Today or tomorrow my A334 result are released. I'm a bit on edge. I know what result I would like to get, and will probably be grumpy if I don't get what I'm hoping for. When having a quick look at all my Facebook updates, I noticed the following post from fellow colleague, tutor and student, Cath Brown, who offers some really helpful practical advice. Cath has given me permission to share her post.
A post about results
If you got what you want - many congratulations! Go and celebrate !
No offence, but the rest of this isn’t for you...
a) If you passed but are disappointed with the grade
It is OK to be disappointed if it’s not what you want - you don’t have to be glad to have passed if that’s not how it feels to you
Once you’ve had a bit of time to process it:-
- check how much difference it makes to your final classification using my classification calculator in the group files. You may be pleasantly surprised
- if it’s creating a problem you could look, if your degree allows it, at doing a different module in its place and unlinking it. Student Finance does allow 120 credits of leeway above the total for the sort of thing
- drastic move of course - but if your degree doesn’t allow it, changing degrees is a thing
- IMPORTANT - if you are at the end of your degree and don’t want to get the classification this result gives you - DO NOT ACCEPT THE DEGREE OFFER!
b) if you failed
Take time to scream/cry/drink/mainline chocolate !
Then - remember lots and lots of people have failed a module and gone on to succeed.
Practicalities
- In many cases you can resit/resubmit (usually for early September). If you do this your grade is usually capped at a Pass 4. Have a look at the classification calculator to see if you are OK with that. You can ask for an individual support session via student support to help with your preparation (there may be more support depending on the module). If you pass the resit you can progress to next year as you originally planned.
- if you don’t want a capped grade you can redo the entire module - all the grades are then available.
- or you could potentially ditch the module and do something new - see above in disappointing grade section.
c) if you got a “pending”
There can be various reasons for this - occasionally it is the whole module, or it could be missing evidence for special circs (obviously provide it as soon as you are asked if it’s this!)
Other reasons
- you are going to be asked to do an “additional assessment” - this is if they can’t decide which grade you are on based on what they’ve seen. Doing it can only help you
- In a few modules, you are going to be asked to redo a TMA or submit one you didn’t submit. This is to enable you to get over the pass threshold. It can only take you from fail to pass - it can’t make things worse
- Academic conduct issues such as collusion or unauthorised use of Gen AI. If it is this you will be told it is quite quickly but actually processing the case is likely to take quite a lot longer unfortunately. When it is processed you will be given the chance to explain yourself.
Your tutor and student support will not have any further information I’m afraid.
The Students Union’s Individual Representation service may be able to help if you have a case against you
Key thing - if you are upset for any of the above reasons - IT IS NOT THE END OF THE ROAD! Whatever went wrong - there is something you can do! You can come back from it and go on to succeed!
Reflections
Cath's advice is really helpful. I didn't know that point about the additional credits that could be studied under a student loan. (The idea of taking an additional module had also crossed my mind). The only point I can add is: do feel to also seek advice from student services. After taking a bit of time to gather your thoughts and review all the guidance the university has shared with you, do give student services a ring.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the illustrious Cath Brown. Good luck with your own results for the module that you're currently studying.