Student Handbook 2026/27

12. Assessment

12.5. Resit regulations

Failed assessments/non-attendance/non-submission

A student has a maximum of two attempts to pass a module: a first attempt and one resit.

If you fail an assessment or do not submit it at the first attempt, you will be entitled to one resit opportunity at the next available assessment opportunity.

Where approved extenuating circumstances have affected a student's first attempt, the student may be granted a deferred first sit. A deferred first sit is treated as a first attempt and does not count as a resit. Students undertaking a deferred first sit are not entitled to re-attend classes after teaching has ended.

A resit is a second or subsequent attempt to pass a module by reassessment. A resit does not allow or require attendance at classes once teaching has concluded.

If a student does not pass at both their first attempt and resit attempt, they will have exhausted the maximum number of permitted attempts for the module.

A student cannot resit a module that has been passed. This includes circumstances where a student has passed a module overall but has failed one or more elements of assessment.

Students will be automatically entered for any available resits or first sits (deferred) at the next available assessment opportunity. There is no charge for taking resits.

Deferrals of first attempts or resits are not permitted unless approved through the University's extenuating circumstances process.

If a student does not attempt a resit (or first sit) assessment for which they are registered, it will count as one of their permitted attempts at the module and the student will receive a mark of zero for the assessment (recorded as 0NS, to indicate non-submission). This mark will be used in the calculation of the module mark. Where approved extenuating circumstances apply, this will be recorded in accordance with the University's extenuating circumstances procedures.

Capped Resit Marks

Where a student resits one or more assessments for a module, the mark for the module will be capped to the minimum pass mark, 50. In the event of failure at both the first attempt and resit, the highest mark achieved for that module (ʻbest failʼ) shall stand.

Condonable marks

The Examination Board may condone failure in up to 30 credits of modules for students on the LLM, where the conditions set out in the academic regulations are met.

Students who are eligible for condonement may choose to opt out of a resit opportunity and accept the condoned mark instead. By doing so, they will forfeit any remaining attempts to pass the relevant module.

Resit dates and deadlines

(not applicable to online programmes)

Refer to the Key Date section for resit information regarding any assessment you have failed or not submitted.

Important: if you are resitting a failed examination or essay, or retaking an assessment as a first sit following approved extenuating circumstances, you should plan your workload carefully, as these assessments may take place alongside your dissertation. The requirement to complete a first sit or resit is not considered an extenuating circumstance for the late submission or non-submission of a dissertation or other assessment.