Science

ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS FOR SCIENCE PROGRAMMES

You can find guidance about the assessment and progression rules for your course below. For further information please see the University Assessment Regulations and our Results FAQs.

WHAT DO I NEED TO ACHIEVE TO PASS THE YEAR/GRADUATE?

Information for Undergraduate Students (Years 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Level of Study	What You Need To Achieve	Important Information
Year 0, 1 and 2 Students	To pass the year you must achieve: A minimum of 80 credits at pass level (40%) or above. No fails in modules which have been identified as CORE. An overall average of 35% or above for the level of study.	In Years 0, 1 and 2, up to 40 credits of failed non-core modules with marks between 30-39% can be compensated to allow progression, if other criteria are met. Please note you may be awarded 60 credits of re-sits in failed modules, where a re-sit is available. If you have failures in more than 60 credits you may be offered a Repeat Level of Study. Please be aware that for Physics all Year 1 modules are now CORE and therefore, compensation is not possible. For queries on Qualified Fails (QF), please refer to our Results FAQs.
Year 3 (Non-Finalist Students)	In order to progress to Year 4 of an Advanced Initial Degree you must achieve: 80 credits of modules at pass level (40%) or above. No fails in modules which have been identified as CORE. A minimum overall average of 35%.	For Year 3 students enrolled on a 4-year Advanced Initial Degree, up to 40 credits of failed modules with marks between 30-39% will be compensated to allow progression, if all other progression criteria are met. You are also entitled to 60 credits of re-sits are Year 3, in line with the usual non-finalist progression rules. If you do not qualify to proceed to the Final Year (Year 4) but you may be offered a Repeat Level of Study. Please be aware that for Physics, Year 3 and the Taught Postgraduate projects are now core and therefore, compensation is not possible.
Year 3 and Year 4 (Finalist Students)	In order to be awarded a degree, you must achieve the following in your final year: 80 credits of modules at pass level or above. In Year 3 the pass mark is 40% and for students on the final year of an integrated Masters the pass mark is 50%. No failed in modules identified as CORE. A minimum overall average of 35%.	In the Final Year, students may compensate up to 40 credits of failed modules down to a mark of 0%, if all other criteria are met. Re-sits of Final Year modules will only be granted where previously granted via a Deferral Request. Final Year students with deferrals to August will miss the July Graduation ceremonies and instead will be invited to the Winter Graduation ceremonies, if appropriate. Please be aware that for Physics, Year 3 and the Taught Postgraduate projects are now core and therefore, compensation is not possible.

Level of Study

What You Need To Achieve

Important Information

Year 0, 1 and 2 Students

To pass the year you must achieve:

A minimum of 80 credits at pass level (40%) or above.
No fails in modules which have been identified as CORE.
An overall average of 35% or above for the level of study.

In Years 0, 1 and 2, up to 40 credits of failed non-core modules with marks between 30-39% can be compensated to allow progression, if other criteria are met.
Please note you may be awarded 60 credits of re-sits in failed modules, where a re-sit is available. If you have failures in more than 60 credits you may be offered a Repeat Level of Study.

Please be aware that for Physics all Year 1 modules are now CORE and therefore, compensation is not possible.

For queries on Qualified Fails (QF), please refer to our Results FAQs.

Year 3 (Non-Finalist Students)

In order to progress to Year 4 of an Advanced Initial Degree you must achieve:

80 credits of modules at pass level (40%) or above.
No fails in modules which have been identified as CORE.
A minimum overall average of 35%.

For Year 3 students enrolled on a 4-year Advanced Initial Degree, up to 40 credits of failed modules with marks between 30-39% will be compensated to allow progression, if all other progression criteria are met.
You are also entitled to 60 credits of re-sits are Year 3, in line with the usual non-finalist progression rules.
If you do not qualify to proceed to the Final Year (Year 4) but you may be offered a Repeat Level of Study.

Please be aware that for Physics, Year 3 and the Taught Postgraduate projects are now core and therefore, compensation is not possible.

Year 3 and Year 4 (Finalist Students)

In order to be awarded a degree, you must achieve the following in your final year:

80 credits of modules at pass level or above. In Year 3 the pass mark is 40% and for students on the final year of an integrated Masters the pass mark is 50%.
No failed in modules identified as CORE.
A minimum overall average of 35%.

In the Final Year, students may compensate up to 40 credits of failed modules down to a mark of 0%, if all other criteria are met.
Re-sits of Final Year modules will only be granted where previously granted via a Deferral Request. Final Year students with deferrals to August will miss the July Graduation ceremonies and instead will be invited to the Winter Graduation ceremonies, if appropriate.

Please be aware that for Physics, Year 3 and the Taught Postgraduate projects are now core and therefore, compensation is not possible.

Please Note: There are additional criteria to be eligible for, and to remain on, Integrated Masters courses and the Year in Industry and Year Abroad programmes. You can find guidance on the criteria here.

If you have specific queries about the criteria for the Integrated Masters courses please contact the Student Experience and Information Team.

If you have specific queries about the criteria for the Year in Industry and Year Abroad programmes please contact the Faculty Employability Team.

Information for Postgraduate Students

Taught MSc Programmes	What You Need To Achieve	Important Information
September 2024 Start Programmes	These programmes are divided into two parts: For Part One you need to pass 120 credits of modules (with a mark of 50% or more). You will be allowed one opportunity to redeem any failed modules in the August 2025 Supplementary period. Please be aware that some modules may be non-redeemable, which means there is not a re-sit mechanism for the module. If a module is non-redeemable this will be specified in your course handbook. When you have passed Part One, you can proceed to Part Two, which consists of a 60 credit project/dissertation.	Students enrolled on September Entry Taught MSc programmes are assessed according to the non-flexible regulations. Any supplementary attempts will be capped at 50%, unless Extenuating Circumstances have been approved. Students who fail up to 30 credits may be permitted to compensate these failures provided: The overall average mark for Part One is 50% The marks for the failed modules are between 40-49%. The student has achieved at least 90 credits of passed modules. The student applies for compensation, if eligible. Please note – compensation is not automatically applied and if a student is eligible they must submit a Compensation request within 10 working days of their results being released. Please read the Compensation FAQs for further information
January 2024 Start Programmes	You will need to complete and pass (with 50% or more): 60 credits of taught modules in the Spring Semester (January 2024 – June 2024) Your 60 credit dissertation in the Summer Semester (June 2024 – September 2024) An additional 60 credits of taught modules in the Autumn Semester (September 2024 – January 2025) You will be allowed an opportunity to redeem any failed modules during the August 2024 Supplementary Period (for Jan-June modules) and March 2025 Supplementary Period (for Sept-Jan modules). Please be aware that some modules may be non-redeemable, which means there is not a re-sit mechanism for the module. If a module is non-redeemable this will be specified in your course handbook.	Students enrolled on January Entry Taught MSc programmes are assessed according to the flexible regulations. This means that you can work on your project/dissertation alongside your taught modules. Any supplementary attempts will be capped at 50%, unless Extenuating Circumstances have been approved. Students who fail up to 30 credits may be permitted to compensate these failures provided: The overall average mark for Part One is 50%. This means January Entry students cannot request to compensate in July, but will have an opportunity to consider this after all taught modules are completed. The marks for the failed modules are between 40-49%. Students have achieved at least 90 credits of passed modules. The student applies for compensation, if eligible. Please note – compensation is not automatically applied and if a student is eligible they must submit a Compensation request within 10 working days of their results being released. Please read the Compensation FAQs for further information

Taught MSc Programmes

What You Need To Achieve

Important Information

September 2024 Start Programmes

These programmes are divided into two parts:

For Part One you need to pass 120 credits of modules (with a mark of 50% or more). You will be allowed one opportunity to redeem any failed modules in the August 2025 Supplementary period.
Please be aware that some modules may be non-redeemable, which means there is not a re-sit mechanism for the module. If a module is non-redeemable this will be specified in your course handbook.
When you have passed Part One, you can proceed to Part Two, which consists of a 60 credit project/dissertation.

Students enrolled on September Entry Taught MSc programmes are assessed according to the non-flexible regulations.

Any supplementary attempts will be capped at 50%, unless Extenuating Circumstances have been approved.

Students who fail up to 30 credits may be permitted to compensate these failures provided:

The overall average mark for Part One is 50%
The marks for the failed modules are between 40-49%.
The student has achieved at least 90 credits of passed modules.
The student applies for compensation, if eligible.

Please note – compensation is not automatically applied and if a student is eligible they must submit a Compensation request within 10 working days of their results being released. Please read the Compensation FAQs for further information

January 2024 Start Programmes

You will need to complete and pass (with 50% or more):

60 credits of taught modules in the Spring Semester (January 2024 – June 2024)
Your 60 credit dissertation in the Summer Semester (June 2024 – September 2024)
An additional 60 credits of taught modules in the Autumn Semester (September 2024 – January 2025)

You will be allowed an opportunity to redeem any failed modules during the August 2024 Supplementary Period (for Jan-June modules) and March 2025 Supplementary Period (for Sept-Jan modules).

Please be aware that some modules may be non-redeemable, which means there is not a re-sit mechanism for the module. If a module is non-redeemable this will be specified in your course handbook.

Students enrolled on January Entry Taught MSc programmes are assessed according to the flexible regulations. This means that you can work on your project/dissertation alongside your taught modules.

Any supplementary attempts will be capped at 50%, unless Extenuating Circumstances have been approved.

Students who fail up to 30 credits may be permitted to compensate these failures provided:

The overall average mark for Part One is 50%. This means January Entry students cannot request to compensate in July, but will have an opportunity to consider this after all taught modules are completed.
The marks for the failed modules are between 40-49%.
Students have achieved at least 90 credits of passed modules.
The student applies for compensation, if eligible.

HOW WILL MY DEGREE BE CALCULATED (UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE)

Initial Degree (3-Year BSc) Award Regulations

Your overall weighted degree average is calculated using the following weightings:

The average from your best 80 credits achieved at Year 3 are given a weighting of 3 i.e. multiplied by 3/6.
The average from your worst 40 credits achieved in Year 3 and the best 40 credits achieved in Year 2 are given a weighting of 2 i.e. multiplied by 2/6.
The average from your worst 80 credits achieved in Year 2 are given a weighting of 1 i.e. multiplied by 1/6.

These components are then added together to give your weighted degree average.

Example
Best 80 credit Year 3 average = 68.12 Worst 40 credit Year 3 and best 40 credit Year 2 average = 63.45 Worst 80 credit Year 2 average = 61.76 Weighted Degree Average = 68.12 * (3/6) + 63.45 * (2/6) + 61.76 * (1/6) = 34.06 + 21.15 + 10.29 = 65.50%

Classification Boundaries: Please see the Classification of Honours Degrees guidance for a breakdown of degree classification boundaries and in-depth information.

Advanced Initial Degree (4-Year MSci) Award Regulations

For students enrolled on an Advanced Initial Degree (4 years), your overall degree average is calculated using the following weightings:

The average from your best 90 credits achieved at Year 4 are given a weighting of 4. i.e. 4/10
The average of your worst 30 credits achieved in Year 4 and best 60 credits achieved in Year 3 are given a weighting of 3. i.e. 3/10
The average of your worst 60 credits achieved in Year 3, and best 30 credits achieved in Year 2 are given a weighting of 2. i.e. 2/10
Your average of your remaining 90 credits achieved in Year 2 are given a weighting of 1. i.e 1/10

These components are then added together and divided by 10 to give your overall weighted degree average.

Classification Boundaries: Please see the Classification of Honours Degrees guidance for a breakdown of degree classification boundaries and in-depth information.

Taught Postgraduate Regulations (Standard and Flexible)

The overall degree classification shall be calculated based on the mean average of module marks, that are weighted according to their credit value, across the whole programme.

For further information please refer to the University Postgraduate Assessment Regulations.

Preponderance and Exit-Velocity

If your weighted degree average comes to within 2% of the next degree classification boundary (called the ‘Window of Opportunity’), then the Preponderance and Exit-Velocity Principles are applied. This means you could attain a higher degree classification if you satisfy either of these principles.

Please read the following guidance on these principles.

Principle	Guidance	Example
Preponderance Principle	For this principle, half of the credits that count towards your degree must be in a higher degree classification higher than your weighted degree average. On a 3-year Initial degree, this would be attaining 120+ credits at the higher classification boundary. On a 4-year Advanced Initial Degree, this would mean attaining 180+ credits at the higher classification boundary.	Year 2 = 40 credits between 50-59% (2:2) and 80 credits between 60-69% (2:1). Year 3 = 80 credits between 50-59% (2:2), 30 credits between 60-69% (2:1) and 10 credits at 70+% (1^st). Weighted Degree Average = 58.37% (2:2) Final Result is Upgraded to a 2:1 due to: 1) the weighted degree average being in the Window of Opportunity, 2) Preponderance being satisfied – i.e. 80 credits in Year 2 plus 40 credits in Year 3 were above a 2:2 classification. That gives 120 credits at a higher degree classification than the weighted degree average.
Exit-Velocity Principle	You must achieve an average in your final year which is in a higher degree classification than your weighted degree average.	Weighted Degree Average = 58.37% (2:2). Final Year Average – 61.23% (2:1). Final Result – Updated to a 2:1 due to: 1) the weighted degree average being in the Window of Opportunity, 2) Exit-Velocity being satisfied (i.e. the final year average is at a higher degree classification than the weighted degree average).

Principle

Guidance

Example

Preponderance Principle

For this principle, half of the credits that count towards your degree must be in a higher degree classification higher than your weighted degree average.

On a 3-year Initial degree, this would be attaining 120+ credits at the higher classification boundary.

On a 4-year Advanced Initial Degree, this would mean attaining 180+ credits at the higher classification boundary.

Year 2 = 40 credits between 50-59% (2:2) and 80 credits between 60-69% (2:1).
Year 3 = 80 credits between 50-59% (2:2), 30 credits between 60-69% (2:1) and 10 credits at 70+% (1^st).
Weighted Degree Average = 58.37% (2:2)
Final Result is Upgraded to a 2:1 due to:
1) the weighted degree average being in the Window of Opportunity,
2) Preponderance being satisfied – i.e. 80 credits in Year 2 plus 40 credits in Year 3 were above a 2:2 classification. That gives 120 credits at a higher degree classification than the weighted degree average.

Exit-Velocity Principle

You must achieve an average in your final year which is in a higher degree classification than your weighted degree average.

Weighted Degree Average = 58.37% (2:2).
Final Year Average – 61.23% (2:1).
Final Result – Updated to a 2:1 due to:
1) the weighted degree average being in the Window of Opportunity,
2) Exit-Velocity being satisfied (i.e. the final year average is at a higher degree classification than the weighted degree average).

Integrated Masters Consideration

There may be an option for you to transfer on to an Integrated Masters version of your course. This can include transferring from a BSc course to a MChem, MMaths, MPhys or MSci course. Please see the following requirements for transferring onto, or remaining on, an Integrated Masters course.

Transferring to an Integrated Masters

Course	Required Level Average	Required Modules	Deadline to Transfer
MChem	Pass Year 1, 55% level average in Year 2 and no supplementary assessments	CH-343, not CH-344	For Year 3 students, 13^th December 2024
MMaths	Pass Year 1, 60% level average in Year 2 and no supplementary assessments	MA-252	The commencement of Year 3 (i.e. 1^st September 2024)
MPhys	Pass Year 1, 65% level average in Year 2 and no supplementary assessments		For Year 3 students, 11^th October 2024
MSci	55% level average in Year 1		For Year 3 students, 7^th April 2025

If you want to apply to transfer please follow the steps on our Course Transfers webpage.

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IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...

Do not hesitate to contact our Team if you want to discuss the assessment regulations for your course and what you need to achieve to pass the year. We are available in-person, via email, phone and zoom. Find our contact details here.