OVERVIEW OF UCA GRADING DESCRIPTORS

Areas for UCA Overview of UCA Grading Descriptor Evidenced through…

Grading
Descriptors

1 Experimentation experimentation & innovation is the exploration and testing of risk taking; problem solving; innovation; adaptability and flexibility; material and technical speculation
& innovation different possibilities through methods of thinking and making. It is and inventiveness; experimentation with process; spatial testing; format and interface experimentation;
not knowing the outcome at the start and being prepared to take experimenting with concepts and contexts; consideration of issue of ethics and challenges of
risks. It can include using established approaches to develop sustainability; experimentation in writing structure and approach; experimentation and innovation
personalised responses or developing new approaches to provide evidenced in final outcomes
new insights and techniques.

2 Research & research & analysis is the gathering and evaluating of diverse critical and contextual thinking; the analysis of problems and possible solutions; interpretation of research
analysis ideas, histories, materials and approaches to make informed materials; understanding of theoretical concepts and approaches; critical reflection of own work and work
connections between sources that support the development of of others; exploring diverse contexts and connections
your work and thinking, and help situate it in a wider context.

3 Engaging with engaging with practice is building a sustained rapport with engagement with specialized procedures, technologies and methods; explorative and in depth making
practice processes, technologies, and media to form a personalised and thinking; exploring conceptual and practical considerations; appropriate deployment of technique;
response. This is often about the physical making and testing of technological relevance; ethical contexts; sustainability; workshop competencies; application of
work, but can also refer to the development of a writing practice or discipline specific skills and knowledge; interdisciplinary engagement; subject engagement and
approaches to business strategy. commitment; working with others.

4 Realisation & realisation & communication is the evolution of work and ideas synthesis and consolidation of practice; evaluation and resolution of contextual and technical
communication into their final form through a progression of thoughts and actions. competencies; realisation of intentions; dissemination and presentation; clarity of communication;
This is about the quality and thoughtfulness of the outcomes, appropriate realisation of final outcomes; practical and conceptual understanding; the application of
communicating an understanding of the conceptual and practical knowledge in different contexts; understanding audience, viewer, participant or user; interface, format,
aspects of the work, and an awareness of presenting and sharing display & curation skills, experiential aspects of resolved work; responsiveness to site, location and
with different audiences and in different contexts. context of dissemination; use and application of appropriate vocabulary, grammar, spelling & syntax.

5 Personal & personal & professional connectivity is the awareness and awareness of professional, cultural and social environments; understanding local and global contexts,
professional application of ideas and practice to professional, cultural, ethical inclusivity and diversity; ethics and sustainability; empathy and responsiveness; research ethics;
connectivity and social contexts. It includes considering alternative viewpoints, resource management and sustainability; ethics of audience and participant engagement; work
appreciating diversity and thinking responsively and critically readiness including discipline specific knowledge; vocational expertise; leadership skills; teamwork;
about the contexts that work is made for and that creative practice adaptability; self motivation; time-management; collaboration; planning & organisation; engagement with
operates within. professional networks and partners; engaging in UCA as a learning community; group activity; fostering
connections to wider communities and networks; use and application of professional vocabulary,
grammar, spelling & syntax.
MAPPING OfS THRESHOLD CRITERIA TO UCA GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

Level 5 Overview (‘seec Credit Level Descriptors for HE’):

Applies an understanding of wide-ranging areas of knowledge and a range of relevant skills in learning, work or practice contexts of varying complexity. Acts with partial self-direction and
works within relevant guidelines using a wide range of techniques. Takes responsibility for achieving personal and/or group outcomes/outputs and evaluates own capabilities and
development using relevant criteria. Uses a range of principles to analyse, evaluate, organise and communicate the reliability and validity of a variety of information sources. Develops a
range of relevant projects and/or activities to improve areas of own and/or others learning, work or practice.

THRESHOLD CRITERIA: LEVEL 5 RELATION TO OfS Typical Graduate Skills Relation to ‘seec’ Credit
UCA DESCRIPTOR & Attributes Level Descriptors for HE

 Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis Experimentation & Innovation Cognitive Skills Practical Skills
of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis Practical Skills Cognitive Skills

 Ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to Experimentation & Innovation Knowledge & Understanding Application of Knowledge &
solving problems in the field of study Cognitive Skills Understanding Setting
Practical Skills Practical Skills
Cognitive Skills

 Knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles of their area(s) Research & Analysis Knowledge & Understanding Application of Knowledge &
of study Cognitive Skills Understanding Setting
 Understanding of history of the principles of the area of study and the way in which Research & Analysis Knowledge & Understanding Application of Knowledge &
they have developed Understanding Cognitive Skills

 Knowledge of the main methods (theoretical and practical) of enquiry in the Research & Analysis Knowledge & Understanding Application of Knowledge &
subject(s) relevant to the named award. Practical Skills Understanding Cognitive Skills
Practical Skills
 Understanding of the limits of their knowledge, and how this influences analyses Research & Analysis Knowledge & Understanding Application of Knowledge &
and interpretations based on that knowledge. Cognitive Skills Understanding Cognitive Skills
Practical Skills
 Appropriate technical, creative or artistic skills related to their area of study or work Engaging with Practice Practical Skills Practical Skills

 Ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they Engaging with Practice Knowledge & Understanding Practical Skills
were first studied, including the application of those principles in an employment Practical Skills Behaviours & Values
context Transferable Skills Setting
Professional Competencies
 Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms Realisation & Communication Knowledge & Understanding Practical Skills
to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of the Practical Skills Behaviours & Values
discipline effectively Transferable Skills Setting

 Undertake further training, develop existing skills and acquire new competences Personal & Professional Professional Competencies Behaviours & Values
that will enable them to assume significant responsibility within organisations. Connectivity Setting

 Qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of Personal & Professional Professional Competencies Behaviours & Values
personal responsibility and decision-making. Connectivity Transferable Skills Setting
GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

EXPERIMENTATION & INNOVATION

FAIL PASS
Threshold Criteria 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
Use a range of Limited to no ability Low ability to use Competent at solving Satisfactory ability in Good problem- Very good problem- Excellent problem- Exceptional problem-
established to use established established problems solving solving skills, solving skills with solving skills with solving skills with
techniques to initiate techniques to techniques to related to their area selecting and clear evaluation and clear justification of sophisticated
complex problems,
and undertake critical undertake critical undertake critical of study by applying a by evaluating and justifying the use of a application of established and evaluation and
analysis of analysis to solve analysis to solve range of established applying established wide-range of established and secondary techniques application of a wide
information, and to problems and/or problems and/or techniques to initiate techniques to initiate established secondary techniques to undertake critical range of techniques
propose solutions to make decisions. make decisions but and undertake critical and undertake critical techniques to to undertake critical analysis (including to undertake critical
problems arising with significant analysis analysis undertake critical analysis (including consideration of analysis (including
from that analysis limitations. analysis (including consideration of ethical issues and consideration of
awareness of ethical ethical issues and sustainability where ethical issues and
issues and sustainability where appropriate). sustainability where
sustainability where appropriate). appropriate).
appropriate).

Ability to evaluate Limited to no Low ability to select Competent ability to Satisfactory ability to Good ability to Very good synthesis Excellent use of a Exceptional synthesis
critically the exploration with and evaluate select, evaluate and select, evaluate and critically select and of a broad range of broad understanding of a broad
appropriateness of significant gaps in key research to make comment on comment on the evaluate the different approaches of different understanding for
different approaches understanding of judgements in line appropriateness of appropriateness of appropriateness of to solving problems approaches insightful application
to solving problems basic required with interpretations different approaches different approaches different approaches in the field of study (practical, core and of different
in the field of study knowledge. based on that to solving problems to solving problems to solving problems to select and apply secondary) to solving approaches to solving
knowledge; over- in the field of study. in the field of study. in the field of study. appropriate ones. problems in the field problems in the field
reliance on a single of study. of study.
approach.
GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

FAIL PASS
Threshold Criteria 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
Knowledge and Limited to no Low knowledge and Competent Satisfactory Good knowledge and Very good knowledge Excellent knowledge Exceptional
critical understanding knowledge and understanding of the knowledge and knowledge and critical understanding and critical and sophisticated knowledge and
of the well- understanding of the core principles of the critical understanding critical understanding of the core principles understanding of the understanding of the critical insight into
established principles underlying concepts area of study. of the core principles of the core principles. which displays some core principles core and some the core and
of their area(s) of and principles of the which is sufficient to insight significantly beyond secondary principles secondary principles
study area of study. deal of the area of what has been significantly beyond of the area of study
study. taught. what has been significantly beyond
taught. what has been
taught.
Understanding of Limited to no Low understanding of Competent Satisfactory Good understanding Very good Excellent Exceptional
history of the understanding of the the history of the understanding of the understanding of the of the history of the understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the
principles of the area history of the principles of the area history of the history of the principles of the area history of the history of the history of the
of study and the way principles of the area of study and their principles of the area principles of the area of study and their principles of the area principles of the area principles of the area
in which they have of study and their development of study and their of study and their development of study and their of study and their of study and their
developed development development development development development development
significantly beyond
what has been
taught.

Knowledge of the Limited to no Low understanding of Competent Satisfactory Good knowledge and Very good knowledge Excellent knowledge Exceptional
main methods understanding of the the main methods of knowledge and knowledge and critical understanding and critical and sophisticated knowledge and
(theoretical and main methods of enquiry of the area of critical understanding critical understanding of the main methods understanding of the understanding of the critical insight into
practical) of enquiry enquiry of the area of study. of the main methods of the main methods of enquiry which main methods of core and some the core and
in the subject(s) study. of enquiry which is of enquiry in the area displays some insight enquiry significantly secondary methods secondary methods
relevant to the sufficient to deal of of study. beyond what has of enquiry of enquiry of the area
named award. the area of study. been taught. significantly beyond of study significantly
what has been beyond what has
taught. been taught.

Understanding of the Limited to no sources Low ability to select Competent selection, Satisfactory selection, Good critical selection, Very good synthesis of Excellent synthesis of a Exceptional synthesis of
limits of their and judgements with and evaluate reading evaluation and evaluation and evaluation and a broad range of on broad understanding a broad understanding
knowledge, and how gaps in key and research to make commentary on limits commentary on limits commentary on limits limits of their of the limits of their of the limits of their
this influences understanding of the judgements in line with of their knowledge to of their knowledge to of their knowledge to knowledge to make knowledge to make knowledge to make
analyses and limits of their interpretations based make judgements in make judgements in make judgements in judgements in line judgements in line insightful judgements in
interpretations based knowledge. on that knowledge with line with line with line with with interpretations with interpretations line with interpretations
on that knowledge. over- reliance on set interpretations based interpretations based interpretations based based on that based on that based on that
sources. on that knowledge. on that knowledge. on that knowledge. knowledge. knowledge. knowledge.
GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

ENGAGING WITH PRACTICE

FAIL PASS
Threshold Criteria 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
Appropriate Little to no technical, Low technical, Competent technical, Satisfactory technical, Good command of Very good technical, Excellent technical, Exceptional technical,
technical, creative creative or artistic creative or artistic creative or artistic creative or artistic highly-developed creative and/or creative and/or creative and/or
or artistic skills skills in most, or key, skills related to their skills required for skills required for technical, creative artistic skills and artistic skills artistic skills
related to their areas area of study. area of study. area of study. and/or artistic skills finesse in their
area of study or selection and
work application.

Ability to apply Little to no evidence Low evidence of Competent Satisfactory ability to Good ability to apply Very good ability to Excellent ability to Exceptional ability to
underlying concepts of ability to apply ability to apply application of apply underlying underlying concepts apply range of apply wide range of evaluate of a range of
and principles underlying concepts underlying concepts underlying concepts concepts and and principles using concepts using concepts using concepts using
outside the context and/or techniques to and/or techniques and techniques and principles using established established established established
in which they were support the to support the displays the ability to established techniques accurately techniques accurately techniques accurately techniques accurately
first studied, development of work development of work outside the area techniques accurately and can critically and possesses a well- and possesses a well- well beyond the usual
including the work in in which they were and can critically evaluate and apply developed ability to developed ability to range, together with
application of those first studied. appraise use outside use outside their critically evaluate and critically evaluate and critical evaluation and
principles in an their original context. original context apply a use outside apply a use outside application, of use
employment (including awareness their original context their original context outside their original
context of contexts of ethics (including awareness (including awareness context(including
and sustainability, of contexts of ethics of contexts of ethics awareness of contexts
where appropriate). and sustainability, and sustainability, of ethics and
where appropriate). where appropriate). sustainability, where
appropriate).
GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

REALISATION & COMMUNICATION

FAIL PASS
Threshold Criteria 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
Effectively Limited to no Low clarity in the Competent Satisfactory Good communication Very good Excellent Exceptional
communicate clarity in the expression ideas communication of communication of of information, ideas, communication of communication of communication of
information, expression of and/or unable to information, ideas, information, ideas, problems and information, ideas, information, ideas, information, ideas,
arguments and ideas and/or convey clear problems and problems and solutions verbally, problems and problems and problems and
analysis in a variety of unable to convey meaning verbally, solutions verbally, solutions verbally, visually and/or in solutions verbally, solutions verbally, solutions verbally,
forms to specialist meaning verbally, visually and/or in electronically and in visually and/or in writing with regard to electronically and in electronically and in electronically and in
and non-specialist visually and/or in writing with regard writing with regard to writing with regard to audience. writing with regard to writing with regard to writing with regard to
audiences and deploy writing with to audience. audience. audience. audience. audience. audience.
key techniques of the regard to
discipline effectively audience.
GRADING DESCRIPTORS: LEVEL 5

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIVITY

FAIL PASS
Threshold Criteria 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
Undertake further Limited to no Low contribution to Competent Satisfactory Good contributions Very good Excellent contribution Exceptional
training, develop contribution to group activity and/or contribution to contribution to group to group activity contribution to to group activity contribution to group
existing skills and group activity project work which group activity activity and/or project and/or project group activity and/or project work, activity and/or
acquire new and/or project develops new skills. and/or project work work which develops work, with an and/or project work, with teamwork and project work, with
competences that will work which which develops new new skills. understanding of with exceptional some leadership teamwork and
enable them to develops new skills. skills. team roles and the teamwork and the taking responsibility leadership taking
assume significant processes for the processes for the for the development responsibility for the
responsibility within development of development of new of new skills. development of new
organisations. new skills. skills. skills.

Qualities and Limited to no ability Low ability to manage Competent ability to Satisfactory ability to Good ability to Very good ability to Excellent ability to Exceptional ability to
transferable skills to manage learning learning and/or manage learning and systematically manage systematically systematically manage learning on manage learning on
necessary for and/or exercise exercise ethical and exercise ethical and learning, and exercise manage learning, manage learning, own initiative, and own initiative, and
employment ethical and personal personal personal responsibility ethical and personal and exercise ethical and exercise ethical exercise ethical and exercise ethical and
requiring the exercise responsibility and responsibility and and decision-making. responsibility and and personal and personal personal responsibility personal
of personal decision-making. decision-making. decision-making. responsibility and responsibility and and decision-making. responsibility and
responsibility and decision-making. decision-making. decision-making.
decision-making.
Little to no accurate Low accurate use of Competent expression Satisfactory expression Good expression Very good Excellent expression Exceptional
use of terminology, terminology, with and style with and style, with a range and style with expression and style and style with minimal expression and style
with limited many errors in appropriate of vocabulary and appropriate with minimal errors errors in spelling, with no errors in
vocabulary and many spelling, vocabulary vocabulary and errors some errors in vocabulary with in spelling, grammar grammar and syntax. spelling, grammar
errors in spelling, and syntax. in spelling, grammar spelling, grammar and minimal errors in and syntax. and syntax.
grammar and syntax. and syntax which do syntax which do not spelling, grammar
not affect affect understanding. and syntax.
understanding.
Little to no evidence Little to no evidence Competent evidence Satisfactory evidence Good evidence of Very good evidence Excellent evidence of Exceptional evidence
of basic numeracy or of basic numeracy or of numeracy and of numeracy and numeracy and of numeracy and numeracy and digital of numeracy or
digital literacy, digital literacy, digital literacy, digital literacy, digital literacy, digital literacy, literacy, hardware and digital literacy,
hardware and hardware and hardware and hardware and hardware and hardware and software skills. hardware and
software skills. software skills. software skills. software skills. software skills. software skills. software skills.

Does not demonstrate achievement of The student has demonstrated achievement of professional competence when assessed against the requirements of a PSRB.
professional competence when assessed
against the requirements of a professional,
statutory or regulatory body (PSRB).

Inaccurate use of terminology with The student has adhered to the appropriate rules and/or conventions set by regulators or the industry.
limited vocabulary and many errors in
spelling, grammar and syntax.
Inaccurate terminology, with many errors in
spelling, vocabulary and syntax.