How to choose your modules

You must normally take 120 credits in each academic year. If you fail a module in one year, you may be able to take it as an additional module the following year, but this cannot be guaranteed. There may also be an additional charge to retake a module.

If you wish to study more or fewer than 120 credits, please contact a Student Support Adviser.

Credits are gained when modules are successfully completed. At UWE Bristol, modules are normally given values between five and 60 credits.

The number of credits assigned to a module is based on learning hours, ie the number of hours which it is expected that students will spend, on average, achieving the learning outcomes. One credit usually equals ten notional hours of study.

You become eligible for an award when you achieve sufficient credit in the required modules. Sometimes ‘module credits’ are described as being like a currency which can be accumulated and then ‘cashed in’ or exchanged when you accept an award (for example an honours or a master's degree).

You can find out more about credits and how they work in our module information guidance.

If you have undertaken prior learning which is relevant to your modules or award, you may be able to apply for it to be recognised under the Accreditation of Prior Learning or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning processes.

If you're selecting a module that has a pre-requisite this means that you must have passed the pre-requisite module before selecting your chosen module.

If you're selecting a module that has a co-requisite this means that you must study the co-requisite module alongside your chosen module.

Some modules have restricted availability and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If there is a timetable clash or a module that is no longer running, you'll be contacted by a Student Support Adviser to select a different module.

Once an option module is full, you will not be able to select it, and therefore you will have to make another choice.

Your module selection is not confirmed until your timetable has been updated.

If you haven't passed modules from the previous academic year, different modules for next year may have been chosen for you. Please see further information about resits results and next steps.

You can study a module that isn't on your programme but should be aware that this may have funding implications. You should also consider the impact that taking on additional work might have on your main programme. In terms of classification, you cannot replace the mark for a module which is on your programme with the mark for one which is not. To find out more, speak to a Student Support Adviser.

Is it possible to transfer between modules?

Where relevant to your programme, and subject to the availability of the module, including where there is a limit on places, you may have the opportunity to change/transfer modules at specific points in the year.

Are there any implications for transferring between programmes?

Yes, you should note the following:

• Many changes have financial implications, including being liable for fees even if you withdraw.
• Whilst the academic regulations may allow you to transfer or retake a year or a module, you may find that your funding does not cover the additional cost or the change.
• You might find that some modules you are enrolled on are valid for your new programme as well as your old one.

You are advised to speak to a Student Support Adviser and/or your Programme Leader to see if you can transfer any completed modules/or the credit for a completed module into your new programme.

More information about transferring

Find out more about transferring between modules or programmes.

Transfer your course

If you have a sandwich year (placement or study year abroad) which has been approved via the Placement or Study Abroad Teams:

1. Tick option A on the placement question on the online module allocator. You may need to make a choice between placement types if more than one is offered on your award.
2. You do not need to make your final year module choices.
3. Save your choices.

If you're considering a sandwich year (placement or study year abroad) but have not yet confirmed it via the Placement or Study Abroad Teams:

1. Tick option B on the sandwich year placement question on the online module allocator.
2. Select your final year module choices.
3. If your placement is approved later, your final year module choices will be removed.
4. Save your choices.

If your sandwich year (placement or study year abroad) is confirmed later this year, any final year module choices that you've previously selected will not be saved. Instead, you'll be asked to make your final year module choices during your sandwich year.

If you do not wish to take a sandwich year (placement or study year abroad):

1. Tick option C on the placement question on the online module allocator.
2. Select your final year module choices.
3. Save your choices.

If you're doing a study year abroad, you'll already have received an offer from the Study Abroad Team. You should have responded to it to confirm your participation.

If you're doing a sandwich work placement, you'll need to inform the Placement Team once you've secured a potential placement so that your placement proposal can be approved. Please see our approving your placement guidance.