AWARD OF DEGREES

The University of Sussex has Academic Frame work which states the rules and criteria for the various programmes run by the University. These are in parallel with the Frame Work for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The University has set certain minimum requirements for awards of degrees. All courses are credit based and one credit is considered as ten hours of learning. The number of credits of a particular course is the credit volume which specifies the requirement for completing the course successfully. This includes the hours utilised by the student in attending the class room teaching, learning, revision and assessment. The credits at the first, second and third year (level 1, 2 and 3) level is multiple of six. But at the third year (level 3) the credit volume can be 15. The credits will be awarded on successful completion of the assessment, submissions and other requirements set by a particular course.

The University of Sussex offers five undergraduate degrees viz.

Single major- this degree programme is in a single main area of study. The student should have 240 credits out of 360 in the main area of study and at least 90 credits of these at the third (level 3) year.

Joint Major- this degree programme is in two main areas of study with equal weightage but each subject will contribute at 40% at each level of the programme.

Major/Minor-this is a degree programme in two main areas of study, where one area (major) predominates the other (minor) in a proportion of approximately 3:1.

Integrated Masters degree- this is a four year integrated undergraduate degree programme and Master degree is awarded at the end of final year. These are MChem/MComp/MEng/MMath/MPhys.

Sandwich Degree- this is a four year degree programme including a period spent outside of the university.

Credit requirements for programmes:

Three year undergraduate honours degree programmes should have 360 credits.  Exactly 120 credits in the first year (level 1); between 120 to 144 credits in the other two years but minimum 90 credits or above in the third year (level 3).

  Three undergraduate ordinary degree programmes should have 300 credits. Other conditions remain same like the three year undergraduate honours degree programmes except minimum 60 credits at level 3.

Integrated Master degree programmes have 480 credits. Exactly 120 credits in the first year (level 1); between 120 to 144 credits in the other two years but minimum 90 credits or above in the third year (level 3) and minimum 90 credits at level 4 (M).

Sandwich degree programmes have also 480 credits. Exactly 120 credits in the first year and sandwich year; Other conditions remain same like the undergraduate honours degree programmes.

Passing:

Minimum 40 % marks are required to pass in a particular course.  Minimum 90 credits are required to move to the higher level.

The assessment cycle of a course consists of ‘sit’ (initial attempt) and ‘resit’ (second attempt). The resit is held in summer term before the start of next academic year. Resit examination marks are capped at the minimum pass mark.    

The student failing to get 90 credits is required to repeat the year (cycle) i.e learning as well as assessment and this is decided by the Examination Board.

The class is awarded based on the performances in the second year (40%) and third year (60%).

First Class is above 70 %; Second division I below 70% and above 60%; Second division II below 60% and above 50% and Third class is below 50%.