Compensation FAQs

Toleration is the process of allowing marginal failure of one or more modules (restrictions apply) on the basis of an overall acceptable level of academic performance.

For undergraduate programmes, non-final year students may tolerate in up to 40 credits of modules provided that:

• The programme regulations permit toleration.
• The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programme.
• The marks in such modules are not less than 30%.
• The overall average for the level of study is 35% or over.

In the case of final year students, the above conditions apply; however, toleration is permitted down to a mark of 0%.

Such failures are referred to as ‘tolerated failures’. Credit is not awarded for ‘tolerated failures’.

For postgraduate taught programmes students may tolerate in up to 30 credits of module provided that:

• The overall average mark for their taught modules is at least 50%.
• The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’.
• The marks in ANY module are not less than 40%*. The credits for such modules shall be referred to as tolerated failures (these shall appear as F grades on the student’s record).

*A mark below 40% in any module means that toleration is not permitted.

Such failures are referred to as ‘tolerated failures’. Credit is not awarded for ‘tolerated failures’.

The practice of allowing marginal failure of one or more modules (restrictions apply) and awarding credit for them, on the basis of an overall acceptable level of academic performance.

Compensation will apply in the same way as toleration. The key difference will be that credits will be awarded. 

The differences between toleration and compensation relate to the terminology used and the awarding of credit. 

Undergraduate Taught programmes

The tables below illustrate the changes to the undergraduate regulations:

Levels 4/5/6 (non-final year students)

Final year students

Postgraduate taught programmes

The table below illustrates the changes to the postgraduate regulations:

The University regularly reviews its regulations. Having reviewed information contained in national Credit and Qualification Frameworks:

• England and Northern Ireland:  Higher Education Credit Framework for England (qaa.ac.uk).
• Scotland: www.scqf.org.uk.
• Wales: Credit and Qualifications Framework (CQFW): level descriptors | GOV.WALES).

and guidance provided by the QAA, your student feedback and practice at other institutions it was agreed to move to a system of compensated credits where credit will be awarded for modules which have been compensated.

This regulation will apply to all current eligible taught students from 1 June 2024. Credits which were previously tolerated will be compensated as part of the process. Your marks for these modules will remain unchanged; however you will now be awarded credit for modules which you previously tolerated in.

The regulation will apply to all current eligible taught students from 1 June 2024. The only difference is that credit will be awarded for compensated credits. Students who previously qualified under the toleration regulations will still have completed their level of study and/or award. The way in which degrees are calculated is unchanged.

No. If you receive compensation your mark will stay the same and be marked with an ‘F’ grade. 

If you receive compensation your mark will stay the same and be marked with an ‘F’ grade on your student record. The compensated credits will appear on your transcript.

Your award outcome will be calculated in accordance with the assessment regulations for your programme of study. 

No. The University has amended these regulations with reference to the requirements of relevant external organisations with oversight of University Degrees.

For undergraduate programmes students may compensate in up to 40 credits of modules provided that:

• The programme regulations permit compensation.
• The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programme.
• The marks in such modules are not less than 30%*; and
• The overall average for the level of study is 35% or over.

*A mark below 30% in any module means that compensation is not permitted.

Such failures will be referred to as ‘compensated credit’ (these shall appear as F grades on your student record). Credit will be awarded for ‘compensated credit’.

For undergraduate programmes students may compensate in up to 40 credits of modules provided that:

• The programme regulations permit compensation.
• The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’ for the particular programme.
• The overall average for the level of study is 35% or over.

Failures in the Final Year of study may be compensated down to a mark of 0%.

Such failures will be referred to as ‘compensated credit’ (these shall appear as F grades on your student record). Credit will be awarded for ‘compensated credit’.

For postgraduate taught programmes students may receive compensation in up to 30 credits of module provided that:

• The programme regulations permit compensation.
• The overall average mark for their taught modules is at least 50%.
• The modules in which they have failed have not previously been identified as ‘core modules’.
• The marks in ANY module are not less than 40%*. The credits for such modules shall be referred to as compensated credits (these shall appear as ‘F’ grades on your student record).

* A mark below 40% in any module means that compensation is not permitted.

Such failures will be referred to as compensated credits. Credit will be awarded for ‘compensated credits’.

Compensation will not apply to some professional/accredited programmes as modules are core to the programme and must be passed. Further information should be provided in your programme handbook.

No. As was the case with tolerated failures If you have been awarded compensated credits you will not be able to choose to re-sit your modules. However, if you are unhappy with your progression decision/award outcome you may submit an academic appeal.

If you believe that a mistake has been made in calculating your module mark, for example, a mark for an assessment component has not been included, you may submit a request to your Faculty/School for a particular mark to be checked.

Full procedures are available here.  

Appeals must be made on one of the grounds identified in the University procedures.

No, the decision as to whether you will be accepted for further study will be unaffected. The accepting institution should consider your application based on your marks and/or award achieved. In addition, if you are eligible for compensation, you will receive credit for the compensated failures. 

Modules which have been compensated will be indicated with a ‘F’ grade on your transcript and you will be awarded the credits for the module.

No, this information will not be included on your degree certificate. It will be included in your transcript/HEAR.

No, most employers are interested in your overall award and not individual marks. Should your employer require a breakdown of your module marks you can access your transcript/HEAR.