Changes to Assessment Regulations 2025

We've introduced a few changes to assessment regulations from 1 September 2025: 

Master’s courses: Updating the marking scale

We're updating the marking scale for your Master's courses, but don’t worry — this doesn't mean you need to do extra work. 

We frequently review our regulations to ensure we're operating in ways that are consistent with other universities. A recent review of our Assessment Regulations showed that the marking scale we use for Masters Courses was not in line with practices used elsewhere. So, we're approved a change in the marking scale.

The chief difference you'll see is that: the pass mark will be 50% rather than 40% on the new scale. 

You don't need to worry — your course has not become harder to pass, and you won’t need to do extra work. The level of work to achieve the 50% pass mark from 1 September 2025 will be the same as it is currently to achieve 40%.

The updated marking scale will start from 1 September 2025. After this date, the adjusted pass mark will apply to any assessments and modules completed.

Impacts on current courses and assessments

If you're currently enrolled in a Master's course and have modules or assessments that conclude after 1 September 2025, the marking scale will apply to your assessments.

However, this change won't impact the structure, design or delivery of your course. Your course remains unchanged, and only the marking scale will be updated.

We'll also adjust any previous marks at 49% and below on your course to align with the new marking scale from 1 September.

If you are continuing on your course after 1 September and you have a previous assessment mark of 40% after 1 September 2025, this will automatically be adjusted to 50%.

If you are currently studying

This change will not impact the overall standard of your course or the final award you receive. 

The adjustment is a change in the threshold for passing assessments which occur after 1 September 2025.

If you are graduating before 1 September 2025

If you complete your Master's course and graduate before 1 September 2025, this change will not impact you. You will have completed all assessments under the previous marking scale, so no adjustments will be made to your results.

For courses with an existing 50% pass mark

If your Master's course already has a marking scale which sets the pass mark threshold at  50%, this change will not affect you. The pass mark will remain the same and will not be adjusted.

How we worked with you on these changes

Your Students’ Union works closely with the University on changes like these. The Students’ Union Elected Officers and staff members were involved in the review and update of the Assessment Regulations and this change.

We also held a student consultation workshop, which included student representatives. The University agrees to these changes through its Academic Committee Structure, with the final decision made by the Academic Council. Student Union Officers are members of these committees.

Updated degree classification methods

From September 2025 we have streamlined the degree classification methods to bring them more in line with other universities. Importantly, the remaining classification methods haven’t changed, there is just one less method in use. You will be awarded the highest classification based on the following rules.

We're no longer including the following methods from 1 September 2025:

• Undergraduate courses: the minimum classification in which more than 50% of the combined relevant credits at Level 5 and Level 6 were obtained after first discounting the marks in the worst 20 credits both at Level 5 and at Level 6

• Postgraduate courses, top-up final-year courses, and other non-honours courses: the minimum classification in which more than 50% of the relevant credits were attained

Changes from September 2026 

From September 2026 we'll introduce the Connected Curriculum. This is a new course approach that's designed to ensure an outstanding and transformative student experience, and to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your studies.

Our University of Portsmouth Connected Curriculum is based on academic, subject and research excellence, and underpinned by relevant developments, innovations, digital technologies and professional practices in its subject areas.

The curriculum is focused on skills and employability, and informed by local, national and global demands to produce future-ready graduates. It's inclusive and supportive, with decisions driven by our EDI commitments to ensure all students are effectively and appropriately supported to succeed in their studies. 

The Connected Curriculum is authentic and altruistic — and a place where teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to achieve their best work and actively engage in their educational experience through feedback, co-production and reflection. To continue to develop this, your course teams will ask for your input and feedback about the future course design during the 2025-2026 academic year.