Exceptional circumstances affecting assessment

Sometimes things happen beyond your control that either have an impact on your performance during an assessment or prevent you from undertaking the assessment at the scheduled time. If these events are truly exceptional, i.e. serious, unusual and unpredictable, they may be classed as exceptional circumstances and you may be able to defer or resit an assessment. 

There are three possible ways to claim exceptional circumstances: 

1. 1. 1. 1. Student Support Plans (for students with a disability) sometimes have the option to request an extension on a piece of work as part of their Plan's adjustments or to defer an examination attempt.

         2. Self-certification can be used for short-term, acute illnesses or short-term unforeseen circumstances prior to submission of an open assessment or commencement of an examination. Students may use self-certification for a maximum of 3 assessments per academic year. (This is not to be confused with self-certification of illness if you are ill during term time and miss teaching).

         3. You can apply to the Exceptional Circumstances Committee for assessments where the start time (exams) or deadline (open assessments) has passed or where the self-certification may not be possible due to the severity of the circumstances/impact on assessment.

If such exceptional circumstances do occur, you must seek support from your supervisor and provide evidence as soon as possible at the time they occur. You can find the Exceptional Circumstances affecting Assessment claim form online, along with further information on submitting a claim.