Module information

Guidance on when and how to choose your modules.

How to choose your modules

You will be encouraged to give feedback on your modules. The module team will give you opportunity to provide feedback either in class or through a survey. You can also speak directly to the module team, your Programme Leader or Student Representatives. Every student will also be asked to complete a survey on their programme experience during their studies to provide you with an opportunity to feedback anonymously.

Credits are gained when modules are successfully completed, and modules are usually designed to be between 5 and 60 credits. The number of credits you work toward with each module is based on learning hours, for example, the number of hours you are expected to study for, on average, to achieve the learning outcomes. 1 credit usually equals 10 hours of learning, through lectures and self-directed study.

Each module/short course is worth a specific amount of credit. The amount of credit is dependent on the amount of study/learning required to achieve the module outcomes. 

When you achieve a certain number of credits then you are eligible for an award (for example, an Honours degree or Master’s degree).

Here’s an example: Andrew is registered on the BSc(Hons) Psychology.

In one year, he studies modules worth 120 credits. To be eligible for the degree, he needs to pass 360 credits. After 3 years of studying 120 credits a year, he has achieved enough module credits to be eligible for his degree.

The number of credits you pass at specific levels determines which award you are eligible for, but the marks you achieve determine the level of classification you are awarded e.g. a first class honours degree.

In order to gain a postgraduate level award you need:

• Postgraduate Certificate – 60 Level 7 credits
• Postgraduate Diploma – 120 Level 7 credits
• Master’s – 180 Level 7 Credits

Individual pieces of work or exams are known as assessment tasks. You must pass all individual assessment tasks.

Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 requirements

The pass mark for modules at these levels is 40%. You must pass all assessment tasks with:

• A minimum of 40% for each numerically assessed task.
• Or a pass for each pass/fail task. 

Level 7 requirements

The pass mark for modules at  this level is 50%. You must pass all assessment tasks with:

• A minimum of 50% for each numerically assessed task.
• Or pass for each pass/fail task. 

Number of attempts allowed

A student normally has the right to two attempts. Within each they have one sit and one resit, normally taken within the same academic session. There are some exceptions to this, for example those taking a professional practice module.

Check Blackboard to find out:

• the amount of attempts you will be eligible for
• when a re-sit will take place and what you have to do.

You can also speak to the module leader for information.

Marks and associated credit for all modules are considered and confirmed ahead of a meeting of the Award Board, which decides upon a student’s progression to the next level and will decide their final award classification.

If you attempt a module but fail at the re-sit, an examining board can decide to apply compensation. This means that you will retain the mark and are awarded the credit for the module and you will not need to do re-sit or a re-take.

An examining board can apply compensation when:

• you have achieved the overall pass mark for the programme level (40% for levels 3-6 and 50% for level 7)
• you have already passed modules worth a minimum of 90 credits at the same programme level or above
• a professional body permits it (some do not)
• the learning outcomes for the module have been met.

An examining board can only apply compensation to a maximum of 30 credits at level 3, 30 credits at level 4, and 45 credits at levels 5 and 6 combined. 30 credits can be compensated at level 7. Compensation is usually only applied at a re-sit (unless you are being considered for an award), and will be an offer to you (you can decide whether to accept or decline).

You may be eligible for an interim award if you have completed the necessary academic requirements and where:

• it is an option in the approved programme specification, and
• you are not eligible to progress to a higher-level award, or
• you choose to withdraw registration form the higher-level award.

If you are a new student registering on a programme for the first time from September 2022, you will be unable to progress to the next level if you have failed more than 30 credits at the previous level.