An overview of the award classification schemes for the different types of awards is given in the table below:
| Target award | Classification bands | Overall average mark |
|---|---|---|
Foundation degrees *Certificates of HE Graduate Diploma* *Postgraduate certificates |
Pass Merit Distinction |
up to 59.99% 60-69.99% 70% or above |
| Bachelor’s degrees (Honours) | First class Upper second class (2:1) Lower second class (2:2) Third class |
70% or above 60-69.99% 50-59.99% 40-49.99% |
| Integrated Master’s degrees (Honours) | First class Upper second class (2:1) Lower second class (2:2) Third class |
70% or above 60-69.99% 50-59.99% 40-49.99% |
| Master’s degrees** | Pass Merit Distinction |
50 to 59% 60 to 69% and dissertation mark at least 58% 70% or above and dissertation mark at least 68% |
*As exit awards, these are normally unclassified.
**for students commencing study from September 2023 onwards, the award classification will no longer be limited to the award level given to the dissertation
The average mark for each level of study is the average of the final marks for all modules passed at that level (including compensated passes), weighted by the credit value of each module. For undergraduate degrees, average marks are truncated to two decimal places, therefore an average of 59.6875 will be recorded as 59.68%; while average marks are rounded on postgraduate taught degrees, so this mark would be rounded up to 60%.
For Bachelor’s degrees (set out in 2.1.2), the overall average mark is calculated using the level 5 and level 6 average marks, weighted as follows:
- Level 5 25%
- Level 6 75%
The level 6 overall average mark for the classification of a Bachelor's degree is calculated on the basis of 120 credits earned on graded modules.
*Please note the following variations to this…
For students on a languages subject where a maximum of 30 credits may be taken out of their validated level to accommodate language component modules that are integral to the award (see 6.10.1 above):
- The overall average marks at level 5 and level 6 are based upon the modules (minimum 90 credits) taken at the correct validated level;
- Level 5 module marks achieved in the final year (level 6) cannot be used to towards the level 5 overall average mark.
- Modules not taken in their correct validated level cannot contribute to exit awards.
- All 120 credits at each level, regardless of their level of study, will contribute to the calculation of the GPA.
For students entering a Bachelor’s degree programme at level 6 - including students entering with credit, or graduates from Foundation degrees - the overall average mark for classification purposes will be the level 6 average mark, which will be given 100% weighting. This also applies to students whose entire 120-credit level 5 programme was taken on exchange. The degree classification for students taking a half-year exchange during level 5 will be calculated as normal; however, the level 5 calculation will include only the 60 credits taken on the Oxford Brookes programme.
For Integrated Master’s degrees, the ‘overall average’ mark is calculated as follows:
Average mark | Weighting |
|---|---|
Level 5 - 25% (calculation as for Bachelor’s degree) | 50% |
Level 7 | 50% |
For Foundation degrees, an overall average of 40% across all modules is required to pass the qualification. The ‘overall average’ mark for the purposes of calculating the Merit or Distinction award classification means the average of the final marks for all level 5 modules passed, weighted by the credit value of each module.
For CertHE, DipHE, PGCert and PGDip awards intended as target qualifications (not exit awards), the ‘overall average’ mark means the average of the final marks for all modules passed (including compensated passes), weighted by the credit value of each module.
For Bachelor's degrees which include an integral language component (see 6.10.1), any level 4 modules taken in place of level 5 or 6 modules will not be counted in the overall average calculation for degree classification purposes.
If you entered level 5 or level 6 of a Bachelor’s degree course in September 2020 (or started your course before 2020-21), the ‘overall average’ mark is calculated differently - please refer to the UMP Regulations.
If you are studying on a programme delivered at a partner organisation, please refer to the programme handbook for the rules that apply to you.