Degree Classification using the cascade
For each module your take you will be awarded a mark. You overall degree classification is
calculated by working out a weighted average of all your part 2 marks using the cascade system
Degree Classifications fall into the following categories
Overall Percentage
70% +
60 – 69%
50 – 59%
40 – 49%
35 – 39%
less than 35%
Degree Class
I (First Class)
II (1) (Upper Second Class)
II (2) (Lower Second Class)
III (Third Class
Pass
Fail
Module Codes
Module codes are made up of the department code, the level, a module number and a credit
weighting.
IP/GW
Department Code
3
level
22
module number
20
the credit weighting
Therefore IP32220 is a 20 credit, level 3 module run by International Politics.
EA21510 is a 10 credit, level 2 module run by IGES.
To calculate your final degree classification a weighted average is calculated.
The top 80 credits are multiplied by 3
The next 80 credits are multiplied by 2
The lowest 80 credits are multiplied by 1.
In all cases any level 2 modules (from another department or exchange modules) will not be
weighted higher in the cascade than any level 3 modules. Modules from part 1 (first year) do not
count in the cascade, only modules from part 2 (usually years 2 and 3) count towards your final
degree classification. All International Politics module are level 3 modules although if you have
taken modules from outside the department you may have some level 2 modules.
Example
Module ID
Mark
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
67
66
65
63
X3=
X3=
X3=
X3=
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
62
62
59
58
X2=
X2=
X2=
X2=
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
IP3xx20
56
54
47
33
X1=
X1=
X1=
X1=
201
198
195
189
X 12
Sub-total
124
124
118
116
783
X8
Sub-total
56
54
47
33
482
X4
Sub-total
190
Average
Average (mean)
So, divide out by 12 =
Total
Weighted Average
692
12 + 8 + 4 = 24
so, divide out by 24
Total
Divided by 12
= 57.6
rounds up to
Divided by 24
= 60.6
rounds up to
58
61
1455
A cascade calculator is available to final year students following the publication of their semester 1
results
http://www.aber.ac.uk/academicoffice/Undergraduate/cascade%20calculator.html
More information is available on the Academic Office webpages
http://www.aber.ac.uk/academicoffice/Undergraduate/classification.shtml