Optional units

What optional units are and how to choose your preferences.

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What optional units are

Some programmes include optional units in addition to your core, mandatory units.

  • Mandatory units: you must complete these. Your school will automatically register you for them.
  • Optional units: you choose these to explore interests or specialise in a topic.

There are 3 types of optional unit:

  • optional units: linked to your programme. 
  • open units: outside of your subject area. These are available on many undergraduate programmes. View all open units.
  • faculty-wide units: available in some faculties. Your faculty will let you know if these are an option.

Any optional units available to you will be listed in your programme structure in the unit and programme catalogue, and on your unit selection form.

Before submitting your choices

Use the unit and programme catalogue to check:

  • whether your programme alllows you to take optional units
  • that you meet any unit requirements, such as having completed a related unit in a previous year
  • that your optional and mandatory units add up to the correct number of credit points

Credit points

Each year, you need to complete:

  • 120 credits if you’re a full-time student
  • 60 credits if you’re a part-time student

If you're a postgraduate student, you will normally also take:

  • a 60-credit dissertation unit

Most units are worth 20 credits, some are worth 40. A small number of units have no credit value.

Usually, students should take 60 credits in each teaching block. If you're taking a teaching block 4 (TB-4) unit (which runs across the full year), you must take:

  • at least 50 credits per teaching block
  • no more than 70 credits per teaching block

For full details of the University’s credit framework, see the Regulations and code of practice for taught programmes (section 4.30).

How to submit your unit choices

You’ll receive an email with a link to a form where you can submit your preferred unit choices.

  • New students will be contacted in August, before your course starts
  • Returning students will be contacted during teaching block 2

The email will include the deadline for submitting your form. You must submit it by this date to be considered for your preferred units.

Your school will aim to give you at least one of your top choices. However, unit availability may change due to timetabling, staff availability or demand.

You will be contacted you to confirm your units, or offered alternatives if needed.

The official unit timetable is published in the month before teaching starts. If there’s a timetabling clash at this point, your school will offer you an alternative unit.

How to change your units

Before the deadline

Contact your school office as soon as possible if you need to make a change. They’ll explain the next steps.

After the deadline

Changes are only allowed in exceptional cases, for academic reasons. Contact your school office as soon as possible.

  • Your school office will email you with details of the process.
  • You must submit your request by the end of week 2 in teaching block 1.
  • Your school will confirm if a change is possible.

You can’t change to a unit that clashes with one you're already taking. Your school will notify you of any clashes. Spaces are limited, so changes are not guaranteed.

Further support

If you have questions or need help choosing the right unit, you can:

You’ll find unit director contact details in the unit and programme catalogue.

For help with the process or admin queries, contact your school office.