Assessment for postgraduate study

Please note that the following is a summary, only. For a comprehensive account, please consult your handbook.

Taught MA and pathway degrees

Written Statement of Assessment

The Written Statement of Assessment gives full information on the assessment procedures in the department, including deadlines, penalties and marking guidelines: Written Statement of Assessment (MA Students) (PDF , 235kb)

Methods of 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 (with the exception of Theory and Historiography) are assessed by one 4,000 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 15,000-20,000 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.

Research degrees (MA, MPhil and PhD)

The dissertation or thesis is the sole component of these degrees and it is read by one external and one internal examiner. The external is an expert in the field in which the dissertation/thesis is written.

Marks

There are no marks awarded. The examiners will either pass, pass subject to corrections, refer, or fail the dissertation/thesis.

Exceptional circumstances

The University allows resits or extensions to assessments only in exceptional circumstances. To be accepted these must be exceptional (i.e. serious and unusual) relative to the normal daily challenges that academic study presents, and unpredictable in that you could not reasonably have been expected either to avoid them, or to allow for them in planning the assessment work or preparation. An application must be made, with supporting evidence, to the Exceptional Circumstances Committee. Full details are available here:

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For postgraduates