At King’s, marking of assessments must be conducted in accordance with the Regulations for taught programmes, the requirements of the Academic Standards Sub-Committee, and approved assessment schemes drawn up by individual Assessment Sub-boards.
This article explains the basic principles of marking and award classifications. For further details on how the university assures the quality of its programmes, take a look at the Academic Regulations, Quality & Standards webpage.
Marking process
The university makes a commitment to ensure that the assessment process is fair, equal and transparent. To meet this commitment, Assessment Sub-Boards select the most appropriate marking model for their assessment type. You should be advised which marking model is being applied to your assessments.
There are several official documents on Governance Zone related to marking:
- College Marking Framework
- Generic Marking Criteria: Undergraduate
- Generic Marking Criteria: Taught Postgraduate
- King's Feedback Policy
Award classifications
To be eligible for an award under the university's Regulations for taught programmes a student must pass a minimum and maximum number of credits at certain levels, in addition to the programme specific requirements. The credit numbers for different levels are listed in the regulations.
Masters programmes
To determine the final overall average mark, the relative weighting of a module mark will map to the relative weighting of the module’s credit volume based on credit volume.
Undergraduate programmes: C-score
Undergraduate and Integrated Masters students will have their award calculated using the C Score formula outlined in the Regulations for taught programmes.
Undergraduate programmes: certificates & diplomas
To determine a final overall average mark, the relative weighting of a module mark will map to the relative weighting of the module’s credit volume based on credit volume.
Undergraduate programmes: below level 6
Undergraduate students who registered on programmes that are below Honours level (level 6) will have their award calculated as outlined in the Regulations for taught programmes.
What is a condoned fail?
A condoned fail is where a student is awarded credit for a module that has a mark below the pass mark but within a specified condonable range. This range is outlined in the Regulations for taught programmes.
There may be instances where condonement is not possible, including for core modules, or where there are special requirements for some programmes e.g. Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies regulations. Further details on whether your programme allows condoned fails can be found in your student handbook.
Condoned credit and the 2023 marking and assessment boycott
Condoned credit may also be awarded under certain conditions in exceptional circumstances, such as industrial action. This was the case for a number of students affected by the 2023 marking and assessment boycott. If you were awarded condoned credit as a result of the boycott, please see this article for further information.
Condoned credit may also be awarded under certain conditions in exceptional circumstances, such as industrial action. This was the case for a number of students affected by the 2023 marking and assessment boycott. If you were awarded condoned credit as a result of the boycott, please see this article for further information.