Considering the UK honours degree classification system

1
Considering the UK honours degree classification
system
11 May 2004

• Jane W Denholm
• Director
• Critical Thinking

2
The study

• Ways of recording and measuring undergraduate and
  other qualifications
• Comparative study
• International degrees - 11
• UK qualifications - 10
• 21 different systems and methods

3
Framework for analysis

• Three themes
• Method of assessment
• Nature of award
• Role of assessment

4
Methodology

• Literature review
• limited information available
• obscure/partial
• Interviews
• potentially subjective
• potentially sectarian
• potential for misunderstandings/misinterpretations
  
• opinions useful

5
Coverage UK

• The UK honours degree
• Scottish medical degree (MB ChB)
• Scottish National Qualifications
• Scottish Higher National Qualifications
• City Guilds Higher Professional Diploma/Master
  Professional Diploma
• City Guilds Technical Certificate
• SVQs
• Foundation degrees
• A levels

6
Coverage International

• Transcripts
• USA
• Australia
• Germany
• Italy

• Sweden
• Norway
• Denmark
• Hungary
• Ireland

7
Findings Assessment

• (Almost) all higher education systems are
  national
• Few use UK degree classification
• Widespread use of 3/4/5-point scale
• Distinguishing excellence
• Differentiating components
• Cumulative assessment/final assessment

8
Findings National Characteristics

• Role of thesis
• Oral exams
• National standards
• Lecturers judgement
• Consistent methods
• Resit policies
• Formative assessment

9
Conclusion

• No magic bullet
• Consider the classification system
• Consider the method for calculating it
• Consider what change (if any) is necessary

10
Any questions?

• Jane W Denholm
• j.denholm_at_criticalthinking.co.uk