Regulation D5: Module condonement and compensation

For Undergraduate students commencing or repeating Level 4 study in full PRIOR TO September 2022 and all Postgraduate Taught students

This regulation sets out the fundamental rules around module condonement and compensation for taught undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.  Where there are programme specific deviations or exemptions for particular programmes of study, these will be set out in the relevant programme specification.

This regulation should be read in conjunction with Regulation D2, which explains the rules around progression and degree classification.

1. Module condonement on taught undergraduate programmes

1.1 Condonement means you are awarded credits despite failure in a module, subject to the conditions below. The module mark is retained on your transcript.

1.2 Condonement can only be applied to a module under the following conditions:

  • The mark you have been awarded for the module must be between 30 and 39 (or between 40 and 49 for modules at Level 7)
  • You must have taken the maximum allowed number of attempts to pass the module (with the exception of final year modules where condonement will be applied by the relevant Award Board after just one attempt).
  • The module result must not be a qualified fail, signified by a grade of ‘Q’, which is where one or more assessment components within the module have not been completed to a specified standard.

1.3 The programmes where condonement can apply and the rules for awarding condonement in those programmes are detailed below.

1.3.1 Bachelor’s Degree Programmes in:

  • Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences excluding Bachelor of Arts in International Governance and Public Policy (where the rules are noted in 1.3.2)
  • Pharmaceutical Science Technology and Business
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Rehabilitation Science
  • Rehabilitation and Exercise Science

Condonement can be applied to a maximum of 60 credits of modules, subject to the following rules:

  • A maximum of 30 credits across Level 4 and Level 5, provided that no other modules have been failed at those levels of study
  • A maximum of 30 credits of Level 6, provided that no other modules have been failed at that level of study

1.3.2 Bachelor of Arts in International Governance and Public Policy

Condonement can be applied to a maximum of 60 credits of modules, subject to the following rules:

  • A maximum of 15 credits at each level of study, provided that no other modules have been failed at that level of study
  • Condonement cannot be applied to Academic English Language modules

1.3.3 Integrated Master’s Degree Programmes in:

  • Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Condonement can be applied to a maximum of 80 credits of modules, subject to the following rules:

  • A maximum of 45 credits across Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 modules (with no more than 30 credits at any one of those levels of study), provided that no other modules have been failed at those levels of study
  • A maximum of 35 credits at Level 7, provided that no other modules have been failed at that level of study

2. Module condonement on taught postgraduate programmes

Condonement is not awarded on taught postgraduate programmes.

3. Module compensation on taught undergraduate programmes

3.1 Compensation means you are awarded credits despite failure in a module, where the failure is balanced by good performance in a related module or modules.  Compensation is awarded at the discretion of the Examination Board.  The module mark is retained on your transcript.

3.2 The programmes where compensation may apply and the rules for awarding compensation in those programmes are detailed below.

3.2.1 BSc in Mathematics (Single and Combined Honours), BSc in Health and Rehabilitation

Compensation can only be applied to Level 5 and 6 modules with a mark below 30, as follows:

  • A maximum of 30 credits across Level 5 and Level 6
  • A maximum of 15 credits at Level 5

Any compensation that is applied will reduce the total amount of condonement that is allowed on that programme.  The combined maximum amount of condonement and compensation that can be applied is shown here

3.2.2 BSc in Physics (Single and Combined Honours), BSc in Astrophysics (Single and Combined Honours)

Compensation can only be applied to a maximum of 30 Level 6 optional or elective modules with a mark below 30.

Any compensation that is applied will reduce the total amount of condonement that is allowed on that programme.  The combined maximum amount of condonement and compensation that can be applied is shown here

4. Module compensation on taught postgraduate programmes

4.1 Compensation means you are awarded credits despite failure in a module, where the failure is balanced by good performance in a related module or modules.  The module mark is retained on your transcript.

4.2 All Postgraduate Master’s Degree and Postgraduate Diploma Programmes allow compensation as set out below, unless the programme specification states that compensation is not allowed. 

4.3 Compensation is applied to modules which, after all assessment attempts have been taken, have a mark between 45 and 49 inclusive.  It is applied on up to a maximum of 30 credits of taught modules in total, provided you have attained a mark of at least 55 in one or more modules at least equivalent to the credit value of the failed module/s being compensated.  Dissertation modules or equivalent final project modules cannot be compensated.