As the new academic year begins, here is a reminder of the recent changes to the QAA grading scheme that are now in effect. These changes have been implemented to enhance the structure of qualifications and the assessment process, impacting how students’ work is graded and how their study programmes are organised.
Changes to the Grading Scheme
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- Simplification of Grading Descriptors
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- From Seven to Three: The seven grade descriptors previously used have been replaced with three grading standards: Knowledge and Understanding, Subject Specific Skills and Transferable Skills.
- These three new grading standards must be applied to all units and assessments, simplifying the grading process and making it clearer for both students and educators to understand the criteria for each grade.
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- Unit-Level Grading
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- Grading on Completion: The new grading standards are applied at unit level only after all unit learning outcomes for a unit have been completed. This ensures that grades reflect a student’s performance across the entirety of the unit, emphasising comprehensive learning and mastery of the material.
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- Referral opportunities
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- Grading of referrals: If a student does not meet all of the learning outcomes on their first submission, they can be offered a resubmission. If they still don’t meet all of the learning outcomes they may be eligible for a referral opportunity. Previously, referrals have been capped at a pass, but they can now be graded in the same way as first and second submissions. Students can have referrals for up to 15 credits, including graded and non-graded assignments.
This is only applicable to students who meet the deadline, or have formally recognised extenuating circumstances. If work is handed in late without a previous agreement, they will be capped at a pass.
- Grading of referrals: If a student does not meet all of the learning outcomes on their first submission, they can be offered a resubmission. If they still don’t meet all of the learning outcomes they may be eligible for a referral opportunity. Previously, referrals have been capped at a pass, but they can now be graded in the same way as first and second submissions. Students can have referrals for up to 15 credits, including graded and non-graded assignments.
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Additional Resources
1. Roadmap to implementing the changes, which you can find here.
2. During the 2023-24 academic year, we discussed the changes in multiple events. Please see the recordings below.
3. The Access to HE Grading Scheme Section B: The Grading Standards
