Exam failure - levels 3 & 4

The consequences of failing Level 3 or 4 exams are serious. Any fails will affect your final degree classification. Failing Level 3 modules of a 4 year course may result in your not being allowed to progress to the 4th year. The following information applies to modular undergraduate degree courses.  

Programmes of study that involve a year abroad are treated as 3 year courses, but performance during that additional year forms part of the final examination. Your course handbook should explain how the year abroad is treated.  

• You need 240 credits at Levels 2 & 3 (120 per level) to automatically receive an honours degree. Your degree classification is based on your grades in each module
• The Examination Board has the discretion to award an honours degree if you obtain at least 200 credits at Levels 2 & 3, with no less than 90 credits being at FHEQ Level 6 (normally L3 modules), and a weighted mean grade of at least 39.5  
• The Examination Board has the discretion to award a pass degree (i.e. without honours or classification) if you obtain at least 180 credits at Levels 2 & 3, but fail to satisfy the other criteria
• If you are not awarded a degree because of failing Level 3 modules, you may be allowed to re-sit failed exams the following year, on one occasion. You will only be eligible for a pass degree (rules for Architecture students are slightly different and should be explained in the course handbook)

Four year courses

Failing level 3 modules

• You need 120 credits and an average weighted grade of 49.5 at Level 3 to automatically proceed to Level 4.
• If you have 100 credits and an average weighted grade of 49.5 at Level 3 you may be allowed into Level 4, but this is not guaranteed
• If not allowed to proceed to L4, you may be awarded a Bachelor’s degree in accordance with regulations for three year courses, or allowed to re-sit the failed modules.

Failing level 4 modules

• You need 360 credits in the Final Exam (years 2, 3, 4) to automatically receive an honours degree. Your classification is based on your grades in each module
• The Examination Board has the discretion to award an honours degree if you obtain 320 credits, at least 90 credits being at FHEQ Level 7 (normally L4 modules), and an average weighted grade of at least 49.5 in the Final Exam
• If you obtain 320 credits at levels 2,3 & 4 but fail to satisfy the other criteria, you may be awarded a Bachelor’s degree, with or without Honours
• If you are not awarded a degree because of failing Level 4 modules you may be allowed to re-sit failed exams once.

The University Careers Service can provide advice about career and post-graduate study options.