Dissertation grade calculator
Dissertation Grade Calculator
See how your dissertation credits change your average and calculate the mark needed to reach your target.
Plan my targetWhat mark do I need?
This targets the average for your entered year or course credit pool. Enter completed credits excluding the dissertation.
The prefilled numbers are an example. Replace them with your own marks and credits.
UK tool
Weighted Average Calculator
This website is not affiliated with any UK university. Results are estimates only and may not reflect official classification algorithms, compensation rules, borderline policies or programme-specific regulations.
How many credits is a dissertation worth?
The exact credit value depends on your university and programme. Enter the value in your module handbook rather than assuming every dissertation has the same weighting. For example, Manchester's AMBS undergraduate handbook describes a 40-credit dissertation; this is a programme example, not a rule for all degrees.
40-credit dissertation in a 120-credit year
A 40-credit dissertation accounts for one third of a 120-credit year. If the other 80 credits average 65%, a dissertation mark of 80% gives a final-year average of 70%: (80 × 65 + 40 × 80) ÷ 120.
A 10-point increase in the dissertation mark raises that year's average by 3.33 points. If final year counts for 60% of the degree, the overall degree average rises by 2 points.
Required dissertation mark = (target × total included credits − completed average × completed credits) ÷ dissertation credits
The planner below targets the average for the entered credit pool. If you need an overall degree target with different year weights, use the First-Class planner or 2:1 planner. A dissertation-specific pass or distinction requirement is separate from this average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many credits is a typical dissertation worth?
Commonly 30-40 credits at undergraduate final-year level, or 30-60 credits for a master's dissertation, though this varies by course and university.
Can a dissertation mark alone determine my final classification?
It rarely decides classification alone, but because of its large credit weight it usually has more influence on the overall average than any single taught module of the same size.
What if my dissertation mark is lower than my module average?
A lower dissertation mark will typically pull your overall weighted average down, and if it falls below a required threshold some universities may still require the higher classification's dissertation-specific condition to be met separately.
Do all degree courses require a dissertation?
No. Many vocational, professional-accredited, or placement-based courses replace the dissertation with a major project, portfolio, or extended report, which is usually weighted similarly in the final year.
How is the dissertation mark combined with my other final-year marks?
Most universities include it as one credit-weighted component alongside your other final-year modules, calculated using the same credit-weighted average method as the rest of your degree.
Can I resubmit or improve a dissertation mark?
Some universities allow a capped resubmission if the original mark falls below the pass threshold, similar to module resits, but this is set by individual assessment regulations rather than being universal.