Resit for degree

[JaceLancs]

Came back from holiday today to bad news - my son has failed all his final exams
He has done ok on dissertations etc and was predicted to get a 2.1 originally
After sitting exams which he felt hadn't gone too well, even though he did lots of revision - thought he might have scraped a 2.2
But to not even get a third - he is absolutely devastated - I don't know what to advise next
Should he try and resit immediately? Would not leave much time for revision
Resit in a year whilst not attending uni? Worried about what he'd forget in that time, and obviously would need a job in meantime
Try and do an extra year at uni and resit at end of that? Not sure if possible and the financial implications
Any advice gratefully received

[Georgina1975]

It is difficult to advise as it depends on the subject and the institutional regulations.

Final Year students at my institution are allowed to re-sit modules that they have failed, but the mark would be capped at 40%. And the student would only be able to obtain a pass or ordinary degree (without honours). For this reason most finalists just do re-sits in August and pay to take the assessment. Re-sits are not an automatic right - would depend on attendance in the module.

He needs to contact his personal tutor or year tutor in his department ASAP (It is unlikely that the institution will talk to you unless his has given them written permission to do so).

Sorry about the rubbish news.

[Georgina1975]

Have you seen a transcript of his results yet. This is made available to all finalists - often through the university website in the first instance. This should provide a breakdown of his marks in each module.

[JaceLancs]

Results are that he has failed 4 modules

DS will be contacting his uni later today to take advice on his options

Thanks for sympathies - I am so upset as he had been doing fine - it's just sad that now whatever he does he cannot get more than a pass

I know a few years down the line no one will care what grade he got - but right now am so worried as its so hard for graduates to get any job, never mind with bad results

[plinkyplonker]

Maybe resitting the whole year might be an option? Student loans will fund one resit year and he would then still he able to get a 2:1 whereas he might struggle if he just resists the 4 failed modules that will probably be capped at 40 marks.

[JaceLancs]

Just been researching options - he has to try resits in August, if he still did not get high enough marks in all modules he could then resit next year.

It would be his choice whether that was by re doing whole final year or just resitting exams (obviously the exam only option would be cheaper)

Even if he re did all final year - no matter what score he got it would still be classed as a resit and will only count as a pass

Waiting for call from personal tutor to discuss further

[Georgina1975]

Thanks for update.

Is there anything in particular that led to these results? Was he having specific difficulties in life generally? You don't need to tell us but it can be worth speaking to the University about as they consider the case.

[JaceLancs]

Georgina - no there were no specific difficulties - his attendance has been ok - he knew the exams hadn't gone that well despite revision and thought he might get a 2.2 or if unlucky a pass

All his other work which has contributed to final grade has been on average 2.1 other than one report which was marked down to minimum as was a late submission (his fault entirely as all his other written work had a 5pm deadline this one had been changed to 12 noon and he submitted it at 1pm)

Now he has been told he can't resit in August as too many credits to make up (3 modules not passed) therefore his options are non attendance resit next may or resit next may and repeat final year. They are not pushing in either direction as his attendance was over 95%. Whichever route he decides he cannot now get more than a pass

He has till Friday to decide - but at moment is favouring looking for a part time job, non attendance route and using extra time for extra study. He is also going to look at distance learning to support this, and we are waiting to see what extra help his uni may offer

It's not my decision but I can see pros and cons of both options - and am trying to help him consider these without influencing - not sure his Dad (my ex) will be as helpful - suspect there will be a lot more fall out in that direction

I know my son fairly well, he is not a shirker and perhaps bit off more than he could chew academically speaking - choosing quite a tough course to study at a fairly well respected establishment. Due to straitened finances he has had to work part time throughout his degree and that has added extran pressure - sadly he had to resign from this job recently as when his course finished there was no possibility of transfer as no local branches and he could not afford to live away from home out of our local area on p/t wages without a student grant - due to my low income he has always received full grant at least as well as small bursaries for bookscetc

[Persipan]

Is it worth him looking into transferring the credits he completed in his first and second years to the OU, and completing his degree there? It would obviously depend a bit on what subject he's studied (i.e. whether they do it at the OU - if not it would be rather difficult to jump into Level 3 study!) but if he's studied something compatible, he might be able to put the work he's done this far towards a degree (either a named degree, or an 'Open' degree where there's usually a lot of flexibility around credit transfer). The advantage would be that his final degree classification would be based only on his OU studies, so his mark wouldn't be capped. And if he's thinking of working part-time and doing non-attendance study anyway, it's not radically different (but is actually much more geared up towards students doing this than his brick uni would be). Worth thinking about?

[NK5BM3]

it seems abit drastic that if his coursework has been on par of a 2:1, that his exams have taken such a bad turn, so much so that he's flunked 4 modules. Is there something he isn't telling you?

I would also investigate the route of transferring to another university. If he stays where he is, he will get at most a pass. If he gets to go elsewhere, he may be able to still get a 2:1.

[JaceLancs]

Back at work today - so not been online

The OU is a really good suggestion, thanks will look into as another option, although they don't do exactly same course, there are other allied things which may be a better long term option, especially if he can get a higher ultimate grade

Not sure transferring to another university would be an option due to cost, as would not be considered as a continuation so would be higher fees, and unsure of how much student finance he would be eligible for. I was promoted at work last year and previously he got maximum grant, bursaries etc

Thanks for everyone's help though you've been great! People at work today have been very understanding, some have met my son, when he did some voluntary admin/PR for the charity I work for. Looking into more of same, temp/part time jobs in the sector, as well as internships. My boss even found some e learning courses which would help fill out his CV and she could access cheaply through our organisation

If there is a reason for his sudden drop off, it's not become apparent yet, I suspect it's more likely a combination of a few things, including resting on his laurels slightly.

I know at his stage in life, I was running out of steam within the education system, and wished I'd taken a gap year or two, so it could be that.

[EduCated]

How exams-only is the exams-only option? Would he be registered to be able to use the library, for example? And would he be able to contact tutors for advice? Will the modules/curriculum change next year, and if so, how much access would he have to course materials?

I can see how that would seem like a much more attractive option, but make sure he understands very clearly what the implications of that route are.

[MillyMollyMama]

In my DDs university a 2:1 is 60-69%. If you have achieved this in all the modules, in her case over 3 years, and dissertation etc it would be almost impossible to go down to a fail. My gut reaction is that he has not been getting 2:1 marks. Have you actually seen his marks/comment sheets? My DD's final exams were not a huge part of the final grade either so very few people fail to get the grade they are on course to get. I would do a bit more investigation as to what has gone on. I don't know what to advise, but I think you need to be absolutely sure of what has happened before you/he make any decision.

[FurryGiraffe]

It is worth checking what the implications for his marks are if he repeats the year vs simply retakes the exams next summer.

At my instituti

[FurryGiraffe]

Sorry, posted by accident.

At my institution, if you retake the year, your marks are uncapped, but if you just resit the exams (without tuition) you are stuck at 40% in the modules you resit.

[FurryGiraffe]

Sorry- realise you've answered my point already.

Definitely second investigate transferring the credits. Also, do some digging with him about what exactly he feels went wrong. In my experience it is highly unusual for a student with good attendance and coursework marks to suddenly fail several exams unless there is some kind of underlying problem. Were the final year modules very different from previous years? Has he split up with a girlfriend? Had crazy housemates?

[ajandjjmum]

Glad you're getting support irl Jace - these DC never stop giving us cause for worry, do they!

Just remember that 10 years on - whatever route he goes - this will be a learning experience, and part of what makes him stronger. And you a little grey-haired!

[JaceLancs]

Yes I've seen his past exam marks and breakdowns for all recent ones as well as grades for written work - the uni send out a print out each time and they are filed in my filing cabinet along with certificates, school reports etc
The subject he has been studying has a greater percentage of final mark based on his final exams, than most disciplines
If he re takes final year he still cannot get more than 40% but will have to pay a full years fees living expenses etc
If he re takes exams in modules he failed next year and just pays to resit he will still be registered as a student and will get access to library, student support, all electronic resources, lectures, past papers to practice on etc
I am pleased with his level of motivation, but know a year is a long time to keep it up for, at moment he has been titivating his cv, doing some e learning courses, some voluntary work, as well as helping out a friend in their small business enterprise