Course Credit
CATS
All modules are assigned what are called CATS credits (often referred to as CATS). CATS stands for Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme which is a scheme used widely in the UK higher education system. Each credit is deemed to require roughly 10 hours of student work, which includes attendance at lectures, time spent in laboratories, work out of lectures, revision and other activities. The normal load for one year of full time study in higher education is 120 CATS credits. In the first year a 30 lecture module is worth 10 CATS credits. In the second year our modules consist of about 38 lectures and are worth 15 CATS credits. In subsequent years 30 lecture modules are worth 15 CATS credits.
Credit Accumulation
Our courses operate on a credit accumulation system with your performance in each year counting towards your final degree classification. Your marks in the later years contribute more to your final mark than those obtained earlier. The actual weighting varies with the degree programme you are following. For the BSc degree programmes in physics, mathematics and physics and physics with astrophysics, the three years' marks are weighted in the ratio 10:30:60. For the MPhys and MMathPhys degree programmes in physics, and mathematics and physics respectively the four years' marks are weighted in the ratio 10:20:30:40. For the BSc degree in Physics with Business Studies the ratio is 10:40:50.
FHEQ Module Levels
The level of modules is quoted on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) scale. Year 1 modules, those with codes PX1.. or MA1.., are at FHEQ level 4. Undergraduate levels rise to FHEQ level 7 for final year integrated masters modules which have codes beginning PX4.. or MA4.. .