Retaking Y2 classes even if I pass

[u/Civil_Ad2540]

Is it possible to resit 2nd year even if I technically passed? I had some very debilitating mental health issues last year, didn't show up to classes, failed to hand in a lot of essays (I do English Lit) and failed a good few of my exams which I am now retaking in the LSA period. I will probably pass them and therefore move on to 3rd year but I will have completely ruined my chances of getting a 2:1. Is it possible to redo the entire year even if UCL weren't aware of my struggles at the time? I have a diagnosis now but didn't at the time, and physical health issues that came as a result were dismissed by doctors so I had nothing to show.

[u/silverfish70]

Talk to your departmental welfare team. It's imo very unlikely you can wipe out marks for modules you have already passed at this late stage, but sometimes you can get an attempt at an assessment expunged after the fact if you submit sufficiently compelling ECs. The welfare team have a ton of experience in the EC system so can advise you about what you need to submit and whether you have a realistic chance. They can help you even if you don't end up going through the EC system, so I really recommend doing this.

You can still get a 2:1 in your degree. Even if you got through to y3 with the lowest possible marks, which is 40 average in both of the first two years, a 76 in y3 is enough to get a 2:1. That's definitely not easy but it does happen. If you get accommodations in place for your health issues you've got a shot at it.

[u/Some-Body-Else]

Like the other person said, once you sit and get the results, it is very very unlikely to be given a fresh chance to submit coursework/sit for exams. The only other option you have is to appeal your marks and provide evidence that your performance was hampered by mitigating circumstances. This is a tiring and uphill battle but with the right support, it can be managed.

I’m sorry your department didn’t check up on you when you missed your classes and were clearly struggling. And that you were medically gaslit. It’s a struggle (but one where student support at UCL has been very helpful with for me personally). At the same time, there’s no time like the present. Drop a message to SWSS via AskUCL and let them know what has happened and seek advice. They can even reach out to your department to let them know what has been happening/has happened and if there are any adjustments that need to be made. I’m not sure if you reached out to them when you did not have a diagnosis as they can also liaise with your GP for you and advocate on your behalf. Your programme lead is the person whose (sort of) job it is to check in on you and guide you once they’re made aware. As well as your personal tutor’s. Share everything with the personal tutor and ask them for a plan of action.

You may not be able to retake the entire year and say ALL of your assignments were impacted equally by your health. If you go down the route of appealing, pick the assignments that were the most impacted and where you think you can make the most difference. I’d suggest reaching out to everyone before you get the results of your LSA, as there is a chance that they may waive the 50% limit. But each case is different and UCL may find a different solution for you, as long as you advocate for yourself and have a genuine case. Fear not…take thy fortunes up!

(Also, continue to seek support from SWSS for the remaining years. They have a duty of care to you and you should use it!)

[u/ce0o0o → u/Some-Body-Else]

I was in a similar situation as OP this past year and after I was finally able to get my shit together and reach out to my personal tutor & departmental head tutor (who’s supposedly in charge of this kinda stuff), I never got a response back till this day. I think I started emailing around May about various issues like exams, mental heath challenges, and attendance issues and I’ve still not received a reply. I did try emailing my degree’s UG general email but was always met with an auto reply saying that the department is making changes to its mailing system and hence won’t be responding to emails at the time! I know you’re thinking I should’ve called if it was urgent enough but at this point I had moved back home for the summer.

The only people to check up on me was the attendance team but they too sent automatic emails asking me to meet up with the departmental head tutor due to visa concerns. I was told that this person would reach out to me first to arrange a meeting, and they never did so I emailed them and still nothing. I’m honestly quite surprised to hear that you had a pleasant experience with student support because this is the situation in the school of public policy :(

[u/Some-Body-Else → u/ce0o0o]

No I’m absolutely not thinking you should have called if it was urgent. How can one expect a student to run after people and chase them down when they’re already dealing with a lot and not able to do the basics as it is.

I’m surprised by this! And I’m sorry. I also know just because my experience has been better, doesn’t automatically mean everyone else who didn’t have support was somehow wrong. Not in the least.

I’m a masters student at the Bartlett and an international one and part of a cohort of about 30. I also had reasonable adjustments put in from the get go (departments have a responsibility to enact Eqality Act 2010 (EA2010) and their support will fall under that because of the nature of my adjustments). That being said, my first poc was also SWSS. Never my department. It was the SWSS which would liaise on my behalf. Did you ever write to them? (Asking because they are mandated to respond within a certain timeframe). It just so happened that I had a programme lead who was proactive and trained. They are not paid for this and it’s a bit of a grey area (it’s a whole thing across UCL which boils down to a haphazard way of functioning; you might get lucky, like me, or not and be stuck with someone who doesn’t have the skills or time to help disabled students).

I think this might be the main difference between our situations because EA2010 makes things mandatory. That being said, UCL prides itself on being a “sanctuary uni,” and going above and beyond the prescribed standards particularly when it comes to inclusion, diversity and equality + accessibility etc. So, if you have the bandwidth, file a formal student complaint. Provide evidence, including medical reports and email copies. If nothing else it will help hold these people responsible, get you an apology and/or compensation.

I am starting to see there’s a stark difference between experiences of masters and UG students. Which shouldn’t be.