
● Marginally fails to achieve basic
practical, technical, creative, scholarly or
competence in (some of) the required
work-related skills is marginally inadequate.
specialised practical, technical, creative,
scholarly or work-related skills, with only
slight awareness of professional contexts and
expectations.
2O.30
● Accuracy limited in breadth and depth;
● Some inaccuracies/omissions;
● Range of information/evidence limited,
mostly from familiar/given secondary
sources, occasionally poorly organised;
● Largely but not wholly accurate
understanding of the main concepts,
theories and/or practice;
● Engagement with abstract/unfamiliar ideas
or implications and applications is slight.
● Superficial analysis of complex
issues/problems, lacking in evaluation or
synthesis;
● Little attempt to transfer and apply prior
learning to new contexts;
● More descriptive than analytical and tends
to rely on familiar/given material or
approaches;
● Limited research;
● Sparse conclusions/practical solutions
insufficiently argued/evidenced and mostly
derivative, with marginally insufficient
critical insight or creativity or originality.
● Marginally fails to achieve basic
competence in (some of) the required
specialised practical, technical, creative,
scholarly or work-related skills, and little
awareness of professional contexts and
expectations.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND F1
• Presentation of information and data
sometimes unclear and not in an
appropriate format, with some
inconsistencies/ errors in style, format or
referencing;
• Struggles to conduct activity
independently despite clear guidance and
support;
• Demonstrates limited responsibility in
participation/contribution to group tasks
• Identification of own strengths and
weaknesses is limited or partial, despite very
clear criteria and detailed
evaluation/feedback.
The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is marginally inadequate for this level.
Transferable
● Elements of disorganisation/ poor
presentation/ poor or inappropriate
communication or expression;
● Errors/omissions in referencing, or none;
● Work demonstrates insufficient
independence in attempting to address given
objectives and taking responsibility for
outcomes;
● Relies on support/direction from others;
● Underdeveloped team working skills;
● Minimal reflection lacks insight.
and Key Skills
● Elements of disorganisation/poor
presentation/ poor or inappropriate
communication or expression;
● Errors/omissions in referencing/citation,
or none;
● Work demonstrates insufficient
independence in attempting to address given
objectives and taking responsibility for
outcomes;
● Over-reliance on support/direction from
others;
● Underdeveloped team working skills;
● Very limited self-evaluation/reflection
lacks insight.
2O.31
● Elements of disorganisation/poor
presentation/poor communication or
expression;
● Errors/omissions in referencing/citation,
or none;
● Work demonstrates insufficient
independence in attempting to address given
objectives and taking responsibility for
outcomes;
● Underdeveloped team-working/leadership
skills:
● Limited self-evaluation and reflection
lacks critical insight.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND F2 and F3
• Substantial inaccuracies/omissions in
factual information;
• Range of information inadequate, often
irrelevant and disorganised;
• Fails to recognise the basic principles,
terms, concepts, theories and practices
within the subject/field.
• Fails to select an appropriate method from
the given range;
• Application of method
inappropriate/inaccurate;
• Analysis of defined problems/issues
inadequate, inaccurate or absent, with
reliance on description;
• Fails to apply learning in a less familiar
context/situation.
• Performance of set creative, practical,
technical, work-related or scholarly tasks
inaccurate and inadequate for this level;
• Reliant on support, supervision and
guidance; lacks independence.
The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is inadequate for this level.
Knowledge and
● Substantial
inaccuracies/omissions/irrelevancies;
● Range of information inadequate and
disorganised;
● Substantial errors in understanding of
concepts, theories and/or practice, or none;
● Fails to engage with/address
unfamiliar/abstract ideas and complexities.
Understanding
● Superficial/partial with substantial
inaccuracies/omissions/irrelevancies;
● Relies on inadequate range of poor-quality
information, inaccurately
understood/organised;
● Substantial errors in understanding of
concepts, theories and/or practice , or none;
● Fails to engage with/address
complex/abstract/unfamiliar ideas or their
implications.
Cognitive Skills
● Analysis absent or with significant
● Relies on description, no analysis or
errors/omissions
evaluation;
● Fails to apply learning;
● Fails to apply learning to different
● Descriptive and heavily reliant on very
contexts;
restricted range of given/familiar material
● Poor investigation with erroneous
and approaches, poorly understood.
conclusions/practical solutions, or none,
inadequately argued or evidenced.
Practical and Professional Skills
● Inadequate use many/all of the required
● Fails to achieve basic competence in the
specialised practical, technical, creative,
required specialised practical, technical,
scholarly or work-related skills.
creative, scholarly or work-related skills; no
awareness of professional
contexts/expectations.
2O.32
● Superficial/partial, with significant
inaccuracies/omissions/irrelevancies;
● Relies on restricted range of poor
quality/given information/evidence,
inaccurately understood/organised;
● Conceptual and theoretical understanding
inadequate with significant errors;
● Fails to deal with
complex/abstract/unfamiliar ideas or their
implications/applications.
● Relies on description rather than analysis
with no evidence of evaluation or synthesis;
● Fails to transfer/apply prior learning to
new contexts;
● Lack of research;
● Conclusions/practical solutions
absent/superficial/flawed, insufficiently
argued/evidenced and lacks critical insight
or creativity or originality.
● Fails to achieve basic competence in the
required specialised practical, technical,
creative, scholarly or work-related skills,
and lacks awareness of professional contexts
and expectations.
Academic Services
July 2014
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
General Characteristics
MARKING BAND F2 and F3
• Presentation of information and data
disorganised, inappropriate in format and
with significant errors in style, format or
referencing;
• Fails to carry out activity independently;
• Participation in or contribution to group
tasks is minimal/absent with little/no
evidence of responsibility;
• Identification of own strengths and
weaknesses is deficient/absent and fails to
consider given criteria or
evaluations/feedback.
The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is inadequate for this level.
Transferable
● Work is disorganised, poorly presented
with poor/inappropriate communication and
expression;
● Substantial errors in referencing, or none;
● Work fails to address objectives and take
responsibility for outcomes;
● Fails to engage in/ shows deficiencies in
team-working;
● Reflection inadequate/absent with no
insight.
and Key Skills
● Work is disorganised, poorly presented
with poor/inappropriate
expression/communication;
● Substantial errors in referencing/citation,
or none;
● Work lacks independence, does not
address objectives and fails to take
responsibility for outcomes;
● Fails to engage in/shows deficiencies in
team-working;
● Self-evaluation and reflection
inadequate/absent with no insight.
2O.33
● Communications too brief or rambling,
inappropriate to context or purpose, with
many errors/omissions, inadequately
expressed/presented;
● Substantial errors/omissions in
referencing/citation, or none;
● Work lacks independence, does not
address objectives and fails to take
responsibility for outcomes;
● Ineffective/deficient team-working with
no evidence of leadership skills;
● Self-evaluation and reflection minimal or
absent, with no critical insights.
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
General characteristics
MARKING BAND A1 and A2
DISTINCTION The work produced is exceptional in most/all aspects, substantially exceeding expectations for this level
Knowledge & Understanding
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice is
excellent in most aspects and
exceptional in some, with
considerable depth in many areas,
substantially exceeding
expectations for this level
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge exemplary,
demonstrating exceptional ability
• Engages with a comprehensive
range of new knowledge, practice
or methods, explores the
boundaries of knowledge and
potential developments and
generates an exceptional
contribution to new knowledge
within the field.
• Shows outstanding critical ability in
analysis, synthesis and evaluation,
greatly exceeding expectations for this
level
• Formulates compelling
conclusions/judgements when dealing
with incomplete or contradictory
information or cutting-edge
ideas/practice, showing insight well
beyond the expectations for this level
• Demonstrates exceptional initiative in
designing methodologies to address
practical and abstract problems,
several of which methodologies
constitute a contribution to the
discipline/field
• Conclusions/solutions comprehensively
justified and of exceptional
originality, some at the cutting-edge
of knowledge/practice
• Demonstrates mastery of all
specialised practical, technical,
creative, work-based or research
tasks and exceeds advanced
professional expectations in most/all
aspects
• Exercise of autonomy and judgement
exceeds expectations in most/all
practical, technical, creative, workbased or research tasks and
demonstrates exceptional ability
• Judgement in decision-making in
complex and unpredictable situations
is exemplary or exceptional in
most/all instances
• Argument, justification and
evidencing of decisions is exemplary,
showing deep understanding of all
factors.
• Demonstrates exceptional groupworking and leadership skills
• Consistently sets challenging and
complex personal and group objectives
and deploys exceptional skill to achieve
them, negotiating, participating and
managing and leading tasks effectively
• Shows outstanding leadership ability in
accepting accountability for
achievement of group and personal
outcomes
• Level of autonomy and of skills and
insight in critical reflection substantially
exceed expectations for this level
• Evaluation of own performance and that
of others shows in-depth awareness of
professional expectations/requirements
and exceptional critical insight
• Academic or professional
communications confidently display
advanced professional competence well
beyond the expectations for this level
• Outstanding communication of results of
research/innovative practice to peers,
including results at the forefront of
knowledge; consistently attains
professional standards.
2O.34
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
General characteristics
MARKING BAND A3 and A4
Knowledge & Understanding
• Understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice is
excellent in most aspects, with
considerable depth in several
areas exceeding expectations for
the level
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge consistently systematic
and demonstrating exceptional
ability in some instances
• Engages with an extensive range
of new knowledge, practice or
methods, exploring the boundaries
of knowledge and potential
developments and generating a
contribution to new knowledge
within the field
DISTINCTION The work produced is of excellent quality, exceeding expectations for this level in many aspects
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Shows highly developed critical ability
in analysis, synthesis and evaluation,
exceeding expectations for this level
• Conclusions/judgements consistently
logical when dealing with incomplete
or contradictory information or
cutting-edge ideas/practice, and
frequently showing insight beyond the
expectations for this level
• Demonstrates excellent initiative in
designing methodologies to address
practical and abstract problems, some
of which methodologies may constitute
a contribution to the discipline/field
• Conclusions/solutions thoroughly
justified and showing originality
beyond expectations for the level, that
may be at the cutting-edge of
knowledge/practice
• Demonstrates mastery of all
specialised practical, technical,
creative, work-based or research
tasks to advanced professional
expectations and exceeds them in
several/many aspects
• Exercise of autonomy and judgement
meets and sometimes exceeds
expectations in all practical,
technical, creative, work-based or
research tasks and shows excellent
ability
• Judgement in decision-making in
complex and unpredictable situations
is excellent and may be exceptional
in some/several instances
• Decisions excellently evidenced,
argued or justified, showing in depth
understanding and consideration of
relevant factors
2O.35
• Demonstrates excellent group-working
and leadership skills, some of which
may be exceptional
• Consistently sets challenging and
complex personal and group objectives
and demonstrates highly developed
skills to achieve them, negotiating,
participating and managing and leading
tasks effectively
• Fully accepts accountability for
achievement of group and personal
outcomes
• Demonstrates autonomous operation in
all areas and excellent skills and insight
in critical reflection
• Evaluation of own performance and that
of others shows in-depth awareness of
professional expectations/requirements
and substantial critical insight
• Academic or professional
communications confidently display
professional competence beyond the
expectations for this level.
• Excellent communication of results of
research/innovative practice to peers,
including results which may be at the
forefront of knowledge; attains
professional standards in several/most
instances
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
MARKING BAND B
General characteristics
MERIT The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for the level in several of them
Knowledge & Understanding
• Understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice
shows accuracy and depth across
the field, with elements that
exceed the expectations for the
level
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge is consistently
systematic
• Engages with a wide range of new
knowledge, practice or methods
and explores several aspects at
the boundaries of knowledge or
potential development
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Shows critical ability in analysis,
synthesis and evaluation
• Conclusions/judgements consistently
logical when dealing with incomplete or
contradictory information or cuttingedge ideas/practice, some showing
insight beyond the expectations for this
level
• Exercises initiative in designing
approaches and methodologies to
problems, both abstract and practical
• Solutions/conclusions are well justified,
often with an aspect of originality
• Expertise in specialised practical,
technical, creative, work-based or
research tasks consistently meets
advanced professional expectations
and occasionally exceeds them
• Shows autonomy in all practical,
technical, creative, work-based or
research tasks
• Consistently exercises secure
judgement in decision-making in
complex and unpredictable
situations, sometimes exceeding the
expectation for this level
• Decisions convincingly argued and
justified
• Demonstrates developed group-working
and leadership skills
• Frequently sets challenging and complex
personal and group objectives and works
effectively to achieve them,
negotiating, participating and managing
tasks effectively
• Accepts accountability for achievement
of outcomes (individual and group)
• Works autonomously and demonstrates
sustained critical reflection
• Evaluation of own performance and that
of others shows developed awareness of
professional expectations/requirements
and many critical insights
• Academic or professional
communications are confident and
highly competent
• Communication of results of
research/innovative practice to peers is
comprehensive, , well organised and
well presented, attaining professional
standards in some instances
2O.36
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
MARKING BAND C and D
General characteristics
PASS The work produced meets all of the intended learning outcomes at, and occasionally exceeding, the threshold expectations for this level
Knowledge & Understanding
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice
largely accurate across most areas
and in acceptable depth
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge generally systematic
• Engages with an adequate range of
new knowledge, practice or
methods, with some exploration of
boundaries and potential
developments
• Critical analysis satisfactory, with
evidence of some independent synthesis
and evaluation
• Reaches logical conclusions/judgements
involving incomplete or contradictory
information or cutting-edge
ideas/practice
• Shows some initiative in designing
approaches or methodologies to address
problems
• Solutions/conclusions are adequately
justified, with an aspect of originality in
some instances
• Level of expertise in specialised
practical, technical, creative, workbased or research tasks generally
meets advanced professional
expectations
• Shows autonomy in most practical,
technical, creative, work-based or
research tasks
• Exercises judgement in decisionmaking in complex and
unpredictable situations
• Decisions adequately
argued/justified
• Exercises group-work skills responsibly,
demonstrating satisfactory leadership
ability
• Sets personal and group objectives that
are sufficiently challenging and complex
for this level
• Accepts accountability for achievement
of outcomes, largely personal
• Demonstrates autonomy in most areas
and reflectiveness that could be more
critical and insightful on occasion
• Evaluation of performance shows
awareness of professional
expectations/requirements and some
critical insights
• Academic or professional
communications are competent
• Communication of results of
research/innovative practice to peers is
accurate and clear in organisation and
presentation
2O.37
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
General characteristics
MARKING BAND F1
MARGINAL FAIL The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is marginally inadequate for this level
Knowledge & Understanding
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Depth of understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice
limited, with some
inaccuracies/omissions
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge sometimes
unsystematic
• Engages with a limited range of
new knowledge, practice or
methods
• Tends to rely on established
knowledge/understanding within
the specialised area, with little
exploration of boundaries and
potential developments
• Critical analysis not always sustained,
synthesis or evaluation occasionally
superficial
• Struggles to develop
conclusions/judgements involving
incomplete or contradictory information
or cutting-edge ideas/practice
• Limited evidence of initiative in
designing approaches to problems
• Solutions/conclusions show marginally
insufficient originality and/or are not
fully justified
• Level of expertise in specialised
practical, technical, creative, workbased or research tasks marginally
fails to meet advanced professional
expectations
• Shows some lack of autonomy in
practical, technical, creative, workbased or research tasks
• Occasional errors of
judgement/indecisiveness in
complex and unpredictable
situations
• Arguments/justifications for
decisions incomplete or not wholly
convincing
• Group-work skills basic, with little
demonstration of leadership
• Sets personal and group objectives
that are not always sufficiently
challenging or complex
• Accepts only limited accountability for
achievement of outcomes
• Autonomy and self-critical
reflectiveness not fully
developed/demonstrated
• Evaluation of performance shows
limited critical insight or awareness of
professional
requirements/expectations
• Academic or professional
communications barely adequate,
lacking confidence and rarely going
beyond basic competence
• Some errors/omissions, disorganisation
or flaws in presentation when
communicating results of
research/innovative practice to peers
2O.38
Academic Services
July 2014
FHEQ Level 7
General characteristics
MARKING BAND F2 and F3
Knowledge & Understanding
• Understanding of existing
specialised knowledge/practice
lacks depth, with significant
errors/omissions
• Processing and organisation of
knowledge unsystematic/erratic
• Engagement with new knowledge,
practice or methods severely
limited or absent
• Relies on established
knowledge/understanding within
the subject, failing to explore
boundaries or developments
FAIL The work produced fails to meet all of the intended learning outcomes and is inadequate for this level
Cognitive Skills
Practical & Professional Skills
Transferable & Key Skills
• Analysis uncritical or superficial, with
little or no evidence of synthesis or
evaluation
• Fails to deal with incomplete or
contradictory information or cuttingedge ideas/practice
• Conclusions/judgements inadequate or
absent
• Relies on familiar approaches to solving
problems, failing to use initiative
• Solutions/conclusions, where present,
are derivative and lacking in
justification/evidence
• Performance of specialised
practical, technical, creative, workbased or research tasks is
inadequate, failing to achieve
expertise or meet advanced
professional expectations
• Work in practical, technical,
creative, work-based or research
tasks relies on guidance and support
and lacks autonomy
• Judgement poor/absent and fails to
address complex and unpredictable
situations
• Arguments and justifications
incomplete, absent and
unconvincing
2O.39
• Group-work skills poor with
inadequate/no demonstration of
leadership
• Fails to set personal or group
objectives, or sets objectives that are
insufficiently complex and challenging
for this level
• Fails to accept accountability for
achievement of outcomes
• Lacks autonomy reflection uncritical
or absent
• Evaluation of performance
inadequate, lacking insight or
awareness of professional
requirements/expectations
• Academic or professional
communications unsatisfactory,
incoherent, inappropriate or
incompetent
• Communication of results of
research/innovative practice to peers
shows substantial errors/omissions, is
disorganised or badly presented.
Academic Services
July 2014