Academic programme

Module load and credit system

The Queen Mary academic year is divided into two twelve-week semesters, Autumn (first semester) and Spring (second semester). Following the Spring Semester and break there is an examination period lasting from between five and six weeks which Spring Semester and Full-Year students are required to attend if their modules are assessed by examination.

In the Queen Mary modular credit system, modules are normally worth 15 credits per semester. There are a few modules (for example some Drama modules) which are 30 credits per semester. Study Abroad students are normally required to take 60 credit units a semester, a total of 120 credits for a full year. This will normally mean taking four 15 credit modules but, if a student is taking a 30 credit semester module, they would only take two other (15 credit) modules in the semester.

We recommend that this should be translated by your home College into their own credit system (i.e. four credits per module for a 16 credit semester system). As the teaching time for both semesters is of equal length we recommend that your home institution award full credits for each module completed whichever semester you attend. This is in accordance with the College's practice for its degree students.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary from module to module. Generally you will find that the number of assessments will be fewer, although no less rigorous, than you are used to at home. Full-Year and Spring Semester students will be assessed in the same way and at the same time as regular UK students. This is normally by examination in the May/June examination period although some modules are assessed by module work. The examination timetable is not usually published until the last week of the Spring Semester. If your module is assessed by examination you should not make any arrangements for returning home before you know the dates of any examinations for your modules.

As there is no formal examination period at the end of the first semester, if you are here for the Autumn only you will be assessed by what is termed alternative assessment. In some cases this will be by a written examination but more often by additional module papers/essays. Please note that these arrangements only apply to autumn only students: students studying for the full year will be assessed on their first semester modules in the summer examination period alongside other regular Queen Mary students.

Grades and transcripts

The standard Queen Mary grading system uses five letter grades (A-E) to indicate the various levels of passes, these correspond approximately to final honours degree classifications for Queen Mary undergraduates. You will probably have heard that 'A' grades are harder to come by in the UK system, this is certainly true at Queen Mary: 'A' grades are exceptional and a 'B' is considered a good grade, 'C' an average grade. 'D' is a passing grade but must be regarded as below average. 'F', of module, indicates a fail.

Following assessment, your grades will be transferred back to your home institution. They will be reported in the standard A-F format on a Queen Mary transcript. Your Queen Mary transcript will be accompanied by a recommended conversion for US grades. You should check with your home college to find out if they translate grades into their own system or record them as given by Queen Mary.

Transcripts for students leaving December are released in the first week of February and transcripts for all other students are released in the middle of July.

Choosing modules

The Queen Mary modular credit system allows you to choose modules from any departments. There may be some limitations due to timetable restrictions, overlap restrictions (eg where two modules are similar in content) or prerequisite requirements. You should also check the requirements of your home institution - it is your responsibility to check with your home college that you will receive full credit for the modules you take at Queen Mary.

You should use the module directory to make your module selections. Be sure to read the Guidance notes on the left hand navigation bar which will explain the terminology used in the directory.

The full module load is four modules in a semester. On your application form we ask that you choose eight possible modules for each semester of study in order of preference, indicating where any module is required (ie a module you must have in order to attend Queen Mary). Queen Mary operates a pre-arrival module registration system. We will do our best to register you in the modules you list, in order of preference, and let you know in advance which modules you have been registered for. If you are not happy with the modules you have been allocated you should let us know as soon as possible. Your home school may insist on prior approval of modules. Usually this poses few problems, but it is always wise to consult your Study Abroad Adviser, faculty members or Dean of Study about your module of study in advance.

Please note that there will still be the opportunity to join classes in these departments, space permitting, during module registration at orientation.

Add/Drop

There is an Add/Drop period of two weeks at the start of the semester to allow you to finalise your choices. You are strongly advised to use this period only for dropping modules. Adding modules after teaching has started is much more difficult, especially as you will not be accustomed to British methods of teaching and learning. You may, therefore, register for five (or occasionally six) modules initially, and drop one (or two, as appropriate) by the end of the Add/Drop period.