Dropped out of uni, what are my options?

[Ohmamma30]

I attended university at the age of 27, as a mother of two children and in a long term relationship. My grades were good and fairly consistent.
Fast forward to the pandemic. I had both my children home full time, one was 3 and the other 11. My partner dumped me and left me to go live with his new girlfriend. I was 3 months away from competition. I lost my head and never completed my degree.
Obviously, I am in a better place now; children are older, I’m over the betrayal and mistrust. I am now left with this constant disappointment in myself. The university never contacted me to see what was going on, none of my lecturers reached out, and so I just gave in to a breakdown and fought to keep myself and my children mentally supported, during a stressful and difficult time.
My question is, what are my options now? I have tried ringing to speak with someone, but the phone is never answered and emails don’t get responded to. I would love to complete my final year, but doubtful this would be an option over 2 years on.
Advice please. Thank you.

I’m fairly confident that what you’ve just written would give you good grounds for mitigation. Are you able to go and physically speak to someone at uni? It is odd that they’re not responding and haven’t even checked on you. It’s in their interests to get you to graduate, purely so you won’t count towards their dropout numbers. On a desperate note, were you receiving a loan? It’s worth really looking into all the paperwork that goes with that if so, just to save yourself hassle down the line.

Hello, thanks for your response. Yes I was receiving a loan, some of which had to be, and has been, paid back.
Think calling in there is a good option, thank you.

How far into the course were you, and what was the decision of the last exam board you were considered at? Were you awarded a PGDip? Were the procedures for claiming mitigating circumstances made clear to students at the time? You need to check the rules for appealing an exam board decision, these vary from one university to another.

I was a few months from the end of completion. The university did not contact me whatsoever, and so I have not spoken to anyone from there since. We were not given information for mitigation at the time of the pandemic.

This seems very odd. They would have had an exam board meeting at which you would have been considered. If you look at your student profile online is there anything on there that can give any clues about the exam board decision or your registration?

Sorry, I may have got hold of the wrong end of the stick here. When you say you “dropped out”, did you do this formally?

I sent an email to the course leader, explaining my situation and decision, to which I never received a response.

You stopped a few months from the end of year 3? Kept the same address, could access your emails etc? To have heard nothing is very odd. Can I ask which university?

So what is your status when you look up your online student profile?

That is bizarre-I’d be going in there to speak to someone at student services asap.

Was the course delivered through an FE provider? I only ask because although the procedures are the same it is possible that the co-ordinator left/they no longer offer the course - go in and ask to speak to someone.

I have been trying to log in to the account but it keeps saying the details are incorrect. I have tried to reset the password also. I’ll give it time to reset and try again. It did show my contact email and phone number to send a reset link to.

Yes Paul, it was. There have been many complaints brought against the university for poor communication, amongst other things. This is a plausible explanation however, as the university does have a gig turnover of lectures.

The other option would be too apply for credit transfer and complete at another university that offers the same or a similar course. You should be able to get credit for the first 2 years of your study, so start straight into the 3rd year with just that year left. If you can pick up where you left off at your old university part way through your 3rd year that would probably be the cheapest option, but credit transfer might open up choices in terms of different ways to finish your degree (e.g. with the OU if they offer your subject).

Agree with @CrabbyCat
You need your transcript of results. I would go in an ask to speak to the Head of HE or HE admin ask for your transcript (bring some ID). Then talk to the OU about finishing your Degree. Even if this doesn't quite work you will get a conversation with someone who can explain the number of credits you need to complete. HE study and credits gained are never lost. Keep going you will get it completed.

Thank you everyone. Don’t think it would be a bad thing to perhaps complete at a different university, if at all possible. I’m feeling much more hopeful, thank you again.