I am a student and did not pass a subject linked to a 4-week placement. My educational provider is now saying that I must take the whole subject again, including the 4-week placement. Can they make me do the whole subject again?

Unfortunately, the Association does not have jurisdiction over educational providers regarding outcomes of courses. However, your educational provider has an obligation to have a grievance/ complaints procedure for academic and non-academic complaints.

As a first action, we recommend that you go through your providers course coordinator or student administration to try to resolve the issue. If this is unsuccessful you can lodge a grievance/ complaint through your provider. We recommend that you keep a written record of your complaint as evidence should you require it later.

If you are not satisfied in the outcome with your educational provider, you can contact the NSW Ombudsman. The role of the Ombudsman is not to make a new decision, but rather to review if the educational provider followed the relevant policies in making their decision. They will then make a recommendation on how the decision or process can be improved.

But if the clinical placement is an element of the subject that you need to repeat, you will need to redo the whole subject including all assessment items – one of which may be placement. You may not be eligible for a recognition of prior learning as all elements of this subject will need to be repeated, based on the subject containing clinical learning that needs to be connected to theory.