Semester Two work will now be taken into account, Soton Uni says

There had been criticism over previous changes to the no detriment policy


Work submitted in Semester Two will now be taken into account, Southampton University has announced.

Back in March, students were told Soton Uni was implementing a no detriment policy, meaning students’ grades couldn’t go below their current average. Earlier this month, it was announced no work from Semester Two would count towards any students’ degrees, other than final year dissertations and projects.

There was backlash amongst students over this change, calling the decision “unfair” to those who had been “relying” on Semester Two to improve their grades. Last week, it was announced that the policy would be reviewed by the University again, due to the “significant volume” of emails from students.

An email sent to students this afternoon says Semester Two submissions will be considered by the Uni when making decisions about your overall degree classification. Here’s what this actually means for students:

Final years will have two different marks worked out

As before, final year students, both undergraduates and postgraduate taught students, will have two different marks for this year worked out – a “no detriment”, based on Semester One, and an “enhanced classification”, which takes into account final year dissertations and projects – but not other Semester Two marks. The higher of these two marks will be taken.

All your submitted work from Semester Two will then be considered, along with any Special Considerations you might have, and the Board of Examiners will then decide whether to upgrade your classification. The email stresses: “There will be no downgrading of your initial classification as a result of considering your Semester Two marks”, in line with the no detriment policy.

Second years’ Semester Two work will also be considered at the end of their degrees

Continuing students’ average grade for this academic year will be based on Semester One grades.

For second years, and third years on Integrated Master’s, at the end of your degree, your overall classification will be worked out on the basis of this Semester One grade. The Board of Examiners will then consider all work from this year, including Semester Two, to consider if your degree classification can be upgraded.

This means Semester Two marks won’t count for your year average, but it could help improve your overall degree classification.

As first year doesn’t count, first years’ grades for this academic year will not count towards their final degree classificaton.

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