Supplementary information
Supplementary information to accompany academic results letters and academic transcripts is available below. The vast majority of programmes are covered under standard programmes unless specified.
Standard Programmes
This description is designed to provide clarification on the range of results (in addition to the Examiners' Decision) which can be recorded on a Transcript:
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Grade A-F | See below |
| ABS | Absent from the entire course assessment; further assessment is required |
| MC | Medical certificate has been submitted for absence or incomplete assessment; a further assessment may be required |
| EX | Exemption from the entire course due to accreditation of prior learning |
| IG | Grade made invalid by decision of the Discipline Committee; a further assessment may be required |
| IA | Ineligible for assessment due to unsatisfactory attendance/performance; further opportunity may be permitted |
| DC | • performance in the course assessment has not been sufficient to gain credit points, but the Examiners have awarded discretionary credits because the learner has satisfied the award or progression criteria overall • RAY Discretionary credits are awarded to learners who successfully completed the course assessment prior to academic year 2008/09 (see note 2 below) |
| P | Due to the impact of COVID-19 on assessment, Heriot-Watt University awarded a Pass grade ("P") for all SCQF Level 6 and Level 7 courses, and a number of others at Levels 8-10, taken in semester 2 of academic year 2019/20. A "P" grade means that the course has been passed, credits have been allocated and the criteria for progression have been met. |
Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression System (HAPS)
The University operates a grading scheme – the Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression System (HAPS) – across all taught provision, both undergraduate and postgraduate. The results of course assessments are recorded on the Transcript in the form of Grades A to F; percentage marks are not recorded on Transcripts issued by the University.
The grades descriptors are based on the quality of response in course assessment, which is determined with reference to the extent to which the learner has satisfied the criteria specified for the assessment of the course in question.
| Grade | Quality of Response | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | Learner has passed the course and can continue study in the subject |
| B | Very Good | Learner has passed the course and can continue study in the subject |
| C | Good | Learner has passed the course and can continue study in the subject |
| D* | Satisfactory | Learner has passed the course and can continue study in the subject |
| E | Adequate | Learner is awarded credit points, but cannot continue study in the subject; a re-assessment is required for core and continuing courses |
| F | Inadequate | Learner is not awarded credit points; a re-assessment is required |
| *In some programmes of study, Grade D is not sufficient for progression or award, and a re-assessment is required | ||
Semester and opportunity
a) The Transcript shows the Semester next to each course which refers to the term or semester in which the course was studied and assessed1. From 2010/11, Semester 3 indicates that the course assessment was undertaken during the August exam period. Prior to 2010/11, Semester 4 indicates that the course assessment was undertaken in the re-assessment exam period. Semester 9 applies to flexible and distance learning programmes, where assessments were taken at times other than the standard, on-campus schedule of exam diets.
b) ‘Opportunity' indicates how many times the course has been studied and assessed. The Transcript will indicate where all permitted attempts at the course assessment have been exhausted.
Credit points
a) The qualifications offered by Heriot-Watt University comply with the credit and level requirements of the national Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), and are compatible with the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS).
b) Each standard Heriot-Watt undergraduate and postgraduate course is rated at 15 SCQF credits2, which is equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits.
c) Credit totals for qualifications are shown as both SCQF credits and ECTS credits.
1 Heriot-Watt University operates within a structure of two semesters within the academic year; prior to 2008/09 it operated within a structure of three terms.
2 Prior to 2008/09 undergraduate courses were rated at 10 SCQF credits and postgraduate courses were rated at 12 SCQF credits.
Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum (MPU)
Compulsory General Studies Subjects / Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum (MPU)
| MPU Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPU 3123 | Islamic Civilizations and Asia Civilizations (TITAS) | 3 |
| MPU 3143 | Malay Language Communication 2 | 3 |
| MPU 3113 | Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| MPU 3173 | Malaysian Studies 3 | 3 |
| MPU 3212 | National Language A | 2 |
| MPU 3412 | Community Service and Co-curricular Activities | 2 |
| MPU 3222 | Life Skills | 2 |
| MPU 3312 | Knowledge Expansion About Malaysia | 2 |
Description of results
This description is designed to provide clarification on the range of results (in addition to the Examiners' Decision) which can be recorded on a Transcript:
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Grades A-F | See below |
| ABS | Absent from the entire course assessment; further assessment is required |
| MC | Medical certificate has been submitted for absence or incomplete assessment; a further assessment may be required |
| EX | Exemption from the entire course due to accreditation of prior learning |
| IG | Grade made invalid by decision of the Discipline Committee; a further assessment may be required |
| IA | Ineligible for assessment due to unsatisfactory attendance/performance; further opportunity may be permitted |
MPU grading scheme
The Board of Examiners shall determine a grade in the range of A-F or a simple Pass/Fail for student performance in each course as shall be specified in the course descriptor; percentage marks are not recorded on Transcripts issued by the University.
Where the grades A-F are used then the grades shall have the meaning specified in the table below. The following guidelines may be used by examiners for the mapping of marks onto grades:
| Grade | Description | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | Significantly exceeds the minimum requirements for Pass |
| B | Very Good | Exceeds the minimum requirements for Pass |
| C | Good | Exceeds the minimum requirements for Pass |
| D | Satisfactory | Achieved the minimum requirements for Pass |
| E | Inadequate | Learner has not met minimum requirements |
| F | Inadequate | Fail |
Opportunity
‘Opportunity' indicates how many times the course has been studied and assessed.
Credit points
The qualifications offered by Heriot-Watt University Malaysia comply with the credit and level requirements of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Malaysia Foundation Programme
This description is designed to provide clarification on the range of results (in addition to the Examiners' Decision) which can be recorded on a Transcript:
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Grades A-F | See below |
| ABS | Absent from the entire course assessment; further assessment is required |
| MC | Medical certificate has been submitted for absence or incomplete assessment; a further assessment may be required |
| EX | Exemption from the entire course due to accreditation of prior learning |
| IG | Grade made invalid by decision of the Discipline Committee; a further assessment may be required |
| IA | Ineligible for assessment due to unsatidfactory attendance/performance; further opportunity may be permitted |
| DC | Performance in the course assessment has not been sufficient to gain credit points, but the Examiners have awarded discretionary credits because the learner has satisfied the award criteria overall |
The results of course assessments are recorded on the Transcript in the form of Grades A to F; percentage marks are not recorded on Transcripts issued by the University.
The grades descriptors are based on the quality of response in course assessment, which is determined with reference to the extent to which the learner has satisfied the criteria specified for the assessment of the course in question.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Excellent |
| B | Very Good |
| C | Good |
| D | Satifactory |
| E | Inadequate |
| F | Inadequate |
Semester and Opportunity
a) The Malaysia Foundation Programme operates within a structure of 3 semesters.
b) Opportunity' indicates how many times the course has been studied and assessed.
Credit Points
a) The qualifications offered by Heriot-Watt University comply with the credit and level requirements of the national Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) as well as the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) and are compatible with the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS).
b) Credit totals for qualifications are shown as both SCQF credits and ECTS credits.
Malaysian Cumulative Grade Point Average Scheme
Mapping Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression Scheme (HAPS) onto the Malaysian Cumulative Grade Point Average Scheme
At Heriot-Watt University, all courses are graded using the Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression scheme of letter grades for courses and degree class for awards. In Malaysia, universities generally adopts a grade point average (GPA) / cumulative grade point average (CGPA) scheme for grading a student’s performance.
This document sets out a qualitative mapping of the Heriot-Watt HAPS grading scheme onto the general Malaysian GPA/CGPA scheme. Note that this mapping is a reflection of equivalence and should not be seen or used as a conversion scheme.