Embarking on a journey towards higher education often comes with its share of challenges. One hurdle you might encounter is failing a course, an experience that may initially feel like a setback. But remember, it’s not the end of your academic journey. Rather, it’s a stepping stone towards learning and growth. This article serves as your compass, guiding you through the aftermath of failing a course in the UK. It’s an authentic and trustworthy source of advice drawn from real-life experiences and expert input. So, let’s turn this moment of defeat into an opportunity for resilience and success. Together, we’ll envision a brighter academic future, where each failure only brings us closer to our ultimate goals.
Resit or Retake
For Universities that allow you to resit or retake a class, the first thing you should do after you find out that you have failed a class (or have a feeling that you might fail) is to go to the school’s website. Type “Resit”, “Retake”, or “Reassessment” into the search box on the official website, and information about making up or retaking a test will usually appear. Information about making up or retaking exams will usually occur. Generally, it includes details such as whether it is allowed to make up the exam, the cost of making up the exam, the specific process, the deadline for making up the exam, and so on.
Failed an Undergraduate Course
Take Lancaster University as an example: the official website of Lancaster University has a page dedicated to make-up exams or retakes: freshman make-up exams and retakes, sophomore and junior make-up exams and retakes. It clearly lists all the information about make-up exams. Obviously, the requirements for retaking failed exams are different for first year, sophomore and junior year.
Suppose you fail a subject in your first year. In that case, the university’s official website clearly gives you two options: the first is to retake the exam only once as an External Candidate, and the second is to continue to repeat your first year as an Internal Candidate. It is important to note that the External Candidate will need to pay the additional exam fee, and the Internal Candidate will need to pay the tuition fee for the repeat year.
Suppose you fail a subject in your second or third year of college. In that case, it will be more troublesome, and you need to go through a series of discussions between the exam board and the school’s senior management to decide whether to allow you to make up the test or retake it. (Generally speaking, if you are affected by particularly serious personal, health or financial difficulties and show relevant proof, the school will allow you to retake the test). Of course, every university has different requirements, and I suggest you read the Handbook issued by the school carefully when you enrol. So much helpful information is in it.
Failed a Postgraduate Course
For most postgraduate students who only need to study for one year (Taught Master), the most important thing is the thesis. Take Cardiff University as an example: you must achieve a score of 50% or more on the 60-credit postgraduate thesis before you can get your degree (of course, you must pass the other 120-credit courses). If you don’t achieve it, Cardiff University will give you three months to rewrite your thesis and submit it again. Anyway, you must keep close contact with your tutor and communicate with them anytime!
In fact, to be more rigorous, there is no such thing as “failing a course” in UK postgraduate programmes. The final graduation certificate is issued according to your overall grades: 70% or above is Distinction, 60%-69% is Merit, and 50%-59% is Pass. In addition, those with less than 50% will not get a master’s degree certificate. Instead, it is a certificate of completion called a Diploma or Certificate.
No Resit or Retake
Some of the more prestigious Universities (e.g. Oxbridge) or more demanding majors (e.g. Medicine, Architecture, etc.) don’t allow students to resit or retake their exams, which is cruel. I have a friend who got into the Cambridge Maths Department, but at the end of his first year, he failed several exams, and his teachers directly discouraged him from taking the exams. If you are unfortunate enough to be in a university or major that is so strict, I suggest you guys who have failed your exams consider transferring to another school. Go to the university’s website and search for “transfer”.
For postgraduates with only one year of study, as I mentioned before, it is not really called “failing”. If you fail your thesis and the school doesn’t give you a chance to rewrite it, you can either get a Diploma or Certificate or apply for a second master’s degree and study for another year in the school without transferring.
Although it is possible to apply for a second master’s degree in this case, it will be more or less affected by the failure of the first master’s degree. Therefore, it is recommended that you don’t have too big a span between your second master’s degree and first master’s degree. Of course, whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate student, you can file an appeal after failing a course, but it is said that the chances of success are low.
Conclusion
As we conclude this guide, remember that a failed course does not define your capabilities or academic future. It’s merely a chapter in your story, a stepping stone to success. In the grand scheme of things, your resilience and determination genuinely matter. Rest assured, with the options of resitting or retaking your exam available in the UK, there is always a way forward. Embrace these opportunities as chances to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills. As a student, carving your path towards academic success requires dedication, resilience, and hard work. So, immerse yourself in your studies, strive for excellence, and remember that every effort you put in today shapes your brighter academic future. Finally, I wish you luck and hope you never have to use this guide.
FAQ
In the UK, universities typically offer two main options if you fail a course: resitting the exam or retaking the module. Resitting allows you to attempt the exam again at the next available sitting while retaking means you repeat the coursework and examination, usually in the following academic year.
Not. This guide encourages you to see a failed course as a learning opportunity rather than a definitive end. Remember, your resilience and determination will genuinely define your academic journey.
This guide provides an authentic and reliable roadmap for students who have unfortunately failed a course in the UK. It offers practical advice, resources, and strategies to help you navigate this challenging situation, inspiring you to see it as a stepping stone towards a brighter academic future.
