Frequently Asked Questions - Faculty of Social Sciences

These are some of the frequently asked questions we encounter. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us.

General Questions

How do I apply as an Undergrad? / Faculty of Social Sciences Entry Requirements
Apply online for admissions to The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, at https://sta.uwi.edu/admissions. Applicants are advised to submit documents via the Upload Documents link located within the Online Application page which must include your Undergraduate Confirmation Receipt, proof of payment of the non-refundable application processing fee and certified copies other supporting documents (as applicable).

Additional information can be found from the UWI St. Augustine website.

What is the difference between a Special and a Major?
A Special a prescribed combination of courses offered which leads to a degree usually comprises a minimum of forty-five (45) credits in the subject area over levels II and III. A Major is the area(s) in which you choose to concentrate most of your studies e.g. French, History, Physics, Management Studies, Literature etc. or focus normally comprising a total of specified number of credits (normally 30 credits) including prescribed courses from Level II and III.

Additional information can be found on the UWI St. Augustine website.

How do I apply for credits and / or an exemption?
Persons applying for credit / exemption should make such requests during the first 3 weeks of Semester I. Applications should be made, through the Student Affairs (Admissions) Office, to the Dean of the respective Faculty on the appropriate form.

Note: Credits / exemptions will not be granted for course(s) which have been successfully completed for more than five (5) years before the date of entry or re-entry.

An official transcript and / or course outlines are required for assessment by the appropriate authority. Note that credits / exemptions are granted in accordance with prescribed Faculty regulations.

Additional information can be found on the UWI St. Augustine website.

How can I know / track the status of my application online?
Track the progress of your application at any time using our website. Start at the webpage https://sta.uwi.edu/track. Login using the Login ID and PIN you created. On the Applicant Menu Page, scroll down to the Submitted Applications Section. CLICK the link displayed in Admission Term of the application you wish to track. Please allow 3 weeks for your application to be entered in the system.

Additional information can be found on the UWI St. Augustine website.

How do I register for courses?
Students must register online via the Internet at https://sta.uwi.edu/registration through myCampus Portal student information system at the beginning of each academic year in the designated Official University Registration period. Registration normally opens two weeks before the semester commences. The registration schedule is on the web three weeks before registration opens. Note that all NEW and re-entry Undergraduate students must attend your respective Faculty Orientation and Academic Advising session before proceeding to commence online registration.

Additional information can be found on the UWI St. Augustine website.

Undergraduate Students

What should you do to obtain special permission to pursue additional courses beyond your maximum as a Full-Time or Part-Time student?
During the online registration period students can submit a request online to exceed the maximum credit limit. If approval is granted, the courses are added to the student’s registration.

Can Level III courses count for Level II courses?
Yes, this can be done but such requests will only be entertained in respect of elective courses.

If a student fails a course and repeats it how does this affect their GPA?
Failing a course serves to depress one’s GPA. You should therefore do all in your powers to avoid failing a course. If the course is repeated and passed, the grade obtained is also used in the calculation of one’s GPA.

Are students required to attend all their lectures and tutorials within a semester?
Students who attend less than 75% of lectures or tutorials may be debarred from writing the final examination. Please check the course outline for the courses you are taking to ascertain if this debarment rule will apply.

What happens if you get sick before an exam (e.g. mid-term & final exams)?
Have a medical report completed by a doctor and submit it to the Campus’ Health Services Unit. If the medical is accepted by the Health Services Unit, then you will not be penalized. The grade AM will be assigned to the courses affected.

What can you do if you got sick during an exam and are unable to finish it?
The Invigilator will take any student complaining of feeling unwell during an examination to the Campus Health Services Unit for assessment. If the case is genuine, you will not be penalized in terms of your GPA. The grade FM will be assigned to the courses affected.

How does a student request a course override (from Faculty / Department)?
Overrides must be submitted online. It is the responsibility of the student to check the Banner system to see if their override request has been approved / denied. Once approved, the student must then register for the said course(s). Please note that the Faculty personnel cannot register a student for a course, this must be done by the student him / herself.

How can students who get a late admission offer access academic advising?
By visiting the Departmental Office under which their programme resides.

What do you do if you have a question / issue of a financial nature?
Please visit the Student Accounts section at the Bursary where the matter will be sorted out.

Can a first year student register for Level II and Level III courses as electives?
Students must seek permission from their Head of Department to do this, and such requests will only be granted if the relevant Pre-Requisites are satisfied.

Can students pursue cross-Faculty majors?
Yes, but a formal request in writing must be made to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions.

If students pursue enough credits in any discipline will they automatically be awarded a Minor in that discipline?
No, this will not be automatic. The requisite forms must be completed and submitted to the Dean’s Office.

When is a Minor declared?
Minors must be declared by the end of the registration period of the student’s final semester. To declare a Minor the student must complete the required form and submit it to the Dean’s Office. If this is not done, and if the student does not satisfy the course / credit requirements for the requested Minor, the Minor will not be awarded. For the purposes of this regulation, the end of registration means the “Add / Drop” period.

Can a student pursue more than one Minor concurrently?
Yes. A Minor in the Faculty of Social Sciences comprises 15 credits. A student pursuing a Major can use the 10 elective courses at Level II / III to pursue up to two Minors if so desired.

Will a student who is registered for a Major but who completes the credit requirements for a Special be awarded the Special degree?
Not automatically. For this to happen, a request must be submitted to change from a Major to a Special. This request must be submitted in writing to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions, usually at the end of the second semester of the second year.

What is the process to be followed to pursue and declare a double Major?
Students must write to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions seeking approval to pursue a double Major. This request must be submitted prior to the start of the final year of study.

How can a student change from one Department / Major after beginning a degree programme?
To change an option (Major), a student must write to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions seeking approval and this must be done during the second semester of his / her first year of study.

If a student has a GPA below 2.0 after completing all their degree courses will he / she be awarded a degree?
No. In order to qualify for the award of a degree, a student must:

have completed a minimum of ninety (90) credits (normally equivalent to thirty (30) semester courses) of which:
- at least thirty (30) credits are from Level I semester courses (including the Foundation course requirements), and
- at least sixty (60) credits from Levels II and III semester courses.
have satisfied the requirements for their specific degree programmes;
have attained a minimum GPA of 2.0 from Level II and III courses.

What is a Dean’s Hold?
A Dean’s Hold is placed on a student’s record when his / her GPA is below 2.0 in a semester. At this stage the student is placed on a Warning for the next semester.

What does a student do if he / she is placed on a Warning?
A student is placed on Warning when their GPA is below 2.0. To remove the Dean’s Hold the student must visit the Dean’s Office to be advised and then the Hold is removed to permit registration.

What is RTW status?
A student is placed on RTW status after two consecutive semesters of GPA below 2.0. A student on RTW status must stay out of the University system for one academic year and then apply for re-entry to the University (the application period is normally November to January for Full-Time students and January to March for Evening University students).

When a student returns to Campus after he / she was required to withdraw will their current GPA be counted?
If the re-entry student registers for a new programme then the GPA record will start anew. If, on the other hand, the re-entry student continues in the programme he / she was pursuing prior to the RTW then the academic record continues.

What are students’ options if they are required to withdraw?
They can seek to meet with the Dean and to outline a plan to improve their academic standing. A decision will then be made as to whether the RTW can be deferred for a semester.

How does the GPA affect GATE coverage for tuition?
A student with an overall GPA of less than 2.0 will not be eligible for GATE. If the student brings the GPA up to 2.0 after Semester I, they can seek to get GATE approval for Semester II.

Are there circumstances in which a Pre-Requisite can be waived?
Only in compelling circumstances and only the Dean can approve such a request.

How does a student apply for an exemption based on courses completed at another institution of higher learning?
A student must complete the requisite Credit and Exemptions application form and attach the relevant course outlines from the institution where credits were attained. This request must be submitted to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions.

What is the difference between a consultation and a remarking of an examination script?
A consultation is a review of the script by the Examiner / Lecturer with the candidate. Consultations are only permitted to students who have failed the course. In the case of a remarking, the script is remarked by a new examiner. Marks can be changed (either up or down) and the new mark awarded becomes the final mark.

What steps must be taken to request a consultation or a remarking of an examination script?

A student who is dissatisfied with the results of his / her examination should report his / her dissatisfaction in writing to the Campus Registrar. Such a report must be made within two weeks of publication of results, and in the case of the Supplemental / Summer School or resit examinations within five days of the publication of results.
The Campus Registrar shall forward the student’s request to the Dean of the Faculty concerned.
Only students who have failed a course may request consultation to go through his / her script with the Examiner; (utilizing an approved electronic teleconferencing system if necessary).
Students may request to have their scripts remarked. A student who wishes to have his / her script remarked must pay a fee of BDS$125.00 or J$2000.00 or TT$375.00, or US$62.50 (according to Campus) to have his / her script re-marked by a new Examiner.
Where re-marking of a script results in a higher mark than that previously recorded, the fee shall be refunded provided that the increased mark results in a change of grade.

If students pursue a foreign language that is not required for their degree at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) can they get credit for it to count toward their degree credits?
Yes, but only to satisfy elective course requirements.

Will Foundation courses affect a student’s GPA?
Students will be awarded grades for their Foundation courses and these will be included in the calculation of the GPA for the determination of Warning, RTW, GATE and the determination of Level I prizes.

How many Co-Curricular courses / credits are students permitted to register for during their degree programmes?
A student can pursue a maximum of 3 Co-Curricular credits.

Do Co-Curricular courses / credits count towards degree requirements?
Co-Curricular courses / credits can be used to meet Level I credit requirements.

What Co-Curricular courses are offered?

COCR 1000: Study Skills
COCR 1012: Workplace Protocol for Students
COCR 1013: Financial Literacy and Training
COCR 1030: Technology Literacy
COCR 1033: Mind the Gap: Towards Psychological Health & Wellness
COCR 1034: Public Speaking and Voice Training: Finding a More Confident You
COCR 1036: Ethics and Integrity: Building Moral Competencies
COCR 1039: CPR & FIRST AID
COCR 1040: Microsoft Access 2016
COCR 1046: Meditation for Holistic Health
COCR 1047: Defensive Driving Simulation
COCR 1048: Microsoft Excel Expert 2019
COCR 1049: Introduction to the Microsoft 365 Productivity Cloud
COCR 1050: The Basics of Steelpan
COCR 1051: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Steps
COCR 1052: Introduction to Sign Language
COCR 1056 – 1058: Microsoft Office 2019
COCR 1059: Discover Microsoft 365 Collaborative Tools
COCR 1060: Learn to Collaborate in Microsoft 365

How can you determine if you are on the right track in satisfying your degree requirements?
Complete the Degree Audit form at the Dean’s Office and see an advisor.

Where can students access their time table for each semester and for final examinations?

Semester timetables are available on the UWI website
Final examinations timetables are available in students’ “MyUWI” accounts

Certificate & Diploma Students

Can a Certificate student register for Level II and Level III courses as electives?
No. Electives must be at Level I.

What steps do certificate or diploma students need to follow in order to apply to pursue a degree within the Faculty?
Students graduating from the Certificate and Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 and above can apply for entry into B.Sc. programmes in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Part-Time Students

Do Part-Time students have to pay for summer courses?
Part-Time students have to pay for summer courses.

What is the maximum or minimum number of courses Part-Time students can register for in a semester?

Minimum number of courses – 2 per semester
Maximum number of courses – 4 per semester

What Co-Curricular courses are available to Part-Time students?

COCR 1000: Study Skills
COCR 1012: Workplace Protocol for Students
COCR 1013: Financial Literacy and Training
COCR 1030: Technology Literacy
COCR 1033: Mind the Gap: Towards Psychological Health & Wellness
COCR 1034: Public Speaking and Voice Training: Finding a More Confident You
COCR 1036: Ethics and Integrity: Building Moral Competencies
COCR 1039: CPR & FIRST AID
COCR 1040: Microsoft Access 2016
COCR 1046: Meditation for Holistic Health
COCR 1047: Defensive Driving Simulation
COCR 1048: Microsoft Excel Expert 2019
COCR 1049: Introduction to the Microsoft 365 Productivity Cloud
COCR 1050: The Basics of Steelpan
COCR 1051: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Steps
COCR 1052: Introduction to Sign Language
COCR 1056 – 1058: Microsoft Office 2019
COCR 1059: Discover Microsoft 365 Collaborative Tools
COCR 1060: Learn to Collaborate in Microsoft 365

Can Part-Time students pursue a double Major?
Yes. Students must write to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions seeking approval to pursue a double Major. This request must be submitted prior to the start of the final year of study.

Can a Part-Time student change his / her status of enrolment (e.g. change from Part-Time to day / Full-Time)?
Yes. Students must write to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs – Admissions seeking approval to change their status from Part-Time to Full-Time.

Where can students obtain their Faculty handbook?
From the Faculty website.

How long can Part-Time students take to complete their degrees?
A maximum of 15 semesters.

Can Part-Time students register for courses outside their Faculty for electives?
Yes, but approval by the Dean of the Faculty offering the course must be obtained.

Are all Majors in the Faculty of Social Sciences offered to Part-Time students?
No. Please check the Faculty Regulations and Syllabuses for a listing of Part-Time programmes.

Do Part-Time students have access to all the electives available in the Faculty?
No, please check the Departments for their course offerings for Part-Time programmes.

Do all courses have tutorials?
No, please check the Department responsible for the course to answer that query.

Summer School

Who Can Register?
The following categories of applicants are eligible for admission to Summer School:

Registered UWI students of the St. Augustine Campus, The University of the West Indies
UWI students from other UWI campuses
Non-UWI applicants that need qualifying courses for entry to UWI, Teaching Service or the public and private sectors
Non-UWI students or persons who require qualifying courses for various Public (Services) Government Agencies
Non-UWI applicants or persons who are desirous of advancing their knowledge within their current field or who are desirous of advancement or upward mobility in their organisations

Do I need Faculty Registration Forms?
Yes. The following categories of students are required to complete the Faculty Registration Forms:

Non-UWI students, Ministries, qualifying students
UWI students (St. Augustine, Mona, Cave Hill and Open Campus)
Former UWI students
Students who are Required to Withdraw

I got back my Faculty Registration Forms (Yellow copy). Does this mean I am registered for classes?
No. All registration will be conducted online using the website.

I am a student from the other UWI campus (e.g. Cave Hill, Mona or Open campus), what other documents do I need for the Registration Form?

A copy of your student transcript
Letter of permission from your Home Faculty

What section do I register in?

Evening Students – E01
All other students, SUMMER – SUM

Do I need a new ID number for Summer School?
UWI students from other campuses MUST retain their Home Campus UWI ID Number.

What is the maximum amount of courses I can do?
Students would be permitted to register for three courses (9 credits) in the Summer School.

How much is my Registration Fee since I am doing courses in other Faculties?
Registration Fee [Non-Refundable] of TT$100 is per Faculty registration.

Why is my Late Registration Fee TT$250?
Late Registration Fee of $150.00 plus Registration Fee of TT$100.

When is the latest I can de-register for courses?

At the end of the 4th week of the Summer School Session
In exceptional circumstances, requests for withdrawal after the 4th week must be submitted with Faculty’s approval to Student Affairs – Admissions for processing.

When is the latest I can register for courses?
Students may be permitted to select course(s) online up to the end of the 4th week of the Summer School Session.

I want to register out of Faculty?
Yes, University students who wish to register for an out-of-faculty elective summer course(s) would be required to pay the Registration Fee and Tuition Fee for the relevant Faculty.