Understanding Feedback
Understanding feedback
Receiving feedback on your academic work is an important part of your learning journey; it helps you to develop your skills and success in your studies. This page will show you what to expect from your academic feedback and how to use it to support your learning.
Why feedback matters
When you receive a marked assessment, the first thing you notice is normally your grade. However, whilst your grade gives you an overview, your general feedback is even more important. It provides detailed comments on your work and tells you how to improve.
It is vital to engage with your feedback, whether it’s for formative or summative assessments. Feedback helps you to:
- recognise any gaps in your work;
- identify areas for improvement;
- understand your progress;
- develop your skills;
- succeed in your studies.
At university, you’re expected to grow throughout your course, so developing your subject knowledge and improving your skills is key to success. Feedback is something to embrace, even if feels disheartening at first. Engaging with it is the key to achievement!
When to expect feedback
You’ll usually receive feedback within about 20 University working days after submitting your assessment. This might seem like a long time to wait, but it's important to remember that it takes time to accurately mark assessed work:
- Moderation – after your work is marked, a sample from each batch of assessments (module essays, reports etc) is second-marked to ensure consistency and fairness.
- Second marking - sometimes every single piece of work is second marked (such as dissertations).
- Tutors mark for multiple modules - they teach and assess across other undergraduate and postgraduate modules, even ones they don't necessarily teach on.
What does this mean for you?
- Feedback should normally arrive in time to help you improve for your next assessment.
- Formative assessments are designed so you can get feedback before your final submission – make the most of formative feedback!
What feedback is based on
Your work is assessed using the marking criteria in your assessment brief. These criteria outline what your tutor is looking for and how your work is evaluated and how marks are awarded.
Why it matters:
- Tutors often refer to specific parts of the criteria in their comments - look for these links to understand exactly how your work lines up with expectations.
- The more confident you are in understanding marking criteria, the better you can plan your work and apply them in future assessments.
- Remember: your tutor has read your work closely and is trying to help you to develop your skills.
Where to find it:
Download the marking criteria from your module page (e.g. Moodle or MyWBS) and always refer to it when reviewing your feedback and when completing your next assessment.
Areas covered in feedback
Depending on the nature of the assessment and the marking criteria, feedback may include comments on:
- Structure and flow - is your work well organised, structured, and easy to follow?
- Use of sources and referencing - have you used reliable sources to support your ideas? Are your citations accurate and in the correct format?
- Research methods and approaches – did you apply appropriate research methods? Have you explained them clearly?
- Topical understanding and critical engagement - do you show a show understanding of the topic? Have you genuinely analysed and questioned sources rather than just describing them? Have you developed a clear argument?
- Language and style – academic writing (including spelling and grammar); use of technical terminology and specialist language, and definition of key terms
- Understanding/mastery of the topic and content covered – do you show a deep knowledge or the topic?
How to make use of feedback
Read it carefully:
Take time to genuinely understand and reflect on what the feedback is telling you. Check how your feedback relates to the assessment brief and marking criteria. Make sure you feel clear on how to do better in future assessments.
Make notes:
What were some of the key points which came up throughout your feedback? Were there any recurring mistakes? Make notes on key areas to work on next time, and practical strategies or methods to achieve this.
Stay positive:
Even if the mark isn’t what you’d hoped for, see feedback as a positive opportunity to improve. Remember, your tutor, who is an expert in their field, has read your work closely and wants to help you succeed.
Ask your tutor if you’re unsure:
Make an appointment with your tutor to clarify anything you don’t understand. Tutors can provide more detail and practical advice.
Note: for some summative assessments/exams, tutors may not be permitted to give individualised feedback, but can give whole cohort feedback and recommendations. Always ask if you're unsure.
Spot patterns:
Look for recurring themes or words in your feedback. Ask yourself: ‘what comes up often?’. These are your key areas to focus on.
Keep a record:
Save all your feedback and track how it changes over time. This will help you to monitor your progress and celebrate improvements. Using a tool like Microsoft OneNote can make this easier.
Focus and plan:
Consider how you will act on this feedback in your next assessment. Is there something you can practice in the meantime? E.g. academic writing, finding sources, referencing, subject knowledge?
Other sources of feedback
- In seminars or lectures – in response to your contributions.
- During office hours – if you meet a module tutor one-to-one.
- In Personal Tutor meetings - make sure to meet your module Personal Tutor regularly, and get in contact with them if you need additional support.
All feedback is designed to be constructive and to help you develop – take note of it, always look for opportunities to get more, and act on it!