From September 2023, the University is updating how the marks you obtain for individual modules will be converted into your overall degree classification (1st, 2:1, etc). These regulatory changes, which affect only students on undergraduate and integrated masters programmes, were confirmed by the University Senate on 15th March 2023.  

The new regulations make the process of converting your module marks into your final degree classification easier to understand, and more consistent across academic programmes. They are underpinned by the findings of a recent report, produced by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment - so the new calculations are considered to be best practice. 

Impact on final classifications

Based on analysis of data going back to 2016, around 95% of students will not have their final degree classification impacted by this change. Around 3.5% of students would receive a lower classification using the new calculation, with the remainder receiving a higher classification. 

To ensure that no current student needs to obtain a lower overall classification as a result of the change, a light-touch process will be set up, so that any student who would have received a higher final degree classification under the old calculations will be able to appeal their result. In such cases, the final award will be calculated via the previous mechanism. 

Each module on a programme is aligned to a level within the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).  Students on programmes that are affected by the changes will have their degree classification calculated using weightings based on the FHEQ level of a module, rather than the year in which the module was studied, with a percentage split of 33.3%/66.7% for Bachelors (FHEQ level 5/6) or 20%/40%/40% for Masters (FHEQ level 5/6/7).

FHEQ 4 modules (most commonly studied in the first year of a programme) will not be counted towards the final degree classification of a programme of study. 

Where a student's weighted mean grade falls into the 'borderline range', an uplift to the higher classification will be made where 50% of the total contributing credits are in the higher classification. 

Full details of the calculations are now published within the University regulations.

Finding out the FHEQ levels of your modules

Most commonly, the modules you study in your second year would be FHEQ level 5; those studied in your third year FHEQ level 6. However, there are some exceptions to this for a variety of reasons. Your student support team may have the information to hand, or it could be in any programme handbook or similar. 

Otherwise, you can check the FHEQ levels of your modules by using the Programme Regulations Finder.

Use the search function to find your programme of study (by programme code, name or department), and then select the correct programme. Then, click on the module code and you will be taken to a screen with the module's full details. The FHEQ level can be seen in the 'Credit Level' field.