Assessment for postgraduate study

For a comprehensive account please consult the MA Handbook.

Written Statement of Assessment (MA Students) (PDF , 187kb)

Taught MA and pathway degrees

Please note that this information is intended for students who entered the taught MA programme, or an associated pathway degree, in or after the 2011-12 academic year. Students who entered the course prior to 2011-12 should consult the handbook for their specific year of entry (available here) for details about assessment.

The Research Skills course is assessed by the 2,000 word dissertation synopsis which is produced over the course of the module, and which carries 10 credits. Each of the History of Art options are assessed by one 5,000 word essay, submitted at the beginning of the following term, each of which carry 20 credits. Together, these pieces of work are worth 50% of a student's final assessment. In order to pass this component of the degree and proceed to the dissertation, students must achieve an overall rounded credit-weighted average of 50 or more across these five pieces of work. The 15,000 word dissertation makes up the remaining 50% of the degree (90 credits).

Marks

The pass mark for Master's level work is 50, while a mark of 60 or above denotes Merit level work, and a mark of 70 or above denotes Distinction level work.

To gain an overall distinction candidates need to score, at the first attempt, a rounded credit-weighted average of 70 or more across all modules, a mark of 70 or more in the dissertation, and have no failed modules.

To gain an overall merit candidates need to score, at the first attempt, a rounded credit-weighted average of 60 or more across all modules, a mark of 60 or more in the dissertation, and have no failed modules.

To achieve an overall pass, candidates need to score a rounded credit-weighted average of 50 or more across the dissertation synopsis and assessed essays, and a mark of 50 or more in the dissertation.

MA by Dissertation

The dissertation is the sole component of this degree and it is read by one external and one internal examiner. The external is an expert in the field in which the dissertation is written.

Marks

There are no marks awarded and examiners decided solely on pass, fail or distinction.

Mitigating circumstances

The University defines a mitigating circumstance as a problem that you have encountered which goes beyond the normal difficulties experienced in life and that may have affected your academic performance adversely during an assessment period.

 

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For postgraduates