Skills include:

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Skills-based questions

• I'm worried about my spelling and grammar - what can I do?
• Where do I start with my coursework questions?
• How should I prepare for exams?
• I've done badly in semester 1, how do I improve my marks in semester 2?

 

Knowledge-based questions

• How do I choose which modules to take?
• What is the pass mark?
• How do I pass a module with merit?
• Why have I got over 40% but have failed a module?
• I've been off ill, what do I do?
• My personal problems are getting on top of me - help!
• How do I change my tutorial group?

Skills-based questions

• I'm worried about my spelling and grammar - what can I do?
  • There's help provided for this on the Essay Skills page. Just remember that no one's perfect and there are many more marks for content than there are for presentation!

     

• Where do I start with my coursework questions?
  • You'll find suggestions for this on the Essay Skills page too. Feeling lost and unable to get started is very common. Sometimes writing an introductory paragraph or two and started to assemble the information for your list of references can help to get you over the 'blank page' syndrome.

• How should I prepare for exams?

  • There's usually a revision class the week before the exams start, make sure you come to this. Go over all your lecture and tutorial material, working through the numerical questions and reading the chapter summaries in your text books.
  • Practice past paper questions - often if you have tried to answer these yourself you tutor will give you feedback on how well you have done.
• I've done badly in semester 1, how do I improve my marks in semester 2?
  • Students almost always do better in semester 2 of 3rd year. You are more used to what is expected of you, plus you will have chosen the options in subjects you are best at.
  • Attend all your classes, lectures and tutorials, prepare a study plan and stick to it! If you're working part time, you might want to think about cutting back your hours of work.

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Knowledge-based questions

• How do I choose which modules to take?
  • You need to make sure your modules fit with your programme structure (this file should open as a word document in a new window). The programme pages on Web CT contain summaries written by the module leaders and you can access the module descriptors and current trimester timetables from the Napier intranet pages.
  • Your guidance tutor Penny Gardner and Faculty Administrator Andrea Sutherland can also offer you help and advice.
• What is the pass mark?
  • All UK universities have a standard undergraduate pass mark of 40%. This doesn't mean you can get it 60% wrong - 40% is just the label that's given to the standard required for a pass.
  • The coursework mark and exam mark are combined according to their weighting (eg 30% : 70%) to give your overall grade. University regulations require a minimum mark of 30% in any element, so long as the overall mark is 40% - but some accounting modules have a 35% minimum for accreditation purposes. For examples, see this MS Excel file.
• How do I pass a module with merit?
  • The merit pass mark is 65%. This is the weighted average mark, calculated using the coursework and examination mark. For examples, see this MS Excel file.
• Why have I got over 40% but have failed a module?
  • This can happen if one of the assessment elements falls below the minimum. For example, if the weighting is 50:50 and you have 80% for coursework but only 20% in the examination, your mark will be 50% but labelled 'QF' - qualified fail, because the 20% is below the minimum.
• I've been off ill, what do I do?
  • It's always best to let us know as soon as possible if you have a problem. Needless to say, if you leave your coursework to the last minute and then become ill, you may miss a hand in deadline - but your lecturer might want to see some evidence of the progress you've made so far before giving you an extension.
  • If your absence means you've missed an examination, then you should complete a mitigating circumstances form. Complete it and hand in with some evidence supporting your reasons eg a doctor's medical certificate. A self certification is not usually enough.

     

• My personal problems are getting on top of me - help!
  • Firstly, email your guidance tutor for an appointment. If she / he is not available, or you need more immediate help, Student Support Services offer counselling - they are very friendly and helpful, so don't hesitate to email them or give them a call on 0131 455 2929.
  • Whatever your problem, please don't be shy to ask for help - your personal circumstances will be kept strictly confidential.

• How do I change my tutorial group?
  • Speak to your lecturer or guidance tutor. We will always try to accommodate changes if we can, but it's not always possible if class sizes become too big for the rooms.

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Help! I can't cope

with all this reading

I've got an essay /

report to write

How do I reference

my work?

How do module

marks and degree

classifications work?

How is the degree

course administered?