Applying for Extenuating Circumstances
The University recognises that there may be times during your course when something happens that negatively affects your performance in your assessment(s) or that means you are unable to complete your assessment(s).
These are called 'Extenuating Circumstances'.
What counts as an extenuating circumstance?
Examples of extenuating circumstances include:
- ill health
- accident or injury
- personal or emotional trauma
- the death of someone close to you
- being the victim of crime
- unavoidable transport difficulties
- an unsupported learning difficulty
You will need to show that your circumstances have significantly affected your ability to complete your assessment.
You can find more detailed examples of what the University considers and does not consider to be an extenuating circumstance in the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations Taught Provision and Guidance for applying for Extenuating Circumstances.
What can I do?
The first thing you should do is talk to your personal tutor or another academic staff member about what is going on. The sooner they know about the difficulties you are facing, the easier it will be for them to support you. They can discuss the options available to you and help you identify which is the most appropriate to your situation.
- Short extension: your module or course leader can agree a short extension to your assessment deadline of up to seven days.
- Long extension: if a longer extension is more appropriate, your module or course leader can arrange to extend your deadline for more than seven days with the approval of a Dean's nominee in your School.
- Deferred submission: this is normally only available to part-time students (and not normally for a reassessment). This is a longer extension of up to one year. Your module or course leader can discuss this with you and seek approval of a Dean's nominee in your School.
- Interruption of studies: this allows you to temporarily leave University for up to two years to focus on your situation. Your module or course leader can discuss this with you and seek approval of a Dean's nominee in your School.
- Mitigating circumstances: an application for mitigating circumstances can be considered if an extension, deferral or interruption isn't appropriate, for example, if you miss an examination due to ill health. Applications for mitigating circumstances are considered centrally by a Mitigating Circumstances Board.
With the help of your tutor, you decide which option is best for you. If you are applying before your assessment date, an extension or deferral may be an appropriate choice. However, if you are applying for an exam or after an assessment date, mitigating circumstances may be more suitable. It is important to note that the process is longer for mitigating circumstances, and you will need to resubmit your assignment or resit the examination.
Below, you can find information on how to apply for an extension or a deferral, or for Mitigating Circumstances. If you wish to consider interrupting your studies, please contact your school and they will be able to guide you through the process.
Extensions and deferrals
How do I apply for an extension or a deferral?
You should talk to your tutor, module or course leader to identify which option is most appropriate to your situation.
Before completing the application form, you should read the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations Taught Provision and Guidance for applying for Extenuating Circumstances.
You then need to complete the application form, providing as much detail as possible along with evidence to support your application.
What evidence do I need to provide?
The kind of evidence you need to provide will depend on the difficulties you are facing. Examples include letters from medical practitioners, other medical documents, a death certificate or a police crime number/report. A letter of support from your personal tutor is helpful but cannot be the only form of evidence that you submit.
Evidence should usually include your name and correspond to the time of your assessment(s).
The Guidance for applying for Extenuating Circumstances offers examples of acceptable evidence as well as examples of evidence that is not acceptable.
Where do I submit my request for an extension or a deferral?
You can either hand it in to the reception desk in your school or college, or you can email it to your school using the relevant email address:
- School of Arts & Creative Industries: SACI-Assessments@tees.ac.uk
- School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies: SCEDT-Assessments@tees.ac.uk
- School of Health & Life Sciences: SHLS-Assessments@tees.ac.uk
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law: SSSHL-Enquiries@tees.ac.uk
- Teesside University International Business School: TUBSAssessments@tees.ac.uk
If I submit an application form, will that guarantee an extension or a deferral?
Submitting an application is not a guarantee that your request has been approved. Check that you have chosen the right option for you and that you meet the relevant criteria, complete the form correctly and provide appropriate evidence. You should use your student email address as your contact email, without it, your application may be delayed or refused.
Where can I get further support?
You can get support with your application from the Students' Union by calling 01642 342247 or by emailing suss@tees-su.org.uk.
If you need guidance on the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations or wish to appeal a decision, you can contact the Student Casework Office (SCO) by emailing sco@tees.ac.uk.
The University also offers a range of student support services that you may find helpful depending on your situation.
Mitigating circumstances
My tutor has recommended that I should apply for mitigating circumstances. What should I do?
Firstly, ensure that you have discussed all the other options available to you with your personal tutor or your module or course leader. A short or long extension, deferred submission or a temporary interruption to your studies may be more appropriate.
Requests for mitigating circumstances are for one-off situations. For example, if you could not attend your examination because you were unexpectedly ill, you had an accident that prevented you from attending your examination or you were facing an unexpected acute personal or emotional trauma at the time of your assessment.
How do I apply for mitigating circumstances?
Before completing the application form, you should read the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations Taught Provision and Guidance for applying for Extenuating Circumstances.
You then need to complete the application form, providing as much detail as possible along with evidence to support your application. You will need to complete all sections of the application form before you can submit it.
You must submit your application form within 14 calendar days of the submission or examination date. If you submit your application late you will need to explain why.
What evidence do I need to provide?
The evidence you need to provide will depend on the difficulties you are facing. Examples include letters from medical practitioners, other medical documents, a death certificate or a police crime number/report. A letter of support from your personal tutor is helpful but cannot be the only form of evidence that you submit.
Evidence should usually include your name and correspond to the time of your assessment(s).
The Guidance for applying for Extenuating Circumstances offers examples of acceptable evidence as well as examples of evidence that is not acceptable.
How soon will I know if my application for mitigating circumstances has been approved?
Once your application has been checked to confirm that you have provided the necessary information and evidence, you will be informed of the date of the Mitigating Circumstances Board whereyour application will be considered. Failure to submit a complete application with appropriate evidence will delay your request. Boards usually take place each month and you will be kept updated on the progress of your application.
Once the Mitigating Circumstances Board has met and your application has been reviewed, you will normally be informed of the outcome within 15 calendar days.
Where I can I get further support?
You can get support with your application from the Students' Union by calling 01642 342247 or by emailing suss@tees-su.org.uk.
If you need guidance on the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations or wish to appeal a decision, you can contact the Student Casework Office (SCO) by emailing sco@tees.ac.uk.
The University also offers a range of student support services that you may find helpful depending on your situation.
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