Academic Policy
Grading Scale & Classification
The official institutional grading scale, grade-point values, degree classification bands, and rules for non-numeric grades applicable to all programmes of the University College.
Letter grades, percentage cut-offs and grade points
Degree classification bands by Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) / CGPA
Non-numeric grades (AB, I, W) and pass/fail rules
1. Letter Grades, Cut-offs & Grade Points
Every assessed module is marked out of one hundred (100) and the final raw mark, rounded to the nearest whole number, is converted to a letter grade in accordance with the following scale.
| Letter | Percentage | Grade Points | Descriptor | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 70 – 100 | 5.00 | Excellent | Pass | Pass |
| B+ | 60 – 69 | 4.50 | Very Good | Pass | Pass |
| B | 55 – 59 | 4.00 | Good | Pass | Pass |
| C+ | 50 – 54 | 3.50 | Above Average | Pass | Pass |
| C | 45 – 49 | 3.00 | Average | Pass | Fail |
| D | 40 – 44 | 2.50 | Marginal Pass | Pass | Fail |
| F | 0 – 39 | 0.00 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
Minimum pass: 40% (D) at undergraduate level; 50% (C+) at taught postgraduate level. A grade of D does not contribute credit at the postgraduate level.
2. Non-Numeric Grades & Special Codes
| Code | Meaning | Grade Points | Effect on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | Absent without leave | 0.00 | Treated as fail for progression and classification. |
| I | Incomplete (approved medical/compelling cause) | — | Must be cleared within 60 days, else lapses to F. |
| W | Withdrawn before deadline | — | Shown on transcript; excluded from GPA. |
3. Degree Classification Bands
Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
Based on final CGPA
| Class | Range |
|---|---|
| First Class Honours | CGPA 4.50 – 5.00 |
| Second Class Honours, Upper Division | CGPA 3.50 – 4.49 |
| Second Class Honours, Lower Division | CGPA 2.50 – 3.49 |
| Third Class Honours | CGPA 1.50 – 2.49 |
| Pass | CGPA 1.00 – 1.49 |
| Fail | CGPA below 1.00 |
Taught Postgraduate (Master's)
Based on weighted average
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
| Distinction | Weighted average ≥ 70% |
| Merit | 60% – 69% |
| Pass | 50% – 59% |
Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are awarded as Pass or Pass with Merit (weighted average ≥ 60%).
4. Full Policy Provisions
Article 1 — Citation, Commencement and Application
- Section 1. This instrument may be cited as the Grading Scale and Classification Policy of Southshore university College, 2026 ("this Policy").
- Section 2. This Policy comes into force on 24th January, 2026 and applies to every taught module, examination and award offered by the University College at undergraduate and taught postgraduate level, save where the Postgraduate Taught Degree Policy or the Postgraduate Research Degree Regulations expressly provide otherwise.
- Section 3. This Policy shall be read together with the Academic Regulations, the Examinations Policy, the Assessment Policy and the Award Framework, and shall prevail over any departmental marking convention to the contrary.
Article 2 — Letter Grades, Percentage Cut-offs and Grade Points
- Section 4. Every assessed module shall be marked out of one hundred (100) and the final raw mark, rounded to the nearest whole number, shall be converted to a letter grade in accordance with the following scale: A (70–100, Excellent, 5.00 grade points); B+ (60–69, Very Good, 4.50 grade points); B (55–59, Good, 4.00 grade points); C+ (50–54, Above Average, 3.50 grade points); C (45–49, Average, 3.00 grade points); D (40–44, Marginal Pass, 2.50 grade points); F (0–39, Fail, 0.00 grade points).
- Section 5. The minimum pass mark for an undergraduate module shall be forty per cent (40%), corresponding to a grade of D; the minimum pass mark for a taught postgraduate module shall be fifty per cent (50%), corresponding to a grade of C+; a grade of D shall not contribute credit at the postgraduate level.
- Section 6. The Grade Point Average (GPA) for a semester shall be computed as the sum of the products of credits and grade points obtained, divided by the total credits registered in that semester; the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) shall be similarly computed across all semesters of candidature and reported to two (2) decimal places without rounding the third decimal.
Article 3 — Non-Numeric Grades and Special Codes
- Section 7. The grade AB (Absent) shall be recorded where a candidate fails to sit a scheduled examination without leave; AB carries zero (0.00) grade points and shall be treated as a fail for progression and classification.
- Section 8. The grade I (Incomplete) may be recorded where a candidate, on documented medical or compelling personal grounds approved by the Dean, is unable to complete a required component; an I grade shall be converted to a substantive letter grade within sixty (60) days, failing which it shall lapse to F.
- Section 9. The code W (Withdrawn) shall be recorded where a candidate formally withdraws from a module before the published deadline; W shall not carry grade points, shall not appear in the GPA computation, but shall be displayed on the transcript.
Article 4 — Degree Classification Bands
- Section 10. Undergraduate bachelor's degrees shall be classified on the final CGPA as follows: First Class Honours (CGPA 4.50 – 5.00); Second Class Honours, Upper Division (CGPA 3.50 – 4.49); Second Class Honours, Lower Division (CGPA 2.50 – 3.49); Third Class Honours (CGPA 1.50 – 2.49); Pass (CGPA 1.00 – 1.49); Fail (CGPA below 1.00).
- Section 11. Taught Master's degrees shall be classified in accordance with the Postgraduate Taught Degree Policy as Distinction (weighted average ≥ 70%), Merit (60% – 69%) or Pass (50% – 59%); Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas shall be awarded as Pass or Pass with Merit (weighted average ≥ 60%).
- Section 12. No candidate shall be awarded a classification higher than that earned by the substantive computation; borderline cases falling within zero-point-five-zero (0.05) of the next higher band shall be referred to the Board of Examiners, which may, on documented evidence of consistent improvement and good standing, elevate the classification by not more than one (1) band.
Article 5 — Transcripts, Review and Amendment
- Section 13. Every official transcript issued by the Registrar shall display the letter grade, grade points, credit hours, semester GPA, CGPA and the classification (where the award has been conferred), together with a printed key reproducing the scale set out in Sections 4 and 10.
- Section 14. This Policy shall be reviewed by the Academic Board on the recommendation of the Pro-President not less than once every three (3) years and may be amended by resolution of the Academic Board with subsequent ratification by Council on notice circulated with the agenda not less than fourteen (14) clear days before the meeting.
5. References
This Policy is to be read together with the following instruments, which prevail over any departmental marking convention to the contrary.
Governance
This Policy is maintained by the Office of the Registrar, reviewed by the Academic Board on the recommendation of the Pro-President not less than once every three (3) years, and ratified by Council.