Centre for Journalism – Undergraduate Modules

Assessment Criteria for modules assessed by written work including essays and dissertations e.g. JN 300, History of Journalism and JN302 British Government and Politics.

The grading of academic written work (essays and dissertations) will be based on performance in relation to the four aspects of work indicated below. The attainment appropriate for each range of marks is indicated for each of these aspects.

1: Reading and Knowledge

  • A mark of 80 or more will indicate exceptionally wide reading and a level of knowledge clearly beyond normal expectations
  • A mark of 70 or more will indicate wide reading and comprehensive knowledge
  • A mark from 60 to 69 will indicate good range of reading and adequate knowledge.
  • A mark from 50 to 59 will indicate a fair range of reading and knowledge with only minor gaps
  • A mark from 40 to 49 will indicate limited reading and knowledge demonstrated at a basic and incomplete level.
  • A mark from 35 to 39 will indicate minimal reading and little relevant knowledge
  • A mark of less than 30 will indicate little or no reading and exceptionally limited knowledge.

2: Understanding and Analysis

  • A mark of 80 or more will indicate an excellent, coherent overview of issues accompanied by very clear conclusions. Exceptional rigour and originality will be demonstrated.
  • A mark of 70 or more will indicate a full and perceptive awareness of issues and a clear grasp of their significance.
  • A mark of 60 to 69 will indicate adequate awareness of issues and a serious grasp of their significance.
  • A mark of 50 to 59 will indicate some awareness of issues and of their significance.
  • A mark of 40 to 49 will indicate limited awareness of issues and their significance
  • A mark of 35 to 39 will indicate an inadequate understanding of issues and their significance
  • A mark of les than 30 will indicate poor awareness of issues and their significance.

3:Argument

  • A mark of 80 or more will indicate exceptional evidence of critical independent thought and exceptional ability to defend a position logically and convincingly
  • A mark of 70 or more will indicate clear evidence of critical independent thought and the ability to defend a position logically and convincingly
  • A mark of 60-69 will indicate evidence of thought and a well developed argument.
  • A mark of 50 to 59 will indicate some evidence ofcritical independent thought with a plausible attempt at an argument
  • A mark of 40 to 49 will indicate limited critical thought and argument
  • A mark of 35 to 39 will indicate very little critical thought and a meagre argument
  • A mark of less than 30 will indicate no critical thought and no logical argument

4:Organisation and Presentation

  • A mark of 80 or more will indicate that exceptional thought has been given to the arrangement and development of material. The work will be exceptionally well written in a style that conveys complex ideas effectively. Referencing will be comprehensive and will go beyond normal expectations.
  • A mark of 70 or more will indicate that careful thought has been given to the arrangement and development of material. The work will be very well written with the writer’s intentions enhanced by the style and accuracy of the writing. Referencing will be clear, correct and comprehensive.
  • A mark of 60 to 69 will indicate adequate arrangement and development of material. The work will be in good English. Referencing will be clear and correct.
  • A mark of 50 to 59 will indicate effort to organise the material. The work will be in adequate English with most sources clearly referenced.
  • A mark of 40 to 49 will indicate little effort to organise the material. The work will be in satisfactory English but referencing will be incomplete or will contain some errors
  • A mark of 35 to 39 will indicate meagre effort at organising the material. The work will show some errors in English. It will contain unreferenced material.
  • A mark of less than 30 will indicate that not even the minimal levels defined above have been attained.

The table below offers a basic guide to converting marks into grades at each stage of the degree. Marks obtained in first year are not included in calculation of degree class (n.b. This is a very simple guide for full details see the relevant handbook.)

Part I / Percentage / Part II / Percentage
Distinction / 70+ / First / 70+
Merit / 60-69 / Upper second / 60-69
Pass / 40-59 / Lower second / 50-59
Fail / Below 40 / Third / 40-49
Pass / 35-39
Fail / Below 35