Rubyw, it wasn't a case of 'making up', the issue was that the University regulations (apparently) permit no 'making up' with respect to the dissertation component, which seems somewhat arbitrary when the department is given no regulations about how much they can 'make up' other scores.
Therefore, even if i'd have got 69, there would have been nothing my department could do. :(

I neglected to mention, I already have AHRC funding.
I love my department, and University, and would want to get this across.
I think the problem is, mine is a 'once in a blue moon' position, therefore I very much doubt it is a scenario that has even been considered.
Whether they'll 'overturn policy' feels like a moot point, I just want to be sure that this doesn't happen to others in future more than anything. I'm also slightly perturbed by the fact that my sup has said that he'll make sure my performance is noted in references, which is great, but that this might necessitate mention of my having mental health issues!

Basically, I just found out my MA results and I didn't get a distinction, I'm going to try and explain why I feel hard-done-by whilst being deliberately vague because I don't want to be identifiable.
Basically 9/11 of my coursework grades are distinctions (all over 77, 5 of these between 85-90), I do a social science course at a Russell Group University. 1 of these was my first essay which I got 67 for, another at the beginning of my 'troubles' - also 67.
Basically I suffer from OCD which can at times be very debilitating, I kept it under control over most of the year, but anxiety from external sources from Juneish made it very difficult for me to cope.
As a result my MA diss was a bit pants! I got 65 and was advised by the graduate tutor and my sup to put in an Extenuating Circumstances for with a Drs letter which I did.
Basically, my Uni have registered the form (which basically means they believe you that it had a significant impact on your work) but my Dept have told me there's nothing they can do to give me a distinction as the University has a clause which says you must get 70 on your dissertation to get one overall. This seems so inflexible, given my circumstances, as it discriminates against students with problems in the latter part of the year. Nearly everyone awarded a distinction has a lower average than me despite my dissertation flunk and I can't help feeling like the extenuating circumstances form was a worthless exercise.
I'm thinking of writing to the head of my faculty, does this sound a good idea, or will I just rile more people?

It's fine, be prepared for tiredness though, and spending too much time thinking about how long its going to take you to get home....

It's fine, be prepared for tiredness though, and spending too much time thinking about how long its going to take you to get home....

You're rather unfortunate, a few years ago there used to be plenty of direct services from Manc-Notts.
Two hours ten on the train -- it depends how far away from the station you live. If you're planning on going from Nottingham Station - Uni add 30 mins.
I commuted from Oxford to London last year twice or three times a week; it was only 1hr by train (+45 mins tube allowance) but I was poor so I got the bus = up to 2hrs30 + 45 mins tube.

Where are you studying archaeology?
I'm an archaeologist I maybe be able to give you some hints...

So: I got my funding.
I am yet to see a penny though.
My university have told me the AHRC failed to send a list of who was owed what with the grant money, as a result despite them receiving the money on 16th September, I am yet to receive a penny. In fact, the cheque (which I'm yet to see) won't have cleared until over a month after this date.
All my University can do is offer me an 'emergency loan' which goes on my record, and understandably I want to avoid!
How long can I reasonably be expected to wait until I see a penny?

I received an offer of AHRC funding for my PhD around a month ago.
For a variety of personal reasons, as well as the stress created by the funding process (which are in fact linked as I suffer from an anxiety disorder) my Masters thesis performance was not as good as was expected.
I was advised by my sup that my place was 'very close' to not being given as there had been a stipulation on my offer that a gain over a certain grade on my masters thesis. In fact, my offer letter said I needed over a certain averge (not thesis grade) which was easily met as I had marks in the late 80s and 90s. Anyway, my sup advised me that 'he thought' it was all resolved.
I've just been to collect my first cheque and I was advised that there had been 'a dispute' with the funding council and graduate office, but not of the nature of this. When I tried to get into the library my ID card wouldn't work and when I attemped to log on to the software graduates are supposed to us my ID wouldn't work.
I am now very stressed and concerned regarding my place and status, and when (or if) I will receive any money. I am currently on the financial edge and so if this isn't sorted soon I'm stuffed. Also, I now feel as though I wasn't worthy to receive funding.
I can't find anyone who's available in my Uni to talk to about any of this and I just don't know what to do.

Hi,
I did the Oxford to London journey last year, but only for 2-3 days a week usually in term time.
Some thoughts:
1. If you're going in every day get the train.
2. If you're traveling in at rush hour - so between 7 and 10 in the morning, 4 and 7.30 in the evening - there will be occasions (fairly regularly) when the Oxford Tube journey takes four hours.
3. The toilets are disgusting and frequently don't work, a worthwhile consideration when you're stuck on there for four hours.
4. If you're planning on using the wireless internet then it probably won't work 50% of the time. The rest of the time there are very frustrating 'black holes'. I complained about this but got nowhere, despite having a season ticket.....
5. The train is quick and relatively easy, though on occasion (suicide on the line) the journey will be very long and crowded.
6. Cheap tickets are available but expect to book three weeks in advance for the best deals.
7. This all depends where in Oxford you're living, if you're in Headington it might make more sense to get the tube, if not it's worth considering that the journey from Headington to the coach station at rush hour can take up to an hour.
Hope this helps

Another anecdote:-
When I, a recently married white woman in my twenties, travelled (on my honeymoon) to another 'Western' country, I had quite a horrible experience that could be characterized 'racist' but I opted not to interpret it in this binary way.
Basically I was walking through the streets and a man of another race was trying to get me to buy his CDs, I said 'no thankyou' - my standard response in this country out of politeness. He then proceeded to shout at me/ follow me down the street 'looking at this Nazi woman expletive expletive expletive. I kept walking, pretty intimidated.
This guy was trying to hijack doctrines of racial self-determination to intimidate me. He wasn't being racist though, he was just one idiot in a very big world.

For everyone still waiting it might be helpful to consider the following:
The last day that post would have been sent from the AHRC is Friday. Due to the bank holiday these will arrive on Tuesday as everything is sent second class, saving the AHRC a grand total of £300! Nothing sent from Saturday - Monday = next post sent (theoretically) on Tuesday, not arriving until Thursday. So this week you can expect results on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

I'm glad they're checking as my latest paranoia is that they accidentally sent me out the wrong letter ;)
Good luck to all of you still hanging on...
xxx

Thank-you,
I saw the post-woman rifling through the post to sort out what was ours, and noticed the AHRC logo - very nearly snatched it out of her hand!!!!
Now I look like a mad woman!!! Oh well!
I really hope that means everyone else has theres on their way.
xxx

I got it... panel 1 funding for PhD.
Yay.
Good luck everyone else.