Complex sentence: A candidate who is unable to take his or her exams because of illness can sometimes be awarded an aegrotat degree; this is an honours degree without classification, awarded on the understanding that had the candidate been well, he or she would have obtained honours.
Split into simpler sentences: A candidate who is unable to take his or her exams because of illness can sometimes be awarded an "aegrotat" degree. This is an honours degree without classification, awarded on the understanding that had the candidate been well, he or she would have obtained honours.