The University is committed to providing appropriate opportunities for students who fail an assessment or module to retrieve their position, and the Regulations for Study (6.9) set out the rules governing your entitlements to resit assessments and retake modules. This page is to provide further guidance to help you interpret the regulations.
Resits and retakes
- You are eligible to resit a failed assessment once, except where you would be unable to retrieve your position through resit because of specific module requirements (for example, if resits are not permitted due to professional accreditation requirements).
- A reassessment task will normally take the same form as the original assessment.
- You do not need to achieve a minimum mark, nor do you need to have submitted a first attempt at the original deadline/event, in order to be eligible to resit a failed assessment.
- The mark that you achieve for a resit will be capped at the pass mark - this means 40% for modules up to level 6, or 50% at level 7. The only exception to this will be where you have made a successful claim for exceptional circumstances, in which case, the mark achieved at resit would not be capped.
- If there is more than one element of assessment in your module, and you pass one element, but fail another and take a resit, the full mark for the element of assessment that you pass at first attempt will stand, and be combined with any capped marks achieved at resit to calculate the final module mark.
- If you do not pass the module having taken the resit, you will have only one opportunity to retake the module, (unless further takes are authorised through an approved Exceptional Circumstances application). A fee will be charged when you retake a module, unless a fee exemption applies. When you retake a module, you will have two attempts to pass - a first attempt and a resit in the same way that you did when you took the module for the first time.
- Once you pass an assessment, you cannot resit it; and once you pass a module, you cannot retake it. This means that if you pass some assessment components for a module and fail others, but pass the module overall, you are not entitled to resit the failed assessment components (unless you have made a successful claim for exceptional circumstances).
What is a disregarded module and why is the University charging?
A module is disregarded because a student has successfully demonstrated that they have experienced Exceptional Circumstances while studying and their performance cannot be recovered through a resit opportunity. If assessments have been taken, these are not recorded against the disregarded module, including any failed assessments. You may still need to complete the module in order to achieve the number of credits you need to pass to meet your stage or your programme requirements.
Until now, the University has not charged students to retake a module that has been disregarded. However, in an increasingly challenging financial environment and in line with sector norms, the University believes it is appropriate that students, who are retaking a module, where there is no fee exemption, should support the cost of these activities.
How does a disregarded module support me in my studies?
In the Regulations of Study we explain that you cannot go above a maximum number of credit failures or lack of submission:
6.13.2 Programmes leading to qualifications up to level 6
“Students on undergraduate programmes who have not passed modules worth at least 45 credits in any two successive semesters of study will be withdrawn from their course by the relevant Examination Committee, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
6.13.3 Programmes leading to qualifications at level 7
Students on postgraduate taught programmes who fail to submit any work for assessment within a single semester without formal approval or valid exceptional circumstances will be withdrawn from their course.”
If a module is disregarded, it will not count towards these thresholds and does not count towards the number of times a module can be taken; for example, if a module is disregarded after your first attempt, the module can be taken again as if it was the first time it was taken.
Should I take my resits if I am applying for Exceptional Circumstances?
Yes. Your resits offer you an opportunity to pass your assessments. There are no guaranteed outcomes when applying for Exceptional Circumstances, so in case your application is not successful, you should prepare for and attend any planned resits, where possible.
Please see our webpages for more information about Exceptional Circumstances and Disregarded modules.
When are these charges starting?
If you were awarded a disregard before September 2023 you will not be charged for the repeat module.
If you were awarded a disregard after September 2023, you will be charged the module fee when you repeat the module. This means you will be charged from September 2024 or when you return from Approved Temporary Withdrawal. We will only charge you in the year that you start studying your disregarded module(s) again. However, there are fee exemptions so please make sure you check if you will need to pay the fee.
How much will it cost to retake a module?
For undergraduate students only:
Fees will be charged at the standard Home or International rate.
2024/25 Retake Fees
| UG Degree Students | Full Time Course fee | Retake fee per module credit |
|---|---|---|
| Home students paying a fee of | £9,250.00 | £1,155.00 |
| Home students paying a fee of | £7,570.00 | £945.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £9,900.00 | £1,240.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £15,950.00 | £1,995.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £16,300.00 | £2,040.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £16,700.00 | £2,090.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £16,900.00 | £2,115.00 |
| International students paying a fee of | £18,050.00 | £2,260.00 |
How much will it cost to retake a module as an additional module (undergraduates only)?
| Additional Modules (more than 8 modules) | Retake fee per module credit |
|---|---|
| Home students | £440.00 |
| International students | £1,995.00 |
If your retake is registered as an additional module this will cost you less.
How much will it cost for Postgraduates to retake a module?
For postgraduate students only:
Postgraduate students are charged varying fees for retakes, according to your programme and the credit value of the module. Please contact Student Finance finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk for the cost of a retake module that is applicable for you.
I am studying a Degree Apprenticeship, will I be charged?
The tuition fee costs of the Degree Apprenticeships are not charged directly to those studying a degree apprenticeship. The University will liaise with relevant employers to confirm charges for disregarded modules in accordance with their contract with the University.
What if I cannot afford to pay for the disregarded modules?
For undergraduate students only:
If you are in receipt of a Brookes Bursary and have a Household Income of less than £25k, you will not be charged for the disregarded module(s).
If you are not in receipt of a bursary this year (for example because you are studying part-time or you are on placement) and your household income is still less than £25k, you will be entitled to a fee waiver
If you have funding queries, for example regarding an additional year of Student government funding or repeating additional modules, it is really important to speak to our specially trained Money Advice Team to answer your individual funding queries. Please complete our contact form with your query
For undergraduate and postgraduate students:
From September 2024, if you find yourself in hardship because you need to pay for disregarded modules then you have the opportunity to apply for Financial Aid and the disregarded module fee cost would then be taken into consideration during any assessment.
Are there situations when disregarded module fees will not be charged?
If before September 2023 the University has confirmed a module as disregarded, then you will be exempt from the module fee. For example, you will be exempt if you have a disregarded module that was confirmed in summer 2023, but you have been on Approved Temporary Withdrawal for the 2023/24 academic year and will not be able to take the disregarded module again until you resume after September 2024 or later.
If the University made a material error which led to the module being disregarded, the University may not charge in this situation. This is likely to be confirmed via a complaint or academic appeal outcome.
If you have funding queries, for example about an additional year of government funding (undergraduate students only) or repeating additional modules, it is really important to speak to our specially trained Money Advice Team to answer your individual funding queries, please contact them on studentmoneyadvice@brookes.ac.uk.
If I am a care leaver or an estranged student am I exempt?
Yes. If you are a care leaver or an estranged student, you will be receiving either the Estranged Student Bursary or the Transition From Care Bursary, so you will not need to pay disregarded module fees.
Will I be charged when I return next year (24/25) after Approved Temporary Withdrawal?
If you were awarded a disregard whilst on Approved Temporary Withdrawal e.g. for a resit which fell whilst you were on Approved Temporary Withdrawal, and this was before September 2023, then you will not be charged when you return to studies and retake the module. If you were awarded a disregard whilst on Approved Temporary Withdrawal and this was from or after September 2023, then you will be charged when you return to studies and retake the module. For those receiving funding, you will be able to use your gift year of funding to start your year again, as long as you have not already repeated a year of study within your current course and you don't have any years of "previous study". For further information about funding please contact studentmoneyadvice@brookes.ac.uk.
Who can support me further with queries regarding disregarded modules?
You can speak to your Student Support Coordinators in your faculty or contact Brookes Union Advice Service who can advise you on dealing with Exceptional Circumstances, Appeals, Complaints and Financial Aid applications. You can contact the Money Advice Team on studentmoneyadvice@brookes.ac.uk for funding queries.
How do I appeal the charge for a disregarded module?
If you believe there has been an error in determining your eligibility for a fee waiver for a disregarded module please check with the Student Finance team finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk..
If you believe there has been an error in the procedure, or you have evidence that you have been misadvised, please visit our Student Complaints page for more information.
If you need support around making an appeal or complaint you can contact Brookes Union Advice Service.
How do I appeal if my application for Financial Aid is unsuccessful?
If your Financial Aid application is unsuccessful you can appeal the decision. Details on how to appeal can be found within the Financial Aid Application Guidance.
I am an international student - can my visa be extended if I need to stay longer to complete a disregarded module?
In most cases, a Student visa can be extended to complete a disregarded module. Please contact the International Student Advice Team who will advise you about whether your visa can be extended, what you will need to do and when you need to do this.
How do I pay for my Disregarded Modules?
If you are a Home student and not using your Tuition Fee Loan to pay for your Disregarded modules you can pay by Debit or Credit Card via My Accounts on your Student Information Portal
If you are an International Student you can also pay for your Disregarded modules via My Accounts on your Student Information Portal
I have a question which is not covered here
This is not an exhaustive list and the FAQs will be updated as further questions are added. In the meantime if you have a question which is not covered above please contact the Student Central Advice Team on studentcentral@brookes.ac.uk