Exceptional in most or every respect, the work demonstrates all of the characteristics noted for First class in the Outstanding range below and is also well beyond the level expected of a highly competent student at their level of study,

and could not be bettered for the level of study.

Outstanding in most respects, the work is what might be expected of a highly competent student at their level of study.

The work demonstrates most of the following attributes:

• A breadth of appropriate and focussed knowledge, and a deep and critical understanding of the subject matter
• An outstanding standard of synthesis and evaluation, and a critical and insightful analysis
• Complexity of thought, creativity, insight and/or originality
• Evidence of comprehensive reading and thought of significant complexity and well beyond, but still relevant to, course/assignment materials
• Outstanding use of references and exemplars, well beyond, but still relevant to, course/assignment materials
• An outstanding standard of writing and communication and/or presentation, that is clearly and logically structured

Excellent in most respects, the work is what might be expected of a very competent student at their level of study. The work demonstrates

• Wide, appropriate and focussed knowledge and critical understanding of the subject matter
• An excellent standard of synthesis and evaluation and/or shows critical and insightful analysis
• Some complexity of thought, insight and/or originality – Evidence of comprehensive reading and thought beyond course/assignment materials
• Excellent use of references and exemplars
• An excellent standard of writing and communication and/or presentation, that is clearly and logically structured

Mid 2.1: 65

High 2.1: 68

Very good or good in most respects for the level of study in displaying attainment of the learning outcomes, with marks at the higher end of this scale reflecting stronger and more consistent attainment of the learning outcomes.

This work demonstrates:

• A very good or good level of appropriate knowledge and critical understanding of the subject matter, with only occasional lapses in detail
• Very good or good synthesis, analysis, reflection, understanding and/or critical evaluation
• Evidence of reading and thought beyond course/assignment materials
• Appropriate use of references and exemplars
• A good standard of writing and communication and/or presentation, that is clearly and logically structured

Mid 2.2: 55

High 2.2: 58

The work is satisfactory for the level of study and clearly meets the requirements for demonstrating the relevant learning outcomes. Marks at the higher end of this scale reflect stronger and more consistent attainment of the learning outcomes for this standard of work. This work demonstrates:

• Satisfactory knowledge and a reasonable understanding of the essential material –
• Weaknesses in the synthesis and/or analysis, reflection, understanding and critical evaluation of material, resulting in parts of the work being overly descriptive in nature
• General accuracy with occasional mistakes and/or reduced focus on the
• main issue or lapses in detail
• Limited evidence of reading and thought beyond course/assignment materials
• A satisfactory standard of writing and communication and/or presentation, where there may be weaknesses in the clarity and/or structure of the work
• Appropriate use of references and exemplars, though there may be minor flaws in the referencing technique

Mid 3rd: 45,

High 3rd: 48

Unsatisfactory demonstration of the learning outcomes.

The work fails to meet the minimum requirements for demonstrating the relevant learning outcomes at PGT level. Marks at the higher end of this scale reflect stronger and more consistent attainment of the learning outcomes for this standard of work, although ultimately insufficiently at year 5 and PGT level. This work demonstrates:

• Basic knowledge and understanding
• A weak argument which is not logically structured or which lacks clarity or is based on unsubstantiated statements
• No relevant critical analysis
• Insufficient evidence of reading and thought beyond course/assignment materials
• Poor organisation and/or presentation
• A lack of references and exemplars

The work fails to meet the minimum requirements for demonstrating the relevant learning outcomes for the level of study. Marks at the higher end of this scale reflect stronger and more consistent attainment of the learning outcomes within this range of marks. This work demonstrates:

• An insufficient level of knowledge and understanding
• A poorly structured, poorly developed, or incoherent argument, or no argument at all
• An awkward writing style or poor expression of concepts
• A lack of familiarity with the subject and/or assessment method
• Insufficient evidence of reading and thought beyond course/assignment materials
• A lack of references and exemplars

The work is very weak or shows a decided lack of effort. The work demonstrates –

• Very poor or confused knowledge and understanding, with reference to only a few key words, phrases or key ideas –
• No argument or one based on irrelevant and erroneous content – Irrelevant content and extensive omissions –
• Weaknesses of presentation and/or logic and/or evidence
• Inadequate evidence of learning
• Incomplete or inadequately presented references, if any

The work is extremely weak. The work demonstrates:

• No knowledge or understanding of the area in question
• Incomplete, muddled, and/or irrelevant material
• Irrelevant or little content, extensive omissions
• Weaknesses of presentation and/or logic and/or evidence
• Deficient evidence of learning
• Incomplete or inadequately presented references, if any