Dropped out during 3rd year

[WildJelly]

Firstly, please be kind because I'm really worried about my child here (their mental health, I don't really care if they have a degree or not!). It seems DC1 has not completed their degree course. All I know for certain is they didn't sit their final exams.I'm not sure at what point during the year they stopped engaging with the university.

I always thought if you dropped out after two years you got a HND. Google doesn't answer this question and now I'm wondering why I thought this!

Sorry to hear that - must be worrying to find out now.

They may be able to be awarded a DipHE - some very basic info here. This may not be an option on every course, particularly ones which are professionally accredited, but worth finding out.

It depends on the course.Unfortunately it will be up to dc to ask about their options and it may depend on performance to date as to whether they have credits for an award. Is resitting final exams an option?

That must be really worrying for all concerned.

Do you have any further detail from your dc? If they want to, they could perhaps take the exams in july/Aug when the retakes often take place? They might need mitigating circumstances to have another go though.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to take an early exit award - as said above, after two years it may be possible to leave with a Diploma of Higher Education.

Really depends on the course and uni, though, and a chat with the department's student support team.

I dropped out of uni the first time round but in 1st year so got nothing. I then had a break and started another degree a few years later. Now I have a pretty good job in the NHS. I just wanted to re assure you though that not all is lost. I know plenty of people who have really great careers and lifestyles without degrees.

Thank you for the link @EduCated
DC will not speak to the university and has no interest in taking the exams at all.

They are interested in pursuing a career which often needs no formal qualifications, although I've seen trainee jobs advertised which ask for an HND, which is why I'm asking. DC has a talent in this area, so I'm not too concerned in the long run, but obviously I am concerned that they weren't mentally well enough to take the exams. I think they believe DH and I will be cross/disappointed with them. We're not at all cross, but possibly a little disappointed for them. I really want to be able to say something positive to them, but it's hard because their whole uni experience wasn't the greatest. The first year they sat in their room in halls and didn't really engage with anyone. The next year they made a huge effort and it was going brilliantly. Then lockdown! The third year they ended up in a house all in their own, as everybody else left, with all lectures online, so not the jolliest of experiences.

I always thought if you dropped out after two years you got a HND

Not necessarily. It will depend on how many credit points he’s accumulated.

Each undergraduate year is worth 120 credits. So he canvleave with whatever his 240 credits can qualify him with.

If he’s refused to engage with learning this year, because COVID, then he could make a case to repeat the year. We’re going to be back teaching in person from September

—although who knows with this cock up of a government—