What Is a Module?

In the United Kingdom, and in many other countries that follow similar systems, a module is a single unit of teaching and assessment within a degree program. It is what an American student would call a course or a class. A module has a title, a code, a credit value, set learning outcomes, a schedule of teaching and one or more assessments.

How modules work

A UK degree is built from modules. Each carries a number of credits, commonly 10, 20, 30 or 40, and a full-time year usually totals 120 credits. Modules are taught over a term, a semester or the whole year, and they are assessed through exams, essays, projects, presentations or a mix.

Modules are labeled by level. In England, undergraduate modules sit at levels 4, 5 and 6 for the three years, and master's modules at level 7. Many degrees have compulsory core modules and optional modules that you choose from a list, with the choice widening or narrowing by year and program.

Vocabulary differences

In the UK, "course" often means your whole degree, as in "I am on the history course". In the US, a "course" is one class and a "program" or "major" is the degree. Some universities use "unit" or "paper" instead of module.

Why it matters

Your module choices shape what you learn and what you can do next. Check the module descriptions and assessment methods, how many places are available and whether any have prerequisites or timetable clashes. Module marks combine to determine your year result and, eventually, your degree classification.

Related terms

See CATS points, tutorial, mitigating circumstances, moderation and external examiner. Compare with credit hour and prerequisite in the US system.