New Coventry Marking Process at Escape Studios

Our Degrees are Validated by The University of Coventry

Since September 2024 our undergraduate degrees at Escape Studios have been validated by the University of Coventry, rather than by the University of Kent.  

With this change of oversight comes changes to the way we mark undergraduate work; the main change being to simplify our marking systems.  

Summary

Marking at Escape Studios

From September 2024 the Tutor Mark is the main component for each module at Escape Studios; students will no longer self mark their work, or mark their peer's work, nor will there be separate Industry Marking.  The new process is leaner and simpler.   Note that these changes only apply to students working towards a degree from the University of Coventry.  For any student still getting a degree from Kent University, the old rules still apply. 

Marking Simplification

Our new marking systems have been simplified, with the Tutor Mark being the main component to grading each module.  Students will no longer self mark their work, or mark their peer's work.  Industry marking is no longer a separate process.  

Group Project Modifier

Group Projects - Modifier

For Group Projects, we retain the Team Rating for Group Projects, so that individual contributions (and the opposite) can be recognised.  Not everyone in the group will have made an equal contribution to the project, the final mark is subjected to a Modifier. 

The Modifier (which is carried out anonymously) allows moderation of the project mark to differentiate between the contributions of individuals within the group.  Each member of the group has an allocation of marks that they can award to the other team members in proportion to their contribution.

For example, in a group of 6 students, each student would have 50 marks to award to the other five members. All 50 marks could be awarded to one group member, or the marks could be apportioned equally, where each member gets 10 marks, or any combination in between.

See the table below by way of example, in which Alex made a big contribution to the project, and Fred a rather smaller one.

Once the modifier marks are tabulated and an average produced, the average is used to adjust each students' final mark within the group. So, for example, see the table below.

The Modifier is applied, using this formula:
FINAL_MARK = MIN(100,GROUP_MARK*(1+(STUDENT_MARK-10)/(NUMBER OF STUDENTS * 10)))

This algorithm produces the Final Project Mark for each individual student.

Retrospectives Replaced by Presentations

University of Coventry

Students will no longer be expected to write Retrospectives for individual project modules.  These are now presentations, or "presented retrospectives".  

...except Group Projects, and L4 Term One

Written Retrospectives will remain a requirement for Team Project Modules, and also for Term One of the First Year of Undergraduate Study, ie Module CR4002 (Creative Foundations - Craft) and Module PR4001 (Creative Foundations - Project).

Marking `Grids - Via Turnitin at Blackboard

Tutors no longer complete marking grids; from now on these will be done via Turnitin at Blackboard.  This automates the process and will greatly reduce paperwork (Tutors: watch Michael's intro video to see how this works).

Second Marking

Second marking continues in the usual way.  Second markers must check all fails, a representative sample across all bands, and any marks just below a band (49, 59 etc), as well as the highest mark. Second markers must second mark at least 10% of the students in a module, and at least six students. Second markers must complete a moderation form explaining briefly what they did.  

External Examiners

Helen Piercy - UG Anim EE

Two of our existing External Examiners remain in post.

• Helen Piercy External Examiner for UG Animation
• Adam Twycross External Examiner for VFX

Richard Cunningham, External Examiner for MA Animation, has been in post since 2019 and his replacement will be announced soon. 

Exam Boards

All marks are subject to final adjustment at the end of year Exam Boards. 

Marking at Escape Studios
To see more about how marking works at Escape Studios, follow the links below:

• Group Marking at Escape Studios - How It Works
• Mit Circs & Extensions at Escape Studios
• How Industry Marking Works at Escape Studios
• The "Four Week Feedback" Rule
• Second Marking at Escape Studios - How It Works

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.