High Distinction

85 - 100

High Distinction (85+):

• Indicates that assignments are consistently of an exceptional standard, and exhibit considerable initiative and ingenuity in research and reading.
• Demonstrates the ability to formulate innovative interpretations and arguments including insightful contributions to theoretical debates; and the ability to develop abstract or theoretical arguments based on detailed research and original interpretation. 
• Your academic writing must be characterised by a high degree of creativity, scholarly style, and critical analysis. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Distinction (75-84): 

• Demonstrates initiative in research and reading. 
• Indicates a complex understanding and original, creative, critical analysis of the subject matter and its context; and takes a critical stance in relation to the underlying assumptions in the field as well as the theoretical arguments and their interpretations associated with the course topics. 
• Your written work and class participation must be properly documented, and academic writing is characterised by scholarly style, clarity, and some creativity. 

Credit

65 - 74

Credit (65-74):

• Indicates significant command of the course material and genuine interest in the readings and appreciation of the challenges they present. 
• A low (65-69) credit indicates competent work, demonstrating the potential to pursue honours work, though further development would be needed to do so successfully. 
• A high (70-74) credit demonstrates a clear capacity to pursue honours.

Pass

50 - 64

(Low) Pass (50-57): 

• Indicates poor understanding of the UoS material and a lack of progress and intellectual development in the depth and sophistication of your submitted assignments, activities, and quiz results. 

(High) Pass (58-64): 

• Indicates some understanding of the UoS material and some development of your interpretative and argumentative skills. 
• This mark, however, still indicates a minimal engagement in the course material and the readings and little development and progress in the intellectual skills required to interpret them. 

Fail

0 - 49

Fail (below 50):

• Indicates that your work is not of acceptable standard overall, and/or you have failed to achieve a 50 % in some component of the UoS. 
• You may receive a fail for a particular assessment for any or all of the following reasons: 
  • unacceptable levels of paraphrasing or lack of citation (see Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism); 
  • irrelevance of content; 
  • careless or sloppy presentation, grammar and punctuation, or argument structure such that it is difficult to understand the claims being made; 
  • evidence of inadequate knowledge or understanding of readings or lectures; 
  • late submission without extension via the Faculty special consideration procedure (see Special Consideration and Special Arrangement Policies).