What is 'referral' and 'deferral' mean for assessments?

Referrals

You will be referred in a module when you do not achieve the minimum overall pass mark in the module or achieve a pass grade. For most undergraduate modules this is 40%. For most postgraduate modules this is 50%. Some modules have a different pass mark or stipulate a minimum threshold mark for each assessment task – this will be indicated on the module descriptor. If you pass your referral, the assessment task will be capped at the minimum pass mark. Your referral will normally take place during the reassessment period in July, unless specified differently for your course.

Deferrals

You will be deferred in a module when your request to repeat an assessment attempt has been accepted due to extenuating circumstances you have reported to us. You have the opportunity to take the assessment task that was affected by the circumstances as if for the first time, i.e. your mark will not be capped (unless you are already at referral stage). A deferral will only be given where you have not passed the module. Your deferral will normally take place during the reassessment period in July, unless specified differently for your course.

Where do I access my referred / deferred coursework?

Your reassessment work will be made available via the relevant Blackboard module site within an area entitled "Reassessment". If you are having difficulties finding the reassessment work, you should contact your Module Leader. The reassessment submission deadline will normally take place during the reassessment period in July, unless specified differently for your course. Assessment grades and meanings provide guidance on understanding referral/deferral codes used on your results transcript.

If you are an international student on a Tier 4 General Student Visa you may need more time to complete your course following a referral. Speak to an Adviser in the International Experience Team to check if you are eligible to extend your visa in the UK. You can book a Visa Eligibility and Information Appointment by coming to the Student Support Services Reception, Level 5, Owen Building, or book online via Unihub.

What does 'continued reassessment' in a module mean?

If you have not had all the normal opportunities for first-sit, referral and/or deferral by the time of your reassessment board, (due to extenuating circumstances accepted by the University), then you are considered to have continued reassessment.

This means that:

• You have another attempt at the reassessment for the module(s).
• You are not permitted to attend any classes for these module(s) and so these modules will therefore not show on your timetable.
• There will be no additional charge for the continued reassessment module(s).
• You will be contacted by e-mail to confirm details of your reassessment arrangements.
• If you fail your continued reassessment module, you will be required to retake this module in the next academic year. This may impact on your progression.

Reassessment submission dates

Assessment Statement – If you are referred or deferred in a task, the date for this will be shown in your Assessment Statement as soon as these marks have progressed through the University assessment boards. This can be accessed via My Student Record

Blackboard Calendar If you are referred or deferred in a task, the date for the re-assessment will be shown in the calendar.

Reassessment examination schedule

The examination schedule is available via your Timetables channel on the My SHU tab. It is also available via the Assessment Channel Link. It is important that you check the dates, times and venues of your referred/deferred examinations and confirm your attendance as soon as the timetable becomes available. If any information is missing or incorrect on your timetable, please contact the University Examination Service as soon as possible.

Trailing reassessment into the next year

In some circumstances, you may be allowed to take referrals/deferrals during the next year of study alongside the next level.

Refer to University Rules & Regulations > Study > Assessment and Exams section for Standard Assessment Regulations.

The reassessment timing for completing continuing reassessments trailing into the next year is the following January. Only final year students have an opportunity to complete reassessment by mid-October in order to achieve an award and attend the University Graduation Ceremony in November. See Assessment grades and meanings for your reference.

Compensation

You may be eligible for compensation but also have a deferral in at least one assessment task in your profile (indicated by a grade of D, EN, EC or EH). This is because you submitted a Request to Repeat an Assessment Attempt (RRAA) which has been accepted by the University Extenuating Circumstances Panel. Compensation is therefore not automatically applied.

You can request compensation to be applied on a deferral instead of taking the reassessment. For further guidance, or to make a request, please refer to the Request for Compensation on a Deferral guidance notes and proforma. Completed forms should be returned to Hallam Help.

Compensation applies to levels 4, 5 and 6 only. Compensation is automatically applied once you have made an initial attempt at all modules on the level (i.e. 120 credits). If you subsequently meet the profile for compensation after completing reassessment, compensation will be applied at that point. The profile for compensation which allows you to progress from one complete level to the next or to exit with an award is that you:

• achieve 40% or more on the complete level overall, including referred modules and;
• make a valid attempt at all assessment tasks and;
• achieve 30% or more in each referred module up to a maximum of 20 credits.

If you achieve the profile for compensation (Regulation 6), any compensated modules will be changed to a grade of CP (Compensated Pass) and your student transcript will show credit in the module. Check your course handbook to see if your course or any modules are exempt from compensation due to professional and statutory body requirements

Under Standard Assessment Regulations you will be able to retake the module on one occasion only. Contact your College Student Support Advisors if you are in this situation. There could be Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements which mean you cannot retake a module – this will be stipulated in course documentation.

What happens if I fail a module?

A fail can be due to:

• not meeting the minimum overall pass criteria for the module after taking your referral.
• academic misconduct.

You will be able to retake the module on one occasion only, and your module mark will be capped at the minimum pass mark. For more information please refer to regulations 5, 8 and 9 of the Standard Assessment Regulations.

You will be able to progress from one level to the next carrying up to 20 credits of failure. If you have failed more than 20 credits you will be unable to progress to the next level of study. For more information relating to progression rules please refer to regulation 7 of the Standard Assessment Regulations.

If you fail a core module after retaking

If you fail a module twice you will not be able to continue on your course. You will have to withdraw or see if it is possible to transfer to a different course.

Leaving higher education before completing your intended qualification can seem like a real set back, but it is important to remember that there can be many routes to getting a job or qualification and many other ways to meet people and gain valuable life experience. You might want to consider alternatives to higher education, such as employment, training or apprenticeships. Or you might want to explore your options for continuing to study at another university, either now or at a later date.

I want to retake modules that I have failed, what happens now?

• The module/s you have failed will be added to your timetable for next year, if this isn't possible due to module/s being unavailable you will be contacted to make alternative arrangements.
• You will receive an email inviting you to re-enrol for the new academic year; your fees will be confirmed at enrolment.
• You should check your timetable at the start of the new academic year to ensure that all your modules have been included. If they are not you must contact Hallam Help. 

Does retaking a module affect my finances/funding?

Retaking the year may have implications for your current and future funding and you are strongly advised to contact Student Finance England.

If you have to study modules on a part-time basis (i.e. taking less than 120 credits for a full-time undergraduate student), you will be charged a pro-rata fee. You will remain on the full time course but will a part-time mode of attendance. You should continue to apply for full time student funding.

Semester 1 retakes: If you are only studying modules in Semester 1 you will enrol at the start of the year and then be put on a break in study for the remainder of the year when you finish attending at the end of the semester. You will only be entitled to student finance for the time you will be attending in semester 1 and SFE will pro-rata your entitlement. If you receive an overpayment of your student finance this may be offset against future years funding or you may need to pay it back.

Semester 2 retakes: If you are only studying modules in Semester 2 you will not be able to enrol until the start of semester 2 (January for standard courses) and will be put on a break in study for Semester 1 (Sept to Dec for standard courses). You will only be entitled to student finance for the time you will be attending in semester 2 and SFE will pro-rata your entitlement. If you receive an overpayment of your student finance this may be offset against future years funding or you may need to pay it back.

International Students: Retaking modules may have an impact on your visa. You should book an appointment with an International Experience Adviser to discuss this. Please contact Hallam Help on 0114 225 2222 and arrange an appointment.

The Student Advice Centre at the Students' Union can be contacted for information and individual advice about the effects of repeat study on your funding, fee support, housing and benefits. The advice is free, confidential and impartial, as the Students' Union operates independently of the University.

What happens if I retake a module?

Retaking a module means that:

• You must take all the learning and assessment activities in the module again.
• As you will be taking additional time to complete your award, you need to be aware of its maximum duration.
• No marks from your previous registration on the module will be carried forward.
• The overall module mark will not be capped for the first sit assessment, but will be capped at the pass mark for a reassessment attempt.
• If you fail a core or elective module after retake this would normally mean that you will have to withdraw from the course.
• You may be charged a fee, published by your College.
• You have the same reassessment opportunities as at the first registration (see regulation 3.1).
• If you are retaking semester long modules on a part time basis, you will only enrol for the semester in which the module is taught. If you are funded by Student Finance England this will have implications for your funding.

Can I substitute the module for a different one?

If you fail a core module you must take the same module again. If you fail an elective module, you may:

• retake the same module on one occasion only, or
• substitute the module with another elective module, where one is available, on one occasion only. This is your retake.

If you choose to substitute a module with a different elective module, your module mark will not be capped for the first sit assessment but will be capped at the pass mark for a reassessment attempt. No further substitutions are permitted.