There have recently been some changes to the University of Plymouth Extenuating Circumstances policies that you should be aware of.
What are Extenuating Circumstances (EC)?
Exentuating circumstances count as instances or issues which are outside of your control, and which may temporarily prevent you from undertaking an assessment or have a significant detrimental impact on your ability to undertake an assessment to the standard normally expected. Some extenuating circumstances may include:
- Serious mental health issues
- major accident or injury
- hospitalisation (including for operations)
- serious short term illness that is incapacitating and at its peak at the time of a time-specific assessment, such as an exam, test, performance or presentation
Read more examples of what may or may not be classed as extenuating circumstaces here.
What are the changes the EC policy?
Please see in bold the new policy rules.
- Previously, you would be able to obtain a five working day extension anytime you needed an extension without submitting evidence, however, this is no longer the case. You can now only obtain one, five working day extension without evidence per academic year.
- Previously, you would be able to have a 10 working day extension with evidence, however, this is no longer possible. The 10 working day extension is no longer available. You can now only recieve a five working day extension with evidence once non-evidence submission is used.
- Previously, one extenuating circumstances claim would cover only one assessment extension. In the new policy, one claim will cover all assessments in the five working-day period.
- Previously 'pressure of work' claims were only for part-time students, however, this has been changed. 'Pressure of work' claims are now for both part-time and full-time time students.
- Previously, students would have 10 working-days to submit evidence to support claims. Students now have 15 working-days to submit evidence to support claims.
The Extenuating Circumstances Form is online and can be accessed via the student portal.
Unsure about the new policy or have any questions about Extenuating Circumstances and making claims? Get in touch with SU Advice: