Guidance on assessment of coursework and award of grade

A representative sample of students work in each module is double-marked, including any assignments designated as failing, by MA course tutors according to the system shown below. The grades notified to you are provisional upon the moderation of the external examiner and subsequent approval by the Board of the Faculty of the Social Sciences and the University Senate. The following are general criteria for the award of grades: Excellent Pass (70%+ or equivalent) Good Pass (60-69%) Satisfactory Pass (50-59%) Fail on first submission (Below 50%) Fail on second submission (Below 50%) In order to achieve a pass, you must get 50% or above. In modules where there is more than one component or assignment, only an overall passing grade is necessary to pass the module. The criteria for the award of grades are presented in the table on Page 3. As you can see in the table, we will assess your assignment with the following criteria particularly in mind: Focus and clarity of purpose: Does the title accurately reflect the purpose and content of the assignment? Have you made it clear early on in your paper what the aims of your study are, ie.what question or problem you intend to discuss and/or what argument you are proposing? Have you maintained your focus on the central question throughout the paper? Knowledge of the relevant field of study Is there evidence of wide and relevant reading of academic literature? Is it clear that you understand key concepts and arguments in what you have read? Do you evaluate and, where appropriate, reflect critically on the literature? Do you make it clear how your own viewpoint relates to the views of the scholars whose work you have read? Presentation Is the work structured clearly and logically? Is the work written clearly, accurately and in a style appropriate to its academic audience and genre? Do you conform to the academic conventions of the genre (such as register, tone, citation conventions)? Do you acknowledge the use of any ideas or words from another source? Is the work presented to a high quality and is it the appropriate length? [continued overleaf]

Information on Award Scheme Distinction

To be awarded a distinction, a candidate will have achieved the specified learning outcomes of the programme to an excellent or very high standard, displayed a very high command of the subject and technical and analytical skills and demonstrated independence of thinking and excellent research potential.

Merit
To be awarded a pass with merit, a candidate will have achieved the specified learning outcomes of the programme to a very good standard, displayed a high command of the subject and technical and analytical skills and demonstrated independence of thinking and very good research skills.

[continued overleaf]

Grade Descriptions for MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL

Grade (% or equivalent) 70% Organisation and Presentation Articulate, fluent and wellstructured. Accurate and appropriate handling of references and sources Awareness and Comprehension of Key concepts and ideas Demonstrates excellent command of subject matter. Understands the relevant theories and concepts fully and applies them skilfully to the assignment topic. Demonstrates good command of the subject matter. Understands relevant theoretical models and concepts, and applies them competently to the assignment topic. Demonstrates a basic command of the subject matter and limited by satisfactory understanding and/or application of relevant theories, concepts etc. Demonstrates inadequate command of the subject matter and insufficient awareness and understanding of relevant theories, concepts etc. Analysis and Critical/Professional Evaluation Excellent ability to analyse and critique relevant arguments, debates and points of view, etc. Critically evaluates relationship between theory and practice. Shows ability to analyse and critique relevant arguments, debated etc. Good commentary on relationship between theory and practice. Limited critical commentary on relevant arguments, debates, etc. Tendency towards description and/or paraphrase, rather than analysis. Lack of analysis and critique. Over-generalised or irrelevant commentary. Shows little awareness of relevant arguments, debates, interpretations, etc. Research (of applicable)

Research questions are very appropriate and well defined. Effectively synthesises relevant material from a range of sources. Fully discusses and justifies research methods used. Presents and analyses data very clearly and accurately. Critically appraises strengths and weaknesses of investigative strategies. Considers alternative interpretations. Research questions are appropriate and properly defined. Evidence of systematic enquiry. Discusses and justifies research methods used. Presents and analyses data quite clearly and accurately. Some awareness of possible limitations to the study and of alternative interpretations. Research questions are generally appropriate and reasonably well defined. Satisfactory but limited sources for the research undertaken. Systematic approach but may be deficient in discussion and/or justification or investigative strategies used. Data presented and analysed with reasonable clarity and accuracy. Research questions not appropriate and/or insufficiently defined. Inadequate range of sources and flawed research methods. Lack of critical discussion/appraisal of strategies used. Data not presented or analysed clearly or accurately. Failure to consider limitations and/or alternative interpretations. Lack of evidence to support conclusion.

60-69%

Generally well- structured. Clear and orderly presentation. Generally proper handling of references and sources. Satisfactory structure and organisation. Mostly proper, if limited, referencing and handling of sources.

50-59%

Fail on first submission 49% or less

Inadequately or flawed organisation and presentation. Language or typographical errors interfere with readability. Inadequate referencing and handling of sources.

Fail on resubmission

The assignment is very weak in all or most of the categories. It has not adequately addressed the flaws or deficiencies of the first submission.

All pass level assignments (50% and above) must be carefully edited, proof read, and of an appropriate length. A failed assignment can be re-submitted only once. The maximum grade after resubmission is 50%. Failure on first submission in several modules may result in the student being advised to withdraw or accept a lower qualification. The number of resubmissions may be limited where overall progress is deemed to be below the expected standard for the course