Degree classification

Students commencing or repeating Level 4 study in full prior to September 2022

Please note that the Levels of study referred to below are those used in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

SCOPE: The following degree classification algorithms apply to all students commencing or repeating Level 4 study in full prior to September 2022. Please see here for students commencing or repeating Level 4 study from September 2022. 

These degree algorithms also apply to those students entering their degree programme directly into a higher level of study, as follows:

  • All students entering directly into Level 5 prior to September 2023
  • All students entering directly into Level 6 prior to September 2024

A student’s degree classification will be calculated as follows:

For students who have taken Level 5 and Level 6 credits at Keele

To obtain a Bachelor’s degree award, a student must pass 120 credits at Level 4, 120 credits at Level 5 and 120 credits at Level 6.  A student with a mark of between 30 and 39 in up to 30 credits in total across Levels 4 and Level 5 modules, as well as up to 30 credits in Level 6 modules, after the maximum allowed assessment attempts have taken place will be deemed to have satisfied the academic requirements of the course and be awarded the credit for that module, providing he/she has not failed any additional modules at that level of study.  This is referred to as module condonement but will not be applied where the module result is a qualified fail, where one or more assessment components within the module have not been completed to a specified standard. Where a student has obtained an overall module mark below 30, then in exceptional circumstances in a small number of specified subjects, module compensation may be allowed.  Please click here for more details around module compensation.

FIRST CLASS HONOURS

A weighted average module mark of at least 70%;

OR a weighted average module mark of at least 67%  AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 70 or higher;

SECOND CLASS HONOURS (Division I)

A weighted average module mark of at least 60%;

OR a weighted average module mark of at least 57% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 60 or higher;

SECOND CLASS HONOURS (Division II)

A weighted average module mark of at least 50%;

OR a weighted average module mark of at least 47% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 50 or higher;

THIRD CLASS HONOURS

A weighted average module mark of at least 40%.

PASS

A weighted average module mark of at least 35%.

DEFINITIONS:

Weighted average module mark: the sum of one third of the average module mark obtained at Level 5 and two thirds of the average module mark obtained at Level 6.  In cases where, either at Level 5 or Level 6, more than 120 credits of modules are required or taken, the 120 credits with the highest module marks will be used in the classification process.

Module: a 15 CATS-credit unit

NOTES:

(a) For students repeating a year of study at Level 5 or 6 it will be the marks achieved for modules taken in the repeat year that will be used in the classification.

(b) Re-assessment of Semester Two Level 6 modules is not offered until degree results have been classified. Only students who fail to achieve a degree or are only awarded a pass degree at the first attempt will be offered re-assessment of failed Level 6 modules capped at 40%. These students will remain eligible for an honours degree if re-assessment is successfully completed to the standard required for an honours degree.

(c) Only students with particular professional requirements to meet will be permitted to take assessment in more than 120 credits at Level 6 in the final year of study, as approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee in the course regulations.

(d) Specific awards (eg LLB) may, subject to Senate approval, require specific standards of achievement in quality or volume. All course-specific requirements are notified to students in the appropriate programme handbook. All integrated and single honours programmes use this scheme although there may be specific modifications approved by Senate to take account of practice-based courses.

(e) Law students should see also the assessment provisions noted in the Law entry of the Module Catalogue.

For students who have taken only Level 6 credits at Keele (including students taking an Intercalated Degree and other students entering directly into Level 6)

To obtain a Bachelor’s degree award, a student must pass 120 credits at Level 6.  A student with a mark of between 30 and 39 in up to 30 credits in Level 6 modules after the maximum allowed assessment attempts have taken place will be deemed to have satisfied the academic requirements of the course and be awarded the credit for that module, providing he/she has not failed any additional modules at that level of study.  This is referred to as module condonement but will not be applied where the module result is a qualified fail, where one or more assessment components within the module have not been completed to a specified standard.  Where a student has obtained an overall module mark below 30, then in exceptional circumstances in a small number of specified subjects, module compensation may be allowed.  Please click here for more details around module compensation.

FIRST CLASS HONOURS

An average module mark of at least 70%;

OR an average module mark of at least 67%  AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 70 or higher;

SECOND CLASS HONOURS (Division I)

An average module mark of at least 60%;

OR an average module mark of at least 57% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 60 or higher;

SECOND CLASS HONOURS (Division II)

An average module mark of at least 50%;

OR an average module mark of at least 47% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits all gained from modules with a mark of 50 or higher;

THIRD CLASS HONOURS

An average module mark of at least 40%.

PASS

An average module mark of at least 35%.

DEFINITIONS:

An average module mark: the average module mark obtained at Level 6.  In cases where more than 120 credits of modules at Level 6 are required or taken, the 120 credits with the highest module marks will be used in the classification process.

Module: a 15 CATS-credit unit

NOTES:

(a) For students repeating a year of study at Level 6 it will be the marks achieved for modules taken in the repeat year that will be used in the classification.

(b) Re-assessment of Semester Two Level 6 modules is not offered until degree results have been classified. Only students who fail to achieve a degree or are only awarded a pass degree at the first attempt will be offered re-assessment of failed Level 6 modules capped at 40%. These students will remain eligible for an honours degree if re-assessment is successfully completed to the standard required for an honours degree.

(c) Only students with particular professional requirements to meet will be permitted to take assessment in more than 120 credits at Level 6 in the final year of study, as approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee in the course regulations.

(d) Specific awards (eg LLB) may, subject to Senate approval, require specific standards of achievement in quality or volume. All course-specific requirements are notified to students in the appropriate programme handbook. All integrated and single honours programmes use this scheme although there may be specific modifications approved by Senate to take account of practice-based courses.

(e) Law students should see also the assessment provisions noted in the Law entry of the Module Catalogue.