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Blackboard Learn Ultra: What do the course codes mean?

Each course listed on your Courses tab shows a unique Blackboard course code as well as the module or programme name. For the vast majority of your courses, the Blackboard code is made up of  

  • the module code used in RISIS (the student registration system)  
  • the academic year 
  • the semester in which the module runs.  

Screenshot of the Courses list, showing variety of course codes

The academic year in which the course began is given in full in the Blackboard course name, and in abbreviated form in the course code. For example 

  • 23-4 = academic year 2023/24. 
  • 24-5 = academic year 2024/25. 

The semester is indicated by these codes: 

  • S1 = Semester 1 
  • S2 = Semester 2 
  • S1 = “long thin” module running in Semester 1 and 2 
  • SY = year-long module 
  • SX = any other permutation, for example modules which start in one academic year and continue into the next. 

The final letter in the course code is the RISIS ‘Occurrence code’. This is normally A, but you may see another letter if, for example, you are a visiting student, or if the module runs more than once a year.  

You may also see courses ending with these codes: 

  • 24-5MA, 24-5MB, 24-5MC = module being taught at the University of Reading Malaysia campus. 
  • 23/4PR, 24/5PR = Blackboard course for a degree programme, with all students who started the programme in a given year.  
  • 24-5SUP = ‘Supplementary Course’, which is being used in addition to your individual RISIS modules. 

Useful tip: Please quote the course code if you ever need to raise an issue about a course in Blackboard with the Service Desk. 


Guide last updated on April 24, 2024

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