Special Consideration for assessment is for students who have covered the work of a course but have been prevented from demonstrating their knowledge or skills at the time of the assessment due to unforeseen circumstances. This may be because the student has not completed an assessment or sat the test/exam or has completed an assessment or sat the test/exam but with impaired performance. Applications under this category should be submitted within five working days of the assessment due date.
Special Consideration for late discontinuation
Special Consideration for Late Discontinuation is for students who have been prevented from completing a course of study, due to circumstances beyond their control, or that were not reasonably foreseeable, and they were unable to withdraw from the course(s) by the published withdrawal deadline. Applications under this category should be submitted no later than five working days after the examination period has finished.
An approved application for special consideration for late discontinuation does not provide a refund of fees. It only removes the relevant course(s) from a student’s transcript.
Extensions
If the assessment is an essay or assignment where it may be possible to receive an extension, your first step is to contact the course co-ordinator directly to apply for an extension to complete the piece of work. This doesn’t stop you from applying for Special Consideration, but if an extension has also been granted, this will be taken into account when assessing your application.
If you are applying for Special Consideration, it is recommended that you also contact your course co-ordinator(s) to discuss the Special Consideration application with them in advance of the application being submitted.
Special Consideration for COVID-19
We encourage all students to complete any assessment items (assignments, tests and examinations). We know there may be circumstances where, the re-emergence of COVID-19 impacts your performance or ability to complete an assessment item. If this happens you can apply for a Special Consideration on COVID-19 grounds (including applications related to the lockdown).
In the first instance, please speak to your course coordinator(s).
- If you have any concerns about completing an assessment item due to COVID-19 please discuss this with your course coordinator. They have been asked to be flexible and, where possible, open to granting extensions or providing alternative assessments.
- Whilst most tests/exams will be conducted on campus, should you have to take an online test/exam and you experience a technological problem (such as not being able to access digital technology or you experience a problem during an online assessment) please notify the course coordinator asap to notify them of any issues and to discuss an appropriate resolution.
Please apply for a Special Consideration (‘SC’) on COVID-19 grounds as follows:
Sickness or illness i.e. a) confirmed case of COVID-19 or b) symptomatic/unwell
- If you are unwell and are unable to complete an assessment item or sit a test/exam please apply for a SC for Assessment on Covid-19 grounds.
- Where possible please provide supporting medical evidence. If you are unable to provide evidence please state the reason(s) why in your application. A lack of evidence will not prejudice your application
Impaired performance i.e. if you have attempted an assessment item but feel your performance was impaired due to COVID-19 and the lockdown
- If you were able to complete an assessment item but feel your performance was impaired apply for a SC for Assessment on Coivd-19 grounds.
- In the description box please provide a detailed description about how your performance was impaired and where possible provide evidence to support the application. A lack of evidence will not prejudice your application.
Need to apply for Special Consideration?
find out more about How to apply
After you apply for Special Consideration
The first step is for your application to be reviewed by the Special Considerations Committee who will decide whether to accept or decline the grounds of your application.
If your application is for an assessment item and the grounds are accepted, it will be forwarded to the department to determine an academic remedy (if required) which they will organise with you directly.
If your application is for late discontinuation and the grounds are accepted, it will be forwarded to the Dean of the owning college of your qualification for the final decision.
If your application is declined, you will be notified by the Examinations Office.
Appealing a decision
You have the right to appeal the outcome of a special consideration application. Appeals should be made in writing within 10 days of the notification of the decision.
If you wish to appeal a decision of the Special Consideration Committee or a Dean, the appeal should be addressed to the Academic Appeals Committee via the [email protected].
If wish to appeal a decision of an academic department, the appeal should be addressed to the Dean of the Faculty for your qualification. Check the appeal regulations for more information.