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Before making an application

Requests for an extension to a coursework deadline

If you make a claim for an extension to a coursework deadline which is successful, you will be awarded an appropriate extension and will need to submit the completed work by the new deadline.

If you have received confirmation that your application has been successful, you do not need to hand in anything by the original deadline, just complete your work and hand it in before the new deadline.

If you don’t know the outcome of your application, you should hand in the work you have been able to do as soon as you can, and preferably by the original deadline. If you then hear that your claim has been successful, you can submit an amended piece of work by the new deadline, or if you handed something in and you are given an extension that covers the date you handed in, the work can be marked. Do not wait to hear back from your application before deciding whether to hand work in or not.

There may be occasions when there is insufficient time for us to make a decision and give you an appropriate extension in which you can complete the work ahead of the marking period. In such cases, if your circumstances are particularly impactful, you are likely to be awarded the opportunity to submit an alternative assessment in the resit period.

If a student submits an exceptional circumstances (EC) claim and an opportunity to take the assessment again is given as an allowance, no mark is awarded, even if a piece of work has already been marked.  

Requests to defer an event assessment

If you think that you’re not going to be able to take your assessment at the normal time because you’ve been affected by exceptional circumstances, you can request a deferral of the assessment.

If your application is successful, you will have the opportunity to take the assessment at a later date (normally in the resit period) with access to the full range of marks (this means that your mark will not be capped).

However, you should think about this carefully as there is only one resit opportunity within each run of the module and it might affect your ability to progress through your degree. This means that if you don’t take your assessment during the normal assessment period, you will need to pass it first time at the next opportunity (for examinations, this is likely to be in the resit period). If you don’t pass the rearranged assessment, your only option may be to retake the module. There is normally an additional charge to retake a module and it may mean that it takes longer for you to complete your studies.

We advise speaking to your Academic Advisor or Student Support Co-ordinator before making this request.

Scenarios

The following scenarios should help you make the right decision for you in the circumstances.

1. Submit an assessment at a later date

Because of your circumstances, you make a request to submit an assessment at a later date (longer than an extension). You think that you’re not going to be able to attempt the assessment because you believe that something has affected your ability to study or sit the assessment.

Successful application

  • You make a successful claim for exceptional circumstances.
  • *If you haven’t received the outcome of your application by the time you are due to take the assessment, see below.
  • You’ve told us (and we’ve accepted) that you won’t be able to fully able to engage with the assessment task.
  • If you’ve applied to defer at the first sit of the assessment, you will get an uncapped resit (so you’ll get the chance to do a new assessment, working to the best of your ability).
  • If you’ve applied to defer at the second sit of the assessment (during the resit period), you will get a disregard and you will have to take the module again at the next available opportunity.

Unsuccessful application

  • You make an unsuccessful application for exceptional circumstances.
  • *If you haven’t received the outcome of your application by the time you are due to take the assessment, see below.
  • The Panel considers that your claim does not meet the definition of exceptional circumstances or is not supported by appropriate evidence.
  • You can still choose to take the assessment at the first sit. The work that you do will be marked and the mark awarded as though you had not submitted the request for exceptional circumstances.
  • If you’ve applied to defer at the first sit of the assessment and your work is awarded a mark below the pass mark, you will be eligible for a capped resit.
  • If you make an unsuccessful application to defer at the second sit of the assessment (during the resit period) you will not be given a second opportunity to resit the assessment.

*If you haven’t received the outcome of your application by the time you are due to take your assessment you should consider either taking the assessment or, if you are too unwell, submit a Type B extension application (to ensure that you are eligible for a resit).

2. Unwell on the day of assessment and do not attend

You are unexpectedly unwell on the day of assessment (eg exam) and you do not attend.

You self-certify (Type B or Type D extension) using the online portal

  • If you've applied to defer at the first sit of the assessment, you will get an uncapped resit (so you'll get the chance to do a new assessment, working to the best of your ability).
  • If you've applied to defer at the second sit of the assessment (during the resit period), you will get a disregard and have to take the module again at the next available opportunity.

You don't self-certify using the online portal

  • You don't attend the assessment.
  • You don't make a claim for exceptional circumstances or self-certify using the online portal.
  • If it was the first sit, you will be eligible for a capped resit. If this was a resit, you will fail the assessment and you will need to retake the module at the next available opportunity.

3. Unwell during an assessment and you need to leave

You attend the assessment (eg exam) but are taken ill part way through so have to leave early. You tell the invigilator that you are unwell before you leave.

You self-certify using the online portal

  • You’ve told us (and we’ve accepted) that you weren’t able to fully able to engage with the assessment task.
  • If the assessment you applied was a first sit, you will get an uncapped resit (so you’ll get the chance to do a new assessment, working to the best of your ability.
  • If you’ve applied to defer at the second sit of the assessment (during the resit period), you will get a disregard and have to take the module again at the next available opportunity.

You don't self-certify using the online portal

  • If the assessment was a first sit you will get a capped resit.
  • If the assessment was a resit, you will fail the assessment and it is likely you will have to retake the module at the next available opportunity.