Postgraduate taught Masters classification

• Calculation protocols

  The Senate Regulations specify that at least 180 credits should be gained during an approved Masters programme. For students who have taken extra modules, the calculation of St Andrews GPA must include all modules (allowing for the exceptions noted below). Thus, a student cannot take an extra module with a view to disposing of another with a poorer grade.

  The award of a PGT Masters degree requires 90 credits of the taught component to be at 5000-level. Students are permitted to 'dip-down' for remaining credit. The grades achieved for dip-down modules taken at 1000 or 2000-level as part of a PGT degree are incorporated into the degree only when the subject of the module is required language training. In all other cases, only grades received for 3000 and 4000-level 'dip-down' modules are incorporated into the St Andrews GPA.

  Grades between 4.0 and 6.9

  In the case of a taught module failed with a grade of 4.0-6.9, there is a right to reassessment. For modules of 3000-level or above, if the reassessment is passed, the grade recorded on the transcript and entered into the algorithmic calculation is a 'capped' grade of '7.0' (not the original failed grade). There is no right to reassessment for dissertation modules.

  In the case of a failed module for which no credit is subsequently obtained at reassessment, the original (failed) grade is entered into the algorithmic calculation even though no credits are obtained for the module.

  Grades of 3.9 or less

  In the case of a module failed with a grade of 3.9 or less, there is no right to reassessment and the original grade is reported and entered into the algorithmic calculation even though no credits are obtained for the module.

  ‘0X’ grades

  In the case of receiving a 0X, a grade of '0' is entered into the algorithmic calculation (with the credit-weighting of the relevant module) even though no credits are obtained for the module with respect to meeting the requirements of the degree programme. However, any authorised withdrawal from a module would be ignored by the algorithm.

  Pass and fail grades

  In the case of modules graded on a pass/fail basis, credits obtained are included in the overall credit requirements for the intended degree award. However, credits and grades are excluded from the calculation of the St Andrews GPA and the overall degree classification.

  Grades achieved outwith St Andrews

  Grades that are achieved (after suitable translation) from modules taken outwith St Andrews (usually abroad) as part of a Masters programme are entered into the algorithmic calculation. If ungraded credits are received from abroad or graded credits that are not formally approved as part of a Masters programme, then these will not influence the algorithmic calculation, although such credits will normally appear on transcripts.

• Consideration of special cases

  Students who are S-coded do not need to be brought to the attention of the Dean, so long as the S-coding does not cover more than 50% of the total credits for the taught component of a postgraduate Masters degree.

  Students with S-coded modules will have their results run through the algorithm twice: once with the S-coded modules included, once without the S-coded modules included. Whichever result produces the higher classification of degree will automatically be awarded. Further information is available in University policy on S-coding and the accompanying S-coding guidance.

  Exceptional cases should be referred to the relevant Dean. These exceptions include the following types of cases:

  • students who are marginally short of the required number of credits for a degree
  • students who have been S-coded for more than the maximum number of credits stated above
  • any other anomalies.

  Where anomalies are referred to the Dean, the School must provide minutes of the discussion held at the School Examination Board, along with a recommendation from that Board.