Frequently asked questions

Student Frequently Asked Questions for Late Summer Assessment (Resits, Repeats, and Deferrals) 2019-20

In 2017-18, UCL introduced the first institution-wide Late Summer Assessments (LSAs), in order to improve the student experience and better align UCL with the rest of the UK Higher Education sector.

These FAQs help to explain some of the practicalities.

Please note that this is designed to provide additional information. It should not be viewed as a replacement for familiarising yourself with UCL’s regulations for the programme and academic session on which you are enrolled. The relevant regulations are:

• Consequences of Failure
• Condonement
• Deferral regulations

Contents 

1. Do I have to take Late Summer Assessments?

If you are a UCL taught student you may be required to take Late Summer Assessments if either of the following apply:

• you were unable to be assessed during the Main Exam Period due to Deferrals or other Extenuating Circumstances.
• you did not achieve the results required to progress or be awarded, and need to Resit.

The regulations do not apply to MPhil/ PhD or Professional/ Specialist Doctorate students – please ask your Department about the arrangements in place on your programme. 

2. When is the Late Summer Assessment period?

The Late Summer period for centrally administered examinations is TBC.

3. What kind of assessments are included in the Late Summer Assessment period?

Centrally administered examinations, coursework, presentations, practicals, and other departmentally organised assessments are all included in the Late Summer Assessment period and should take place by TBC.

However, on some modules, Departments may not able to offer Late Summer Assessments due to the nature of the assessment or the programme structure. Where this is the case, your Department will let you know about the alternative arrangements that are in place.

4. When will I find out the dates for my exams?

A Late Summer exam timetable will be made available to you (via Portico) by TBC. If you have multiple Late Summer Assessments, exams are likely to be more compressed than in the main exam period, however every effort will be made to avoid two exams in a single day.

5. What is the difference between a Resit, a Repeat and a Deferral? 

A Deferral is another opportunity to take an assessment as if for the first time for students who were ill or who had other Extenuating Circumstances at the original attempt. You may be offered a Deferral with or without tuition depending on your individual circumstances. Deferral marks are not normally capped (see 10 below).

A Resit is a second attempt at a failed assessment, usually in the Late Summer Assessment period, and without any additional tuition or fees. Resit module marks are capped at the Pass Mark.

A Repeat is a second attempt at a failed assessment with additional tuition in the following academic year. Repeat module marks are capped at the Pass Mark. Students will be required to Repeat only if they have a very high number of failed modules. Repeats include attendance in the following academic session, and tuition fees in line with the number of credits being repeated.

6. When do I have to resubmit my Masters Dissertation/ Research Project?

There are separate deadlines for Masters Dissertation/ Research Project Resits:

• On September-start programmes, you will be asked to resubmit by 31 January of the following academic session.
• On January-start programmes, you will be asked to resubmit by 30 April of the following academic session.

If you have Extenuating Circumstances, then the EC Panel may be able to give you longer to complete your Deferral.

7. What is Condonement and does it apply to me?

Some Undergraduate, Taught Postgraduate, and Graduate programmes include Condonement Criteria. Condonement allows you to progress from one year to the next and/ or to be awarded a qualification where you are carrying a small amount of failure. You will be awarded the credit for the module despite not achieving the Pass Mark.

For further details please see:

Undergraduate guide to Condonement
Postgraduate guide to Condonement
Graduate guide to Condonement

Link to the Full Condonement regulations 2019-20.

8. If I undertake Late Summer Assessments, will my marks be capped?

This depends on whether you are doing a Resit, a Repeat or a Deferral:

If you undertake a Resit or Repeat, your module marks will be capped at the Pass Mark: 40.00% for modules at levels 4, 5, and 6 and 50.00% for modules at level 7.

If you undertake a Deferral of your first attempt, your module marks will not be capped.

If you undertake a Deferral of your second attempt (i.e. you have ECs on a Resit or Repeat), your module marks will be capped at the Pass Mark (i.e. the existing cap will not be removed).

9. Is there a limit to how many Resits I can do in the Late Summer?

If you have Extenuating Circumstances (ECs) then your Faculty or Departmental EC Panel will decide the best course of action to help you in your individual circumstances.

If you fail a Dissertation/ Research Project, reassessment should take the form of a Resit. However, your Programme Board of Examiners may decide that, in its academic judgement, the extent of failure is such that you need additional supervision to retrieve that failure. As a result, you may be required to Repeat the Dissertation/ Research Project with attendance and fees.

For all other modules, if you don’t have Extenuating Circumstances you can Resit a maximum of 60 credits in the Late Summer. If you fail in more than 60 credits you will be required to Repeat the modules with attendance and fees in the following academic year.

10. Can I do a Late Summer Resit instead of a Repeat? 

Failure in more than 60 credits typically requires additional tuition to attain the academic standards required by UCL. If you fail in more than 60 credits you will therefore need to Repeat the modules with attendance and fees in the following academic session.

However, if there are good reasons why you cannot undertake a Repeat you can ask the Board of Examiners for permission to Resit the modules in the Late Summer. You should think carefully about whether this is the right decision for you – it will mean that you have to undertake a high volume of reassessment within a short time frame. The Resits will count as your second and final attempt, and you will not be able to undertake a Repeat if you fail the Resits. We will not be able to consider the volume of Resits as grounds for Extenuating Circumstances. You should therefore make sure that you have a tutorial with your Departmental Tutor to discuss the consequences of this decision.

Any such decision must be approved by the Board of Examiners who will make an academic judgement as to whether this course of action is appropriate. Please ensure you submit your request as soon as possible - for centrally administered written examinations, the deadline for the Boards of Examiners to make this decision is TBC.

11. Do I have to pay extra fees?

There is no additional tuition fee for a Late Summer Assessment, whether that be a Resit or a Deferral without Tuition.

If you are asked to undertake a Repeat in the following academic session, tuition fees will be charged pro-rata to the number of credits that you are repeating.

If you are asked to undertake a Deferral with Tuition in the following academic session, tuition fees will be charged pro-rata to the number of credits that you are deferring. This will be avoided wherever possible but may be necessary if, for example, you have missed a lot of teaching due to Extenuating Circumstances.

If you are permitted to Provisionally Progress and to undertake a Deferral, Resit, or Repeat in tandem with the next year’s modules, you will never pay more than the normal full time fee.

12. What if I am retaking modules from 2017-18 or earlier?

If you are still taking modules from 2017-18, then different regulations may apply to you. UCL has developed a Transition Policy to help identify what regulations will be applied:

Undergraduate Transition Policy
Postgraduate Transition Policy

Important note: if you are a Repeating Masters student, your Classification will be based on both the weighted mean and the mark in the Dissertation/ Substantive Project, in line with the 2017-18 regulations.

13. Will I have access to UCL facilities?

Yes, if you are part of the LSA you should have access to UCL libraries, e-learning environments, and other learning facilities. Please get in touch with Student Records if you are having access issues.

14. Do I need my 2019/20 Candidate Card to take exams in the Late Summer?

 Yes, your 2019/20 Candidate Card is needed. If you need a replacement card, you can print one yourself from your Portico homepage.

15. What happens if I am ill during the Late Summer Assessment Period?

We understand that you may be affected by illness or other personal circumstances which prevent you from completing an assessment or which may affect your performance. There are a number of ways in which UCL can help:

• We may be able to make Examination Adjustments for you in the exam halls.
• If you have a disability or other long term condition, we can make Reasonable Adjustments for coursework and other non-exam assessments.
• If you are taken ill suddenly, or you have other unforeseen Extenuating Circumstances you may be eligible for an Extension, Deferral to a later date or other form of mitigation.

If you do need assistance, please make sure you are aware of the deadlines for submitting requests (see below) as it is can be difficult to make Examination Adjustments or Reasonable Adjustments at the last minute, and UCL cannot consider late EC claims unless it was impossible for you to let us know at the time the EC occurred.

16. What is the deadline for requesting Extenuating Circumstances?

If you need to put in a request for Extenuating Circumstances it is essential that do so as soon as possible, and within one week of the EC taking place. You will be asked to provide evidence – if you think this might take some time to organise, make sure you submit your EC form on time and explain that your evidence will follow separately.

17. Is there a deadline for getting Reasonable Adjustments?

If you have a disability or other long-term condition you should let the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team know as soon as possible, and preferably before you enrol on your programme. It will take a few weeks to work out a Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SORA) with you and (where you give consent) your Department, so make sure you apply early so that everything is ready for when your assessments are due to take place.

18. What is the deadline for Examination Adjustments? 

If you received Examination Adjustments during the main examination period you do not need to re-apply.  If you have a condition that we do not know about, or your existing condition has changed in any way, you will need to apply to the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team by TBC.

In the event of sudden illness or injury we can consider applications which are received at least 7 calendar days prior to the date of the examination. Where applications cannot be submitted in time, you will need to apply for a Deferral under the Extenuating Circumstances procedures.

19. Can I sit my Late Summer Assessment at an Alternative Venue?

You are expected to attend UCL to take your Late Summer Assessment. However, you may apply to sit this at an Alternative Venue if one of the following applies:

• You are enrolled on a distance learning programme
• Your student visa has expired AND the application for renewal of your visa has been rejected.

Full details and the application form are available from Examinations. The deadline for submission of completed forms is TBC.

20. Can I have an extension on my Masters Dissertation/ Research Project if I have to Resit taught modules in the Late Summer?

If you are ill or have other Extenuating Circumstances, the EC Panel will decide the best course of action for your individual circumstances, which might include a Deferral of your Dissertation/ Research Project.

If you do not have ECs you will not be eligible for an extension on your Dissertation/ Research Project if you have to Resit taught modules in the Late Summer.

If you have a Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SORA) any extensions that you normally receive will still apply.

21. Do I have to be reassessed in the Late Summer?

Your Programme Board of Examiners will determine whether and when you need to undertake a Resit, Repeat or Deferral. If you don’t attend an exam or don’t submit work you will receive a mark of 0% and you will forfeit that attempt. If this is your second and final attempt, you won’t be offered another chance to undertake the assessment at a later date, and this may mean that you fail your programme.

If you are ill or have other Extenuating Circumstances affecting your ability to undertake a Late Summer Assessment, it is therefore essential that you submit an EC form as soon as possible, and within one week of the EC taking place.

22. If I fail my Resit or Repeat, what happens next?

If you meet the Condonement Criteria you will still be awarded the credits and be able to complete your degree. Not all programmes and modules permit Condonement so make sure you check your student handbook for details of the arrangements on your programme.

If you don’t meet the Condonement Criteria at the second attempt you will fail your programme, although you may be eligible for an interim qualification.

If you are ill or have any other Extenuating Circumstances affecting your ability to undertake a Resit, Repeat or Deferral, please ensure that you submit an EC claim as soon as possible, and within one week of the EC taking place. If accepted, you may then be eligible for a Deferral or other form of mitigation.

23. Can I attend a Graduation Ceremony this year (2020)?

No, if you are successful in your Late Summer Assessments and awarded your degree, you will attend the appropriate ceremony in 2020. 

24. If I pass my Late Summer Assessments, when will I receive my degree?

Degrees can be awarded on the first day of every month. You will receive your degree as soon as the Board of Examiners and Student Registry Services can confirm your marks – this is likely to be 1 October 2019 or 1 November 2019 for most Late Summer Assessments, but it may be later depending on your individual circumstances.