At MDX we want to make sure all students have a fair assessment. So we’ve put together the following principles to make sure this happens.
Many of the key dates (e.g. university coursework deadline, exam period, grade results, progression, classification) that you require are available on UniHub.
These are found in the Academic Calendar and will include the dates we publish your grades, progression decisions and your overall classification/academic standing if you are a finalist.
For coursework hand-in dates, please check your module handbook on your mylearning pages via Unihub, alternatively you can contact the module leader for confirmation.
Exam dates are published at set times during the year and these can be found on the dedicated exam pages where you'll also find extensive FAQs on exams.
If you are unable to submit your assessment by the given deadline or sit your exam, due to illness or other reasons beyond your control, you will need to submit a request for a short extension or deferral via the online extenuating circumstances form. Please be aware that short-extensions could cause assessment bunching and deferring at certain points of the year may affect your progression into your next year of study
If you don't meet your attendance requirements this will override the deferral process (you may receive an X grade). In some cases when an X is awarded you may have to register and pay for the module again, you will need to contact the Progression and Support Team if you wish to discuss this further.
Please be aware that this cannot change your grade but may be considered when deciding on your progression or classification. If an assessment is submitted, it will override the deferral opportunity.
To grade you on your assessment, Middlesex University uses a 20 point scale with 1 being the highest and 20 being the lowest. These grades have no absolute percentage mark equivalent. They indicate to students, the quality of their achievement in the assessment of the module.
See table B from Academic Regulations, Section E
Table B: The 20-point scale
Grade | Class of Honours Degree | Other Qualifications |
1 | FIRST CLASS | DISTINCTION |
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | UPPER SECOND | MERIT |
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | LOWER SECOND | PASS |
10 | ||
11 | ||
12 | ||
13 | THIRD | |
14 | ||
15 | ||
16 | ||
17 | FAIL – MARGINAL Compensation allowed* | FAIL – MARGINAL Compensation allowed* |
18 | FAIL – Compensation allowed* | FAIL – Compensation allowed* |
19 | FAIL – Compensation not allowed | FAIL – Compensation not allowed |
20 | FAIL – Incorporating failure to participate in assessment necessary to achieve all learning outcomes. Compensation not allowed. | FAIL – Incorporating failure to participate in assessment necessary to achieve all learning outcomes. Compensation not allowed. |
* compensation is granted only at the discretion of the Progression Board or School Assessment Board.
The following administrative grades are also used:
X Ineligible for assessment due to inadequate participation in the learning process but may be retaken with permission
I Incomplete with good reason. (May be assessed without penalty at the next available opportunity)
U Academic misconduct allegation being investigated
P Fail - Academic misconduct proven
Y Ungraded pass (No numerical value for classification of qualifications)
S Aegrotat
F Fail - no reassessment at the next opportunity allowed - continuous assessment within module
H Not assessed.
(Students not following Middlesex qualifications only).
Administrative grades may sometimes be added to a numerical grade either to indicate any additional action that needs to be taken by the student regarding further assessment or to confirm a decision taken by a first or second-tier Board:
C Compensated failure.
For the purposes of degree classification, a compensated grade counts as a 16.
The Assessment Board is concerned that you appear to have been academically dishonest in work submitted for assessment and therefore needs to investigate the situation. You will be written to via email, advising of the procedure and will be given opportunity to respond to the allegation. You should read the relevant regulations. The grade will remain U until the investigation is complete.
You can make an appeal if you consider that an injustice has occurred in the assessment of your work or classification awarded, but in the first instance we would always advise that you discuss your concerns with your Module Leader, Programme Leader, and/or Chair of the Board.
Appeals can take some time to be resolved, so it is important that you attempt to solve this informally and quickly in the first instance. There are full and extensive guidelines on the appeals process.
Please remember that if you choose to appeal that you must do so within 28 days of publication of either your grade or classification.
Your classification is worked out in accordance with our regulations. Please refer to Section E within the regulations for either the Undergraduate or Postgraduate guidance. Below are the tables within the regulations that demonstrate the required grade distribution for each classification.
Undergraduate | Table A: Classification by distribution of grades
The classification of your degree is not based on averages of grades but is based on the proportion of credit in each class in your Level 5 modules (usually 2nd year) and in your Level 6 modules (usually 3rd year) and Level 7 modules (usually 4th year)
In other words, to get a 1, 2:1 or 2:2 class of degree you must get 50% or more of graded credit at Level 5+ in that class. Your Level 3 and Level 4 grades are not considered for overall degree classification purposes.
Additional rules are there to help us decide a variety of different scenarios and these rules have been devised to favour students.
DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES | |||||
Class of qualification | 3 Pass | 2.2 Pass | 2.1 Merit | 1st Distinction | |
1st/Distinction (1-4) | 50% | ||||
2.1/Merit or better (5-8) | 50% | ||||
2.2/Pass or better (9-16) | 50% | ||||
3/Pass or better (13-16) | 100% | 25% MAX | 25% MAX |
Postgraduate | Table A: Classification by distribution of grades
For the award of Distinction or Merit, the dissertation must be in the class. Remaining graded credit must be distributed as in the table below:
DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES | Class of qualification | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
Distinction (1-4) | 50% | |||
Merit or better (5-8) | 50% | |||
Pass or better (9-16) | 100% |
Where the percentage of graded credit falls below that indicated, the outcome is as included in regulation E4.2
Once your classification has been published on myunihub, you will be sent written confirmation of your award via email and following this you will receive a link to your digital copy of your certificate and diploma supplement (this is normally within one month of publication).
Your hard copy certificate and diploma supplement will be sent within two months of the same publication date to the home address you have registered on MyUniHub. If you need to amend this address please contact Unihelp.
Further information can be found on our Diploma Supplements and Certificates page.