Degree Classification: Distinction, Merit, Pass

Degree Classification: Distinction, Merit, Pass

An MSc can be awarded with distinction, merit, or pass, depending on the following rules; for the general university regulations, see http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=13148.

• For the MSc,
  • the pass level is 50% or above. Marks between 40% and 49.9% may be compensatable.
  • the merit level is 60% or above. The boundary zone for the merit level is between 58% and 59.9%.
  • the distinction level is 70% or above. The boundary zone for the distinction level is between 68% and 69.9%.
• For a PG Diploma or PG Certificate,
  • the pass level is 40% or above. Marks between 30% and 39.9% may be compensatable.
• The overall mark for the taught elements of a Master's programme is the weighted average of the overall marks obtained for the course units of the taught part of the programme (see Section *), where the mark of a course unit is
  • the mark of its first attempt, if no resit as second attempt (referral) has been taken.
  • the mark of its second attempt, if a resit as first attempt was taken (this is only possible in case of severe mitigating circumstances for this course unit - see also Section *).
  • 40%, if the course unit is resit as second attempt.
• A student passes the taught elements if
  • no more than three course units were failed at first attempt (for MSc and Diploma - no more than 2 for PG Certificate), and
  • after resits, and taking the uncapped resit marks into account, at most two course units are failed, and all failed course units are compensatable (for MSc and Diploma - at most 1 for PG Certificate).
• A student passes the MSc programme if
  • he or she passes the taught elements and
  • has an MSc project mark of 50% or above.
• A student qualifies for the
  • PG Diploma if he or she passes the taught elements (90 credits) and COMP60990 at Diploma level.
  • PG Certificat if he or she passes 60 credits of the taught elements at Certificate level.
• A student qualifies for a merit if
  • he or she passes the taught elements and
  • the average of the taught elements and the MSc project mark is at merit level. In case that this average is in the merit level boundary zone, the student needs to have achieved at least 120 credits at merit level to qualify for a merit.
• A student qualifies for a distinction if
  • he or she passes the taught elements and
  • all course unit were passed at first attempts (and none were compensated), and
    • both the taught elements mark and the MSc project mark are at distinction level, or
    • one of the taught elements mark and the MSc project mark is at distinction level, the other one is in the distinction level boundary zone, and the student has achieved at least 120 credits at distinction level.
• The above boundaries and rules are strict: no other measures of leniency are permissible other than in cases of mitigating circumstances, see Section *.

Diploma students can gain a Distinction or Merit if they satisfy the same rules, i.e 70% or 60% in taught part with no resits or compensated passes and 70% or 60% in the project, with the 2% boundary rules as above.

Degree Classification: Distinction, Merit, Pass