Result

Mark Range

Description

High Distinction

85%+

Work of exceptional standard

• Work demonstrates initiative and originality in research, analysis and argumentation;
• presents innovative, insightful interpretations of specific works of art, architecture, film and/or other media, which are used throughout to demonstrate points being made;
• effectively integrates visual analysis and critical engagement with scholarly debates to develop a rich and thorough analysis of its object(s) of study; 
• indicates awareness of complexities and qualifications in argumentation;
• demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context;
• provides evidence of wide-ranging reading;
• is properly referenced and well-presented;
• writing is clear, fluent, and persuasive.

A High Distinction is distinguished from a Distinction by the depth and sophistication of visual analysis deployed, and by the evidence of independent, critical thinking. Work which is awarded a mark of over 90% in senior level units of study will often contain some publishable or potentially publishable elements.

Distinction

75-84%

Work of a superior standard.

• Work demonstrates an intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with, material;
• visual analysis is well developed and harnessed to the argument, with thoughtful, detailed visual exposition of specific works used to demonstrate points;
• addresses an issue and presents a well-argued, coherent case;
• demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context;
• demonstrates an independent and critical attitude to readings;
• written work is properly referenced and well presented, with a clear structure and coherent overall argument;
• writing is characterized by individuality, clarity, and independent insight.

A Distinction is distinguished from a High Credit chiefly by the quality of its analysis of the works of art under discussion, and by its level of critical understanding and intellectual enquiry.

High Credit

70-74%

Highly competent work, demonstrating clear capacity to complete Honours successfully. This level of work is considered “above average”.

• Work provides evidence of independent reading and thinking about relevant works of art and their contexts;
• demonstrates capacity to undertake close analysis of works of art and develop with c independent observations;
• demonstrates a sound grasp of subject matter and a good appreciation of key issues and contexts  
• shows understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised;
• avoids summary;
• indicates an intelligent attempt at a critical or theoretical argument;
• is clearly and effectively written;
• is well-referenced.

A High Credit is distinguished from a Low Credit chiefly by the extent of independent analysis of works of art, and by some obvious attempt to interpret the outcome of close analysis.

Low Credit

65-69%

Very competent work though not necessarily of the standard to complete Honours.

• The work shows some understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised by a unit of study;
• demonstrates some independent reading and thinking about key works of art and their contexts;
• uses close critical analysis;
• avoids summary;
• attempts a critical or theoretical argument;
• is clearly and effectively written;
• is adequately referenced.

A Low Credit is distinguished from a High Pass by the degree of independent discussion of works of art, the clarity of the writing and the extent to which it attempts a more general critical and/or theoretical argument.

High Pass

58-64%

Work of a good, satisfactory standard.

• Work demonstrates a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance;
• demonstrates a genuine attempt at independent reading and thinking about works of art
• generally avoids summary, paraphrase or unsubstantiated assertion;
• arguments may contain some oversimplification or superficiality;
• may sometimes present quotation for illustrative purposes merely, but does also present the outcome of some critical analysis;
• is adequately expressed;
• is adequately referenced.

Pass

50-57%

Work of an acceptable standard.

• Work provides evidence of having read and thought about relevant works of art and issues;
• attempts a coherent argument though there may be ellipses in argumentation;
• discussion of works of art tends towards description rather than analysis;
• insufficient preparation for a visual test may be indicated by missed or incorrect identifications, lack of familiarity with periods, styles, key critical issues
• may paraphrase fairly extensively;
• tends to use quotation for illustrative purposes only;
• may tend towards generality in answering a question;
• may present simplistic comment or unsubstantiated assertions;
• is adequately expressed though there may be some weaknesses in this area;
• may contain some referencing errors.

Fail

Below 50%

Work not of an acceptable standard.

Work may fail for any of the following reasons:

• little or no analysis of works of art; in a visual test, an inability to correctly identify works, periods and styles; serious mistakes in identification, indicating lack of understanding of the material taught;
• minimal research;
• irrelevance of content;
• unacceptable levels of paraphrasing;
• excessive use of quotation for illustrative purposes only, without any attempt at analysis;
• excessive level of generality in answering a question;
• sloppy, inconsistent presentation;
• inappropriate or obscure expression;
• incoherent general structure;
• inadequate referencing;
• late submission of work without extension.