Sometimes circumstances arise where, through no fault of your own, you cannot complete an assessment (whether an essay, exam, or other type of assessment) in a timely manner.
If you wish to apply for an extension to an assessment, you will need to submit an application to have the reasons (known as ‘mitigating circumstances’) taken into account. You will need to use the ‘mitigating circumstances’ form (which can be found in your faculty Moodle page) when submitting an application. The same form can be used if you feel that there were ‘mitigating circumstances’ which meant that the assessment has not or will not accurately measure your ability. Such circumstances are unfair to you and are not an accurate representation of the expected level of your performance.
Things that would normally be recognised as grounds for consideration of mitigating circumstances might include:
- Significant illness or accident affecting the student
- Bereavement – death of a close relative or significant other
- Significant adverse personal or family circumstances
- Other significant exceptional factors that are outside the student’s control (e.g. Jury Service)
- Religious and cultural observance
Things that would not normally be considered grounds for consideration of mitigating circumstances include:
- Holidays or other events that were planned or could reasonably have been expected
- Assessments that are scheduled close together or on the same day, or that clash due to incorrect registration by the student
- Misreading the timetable for examinations or otherwise misunderstanding the requirements for assessment
- Inadequate planning or time management
- Last-minute or careless travel arrangements
- Consequences of paid employment
- Exam stress or panic attacks not supported by medical evidence
The majority of mitigating circumstances are fairly routine within Metanoia Institute and can be delegated by the Head of Faculty to the Programme Leader and the Primary Tutor. For example, you require a two-week extension on an essay, as you are recovering from a serious bout of flu; you submit a mitigating circumstances form to your Primary Tutor ten days before the essay is due, along with a doctor’s certificate. The Primary Tutor agrees to the two-week extension and sends your application, through the Programme Leader, to the Faculty Head, who files it with the Registrar. A similar process exists if you require up to a month’s extension on a standard assignment, but the decision must be made by the Programme Leader.
Where an extension of more than a month is required and/or the Programme Leader feels that the circumstances or supporting evidence require further consideration, your application will be submitted to the Faculty Head who will discuss your application with the Head of Quality and the Registrar, who will help the Faculty Head to arrive at a decision.