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Degrading

  • See also: Student Handbook (produced by the University and distributed in Freshers' Week).

Degrading means the disregarding of terms for the purpose of calculating a student's standing to take an examination. Leave to degrade is therefore normally given for a complete academic year, or occasionally a complete calendar year. The University's Applications Committee decide whether a not a student can degrade. If you feel you have a case to degrade, you have to get your Tutor to write an appeal to the Applications Committee and it has to include, where appropriate, supplementary evidence i.e. medical records, records from the University Counselling Service etc.

Before your tutor agrees to help you apply to degrade, they will have to check whether one of the following apply and if an application is necessary:

  1. too many terms have elapsed since your first term of residence;
  2. too many terms have elapsed since you last took an Honours Examination;
  3. the requirements for an Honours Examination differ according to the number of terms that have elapsed since you last took an Honours Examination, and you have spent less time preparing than your standing would suggest (i.e. you would be at a disadvantage compared to other students).

Possible reasons why someone might degrade:

  1. Absence from Cambridge due to medical or emotional reasons, or other such extenuating circumstances;
  2. Illness or extenuating circumstances which are having a negative impact on your studies;
  3. Illness or extenuating circumstances that have interupted your studies.

When the reason for degrading is medical, then the Applications Committee will request medical evidence. They may ask for supervision reports although these are, usually, only considered if the student seeks to degrade in the Easter Term. Before a student who has degraded for medical reasons is allowed to return to Cambridge, they will have to have another medical certificate to testify they are fit to return to their studies.

A few things to remember:

  1. If you want to change the amount of time for which you are degrading you have to re-apply to the Applications Committee;
  2. If you have to go out of residence quickly for medical reasons, make sure you are seen by a doctor at the time. That way they can give you a medical certificate that best reflects the severity of your medical condition (and not later when you will be feeling better);
  3. Degrading does not cause facts to be changed. Degrading doesn't change either the number of terms kept or examination results.
  4. If you degrade within 20 days of the start of full term then you be entitled to discounted return of your University fees. However, the fees will not be refunded in full.
  5. Carefully consider the terms which you request to degrade. The Applications Committee may be unlikely to allow to return for just the Easter (exam) term.
  6. Although it might be necessary to remain in Cambridge for a period of time whilst degrading (i.e. for medical treatment, if this is your home town), the Applications Committee may feel that ordinarily it is undesirable for you to remain in Cambridge.
  7. Degrading is intended to relieve a student from a disadvantage: it is not intended to allow a candidate to gain an advantage over others.
  8. Make sure your LEA is informed if you degrade.
  9. If you want to degrade after completing 2/3rds of the academic year, the University will usually but not always ask that your college requests you to be allowed the exams, and not to retake the year. Further information on this is available.

CUSU provides confidential, free, non-judgemental support and information to individual students. Contact the CUSU Education Officer, Welfare Officer or Women's Officer by email, phone or by dropping into the office if you would like support or information on any topic.