The blog about marks, modules, and methodology.
Pillar pieces on how UK marking actually works, deep dives into module data, and the occasional piece of meta-commentary on the academic system.
Optional vs core modules — what the data actually says
Optional modules are pitched as a chance to specialise. The data says they're also the dominant driver of variance in degree outcomes. Here's why, and what it means for how you pick them.
- FOI data4 min read
What FOI data reveals about how UK universities actually mark
After filing a hundred-plus Freedom of Information requests, a pattern emerges. UK marking is more variable, less standardised, and more knowable than universities admit.
5 May 2026Read - Grade prediction5 min read
How to predict your degree classification: a working framework
Most students find out what they got at the end. You can do better than that. Here's a working framework for predicting your final degree from data you already have, with the failure modes that catch people out.
29 April 2026Read - Module choice5 min read
How to choose your final-year modules at UK university
Final-year module choice is the single most consequential academic decision an undergraduate makes. Here's how to think about it like the data nerds in admin do.
22 April 2026Read