Tbh putting the % like that isn't really that helpful a reference for people coming from other educational systems (or even A-levels for that matter) because the scaling and way UK degree level work is marked is completely different to other countries' degrees and also A-levels. 70% in a module in the UK would be equivalent to 95-100% in a class in the US for example - the grading scales are just different. In the UK there is a lot more "room at the top" to distinguish yourself, but it's generally much harder to actually get anywhere near the highest marks (at least outside of very mathematical subjects).

In any case, to answer the original question, it's relative but I personally don't think the UK has an unusually high attrition rate in the HE sector (speaking as someone who has left more than one course!), although I've no actual data to back this up, really mainly based on anecdotal evidence I see on here and at unis I've studied/worked at. I think one of the major points of attrition isn't actually difficulty, it's the fact that you get locked into studying one particular thing so early - and it's easy to end up making the wrong choice and then wanting/needing to switch subject (more than once in my case...).

However home courses are in fact known to have extremely high progression rates and low drop out rates - most UK medical degrees have well over 95% progression/completion rates I understand for example. It's also worth noting it's possible to fail a module and still progress, depending on the module being failed. Also normally even if a core module that has to be passed is failed, you are (usually) given an opportunity to resit the relevant assessment at least once (if not the entire module). Normally you get capped at the lowest grade of pass in this case though.

In any case some people who are more directly involved with universities and working with students and applicants might have a better sense of attrition rates and similar - @gjd800 @PQ and @Admit-One might be able to provide some insight :smile:

Reply 7

HuddersfieldUni

Official Rep

7

Original post by Anonymous

there are so many discussions on people failing their semester, is the curriculum, grading super tough?

There are many factors to consider: the structure of the module, the way it is assessed and other competing modules. There may also be other external factors i.e. things going on in their personal life.

People on the discussions might feel like they are failing but actually be doing okay, or they might have picked a degree that looked really good on paper but is more difficult than expected.

Oluwatosin – 2nd year podiatry student – University of Huddersfield

Reply 8

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Re attrition rates (or rather the opposite - completion rates):
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/62cab6af-en.pdf?expires=1676056501&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=87363D85ECB1D6C6A6492A61B802F1F9

And the less mobile friendly 2022 update https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/3197152b-en/1/3/3/5/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/3197152b-en&_csp_=7702d7a2844b0c49180e6b095bf85459&itemIGO=oecd&itemContentType=book

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 9

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

One thing to consider is that students progressing normally and passing modules, (even with relatively low grades), tend not to post about it much. On TSR you’ll see a much higher proportion of students who have failed one or more modules, and have questions regarding progression or retakes.

Reply 10

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

there are so many discussions on people failing their semester, is the curriculum, grading super tough?

The standards are rigorous here in the UK even with the University of low ranking. Students here are cut off and prevented and pushed into vocational pathways if the score only a"C" for some subjects. However those student still can make their way into the education university system and do well in it.

Here universities have inflated their grades requirements to try and better students but come results day they often take the applicant with the lower grades. Recently the lid was blown off during Covid student were not able to take exam. Students predicted grades were lowered in certain areas of the country and increased in others. There outrage so the system was adjusted and teacher predicted grades were accepted which meant that a large amount of students hit their predicted grades and Universities were bound to take them. It cause havoc more student than ever before passed and Universities had to pay out £10,000 for the student to postpone entry until the next year. The effects of this will be felt probably until 2025 for other applicants. I personally think the grades inflation needs to be remove in favour of student obtaining the grades before they apply.

Students are very much spoon fed and not taught how to think for themselves, think out of the box or use their intuition. By this I don't mean the ability to teach oneself which is being falsely push out as oppose to the ability to be collaborative which is more beneficial to society.

Give me that Chocolate bar now
The mentality is what can you do for me is damaging. Instead of how can I serve you or my future employer. Students need to be asked and much time is wasted because they don't say what they or mainly their teacher or a fellow student has done. They hand over a coat hanger expect one to put a garment on it and then put it back in the cupboard for them.

They will ask which course is better instead of looking at the course outline or syllabus and deciding for themselves on the one that both resonates and best fits into their skill-set. Occasionally my fellow students ask for clarifications but oftentimes than not," What do you mean?" is an invitation to think for them.

When selecting a university or course it is the same thing again. In addition there is the accolade of getting in for a certain subject, university but the fairy tale is over once on that course. Student succumb to illness, suffer from ADHD issues, financial difficulties,they transfer to another course, university or dropout. I don't think it is a question of specialising to early, but think it may be having too much choice.

Drop out
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/university-dropout-reasons#:~:text=Another%20common%20reason%20people%20drop,colleagues%20or%20more%20serious%20matters

Dropping out and swapping universities
https://www.thegryphon.co.uk/2022/11/20/university-drop-out-rates-rise-drastically-in-the-uk/

Original post by Anonymous

there are so many discussions on people failing their semester, is the curriculum, grading super tough?

Hey!
Failing a semester can be a real bummer. But honestly, it's not always because the curriculum or grading is super tough. Sometimes it's just because we're not putting in the work, or not organizing our time wisely.
Sure, some courses can be a bit of a challenge, but that's kind of the point, right? University is meant to push us to reach our full potential and prepare us for the real world. And if you're struggling with a particular course, don't worry! There are plenty of resources available to help you out, like tutoring services, study groups, and office hours with your professors.
As for grading, it's definitely an important part of the equation, but it's not everything. Your grades reflect how well you're understanding and applying the material, but they don't define you or your abilities. Plus, even if you don't get the grades you were hoping for, there are often opportunities to make it up or improve in the future.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the difficulty of your courses or grading, don't be afraid to reach out for help. Talk to your professors, advisors, or even your fellow students. We're all in this together, and there's no shame in asking for a little extra support. You got this!

Best Wishes
Priya :smile:

Postgraduate Ambassador
University of Southampton

Original post by Anonymous

there are so many discussions on people failing their semester, is the curriculum, grading super tough?

Hey there!
As far as I'm aware, I don't know if this is just for my university or if it's been decided as a whole, the grading system has been changed from 2:1's and 2:2's to a number now like they do at GCSE. You still get your percentage grade but it now relates to a number and I believe it goes 0 to 16 with 0 being a complete fail and 16 being top of the range. I also found out the other day that you can't get a grade 100 now, I believe the highest you can achieve is 82 which makes grades seem a lot better when you put that into perspective. Again, I don't know if this is just my specific university but that's what lecturers have said and that's what's on the board-appointed grade descriptor. If you think about the grades as a percentage though, where a pass is anything above 42 it truly makes it hard to fail the full semester. What lecturers are usually looking for in essays is that you've done outside reading on top of the work they've produced for your lectures. I believe you're capped at a certain mark if you only copy the academic references that are on the lecture slides. They want to know you've gone away and done some extra work since you're supposed to be so independent at university. As long as you've done that then you have nothing to worry about.

Hope this helped!
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU

Reply 13

Dnsnnssn

17

How difficult a course is depends a lot on which uni you go to

The workload for a person going to Cambridge is likely to be much higher and difficult to someone studying the same course at say Westminster University or London Metropolitan. Despite what some here will say the level of work expected at the very top unis will be much more than the lower ranked ones.

However every degree course will require work to get the top marks.

Reply 14

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by hallamstudents

Hey there!
As far as I'm aware, I don't know if this is just for my university or if it's been decided as a whole, the grading system has been changed from 2:1's and 2:2's to a number now like they do at GCSE. You still get your percentage grade but it now relates to a number and I believe it goes 0 to 16 with 0 being a complete fail and 16 being top of the range. I also found out the other day that you can't get a grade 100 now, I believe the highest you can achieve is 82 which makes grades seem a lot better when you put that into perspective. Again, I don't know if this is just my specific university but that's what lecturers have said and that's what's on the board-appointed grade descriptor. If you think about the grades as a percentage though, where a pass is anything above 42 it truly makes it hard to fail the full semester. What lecturers are usually looking for in essays is that you've done outside reading on top of the work they've produced for your lectures. I believe you're capped at a certain mark if you only copy the academic references that are on the lecture slides. They want to know you've gone away and done some extra work since you're supposed to be so independent at university. As long as you've done that then you have nothing to worry about.

Hope this helped!
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU

That’s just at your university.

The government still requires statistics on graduate degree classifications in terms of honours classification (1st, 2:1 etc)

There’s been repeated investigations into moving to a GPA model with limited take up at a few universities but always in parallel to the existing system.

Reply 15

University of Sunderland Student Ambassador

Official Rep

11

Original post by Anonymous

there are so many discussions on people failing their semester, is the curriculum, grading super tough?

Hi,

The grading is dependent on the school and sometimes course and, how difficult it also depends on your grading system from where you came from but I would say the grading system here is in the middle compared to other countries that can either be very high or very low. As for discussions about people failing the semester, I would say that it barely has anything to do with the grading system, it might be as a result of many possible reasons so you don't need to worry too much about that. Hope this helps.

Benedicta,
University of Sunderland Student Ambassador.

How hard is uni in uk

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