Surrey university module fail

Hi guys,

I have a question. I go to Surrey university and I’m in first year. I have to resist 3 modules but I believe I’m going to fail 1 of the modules. Has anyone been in a similar situation at Surrey and what was the outcome? If anyone has any advice or information, please share with me.

Three questions:
1. Is the module which you think you're going to fail designated as core, compulsory or optional? (This information is set out in the relevant programme specification and programme handbook).
2. Is the module which you think you're going to fail worth 30 credits or less?
3. Do you think you will achieve at least 30% in this module?
If it's not a core module, is worth 30 credits or less, and if you achieve 30% or more, then it's likely to be eligible for "compensation". That's where you're awarded credits for the module, and are allowed to progress, even though you didn't pass it.
There are some further criteria, but those are the main ones so it's best to cover those off first.

I do accounting and finance, the module is business mathematics. I don’t think it’s a core subject. However, all my Modules are worth 15 credits. I assume I can get 30%. I didn’t even get a chance to see what my paper was like last time due to me being sick during the exam and having to leave.

Thanks. The programme specification for the University of Surrey's Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) - 2023/4, here, confirms that MAN1060 Business Mathematics is a Compulsory module, but not a Core module. It also confirms that it is worth 15 credits. Although the degree is accredited by a variety of different organisations, the programme specification gives no indication that this places any restrictions on how compensation may be applied. (You'll see why I mention that in a moment.)
All that being the case, if you are able to gain at least 30% in this module, then there is every indication that you will receive compensated credits for it, and be allowed to progress to the next year, despite not reaching the 40% pass mark. Regulation 158 might be an issue, but I'll discuss that below.
Here is what their relevant academic regulations, here, say with respect to compensation:
"Undergraduate programmes
179. Compensation is available following a failure for units of assessment in modules with a value up to and including 30 credits at FHEQ level 4. At FHEQ levels 5, 6 and 7, compensation is available for modules with a value up to and including 15 credits. Circumstances that can affect eligibility for compensation are described in regulation 158 above.
180. Compensation can be applied if the following two conditions are met:
• the weighted level aggregate of all the student's module marks at a level or stage (including the failed modules) is 40.00% or higher (50.00% or higher for FHEQ Level 7 modules on integrated Masters’ programmes); the weighted level aggregate mark is not rounded up
• the lowest overall mark achieved in a failed module is at least 30% (40% in a failed FHEQ level 7 module on Integrated Master’s programmes)"
Regulation 158, which is mentioned above, says:
"Failure to attend for assessment/examination
158. Where a student has failed an assessment, or reassessment, for a module through failing to attend a required examination (or being late by more than 30 minutes), or by attending a required examination (including online timed open book examinations and online examinations available within a defined window), but not making (in the judgement of the Board of Examiners) a reasonable attempt to address the examination questions, and there are no confirmed extenuating circumstances, the student has failed that unit of assessment at that attempt and will be given a mark of zero. If the attempt was the first attempt and the student fails the module overall as a consequence, they may not progress without reassessment, as described in regulation 155 above, and compensation will only be available after a re-assessment."
The fact that you mention "being sick during the exam and having to leave" leaves you vulnerable to an accusation of "not making (in the judgement of the Board of Examiners) a reasonable attempt to address the examination questions". They say that this will only apply where "there are no confirmed extenuating circumstances". You being sick clearly counts as "extenuating circumstances". Are the university aware that this is why you left early? If so, then this would likely count as "confirmed extenuating circumstances".
If you were to obtain 30% in this module, and 40% in the other resits, would your "weighted level aggregate of all ... module marks ... (including the failed modules)" be at least 40%? If so, and if regulation 158 doesn't apply, then you should receive compensated credits for this module.

What if I was to fail 2 modules? Would I still be able to be compensated the 15 credits as long as I get 30%?

Yes. As it says above, "179. Compensation is available following a failure for units of assessment in modules with a value up to and including 30 credits at FHEQ level 4".
However, failing two modules makes it harder to ensure you meet the required 40% average across all of this year's modules (including the failed ones). What sort of percentages do you have in the modules which you've passed?

I got 65% for one, 45, 46, 43, and 44

OK. The 65% is going to be doing the heavy lifting then!
If you were to pass one of the resits (40%) and then reach 30% in the other two, then your "all module* average will be over 40%, so you'll be fine.
What are your thoughts in regulation 158 and the risk that you leaving the exam early might be considered to be "not making (in the judgement of the Board of Examiners) a reasonable attempt to address the examination questions"?

I was told to leave to be honest. I asked the invigilator if I should do anything or get a note but she said as she’s seen me be sick, that’s a valid reason for me to leave. She said it would be good if I could get a note but regardless, she had witnessed it and I was not fit to sit the exam.

Sounds good. So now all you to do is pass one of the resits and get at least 30% in the other two.

Thank you so much! I’ve been breaking down for the past few hours thinking about how I can’t afford to a year of just resits. I’ve been so stressed out and just feeling sick

Thank you for all that research I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone in a similar position when I say you're doing gods work!
A few further questions if you don't mind as I am in a similar situation to Sweetsugar12. If I get compensated for 2 modules, then have a further outstanding exam below the required mark to pass the module, can I trail it?
And last question . Do I have to pass the exam resits or just get enough weighted percentage out of them to pass the module overall.
Look forward to hearing back !

You're welcome. Now go to sleep.
Or study for those resits.

Just an update, I was very well prepared for the maths exams and I’m very certain I’ve passed! Thank you so much for your advice. I’m sure that I’ve done quite bad on the other one tho lolll

Thanks for the update (it's always nice to hear how things turn out). I'm glad that you're certain you've passed Business Mathematics, and hope that you haven't done as badly in the other module as you think!

If I get compensated for 2 modules, then have a further outstanding exam below the required mark to pass the module, can I trail it?

And last question . Do I have to pass the exam resits or just get enough weighted percentage out of them to pass the module overall.

Apologies for the delayed response. A level results day, and all that...
I've had a good read through their academic regulations and can't find a clear answer to this question, I'm afraid. I see nothing which specifically excludes this scenario, but I'd be more comfortable with saying that it's possible if they specifically said it was. It's probably best to follow-up with somebody within the uni for an answer to this one. Sorry. (I'd you find out, please post back here to help others in the future.)
It depends on the type of module, and potentially on the specific module itself. From page 3 of their academic regulations:
"• a core module is a module that is central to a programme of studies and which must be taken and passed, and all units of assessment within it passed, in order for the student to pass the module and to proceed to the next level or stage of the programme and/or to gain an award.
• a compulsory module is a module that the student is required to study which may include some units of assessment that must be passed. Compensation may be applied to failure of a compulsory module unless there are restrictions on compensation imposed by a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB)."
None of the above restrictions appear to apply to optional module.

Apologies for the delayed response. A level results day, and all that...
I've had a good read through their academic regulations and can't find a clear answer to this question, I'm afraid. I see nothing which specifically excludes this scenario, but I'd be more comfortable with saying that it's possible if they specifically said it was. It's probably best to follow-up with somebody within the uni for an answer to this one. Sorry. (I'd you find out, please post back here to help others in the future.)
It depends on the type of module, and potentially on the specific module itself. From page 3 of their academic regulations:
"• a core module is a module that is central to a programme of studies and which must be taken and passed, and all units of assessment within it passed, in order for the student to pass the module and to proceed to the next level or stage of the programme and/or to gain an award.
• a compulsory module is a module that the student is required to study which may include some units of assessment that must be passed. Compensation may be applied to failure of a compulsory module unless there are restrictions on compensation imposed by a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB)."
None of the above restrictions appear to apply to optional module.