Each lecture course is examined by a separate two hour examination paper in the examination block of semester 2 (hereinafter referred to as ``the May examinations'', although the diet starts in mid-April). There are two standard formats for examinations:
For Honours courses (including combined honours), the examinations must be passed at the first attempt, although failures on individual papers are permitted. That is, students failing to obtain an overall Honours pass mark, or failing to achieve 80 credits, after the May examinations will not be permitted to enter fourth year, even if they resit the examinations.
Students who miss an examination with good reason (medical or severe other circumstances) are usually permitted to take the exam in the August (`resit') diet. Similarly, in cases of medical or other severe circumstances that adversely affected performance in an examination, the College has the power to declare an examination void, so that students may take the examination in the August diet as if it were the first attempt. However, students should note that all such concessions are at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and College, and that the School is not obliged to set papers for the August diet in such cases, although it usually does so. Students may in principle be required to take the examination in the May diet of the following year.
It is therefore essential that students with medical or other circumstances affecting examinations inform their Director and the Course Organiser immediately.