Grounds for Seeking an Extension

Below is a non-exhaustive list of circumstances for which deadline extensions may be considered:

• Situations that set you back for a few days, but in a work situation is unlikely to lead to a significant absence from work;

• If you are a disabled student with an LSP that indicates your department should take into account your disability when considering coursework extension requests

• Paid work where you unexpectedly have to pick up additional work due to financial difficulties

• Caring responsibilities when there are unexpected difficulties with your usual caring arrangements e.g. childcare, care for elderly relatives

• Technical difficulties beyond the control of a student, e.g. a Turnitin outage

• Religious observance of a specific festival

Examples of situations where alternative support should be sought and will not usually require adjustments to extensions

• Computer problems including printing and uploading to software such as Turnitin, when the expectation is additional time for these issued should have been factored into your planning

• Usual scheduled paid work

• You have not organised your time effectively and have been unable to provide reasonable justification for this. 

Extension requests must be made two working days before the deadline, or before.

Extensions are appropriate for short-term unexpected events, for longer-term circumstances you should take advice from the department about Extenuating Circumstances.

Ongoing Difficulties

If you have ongoing circumstances, for instance those you have an LSP for, you should where ever possible use the support services available through the university to support you in meeting set deadlines - rather than relying on extensions or NA options (which can have a negative knock on effect on your progression and study breaks - like Easter or Summer Vacation). Speak to the Well Being Team, 301, Student Experience Team or your Academic Tutor for advice.

Deadlines are set and spread in order to allow students a manageable workload over the academic year - incorporating breaks and tying into the relevant teaching for the assessment questions and topics. Regularly deviating from these pre-arranged dates can make it difficult for students to get back on track.