The university has reviewed its Extenuating Circumstances process and has made changes that have been introduced from 23 September 2024.
We’ve communicated these changes to you via email and will continue to support you with the EC process. Full information about our EC process can be found /student-services/extenuating-circumstances
Will these changes be reviewed?
It is the intention that a review will be carried out on the EC procedural changes and uptake during the 2024/25 session to ensure it is delivering the intended benefits.
Will the implementation of grace periods have an impact on marking timeframes?
The Assessment & Feedback Policy has been updated to reflect the change; the expectation is now that grades will be released within 17 days.
What happens if I submit during the grace period and again via the EC link?
The grade awarded for the last submission you made should be used, including where appropriate any capping for any work submitted with no claim for extenuating circumstances.
With the introduction of grace periods when do we take the EC deadline from?
All deadlines are calculated from the original deadline date (that is excluding any grace period).
If I have more than one assessment due within a seven-day period, can that be covered by a single self-certificate?
Yes, one use of self-certified ECs can cover multiple assessments, provided they are due within the same 7-calendar day period.
What is the definition of calendar days?
For the purposes of these changes, we have adopted the definition used by the EC procedure itself: calendar day means every day of the week including Saturdays and Sundays, except for university closures days such as public holidays and Christmas closures. Full details of term dates and university closures days can be found here Term Dates.
Is there the expectation of support during the grace period?
Grace periods are designed to address exceptional submission issues, that is that the work is ready but has not yet been submitted; any technical issues that run beyond the grace period would need to be considered as an EC as they would currently.
Academic colleagues will not be able to provide additional support during this period in relation to content etc.
Can the grace period be used for 'live' assessments?
No. Grace periods will only apply for submitted work, not for work considered 'live'. This includes, but is not limited to: presentations, exams and other in person assessments.
