What should I put on my CV if I failed my degree?

From a US perspective, I always suggest people just put Education: Harvard University, 1994-1998 (or whatever) And let employers draw whatever conclusions they like from that. I guess it is different in the UK in that there is a final test with a result, but perhaps you can finesse it in some similar way.

I failed a university computer program, however I did the same as Rock Steady suggests. I put in my CV that I went there, a small description of what I learned. If the employer asks about it during interview, I say "Yes, I went to some school from whenever to whenever, during that time I learned blah blah blah". Of course if they ask "Did you complete your degree", you must not lie. Say the truth but be prepared to beautify the situation with something like "I didn't have the motivation to continue because I was already ahead of what they taught me, so I left the school to continue my carreer". Good luck!

"be prepared to beautify the situation with something like 'I didn't have the motivation to continue because I was already ahead of what they taught me, so I left the school to continue my carreer'" Not sure about this part, PowerCat. If I was an employer I'd feel there's a big difference between a student who voluntarily left because they were too far ahead, and a student who failed their degree and resits. I wouldn't be best pleased if the former in fact turned out be the latter.

I didn't complete a degree. What i put on my resume is "Behavioural Physics - Harvard University, 1994-1998 (degree not completed)" I'm fortunate that the particular jobs i've been attracted to rely more on demonstrable skills than wall-hangings. I have enough work experience and references now that the no-degree thing rarely comes up.

matthewr, obviously this suggestion is highly personal. It depends on why he failed. He'll have to make something up that he can answer. That response was mine, which applied to my situation. It's just a matter of making it sound nicer. If he failed and he says "Well I didn't do work, didn't listen in class, etc" he won't get hired. But if he goes "I lost motivation in what I was doing for whatever reason, and it prevented my from studying enough to pass". It might be possible that he is asked this question, and he must be prepared to answer it TRUTHFULLY.

I repeat - if you did two years, you are entitled to a Dip HE. You can write that qualification on your CV without doubt and say that you intend to top it up later - maybe they'll even pay.

A friend of mine didn't finish his degree, but almost did. I don't think he ever needs CVs, but his professional bio says that he attended such and such university to study blabla. You can write something like that, with the years you were there. That way you don't emphasize that you didn't finish, and I'm sre you learned stuff there, despite not graduating.

I'd be pretty up front about it in interviews -- if they check with the school and find you have no degree, they'll be pretty upset if you didn't mention that when asked direct questions about your schooling.

A189Nut: Interesting, I'd never heard of the Dip. HE despite working in the sector. It's worth repeating A189's advice on transferrrability of points, perhaps you could consider the Open Uni for topping up points? That way you can transfer all your points and make up any shortfall without having to take a full year out in HE.