Via the BBC. For those beyond our shores, British undergraduate degree classifications are generally (in ascending order): Fail, Ordinary Degree (a three year degree in Scotland, where Honours degrees require an additional year), Third Class Honours (a “third”), Second Class Honours Lower Division (a “two-two”), Second Class Honours Upper Division (a “two-one”) and First Class Honours (a “first”).
Student challenges 2:2 degree awarded from Queen’s
20 September 2010 Last updated at 17:13
A Belfast graduate has taken his university to court after they awarded him a 2:2 degree.
Andrew Croskery, from County Down, applied for a judicial review of the grade he received from Queen’s University in Belfast.
Mr Croskery claimed if he had received better supervision he would have obtained a 2:1, the High Court was told on Monday.
A lawyer for QUB said the court was not the place to resolve the matter.
Mr Croskery graduated in June with a degree in electrical engineering.
His barrister claimed he had been denied a right to appeal against his classification because he had already graduated from Queen’s in the summer.
Tony McGleenan argued that the university’s stance was not compliant with his client’s human rights.
“It is obviously an important case for the applicant. He avers his employment prospects have been jeopardised… in this competitive job market,” he said.
“It’s also clearly an important case for the university.”
The court heard how a Board of Visitors at Queen’s, whose members include two judges, considers student appeals and complaints.
Nicholas Hanna QC, for Queen’s, argued that the judicial review application should be dismissed as the court was not the proper forum for the challenge.
“The jurisdictional issue is so clear that it is unarguable and therefore, I submit, leave should be refused,” he said.
The judge, Mr Justice Treacy, adjourned the case and will determine if the legal challenge can go ahead next month.
Good to know I might have a back-up option if things go badly in the next 18 months. Just kidding, I promise.
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