I began an MA (full-time) in September 2014. It was a great course in many ways but unfortunately I struggled with all aspects of it and never really found my feet. In hindsight I believe it wasn't really right for me and I regret not dropping out either at the end of my first term or before the dissertation. Last summer became a very difficult time as my long-term relationship came to an end and I struggled to get to grips with the work and as a result I was unable to submit my dissertation by the September deadline. An assessment board permitted me an extended deadline which I originally believed would be in May as admin staff advised me during email communication that I would have the choice of submitting in the 'next main examination period' (May) or earlier in January if I wished. I learnt however through a general email sent out in December to all postgraduate students with retakes coming up that the resubmission date for dissertations was 15th March 2016. To cut a long story short, for many months I have gone through a very unhappy period for various reasons and have again struggled to deal with the work. I now only have a week left before the deadline and I have become increasingly panicked because I don't believe it will be possible for me to finish in time as I have so much left to do. I recently checked online and found that my course lists a 'postgraduate diploma as an 'exit award' if 120 credits have been achieved (i.e all modules passed - which I did). My question is whether anyone on here knows if I am likely to be automatically offered the diploma if I do not submit my dissertation for a second time or whether I will have to make a case to another assessment board? Also will it make any difference if I do not to submit at all or submit something of poor quality which then fails? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. I think you need to talk to you administration department and see what they say. It may be that you can have another extension.

Yes, it would be better for me to contact someone in the department very soon but I thought I'd check if anyone had knowledge or experience of exit awards before I do so. I'm scared that failing to submit anything again won't 'look good' and that the department will be unwilling to award the diploma. I'm also not sure if they are typically awarded if someone chooses to exit a course before beginning the dissertation stage. I would actually prefer not to try and get another extension as I just feel the need to move on with my life and I and don't want to devote any more time to this thing. I don't intend to do a PhD and the course is pretty specific (Eighteenth Century Studies) and not directly relevant to the kinds of jobs I've now decided to apply for so I've come to the conclusion I would be content to leave with a diploma rather than an MA, especially as I had my doubts about the course all along. I achieved a Merit on average in my modules and I just hate the idea of the time and effort and money going to waste and leaving with no qualification at all.

Hopefully someone else on here will have some direct experience. I understand you don't want the effort you have put in thus far to be wasted.

You need to speak to the course leader or an administrator. Go and speak to them in person, and get the confirmation in email. you could request an extension which you may be awarded.