2.1 degree question

donfanzu

Hi all, I just recently completed an honors degree course in software engineering with an overall GPA of 63%. Unfortunately I failed one of my modules and just recently passed the repeat exam. Since I failed one of my exams do I miss out on the 2.1 degree?

[Jackass]

What university are you in?

Your percentage score doesn't quite reflect what your GPA is, here is a breakdown of how GPA is calculated in UCD for example: (the first two % scores are the range for that grade and the third score is the median % score)

A+ 76.67 100.00 78.33
A 73.33 76.66 75.00
A- 70.00 73.32 71.67
B+ 66.67 69.99 68.33
B 63.33 66.66 65.00
B- 60.00 63.32 61.67
C+ 56.67 59.99 58.33
C 53.33 56.66 55.00
C- 50.00 53.32 51.67
D+ 46.67 49.99 48.33
D 43.33 46.66 45.00
D- 40.00 43.32 41.67
E+ 36.67 39.99 38.33
E 33.33 36.66 35.00
E- 30.00 33.32 31.67
F+ 26.67 29.99 28.33
F
(FM)
23.33 26.66 25.00
F- 20.00 23.32 21.67
G+ 16.67 19.99 18.33
G 13.33 16.66 15.00
G- 0.02 13.32 11.67
NG - 0.01 0.00

So 63% might put you in the range of about a B average, which is a middle 2.1 degree. Below (again, for UCD) is the grade equivalent of GPA value:

A+ 4.2
A 4.0
A- 3.8
B+ 3.6
B 3.4
B- 3.2
C+ 3.0
C 2.8
C- 2.6
D+ 2.4
D 2.2
D- 2.0
E 1.6
F 1.0
G 0.4
NG 0.0

So your GPA might be roughly 3.4

I know in terms of UCD, a repeat caps your GPA at 2.0 for that module, so in your situation, if you had a good middling 2.1 and had one module capped at 2.0 GPA, you should still hold your 2.1 as you are not borderline.

I presume each college might be different with their GPA calculations, but if you look at your transcript, just convert all your grades into GPA scores, find out what a repeat module is capped at (if at all) and find the average. But a fail doesn't mean you can't get your 2.1 as long as your grades are good enough, but it will drag your GPA down.

donfanzu

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I attended Athlone Insitute of Technology, I can't seem to find a detailed breakdown of the GPA or results classification on the college website. However, I did find this:

Honours Degree Level 8
First Class honours: 70%, or higher, on average
Second Class honours Grade I: 60-69% on average
Second Class honours Grade II: 50-59% on average
Pass: 40-49% on average

I expected to be capped at 40% for both of the repeated modules, which would still of given me an average in the low 60's. I was disappointed when I seen the Pass Award and can only think if you fail an exam its an automatic Pass or Fail depending on how you do in the repeats.

I have attached a picture of the actual transcript. Thanks

donegal11

if you repeat an exam you lose the right to a honours classification

donfanzu

Yeah sur its no harm really.. least I have the degree. Its all about getting a bloody job now :-/