Programme & Unit Catalogues - Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to some questions we are frequently asked in relation to the Programme and Unit catalogues. If you cannot find the answer to your query below please see the Useful Contacts page for information on where to go next.
1. Why does the catalogue for my programme show a unit which my department tells me I cannot take?
2. It says in my department handbook (given to me when I started my programme two years ago) that I can take unit XXX this year. Why isn't this unit in the catalogue for my programme?
3. I am due to start a postgraduate programme in 2009/10. Why can't I find my programme of study on the web catalogue?
4. What do the abbreviations for assessments in the unit catalogue mean?
5. I am an undergraduate student. Why is my programme not in the programme catalogue?
6. What is a "Director of Studies Approved Unit"?
7. Can I change my units at any time?
8. Why am I enrolled on units which are different from those I selected at Easter?
9. When can I choose my units for next academic year?
10. How many credits make up a year?
11. Why is only part of my programme included in the programme catalogue?
12. I have changed my mind about the units I want to take. How do I get my units changed?
13. Why does the terminology used in the programme catalogues differ between years of study?
14. What are "NFAAR assessment regulations"?
15. What is a DAP?
16. What is a "Designated Essential Unit" (DEU)?
1. Why does the catalogue for my programme show a unit which my department tells me I cannot take?
The availability of individual units to you in particular, or in general,
will depend on all the normal constraints such as staff availability,
timetabling restrictions, and minimum and maximum group sizes. Your programme
of study, and your progress through it will also constrain your choices.
Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance
with normal University procedures. Information provided in the catalogues
may not reflect precisely how a unit or programme will run.
2. It says in my department handbook (given to me when
I started my programme two years ago) that I can take unit XXX this year.
Why isn't this unit in the catalogue for my programme?
Programmes and units within programmes are subject to change and so the catalogues only apply to the specific year for which they were created. This means that if you are in the second year of your programme in 2009/10 you cannot assume that the third year of the programme in 2009/10 will remain the same for 2010/11. You should not assume that the programme description given to you at the start of your programme will be accurate for the duration of the programme.
3. I am due to start a postgraduate programme in 2009/10.
Why can't I find my programme of study on the web catalogue?
Postgraduate programme and unit catalogues are produced to a different timetable to the undergraduate catalogues. We expect to produce the Postgraduate catalogues in August. Please note that not all programmes will be represented in the Postgraduate programme catalogues. We only usually include structures for full-time postgraduate taught programmes although some others may be included. If you cannot find details of your programme in the catalogue please contact your department for further information.
4. What do the abbreviations for assessments in the unit
catalogue mean?
You can find details of assessment abbreviations in the unit assessment table .
5. I am an undergraduate student. Why is my programme
not in the programme catalogue?
Some programmes are still being finalised and will not be added to the catalogue until this process has been completed. In the meantime you should contact your Director of Studies for further details.
6. What is a "Director of Studies Approved Unit"?
A Director of Studies Approved Unit (codes starting with ZZ) is a psuedo unit included within the catalogue to indicate that a unit from a wider selection than that given in the programme description. The unit description should provide more information on which units may be selected but, as the title suggests, you should contact your Director of Studies for further clarification.
7. Can I change my units at any time?
No. You may only change your optional units first week of each semester and then only on the basis of the published timetable. Any requests for changes will be subject to constraints as described in point 2 of the 'Important Notes'.
8. Why am I enrolled on units which are different from those I selected at Easter?
Units are subject to change at any time. Units may be replaced as their content is updated, or you may find that, whilst the overall content of the unit remains the same the method of assessment/title etc may have been updated. Also, circumstances beyond our control mean that occasionally units will have to be withdrawn after you have made your selections for the next academic year. If this is the case then your Department will contact you to make an alternative selection.
9. When can I choose my units for next academic year?
See 'Choosing/changing units'.
10. How many credits make up a year?
The number of credits making up a year of study will vary according to the programme you are studying. See the Glossary for further information.
11. Why is only part of my programme included in the
programme catalogue?
Not all years of a programme may be running in a given academic year. If only certain years of your programme are included in the catalogue then your programme is probably either a new programme which is being phased in or a programme which is being phased out one year at a time.
12. I have changed my mind about the units I want to take. How do I get my units changed?
You can only change units which you have chosen as options. If you wish to change an optional unit that you have selected then you must do this by the end of the first week of the relevant semester. Please contact your departmental administrator for further information.
13. Why does the terminology used in the programme catalogues differ between years of study?
In 2008/09 the University introduced a New Framework for Assessment (NFAAR). This will only apply to students in the first year of an undergraduate programme during 2008/09 and those joining the University in subsequent years or repeating a year of study which falls under the NFAAR. The NFAAR has necessitated the introduction of various new terms into the catalogue. You can find further information on this on the NFAAR information page.
14. What are "NFAAR assessment regulations"?
The New Framework for Assessment: Assessment Regulations (NFAAR) describes the rules for progression from one stage of a degree programme to the next (including supplementary assessment, and the extent of failure that can be condoned), as well as for the award of degrees. Students taking programmes which fall within the NFAAR will be assessed according to these rules. You can find further information on this on the NFAAR information page.
15. What is a DAP?
Within the NFAAR, programmes may be designated as specific alternatives to a student's current programme of study. These are called designated alternative programmes (DAPs). Note that not all programmes will have a DAP. You can find further information on this on the NFAAR information page.
16. What is a "Designated Essential Unit" (DEU)?
A Designated Essential Unit (DEU) is a unit which you must pass in order to qualify to proceed with a programme or to receive its normal award at the end; marginal failure in such units cannot be condoned.