Introduction

The purpose of this document is to ensure that undergraduate students who study abroad receive a fair and equitable mark in line with SHU grade boundaries. Different countries use different mark scales. The following principles have been adhered to in order to convert each mark scale:
• The pass mark threshold maps to the threshold at Sheffield Hallam (i.e. 40%).
• A mark of zero achieved at a partner university achieves a mark of zero at Sheffield Hallam.
• Where possible marks are mapped in a linear manner.
• For European universities the ECTS conversion table is used to standardise the translation of marks (see below).
• There is a single scale for each country or institution, regardless of subject area.

ECTS conversion

The grading system designed in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) framework by the European Commission intends to provide a common measure for the interpretation of grades from one institution to another. In considering this at Sheffield Hallam we have designated the following marks for each grade:

The mid-point in the UK degree classification has been taken for the majority of the grades. Where grades B and C map to the same UK classification, an even distribution within this grade boundary has been given. The top mark in grade A has been capped at 80 to recognise the small number of cases where this grade is used. The country information found in Appendix A has been converted using the approach above. A further rationale has been provided within Appendix A when the individual country marking system cannot be mapped to the ECTS table above.

The mark conversion schemes listed in this document will be introduced for the conversion of marks awarded to students studying abroad from the 2019/20 session onwards.

This document will be reviewed after the first year of use, and then on a three yearly basis. It is the responsibility of departments to highlight to Student Policy and Compliance any issues with the approved mark conversion schemes.