The progress review Board receives the result of all coursework assessments and examinations. Students who pass are permitted to proceed to the dissertation.

In September there is a meeting of the full Board of Examiners for the MSc (including the External Examiner) where the results from all examinations and dissertations for each candidate are available.

The Board makes use of University Regulations and Departmental guidelines on the award of MSc degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas. Based on all the available information, including any special circumstances, the Board will make one of the following recommendations. Special consideration is given to borderline or special cases.

• Award of MSc degree
  Normally awarded if the average mark on the taught modules and the dissertation mark are both greater than or equal to 50%, and if at least 60 CATS of level 7 taught modules (year 4 or above e.g. MA4xx, MA5yy) have been passed at the 50% level.
  
  
• Award of Merit Grade
  Normally awarded if the average combined mark on the taught modules and the dissertation mark is at least 60% and, in addition, the mark on the dissertation is at least 60%.
  
  
• Award of MSc with distinction

  Normally awarded if the average combined mark on the taught modules and the dissertation mark is at least 70% and, in addition, the mark on the dissertation is at least 70%.
  
  

• Award of Postgraduate Diploma
  Normally awarded under the following conditions:
  (a) average mark on taught modules in the range 40% - 49%,
  (b) marks of 50% or more in at least 60 CATS of level 7 taught modules,
  (c) a mark of at least 40% in the dissertation or postgraduate diploma project (see below).
  
  Candidates for the MSc degree who have submitted an MSc dissertation but who fail to reach the required standard for the award of an MSc are considered for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates who do not achieve the required standard at the end of the taught stage of the MSc are normally asked to submit a postgraduate diploma project (30 CATS) rather than the dissertation (90 CATS), for the consideration of an award of a Postgraduate Diploma.
  
  
• Fail

  Failure to meet any of the above conditions.

The above decisions are subject to approval by the Senate.

Resits and Resubmission of dissertations

Students are permitted to resit failed taught modules in September. The maximum possible mark in any resit exam is 50%. The resit for a failed module could either be a written exam or a viva, depending on the recommendation of the Examination Board.

Resubmission of the research project is likewise possible in certain circumstances. Where minor corrections are required the Board may pass the candidate subject to the necessary changes being made. It is then the duty of the supervisor to confirm that these have been carried out.