Frequently Asked Questions (STUDENTS)

  1. From when does the Postgraduate GPA System take effect?

All new, incoming students in pursuit of postgraduate certificate and diplomas as well as masters and professional doctorates, in taught programmes only will be assessed under the Postgraduate GPA System from the start of the 2021/2022 academic year.

 

  1. I am a re-entry student to UWI, does postgraduate GPA system apply to me?

Academic forgiveness for re-entering students has NOT be finalised, but will follow similar to the undergraduate grading system.

 

  1. Will MPhil and PHD students now be assessed on the GPA Scale?

MPhil, PhD and MFA programmes are exempt from the GPA assessments, but will be graded under the new grade scale if they enter The UWI from academic year 2021/2022.

There will be two sections of the same course (one CRN for the GPA students and another for Non-GPA students).  MPhil, PhD and MFA students will register in the Non-GPA section of the course.

 

  1. What programmes other than MPhil and PhD are exempt from GPA Scale?

The following programmes are also exempt:

−             Master in Fine Arts

−             Doctor of Medicine

−             Graduate Diploma in Emergency and Medicine

−             Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine

 

  1. What grades are used in the calculations of Grade Point Average?

As a student, you should be aware of the grades used in the calculations of the GPA.

See Postgraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) System & Descriptors.

 

  1. Can I calculate my GPA on my own?

Yes, see Postgraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) System & Descriptors.

 

  1. Will the GPA System impact degree requirements?

Yes. The University’s requirements of a minimum Degree GPA for undergraduate degrees has changed from 1.0 to 2.0.

 

  1. Can I graduate with a GPA of less than 2.0?

No. The University’s requirements of a minimum GPA for undergraduate degrees has changed from 1.0 to 2.0 therefore, you cannot graduate with a GPA of less than 2.0. Note that individual department, college, school or programme requirements may exceed this minimum.

 

  1. In the implementation of the undergraduate GPA, some students’ grades were converted to GPA before graduation, will any current postgraduate students be able to request the same?

No, only new/first time students entering the 2021/2022 academic year will be assessed and awarded on the PG GPA grading scale.

 

  1. How do the postgraduate GPA descriptors compare to descriptors for undergraduate students?

The grade scales are identical.

 

  1. Under the (pre-2021/2022 academic year) regulations, a graduate student must pass both coursework and final examination components to achieve an overall pass; does this apply for the postgraduate GPA?

Yes, the assessment rule that a postgraduate student must pass both coursework and final examination components will apply.

 

  1. Does compulsory leave (CL), late withdrawals (LW) and deferral of exam (DEF) of a course affect the cumulative GPA for the Semester?

No, these grade codes do not affect GPA.

 

  1. How many times is a student allowed to be on warning when it does not happen consecutively?

There is no limit to a student being placed on warning. Once the student’s GPA improves to 2.00 or above in the subsequent semester, they will return to ‘Good Standing’.  Students should note however, that a degree cannot be awarded to a student with an overall Programme GPA less than 2.00

 

  1. Does a passing course grade replace previous fail grade in the cumulative calculation of GPA?

No, it does not replace the previous 'failing' grade of a prior attempt at the course. All grades will contribute to GPA and all attempts at courses will be recorded on the academic record.

 

  1. Currently when a student fails only a section of a course and receives an FC/FE, he/she is only required to repeat the section failed. With the new GPA system, is the student only repeating the failed portion, i.e. only exam or coursework. Does the same apply under the postgraduate GPA system?

Yes. The student is only required to repeat the failed component of the course.

 

  1. Is length of time taken to complete the programme considered for the award of "distinction"?

No, once the student is able to achieve the required GPA for award of distinction, the student will be so awarded.

 

  1. Under the postgraduate GPA system, if a student fails a course in his/her first attempt, but gets an A+ in second attempt, would the student be eligible for distinction?

For postgraduate certificates, diplomas and taught masters programmes, once the student is able to achieve the required GPA (3.70 and above) for award of distinction, the student will be so awarded.  For professional doctorates, this is not the case for high commendation, students with failing grades cannot be awarded high commendation.

 

  1. Given the move to online teaching during the pandemic, some postgraduate courses were transformed into 100% coursework. How will the issue of passing each component be taken into consideration?

The change in assessment for courses will be treated on an individual basis. Each course will indicate whether the change is assessment will convert to 100% coursework and whether any component or sub-components will carry a must-pass requirement. Please consult with your lecturer/examiner for your individual courses on this matter.

 

  1. If a student fails one component of the course, do they fail the entire course?  A course could have four alternative assessment components making up 100% coursework.

Individual assessments within the coursework component are referred to as a sub-component. Course assessment descriptions will contain details on whether any sub-component carries a must-pass requirement.  Students can be required to pass every component or sub-component of a course in order to pass overall depending on the course requirements. Please consult with your lecturer/examiner for your individual courses for more details.

 

  1. How would lecturers treat with the GPA and non GPA students in the same course as it relates to the assessment?

Sensitisation sessions, synchronous and asynchronous materials and workshop sessions will be made available to all lecturers. They will be guided on the management of the two streams of students and relevant assessment rules that apply. Students in either the GPA or Non-GPA grading scheme, within the same class and completing the same assessment will not be disadvantaged in any way. Students will be marked under the applicable grading scale.

 

  1. Will students be able to get grading rubrics from lecturers?

All lecturers have been advised to share grading rubrics with their classes.

 

  1. If a student completes a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in the non GPA system and wants to register for the Taught Masters (MSc, MA etc) – what grading scale will the Taught Master’s degree be assessed on?

The Taught Master’s degree will be assessed on the PG GPA grading scale.

 

  1. Can I apply for credit and exemption of courses already completed if I wish to register for a graduate programme after 2021/2022 academic year? (For e.g. transferring credits from MA to MPhil, specially admitted PG credits etc.)

Yes, courses given exemption do not impact the GPA.