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Honours classification
Document type Policy Scope (applies to) Undergraduate students Applicability date 31/08/ Review date 31/07/ Approved date 06/09/ Approver Academic Council Document owner Acting Academic Policy Officer (Quality) School / unit Office of the Principal Document status Published Information classification Public Equality impact assessment None Key terms Academic policies/Assessment, examination and award/Honours degree classification Purpose This policy explains the Honours Classification Algorithm used in calculating all Honours-level grades awarded in the Honours years. Version number Purpose / changes Document status Author of changes, role and school / unit Date 01 Changes to titles/contact details to reflect decanal restructuring Updated - February 2021 02 Minor revision to address an ambiguity relating to S-coding Updated Associate Deans Students May 2021 03 Updated link to new S- coding policy Update Associate Dean Students Sept 2021
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
Honours classification The Honours Classification Algorithm uses as the primary determinant of degree classification the credit-weighted mean and median of all Honours-level grades awarded in the Honours years. There are no discretionary classification border zones. Only one decimal place is used in calculations of means and medians. Values are rounded to the nearest one decimal place. Values that are equi-distant from two possible rounded values are rounded up. For example, 16.449 is rounded to 16.4; 16.450 and 16.451 are both rounded to 16.5. Means, medians and outcomes for Honours classification Mean Median Classification outcome 16.5 or more any value I 16.0-16.4 16.5 or more I 16.4 or less II. 13.5-15.9 any value II. 13.0-13.4 13.5 or more II. 13.4 or less II. 10.5-12.9 any value II. 10.0-10.4 10.5 or more II. 10.4 or less III
7. 0 - 9.9 any value III 6.9 or less any value Not of Honours standard Calculation protocols The Senate Regulations specify that “at least 240 credits should be gained during an approved two year Honours programme” etc. For students who have taken extra modules, the calculation of mean and median must include all modules (allowing for the exceptions noted below). Thus a student cannot take an extra module with a view to disposing of another with a poorer grade. Special provision may, however, be made for students who “step back” from an Integrated Masters degree to a BSc. Only grades from 3000-level, 4000-level and (where applicable) 5000-level modules are entered into the algorithm. In other words, grades achieved for “dip down” modules taken during the Honours programme do not enter the algorithmic calculation for the Honours degree classification. If students are advised into 3000-level, 4000-level or (where applicable) 5000-level modules prior to the normal start of their Honours years, then these results should not count as part of the Honours classification calculation except where the Assistant Vice-Principal (Dean of Learning & Teaching) has given his/her approval to the modules counting as part of a student’s approved Honours programme.
coded results included. If the resulting degree classifications differ, the higher classification will be awarded. Further information on S coding is available in the Policy on S-coding. Exceptional cases should be referred to the Assistant Vice-Principal (Dean of Learning & Teaching). These exceptions include the following types of case:
- Students who are marginally short of the required number of credits for a degree;
- Students who have been S-coded for more than the maximum number of credits stated above;
- Any other anomalies. Where anomalies are referred to the Assistant Vice-Principal (Dean of Learning & Teaching), the School must provide a minute of the discussion held at the School Examination Board, along with a recommendation from that Board. Past algorithms
- Honours classification from 2007/08 (Word, 55 KB) Version number Purpose / changes Document status Author of changes, role and school / unit Date
