Myth Busting
There can be lots of misinformation surrounding coming to university and what is expected of you. The below information should clear up any confusion about life at UON.
Does my first year count? If you need advice we are here to advise
You need to pass your first year of study in order to continue to your second year. However, your grades won’t count in your final degree classification. For some programmes, especially our professional programmes, you need to pass all your modules if you want to continue.
Your role in the learning process
Being at University is an opportunity for you to work towards a high level qualification that will help you further your career and life plans. As an adult learner, you play a critical role in the learning process. Our courses are designed to support you to become an autonomous learner who is prepared for life and work in the 21st century, when you graduate. You will be expected to participate effectively as part of a wider learning community, to engage meaningfully with the learning opportunities that are presented to you as part of your course and to complete assessed work on time. Along the way, we will support you to develop digital skills that will prepare you for when you graduate.
Find out more about how we teach.
I’ll get kicked out of University if I miss an assignment deadline
If you miss a deadline, you won’t be out of University. However, if you are concerned that you won’t meet the deadline in time, the best thing to do is let your tutor know as soon as possible and arrange to extend your submission deadline. If things are more serious, you can defer your submission to a point later in the academic year. Your Academic Course Team, your Personal Tutor and our Student Support and Advice Team can all advise you on the right course of action for your circumstances.
Assessment deadlines don’t really matter
At University, deadlines really do matter! If you miss them without reason or explanation, you will need to re-sit, which means you will not be able to achieve the highest grades for your work. You should have opportunity before the deadline to receive help and guidance from your module tutors to check that you have understood the requirements of the assignment and are heading in the right direction.
How do I know what modules I should be studying?
Every course at the University has an Award Map which lists the modules that you need to complete at each stage of your degree, and details any additional requirements or restrictions.
How is my course structured?
At University, a full time student will normally study 120 credits in each academic year. A minimum of 100 credits must be studied in an academic year to be considered a ‘full time student’, with anything less being considered part time.
I haven’t done as well as I had hoped- can I start again?
We don’t let students repeat modules that they have already passed, but remember that your first year (Level 4) does not count towards your overall classification and so you can use your experience and feedback to improve your skills. If you notice during your first year that there are areas which need improvement or additional support then come along along and speak to a Student Support Officer who can help you to access any services which can help you to thrive in your studies.
How much am I allowed to fail?
The University has some rules and regulations about the amount of modules that students are permitted to fail during their time with us. You can read more about this in Section 6 of the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
What should I do if I have missed a deadline?
Come and speak to a member of the Student Support and Advice Team as soon as you can. They can help you to find out when the next deadline is and talk to you about how to better manage your deadlines in the future.
Can I change my module choices?
If you have ‘designated modules’ on your award map then you do have some element of choice in what you can study. If you want to change your designated modules then you can request to do this within 3-weeks of the start of the module. You can find more information about this on our webpage.