6.14.1 As well as time limits on achieving the credit requirements for an award, there are also limits on the number of modules which students may attempt in the course of completing their programme, as described in the tables below. Awards will be conferred as soon as a student meets the requirements for the award for which they are registered, after which point no further modules may be taken. A student who, through multiple failed modules, including multiple takes of the same module, exceeds these limits, or reaches a point where they cannot progress without exceeding these limits, will be required to withdraw from their course.
Level | Maximum volume of credit that may be attempted |
|---|---|
Foundation (Year 0) | There is no maximum credit limit, but students must meet the credit requirements within a maximum time period of two years or four semesters (as noted in 6.13.2 above) and in the context of the conditions set out in 6.9.2 above). Students who fail to pass at least 45 credits in any two successive semesters of study may be withdrawn from the course by the examination committee. Compensatory pass marks may not be applied on the foundation year. |
4** | Students may attempt a maximum of 165 credits* in achieving the 120 level 4 credits required for progression to level 5. Students who fail more than 45 credits at Level 4 will be required to withdraw from the course, unless compensatory pass marks (not applicable to Foundation degrees) can be applied. |
5** | Students may attempt a maximum of 165 credits in achieving the 120 level 5 credits required for progression to Level 6. Students who fail more than 45 credits at Level 5 will be required to withdraw from the course, unless compensatory pass marks (not applicable for Foundation degrees) can be applied. |
6** | Students may attempt a maximum of 165 credits in achieving the 120 Level 6 credits required for completion of a Bachelor’s degree with Honours, or progression to Level 7 of an Integrated Master’s degree. Students who fail more than 45 credits at Level 6 will be required to withdraw from the course. |
7 | Students may take a maximum of 160 credits in achieving the 120 level 7 credits for completion of an Integrated Master’s programme. Students who fail more than 60 credits at Level 7 will be required to withdraw from the course. |
* This is the equivalent of eleven standard (15 credit) undergraduate modules - please remember that multiple takes of the same module count towards the credit limit, and students are permitted to take an individual module only twice (with an entitlement to a resit opportunity for each attempt at the module).
** not applicable to Foundation degrees or level 6 Bachelor’s degree top-up programmes delivered through collaborative arrangements – please check your programme handbook for the credit limits that apply to your programme.
Volume of credit to be passed in order to qualify for the award | Maximum number of credits that may be attempted** |
|---|---|
240 (MArchD) | 340 |
180 (most Master’s degrees; level 7 element of the professional Doctorate) | 280 |
120 (postgraduate diplomas) | 160 |
60 (postgraduate certificates; PGCE*) | 80 |
*PGCE programmes include additional non-credit bearing compulsory modules in order to meet requirements for the award of QTS.
**Where a student is no longer able to meet the requirements for the target Master's degree they originally enrolled on, they may opt to take a PGDip or PGCert as an exit award - in this situation, they remain eligible to take the maximum number of credits which applied to their original target award.
If you started your course before 2020-21, entered level 5 or level 6 of a Bachelor’s degree course in September 2020, or level 6 in September 2021, please refer to the UMP regulations for the rules on credit limits that apply to you.
If you are studying on a programme delivered at a partner organisation, please refer to the programme handbook for the rules that apply to you.