Intellectual Property Specialist Student Handbook 2026/27

17.2. Borderline Policy

Examination Boards may use the borderline classification policy to recommend a higher award classification than that indicated by a student’s Classification Mark where specified criteria are met, and the Subject Examination Board agrees, with collective academic judgement, that the higher classification better reflects the student’s overall performance. 

The borderline classification policy can only be used to recommend a higher classification where the following conditions are met. There is no discretion at the pass/fail border, as this represents a minimum standard of achievement for the award: 

Criteria for Awarding a Higher Classification

A student within the zone of consideration may be awarded the higher classification if:

• Each student with a Classification Mark within 1.5 per cent of a borderline (except at the pass/fail border) is determined to fall within the ‘zone of consideration’ and will be considered as a possible case for application of the borderline policy;
• A student falling within the zone of consideration and with at least half of their final year credits (half of ‘all’ credits for postgraduate taught awards) with marks at the level of the upper classification (or higher), will be raised to the higher classification.
• Where the final year includes advanced standing credits from another institution, only Queen Mary credits will be considered in the borderline policy (i.e. at least half of the ‘Queen Mary’ credits must be at or above the level of the higher classification).
• Where a student studies on a part-time basis, all modules comprising the full-time equivalent final year will be used in the borderline policy.

For further details, please refer to the relevant Academic Regulations 2026-27 or contact your programme office.