Workloads and award calculations
Average workload per semester
| Contact Hours | Assessment prep | Independent study | Total workload | |
| 5 ECTS module | 24-36 hours | 10 hours | ~66 hours | 100 hours |
| 10 ECTS module | 36-72 hours | 20 hours | ~132 hours | 200 hours |
Average workload per week
| Contact Hours | Assessment prep | Independent study | Total workload | |
| 5 ECTS module | 2-3 hours | 1 hour | ~6 hours | 8-10 hours |
| 10 ECTS module | 3-6 hours | 2 hours | ~12 hours | 16-20 hours |
Award calculations
Your degree classification is based on the grades you achieve in individual modules. The award you receive (First Class Honours, Second Class Upper Division (2.1); Second Class Lower Division (2.2) Third Class Honours) will depend on your grades in each module. Each module has a credit weighting (eg 5 or 10 credits). Your degree classification is calculated based on the weighted average of the grade you receive in each module you take. The weighted averages required to achieve each degree classification are as follows:
First Class Honours (1st Hons): >70%
Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2.1 Hons): 60-69%
Second Class Honours, Lower Division (2.2 Hons): 50-59%
Pass: 40-49%
For undergraduate programmes, first year results do not count toward your degree award. Second year grades are weighted as one third of your degree classification, while final year grades are worth two thirds of your degree classification.
No award is made for students who fail to achieve a minimum pass grade.
An example of the formula for calculating your degree classification is as follows:
First year
Your first year results are not counted toward your degree classification
Second year
Arts subject 1
Module 1: 60 Module 2: 70 Module 3: 65
Module 4: 55 Module 5: 75 Module 6: 65
Average: (60+70+65+55+75+60)/6= 65
Arts subject 2:
Module 1: 65 Module 2: 75 Module 3: 60
Module 4: 55 Module 5: 55 Module 6: 62
Average: (65+75+60+55+55+62)/6 = 62
Second year average: (65+62)/2= 63.5
Third year (if applicable)
Results of Erasmus and/or internships are awarded on a pass or fail basis and is not included in calculating degree classification results
Final year
Arts subject 1
Module 1: 65 Module 2: 75 Module 3: 72
Module 4: 61 Module 5: 75 Module 6: 72
Average: (65+75+72+61+75+72)/6= 70
Arts subject 2:
Module 1: 70 Module 2: 70 Module 3: 70
Module 4: 75 Module 5: 75 Module 6: 60
Average: (70+70+70+75+75+66)/6 = 71
Final year average: (70+71)/2= 70.5
Overall degree result: Second year (63.5 *1/3)+ final year (70.5*2/3) = 68.2 per cent
Degree result is a 2.1 Honours