Assessment is extremely important, for two reasons:
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It is what determines your degree result.
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It provides you with useful information as you progress throughout your course.
By paying attention to assessment and using feedback wisely, you can improve your marks.
Essay Deadlines
Spring Semester 2011-12 
Assessment methods
We use a variety of assessment methods in Philosophy. The main emphasis is on assessing your written expression of philosophical ideas in exams and coursework essays. Most Philosophy modules are assessed through one exam (60% of the module mark) and one coursework essay (40% of the module mark). A few modules depart from this model: always check your module handbook carefully, and ask the module convener if you are unsure.
Ensuring fairness in marking
We take a great deal of care in assessing your work because we realize how important it is. The marker works with an agreed set of assessment criteria (see below) and marks an anonymised version of your work. The marking for the module is then vetted in two stages. First, it is moderated by another member of the Department, who checks carefully for fairness and consistency of marking. At the end of the academic year all modules are moderated again, this time by a Philosopher from a different UK university (the ‘External Examiner’).
There is no facility for having your work re-marked. You can appeal on other grounds, but not on the ground that you think your work deserved higher marks. This rule is common practice at UK universities.
Assessment criteria
We use the Arts Faculty marking criteria, which describe the qualities of essays under three headings: Knowledge and Understanding; Professional and Intellectual Skills; and Technical Skills. See the Philosophy Essay Writing Handbook for explanation of these criteria and what we value in Philosophy essays.
We give a lot of extra guidance about what we are looking for in essays and exams in the handbook Writing Essays. In particular, we discuss the main qualities of coursework and exam essays: Clarity; Understanding; Argument; Knowledge; Independence; and Relevance. Please read this handbook carefully.