Types of application
The University offers students a 24 hour extension for ‘deadline’ (coursework) assessments in case you encounter any short-term resolvable problems in the run up to assignment submission.
What do I need to do?
You will need to tell us if you need to use the 24 hour (Type A) extension by submitting the Exceptional Circumstances Application Form and selecting the ‘Type A extension’ option. You can only apply for a Type A extension within 24 hours of the assessment deadline (either 24hours before or after). By telling us that you are using the Type A extension, we will recognise that you have engaged with the University’s processes in relation to the assessment in question and you will have an additional 24 hours from the original deadline to submit your work.
You will not have to provide any evidence to support your use of the Type A extension. If you already have an extension as part of an Inclusive Support Plan, your 24 hour extension will run from this deadline. Please check the final deadline for extensions on the website or with your module leader as the 24 hour extension cannot go beyond this date.
Please do not use the Type A extension if you believe that your circumstances mean that a 24 hour extension will not be sufficient.
If you do believe that you will need longer than 24 hours to complete and submit your assignment, then you need to apply for a Type B or Type C extension and you can find out the details of that in the guide to submitting an application (for those studying at one of our partner colleges, please follow your college’s exceptional circumstances process).
For clarity, the 24 hour Type A extension is only to be used for deadline assessments you still have to complete; it cannot be used for modules that you have already received your final result for. Also, it cannot be used for event assessments, e.g. assessments taken under controlled and timed conditions such as exams, tests and presentations. If you cannot attempt one of these, you must use Type B extension option on the Exceptional Circumstances Application Form.
We will inform your Module Leader if you have applied to use the 24 hour Type A extension.
What can I not do?
Multiple applications
- You cannot use a Type A more than once for each assignment.
- You cannot self certify for more than 3 days, so if you later apply for a Type B extension, the maximum extension you could have is 3 days. If you need any more, you would need to apply for Type C, with evidence.
- You cannot add a Type A request after the outcome of a Type C. If you need more than the extension granted, you would need to apply for another Type C.
Repeated use of the 24 hour Type A extension
- If you use the 24 hour Type A extension repeatedly, we are likely to contact you to explore any underlying problems that are stopping you from meeting your deadlines.
Extension of 3 days for deadline assessment or opportunity to defer a non-examined event assessment, e.g. in-class test (Type B)
The University offers students up to 3 days* extension for ‘deadline’ (coursework) assessments or an alternative opportunity to take a non-examined event assessment in case you encounter any short-term circumstances in the run up to assignment submission.
Students will not be able to use Type B requests more than twice within one academic year. If you have exceptional circumstances again and require an extension, or cannot take an event assessment, you will need to apply via Type C, providing a full explanation and evidence
Students can only apply for Type B exceptional circumstances within the two weeks leading up to the assessment deadline, e.g. if the assessment is due on Monday of week 5 then students can only apply from Monday of week 3 - no earlier than this. This is because we do not expect people to know about the types of circumstances a Type B would cover far in advance. If you are aware of circumstances that will impact your ability to study several weeks in advance, you should try to plan around it, but if you cannot, you can make a Type C application.
What do I need to do?
You will need to tell us if you need to use the Type B extension by submitting the Exceptional Circumstances Application Form and selecting the ‘Type B extension’ option. By telling us that you are using the Type B extension, we will recognise that you have engaged with the University’s processes in relation to the assessment in question and you will have up to 3 days from the original deadline to submit your work. Please check the final deadline for extensions on the website or with your module leader as occasionally it will not be possible to grant a full 3 days.
You will not have to provide any evidence to support your use of the Type B application. If you already have an extension as part of an Inclusive Support Plan, your 3 day extension will run from this deadline. Please check the final deadline for extensions on the website or with your module leader as an extension cannot go beyond this date.
Please do not use the Type B extension if you believe that your circumstances mean that a 3 day extension will not be sufficient. You will not be able to submit a Type A request to add an extra 24 hours on to the 3 days.
If you do believe that you will need longer than 3 days to complete and submit your assignment, then you need to apply for a Type C extension and you can find out the details of that in the guide to submitting an application (for those studying at one of our partner colleges, please follow your college’s exceptional circumstances process).
We will inform your Module Leader if you have made a Type B request.
What can I not do?
Multiple applications
- You cannot use a Type B more than once for each assignment. You can only get a maximum of 3 days extension by self-certifying.
- You cannot self certify for more than 3 days, so if you later apply for a Type A extension, this will not be counted. If you need any more, you would need to apply for Type C, with evidence.
- You cannot add a Type B request after the outcome of a Type C. If you need more than the extension granted, you would need to apply for another Type C.
Repeated use of the Type B extension
- You will not be able to self-certify by using Type B requests more than twice within one academic year. If you have exceptional circumstances again and require an extension, or cannot take an event assessment, you will need to apply via Type C, providing a full explanation and evidence.
Full Exceptional Circumstances Application- Extension for, or deferring a deadline assessment or deferring an event assessment (Type C)
The University can offer students extensions and opportunities to take an assessment again when a student has demonstrated they have exceptional circumstances. Type Cs are to be used when a student needs more than a 3 day extension or they are applying late for the other application types.
These applications require evidence where possible, or a full explanation of why evidence cannot be obtained
What do I need to do?
You will need to tell us if you need to apply by using the Exceptional Circumstances Application Form and selecting the ‘Type C’ option. You should tell us:
- what has happened, the impact upon your ability to study and/or take assessments. Please note that this will be read by an independent panel, so give as much detail as necessary. Do not assume because you have told another staff member, that the panel will have this information.
- if you are requesting an extension or an opportunity to retake the assessment.
Continue working on your assessment after submitting an application (you might not be awarded exceptional circumstances and if you have not handed work in, you will fail).
Please note, if you are awarded another opportunity to take the assessment again, any work you have already submitted will not be marked and you will have to take the assessment again at a later date.
Therefore, please consider carefully if you need to apply for exceptional circumstances.
You should provide evidence to support your Type C application - see information about evidence.
If you already have an extension as part of an Inclusive Support Plan, it will be in addition to any allowance given as part of exceptional circumstances. Please check the final deadline for extensions on the website or with your module leader as an extension cannot go beyond this date.
Students studying at one of our partner colleges, please follow your college’s exceptional circumstances process.
What can I not do?
Multiple applications.
You cannot use add a Type A or Type B request after the outcome of a Type C. If you need more than the extension granted, you would need to apply for another Type C.
Type D is an opportunity for you to tell us that you were unexpectedly not able to sit the event assessment. You may, for example, have been unexpectedly unwell with a self-limiting illness such as vomiting and diarrhoea or migraine, where you do not need to seek medical attention. You do not need to provide the University with evidence of the unexpected event.
What do I need to do?
You can make applications on the exceptional circumstances pages of Student Information. By making a Type D request, we will recognise that you have engaged with the University’s processes in relation to that assessment.
- For Type D requests, you should tell us before the examination., but if you cannot, you can apply up to 48 hours after the start of the event assessment. If you do not meet this deadline, it will be considered late and a Type C application would be required instead.
Students are limited to two Type D applications per academic year.
Students can only apply for Type D exceptional circumstances 48 hours before or following the start of the examination, e.g. if the examination is scheduled for Wednesday 15 May at 1pm, you should not apply earlier than Monday 13 May at 1pm.
We do not expect people to know about the types of circumstances a Type D would cover far in advance. If you are aware of circumstances that will impact your ability to study several weeks in advance, you should try to plan around it, but if you cannot, you can make a Type C application.
Potential outcomes
For Type D requests for examined event assessments, you may get a resit (uncapped) or a retake of the module (with access to the full range of marks) depending on which assessment you cannot take.
Please note that you may have to pay to retake the module in future.
How many times can I self-certify?
We expect that most students will never need to self–certify during the course of their studies as chances of being too unwell to sit an assessment on a particular day, for example, are low.
Students will not be able to self-certify by using Type B applications or Type D application more than twice within one academic year, per application, i.e. you can apply for 2 Type Bs and 2 Type Ds in one academic year.
If you have exceptional circumstances again and require an extension, or cannot take an event assessment, you will need to apply via Type C, providing a full explanation and evidence
Self-certification is not intended to be used repeatedly to “put off” sitting assessments. Postponing an assessment means you may have to take it alongside other assessments and it may mean you only get one chance to take the assessment within the module period. Sometimes it might be better to take the assessment now if you are well enough. Please speak to someone, e.g. your student support co-ordinator to help you decide what is the best option.