Sheffield Hallam University uses a University Grade Descriptor (UGD): generic grade and level descriptors for application to undergraduate and postgraduate assessment, including foundation degree (FdA / FdSC /FdEng) and other provision eg Foundation Year. The UGD also shows the relationship between classification and percentage, as applicable to assessment at task and / or module level. The purpose of defining these descriptors is to determine the University standard against which Departments can develop their own courses, modules and marking schemes.
The generic grade descriptors define, for each level, the standards of performance expected across classification categories. These are aligned with the generic level descriptors within the UGD document. The descriptors define common characteristics expected of work at each of the different marking bands, at each level of study. The descriptors also include (bold text) elements of the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy. These define different levels of understanding across the grades in terms of the structural complexity of students’ responses. Departments and Course Teams may choose to contextualise the general grade descriptors to suit specific discipline areas; however, it is important to retain the Solo Taxonomy features of the descriptors.
What are the generic level descriptors?
The generic level descriptors (or level outcomes) provide a guide to the relative demand, complexity, depth of study and degree of learner autonomy expected of a learner at different stages of study irrespective of the subject and context. The University generic level descriptor is consistent with the Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) National Qualifications Framework Levels 4, 5, 6 and 7. Descriptions reference the QAA Quality Code for Higher Education (2018).
In designing / re-designing courses, course teams should ensure that course and module learning outcomes at each level are appropriate to the generic level descriptor within the UGD document. This should be used to design course and module outcomes and write pass descriptors.
