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Understanding your results
And what to do next if they aren't what you expected
Once you’ve completed your assessments, the examiners begin the marking your work. The marking process has several stages to make sure all work is assessed fairly and transparently.
The advice here applies to you if you’re studying on an undergraduate or postgraduate taught degree at the University of Portsmouth (including degree apprenticeships), whether you’re at the Portsmouth campus, the London campus, or on a distance learning programme.
Assessment marking process
The marking process has multiple steps:
- Initial marking is done anonymously, where practical. All exams are marked anonymously; all computer-aided assessment software has anonymity enforced; and where anonymity is not practical, the verification step that follows is more intense.
- Verification is the step in which your lecturers check each other’s work to ensure a standard approach.
- For major project modules, all assessed work is verified by a ‘double-blind’ marking procedure - that is, graded independently by two different markers, who then come together to agree on a final mark and provide feedback. (If they can’t agree, your Head of School will appoint a third independent marker, who will steer the process to a fair and consistent result.)
- For modules where your mark depends on a single piece of work, or where anonymity has been impractical, all assessments will also be graded under the double-blind marking procedure.
- For other modules, 10% of all assessments (from a minimum of 6 pieces and a maximum of 20) will be randomly selected for verification. The sample will cover a range of marks to provide a comprehensive assessment. For these modules, a second staff member will review the selected assessments to ensure that the marks are fair and appropriate. If the second marker disagrees, a third marker is brought in to finalise the marking process for the module.
- If we can’t agree a final mark for a particular assessment, using this verification process, the assessment will be referred to your course’s Subject External Examiner for their opinion, which will influence the Module Assessment Board’s decision.
- Feedback is available to you once marks are verified. There’s still a chance the numerical score will change at this stage, depending on the Module Assessment Board’s decisions, but this is rare.
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Once assessments have been marked, the Marks Ratification process reviews and confirms the marks awarded for each module. This includes checking that marking processes have been applied correctly and that any approved moderation has been taken into account.
Once marks have been ratified, your results are reported to you and provided to the Board of Examiners, which considers your overall academic progress and outcomes.
For some courses, this process may be carried out through a Module Assessment Board. While the name is different, the purpose is the same: to ensure marks are accurate, fair, and ready to be used in determining your results.
- The Board of Examiners is the final stage of the assessment process. Once the Board of Examiners approves the marks your assessments have received, your marks can be considered confirmed.
Some medical accrediting bodies also require a standardisation stage, to ensure our marking is fair and consistent with other universities offering comparable courses. If your course is accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC), General Medical Council (GMC) or General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC), your module coordinator will have let you know early in your studies what standardisation rules will apply.
Feedback on your assessments, including examinations, is crucial for your learning. Following an assessment, you should receive your feedback within twenty working days of the submission deadline or the examination date.
If there’s an unexpected delay in providing feedback, your Module Leader will let you know why, and when you can expect your feedback.
Your feedback will:
- give you insight into how well your work met the assessment criteria and learning outcomes
- highlight the major strengths of your work and suggest ways to improve your mark
- include information on your original mark and any penalties applied, if relevant — at this stage, your mark or grade is provisional and may be subject to change or moderation until it is finalised by the Module Assessment Board
You’ll be advised on how to collect your work with feedback. Remember, there’s a time limit for collecting your work, which will be long enough to give you a fair chance to collect it — but after this period, it will be confidentially destroyed.
Sometimes your written feedback will be supplemented by oral feedback, which may be provided to you individually or to you as part of a group.
If you submit work after the published deadline, and after any automatic extension period, without valid extenuating circumstances, you forfeit your right to receive feedback on that work.
If you feel aggrieved over a formal academic assessment, you can appeal within ten days of receiving the decision. All appeals begin at Stage 1, and cannot be submitted until you have received the official communication from the University outlining the decision you wish to appeal against.
For example, if you wish to appeal a Board of Examiners’ decision to exclude you from the course, you will need to refer back to the exclusion letter, which tells you who to contact to appeal. If you wish to appeal the outcome of an Extenuating Circumstances application, you will need to refer back to the letter which confirms your ECF decision.
Regardless of the type of appeal you wish to make, you will have 10 working days from the day you received the correspondence, to submit your appeal to the designated person/team. If you are unsure where to send your appeal, please contact your Head of School.
You have two possible reasons to make an appeal:
- The University or End Point Assessment Organisation has made an administrative error/not followed its own procedures (which you can evidence) when arriving at the decision being appealed, or
- You were prevented from completing a process/procedure for reasons related to your personal circumstances that you were unable to disclose, for a sound and acceptable reason related to the circumstances themselves, before the decision you are appealing was made.
You can’t make an appeal solely based on questioning the examiner’s academic judgement; if your appeal request is based on these grounds alone, it will be dismissed.
More information about the process and any further details can be found in the Appeals Policy.
In relation to academic support, feedback on assignments was always timely, thorough and insightful. I was always clearly informed of what I did well, how I could improve my assignments and where I could receive further support should I require it. This was incredibly useful for ensuring that I challenged myself to reach the next grade boundary and reassured me that I would never be alone or utterly lost throughout my academic journey.
Accessing and understanding your results
Your results will be available for you to view on Your Student View on the ‘My Results’ tab. Your decision about progression/award can be found on the ‘My Course Progression’ tab.
You'll see three sections:
- My Assessment Marks - This will show the mark for each assessment you have taken.
- My Module Marks - This will show your overall module results.
- My Course Progression - This will show your overall progression decision.
There's more information on what each result means below.
How your marks are decided
When your assessment is marked it will receive a percentage score.
For most assessments we use a method called ‘categorical marking’ to ensure consistency and fairness across all markers, which associates each grade with a description.
View the Undergraduate Categorical Marking Scheme
View the Postgraduate Categorical Marking Scheme
The University doesn’t have a minimum achievement level for an individual assessment component, only for modules. However, some accrediting bodies may have pass standards or thresholds of achievement that apply to specific assessment components of accredited courses. You’ll be informed of any requirements at the start of any module that has them.
When the Module Assessment Board confirms your marks, it makes a final decision on your grade for a complete module, and reports that result to the Board of Examiners.
Grades
The grade they report follows rounding rules:
- If a decimal is .5 or greater, it rounds up to the next whole number
- If a decimal is .4 or less, it rounds down to the nearest whole number
- Marks ending in a 9 after rounding are rounded up to the next whole number
For example, if a module’s assessments averaged to 68.6, it would round up to 69, following the first rule, then round up to 70 with the third. A mark of 68.4 would round down to 68, following the second rule.
Grade points
For undergraduate honours degree courses, you’ll also be allocated a Grade Point for each overall module mark. The Grade Point is given to two decimal places according to the following table:
|
Mark |
Grade Point |
|---|---|
|
>75 |
4.25 |
|
71-74 |
4.00 |
|
67-70 |
3.75 |
|
64-66 |
3.50 |
|
61-63 |
3.25 |
|
57-60 |
3.00 |
|
54-56 |
2.75 |
|
50-53 |
2.50 |
|
48 |
2.25 |
|
43-47 |
2.00 |
|
40-42 |
1.50 |
|
38 |
1.00 |
|
35-37 |
0.75 |
|
30-34 |
0.50 |
|
<28 |
0.00 |
Moderation
It’s possible that the Board will apply moderation to your results. This could happen in response to issues with how the pass mark was applied or if the marks did not match the expected distribution of marks. Exceptionally, moderation might also occur if there has been a problem in how the course ran that puts you at a disadvantage.
If moderation does happen, you’ll be informed (in writing) why this happened and how it impacted your grade.
As well as a numerical grade, the Module Assessment Board will also give you one of the following outcomes for each module:
a) Passed: You have successfully completed the module
If you have received a Pass, it means you have successfully completed the module and the credit has been assigned to you.
b) Deferral: Your assessment is deferred to a later date
A Deferral is when you have not been able to finish an assessment for a module due to a valid extenuating circumstances claim. But don’t worry, deferral gives you a chance to complete the assessment at a set time in the future without being capped at the pass mark. Your deferral assessment will be decided by the Module Assessment Board, and you’ll have to complete it by a specific date. After the date, you will not be able to take the deferral assessment.
When you complete your deferral assessment, it will be marked like it is your first attempt, and there will not be any cap on your mark.
c) Referral and Final Award Referral: You need to resit or redo part or all of the assessment
Referral is a chance to retake a failed assessment without having to retake the entire module.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The purpose of Referral is to give you another opportunity to pass the module and move forward with your studies.
- There are set deadlines by which you must complete Referral Assessments.
- Referral assessments will be marked, but your marks will be capped at the pass mark of the module. However, your overall module mark will not be capped, and it will be recalculated with the capped Referral marks. On your Transcript, it will be noted as ‘Passed After Referral’.
- There is no limit on the number of credits you can take as a Referral.
- Final Award Referral applies only to the last year or stage of your course and may be granted as a further opportunity to pass the module if you fail the referral attempt.
d) Combined Referral Deferral: You have both a referral and deferral
Combined Referral Deferral means that you have not completed one or more assessments of a module for valid reason, and conditions have been set for you to complete these assessments. At the same time, you have also failed one or more other assessments in the module and that assessment is are eligible for a Referral.
e) A Repeat outcome means that you have not successfully completed a module following a referral or deferred assessment attempt.
If permitted by the University Regulations, you may be given the opportunity to repeat the module in the next academic year. This means that you will not progress to the next stage of your course, or, if you are in your final year, you will not yet be able to complete your course.
When repeating a module, you will be required to re-attend all teaching activities and complete the module again, including any assessments associated with it. This gives you a fresh opportunity to achieve the required learning outcomes and pass the module.
f) Decision Pending: The decision on the outcome is pending further review or information.
Decision pending means that the Module Assessment Board has been unable to confirm the mark and assign the credit to you at the time of the Board. This could be for a number of reasons, such as a query relating to an assessment, waiting on a mark to be confirmed, or due to an academic misconduct enquiry.
When the marks for all your modules are considered by the Board of Examiners, there are a number of decisions they may make regarding your studies.
If you've met your study objectives, the Board will either approve your entry to the next year of your course, or recommend a final award. If you haven't met the study objectives, however, the Board can recommend compensation — which allows you to progress despite this - or exclusion.
Recommending your final award
When the Board of Examiners recommends your award, it's telling the University's Academic Council that you've earned all the credits you need for this degree, directly or through compensation, and that you're in compliance with our academic regulations. You can read the full policy here: Awards of the University of Portsmouth. It's also telling the Council what your degree classification should be, as set out below.
Calculating an Honours degree classification
To work out your final classification, the Board of Examiners will:
-
calculate the weighted mean (average) of all relevant credits at Level 5 and Level 6, in the ratio of 40:60 respectively after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits at both level 5 and 6;
-
calculate the weighted mean of all relevant credits at Level 6 after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits at Level 6.
You'll also receive a Grade Point Average (GPA), presented to two decimal places. This is calculated as a weighted mean of Grade Points from all the relevant credits at Levels 5 and 6, in the ratio of 40:60 respectively, after first discounting any pass/fail modules and the Grade Points in the worst 20 credits at each level.
If these formulas give different results, you'll receive the highest result. The Board of Examiners may also use its discretion to recommend a different result if you've earned credits from Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or pass/fail modules at Level 6.
Pass/fail modules do not count towards your classification, and the mean average will be calculated on the remaining credit.
Final year entrants
If you entered directly into the final stage of our course, they will:
-
calculate the weighted mean of all relevant credits at Level 6, after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits at Level 6
In this case, your GPA is calculated using the weighted average of Grade Points of all relevant credits at level 6 after first discounting the Grade Points in the worst 20 credits at level 6.
Calculating other award classifications
Integrated Master's degrees
If you studied an integrated Master's, the Board of Examiners will recommend the highest classification resulting from these formulas:
-
calculate the weighted mean from all relevant credits at Level 6 and 7 in the ratio of 50:50 respectively, after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits at Level 6 and 7
-
calculate the weighted mean from all relevant credits at Levels 5, 6 and 7 in the ratio of 20: 40: 40 respectively, after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits at Level 5, Level 6 and Level 7.
Other non-honours awards, at undergraduate or postgraduate level (except Integrated Masters degrees)
For these awards, the Board of Examiners will recommend the highest classification resulting from these formulas:
-
Non-honours awards at both undergraduate and postgraduate level (except Integrated Masters degrees), the Board of Examiners will recommend the highest classification to a student who is eligible for the relevant award arising from the application of the following formulae: a) the classification calculated from the weighted mean of all relevant credits;
-
For Certificates of Higher Education, Diplomas of Higher Education, Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas and Foundation Degrees, relevant credits can be at Level 4, 5 or 6. For Ordinary Degrees, relevant credits are at Level 5 and 6 only.
-
For awards of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or taught postgraduate Masters Degree, relevant credits are at Level 7 only.
In certain cases, the Board of Examiners may use its academic judgement to recommend a Distinction or Merit award to a student who does not meet all the usual criteria
Sometimes, despite not meeting all the standard requirements, you may still be deserving of a higher award. The Board will carefully review your situation to ensure fairness. For example, if you have Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credit without marks, they will take that into account. They will record their reasons for any special decisions made in the meeting minutes.
Special awards recommended by the Board of Examiners
-
An Aegrotat Award may be conferred if you're unable to continue your studies for valid extenuating circumstances, but you would have satisfied the standard required for the award. An Aegrotat award has no classification, and accepting one means you won't be able to take up further assessment or reassessment. You'll be asked to indicate your willingness to accept an Aegrotat award before it's recommended, and you'll be advised if it's recognised by any accrediting body.
-
A Posthumous Award may be conferred to a deceased candidate who was a registered student at the time of death, and who had sufficient accessible work available at the time of death for the Board of Examiners to recommend an award.
Departing from the University’s Regulations
In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may need to make an adjustment to the standard regulation. This might be necessary when sticking strictly to the regulations would be unfair. Before departing from the Regulations for any reason, the Board must consult with the Award External Examiner and the Academic Registrar to ensure they are making the best decision. These measures are in place to ensure fairness and your best interests are always considered, as well as upholding academic integrity.
Compensation
Compensation is a way of recognising strong overall academic performance when you have narrowly failed a small amount of assessment or module credit.
This means that, in some circumstances, the Board of Examiners may award credit for a failed module without requiring you to take further assessment. The Board will only do this when it is satisfied that you have demonstrated the required standard overall and that the learning outcomes of your course have been met.
When can compensation be considered?
You may be eligible for compensation if:
-
Your mark is no more than 10 percentage points below the pass mark.
-
Your overall performance at that stage of your course is strong enough to demonstrate achievement of the required academic standard.
-
The failed assessment or module is eligible for compensation under University regulations.
Important limits
There are limits on how much compensation can be awarded:
-
For most undergraduate courses, a maximum of 30 credits per academic level can be compensated.
-
No more than 60 credits in total can normally be compensated across an entire course.
-
Compensation is not available for pass/fail assessments.
-
Some professionally accredited courses may not permit compensation because of professional body requirements.
What does this mean for your results?
If compensation is awarded:
-
The module will be recorded on your transcript as a Compensated Pass.
-
You will receive the credit for the module and may be able to progress with your studies or complete your award.
-
The Board of Examiners will formally record the decision.
Compensation is not an automatic entitlement. Each case is carefully considered by the Board of Examiners to ensure that academic standards are maintained and that students have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required for their course.
When they make their decisions, the Board of Examiners follows these conventions:
- They will treat module marks as whole numbers (integers).
- When they use averages, these are weighted mean averages (in which, for example, a 40-credit module has twice the influence on your final mark as a 20-credit one). They’ll also round these averages to the nearest whole number, using these rules:
- Decimals of .5 or greater round up to the next highest integer.
- Decimals of .4 or less round down to the nearest integer.
- Modules which are pass or fail only do not count towards your classification. The mean values (average scores) are calculated based on the remaining credits.
If you have earned more credits than the minimum requirements for your award, the weighted mean average will be based on:
- Your performance in all compulsory modules; plus
- Your best performance in optional modules up to the total number of credits required.
All other modules will be disregarded in your final grade, except in relation to the award of credit.
Passing your course
Once you've completed and successfully passed all of your assessments, you'll know what award you've achieved.
If you successfully achieve the award you originally applied for, you're eligible to attend Graduation — but if you’ve decided to accept an Exit Award that’s lower than the award you registered for, you will not be able to attend.
To attend the current year’s Graduation ceremony, your marks need to be settled and confirmed before the relevant deadline. This means you'll need to have received your undergraduate or postgraduate award by then. If you’re a research student, you need to have submitted your final thesis by then too.
If you’re an apprenticeship student, your eligibility for attending Graduation depends on your End Point Assessment (EPA):
- On integrated apprenticeships, your EPA is credit-bearing, which means you’ll make your attempt as part of your award
- On non-integrated apprenticeships, you’ll attempt your EPA after the Board makes your award — so you’ll need to have attempted your End Point Assessment (EPA) by the graduation deadline
If you didn't do as well as expected, or didn't pass your exams
Make sure to to check your University email for messages about assessments and your status. There may be important information about results, deadline dates, appeals, Graduation, etc.
If the outcome of your assessments have been processed, you'll see your results in your Student View — including whether if you are not yet progressing or receiving an award because of outstanding assessments to be completed.
If you didn't do as well as you'd hope, there are steps you can take to work towards improving your results:
1. Understand your assessment outcome
Use the information above to learn more so you know why and how you've received your result including how your marks are calculated and what your marks mean at each assessment stage.
2. Find out what needs to be done and when
The University allocates a block of time as a ‘resit period’ for referral and deferral assessments. This is normally a standard three week period starting from the Monday after the exam board meets.
If you have resit examinations, the information about timings for the exams will appear on your timetable. Please check your timetable carefully to be sure that you don’t miss an exam.
3. Ask for help
Reach out to the relevant service if you're not sure about any aspect of your assessment or if you need any kind of support:
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