UNIVERSITY GRADING DESCRIPTORS: In determining your overall grade for this assignment academic staff will consider your performance in accordance with the University’s grading descriptors as outlined in the Assessment Policy and Procedures.  

Fail (F) – The grade will be awarded if a student is unable to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the topic or has failed to complete essential topic elements or required assessment exercises at an acceptable level, in accordance with topic outcomes.  

Pass Level (P) – The grade will be awarded where there is evidence that a student has demonstrated at least an adequate level of knowledge/ understanding/ competencies/ skills required for meeting topic outcomes and satisfactorily completing essential assessment exercises.  

Credit (CR) – The grade will be awarded where there is evidence that a student has demonstrated a sound level of knowledge/ understanding/ competencies/ skills required for meeting topic outcomes at a proficient standard.  

The student would normally have attained a sound knowledge of matter contained in set texts or reading materials and have done wider reading, and demonstrated familiarity with and the ability to apply a range of major academic debates, approaches, methodologies and conceptual tools.  

Students should have a reasonable opportunity of reaching this grade provided they have completed all course requirements, demonstrated proficiency in the full range of course outcomes and shown considerable evidence of a sound capacity to work with the range of relevant subject matter.  

Distinction (DN) – The grade will be awarded where there is evidence that a student has demonstrated advanced knowledge/ understanding/ competencies/ skills required for meeting topic outcomes and completing assessment exercises at a high standard.  

The student would normally have attained an advanced and have demonstrated a broad familiarity with and facility at applying a range of major academic debates, approaches, methodologies and conceptual tools.  

The grade should reflect very high quality work which shows the student generally works at a level which is beyond the requirements of the topic outcomes and is developing a capacity for original and creative thinking.  

High Distinction (HD) – The grade will be awarded where there is evidence that a student demonstrated the acquisition of an advanced level of knowledge/understanding/competencies/skills required for meeting topic outcomes and passing the range of topic elements at the highest level.  

The student would normally have attained an in-depth knowledge of and have consistently demonstrated a high level of proficiency at applying a range of major academic debates, approaches, methodologies and conceptual tools and combining knowledge of the subject matter of the topic with original and creative thinking.