Statement on concerns raised about scaling - 15/07/21

We are aware of concerns raised by some of our students. Marks from a small number of modules have been adjusted as part of the University's scaling process.

We recognise that the last year has been incredibly challenging for our students but we want to be absolutely clear, where scaling is applied to a student’s assessment or module mark it is to ensure academic standards are maintained.

The University’s approach to scaling was developed in consultation with the Students’ Union and, in the interests of openness and transparency, was published on the student intranet. If scaling was applied by an Examining Board, the action taken was communicated to students to ensure complete transparency of the decisions taken.

University Examining Boards are independent and they review the marks given by examiners. Examining Boards may, after careful consideration, decide to adjust (or scale) assessment or module marks upwards or downwards. Importantly, this process adjusts the marks for an individual assessment or module to ensure that the academic standards achieved by students are equivalent to previous years.

Decisions to scale marks are not taken routinely. They are only taken after careful consideration of the available information. The decision also takes account the views of an independent external examiner, usually an academic from a similar discipline at another UK university, who provides impartial and independent advice and comments on the comparability with standards at other UK universities.

Whilst we are unable to comment on individual cases, if a student is concerned about the use of scaling and their marks we would encourage them to raise their concerns directly with the University.