Mitigating circumstances
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The University’s intention is, wherever possible, to support you in completing your programme of study. We recognise that there may be times when you, through unforeseeable and unpreventable circumstances, find that you are unable to perform in an examination, or other forms of assessment, to the full extent of your abilities.
If you are unable to submit, or attend an examination, this procedure is also applicable to you. In such circumstances the Mitigating Circumstances Regulations enable you to request that your situation is taken into consideration.
You are expected to have taken reasonable steps to ensure that you could not have prevented the circumstances from taking place. It is your responsibility to notify your School of any mitigating circumstances which you feel will affect, or may have affected, your performance in any summative assessment.
Remember, any application you make has to be approved by the Mitigating Circumstances Board and if it does not meet the criteria then mitigation may not be granted.
An application for mitigating circumstances is only one of the support mechanisms available to you. There are other options for you to consider. It is important that you discuss your situation with a tutor who will be able to provide guidance on the most appropriate course of action. Where you are unable to meet the deadline for an assessment then an extension may be the better option for you. In circumstances which are likely to affect your progress over a longer time period, you may be advised to suspend your studies until the circumstances no longer have an impact.
The following points will help you when submitting an application for mitigating circumstances:
Mitigating circumstances is defined by the University as circumstances outside of the control of the student that have significantly affected performance in any summative assessment.
Do:
- review the grounds for applying for mitigating circumstances
Mitigating Circumstances Regulations (pdf - 177kb) - seek guidance from your module or personal tutor if you are experiencing difficulties in completing your work on time
- meet with your tutor prior to the submission/examination date
- discuss with a tutor whether an extension would be appropriate
- request an extension where you are unable to meet the deadline
- submit an application that covers all module assessments you are taking during the period of difficulty
- submit the application within two weeks of the submission/examination date
- complete all sections of the form
- include evidence to support your application
- make sure that you receive a receipt for your application when you submit it.
Don’t:
- apply for mitigating circumstances for a resubmission - mitigating circumstances applications are not normally granted for resubmission opportunities
- apply for mitigating circumstances if you have been granted a long extension for the same set of circumstances
- apply for any formative assessment - pieces of assessment that do not count to your overall module mark
- use evidence that is undated or solely from family members supporting your application - you have to provide independent evidence.
