Assessment Results, Reassessment and Retakes

Before the University Assessment Board:

Provisional marks and feedback

• Normally returned within 20 working days of submission. 
• Provided by your module tutor, often via Blackboard Grade Centre. 
• These are not final until approved by the Assessment Board. 

After the University Assessment Board:

• You will receive a Statement of Results by email.
• Your results and any reassessment requirements will also appear in ICON.
• Each module will show:
• Your result
• Whether reassessment is required
• Any action you need to take
• The reassessment deadline

If you fail a module, this will be shown on your Statement of Results. Where permitted, you will be offered one opportunity of reassessment.

Key rules

• Only one reassessment opportunity is allowed (unless your programme validation states otherwise).
• Late submission (3 day rule) does not apply to reassessment.
• All work must be submitted by the stated deadline, in the format required in the assignment brief.
• If you do not engage with reassessment, you forfeit the right to:
• Any retake module
• Further submission opportunities
  This may lead to discontinuation from your course.

Coursework/Presentation/Portfolio etc.

• You may be required to submit:
• The original title, or
• A new reassessment title
• Reassessment titles are available on Blackboard or from your module tutor.
• All coursework submission instructions must be followed as set out in the module handbook.

Exams

• Reassessment or deferred exams:
• Take place at your registered campus
• Are held in a fixed exam period
• No alternative arrangements are made
• Exam details will be sent to you by email.

Placement

If you are told you have a reassessment or deferred professional placement this might incur a fee. For further information, see here. 

What Is My Reassessment Entitlement?

Undergraduates

• Reassessment is usually offered for marks below 40%.
• Marks are capped at 40%.
• Regulations normally allow:
• One reassessment
• Potentially one retake, if permitted by programme validation
• Failure to submit reassessment = no retake offer.

Postgraduates

• Reassessment is usually offered for marks below 50%.
• Marks are capped at 50%.
• Only one reassessment opportunity is permitted.
• Retake modules may be offered up to the full credit value of the award, if allowed.

If a module has multiple assessment elements, only the failed element is reassessed for a capped module mark.

Is There a Limit to Reassessment and Retakes?

There is no limit to the number of modules you may have in reassessment in one academic year, but there are limits on progression.

Progression limits

• You cannot progress if you:
• Have reassessment outstanding beyond permitted credit limits
• Exceed retake credit limits at your level of study

Your status may be changed to:

• Reassessment without Attendance, or
• Part-time Retake Student

If you have approved Extenuating Circumstances (EC):

• Your transcript will show: “EC (Valid)”
• You will receive:
  • A new submission or exam date
  • Instructions on what action to take

Deferred reassessment attempts will be capped (40% UG/50% PG)

 

A Confirmed Failure means that module cannot be recovered.

This can happen if:

• All reassessment opportunities are exhausted
• You do not submit reassessment
• A decision is made under malpractice or disciplinary procedures

Outcomes of a Confirmed Failure depend on your level and programme:

• Levels 3–4: may lead to discontinuation
• Level 5:
• Up to 20 credits CF → possible Ordinary degree (this is at the discretion of the University Progression & Award board)
• More than 20 credits → discontinuation or exit award
• Level 6:
• Less than 60 credits CF → possible Ordinary degree
• More than 60 credits → discontinuation or exit award
• Postgraduate (Level 7):
• Possible exit award or discontinuation

Professional programmes 
(e.g. Nursing, Midwifery, Radiography, Occupational Therapy, Social Work)

Confirmed failure in any required module normally leads to discontinuation, with a possible exit award if sufficient credits are achieved, unless the assessment board recommends the offer of a full retake of the module. 

If you narrowly fail a module, the University Assessment Board may apply compensation.

What this means

• Your mark stays the same
• Credit is awarded
• Your transcript will show CP

Eligible ranges

• Undergraduate: 35–39%
• Postgraduate: 45–49%

Limits

• Compensation is not allowed for:
• Core modules
• Modules restricted by professional body or programme validation
• Credit limits apply:
• Up to 40 credits at Levels 3–4
• Up to 20 credits at Levels 5–7

You will need an Assessment Contract if you:

• Have over 40 credits in reassessment or deferral
• Are undertaking a second reassessment (where permitted)
• Have had an Adjudication Hearing, Fitness to Practise/Study process, or major malpractice outcome

Purpose

The contract:

• Agrees submission plans
• Identifies support needs (e.g. tutorials, academic skills, staggered deadlines)
• Clarifies any attendance requirements

Your course team will contact you to arrange this.

The University Progression and Award Board is required to consider all student profiles of marks, and for those programmes which are made up of different academic levels, to confirm progression. 

Progression from Level 3 to Level 4 (Foundation / Year 0 Students) 

• You must study 120 Level 3 credits. 

• You must pass at least 100 credits to progress. 

You may progress if: 

• You have up to 20 credits as:  

• Confirmed fail (retake permitted), or 

• Deferred assessment or reassessment 

• All remaining Level 3 credits must be passed alongside Level 4 to remain on course. 

You cannot progress if: 

• You have more than 20 credits outstanding at Level 3. 

 

Progression from Level 4 to Level 5 

• You must study 120 Level 4 credits. 

• You must pass at least 100 credits to progress. 

You may progress if: 

• You have up to 20 Level 4 credits as:  

• Confirmed fail (retake permitted where allowed), or 

• Deferred assessment or reassessment 

You cannot progress if: 

• You have more than 20 credits outstanding at Level 4. 

• You attempt to carry any Level 3 credits forward to Level 5. 

 

Progression from Level 5 to Level 6 

• You must study 120 Level 5 credits. 

• You must:  

• Pass at least 100 Level 5 credits, and 

• Have passed all Level 4 credits. 

You may progress if: 

• You have up to 20 Level 5 credits as:  

• Confirmed fail (retake permitted where allowed), or 

• Deferred assessment or reassessment 

You cannot progress if: 

• You have more than 20 credits outstanding at Level 5. 

• You attempt to carry any Level 4 credits forward to Level 6. 

All outstanding Level 5 credits studied alongside Level 6 must be passed to achieve your final award. 

 

Minimum Credit Requirements to progress

• Level 3: 100 of 120 credits passed 

• Level 4: 100 of 120 credits passed and all Level 3 credits passed 

• Level 5: 100 of 120 credits passed and all Level 3 (if applicable) and Level 4 credits passed 

 

Outcomes when you do not have enough credits to progress 

Your student status will become either/ or:

• Reassessment Without Attendance (CRASE)  

• Part-time Retake student 

 

Support and Queries 

• For progression queries, contact your Course Tutor or the Assessment Team. 

• Mental health and wellbeing support: MyCumbria – Health and Wellbeing. 

• Finance, library skills, safeguarding and wider support: MyCumbria – Student Services. 

The Academic Regulations state how much outstanding credit can be carried by a student from one level of study to the next. Further information on this can also be found in our Progression section.

You may be placed in Reassessment without Attendance if you:

• Do not have enough credit to progress
• Have reassessment or deferral above allowed limits

What this means

• Formal study is paused for up to 12 months
• You complete reassessment / deferred assessment to an assessment contract
• You should maintain contact with your relevant module tutors
• You still have access to:
• Library, IT, academic skills and student support

Funding and visa implications 

If you are completing assessments as a reassessment without attendance student, you will not be charged tuition fees because you have already attended the taught sessions or learning. You will not be eligible for student loans and grants/bursaries because you are not in attendance during this period.  You continue to be considered as a full-time student for student funding as you have not withdrawn from your course. You cannot normally claim benefits and will be expected to find full or part time employment to subsidise your income during this period.

• My Cumbria Funding and Advice here. 
• Your Funding Organisation.
• Student money advisors via Student Enquiry Point
• Reassessment Without Attendance Information Sheet
• Council tax exemption remains

Returning to study

• the University will contact you approximately 8 weeks prior to your return to study
• if applicable for your programme, arrangements will be made for your completion of DBS and medical checks

Programmes requiring progression between levels (eg.Level 3 to Level 4, Level 4 to Level 5 or Level 5 to Level 6):

• Retaking 20 credits or fewer, you may retake alongside your next level (if timetable allows).
• Retaking more than 20 credits, you will become a Part-time Retake Student.  This will mean stepping off the programme for usually one academic year.

Single level programmes (eg: Postgraduate, Top Up):

• Retake modules can be undertaken alongside your other modules.

All programmes:

• You can only retake a module once.
• You must complete the module(s) in full which includes attending all taught sessions.
• Fees may apply – contact fees@cumbria.ac.uk.
• Funding may be affected.  Further information can be found on the University's Finance pages here: Finance and on the relevant funding organisation pages here: Funding Organisation

Action required

If you wish to accept a retake:

• Email the Assessment Team from your student account.
• Do this within 10 working days of receiving your transcript.
• Please refer to your Campus accommodation office or private landlord to discuss accommodation contracts.