Interrupting studies: Resitting versus
Part-time Revision (PTR)
If you find yourself in a situation where you are not able to progress to the next year of study (or to
graduate if you are a finalist) then it is likely that you will have to choose between one of two possible
options: (i) resits or (ii) part-time revision (called PTR). For full details you can refer to the UCL
Academic Regulations (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ras/acd_regs) however in this brief document I outline
some of the key points and answer some frequently asked questions.
Do not be confused by the terminology. Both “resit” candidates and “PTR students” effectively “resit”
the exams, i.e. take them a second time. For some reason the name “resit” has been given to
candidates opting for the “not in attendance” route as outlined below.
Please note that students can only have second attempts for modules that they have failed.
Option 1: Resit
A “resit” candidate does not enrol as a student and does not attend College for the year in which they
are interrupting; therefore they do not pay any tuition fees. The Registry will contact these candidates
at around Christmas or early in the New Year to ask them to confirm that they wish to be re-entered
for modules they failed the previous year. There will be a financial cost associated with this re-entry
(http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/exams_and_awards/GI/exam_reentry_fees).
Resit candidates take only those components of a module that they have previously failed with the
exception of laboratory work which they do not have the opportunity to repeat.
Consider the case of a student who fails a module which has an exam, laboratory work and
coursework. If the student failed just the exam then they would be re-entered for just the exam
component which they would sit the following summer. If they failed both the exam and coursework
then they would be entered for both the exam (sat the following summer) and the coursework, which
they would be expected to submit on time as for any student. Note that although Course Organizers
will make every effort to communicate coursework requirements to resitting candidates, it is the
candidate’s responsibility to make sure that they know when coursework is set, when it is due in and
so on. You should regularly check the Moodle course for information and if necessary contact the
Course Organizer directly.
Resit candidates do not have the opportunity to repeat module components that they passed at the
first attempt. So a resitting candidate who failed the exam but passed the coursework will not be
allowed to have a second attempt at the coursework. They may, through consultation with the
Departmental Tutor and/or Course Organizer, be allowed to submit coursework during their
interrupting year on the understanding that this is purely a formative exercise (i.e. it may help with
revision etc. but the marks awarded will not count towards the final module mark).
A student who not only failed but was also incomplete for the laboratory component (or other
component requiring attendance) of a module will not normally be allowed to resit the module but
would be required to attend as a PTR student (see below). In such circumstances the student should
discuss the situation with the Departmental Tutor at the earliest possible opportunity.
Resitting candidates will have access to Moodle, email and the library but cannot attend lectures,
tutorials, office hours and so forth. Access to some electronic library resources may be restricted.
Part-time revision
PTR students attend College, go to lectures, tutorials etc. They can retake most components of the
modules for which they are registered as PTR, including, usually, laboratory work (consult your
department for local rules). At a minimum a PTR student is expected to attend lectures, tutorials
(where appropriate) and complete coursework. The usual UCL expectations of attendance apply and
a PTR student who fails to submit coursework will be considered not to be engaging properly with the
module.
A student is normally permitted to take up to two course units of PTR study. If you have failed more
than two course units then you will have to register for at least some modules as a “resit” candidate.
Thus it is possible for a student to be PTR for some modules and resit for others. In exceptional cases
a student may be permitted to take more than 2 course units of PTR (up to and including 4 course
units, in which case the student is taking “full-time revision” (FTR). Such cases require the approval of
both the Departmental Tutor and the Faculty Tutor.
Please note that students will only be registered as UCL students during the period for which their PTR
modules run. Thus if all your PTR modules are in term 2 (for example) you would not be registered as
a student at UCL in term 1 (and vice versa). Please note that this can have visa implications (see FAQ
below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enrol on new modules during my year as PTR and/or resit?
Not normally. During an interrupting year you are expected to retake previously failed modules. In
certain specific circumstances you may be allowed to “substitute” a module however that would still
count as a an effective second attempt. Students wishing to substitute modules should seek advice
from their Departmental Tutor.
I have passed enough courses to be allowed to progress but I would like to enrol as PTR
on the modules that I failed. Is this possible?
No. If you are able to progress you must progress. You will be able to retake the failed modules as a
resit candidate but you will have a full timetable so will not be able to fit in PTR study.
I passed a module but I am not pleased with the mark and feel that I can do better – can I
retake it?
No. You can only retake failed modules. Once you pass a module the mark is fixed and cannot be
altered.
…even if I failed the labs and coursework? Surely I can take those again?
No. If you fail the lab and/or coursework and/or exam elements of a module but you pass the module
overall then you cannot retake any aspect of that module.
I want to opt for the resit route – what do I have to do?
 Firstly, inform the Departmental Tutor and/or Departmental Undergraduate Administrator of
your decision.
 You should also respond to any requests from the Faculty Tutor regarding your decision.
 After that you need to make sure that you keep informed about coursework submission
(where necessary, see above); this should be done by regularly checking the Moodle page or
contacting the Course Organizer if the Moodle page does not give the necessary information.
 You have to reply to the Registry when they contact you to confirm your module re-entry (they
will be in touch around Christmas or early in the New Year).
 Make sure that you know your exam timetable (published in the last week of Term 2).
 Attend the exams/other assessments as required.
I want to opt for the PTR route – what do I have to do?
 Firstly, inform the Departmental Tutor and/or Departmental Undergraduate Administrator
of your decision.
 You should also respond to any requests from the Faculty Tutor regarding your decision.
 You must enrol as a PTR student at the start of the academic year or the start of term 2 as
appropriate to the timetable for your PTR modules.
 Register for your PTR modules.
 You must pay your tuition fees.
 You must attend all lectures, tutorials and workshops for you PTR modules and also submit
any coursework that is set. You may also be required to re-take lab courses (see above).
 You must attend the exams for your PTR modules as per the examination timetable published
at the end of term 2.
Will I have to pay Council Tax?
Only full-time students are exempt from paying Council Tax so whether you are a resit candidate (not
a registered student) or PTR (only part-time) in all likelihood you will have to pay Council Tax for the
year. You should contact your local Council Tax Office to discuss this.
How does resitting/PTR affect my visa status
Your department is not at liberty to advise on visa related issues. Students on Tier 4 visas who are
required to take either PTR or resits not-in-attendance must immediately seek advice from UCLU rights
and Advice (http://uclu.org/services/advice-welfare).