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5: Examinations


Examinations

Much of your assessment will be in the form of University examinations. In some departments where modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, examiners prohibit you from answering exam questions that overlap with coursework previously submitted. This is not the case in Economics. In all EC-coded examination papers, you may answer any question subject to the restrictions (rubric) written on the question paper itself, regardless of the assessed work you have submitted. Modules offered by other departments have their own examination methods. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with these, particularly regarding their rules and procedures for assessed work.

In principle, all materials outlined in the module overview document, content presented in lectures and in Support and Feedback Classes, and content from further readings, are examinable. The module syllabus, given on the module webpage, also indicates what is examinable. We do not specify what topics are to be included in or excluded from examinations, as is standard procedure in the Department and the University.

MSc Assessment and Examination Scheme (L1P6, L1P7)

The following are guidelines only, and the Board of Examiners reserves the right to exercise its discretion in individual cases. The exam scheme should be read in conjunction with the Rules for AwardLink opens in a new window.

(A) Examination Components

The examination components for the MSc in Economics and MSc in Economics and International Financial Economics are as follows, with the weighting of the module mark towards the final average mark being in proportion to the number of CATS listed:

CompModuleCATS
A1One optional core module from:
EC901 Microeconomics A
EC9D3 Microeconomics B
30
A2One optional core module from:
EC9D4 Macroeconomics A
EC9D5 Macroeconomics B
30
A3One optional core module from:
EC902 Quantitative Methods: Econometrics A
EC910 Quantitative Methods: Econometrics B
45
A4Optional Module 1 15
A5Optional Module 2
15
A6Optional Module 315
A7EC959 MSc dissertation30

(B) To be allowed to proceed to the MSc dissertation

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1, A2 and A3; and

(ii) A pass mark of 50% or more in at least one of the three components of the MSc listed above as A4, A5 and A6; and

(iii) A mark of 40% or more in any failed components.

You normally have one opportunity to remedy failure in modules.

(C) To be awarded the MSc

You must also get a mark of 50% or more for the component A7 (dissertation). You can resubmit a failed dissertation once.

(D) To be awarded the PG Diploma in place of the MSc

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1, A2 and A3; and

(ii) A mark of 40% or more in one of the three components listed above as A4, A5 or A6.

The PG Diploma will also be awarded if you fail to get a mark of 50% or more for the dissertation.

(E) To be awarded the PG Certificate in place of the MSc

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1 and A2.

(F) Marking Scheme

The MSc degree carries a Distinction, a Merit and a Pass classification. If you have an average mark of 70.0% or higher taken across all components of the course, with no individual module mark of less than 50.0%, you will be normally considered for a Distinction. If you have an average mark of between 60.0% and 69.9% taken across all components of the course, with no individual module mark of less than 50.0%, you will be normally considered for a Merit.

Where the weighted average for classification is within 2.0 percentage points of the borderline for the Distinction or Merit category, students should be promoted if at least 50% of the weighted credits counting towards the classification are above the class boundary and this should include the EC959 MSc dissertation.

For the purposes of the individual elements of the course, the following marking conventions are in place:

MarkGrade
70.0% and aboveDistinction
60.0% - 69.9%Merit
50.0% - 59.9%Pass
49.9% and belowFail

(G) Right to Remedy Failure

You will normally be offered the right to remedy failure on one occasion in each module. All resit marks are capped at 50% for A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and A7. Resit attempts will normally be by 100% examination. However, the reassessment method can vary from one module to another, and candidates are advised to check the module catalogue for the definitive information.

If you have a further first attempt (FFA) for a module that contains more than one element of assessment, you will normally be required to be examined only in the element(s) of the assessment which has(have) not met the minimum pass mark, noting that the appropriate method of assessment is determined by the Board of Examiners.

MSc Assessment and Examination Scheme (C8P8)

The following are guidelines only, and the Board of Examiners reserves the right to exercise its discretion in individual cases. The exam scheme should be read in conjunction with the Rules for AwardLink opens in a new window.

(A) Examination Components

The examination components for the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) are as follows, with the weighting of the module mark towards the final average mark being in proportion to the number of CATS listed:

ComponentModuleCATS
A1

One optional core module from:

EC901 Microeconomics A

EC9D3 Microeconomics B
30
A2

One optional core module from:

EC907 Quantitative Methods: Econometrics A

EC987 Quantitative Methods: Econometrics B
30
A3PS922 Issues in Psychological Science
15
A4PS923 Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science
15
A5Optional Module 1
15
A6Optional Module 215
A7Optional Module 315
A8

Optional Module 4

15
A9Optional Module 5
A10PS916 Project30

(B) To be allowed to proceed to the MSc project

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1, A2, A3 and A4; and

(ii) A pass mark of 50% or more in at least two of the five optional modules (A5, A6, A7, A8, A9); and

(iii) A mark of 40% or more in any failed components.

You normally have one opportunity to remedy failure in modules.

(C) To be awarded the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track)

You must also get a mark of 50% or more for the component A10 (project). You can resubmit a failed project once.

(D) To be awarded the PG Diploma in place of the MSc

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1, A2, A3 and A4; and

(ii) A mark of 40% or more in two of the five optional modules (A5, A6, A7, A8, A9).

The PG Diploma will also be awarded if you fail to get a mark of 50% or more for the project.

(E) To be awarded the PG Certificate in place of the MSc

You will normally have to obtain:

(i) A pass mark of 50% or more in components A1, A3 and A4.

(F) Marking Scheme

The MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) degree carries a Distinction, a Merit and a Pass classification. If you have an average mark of 70.0% or higher taken across all components of the course, with no individual module mark of less than 50.0%, you will be normally considered for a distinction. If you have an average mark of between 60.0% and 69.9% taken across all components of the course, with no individual module mark of less than 50.0%, you will be normally considered for a merit.

Where the weighted average for classification is within 2 percentage points of the borderline for the Distinction or Merit category, students should be promoted if at least 50% of the weighted credits counting towards the classification are above the class boundary and this should include the PS916 Project.

For the purposes of the individual elements of the course, the following marking conventions are in place:

MarkGrade
70.0% and aboveDistinction
60.0% - 69.9%Merit
50.0% - 59.9%Pass
49.9% and belowFail

(F) Right to Remedy Failure

You will normally be offered the right to remedy failure on one occasion in each module. All resit marks are capped at 50% for modules in the taught and project components. The reassessment method can vary from one module to another, and you are advised to check the module catalogue for the definitive information.

If you have a further first attempt (FFA) for a module that contains more than one element of assessment, you will normally be required to be examined only in the element(s) of the assessment which has(have) not met the minimum pass mark, noting that the appropriate method of assessment is determined by the Board of Examiners.

Exam timetable

MSc examinationsLink opens in a new window normally take place in January (Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules) and weeks three and four of the Summer Term (Quantitative Methods: Econometrics and optional modules). Resit examinations take place in September. Exams for modules run by other departments may be scheduled at other times.

Please note that the central University Modules Marks and Assessments Team (MMA) is responsible for scheduling exams and, as such, the Department has no control over which exams are held on which day. The scheduling process is very complex and, whilst direct clashes will be avoided, it is quite common for students to have two papers on the same day, or papers on adjacent days, and this is comparable to the position at other UK universities similar to Warwick in size and complexity.

It is your responsibility to check the date, time and location of your exams and ensure you are there in time. If you miss or are late to an exam, you are not permitted to sit the exam later in the day. You will receive a mark of zero.

Good practice in online exams

To maximise your chances of success in an online examination, there are a number of things that you must do:

  • Remember the importance of academic integrity in online exams. If you directly copy text or graphs from any source, including your lecture notes, this will constitute plagiarism. You are permitted to include graphs that you have drawn yourself. Copying from other sources while making cosmetic attempts to disguise this by changes to wording is also a form of academic cheating. Further guidance is available in the Frequently Asked QuestionsLink opens in a new window on the Exam Resources webpage.
  • Familiarise yourself with the instructions for each of your examinations and ensure that you follow them when completing your exam paper.
  • Answer the correct number of questions. If you answer more than the required number the department will mark the questions in the order that they appear, up to the required number of questions in each section.
  • Fill in the question numbers on the required page.
  • Ensure you only upload the required number of documents and in the correct format (all papers should be submitted in Word format).
  • You can upload your work during the exam and we recommend that you do so.
  • You are expected to compile your document and start your upload immediately after the exam has finished.
  • Check the last file that you upload to ensure that it is the version you want marked - if you upload an incorrect version we will mark only that one. If you upload a blank or corrupt file you may receive a mark of zero.
  • Try to ensure that your file size does not exceed 10MB.
  • Ensure that any images you insert have been compressed (following the department's guidanceLink opens in a new window), and are visible on the paper, images that cannot be seen clearly or are cropped might not be marked.

Other pointers for good practice in examinations, include:

  • familiarising yourself with University's Examination Regulations 10.2Link opens in a new window
  • familiarising yourself with the rubric beforehand and doing what the rubric asks (the rubric for each module can be found on the module webpage and exam resource pages - it is better to use this source for accurate exam rubrics rather than using past papers, as these may be out of date)
  • showing your working in mathematical/quantitative answers - enough to be awarded method marks if you get the wrong answer. In any case full marks ought not to be awarded for correct 'bottom line' answers - we are also interested in checking reasoning and understanding

Other advice on how to tackle exams is available through these links:

Mitigating circumstances

Mitigating circumstances are defined as significant personal difficulties that have a negative impact on a student’s ability to study for or complete academic assessments including examinations. They are acute, severe, exceptional, and are outside the student’s control. Circumstances eligible for mitigating circumstances will usually be unforeseen and will not be possible to cover via reasonable adjustments.

Who to talk to

We are aware that in some cultures it is considered shameful or embarrassing to disclose the details of these kinds of circumstance to those outside one’s family. This is not the case in the prevailing UK culture, and you should be aware that the Department and the University are fully supportive of students in difficult circumstances and want to assist if at all possible. If you feel inhibited from talking to a Personal Tutor or the Senior Tutor, you may also consider talking to a member of the GSSLC, the Students’ Union, the Dean of Students or a member of staff in Student Support for initial, informal advice. Be assured that we treat all information in a confidential manner and our electronic filing system is secure. If you believe that your mitigating circumstances submission contains sensitive personal information and/or highly confidential evidence, you may submit your mitigating circumstances marked “strictly confidential and for the attention of the Chair of the mitigating circumstances panel only.

How to declare mitigating circumstances

You should submit your mitigation through the ’Personal Circumstances’ tab on Tabula, which you can access through your personal student tabula page.

Please make sure you include any related evidence required to support your application. These could be medical certificates or other forms of documented evidence by a third party verifying the nature of your mitigating circumstances.

Please use this guideLink opens in a new window to declare your mitigating circumstances. Further detailed guidance on mitigating circumstances procedure is available here.

What if I experience technical difficulties during my assessments?

  • Class test mitigation: refer to section 3.3.9 for guidance.
  • Online Final Exams: During your examination period, you may experience exceptional unforeseen technical problems which are outside of your control and which might have a detrimental effect on your ability to sit your exam(s) or submit them online. If that is the case, please apply for mitigating circumstances on Tabula. Please read carefully our full guide on exams technical mitigating circumstancesLink opens in a new window to understand the eligibility criteria, the process, timings and the type of evidence needed to support your application.

During the exam period if you are experiencing extenuating circumstances and you think you are NOT FIT to sit a particular exam, then you should NOT sit the exam. You will need to submit a mitigating circumstances application via Tabula explaining the details and this should include supporting independent evidence outlining the severity of your circumstances and why you are not fit to sit the exam. The Postgraduate Office team will then contact you about your application and provide guidance and support. As a student it is your responsibility to inform the department via your application as to why you are not fit to sit an exam and to provide appropriate supporting independent evidence. If you choose to sit an exam, then you have declared yourself FIT to sit the exam. You will not then be able to request a further first attempt.

 

Deadlines

All mitigating circumstances claims must be submitted as soon as possible. The submission deadlines for each exam period are given below:

  • January exams - 26 January 2024
  • May/Summer exams - 24 May 2024
  • September exams - 13 September 2024

Without wanting to invade your privacy, the University does expect that you bring such circumstances to the Department’s attention in a timely manner, despite the discomfort you might feel in so doing. The Department will do all it can to support you in difficult situations.

You should be aware that the Department will only consider mitigating circumstance claims after exam results have been released if there are exceptional reasons why the submission could not be presented at the correct time accompanied by supporting evidence. Please note that claims of being too embarrassed to talk about your case at the time will not be considered as exceptional reasons for late submission. Any claim that would not be considered by the Department may only be considered by an Academic Appeals Committee as part of an academic appealLink opens in a new window. An Academic Appeals Committee will not consider mitigating circumstances reported outside the deadlines as set out by the Department unless there is an exceptional reason why the submission was not presented at the correct time, accompanied by supporting evidence.

Medical evidence

Evidence is a vital part of a mitigating circumstances submission. It must be written by an independent qualified practitioner (letters from relatives are not acceptable); dated and written on headed or official notepaper and in English. If the letter is in another language students must provide both a copy of the original note and a certified translation into English. When requesting medical evidence to support your application for mitigation, you are advised to make clear to your doctor that the information will be shared with a number of people and to discuss with your doctor the most appropriate wording of the medical evidence.

If your submission contains confidential information and/or evidence, please submit your claim through the Tabula portal as normal but ensure you tick the box marked ‘I have sensitive information that I would prefer to show to a member of staff in person’. The Senior Tutor, Dr Mahnaz Nazneen, or Programme Manager, Carolyn Andrews, will arrange an appointment with you to discuss your submission in confidence.

Mitigating Circumstances Panel

The Mitigating Circumstances Panel is Chaired by the Senior Tutor and membership includes the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees), the Head of Department, the Deputy Head of Department (Teaching and Learning), the Director of Student Engagement and Progression, and the Programmes Manager. The panel has the following remit:

  • To considers details of applications for mitigating circumstances and makes recommendations on the outcome of each application to the Board of Examiners;
  • To determine whether the circumstances submitted are acceptable grounds to grant mitigation and to grade them as rejected (R), weak/mild (A), moderate (B) severe (C);
  • To ensure that decisions are equitable and that there is consistency of treatment across cohorts.

Exam anxiety

Exams are a stressful time for all students and hence you should expect to feel some degree of anxiety during the exam period. When taking an exam, it is not uncommon for students to feel a rising level of anxiety and to think that it is a panic attack. A panic attack during an exam will not be taken as a severe mitigating circumstance, unless:

  • The Department already has evidence to confirm that you have a history of similar anxiety and panic attacks and can provide medical evidence of this panic attack;
  • Significant medical evidence can be provided that documents the symptoms of the panic attack during the exam and confirms that you would have been unable to complete the exam under the circumstances.

Exam deferral and other outcomes

If you have very severe mitigating circumstances during an exam period (January, May, Summer or September), we may recommend you defer the entire examination period to the next available opportunity. Please speak to the Senior Tutor you wish to request an exam deferral and then submit your request via Tabula. You can read more about the deferral of an exam period on the Mitigating CircumstancesLink opens in a new window webpages.

If you have severe mitigating circumstances, we may recommend you delay an exam and sit (as for the first time) in September or the following January/ May. Please note this is not an exam deferral, which only applies when you defer all the exams within an exam period. If you have attended your exam, we will normally assume you were fit to sit unless there is evidence that you experienced severe mitigating circumstances that you have not predicted during the exam.

Other possible actions by the Exam Board may include offering a further opportunity for re-examination, or we may recalculate a module mark based on the elements of the assessment which were not affected by the mitigating circumstances (noting that waivers can only be applied to failed assessments with a weighting of 3 credits or less). However, neither the Board of Examiners not the Mitigating Circumstances Panel are permitted to change a module mark. It may be recommended that no action is required in terms of progression decisions, but the circumstances will be carried forward and be considered when determining the degree classification at a future meeting of the Board of Examiners.

Reasonable adjustments

Long term chronic conditions (normally greater than a term in duration and that are likely to continue) and disabilities are dealt with under the reasonable adjustmentsLink opens in a new window policy. However, a significant deterioration of a permanent or chronic condition already reported and covered by alternative arrangements, is classed as a mitigating circumstance. Guidance in relation to alternative arrangements is available on the University web pages and is summarised below.

The Equality Act 2010Link opens in a new window requires the University to make reasonable adjustments where a candidate who is disabled (within the meaning of the Act), would be at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to someone who is not disabled.

  • Noting ‘substantial’ is defined as ‘more than minor or trivial’ and that a disability is defined as ‘a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’;
  • Students who have long term chronic conditions or disabilities and who believe they are entitled to reasonable adjustments should in the first instance contact Disability Services or Mental Health and Wellbeing and request an appointmentLink opens in a new window to discuss their support requirements;
  • A reasonable adjustment may be unique to the individual and could include special examination arrangements, delayed deadlines but also alternative methods of assessments;
  • Any reasonable adjustments made are evidence based; students are required to supply appropriate and recent medical evidence, or, in the case of a specific learning difference such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, a full diagnostic assessment. The type of appropriate evidence required can be discussed with Disability Services or Mental Health and Wellbeing;
  • Once a student has met with Wellbeing Support Services, the adviser will contact the student's department and the Examinations Office (with their permission) to recommend any alternative exam arrangements;
  • Alternative exam arrangements must be made before the annual deadlinesLink opens in a new window as set out by the Examinations Office. Recommendations that are made AFTER these deadlines will be handled under the Mitigating Circumstances Policy;
  • Recommendations to apply reasonable adjustments may include for the student to be able to complete assessments via alternative assessment methods; bearing in mind that academic or professional standards in relation to core competencies and assessed criteria still need to be met;
  • Further information on support for specific disabilities is available hereLink opens in a new window.

Religious Observance

If you are unable to sit an exam on a particular date because of religious observance, you must notify the Postgraduate Office by email and also the Examinations Team by completing the Religious Observance Form before the published deadline. Further information is available on the Religious ObservanceLink opens in a new window webpage.

Examination boards

The Board of Examiners comprises a subset of full-time members of the academic staff in the Department of Economics, members of the academic staff from other departments for joint programmes, and three external examiners appointed by Senate. The Board, chaired by the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees), makes recommendations that are subject to confirmation by Senate.

There are two exam boards at which your progress is formally assessed: a progress review board after the May exams (the Board usually meets at the end of June) and a final exam board in November after the course has finished.

External examiners

External examiners are experienced senior academic from other universities whose role is to monitor our standards, to advise us on issues including borderline cases, and generally to act as independent arbiters, scrutinisers and to ensure that all the Board's decisions are fair. External Examiners also contribute towards the upkeep of standards of marking by moderating a sample of student assessments.

The role of the External Examiner is to ensure that:

  • Degrees awarded are comparable in standard to those in similar degree courses in other universities in the United Kingdom;
  • The assessment system is fair and is fairly operated in the classification of students;
  • Degrees awarded are at the appropriate level as set out in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (Part A of the UK Quality Code) and take appropriate account of the relevant Subject Benchmark Statement;
  • Students achieve the learning outcomes for the degrees set out in the relevant Course Specifications.

External Examiners also write a report on their views of the quality and standards of the assessments and examinations conducted in the Department and on the administrative processes behind this. The Department considers these reports at the Graduate Management Committee, sends a formal response back to the External Examiner, and considers how to incorporate any suggestions made into Departmental provision. The reports are shared with the Graduate Student-Staff Liaison Committee.

June Exam Board

The Board receives the results of all the coursework assessments and examinations and will consider your progress in the taught components. It will determine whether you:

  • Proceed to the Dissertation/Project;
  • Are required to be re-examined in specific modules.

The June Exam Board shall also determine degree awards for students from the previous academic year who submitted their dissertations for the March deadline.

If you pass the taught components you are permitted to proceed to the dissertation to be submitted in September. The dissertations are marked in October and the full set of marks is presented to the final Exam Board in November. If you fail any modules you have the right to resit for one further attempt. The June Exam Board will determine whether the resit should be in September (this is likely in the case of marginal and moderate failures), or the following January/May (this is likely in the case of bad failures). Candidates who successfully resit in September will normally submit their dissertation the following March.

Informally we allow students with a single resit to do the dissertation in parallel with their resit, if they wish to do so, and hand it in by the September deadline, on the understanding that this is done at their own risk. However, it should be stressed that such a student is not required to do the dissertation for the September deadline, and moreover that the dissertation will not be considered if the resit is failed.

Candidates who fail at the second attempt but still achieve a certain minimum standard may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in place of the MSc.

November Exam Board (final)

The Board, at which students who have completed the full requirement of the degree are considered, will determine whether a student shall:

  • Be awarded the degree;
  • Be awarded the degree with Distinction or Merit;
  • Be permitted re-submission of the dissertation;
  • Be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate;
  • Not be awarded the degree or the Postgraduate Diploma or the Postgraduate Certificate.

Examination feedback

Following the decisions of the Exam Board, you will be notified by email when exam results are viewable. We will not give out examination or assessment marks over the telephone or to any third party without your prior written permission.

We want to assure you that the marking and moderation for all our examinations is fair, consistent, robust and reliable and hence give you confidence that when you receive a mark, the mark has been arrived at following a detailed and rigorous process. All examination scripts have a first marker and a moderator and undergo an administrative check to ensure the marks have been totalled correctly. All results are considered by a Board of Examiners. Further details regarding the assessment procedures in the Department can be found on our Assessment and FeedbackLink opens in a new window webpages.

Following the September examination period, you will be provided with feedback from the main examinations,

  • The exam paper for each of your modules;
  • Summary statistics for each of your modules, showing the range of mark classifications for the exam paper;
  • A cumulative distribution function for the exam paper for each of your modules;
  • Summary statistics per each exam question that you attempted for each of your modules,
  • For all modules, and for the questions you attempted, the module leader’s comments per question on the areas on which the cohort generally did well and not so well.
  • For all modules, the module leader’s comments on the kind of answers that may have scored highly in this exam paper, or other guidance on assessment criteria.

All feedback will be provided after the September examination period so that no student is advantaged, and the feedback will be available for a limited period of time. The feedback is there for you to reflect on your performance, but you are not permitted to discuss the feedback with any member of staff.

Furthermore, please be aware that for modules with small numbers of registrations, data will be withheld in order not to breach anonymity, consequently we are not providing feedback on Special Syllabus papers, modules with less than ten students and the September exam papers.

If you are re-sitting exam(s) in September /January, you will be given your failed exam script to see how this has been marked. Please note this policy does not apply to exams with a late submission penalty or exams that were failed because of an academic integrity penalty. We provide the scripts as a way for you to review and reflect upon your performance and as a way of helping you to prepare for your resit. This copy represents all of the information that can be provided. You are not permitted to request a re-mark on any exam or receive any further feedback on your exam script from any member of staff, as all exams have been thoroughly checked and academic judgement cannot be challenged.

We do have a robust marking and moderating process in place and hence please do be reassured of the accuracy of your marks, even though they may be below what you were expecting. Note, also, that the moderation process may have had the effect that the final mark on your script does not coincide exactly with the marks given to each part answer. This policy only applies to EC-coded modules. Other departments may have their own policy for their own modules, which you will need to ask those departments about.

If you have any concerns or feedback about the examination process, please contact the Examinations CoordinatorLink opens in a new window in the first instance.

Appeals

If an Exam Board decides that your performance merits the award of a lower qualification than the one for which you were registered or does not merit the award of a qualification at all, you have certain rights of appeal. Appeals must be submitted within 10 University working days of the date of notification of the decision of the Board of Examiners that is the subject of the appeal. The academic appeals process is to be completed typically within 80 University working days. Regulation 42 sets out the process for considering appeals and is available hereLink opens in a new window. You are required to complete a form if you wish to appeal against the decision of the examiners, and this can be found on the AppealsLink opens in a new window website.

The appeal procedure may not be used to challenge the academic judgement of examiners, dispute marks awarded in individual modules or pieces of work, appeal against the requirement that a student has to resubmit work or resit exams, or challenge the decision to award an MSc degree at pass level rather than with distinction or merit.

Appeals may be made on one or more of the following grounds:

(a) You are in possession of evidence relevant to your examination performance which was not available to the Board of Examiners when their decision was reached. You must provide evidence of good reason for not having made the Board of Examiners aware of this evidence prior to the assessment decision;

(b) There is evidence of procedural irregularity in the examination process; or

(c) There is evidence of prejudice or bias on the part of one of more of the examiners.

(d) There is evidence of inadequacy of supervisory or other arrangements during your enrolment at the University. In this instance, you are required to explain why a complaint under the Student Complaints Resolution ProcedureLink opens in a new window was not made at an earlier stage.

If you have any queries about appeals, please contact pgappeals@warwick.ac.uk 

Degree certificates and transcripts

If you attend a Degree Congregation you will be presented with your certificate on stage. If you do not attend a ceremony your certificate will be posted to you or can be collected from Student Reception (Senate House). Digital certificates will be issued in additional to hard copy certificates.

The main degree congregation for MSc students is held in January each year. The Awards & CeremoniesLink opens in a new window website provides detailed information on award certificates and degree congregation registration and includes a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section.

You can download an interim transcript from your current studentsLink opens in a new window page at any time during your course. Official TranscriptsLink opens in a new window of academic record for postgraduate taught students are produced by Student Records once your degree award has been conferred by the Senate.

Prizes

The Department of Economics currently has the following prizes to bestow on MSc students in the 2023-24 academic year. Please note that the Department reserves the right not to award any of these prizes in any one year.

  • Examiners’ Prize for the best overall performance across the MSc in Economics, MSc Economics and International Financial Economics and MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) - one award (sometimes split jointly between two or more students);
  • Examiners’ Prize for the best exam performance across the MSc in Economics and MSc Economics and International Financial Economics - one award (sometimes split jointly between two or more students);
  • Dissertation Prize for the best dissertation - one award (sometimes split jointly between two or more students);
  • Project Prize for the best project in the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) - one award (sometimes split jointly between two or more students);
  • Shiv Nath Prize for the best MSc student performance in the field of Development Economics - one award (sometimes split jointly between two or more students).