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PG Diploma grade guidelines: characteristics of performance for each grade

Criteria Ungraded: 0-39% (Fail) Grade D: 40-49% (Fail) Grade C: 50-59% (Pass) Grade B: 60-69% (Merit) Grade A: 70-100% (Distinction)

Integration & Demonstrates very little evidence of having Demonstrates a limited, fragmented Demonstrates a modest, partially Demonstrates a well-integrated Demonstrates an excellent, well-
Application read, or integrated, central texts and knowledge of the literature and integrated knowledge of the basic knowledge of the basic literature and integrated knowledge of the basic
(Reading) research findings; scarcely relates these to research findings; presents few and/or literature and research findings; research findings; presents pertinent literature and research findings;
the topic. limited applications of these to the presents some modest applications applications of these to the topic. presents convincing applications of
topic. of these to the topic. these to the topic.

Critical use Demonstrates very little or no awareness of Demonstrates limited awareness of Demonstrates modest awareness of Demonstrates awareness of differing Demonstrates excellent awareness of
of literature differing viewpoints, and of relations differing viewpoints, and of relations differing viewpoints, and of relations viewpoints, and of relations between differing viewpoints, and of relations
between them. between them. between them. them. Is familiar with main texts and between them. Is widely read, and is
(Reading) findings; presents some critique but is critically incisive.
not incisive.

Reflection, insight Presents very little or no evidence of Presents little evidence of reflection Presents modest and/or unclear Presents clear evidence of reflection Presents strong evidence of complex,
and evaluation reflection and evaluation of own and others’ and evaluation of own and others’ evidence of reflection and and evaluation of own and others’ insightful reflection and penetrating
teaching practices. teaching practices. evaluation of own and others’ teaching practices. evaluation of own and others’ teaching
(Reading) teaching practices. practices.
Presents a good grasp of main
Understanding & Presents very little evidence of, or Presents limited evidence of, or Presents modest grasp of main knowledge, concepts, theories, policy Presents an excellent grasp of main
Relevance misunderstandings of, main knowledge, flawed understandings of, main knowledge, concepts, theories, (when applicable), ideas and practice knowledge, concepts, theories, issues
(Writing) concepts, theories, issues policy, ideas and knowledge, concepts, theories, issues policy, ideas and practice relevant to the topic; makes salient policy, ideas and practice relevant to the
practice relevant to the topic; makes very issues, policy ideas and practice relevant to the topic and makes connections between them. topic; and makes interesting and/or
Reasoning few or no connections between them. relevant to the topic; makes few or some relevant connections between compelling connections between them.
Structure, Argument simple connections between them. them. Makes clear the rationale and
(Writing) Provides very few, or no hints, on the narrative arc of the study; submits Explains the rationale and narrative arc
rationale and narrative arc of the study; Provides little information about the Acknowledges the rationale and clearly structured work; develops clear of the study; presents rigorously
Independence submits work with very little or no structure; overall rationale and narrative arc of narrative arc of the study; submits and sound arguments with some structured work; provides lucid, cogent
(Writing) develops few or no arguments, presented the study; submits work with little work with an adequate structure; defence but little evidence of and sophisticated arguments that are
arguments are flawed not sustained or are structure; develops weak arguments, develops and sustains some creativity; presents a substantive well substantiated and defended;
Technical accuracy* mutually contradictory; presents very little or and/or the arguments are not followed modest arguments; presents some discussion of the work as a whole. presents a thorough and critical account
of presentation no discussion of the work. through; presents little discussion of discussion of the work as a whole. of the work as a whole.
the work as a whole. Demonstrates independence of
Demonstrates very little or no independence Demonstrates modest thought; routinely questions ideas and Demonstrates independence of thought
of thought; accepts as given ideas and Demonstrates little independence of independence of thought; questions findings from the literature and and argument; challenges ideas and
findings from the educational literature and thought; accepts without question some ideas and findings from the research; shows an ability to generate findings from the literature and
research. most ideas and findings from the literature and research; shows an robust recommendations. research; shows an ability to generate
educational literature and research. ability to generate practical rigorous recommendations; is creative,
Considerable error in level of technical recommendations. Considerable accuracy and innovative & goal-oriented.
accuracy in written work. Some errors in level of technical correctness in technical presentation
accuracy in written work. An acceptable, if fairly basic, level in written work. Very few flaws in accuracy and
of technical accuracy in written correctness in technical presentation in
work. written work.

*Technical accuracy is taken to include: punctuation, essay organisation, paragraph and sentence structure, spelling, tone, word usage, referencing.