Frequently Asked Questions
Late Summer Resits 2010
1.
What are ‘late summer resits’?
Summer resits have been introduced this year for the whole University. Previously some
Departments have chosen to offer resits whilst others have not. The intention behind
their widespread introduction is to try to help all Surrey students (irrespective of degree
programme) progress more readily from one stage to the next and to reduce the number
of trailing credits (failed credits carried over to the next year).
2.
What are the advantages of doing resits this summer?
To gain sufficient credits to progress to the next stage of the degree programme where
otherwise a student might be course suspended, until such time as the necessary credits
(for progression) are obtained. Also it is clearly in the interests of students that trailing
credits be avoided. Remember that with trailing credits a student has to study and pass
modules at the next stage of the programme as well as failed modules from the previous
stage. In taking extra modules, time is spread more thinly, and a student is less likely to
do as well in the final assessment. In conclusion, it is best to avoid trailing credits
where possible!
3.
In the letter I have received it says I have to do resits. Do I have to do these this
summer or can I wait until next year?
It is not compulsory to do these this summer and you could wait and resit the exams at
the next time they are offered in the next academic year. Before choosing to do this
however you should consider the potential disadvantage of trailing credits (assuming
that you have the minimum necessary credits to progress). If you are not able to
progress then taking summer resits could enable you to progress without delaying your
studies whilst ‘course suspended’.
4.
Can I choose to do some resits this summer and some next year?
Yes. In fact this might be the sensible action to take if you have a large number of failed
modules to resit. How many you choose to take this summer is up to you, but you should
discuss this with your personal tutor.
5.
Is there anything to lose by having a go at summer resits even though I am not very
well prepared?
Well yes…you need to be careful. Current regulations allow you only one attempt at
resitting any given module. If you fail your resit you will not be permitted a further
attempt unless there were mitigating circumstances (i.e. acceptable medical or other
reasons that may excuse your failure). You are advised to ensure that you are well
prepared before undertaking any resits, bearing in mind that you will not have the
opportunity to re-attend the module, and may have very limited access to the module
lecturer over the summer vacation.
6.
How do I register for, or opt-out of, summer resits?
You should first discuss what you should resit in the summer with your personal tutor
and then confirm your choice by emailing Jilly Bolding (J.Bolding@surrey.ac.uk) by
Thursday 8th July. If you are unable to do resits over the summer, you should also let
Jilly know this.
7.
Are fees charged for late summer resits?
No. There will be no fees for this year’s late summer resits.
8.
I was due to graduate this year but I have failed several modules. If I resit them
this summer and am successful, when can I graduate?
You will formally graduate once your results are ratified by SPACE (Senate Progression
and Conferment Executive) following the Examination Board for your programme. This
process will be completed by 24th November 2010 after which you will be officially
notified of the award by the University Registry. You will subsequently be invited to
attend the graduation ceremony in July next year, although you will be entitled to claim
that you have been awarded the degree once you receive the notification from Registry.
9.
When will I know the results of my summer resits?
Late September (date to be advised).
10.
I understand that I can resit exams but I have failed some of my coursework; am I
able to redo failed coursework over the summer?
Yes, failed coursework units of assessment can be taken over the summer. However, the
Project, Literature Review and Mathematics Education modules cannot be taken over
the summer.
11.
When will I have to submit any failed coursework that I do?
Again this will need to be agreed with the module lecturer/organiser concerned, but not
later than the start of the late summer resit exam period (23 August 2010).
12.
I have heard that in future years modules for which I have to do any resits are to be
capped at the pass mark. If I failed a module this year but resit it next year, will my
marks be capped or do the current regulations apply (marks being averaged with
the pass mark)?
Current regulations will apply. The University, in making changes to regulations, do so
in such a way that students are not disadvantaged by the change. If you fail any module
taken after 4 October 2010 however, the new regulations will apply.
13.
Am I able to do resits in all my failed modules?
Yes. You have the right, under current regulations, to resit all failed modules once.
Generally, those modules that are normally assessed by written examination can be
taken as summer resits. You will also be able to retake failed coursework units of
assessment. However, some students who failed most of their modules were not
permitted by the Examination Board to do summer resits and will have to resit their
failed modules next academic year.
14.
What if I have resits to do but would prefer to leave these until next summer?
You can’t do this. Under current regulations you must take resits within one year of the
first attempt that you failed. The late summer resits next year will be outside this time
limit.
15.
I am an international student; are there any additional issues that I need to
consider?
Yes. The UK Border Agency will not provide/support a VISA for a student who is course
suspended and/or not resitting failed assessments with attendance. The International
Office are experts on providing advise on VISAs so please contact them directly for
more information and advice at:
http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/international/currentstudents/
16.
I am residing overseas this summer; is there any way I can take my exams outside
the UK?
Unfortunately the answer is no.
17.
I have been offered compensation in one or more modules; do late summer resits
have any bearing on this?
They do to some extent. Under the current regulations you continue to have the right to
rescind compensation (i.e. ask to have the compensation credits removed), and try to
pass the module by resitting the failed units of assessment. The fact that we now have
late summer resits means that you could reattempt any failed exams sooner than the next
academic session. (Future regulations will not permit compensation to be awarded until
after resits have been taken, so rescission of compensation will then not be allowed.)
18.
If I rescind compensation and then fail my resit, can I have compensation back?
Yes. When you do a resit, we will take the best of the marks from the original attempt
and the resit and can apply compensation again if necessary.
19.
I am still not sure whether I should take summer resits now or wait to take them in
the next academic year. How many should I take and when? How can I get advice?
The decision as to how many modules to take and when they should be taken is yours
alone. Your personal tutor however is there to discuss your situation and to advise.
Here are two case scenarios that may help:
(1) Peter worked hard all year and was well prepared for the June exams. However his
pet rabbit was taken ill the night before the last exam and with the worry, Peter was
unable to concentrate and ended up failing the exam and hence the module. He passed
all other modules with flying colours and the rabbit subsequently made a full recovery.
Advice: This student should clearly take his summer resit. Being previously well
prepared, there should be no problem in revising in the given time (about six weeks) and
he has every chance of passing. Assuming success, the student will then progress to the
next stage with full credits, and by not having the worry of further resits, will be in a
strong position to do well in the coming year. (Note: Before you ask; a sick rabbit is
unlikely to be accepted as mitigating circumstance and so a resit penalty would apply).
(2) Angie did very little work all year and admits to partying most nights and attending
very few of her lectures. Although putting in intensive last minute revision, she failed a
large number of modules and those she did pass were marginal passes. She also has a
beach holiday planned with some friends which was booked early this year before
‘summer resits’ became a reality and she is reluctant to cancel her holiday. Advice: This
student is probably not in a strong position to take summer resits. It is likely that she will
fail again given that, in the six weeks or so leading up to resits, she is unlikely to get to
grips with the subject material (particularly so if she goes ahead with her holiday). If she
fails again in the summer it is likely that this will be the end of Angie’s University
studies.
These are two extreme cases (possibly!!) and your situation may lie somewhere between
the two. You need to consider your own personal situation and discuss it with your tutor.
Dr Jonathan Deane
Director of UG Studies,
Department of Mathematics
01.07.10