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Discovery modules  Understanding Discovery modules

Undergraduate courses at Leeds are composed of compulsory, optional and Discovery modules.

If your course allows, you can choose Discovery modules to experience something different from your main subject(s) and:

  • build expertise in an area you’re passionate about
  • gain transferable skills that employers love
  • make your university experience more varied and meaningful to you.

Our 300+ Discovery modules are organised under 10 broad themes, which can be viewed in the Contents menu of this page.

Once you have found the Discovery module/modules you have an interest in, you will need to make sure they comply with the Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes and the regulations of your course (programme of study) and fit into your timetable alongside any compulsory and optional modules you are taking.

Some modules may have pre-requisites (such as an A-level in a specific subject) and limited availability, while others are open to everyone.

Usually, first-year students take level 1, and second-year students take level 2 Discovery modules.

Once you have done your checks and made your final selections, find out when you’ll be able to enrol on Discovery modules and then register your choices using the online enrolment system in Student Services. 

Skills Discovery modules

Skills Discovery modules are modules that focus on specific skills. They can be taken in any year of your course and are labelled with ‘skd’ in the module catalogue.

Year 1 skills discovery modules are the only modules designed to be suitable for year 1 that can also be taken routinely in subsequent years. To meet award requirements, you need to pass the number of credits at each FHEQ level specified in the Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes.

The exact number of module credits you need for your course can be found in the programme (course) catalogue.

A maximum of 20 credits of skills discovery modules, subject to the provisions of your course, may be taken in the final year.

You may be able to take skills discovery modules in any year of study, but it is important to understand how your choices could affect your progression or award eligibility. For example:

  • Level 1 (FHEQ L4) modules only count toward the FHEQ L4 credit requirements for award and will not count toward the FHEQ L5 or L6 credit requirements for award.
  • Any level 1 (FHEQ L4) skills discovery modules not taken in year 1 are weighted as year 2 modules (single weighted) in the classification algorithm.
  • Level 2 (FHEQ L5) modules only count toward the FHEQ L5 credit requirements for award and will not count toward the FHEQ L6 credit requirements for award.

If a skills discovery module uses a non-numeric mark such as pass or fail, find out how these marks are used in degree classifications on the explanation of marks page.

If you would like any help with understanding how your module choices will affect your degree outcomes, please contact the Student Information Service.

Your parent school will have final approval of your choices. Contact your parent school for guidance.

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