Compensation

It is expected that the vast majority of undergraduate and postgraduate taught students will be able to successfully pass all their modules and will not require compensation to be applied to a module to gain the credits for that module.

Compensation allows the University to award credit for a module even where the pass mark has not been achieved.

The criteria for compensation are set out in Part 7 of the Assessment and Marking Policy: Post-module options and adjustments. Students are advised to read the policy for full details.

Undergraduate Compensation – Guidance for students

A student who has marginally failed a module may be eligible for compensation and the award of credits for that module, providing that the module is eligible for compensation. A marginal fail is one where a mark for the module is in the range 30 to 39..

Not all modules are eligible for compensation. Those that are eligible, are specified within the Assessment and Marking Policy. A marginal fail in a dissertation (or equivalent)?is not eligible for compensation. A student with passes in fewer than 80 credits for each 120 credits is not eligible for compensation. Compensation will be applied systematically based on a student's overall profile in line with the provisions of the Assessment and Marking Policy that relate to compensation.

FAQs:

What time of year is compensation applied?

Compensation is considered by Progression Boards when progression decisions are made, after the main assessment period and again after the resits, where needed.

Are all modules eligible for compensation?

Not all modules are eligible for compensation. Up to 20 credits may be compensated as part of the progression process where all the conditions set out below are met.

The module must not be a compulsory module, a prerequisite for a later module, a dissertation module, or a module that must be passed for professional or accreditation purposes.

The student: is in Year 1 or Year 2 of their programme of study (compensation is not available in Year 3 or 4); has achieved passes in at least 80 credits in their current year of study and has achieved a marginal fail in 20 credits.

Can compensation be applied to a compulsory module on my undergraduate degree programme?
No.

Can compensation be applied to a module which is a pre-requisite to a module to be taken later in my undergraduate degree programme?
No.

Can compensation be applied to a module which must be passed for professional or accreditation purposes in my undergraduate degree programme?
No.

Can compensation be applied to a dissertation (or equivalent module)?
No.

Who takes the decision on compensation?

Progression Boards are responsible for decisions on student progression, including compensation. Standard Compensation up to 20 credits is applied as standard as part of each student progression process.

Progression Boards may also consider discretionary compensation for students in Year 1 or Year 2. Full details are set out in the Assessment and Marking Policy.

What if I have more than one module that is eligible for compensation?
Compensation is applied systematically based on a student's overall results. If more than one module is eligible for compensation, the module with the higher/highest mark will be compensated.

How will a compensated pass appear on a transcript?
For undergraduate students, a pass by compensation will appear on a transcript as PC, without a mark.

I have marginally failed a module – do I need to attempt the resit or can compensation be applied?

You do not need to attempt the resit if you meet the conditions for compensation. However, you may still choose to take it if you want to improve your result or keep more options open for future years of study. Compensation should not be seen as a reason not to attempt a resit.

If you have failed more than one module, we strongly recommend you attempt all resits offered to increase your chances of meeting the progression or award requirements.

I am an LLB student, how will compensation affect my professional accreditation?
The modules required by the Law Society of Scotland are all designated as compulsory modules in your programme so are not eligible for a pass by compensation. LAWU9P3 Private 黑料不打烊 Law is not required by the Law Society so may be eligible for compensation but if you plan to qualify as an advocate after leaving university a standard pass in LAWU9P3 will offer exemption from one of the Faculty of Advocates exams. Please speak to your advisor of studies if you require any further information on this.

Postgraduate Taught Compensation – Guidance for students

A marginal fail is one where a mark for the module is in the range 40 to 49%. A maximum of 20 credits of marginally failed modules will be eligible for compensation by qualified pass.
Where up to 20 credits are marginally failed, and the module is eligible, then compensation will be applied automatically.

Not all modules are eligible for compensation. Those that are eligible, are specified within the Assessment and Marking Policy. A marginal fail in a dissertation (or equivalent) is not eligible for compensation.

FAQs:

What if I have more than one module that is eligible for compensation?

Where a student has up to 20 credits that are marginally failed, compensation will be applied automatically.

If more than one module is eligible for compensation by qualified pass, the module with the higher/highest mark will be compensated.

How will a compensated pass appear on a transcript?

For postgraduate students, a pass by compensation will appear on a transcript as PQ, without a mark and as SCQF level 10 credit.

I have marginally failed a module – do I need to attempt the resit or can compensation be applied?

If you have failed more than one module, we strongly recommend you attempt all resits offered to increase your chances of meeting the progression or award requirements.