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Exemptions

Being awarded an exemption means that you’re not required to take a particular unit/subject of your degree because, in our opinion, you’ve already recently covered that syllabus in the same breadth and depth as part of a previous qualification.

Exemptions count toward the total number of units/subjects you have to take to complete your degree. For example, if you’re exempt from one unit/subject you only have to take 11 more to complete your degree (as opposed to the standard 12 units/subjects); if you’re exempt from two units/subjects you only have to take 10 more to complete your degree, and so on. This means that you may be able to complete your studies more quickly.

We offer two types of exemptions:

Automatic exemptions

  1. there are certain qualifications for which we give exemptions automatically (these are given in the programme regulations and in our prospectuses)
  2. there’s no fee payable for automatic exemptions, but you do need to apply
  3. we’ll only be able to consider your exemption application once we’ve received the necessary documentary evidence. If you’ve passed the correct subjects and satisfy the conditions we specify, we’ll grant you certain exemptions.

For details of automatic exemptions please download the following prospectuses:

Discretionary exemptions

  1. there are certain programmes for which you may apply for exemptions on a discretionary basis (these are given in the programme regulations and in our prospectuses)
  2. once your application has been approved for admission, we’ll send you an exemption request form; you need to apply and an exemption application fee is payable
  3. we’re unable to give advice on discretionary exemptions until we’ve received your completed exemption application form and fee, plus any additional documentary evidence we’ve requested in support of your application
  4. please note that it’s not possible for us to refund the exemption application fee, even if we’re unable to award you any exemptions.

Exemption eligibility

You can be considered for exemption if you satisfy all of the following criteria:

  1. you’re eligible to be registered for the degree of your choice
  2. you must have passed exams which compare in level, content and standard to the exams for the units from which you want to be exempted
  3. you’ve passed the whole of the qualification(s) on which your application for exemption is based, usually within the five years preceding the application
  4. you’ve already received the final award for that qualification(s)
  5. you must normally have studied for your qualification at one institution
  6. you’ve applied for exemption, either on the application form or by letter, by the application closing date.

How to apply for exemption

You must make a formal application for all exemptions, both automatic and discretionary. You can do this by completing the exemption section of the application form when you apply. Please note that we are unable to consider you for exemptions until we have approved you for admission to your chosen programme.

If you’re unable to complete this section you should send a written application as soon as possible. This must be completed before the admissions closing date for the programme for which you’re applying. Please send this to:

Admissions Office
University of London International Programmes
University of London
Ground floor
Stewart House
32 Russell Square
London WC1B 5DN
United Kingdom