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Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating Circumstances (ECs) are defined as circumstances which are unexpected, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, and which may have affected your ability to meet an assessment deadline or the level of your performance at assessment. If you are having difficulties, you may be able to submit an Extenuating Circumstances claim.

Update: March 2020

During this period affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you should continue to submit and undertake assessments where your course teams have made this possible. The University will continue to operate its extenuating circumstances procedures for these assessments. If anything has happened to you that prevents you completing, submitting or undertaking assessment, you should let us know by submitting extenuating circumstances.  This includes anything that relates directly to COVID-19.

Because the present situation will make it difficult for anyone claiming extenuating circumstances to provide evidence, you may submit your claim without evidence. When you enter the system, within your portal, please follow all stages and indicate that there is no evidence available. Your claim will be considered on the basis of your statement.

This is a short term measure to reflect the impact that COVID-19 is having on the ability to access the usual support mechanisms which would supply supporting documentation. We will update again, when the situation returns to normal.

2019/20 Extenuating Circumstances Regulations

Extenuating Circumstances and Time Out Regulations 19-20 (PDF 176KB)

How to make a claim


Please read the guidance document before submitting your EC claim. From October 2019, students will have the option to apply for Extenuating Circumstances via the Student Portal - by logging in and selecting the EC option from the 'My Assessments' tab - or using the form below. When requesting supporting evidence from a medical practitioner please download the guidance document and take it with you to your appointment. It helps make clear what details are required to support an application:

Requesting time out from your studies


You may be able to take time out from your studies under certain circumstances but you should consult the guidance below as there are some restrictions: