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Elective Modules

What are elective modules?

Elective modules are those offered by departments to students from outside that Department. Here in Computer Science, you may also choose to take electives from within Computer Science, but outside your current programme structure.

Computer Science and Computer Science/Maths students may apply to import up to 20 credits of elective modules in Stage 3 and up to 20 credits in Stage 4.

It is important for you to note that Bachelors students need to complete at least 100 H-level credits in Stage 3, and Integrated Masters students need to complete at least 120 M-level credits over Stages 3 & 4. In addition, the pass mark for M-level modules is 50%.

Can you take a language as an elective?

Language for All (LFA) modules are permitted as electives, but these are graded as Pass/Fail only (that is, you will not received a numerical grade). The Student Guides to Progression and Award state that "Pass/fail modules do not contribute to your degree classification (although you must pass them)" so your final mark would be calculated without using the Pass/Fail module.

How to apply to study an elective module

For electives offered by other departments, you must obtain the approval of the module leader in the offering department. If you obtain permission, you should then complete the Application to Register for an Elective Module form.

When you apply, your department and the department who runs the module you’ve selected will automatically be notified. Your form will then be sent to the Student Support Manager in Computer Science for final approval. If you are successful, the elective module will then be added to your record, subject to timetabling constraints.

Please also refer to the university guidance on the process of applying for an elective module.

It is important for you to note that elective modules are not guaranteed, and are subject to timetabling. Any issues will only be known once the timetable is published, and you would need to re-select your modules should your elective(s) clash with other teaching.

Further guidance

Currently, accreditation by the BCS and the IET is unaffected by taking up to 40 credits of non-Computer Science material.
In order to select options in other departments we would advise checking the module catalogue for potential modules and then contact the appropriate department representative. You can find a list of department contacts for elective modules on the University's Guidance for Elective Modules.
It is important to note that some departments set caps on numbers for students taking their modules as electives, while other departments don't offer any elective modules at all.
You must comply with the rules of the Department offering the module (e.g. rules concerning attendance, submission of work and referencing guidelines).

How we approve your application to study an elective module

The Department must be satisfied that the syllabus of any elective module is genuinely distinct from your normal programme of study, that the module is sufficiently demanding (Level 5 and above ^[1]) and that it involves a full university assessment of your performance.
We will approve elective module(s) where the module code(s) ends in an "I" (Stage 2), "H" (Stage 3) or "M" (Stage 4), irrespective of the subject.
We will approve elective module(s) where the module code(s) ends in a "C" (Stage 1) only in the case that the module is offered by the Languages For All unit. In these cases, the module will be treated as Pass/Fail, and the mark will not be used to calculate an overall mark for progression or award.
You must ensure that the regulations for your programme are satisfied. For example, if you are studying Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, you must ensure you take sufficient AI credits.
The elective module must not impinge on your main commitments: if attendance at the elective clashes with commitments on your main modules, you will have to forgo the elective. Be aware that if the pattern of the module is different to that in Computer Science (for example, if 20 credits are taught in one term) you may have an unbalanced year. You should also be aware that assessment effort may also clash. (Although we are hoping that, with the University moving towards a consistent 20-credit modules structure from 2023/24+, that electives may be more doable!)
The results of the elective module's assessment must be available to this Department by 22nd March 2024. You should check this with the host department before you select an elective.

^[1]There is a national standard by which the level of sophistication or difficulty of a module is described in 'levels': Level 4 = University Stage 1; Level 5 = Stage 2; Level 6 = Stage 3; Level 7 = Stage 4 (Masters). (Level 3 includes A levels.)

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