What happens if I need to repeat a unit?

You can check your Brightspace unit information, your results email, or your results information on myHub.

Resubmission/resit

​A resubmission/resit is where a student has to take a failed assessment again, e.g. resit an exam or resubmit a coursework assignment. This is usually (but not always) during the reassessment period in the summer. There shouldn’t be any fee for a coursework resubmission. Students subject to reassessment are usually only required to be reassessed in the assessments they failed (e.g. if a student failed an exam but passed the coursework for a unit, they’d normally only be reassessed in the exam). Reassessments are capped at the pass mark (for that element of assessment only).

Carrying credit

Carrying credit is where a student is permitted to progress to the next level/stage, with an outstanding failure. They have to successfully complete the carried units alongside the units for the next level/stage, this is similar to a repeat unit but they aren’t held back from progressing. Students who are allowed to carry credit don’t have to attend taught sessions, though they can if they wish but they do have to successfully complete the assessment that was previously failed for the unit(s). Carrying credit units are capped at the pass mark (the mark for the whole unit is capped).

Repeat unit

A repeat unit is where a student is required to repeat a unit with attendance, i.e. complete the whole unit again the following year, including attending taught sessions and undertaking all the assessment for the unit, and this would incur a pro rata fee* for the repeat unit(s). Students who have to repeat units with attendance cannot normally progress to the next level/stage of the programme until the repeat units are satisfactorily completed, and the outcome ratified by the Assessment Board. Repeat units are capped at the pass mark (the mark for the whole unit is capped).

*Please see the example pro rata fees under 'What is the cost of repeating a unit?'

Please note: 
There are restrictions around the amount of reassessment that is permitted within a level, including how much credit can be carried. You will need to contact your faculty for further information.

Students with valid exceptional circumstances may be subject to different scenarios (e.g. additional, uncapped attempts at assessment, uncapped repeats etc).

Visit the Exceptional Circumstances page for more information about the options available to you.

You will need to discuss any changes to your course with your Programme Leader.

You may not be entitled to a Tuition Fee Loan if you have previously studied at degree level or have previous repeat periods of study.

More information is provided through UCAS, regarding funding, if you have studied before or had previous repeat study. This also includes guidance on how to access additional years of funding if needed, due to compelling personal reasons.

If you are a healthcare student and usually receive funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund, you will need to check with them, whether you are eligible during a repeat year.

If you are a full time student, you will be studying a set amount of credits per year:

• Full time undergraduates study 120 credits a year
• Full time postgraduates study 180 credits a year

If you need to repeat any units, this will be charged per unit. This is known as ‘pro rata’ which is a proportion of the full tuition fee. If you have any queries please contact [email protected].

Students repeating units at a level of study for which they have already undertaken, will not normally be eligible for bursary funds.

If you interrupt from the start of the academic year with no attendance, this will not be counted as a year of study for funding and no fees will be charged.

If you interrupt after attending for 1 day or more then this will be counted as a year of study for funding purposes. This will then be used for funding calculation purposes for future years, which could result in no entitlement for Tuition Fee Loan if you have studied previously or had previous repeat study.

Student loans are paid once you are fully enrolled, as per any given academic year, on the basis of you having an approved application with your student funding provider.

For detailed information on what you need to do if your BRP is lost or stolen please visit this Home Office web page.

Your Student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. BU will only employ students on a Student visa to work part time for a maximum of 15 hours per week.

For further information visit our working during your studies page.