Student Handbook 2023/24

Postgraduate Degree Classifications

Award requirements for LLM/MA/MSc 

To be eligible for a Master of LLM (LLM), Master of Arts (MA) or Masters of Science (MSc), a student must meet all of the following requirements:

1. take 180 credits, including a minimum 150 credits at level 7. Any credits below level 7 must be at levels 5 or 6; a maximum 15 may be taken at level 5.

2. Either for the LLM and MA only, for the MSc all credits must be at level 7

a. pass 180 credits; or,

b. pass a minimum 150 credits and meet the requirements for condoned failure in the remaining credits.

3. achieve a Classification Mark of 50.0 or higher.

Award requirements for PG Diploma

To be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma a student must meet all of the following requirements:

1. take 120 credits, including a minimum 90 credits at level 7. Any credits below level 7 must be at levels 5 or 6; a maximum 15 may be taken at level 5.

2. either:

a. pass 120 credits; or,

b. pass a minimum 90 credits and meet the requirements for condoned failure in the remaining credits.

3. achieve a Classification Mark of 50.0 or higher.

Award requirements for PG Certificate

To be eligible for a PG Certificate, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

1. take 60 credits at level 7

2. either:

a. pass 60 credits; or,

b. pass a minimum 45 credits and meet the requirements for condoned failure in the remaining credits.

3. achieve a Classification Mark of 50.0 or higher.

Overall Classification

Postgraduate awards are classified using the Classification Mark, as below. The Classification Mark is the mean average mark for the full programme of study.

Classification Mark	Classification
70.0 – 100.0	Distinction
60.0 – 69.9	Merit
50.0 – 59.9	Pass

Borderline Policy:

Examination boards may use a borderline policy when making recommendations for final degree
classifications. The following criteria are used:

• Students with Classification Marks within 1.5% of a borderline (except at the pass/fail border) shall be determined to fall within the ‘zone of consideration’;
•  All students falling within a zone of consideration shall be considered as possible cases for application of the borderline policy;
•  Students falling within the zone of consideration and with at least half of all credits with marks at the level of the upper classification (or higher), shall be raised to the higher classification. The credits at the higher level may include the dissertation or project, but this is not a requirement. Where a student studies on a part-time basis, all modules comprising the full-time equivalent final year shall be used in the borderline policy.

 Please view the following page which provides links to the award regulations for Queen Mary degrees. http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/policy/