Degree Classifications

To get your degree you must pass all 120 credits at each level.

However, if you've failed any modules you may be able get them condoned or compensated, which would give you credits as if you'd passed the module. You can read more about module condonement and compensation in their section on this page.

Your degree classification will depend on your 'weighted average' module mark for Levels 5 and 6.  Your Level 6 modules are worth more than your Level 5 modules.

To calculate the weighted average:

1.  Calculate your average module mark for Level 5 by adding up each mark and dividing by 8. For 30 credit modules, include the mark twice when adding up.

2.  Your Level 5 modules are worth 1/3 of your degree, so divide your average by 3.

3.  Calculate your average module mark for Level 6, using the same method from step 1.

4.  Your Level 6 modules are worth 2/3 of your degree, so divide your average by 3 then multiply it by 2.

5.  Add together the results from steps 2 and 4. This will be your weighted average.

For an Integrated Masters the weighted average is calculated using 20% of the average module mark at Level 5; 30% of the average module mark at Level 6; and 50% of the average module mark at Level 7.

For students who entered Keele at Level 6 your degree will be calculated using the average module mark for Level 6 instead of the weighted average.

Weighted average module mark of at least 70%.

OR weighted average of at least 67% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits (4 standard modules) with marks of 70 or higher.

Weighted average module mark of at least 60%.

OR weighted average of at least 57% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits (4 standard modules) with marks of 60 or higher.

Weighted average module mark of at least 50%.

OR weighted average of at least 47% AND at least 60 Level 6 credits (4 standard modules) with marks of 50 or higher.

Weighted average module mark of at least 40%.

Weighted average module mark of at least 35%.

For an Integrated Masters, replace 60 Level 6 credits with 60 Level 7 credits at each category. A 2:2 is the lowest degree awarded for an Integrated Masters.

You may be able to get a failed module condoned or compensated under Regulation D5.

The following courses will allow condonement:

• Courses in the Faculty of Natural Sciences
• Courses in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences except BA in International Governance and Public Policy.
• Pharmaceutical Science Technology and Business
• Health and Wellbeing
• Rehabilitation Science
• Rehabilitation and Exercise Science

Law students should also be aware this could affect an LLB award. Please check your course handbook for more information.

If you’ve failed a module you may still be able to get the module condoned - this means the mark will stay but the credits will be given and module will be passed.

You can get 30 credits condoned in total across Levels 4 and 5 (first and second years) - either 15 credits in each year or 30 credits in one year and none in the other year. 

In Level 6 (third year) you can get up to 30 credits condoned. 

Condonement is applied by the Exam Board at the end of the year if:

• You’ve passed every other module;
• You’ve used up all your attempts at the failed module;
• Your mark is 30-39;
• The module isn’t a ‘qualified fail’.

For Integrated Masters you can get 45 credits condoned across Levels 4-6, with no more than 30 credits in each Level. At Level 7 you can get 35 credits condoned if you get marks in the 40-49 range.

If a Level 5 or Level 6 student on one of the following courses has a module mark under 30 then module compensation could be given if the student has performed well in their other modules.  You can read more about compensation on the University website.

This is currently only available for:

Mathematics (BSc Single and Dual honours)

Health and Rehabilitation (BSc) 

Physics (BSc Single Honours and Dual Honours) - but not at Level 5 or for compulsory modules at Level 6

Astrophysics (BSc Single and Dual Honours) - but not at Level 5 or for compulsory modules at Level 6

If you haven't achieved a degree and have attempts remaining you will be offered the chance to take those reassessments to try to get your degree. You may be able to choose to take resits in August or in the next academic year.

If you don't want to take resits you can email to request a Diploma instead, based on the credits you've passed. Your results email will include instructions about where to send your email and a deadline.

If you've used all your attempts then unfortunately you can't get a degree and will instead be given an award based on your credits. This will likely be a Diploma.

You may be able to appeal if you can meet one of the appeal grounds. You can appeal to ask for further attempts or (in rare cases) to have your degree class raised.

The deadline for appeals is 10 calendar days after you're sent your official email from Student Records. If you’d like to look into appealing please visit our Appeals page.