How are third and pass degrees regarded these days?

talksalot81

studentphil wrote:

I have always looked at a 2.2 as like a grade C- okay, but could do better

You are probably right... Id look at it the same way. But from my education, anything worse than a C (in this logic that means a 3rd) basically was a fail.

talksalot81

BigBouncyBall wrote:

I dont know how much longer universities are going to get away with this passive attitude towards feedback and helping struggling students. People are paying £3000 a year now and they will expect top quality education from their institution it'll be intresting to see how the top up fees issue develops as more and more people pay and aren't satisfied.

Of course you should remember that the staff basically dont get anything extra out of those top up fees. That all goes towards admin and into the VC's pockets. It will be hard to argue to academics that they must work harder and longer yet not get any recompense.

I agree with the logic, but the way the uni system works means that the additional money is not going to those who can improve the learning!

studentphil

talksalot81 wrote:

You are probably right... Id look at it the same way. But from my education, anything worse than a C (in this logic that means a 3rd) basically was a fail.

It is strange for some reason that a 3rd is not a fail because you would think naturally below 50% is a fail.

Btw, I know unis are looking to use top up fees to reduce the staff student ratio.

studentphil

Though as much as I really do hate my degree I have only ever got a third on one assessment, so I can not be doing so very very bad.

melancholly

studentphil wrote:

Btw, I know unis are looking to use top up fees to reduce the staff student ratio.

i think the AUT strike last year kind of illustrated that unis aren't spending the money on more staff or more money for staff with increased workloads..... but that's a side issue.

uni always used to be (and this is a while back!) very different to school... it was about learning and independent study. these days it is viewed a lto more like school - everything should be taught and then tested in the exams. this is completely understandable now that fees are being introduced.

unis do need to change, particularly over dealing with students with disabilties, but it's kind of like getting a cruise ship to do a u turn - it takes a long time!

could you maybe take a voice recorder into lectures/seminars and then you have everything that is said recorded? that way if you do lose concentration part way through, you can go listen to it again and again until you understand it.

essentially, i think you think the system needs to change to be more helpful to you - and no-one disagrees with that, i'd just go with making changes you as an individual can make because systematic change in universities only happens over seriously long time periods. (and i'm not saying that that's right, i just think it's more likley to be productive!)

studentphil

Before I went into my department it had no disability policies as far as I know. They are improving with a bit of pushing, but the issue I find is no one really is trained in SEN or disability and thus sometimes it is like talking in German to them.The general disability section is very good but there is only a limit to what they can do and much of it falls to your teaching school.
In a sense what is so weird is you go from school where they are working in with the latest technology, latest teaching methods to somewhere that has not changed its teaching methods in 40 years. Some lecturers do not even do handouts even.

studentphil

melancholly wrote:

could you maybe take a voice recorder into lectures/seminars and then you have everything that is said recorded? that way if you do lose concentration part way through, you can go listen to it again and again until you understand it.

Thanks, I already do that.

I do not know if I am just really in the wrong subject and really the complete abstract nature of the subject makes the readings longer and more complex than most other subjects.

mhoc

Please can someone explain the degree grading system. Yes I know its a stupid question but someone has to ask it

Mary

talksalot81

mhoc wrote:

Please can someone explain the degree grading system. Yes I know its a stupid question but someone has to ask it

Mary

1st - 70%
2.1 - 60%
2.2 - 50%
3 - 40%

There will also be a bit of play if you are borderline and that can be examined orally.

If you are looking to start a degree, please dont start aiming for a 3rd. It is one thing to find it tough when you get going, but if you start thinking a 3rd is your best, then you really are in the wrong spot.

anewman

talksalot81 wrote:

1st - 70%
2.1 - 60%
2.2 - 50%
3 - 40%

I have read these can vary between universities but in general this is the way they are. Also in my university any work marked as above 70% was automatically sent to another university to be crossmarked, and they also sent random pieces of work below 70%.

I wonder if student effort will go up (hence more students doing better) compared with the previous system, as they realise they are *paying* for their education. But on the other hand I'm sure some people will be suing if they believe they did not get their money's worth etc.