what does coursework mean in the uk

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How does the uk university grading system work.

Whether you’re already studying or are about to, it is important to understand how the UK university grading system works.

When it comes to studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK, grading systems vary. Whether you’re about to start your degree, or you are close to the third year of your course, it’s important to understand how your final grade will be calculated. Luckily, it’s easy to understand.

University grading: degree classifications explained

Universities in the UK follow a standard grading system for degree classifications based on the overall percentage achieved. The four university grade boundaries are:

• First-Class Honours (1st) (70% and above): Exceptional academic performance
• Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) (60-70%): Strong performance, most common degree class
• Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) (50-60%): Satisfactory performance, widely accepted by employers
• Third-Class Honours (3rd) (40-50%): Minimum passing grade for an honours degree

What is the postgraduate grading system in the UK?

The British postgraduate grading system differs quite a bit from the undergraduate one. Depending on whether you are undergoing an Integrated Masters Degree or a Standalone Masters Degree the grading system will differ. Like undergraduate, Masters Degrees are graded by creating a weighted average, combining all your module results from the year(s).

An integrated masters is one which follows directly from an undergraduate course. Common in Science degrees, where you apply for a four year course. In your second year you will be able to choose to either complete a Bsc (Bachelor of Science) or follow the path to achieve an MChem (Masters in Chemistry) etc. Integrated Masters degrees are graded the same as undergraduate degrees.

Standalone Masters include Masters Degrees by Research and Taught Masters Degrees. Masters degrees by research commonly referred to as MRes or MPhil are focused more on individual research skills with less taught modules. These degrees are usually graded as a pass or a fail.

Taught Masters degrees require a total of 180 credits. These credits are split between assignments, assessments and a dissertation or final project. Each module will have a certain amount of credits attached. For example, you may have single modules weighted at 15 credits, double modules (that span over two semesters) at 30 credits and a dissertation weighted at 60 credits. As taught, Masters Degrees are typically only a year long, every module counts to your final grade.

Instead of a First, Upper Second, Lower Second and Third, there are only three grade classifications for a Masters Degree. These are Distinction, Merit and Pass. The boundaries for these may vary depending on your university, however the common boundaries are shown below.

• Distinction: much like a First at undergraduate level, a Distinction is awarded when you achieve a percentage grade of 70% and above.
• Merit: you’ll be awarded a Merit if you achieve a grade average between 60-69%.
• Pass: a pass is awarded when you receive a grade average between 50-59%.
• Fail: If you do not receive at the minimum an average of 50%, the Masters qualification is not awarded. If you do think you are heading towards failing, try not to stress. You can speak with your module leaders about retaking any assignments or examinations to bump up your grade.

What can I do if I think I am going to fail my degree?

If you feel as if you are heading towards failing your undergraduate or postgraduate degree try not to panic. Easier said than done but you do have plenty of options.

As an undergraduate, you have three or four years to make up the credits you need to pass your course. Therefore, you are able to retake any modules you have failed in other years. For example, if you fail a Film module in first year, you can retake this module in your second year. If you fail numerous modules you are able to retake the entire year.

Another option is to retake any failed assignments or examinations throughout the year. This is easily done through referral or deferral assessments. Referral assessments are like resits, whilst deferrals allow students to postpone any assessments or extend any coursework deadlines. To qualify for a deferral you will need to prove that your performance has been affected by a personal circumstance (e.g. medical condition). To be granted a deferral you will need to fill out an application. Referrals and deferrals can be implemented at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Finally, if you feel as if your grade is an unfair reflection on your work you can submit an appeal. If you do this, your mark will be re-marked or looked back over by an examination board or your lecturers. Simply speak with your lecturers if this is something you would like to do.

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Meaning of coursework in English

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• academic year
• access course
• Advanced Placement
• asynchronous
• immersion course
• interdisciplinarity
• on a course
• open admissions
• open classroom
• work placement

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Definition of 'coursework'

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What is Coursework? | Definition, Meaning & keypoints!

What is coursework.

Coursework is a practical work or study done by a student in partial fulfilment of a degree or training. Projects, field work, design studies, long essays etc constitutes a coursework. The nature of work which requires to be carried out depends on the course. It is largely a part of learning exercise and a step to prepare you to handle the required work/ task effectively and efficiently.

• folios of essays
• art and craft items
• speaking tests
• practical work
• assignments and experiments undertaken and assessed during the course

As per Oxford dictionary “Coursework” is defined as

Written or practical work done by a student during a course of study, usually assessed in order to count towards a final mark or grade.

Who assigns coursework and why?

Coursework can be assigned by your teacher or mentor. The reason can be an assessment by the teacher but in most of the cases it’s a requirement as per course structure. A coursework is meant to reflect understanding of what has been taught. How well you understand it and apply it in different situations. Your own thoughts and way of thinking about a topic is reflected in your final work. As mentioned earlier nature of coursework is very diverse. Institutions may make you to write (essays, paper, term paper, thesis etc) or make something (sculpture, are & craft related things) or take some form of test. All these activities done as a coursework award you marks or grades which are counted to evaluate your overall grade for a particular course or purpose. Your creativity, understanding, innovative aspect, talent etc are reflected in the work done by you. Some of the most widely used form of coursework include thesis, dissertations, research paper & term paper as far as writing is concerned. Model making, crafts and other similar activity is generally given when creativity aspect is to be assessed. There may be a combination of these in few cases. The whole purpose largely depends on what your course and what it prepares you to be.

Major types of coursework & how to go about them?

Students have different and mix reaction when coursework is given. Some are excited as it gives them an option to put in effort and bring out something new. They are happy and confident to present their viewpoint and grasp of the topic. While some feels it is a burden and unnecessary task and just want to get away with it. Whatever the case may be there are few guidelines and rules while writing coursework which everyone should follow. Writing a coursework can also be fun!

Some of the steps to help you get started includes:

Coursework for academic topics which require writing:

• Do some research about your topic of interest or assigned topic
• Finalize your topic
• Prepare a structure especially for long writing coursework such as thesis
• Write an abstract or summary for approval from mentor/teacher.
• Do a thorough research for collecting data , facts.
• Start writing and keep on doing the required research
• Check for plagiarism (if any) and work to remove it
• Give credits & references

What makes a good and effective content

A good and effective content is easy to read and understand by readers. Some of the points while writing a content to improve its quality are

• Well- structured
• Well Illustrated
• Predictable

Coursework requiring you to make something like model, sculpture or artwork

• Find something which you appreciate (its design, concept, through, history, significance)
• Come up with what remains the focus area for your coursework
• Decide what you wish to make and in what form eg. model (scaled or not to scale), sculpture or some craftwork
• Finalize the materials to be used such as waste materials, wax, wood, metal, plastic etc
• Collect all the required stuff for making your masterpiece
• Have a mental image prepared and preferably a rough sketch
• Get working!

Key points to be kept in mind while working on coursework

• Originality – Your topic/ idea should be original. Originality of idea is given significant importance and can be a deal breaker. This is not just of the requirement in most of the cases but also a scoring parameter. There are countless number of students and scholars doing research so having an original idea keeps you on positive side. Some students prefer contacting  SmartWritingService coursework writing service to get professional help from experts.
• Need – If you coursework is solution oriented then you must clearly identify the key problems and issues which you aim to cover under your work. A good solution cannot be provided unless the problem has been understood well.
• Uniqueness – Uniqueness in terms of idea and work. Preparing good questionnaires and conducting surveys adds to uniqueness and originality of content. Not only your topic and but also content should be unique. Avoid plagiarism, copying is a strict “NO”. Any form and extent of plagiarism is dealt seriously if caught and can even disqualify your submission.
• Your Input – This is the most crucial aspect. Your inputs will reflect the understanding and applicability of topic by you. This is the whole purpose of having a coursework. Try your best and put best foot forward. Having a well structured and presented work is something a teacher and mentor is looking for.
• Outcomes & way forward – Having worked and making lots of efforts doesn’t have much value unless useful outcomes are shown. Having a good & meaningful analysis and presentation of data with the  best data extraction service is an essential factor. These can be in form of proposals or problem identification. Your work might conclude your topic or pave a path for others to continue working. Depending on the work and nature of coursework give a conclusion to your study and propose what can be done next or how it can be used.

Coursework & Higher Education

Doctorates are the highest degrees conferred by universities. An online or on campus doctorate can lead to a high-level position in a number of different fields, from business administration to health care to quality control. The lengthy road to earning a doctorate can be shortened by at least several months through online study.

The doctorate degree requires two to five years of postgraduate work, the writing of a thesis, and the passing of oral and written examinations. Most doctoral degrees are the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, although recipients of this degree may have studied a number of academic fields other than philosophy.

Doctorate degrees are now available in numerous fields, including:

• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Health Administration
• Industrial Engineering
• International Business
• Quality Control

Admission to doctoral programs requires completion of an undergraduate degree program and typically, but not always, of a master’s degree program. Students earning a doctorate must take a specified number of advanced graduate-level courses, requiring at least two or three years of study beyond the master’s degree. Upon passing written or oral examinations, or a combination of both, doctoral students are granted the status of doctoral candidates. Then they must research and write a dissertation on an original topic, and then satisfactorily defend the dissertation before a committee of professors in the field.

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How modules and courses work

The academic year.

In the UK, the standard academic year starts in September or October and runs until June or July.

Postgraduate courses often run from September to September, and there are other courses that are more flexible and offer a range of start dates.

Subjects and modules

Most higher education courses have a ‘modular’ structure. This means that you can build a personalised course by choosing modules or units of study from different subject areas. For example, if you are studying English literature, for your first year you could choose one module on science fiction, one module on children’s literature, and one module on short stories.

If you are interested in more than one subject, you may be able to study a combination as part of your course, e.g. English literature and psychology. You can often decide for yourself how much time you would like to spend on each subject. A ‘Joint’ degree is one where two subjects are studied equally, and a ‘major/minor’ degree is usually one where the student’s time has a 75 per cent to 25 per cent split.

Study modes

Most full-time undergraduate courses take three years to complete (typically four years in Scotland). Full-time postgraduate courses can be from one year upwards.

Some degrees are available to study as accelerated courses taken over two years instead of three so that you can gain your qualification even faster. Accelerated degrees have the same number of modules as their three-year options, allowing you to get even better value for money by getting the same course with a year less living costs.

Part-time courses are normally taken over a longer period so that you can work alongside your studies or learn at a more relaxed pace. If you need a visa to study in the UK, please check if your immigration status allows you to do a part-time course.

More in this section

What subjects can i study.

UK universities have some of the most diverse subject offerings in the world. Explore some of the subjects most popular with international students.

Undergraduate study

Get started in your academic career with a UK undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate study

Studying for a postgraduate degree in the UK can transform your career, with many courses taking just one year to complete.

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What Does Each Qualification & Award Level Mean?

Course level meanings.

Courses run at various levels. Here is a brief description of what to expect when studying courses at certain levels .

Entry (No awards offered at this level)

Qualifications and awards recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.

Qualifications and awards recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles. Level 2 qualifications are at a level of learning equivalent to NVQ2/GCSE grade A*-C.

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work. Level 3 qualifications are at a level of learning equivalent to NVQ3/A Level.

Qualifications and awards recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others. Level 4 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Certificates of Higher Education.

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What is Coursework

First of all, you need to understand what is coursework and how to write it. When one is writing a coursework, they have to do profound research that will reveal their knowledge base. A coursework may consist of design studies, field work, projects, long essays, and other kinds of work. Depending on the particular course, it can be performed in a number of ways. You need to write a coursework not only to show what you know about a particular subject and enlarge your knowledge base but also to prepare yourself to deal with the work you will need to perform in the future.

The Oxford Dictionary defines coursework as the type of practical or written work performed by a student and assessed by their professor. Hopefully, it makes the coursework meaning clearer for you.

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Why coursework is necessary and who assigns it.

Now when you know what is coursework, you also have to understand why it is needed. Usually, a student's mentor or teacher assigns coursework as it is a part of the course structure. Writing a coursework is important since it helps the student reflect on what they have learned from the given course. Realizing the coursework meaning, one can understand the material better and see how their knowledge can be applied in various situations. This type of work also reveals the student's way of thinking and helps them learn how to express their thoughts. Coursework has an utterly diverse nature. A student's instructor can ask them to perform it in a written way and work on an essay, term paper, or thesis (this form of coursework is the most widespread). A coursework can also be done in a more creative way; for example, a student may be asked to create a sculpture. At times, taking a test is preferred by the instructor. In some cases, several types of coursework can be combined into one. Choosing a specific type or a combination of types depends on the course. Whatever the kind of coursework is, it always requires being evaluated. The student's mark will be based on their understanding of the topic, creativity, as well as on the innovative aspect of their work.

How to Perform the Most Important Types of Coursework?

Even understanding the coursework meaning, students have mixed feelings on it. Some of them like to do research, learn new information, and write about the results, while for others, it seems to be an unnecessary task, or even a burden. Whichever opinion is true for you, being a student, you will still have to write a coursework at some point. For this reason, you need to know how to do it successfully. Below you see the list of rules and guidelines that will make this task easier for you.

Read these steps carefully and make sure you follow them as they will help you get started.

Coursework that requires writing:

• Carry out superficial research on the topic of your coursework.
• Settle on your topic.
• Work on the structure of your coursework.
• Make a summary or an abstract and confirm it with your instructor.
• Conduct profound research to find all the information you need.
• While writing, keep on researching the topic more.
• When you are done, check your coursework for plagiarism.
• Make a reference list.

To make sure that your coursework features a good content that is clear and easy-to-understand for your reader, work on the structure of your work. Check out if you maintain its consistency, use relevant information, complete your topic, and make it look concise.<

Coursework that requires to create a model, sculpture, or artwork:

• Find a design or concept you like.
• See how it can be applied to the area of your study.
• Think about what you want to create and decide on the scale of this object.
• Decide what kind of materials you need to finalize your work.
• Find everything you need for creating your artwork.
• Make sure that you have a mental image of the result and make a rough sketch of it.
• Begin working!

Key points you should consider:

• Originality - You need to be sure that your topic or idea is original. It is an extremely important point you have to keep in mind from the very beginning of your work. Numerous researches are being done by numerous people, so you have to make yours stand out.
• Need - Your coursework should be able to answer certain questions or find solutions. For that, it has to identify the key problems and help the reader understand them clearly.
• Uniqueness - Both your topic and your content have to be unique. Make sure to avoid plagiarism and never copy information from other sources. Conduct surveys or prepare questionnaires to add originality to the content of your coursework.
• Your input - This aspect is very important. When working on your coursework, you need to reflect on your topic a lot and understand how you can apply it. If you do it, the purpose of writing a coursework is served. For this reason, do your best to make as much input in your work as possible.
• Outcomes & future applications - Even if you have worked hard and put a lot of effort into writing your coursework, it can turn out to be a failure in case you do not show useful outcomes. Therefore, you need to provide a well-made analysis of the information you used. Make a well-structured conclusion for your topic and talk about the way it can be researched further.

If you keep all these points in mind and follow the guidelines, you will certainly write a good coursework.

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What is Coursework?

Table of Contents

Definition and Meaning

So what is coursework? Coursework is an integral part of the educational process, which refers to written or practical tasks that students perform during educational courses. These assignments are typically evaluated and contribute to the final grade or mark. The coursework definition, especially the term “curriculum-mandated” signifies that instructors are required to assign coursework within certain guidelines. This aspect of academic work is crucial as it extends learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.

While some coursework may involve practical tasks conducted within the classroom, a significant portion is often completed independently by students, such as in their homes or dormitories. Notably, certain colleges in Texas are adopting policies that mandate a minimum of 20% of writing coursework to be completed in class, under the supervision of educators. This approach ensures the authenticity of students’ work and provides an opportunity for direct observation of their writing skills.

Additionally, it’s common for students to access previously submitted coursework online, serving as a resource for their own assignments. However, when utilizing such materials, it is imperative to thoroughly rewrite and adapt the content to maintain originality and avoid plagiarism.

Types and Examples of Coursework

The many faces of coursework.

So, what is coursework? Coursework isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. It morphs to fit the subject, the course, and the learning objectives. Here’s a snapshot:

• Essays and Written Assignments. From reflective pieces to extensive research papers, these are staples in humanities and social sciences.
• Lab Reports and Scientific Research. Science and engineering students often get hands-on with experiments, followed by detailed reporting.
• Art and Design Portfolios. For the creatives, it’s about showcasing their artistic journey through portfolios.
• Group Projects and Presentations. These emphasize collaboration and communication skills, common in business and management courses.
• Fieldwork and Case Studies. Especially in disciplines like anthropology or marketing, where real-world application is key.

Examples in Different Fields

• Biology Coursework. Might involve a lab-based investigation into a specific biological phenomenon.
• Literature Coursework. Could be an analysis of a particular literary work or a comparative study of multiple pieces.
• Computer Science Coursework. Often involves coding projects or developing software solutions.

Importance and Objectives

More than just grades.

What is coursework? Coursework is about more than chasing an ‘A’. It’s an integral part of the learning process. Through coursework, you:

• Develop Critical Skills. Like research, analysis, and problem-solving.
• Apply Theoretical Knowledge. It’s your chance to use what you’ve learned in a practical context.
• Prepare for the Future. Whether it’s further academic pursuits or the professional world, coursework lays the groundwork.

Educational Objectives

Graduate coursework, in particular, is designed to deepen expertise in a field. It’s less about memorizing facts and more about developing a sophisticated understanding of complex concepts.

Challenges and Strategies

Common roadblocks.

• Time Management: Juggling multiple assignments can be overwhelming.
• Understanding Requirements: Sometimes, assignment briefs are as clear as mud.
• Maintaining Academic Integrity: The line between inspiration and plagiarism can get blurry.

Navigating the Coursework Maze

• Start Early: Procrastination is your enemy. Begin as soon as you get the assignment.
• Seek Clarification: If you’re not sure, ask. Better safe than sorry.
• Use Resources Wisely: Libraries, online databases, and even study groups can be goldmines.

Helpful Sources

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Merriam-Webster
• Can you attend two colleges at once ?

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, what is coursework? Coursework is an indispensable part of the academic journey. It’s where theory meets practice, where skills are honed, and knowledge is deepened. As education continues to evolve with technology and changing societal needs, so does coursework. It adapts, transforms, and continues to play a crucial role in shaping competent, well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world. So, embrace your coursework – it’s not just a stepping stone to a grade, but a pathway to learning, growth, and success.

Home » All Resources » Qualifications Explained » Accredited Courses Explained 

Accredited Courses Explained 

What is an accredited course.

In the UK, an accredited course means that a professional body or organisation has assessed and approved the learning outcomes and objectives of a course. In effect, it is a stamp of approval and recognition that the course is valuable.

Professional Bodies recognise and accredit a wide range of courses and levels.

• Short Courses
• Professional Qualifications
• Accredited Degrees
• Postgraduate Courses

CPD Accredited vs. Professional Body Accredited Courses

CPD, Continual Professional development, is the ongoing professional development required by certain professions to practice. CPD can cover a broader range of activities such as Workshops & seminars or conferences & events in addition to structured course learning.

CPD accreditation is slightly different to accreditation by a professional body. CPD-accredited courses are accredited by the continual professional accreditation service, an organisation designed especially to accredit training and professional development across multiple sectors.

Professional Body Accreditation tends to be for education and training with structured learning and is focused on a subject directly related to the profession it represents. For some roles, taking a professional body-accredited degree or Master’s is a requirement to practice. For example, taking a BPS-accredited degree and becoming a clinical psychologist is an example of where professional body accreditation is required to practice.

Benefits of Course Accreditation for Students and Education Providers

Benefits For Learners:

• Clear that the course meets current industry standards/ best practice
• Confidence in course materials and learning outcomes
• Adds value to a CV and benefits career progress
• Aids professional body membership

Benefits For Education Provides:

• Validates the course content and education
• External stamp of quality
• Shows industry and career value to prospective students

How Does a Course Get Accredited?

An education provider works with a professional body or accreditation service to review and assess the course against specific benchmarks and quality requirements. It involves thoroughly reviewing the learning materials, outcomes, assessments, overall content and course quality.

The process can take several iterations when additional learning needs to be added to a course to meet the criteria. Once the accreditation has been given, the course and content are reviewed on a set timetable on an ongoing basis by the professional body to ensure the content is updated to meet the latest industry best practices to maintain the accreditation.

When Is It Important That a Course Is Accredited?

Taking a course that a professional body has accredited can help your CV stand out, for example, holding a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) accredited master’s degree in marketing . The CIM accreditation can increase an individual’s professional competitiveness and worth. However, it is not a must to hold a CIM qualification to work in marketing, unlike some professions.

In regulated professionals, having specific qualifications accredited by the professional bodies overseeing standards is a must to practice. An example would be holding a BPS (The British Psychological Society) accredited degree or a conversion master’s to become a chartered psychologist.

Professional Licensing: Many professions in the UK require individuals to hold accredited qualifications to obtain a license to practice. For example, doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and accountants typically need accredited degrees or professional qualifications accredited by a chartered professional body. 

Government Regulations: In certain roles, government regulations mandate that employees have accredited qualifications to ensure safety and compliance. For example, in the construction industry, workers may need CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards that require taking accredited training courses. 

The Difference Between Accredited and Regulated Courses

This can cause some confusion, especially for international students, as the US and UK use the term accredited differently.

In the UK, regulated qualifications are overseen by the government and include formal qualifications from school to university, such as GCSEs and A-levels to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 

In the US, degrees are accredited in a peer-reviewed process. Universities as a group accredit universities and degrees to show they meet set standards. In the UK, the university is given degree-awarding power and accredited means a course has an additional professional accreditation attached to the degree.

In the UK education system, accredited has a specific meaning when used to describe a course. It means the learning that has been validated by an independent third party, typically a professional body.

How to Check If a Qualification Is Accredited?

Most professional Bodies have an area on their website where they maintain a list of courses they accredited. If you are unsure, contact the professional body directly and ask them about the course and institution you are interested in studying with.

Accreditation FAQ

Are all uk universities accredited.

In a way, yes, in the UK, the government awards universities with degree-awarding powers. This is a slightly different process compared to the US, where the degree is accredited. We keep an up-to-date list of all education providers with degree-awarding powers here .

Are UK degrees accredited?

Not in the same way as US degrees. In the UK, it is the university that is given the “accreditation” to award degrees. Only degrees provided by recognised bodies are valid in the UK.

Do all courses need to be accredited?

No, while accreditation has benefits, depending on your goals and reason for study, taking a course accredited by a professional body may not be necessary.

The main reason for taking an accredited course is a must in the UK-

• Gain professional body membership and licence to practice
• Show CPD hours for a licence to practice in certain professions.

Does accredited mean official?

No, in the UK, accredited means that the course has been assessed and meets the requirements of a professional body.

How do I know if my degree is accredited in the UK?

In the UK, only education providers with degree-awarding powers can award degrees. You can check if your chosen institution has degree-awarding powers here and on the UK Government website .

How does accreditation work in the UK?

In the UK, accreditation is awarded by professional bodies. Professional bodies can accredit undergraduate degrees and postgraduate qualifications, short courses, and professional training.

Is an accredited course a qualification?

No, in the UK, accreditation is separate from the actual qualification. For example, both the courses below are qualifications, but the second one has an additional accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute, a professional body.

BA (Hons) International Business

BA (Hons) Business (CMI Accredited)

Is an accredited degree better?

Not necessarily. It depends on your goals and professional plans. For some careers, it is essential to take an accredited course, while for others, it is not a requirement but a nice to have. 

For example,

If you want to become a clinical psychologist in the UK, the standard route is to take a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree or Master’s. 

However, if you want to develop a career in management, taking a management degree accredited by the CMI can help your CV stand out, but it is not an industry requirement for a professional role.

What is an accredited qualification in the UK?

In the UK, accreditation is an additional stamp of approval given by a professional body to a course or training programme.

What is the difference between accredited and certified qualifications?

In the UK, accredited qualification means that a professional body has assessed and approved the course’s learning outcomes.

Certified qualification means that the certificate and transcripts have been assessed to be genuine and at the current level. For UK qualifications, The British Council offer this service .

Find regulated, accredited 100% Online programmes. 

University Rankings

Use these links to view the full rankings (Opens in a new window)

THE World University Rankings

QS World University Ranking

ARTU Ranking (Out of 45 UK universities included in their table) 

QS World University Rankings- QS Quacquarelli Symonds rankings data – (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

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What does coursework mean? See a translation

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• English (UK) Near fluent

It means “celoročné” so if u want to learn how to cook u can follow some coursework

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Which GCSEs Have Coursework?

In GCSE by Think Student Editor September 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

If you’re currently trying to decide which GCSEs you should take, it’s important to know whether the option you’re considering will involve coursework. Coursework is a useful way of showing your ability outside of taking written exams. Coursework can allow you to: take more responsibility for what you study, study a topic in more depth, and have more control over the pace at which you study.

To understand which subjects involve coursework and learn the percentage of coursework and exams in these subjects, keep reading this article.

Table of Contents

Do GCSEs still have coursework?

After new education plans were introduced in 2015, most GCSEs no longer include any coursework that count towards students’ final grades. Before this, there would be coursework tasks even in subjects such as maths and English.

In some subjects coursework was done through long written tasks, whereas in maths this was done through a handling data project and an applying mathematics task. In English Language, 40% of the end grade used to be from coursework. This was through assessment of speaking, listening and written assignments.

Despite the recent changes to the GCSE system, all creative and practical subjects do still have some level of coursework. This is because in certain subjects, like Art for example, coursework is necessary for students to demonstrate their talent at particular skills. The subjects that have coursework are Food Preparation & Nutrition, Drama, Art, Music, DT (Design Technology), and PE (Physical education).

What percentage of creative or practical GCSEs is coursework?

No GCSE is currently 100% coursework. There will always be some weighting placed on final exams. All of these final exams are written, apart from Art which is instead a creative project done under time pressure.

Also, it’s important to note that for the same subject, different exam boards may require different amounts of coursework. Make sure to find out which exam board your school uses for the particular subject you’re considering. If your school offers IGCSEs, have a read of this Think Student article to understand the difference between them and normal GCSEs.

Have a look at the table below which has information outlining what percentage of the GCSEs are coursework and exams. This data is from AQA’s website .

In each of these subjects, the type of task to be completed for coursework is completely different. Most exam boards refer to coursework as a non-exam assessment (NEA).  

What does GCSE coursework involve?

In the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, the non-exam assessment mainly consists of a cooking practical. Students will have to prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes. The students will then have to write a report about their work and include photographic evidence. To find out more about the Food Preparation and Nutrition course, visit the AQA page .

For the coursework in Drama, there are two different components. One involves performing a group devised mini play and keeping a log of the creation process. The other involves performing two extracts from a play. To find out more about GCSE Drama, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Art, the coursework component consists of selecting and presenting a portfolio representative of their course of study. The portfolio must include one main project as well as a selection of other work from activities such as experiments, skills-based workshops, or responses to gallery visits. To find out more about GCSE Art, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Music, students must do both an ensemble performance and a solo performance using the instrument of their choice (which can be voice). They must also create two different music compositions. To find out more about GCSE Music, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE DT, students must design and produce a product. This will involve investigating design possibilities, planning, creating their idea, and evaluating the end result. At school, students will have to use special equipment such as machines and saws. To find out more about GCSE DT, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE PE, students will be assessed through their performance in three different sports or physical activities of their choice. One has to be a team activity, one an individual activity, and the third either a team or individual activity. Students will also be assessed on their analysis and evaluation of their improvements in performance.  To find out more about GCSE PE, visit the AQA page .

Does GCSE Science have coursework?

GCSE Science doesn’t involve any graded coursework. However, there is a list of required practicals that students are supposed to complete. These science practicals will involve following instructions set out by the teacher to investigate materials or scientific principles.  Students will often have to write up the method and conclusion. It’s important that students try their best to understand these practicals as there will be questions about them that are worth several marks in the exams.

Does GCSE English have coursework?

GCSE English technically doesn’t have any coursework that has a weighting on the final grade. However, in English Language there’s a compulsory spoken language assessment that isn’t done at the same time as normal GCSE exams. It’s reported as a separate grade (either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified) and doesn’t contribute to the result of the GCSE English Language qualification. To learn more about the spoken language assessment, have a look at this AQA page .

For English Literature, despite there not being any coursework tasks, there are of course novels and poems that students need to become familiar with in order to pass the GCSE. This will have to be done throughout Year 10 and Year 11. Students might be set the homework of reading a couple of chapters for example.

What are some tips for completing GCSE coursework?

If you’re deciding to do one or multiple GCSE subjects that involve coursework, it’s crucial that you can be organised enough to complete them to the best possible standard. As seen from the table shown previously, coursework makes up a significant proportion of the final grade. To have the best chance at getting a high grade, you’ll need to put an adequate amount of time into the task and not treat it as trivial.

In GCSE Art in particular, there is a lot of work that will need to be completed throughout the two-year course. A lot of homework will end up being graded for coursework as they will go in your portfolio. GCSE Art is often said to be one of the most stressful GCSEs because of this constant pressure of getting work done on time out of school.

If you love art and want to continue studying it, it’s important to manage your time well and not post-pone completing tasks until the last minute. As soon as you start getting behind with work that needs completing, that’s when you’ll really start to struggle and make things harder for yourself. If you want to learn how to get a good grade in GCSE Art in general, check out this Think Student article .

Make sure that you always note down what you’ve got to get done and by what date. This could be in a physical planner, on an app on your phone, or on a digital calendar. Perhaps set a specific time each weekend to complete any remaining work that you didn’t manage to get done during the week. If you remain on schedule, you’ll significantly reduce any stress plus you’ll have a higher chance of producing your best quality work.

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Definition of coursework

Examples of coursework in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coursework.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1890, in the meaning defined above

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“Coursework.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coursework. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

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Grand National 2024: horse-by-horse guide to all the runners

Irish horses dominate Saturday’s big-race field but the favourite Corach Rambler hails from Scotland

• Grand National 2024: news and updates from Aintree –live

1) NOBLE YEATS (age 9, weight 11st 12lb)

Will need no introduction to anyone who ignored all the stats about seven-year-olds and novices in the National two years ago, and backed him at 50-1 . He was 19lb higher in the weights last year as a result, but still ran with credit to finish fourth, albeit having looked more likely to be pulled up for much of the race. It was a typical performance for a horse that often races well off the pace, and while Harry Cobden has had a couple of chances to get to know him, heavy ground will make it all the harder for the top weight to reel in the leaders.

2) NASSALAM (7yo, 11st 8lb)

Looked every inch an Aintree contender when powering 34 lengths clear of the runner-up in the Welsh Grand National in December, and Gary Moore’s runner is one of only a handful in the lineup who truly relishes hock-deep ground. Hiked 16lb on the back of that win, however, a rise so steep that he is now asked to give 2lb to Corach Rambler, who was a long way in front of him at levels in the Gold Cup last time. Every mm of rain will aid his cause, but that Cheltenham form mainly serves to highlight Corach Rambler’s chance rather than his own.

3) COKO BEACH (9yo, 11st 8lb)

Has run a very similar race in the last two Nationals, swiftly away and up with the pace for a circuit and a half before fading about a mile from home. He looked better than ever when successful over the cross-country course at Punchestown last time out, but if he didn’t stay the National trip in 2022 and 2023, he is unlikely to do so on more demanding ground now, so punters should probably bear in mind that those who do not learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

4) CAPODANNO (8yo, 11st 8lb)

Arrives here having put up one of the best performances of his career to finish fourth in a Grade One at the Cheltenham Festival last month. That was over two and a half miles, however, and while he has shown in the past that he gets three miles well enough, he looked the very definition of a non-stayer at this marathon trip when pulled up before the last on his Grand National debut 12 months ago. The softer ground this time around only increases the likelihood that he will start to fade a fair way from home.

5) I AM MAXIMUS (8yo, 11st 6lb)

Here’s a wacky fact. There are at least 150,000 words of 10 letters or more in the English dictionary, but fewer than a dozen can be written using only the top row of keys on a typewriter – and one of those is typewriter. Here’s another. Willie Mullins has saddled 65 runners in handicap chases in Britain since the start of 2018, and just three have come home in front. That stat aside, however, there are precious few negatives attached to last year’s Irish National winner, who posted a fine trial in the Bobbyjo Chase in February – on heavy ground, too. His jumping was a little guessy in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, but much more assured last time and it could be very tough to keep this lightly raced, improving chaser out of the frame.

6) MINELLA INDO (11yo, 11st 6lb)

A chance to make history beckons for Henry de Bromhead’s 11-year-old, as a win would make him become only the third horse – after Golden Miller in the 1930s and L’Escargot four decades later – to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. In Rachael Blackmore – the first and, so far, only female rider to win – he has a history-maker in the saddle, too, while a big run to finish fourth in a handicap over the cross-country course at Cheltenham in November gives him a realistic chance at the weights. Having travelled noticeably well until the home straight, though, he flattened out a little, and the 11-year-old may not quite have the finishing kick these days to see off younger rivals.

7) CORACH RAMBLER (10yo, 11st 6lb)

There was a 38-year gap between Reynoldstown and Red Rum, and another 45 between Red Rum and Tiger Roll, but it is no worse than a 5-1 shot that last year’s hero will become the second dual National winner in the space of just five years, and the eighth in all. Lucinda Russell’s remarkable chaser, trained near Edinburgh, is 13lb higher in the ratings this time around, but somehow still arrives at Aintree as one of the best-handicapped horses in the race, following a staying-on third in the Gold Cup last month. That was a hard race on testing ground but subsequent reports suggest he took it in his stride and another huge run seems all but guaranteed.

8) JANIDIL (10yo, 11st 6lb)

Arrives at Aintree on the same handicap mark as Corach Rambler, but earned his place in the field racing at around two and a half miles and quite clearly did not get home when tackling three miles over timber in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Barely gets that trip on good ground, so his chance of staying an extra mile and a quarter on soft or heavy on Saturday is slim to none.

9) STATTLER (9yo, 11st 5lb)

Seen as a potential Gold Cup winner when he won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 2022 but has failed to add another victory to his record in six subsequent starts. That includes an eight-length second in the Grade One Irish Gold Cup in February 2023, however, so the talent is clearly there, but it has not made its presence known for some time now and his jumping was distinctly iffy over the cross-country course at Punchestown last time out.

10) MAHLER MISSION (8yo, 11st 5lb)

John McConnell’s yard in County Meath has an impressive record with starters in Britain and his first Grand National runner will go to post with as live a chance as anything in the race. As a lightly raced, progressive eight-year-old chaser with stamina in abundance who likes to race up with the pace, he scores nine or 10 for almost every attribute you would want to see in a modern-day Grand National winner. He has also been kept fresh for Saturday’s race since finishing a close second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December, despite losing both front shoes mid-race. Ignore him at your peril.

11) DELTA WORK (11yo, 11st 4lb)

Back for a third crack at the National having finished third on his first attempt in 2022, before unseating when hampered at the 20th last year. Eleven feels like quite an advanced age for a potential winner these days – the last eight have been aged between seven and nine – but he is an undeniably classy performer at his best, as he showed when beating Tiger Roll, no less, in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham before his big run over these fences two years ago. The wet weather scotched his attempt to win that race for the third year running last month, but Gordon Elliott has clearly built his entire year around Saturday’s race and he lines up off a 3lb lower mark than in 2022. Much respected.

12) FOXY JACKS (10yo, 11st 4lb)

Mouse Morris pulled off one of the more unusual Aintree achievements in 2016 when Rule The World came home at 33-1 and broke his duck over fences in the process. A win for his contender this year would be an even bigger surprise, though, given his long and fairly inglorious record of jumping errors in a 28-race chasing career that has yielded just four wins. One of those, admittedly, was over the cross-country course at Cheltenham, a regular source of runners that go well over these unusual fences, but he hit the eighth and then fell at the ninth in the Topham two years ago. Easily swerved.

13) GALVIN (10yo, 11st 2lb)

Got no further than the first 12 months ago, when he set off as a live each-way shot at 22-1. Lightly raced since, seemingly with a second attempt at this race in mind, and has slipped a potentially generous 11lb in the weights. He is also closely matched with his stable companion, Delta Work, on their form in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham last year, but Gordon Elliott has made no secret of his concerns about testing ground for a horse whose best form is on a sounder surface.

14) FAROUK D’ALENE (9yo, 11st 1lb)

One of eight in the race from the Gordon Elliott yard, but a faller in two of his last three starts over fences, which doesn’t instil much confidence in his chance of getting around. One of those falls, admittedly, came two out in a Grade One novice chase at the Cheltenham Festival when he was still travelling well, but he was off the track for 18 months afterwards and ran no kind of race over hurdles at this year’s Festival last month.

15) ELDORADO ALLEN (10yo, 11st)

The third-highest rated British-trained runner in the race and a stalwart of Colin and now Joe Tizzard’s yard since 2018. Much more exposed than many of his opponents as a result, however, and reportedly suffered breathing issues before being pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month. It will be very much true to form if he bounces straight back from that, but at heart he is the epitome of a solid, no-nonsense staying handicapper who will plod around dutifully without seriously threatening to be there at the business end.

16) AIN’T THAT A SHAME (10yo, 10st 13lb)

The Corinthian amateur rider has a long and occasionally glorious history in the National, from the irresistibly enthusiastic 18th Duke of Alburquerque , who had his last ride at the age of 56, to more accomplished riders such as Sam Waley-Cohen, the winner two years ago. David Maxwell, a familiar sight aboard his own horses in recent years, seems much more likely to emulate the 18th Duke, as Rachael Blackmore failed to get much of a tune out of the 10-year-old last year and he is higher in the weights now.

17) VANILLIER (9yo, 10st 12lb)

Came from a different parish to finish second to Corach Rambler 12 months ago, and is 9lb better off with last year’s winner now. Also ticks another Aintree box, as Gavin Cromwell sends him to a local beach – à la Red Rum – to add a little variety to his training regime. He was beaten 14 lengths by I Am Maximus in his prep race at Fairyhouse, but lines up 4lb better off at the weights here. Has a decent chance on the face of it but Corach Rambler was idling, as is his way, on the run-in 12 months ago and, while he might run on into the frame once again, his winning chance has probably been and gone.

18) MR INCREDIBLE (8yo, 10st 11lb)

Just as it does for his animated namesake, stuff just seems to happen to Willie Mullins’s eight-year-old, who managed to lose Brian Hayes, his rider, somewhere between the Canal Turn and the next 12 months ago. Undoubtedly talented, but clearly has quirks in equal measure, having twice refused to race earlier in his career. It is hard to fault his more recent form, including a close second under top weight in the Midlands National last time, but an overall record of one win in nine chase starts despite his obvious ability tends to speak for itself.

19) RUN WILD FRED (10yo, 10st 10lb)

One among several in this year’s National who was pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase on testing ground at Cheltenham last month. Letters are never an encouraging sign immediately before the name of a Grand National runner and Gordon Elliott’s 10-year-old has the makings of a decent Scrabble hand, having failed to complete for one reason or another on his last three starts. Available at 100-1, but would still not make much appeal with another zero at the end. (Non-runner)

20) LATENIGHTPASS (11yo, 10st 10lb)

A definite contender for a heartwarming Netflix mini-drama if he comes home in front, as Tom Ellis, a leading point-to-point trainer, took out a full licence just to train this horse for Aintree. He is owned by Ellis’s mother, Pippa, and will be ridden by his wife, Gina Andrews, who steered him to victory in the Foxhunters’ over these fences last year. He had a couple of today’s rivals behind when he won a cross-country handicap at Cheltenham in November, and while he is now 9lb higher in the weights, he remains quite lightly raced for an 11-year-old. One of the livelier each-way shots.

21) MINELLA CROONER (8yo, 10st 10lb)

Gets in thanks to a rating earned in minor Graded races, but has shown little sign of living up to it in his two handicap starts over fences, including the Ultima at Cheltenham last month, both of which simply added a “P” to his form line. Finished 25 lengths behind I Am Maximus in the Bobbyjo Chase in February and will do well to keep it below 50 on Saturday.

22) ADAMANTLY CHOSEN (7yo, 10st 9lb)

If you were looking to accentuate the positives about Willie Mullins’s seven-year-old, you could point out that he is one of just five runners among the 34-strong field who managed to record a win last time out. Dig a little deeper, though, and it looks like more of a negative, as the race in question was as weak as American lager, it was the seven-year-old’s first win of any kind since October 2022 and he has struggled whenever he has been pitched into handicap company without seeing a significant decline in his mark.

23) MAC TOTTIE (11yo, 10st 9lb)

Has plenty of form over these fences, including a win in the Topham in 2022 and another in the Grand Sefton in November 2021, both of which are staged over two miles and five furlongs. Peter Bowen, his trainer, also has an exceptional record with runners over the National fences, with seven wins in all, but unless his talents also extend to genetic manipulation, this one will surely be back-pedalling at the business end of the race.

24) CHEMICAL ENERGY (7yo, 10st 9lb)

Several of Gordon Elliott’s eight runners fall squarely into the no-hoper category, but this one deserves a little more consideration. Saturday’s race will be just his eighth start over fences, and though he was pulled up in the Irish Grand National last year, that race was less than a month after a career-best run to finish second in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He ran as well as could be expected in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, albeit with a few sloppy jumps along the way. He is still just seven, though, and has seemingly been aimed at this race from a long way out.

25) LIMERICK LACE (7yo, 10st 8lb)

Mark Walsh, who is retained by the leading owner JP McManus, picked Gavin Cromwell’s mare from four available options this week, but it is quite possible – and perhaps even likely – that he would have plumped for I Am Maximus if Paul Townend had not got that one locked up already. Instead, he is aboard a runner with winning form at the Cheltenham Festival last month, but no form at all beyond three miles, never mind four. Her full brother gets three and a quarter well, but it still requires a major leap of faith to see her staying an extra mile on top.

26) MEETINGOFTHEWATERS (7yo, 10st 8lb)

The subject of a significant gamble earlier in the week, when there was talk that he might even start favourite. That now seems unlikely, but there is still plenty in his form to recommend him, including a win – on heavy ground – in a valuable and ultra-competitive handicap at Leopardstown in December, when he was making just his fourth start over fences and for the Willie Mullins yard. He ran better in the Ultima Handicap Chase than Noble Yeats, the 2022 National winner, did two years ago, and brings a very similar profile to the table.

27) THE GOFFER (7yo, 10st 8lb)

Well-backed for the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March – the race that Corach Rambler won before his victory here last year – and ran with credit before fading in the closing stages. Has plenty of form in big-field handicap chases but that has, in turn, given the handicapper plenty of opportunities to size him up, and there’s no obvious reason to think that the biggest test of his career will see him take the big step forward he requires.

28) ROI MAGE (12yo, 10st 8lb)

Ran a fair race as a 33-1 chance 12 months ago, when he faded into seventh after racing up with the pace for much of the way. He still finished nearly 14 lengths behind Corach Rambler, though, and even a slight easing of his mark is unlikely to make that much difference this time around. Amberleigh House, in 2004, was the last 12-year-old to win, and Patrick Griffin’s gelding is most unlikely to be the next.

29) GLENGOULY (8yo, 10st 7lb)

Looks like one of the lesser members of Willie Mullins’s team, having raced with far too much zest in a valuable two-and-a-half-mile handicap at Cheltenham last month before fading to finish 16th of 21. Has no form over more than three miles and while he likes to race up with the pace, it is very hard to see him staying there.

30) GALIA DES LITEAUX (8yo, 10st 7lb)

Dan Skelton would almost certainly be crowned champion trainer over jumps for the first time if his only National runner this year lands the spoils, and this eight-year-old mare will not want for stamina, having finished a close second over three miles and five furlongs on soft ground at Warwick in January. She kept finding all the way up the straight there, but the effort seemed to have left a mark when she was beaten at odds-on next time and she needs a significant bounce back.

31) PANDA BOY (8yo, 10st 7lb)

Like several fancied runners towards the bottom of the weights, Martin Brassil’s runner was not sure of a start until a few days ago, but now that he’s in, he is definitely shortlist material. Brassil does not get the attention of compatriots such as Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott but he won the National as long ago as 2006, and his contender this year is lightly raced, stamina-laden and has a great racing weight of 10st 7lb. He was four and a half lengths behind Meetingofthewaters at Leopardstown in December and is 11lb better off with that rival on Saturday, and Brassil has been applying the finishing touches ever since.

32) EKLAT DE RIRE (10yo, 10st 7lb)

One among several runners in this year’s race who was pulled up on heavy ground in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last time out. It is a point in his favour that he did not have a hard race there, but his overall profile is one of steady and fairly regular disappointment. He actually started favourite for the high-profile Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November 2021, when Rachael Blackmore, no less, travelled over to take the ride, but he was pulled up there and has shown little in five starts since.

33) CHAMBARD (12yo, 10st 7lb)

Has a Cheltenham Festival win to his name and another over the National fences, in the Becher Chase at the December meeting. So far, so promising for his amateur rider Lucy Turner, who has an impressive record when riding for Venetia Williams, who saddled the most recent of five 100-1 National winners when Mon Mome came home in front in 2009. He is now a 12-year-old, however, which was borderline “too old” 30 years ago and almost certainly beyond the age range now that quality of the race has improved. Will probably give his rider a great spin without ever threatening the top six. (Non-runner)

34) KITTY’S LIGHT (8yo, 10st 7lb)

Wales picked up the wooden spoon in the Six Nations’ rugby and fell at the final flight in qualifying for the Euros, but all is not yet lost for the principality in the sporting field this spring. Christian Williams’s gelding was not sure to get a run until this week, but he has plenty going for him now that his place is guaranteed, having won the Scottish Grand National and the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in the space of eight days last spring. Victory would give Wales a first winner since 1905, and would also be a hugely popular success for a family that has been through the mill over the last 18 months after the trainer’s daughter, Betsy, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2023.

VERDICT: 1. MAHLER MISSION 2. Panda Boy 3. Corach Rambler 4. Delta Work Best outsider: Chemical Energy

• Grand National
• Horse racing

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Money latest: All-important inflation figures dropping imminently

Official data on inflation will be released at 7am, and we'll have all the latest reaction and analysis on what the numbers might mean for interest rates here in the Money blog. Share your thoughts on anything of the stories we publish in the form below.

Wednesday 17 April 2024 06:06, UK

• UK inflation predicted to ease to 3.1% this morning
• Basically... What is inflation - and how can it affect interest rates?

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Ask a question or make a comment

New inflation data will be released at 7am this morning - and it's expected to come in at 3.1%, a sizeable drop from the previous rate of 3.4%.

Although forecasts have been mostly wrong for more than a year, in recent months they've not been too far off. 

A survey of economists by the Reuters news agency produced the 3.1% forecast for March - remember, the figures we get tomorrow are for last month, not for April.  

It would mark another fall in inflation after prices growth peaked at 11.1% in October 2022.

Inflation was at 3.4% in February and 4% in January.

As inflation continues to fall, all eyes are on decision-makers at the Bank of England as they weigh when to lower borrowing costs - the interest rate - for the first time in four years. 

Remember, a fall in inflation means the rate by which prices are rising is slowing down, rather than a drop in prices. 

We'll be covering the announcement tomorrow at 7am here in the Money blog - bookmark this page and come back for the figures, reaction and analysis. 

What could be behind the potential drop?

Economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics think March's rate will be lower than those polled by Reuters - at 3% flat. 

The Pantheon experts suggest the big drivers behind the easing will be the cost of goods and food. 

They predict food prices will have fallen 0.2% (seasonally adjusted) from February, bringing year-on-year food inflation down to 3.6% from 5%.

They also predict a decline in non-food prices by 0.5% from February, compared to a 0.7% rise in March 2023.

The good news on that front could be offset by rising costs associated with the motor industry, the experts warn.

Used-car trade values likely increased by 0.2% on the month before, the economists have calculated, while prices at the pump rose an estimated 1.9%. 

What does this mean for interest rates?

This is the question on everybody's minds. 

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee sets the base rate - and the panel will next meet to discuss it on 9 May. 

The committee's job is to bring inflation down to 2% and it has vowed to achieve that goal by altering interest rates. 

The rate has been at a 16-year high of 5.25% since last year, and markets don't expect a cut until June or August, bringing down the base rate of 5.25 per cent by 0.25 percentage points.

TLDR: Interest rates are likely to hold at 5.25% for May and later into the summer. 

Basically, inflation is the rate at which prices are rising.

It directly affects our overall cost of living and, if wages are not increasing at the same pace, the value of your money decreases.

It is affected by lots of different factors, including global conflicts - with the Ukraine war having a huge impact on food and gas prices in recent years. Some argue Brexit also had a negative impact.

In the UK, inflation is measured monthly - comparing how much prices are going up with the same time a year previous.

The headline inflation figure, which you'll see a lot in the news, measures price rises across a range of products that we need in our daily lives.

The most commonly used inflation index is the Consumer Price Index (this is the update at 7am today) - and the target for many Western governments is 2%.

One thing to note is that falling inflation doesn't mean prices are coming down - just that they're rising less quickly. You'd need a minus figure, or negative inflation, to see prices fall overall.

Why does inflation impact interest rates?

The Bank of England raises interest rates to try to slow spending and encourage saving - when this happens, prices/inflation tend to come down.

When inflation falls, interest rates tend to.

Potential winners and losers from high inflation

Overall, a high and volatile rate of inflation is widely considered to be damaging for the economy – but there are some people who could benefit from it.

Workers with wage bargaining power (perhaps those who belong to strong trade unions) can come off better as they can protect their incomes by bidding for higher wages.

Producers could end up benefitting if their prices rise quicker than their costs.

People with stocks or property could also see the value of their assets rise if there is a sustained period of price inflation.

However, retired people on fixed incomes are likely to be worse off as inflation cuts the real value of their pensions and other savings.

The poorest members of the population will also feel the pinch more as costs of borrowing, food and domestic utilities are high.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter 

The UK economy is going to grow less than expected this year - with the International Monetary Fund warning the country will remain the second-worst performer in the G7.

Newly revised forecasts indicate the UK's gross domestic product will expand by just 0.5% in 2024 - a slight downgrade from previous estimates in January - compared with global growth of 3.2%.

However, UK GDP is tipped to increase by 1.5% in 2025 - making it the third-best performer among G7 nations - as households recover following a prolonged cost of living crisis.

According to the IMF, inflation in the British economy will remain at about 2.5% for the rest of this year but fall towards the Bank of England's target of 2% next year.

When looked at per head - with output split across the UK's population - GDP flatlines, with no growth at all for 2024 and 1.1% in 2025.

This metric gives a better sense of living standards and how the economy feels for individuals by adjusting for the UK's growing population with record legal immigration flows.

Read more on this story here ... 

Tesco has subtly started introducing its new Clubcard logo after being ordered to change it by the High Court. 

Users of the supermarket's app may notice the traditional yellow circle on a blue square has been replaced by a blue square alongside a yellow rectangle. 

The store has been given until 21 May to change every Clubcard logo after it was found to have infringed on Lidl's trademark. 

At the time of the High Court ruling, Tesco said it was "disappointed" by the decision and reassured customers it would not affect its pricing. 

A spokesman said today: "As we start to roll out our new Clubcard Prices logo, we're laser focused on the fantastic offers for our Clubcard customers with around 8,000 deals every week on everything from washing powder and store cupboard staples to clothing and homeware." 

X is considering charging new users a fee to post, like and reply on the platform. 

The social media site's owner Elon Musk said introducing the "small fee" was the "only way" to stop fake or bot accounts. 

It comes after the Tesla and Space X boss launched a pilot scheme in New Zealand and the Philippines last year, which required new users to pay a one dollar a year subscription to access key features. 

Mr Musk's comment suggest the trial could be introduced more widely. 

"Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots," he said.

"Current AI (and troll farms) can pass 'are you a bot' with ease.

"The onslaught of fake accounts also uses up the available namespace, so many good handles are taken as a result."

In a reply to a user who questioned the billionaire's approach, he said the fee could only be in place for the first three months after a user joins the platform.

Since Mr Musk took over the site formerly known as Twitter, he has already introduced subscription options - including X Premium, which enables users to pay to be verified - to open up new income streams.

Mr Musk has previously suggested that all users could eventually have to pay to use X.

By Joely Santa Cruz and Daniel Dunford, data journalists

Josie Dom, 53, was thrilled when she moved into her new home in October.

She bought 30% of it through the shared ownership scheme as an affordable route to home ownership, even if it was only partial ownership.

The idea is to help people who would not be able to buy a home outright get on to the housing ladder earlier by buying a share of a property and paying subsidised rent on the rest - often to a non-profit housing association.

Without it, she says there was no way for her and her two children to stay in Colchester, where they love living and attend school and college.

But her enthusiasm started waning when after just six months, the housing association increased the building's service charges by 138%, from £85 to £202 per month.

While she had anticipated small annual rises, this unexpectedly large jump was unaffordable.

"Obviously the idea of shared ownership is to help people like me that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford their own home," said Ms Dom.

"Then suddenly, again, we can't afford it. It makes a mockery of being shared ownership and having social housing."

Watch our report from data correspondent Tom Cheshire :

The expanded scheme now makes up half of affordable homes funding.

Sky News has been approached by dozens of other shared owners facing soaring costs and other issues, including difficulty selling.

With rising mortgage costs, this relatively cheaper option appears to be increasingly appealing to buyers.

Rightmove, the UK's largest online property website, told Sky News shared ownership properties are taking 56 days to sell versus 65 days for all other properties on average, as of March 2024.

And interest has increased over time - they said demand is up 37% from a year ago for shared ownership properties.

You can read the full story here ...

 It was the banana bag that took over the internet, but now a company has actually seen it make a difference to its financial report. 

The bag, which if you haven't seen, you can see below, has boosted Uniqlo's profits in its full year results. 

The retailer saw pre-tax profits for its UK and European arms surge by £66m to almost £160m for the year to 31 August. 

 Uniqlo said a "significant increase among the younger customer base who have embraced items like the mini-round shoulder bag, bra-tops and pleated trousers that went viral during the summer" were the cause of the rise. 

The £14.90 bag was described by Vogue as one of the hottest product of the year in 2023, and has reportedly become Uniqlo's best-selling bag in history. 

It surged in popularity after a TikTok used showed how much room was in the deceptively small bag. 

Videos posted with the #uniqlobag have been viewed more than 167.2m time on the social media platform. 

@myn_life_ obsessed with this new colour for the nylon bag that i found at the new battersea power station uniqlo! sooo versatile and can hold everything you need🤎 #uniqlo #uniqlonylonbag #batterseapowerstation #nyloncrossbody #uniqlobag #whatsinmybag #everydaybag ♬ CUFF IT - Beyoncé

We've reported today on a call by radiographers to make bras - deemed a basic necessity - to be made exempt from VAT.

You can read that story here :

Now, the closest thing the tax world has to a celebrity has joined the conversation, dismissing VAT exemptions as a "rubbish way" to help people who can't afford a product. 

"There is well established evidence, from statistical analyses of hundreds of VAT changes, that VAT cuts on a single product aren't passed on to consumers," Dan Neidle, the tax lawyer credited by many with bringing down the former Tory chair Nadhim Zahawi over his tax affairs, said on X. 

He gave the abolishment of VAT on tampons as an example, saying "not much" happened after the cut.

Even if a VAT cut on bras was passed on, he said, it would be those who spend more on bras who would benefit most. 

"VAT cuts are a rubbish way to help people who can't afford a product. If they worked, they'd be inefficient," he said. 

"But they don't work. This would end up being a hand-out to Prada." 

At 7am this morning, the Office for National Statistics released its latest data on wage growth, showing wages excluding bonuses grew by 6% in the three months to the end of February.

The figure is important as it is used by the Bank of England to help decide when to cut interest rates. 

Our  business presenter Ian King says the figure is also significant for markets to consider. 

"It matters because the Bank of England has said very, very clearly on a number of occasions it needs to see earnings growth moderating before it can start to think about cutting interest rates," he explains. 

"I think with earnings growth at 6%, that is appreciably ahead of what the Bank of England would want to see." 

The ONS data also showed unemployment in February rose to 4.2% from 3.9%, and the number of vacancies in January to March was 916,000, a fall of 13,000 on the previous three months.

King says: "It really talks to a two-tiered labour market because people with skills, people whose skills are sought after, they clearly have power right now to bid up their wages. 

"Whereas the inactivity rate, which is the number of people who aren't looking for work but who are of working age, has ticked up to 22.2%, and that is really rather a cause for concern." 

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