Newcastle Uni tightens resit policy

First year students are no longer allowed to take two resits per failed module, with this being limited strictly to one.

The new rule follows a recent decision by the University Learning Teaching and Student Experience Committee.

Students at the university have previously been allowed to carry 20 units of failed module through to the next semester, as long as it does not represent a ‘core’ part of the course. However, new regulations will stop this from happening.

Jack Ennis, Senior Examinations and Awards Assistant, said: “Permitting students to proceed carrying a fail (formerly allowed for up to 20 credits of non-core modules) placed additional stress on students and was disruptive to the normal course of study. It was believed that reducing the number of attempts would help students focus by not providing a fall back.”

The change applies to first year students who commenced an Undergraduate or Integrated Masters programme in 2013.

But is this fair for students? Should first years be cut a bit of slack and be waved through into second year, despite scraping 36% in an exam taken after a night out? Or is 40% enough leeway?

Third year English literature and history of art student, Amy Bolton, told us: “To be honest, I didn’t know much about the resit policy before, but this new policy seems really fair. If people can’t pass a module, then they shouldn’t be allowed to take it to a higher level!”

Chemistry student Tom Witter insisted: “If you fail a module, you must have either had a really bad day or must be quite stupid. I’m really thick and have never needed to resit one.”