Marks and feedback
Key information about pass marks, how credits are awarded and receiving feedback.
Pass marks for modules
Individual pieces of work or exams are also known as elements of assessment. Whilst you do not have to pass each element in its own right (unless there is a professional body requirement to do so), the marks for elements are grouped together into components and the overall mark for a component is calculated from the weighted average of all the elements associated with it.
All modules have one or two components.
If a module has two components the overall mark is calculated from the weighted average of both components. Component weightings are set out in the module specification.
Level 0, 1, 2, 3 modules
Module pass mark
The pass mark for a module is 40%.
Modules with one component
In a module with one component the component pass mark is 40%. The mark for the component will also be the mark for the whole module.
A mark of 35%–39% in the component will not be enough to pass the module.
Modules with two components
In a module with two components the component pass mark is 35%, but the aggregate mark for the module must be at least 40%.
You will not pass the module if you get less than 35% in either component, or if you get an aggregate mark of less than 40%.
If you achieve a mark of 35%–39% in each component it will not give you a high enough overall mark to pass the module. If you are eligible for a resit you will need to redo both components. If you are eligible for a retake, you will need to redo both components.
Level M modules
Module pass mark
The pass mark for a module is 50%.
Modules with one component
In a module with one component the component pass mark is 50%. The mark for the component will also be the mark for the whole module.
A mark of 40%–49% in the component will not be enough for you to pass the module.
Modules with two components
In a module with two components the component pass mark is 40%, but the aggregate mark for the module must be 50%.
You will not pass the module if you achieve less than 40% in either component, or an aggregate mark of less than 50%.
If you achieve a mark of 40%–49% in each component it will not give you a high enough overall mark to pass the module. If you are eligible for a resit you will need to redo both components. If you are eligible for a retake you will need to redo both components.
Receiving your marks
All of your coursework and exam marks are published in myUWE (login required).
Unconfirmed marks will be released to students via myUWE as soon as they are available. Please note that unconfirmed marks are subject to moderation by the Examination Board, so they may still go up or down. For this reason, please do not contact your module leader about unconfirmed exam marks that have been individually released in myUWE.
The final agreed mark will be confirmed to you on the official publication date once the Examination Board process is complete.
Your marks will be recorded in the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), which is an electronic report that records your academic achievements.
If you think your mark has been recorded incorrectly, you should immediately draw this to the attention of your Student Administration Team and produce the piece of work which you believe shows the correct mark:
If you have concerns about the module you can speak to your Student Representative. Normally Student Reps only get involved with issues which affect more than a couple of students, so if you have an individual issue, you should still contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre.
You can see who your Student Reps are in Blackboard. It will display all the Reps within your programme and it will also place a * next to Reps who you share modules with.
Find out more about our Assessment and Feedback Policy.
Receiving feedback
All students have a minimum entitlement to assessment feedback on their assessed work. Normally you should get marks and feedback within 20 working days (excluding university closure days) following the deadline for submission of the assessment. This period may be shorter or longer for some forms of assessment.
Where the period is greater than 20 working days, you will be informed of the deadline and the reason.
Make sure you find out the specific arrangements for the return of your marked work.
Find out more about how to make the most of your assessment feedback, including types of feedback and what to do next.
How credits are awarded
Credits are gained when modules are successfully completed. At UWE Bristol, modules are normally given values between five and 60 credits.
The number of credits assigned to a module is based on learning hours, ie the number of hours which it is expected that students will spend, on average, achieving the learning outcomes. One credit usually equals ten notional hours of study.
You become eligible for an award when you achieve sufficient credit in the required modules. Sometimes ‘module credits’ are described as being like a currency which can be accumulated and then ‘cashed in’ or exchanged when you accept an award (for example an honours or a master's degree).
You can find out more about credits and how they work in the Academic Survival Guide.
Recognising prior learning
If you have undertaken prior learning which is relevant to your modules or award, you may be able to apply for it to be recognised under the Accreditation of Prior Learning or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning processes.