Student Advice Centre

Extenuating Circumstances

If there is something that happens to you that might affect your academic performance, such as illness, or personal or family problems, it is vital that you tell someone in your department about it as soon as possible. You should back the information up with evidence such as a medical certificate. This is necessary if you need an extension of deadline to complete a piece of work.

It is important that the Exam Board knows about any extenuating circumstances so that they can be taken into account before they make a decision about you and your performance in exams and assessments.

If you cannot take an exam because, for example, you are ill or you have had a family crisis you should tell your personal tutor or someone in your department as soon as you can. If you are unable to take an exam because you fall ill on the day, you should try and ensure that the University receives a medical certificate within three working days of the exam.