MA (Social Sciences) Repeat Year Policy
Registered students, who are unable to complete their current year of study or progress to the next year of study and have experienced personal or medical circumstances which have significantly impacted their academic performance, can apply to repeat the year by completing the application form at the bottom of this web page (not yet available for repeat years in the 2026/27 session).
Students repeating a year normally repeat the year in full, taking 120 credits. This includes repeating any compulsory courses and choosing whether or not to repeat optional courses. Credits and grades from the original year of study are normally discarded.
Students who wish to repeat a year with a reduced study load or on an assessment-only basis will have the opportunity to make this request to the Progress Committee and should wait until they are contacted in relation to this.
Students who have previously repeated a year will be required to meet with a Senior Adviser as part of the review and approval process.
Former students who are eligible to return to studies and require a repeat year should follow the Readmission policy.
Application process
Your application should contain:
- details of your circumstances and relevant supporting evidence
- information covering whether your challenges are likely to extend into any repeat year and, if so, what steps you have taken to ensure any repeat year is successful, e.g. additional medical, academic or pastoral support.
- evidence of fitness to continue with, or resume, your studies (if you have been unwell)
For examples of the types of evidence that are appropriate in relation to your circumstances, please refer to the University’s extenuating circumstances FAQs.
If you have submitted successful extenuating circumstances requests and have EC grades, you are not required to provide any detailed information or evidence in relation to the relevant courses, but you must provide information and evidence about how your circumstances are being addressed as detailed above.
If your circumstances have been health-related, the evidence that confirms fitness to continue with your studies must be in the form of a letter from a health professional. This letter must be dated no earlier than one month before the date of your application.
If you did not engage with the extenuating circumstances process for any incomplete assessment or affected performance, resulting in CW/CR grades or grades below D3 (pre-Honours only), you should explain the reasons for this.
Advice and support
If you would like advice about applying for a repeat year, including the potential for an Interruption of Studies in the current year before repeating the year, please contact your Adviser of Studies (details on MyGlasgow) or a Student Support Officer, who may recommend a meeting with a Senior Adviser. The SRC Advice Centre also provides helpful guidance and information about progression and repeat years.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Curriculum Guidance and Support Team through the University of Glasgow helpdesk.
There are likely to be financial and practical implications of repeating a year of study. Eligible students are recommended to contact the SRC Advice Centre or their funding body for advice. International students should also seek advice in relation to their study visa.
Maximum duration of studies
Students must normally complete the MA (Social Sciences) degree within five years and the degree with Honours within six years from the date of the academic session when the student first registered on the degree programme. The maximum duration includes subsequent non-registered years, repeat years and studies at other institutions in lieu of year 1 at the University of Glasgow, but there is scope to extend this for a year if extenuating circumstances apply and a further two years as a reasonable adjustment for disabled students.
Dates and deadlines
Prompt application is encouraged. The application deadlines and Progress Committee meeting dates in 2026 are still to be confirmed.
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Deadline |
Progress Committee meeting date |
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TBC |
TBC |
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TBC |
TBC |
Outcomes
The MA (Social Sciences) Progress Committee will review all applications and outcomes will be communicated within one week of the meeting date. Students can register and enrol following Progress Committee approval for a repeat year.
Students have a right of appeal against decisions made by the Progress Committee and are encouraged to contact the SRC Advice Centre for support if they are considering an appeal.