Grades

The grading and calculation of subcomponents are not included in the Academic Regulations and are, therefore, at the discretion of the Module Coordinator. My Module Grades does not support sub-component-to-component grade calculations.

The following options are available to help with aggregating subcomponents to component grades. 

The recommended facility for calculating marked sub-components into components lies within Brightspace. 

• (opens in a new window)Recorded session on Brightspace
• (opens in a new window)Generating a Component Grade Item from Sub-Components in Brightspace (includes worked examples)
• (opens in a new window)Importing MCQ Grades from Assessment into Brightspace Grades Area

For support with Brightspace, please contact the UCD IT Helpdesk with your query through their (opens in a new window)IT Support Hub.

An Excel sheet to calculate sub-component to component grades based on the 21-point grade scale is also available:

• Excel sheet for manually calculating sub-component

The University uses two grade scales to determine a module component grade: a 21-point scale and a pass/fail assessment component.

A Pass/Fail assessment component grade scale should be used where a component cannot be assessed at the level of detail of a standard grade scale (see Academic Regulations 4.22).

See also:

• Standard Conversion Grade Scale 40percent Pass.pdf
• Alternative Non-Linear Conversion Grade Scale 40 percent.pdf
• Alternative Non-Linear Conversion Grade Scale 50 percent.pdf
• Alternative Linear Conversion Grade Scale 60 percent (for modules delivered in China)

The criteria for a Must-Pass Component are set out in Academic Regulations 4.24:

a) such a component will contribute at least:

- twenty percent to the overall grade for the module; or
- ten percent to the overall grade for the module in the context of a competency-based assessment required by a professional, statutory or regulatory body;

b) an in-module repeat opportunity to repeat this component shall be provided prior to confirmation of the grade by the School Modular Examination Committee; and

c) the use of must pass components and the approach to, and timing of, in-module repeats for those components, must be specified in the module descriptor. 

Before the School Modular Examination Committee confirms the grade, an in-module repeat opportunity to repeat this Must Pass component must be provided. 

An In-module Repeat of an Assessment Component may be offered where a student receives a provisional failing grade in a component before confirmation at the SMEC. An in-module repeat must be available for Must-Pass Components and specified in the module descriptor.

Where an In-module Repeat of an Assessment Component is passed the following scale should be applied by the Module Coordinator when entering the grade;

If the student receives a failing grade for the In-module Repeat of an Assessment Component, the original failing grade for the component is retained.

As outlined in the Academic Regulations 4.25, final aggregate result of student assessment should be returned as a single letter grade with the following scale used for module grades.

Where module outcomes cannot be assessed at this level of detail, the results may be returned as pass/fail or distinction/pass/fail. (Regulation 4.25)

The Programme Examination Board may also approve the following module grades to signify particular circumstances or outcomes (Regulation 4.31).

For more detailed information see Academic Regulations 4.26 or Other Module Grades (pdf)

Grade descriptors act as guidelines for students and academic staff. The UCD Module Grade Descriptors.(pdf) has been approved by the university to provide general guidance and should be adapted to the particular needs of the examiners and the relevant module assessment.

As mentioned above UCD uses a 21 point grade scale to calculate from component grades to an overall/final module grade.