Condonement & Compensation (UK, 2025): Limits, Trailing Credit, Resit Caps & Smart Next Steps

TL;DR — the fast version

Condonement/compensation lets an exam board award credit for a limited number of marginal fails when your overall performance is strong and conditions are met. Your mark remains the same; only the credit is granted. Trailing credit lets you progress while carrying a small fail to resit later—useful but workload-heavy. Resit marks are commonly capped at the pass threshold when you pass (e.g., 40% UG, 50% PG). Always read your programme handbook for your exact rules.

What do “condonement” and “compensation” actually mean?

Condonement (and in some places compensation) is the formal process of recognising that, despite a marginal fail in a small number of modules, your overall performance demonstrates achievement at the level required for progression or award. The exam board awards the credit so you can progress; the mark does not increase.

Some universities draw a distinction between the two terms—others use them interchangeably. The real-world differences are usually about eligibility conditions: minimum “floor” marks, caps on how many credits can be condoned per stage, excluded modules (e.g., core or professional components), and whether you have to meet attendance or engagement requirements.

Typical conditions you’ll see

• A minimum floor mark in the failed module (commonly in the 35–39% range for UG).
• A cap on condonable/compensatable credits per stage (for example, 20–30 credits of a 120-credit year).
• Evidence of a strong overall profile (stage average, balance of marks, or “exit velocity” in final year).
• Exclusions for core/professional modules (e.g., clinical practice) that must be passed outright.
• Administrative conditions such as engagement and meeting deadlines for any reassessment.

Condonement vs compensation vs resit: quick comparison

Typical limits & caps (by stage)

Across UK institutions you’ll usually find a maximum amount of credit per stage that can be condoned or compensated. In a 120-credit stage, that cap is commonly 20–30 credits. You’ll also see floor marks for eligibility (e.g., 35–39% at undergraduate level), and clear exclusions for some modules that must be passed outright (professional competencies, clinical practice, certain labs, etc.).

How to read your rule quickly

• Find the stage cap (e.g., “Up to 20 credits may be condoned”).
• Check the floor mark (e.g., “Marks below 35 are not eligible”).
• List excluded modules (core/professional; dissertation may be excluded for PG awards).
• Note whether PG Distinction/Merit require passes at first attempt (“no compensation”).

What is trailing credit—and should you do it?

Trailing credit allows you to move into the next stage while carrying a small amount of failed credit that you’ll resit later. It prevents a break in studies and can save time; but it raises workload, timetable complexity and stress. Universities set strict limits (for example, 20–30 credits) and often require an officer to approve feasibility with your timetable.

Good use-cases

• A single, marginal fail where you comfortably meet the floor mark and cap.
• Timelines where a resit would otherwise delay progression by a full year.
• You have stable support in place (academic skills, supervisor contact, wellbeing).

Risky use-cases

• Multiple fails or heavy credit load next stage.
• Professional placements or labs that leave little time for resits.
• Uncertain mitigation or attendance issues.

Are resit marks capped?

In many regulations, when you pass a resit the recorded mark is capped at the pass threshold (e.g., 40% for undergraduate modules and 50% for taught Master’s). That keeps the academic record transparent while allowing you to progress or graduate. Some awards (e.g., PG Distinction) may require passes at first attempt or set higher minima in the dissertation. Your exact rules are in the progression and awards section of your handbook.

Pass marks at a glance

Undergraduate pass typically 40% • Taught Master’s pass typically 50%. Programmes may raise thresholds for specific modules, especially in accredited or professional routes.

Mitigating circumstances & extensions (how they fit in)

Mitigating or extenuating circumstances exist to protect students when illness, bereavement or serious events affect performance. If approved, mitigation can result in extensions, deferrals without penalty, or consideration at the board. The earlier you submit, the better; universities set strict evidence windows and require appropriate documentation (e.g., GP letters, bereavement evidence, crime reference numbers).

What to include in a strong mitigation request

• Clear statement of the events and dates; link them to the affected assessments.
• Evidence that meets policy (medical, bereavement, police, or institutional letters).
• Confirmation of prior support or disabilities adjustments if relevant.
• Your requested remedy (extension, deferral, waiving of late penalty, etc.).

How condonement, compensation and resits affect your final classification

Condoned or compensated credits contribute to your credit total but do not increase your marks. This matters when your final degree is determined by a credit-weighted average, often with heavier weighting in later years. A condoned 38% will keep your credits intact, but it may lower the overall average compared to a resit pass (capped at 40/50) or a stronger first-attempt pass.

Borderlines and “exit velocity”

Many institutions have borderline rules near classification boundaries (e.g., 69.x). Boards may consider your profile (how many credits sit in the higher band) or exit velocity (improvement in final year). Others use strict numerical thresholds. Know the rule in advance so you can plan where each assessment will have the biggest impact.

Master’s specifics

On taught PG programmes, the dissertation frequently carries a large credit share (e.g., 60/180). It can unlock a Merit/Distinction—or block it. Some PG Distinctions require passes at the first attempt and explicit minima in the dissertation; check the award conditions carefully.

Worked scenarios (realistic cases)

Scenario 1: One marginal fail at 38% in a 20-credit UG module

Your stage cap allows up to 20 credits of condonement and the floor mark is 35. If your wider profile is strong, the board may condone: you keep the 20 credits, but the mark stays 38%. If you opt to resit instead and pass, the recorded mark may be capped at 40%. Which is better depends on your weighted average and how close you are to a boundary.

Scenario 2: Two fails—35% (10 credits) and 32% (10 credits)

The 35% may be condonable if the cap allows; the 32% is below the floor and typically requires a resit. If time is tight, consider trailing the 10-credit resit (if permitted) and condoning the other 10 credits. Balance feasibility with the cost to your average.

Scenario 3: Taught Master’s with one 48% module

PG pass is typically 50%. Many PG programmes do not condone below 50% or allow very limited condonement. Expect a resit; if passed, the mark is often capped at 50%. Focus on the dissertation and high-credit taught units to protect Merit/Distinction ambitions.

Scenario 4: Borderline 2:1 vs First

You’re averaging 69.2% with strong final-year performance. A condoned 38% may pull the mean down; a capped resit at 40% could slightly improve the average and strengthen your higher-band credit profile. Run the numbers with a simple spreadsheet and ask your Programme Office how borderline uplift is judged in your School.

10-minute action plan (copy-paste templates)

1. List failed/marginal modules with credits, marks, and whether each is core/professional.
2. Find the stage cap and floor marks in your handbook.
3. Decide condone vs resit vs trail using the calculator and your degree weighting sheet.
4. If mitigation applies, submit the form now with evidence (GP note, bereavement document, crime reference, etc.).
5. Email your Programme Office to confirm how the rule applies to you (template below).

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Common mistakes that cost marks (and how to avoid them)

• Assuming marks increase with condonement: they usually don’t—the credit is granted but the recorded mark stays the same.
• Ignoring floor marks: below-floor fails usually need a resit regardless of your average.
• Over-trailing credit: progressing with too many resits can derail the next semester—model the load first.
• Missing core/professional exclusions: many core modules cannot be condoned under any circumstance.
• Waiting on mitigation: evidence windows are short; submit now and add documents if policy allows.
• Not tracking the weighted average: small changes in high-credit modules move the final class.

FAQs

Useful links (good practice)

• Academic integrity and originality checks (Turnitin): turnitin.com
• Office for Students (quality & standards): officeforstudents.org.uk
• UCAS (planning next steps): ucas.com
• Student Finance (GOV.UK): gov.uk/student-finance

Want the full classification context? Read our guide: UK Degree Classification (2025).

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