Extenuating Circumstances & Absence
It is important that students who are absent due to medical or other reasons should let the School know as soon as possible, even if absence is outside examination/assessment periods. This will enable appropriate support to be provided. The following guidance applies to all students enrolled on modules in the School of Mathematics & Physics, regardless of which Programme you are taking (ie for modules with the prefixes AMA, PHY, PMA & SOR).
Requests for Concessions for Extenuating Circumstances
Where an absence has occurred during an examination or other form of assessment, the appropriate
form must be submitted to request a concession. The form should also be used where a concession is requested for factors that have affected performance, but have not resulted in absence – the form and associated guidelines give further information and examples. All requests for concessions must be supported by appropriate, signed documentation.
Long-term absence or absence affecting assessment
Absence of more than five working days or absence during examinations, class-tests or over a coursework deadline must be covered by a medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner if due to illness, or by an appropriate independent person for other circumstances (see Requests for Concessions for Extenuating Circumstances).
Short-term absence
An absence of up to five working days should be self-certified using this form. This does NOT apply to absences during examinations, class tests or coursework deadlines (see Requests for Concessions for Extenuating Circumstances). Note that consecutive self-certification is not allowed.
Timescales
Forms must be submitted to one of the School Offices within three working days of returning to study (or three working days of the last examination if during the examination period). If you are ill and know that you are going to miss an examination, deadline etc, you should contact the School either by telephone or in writing – if necessary this can be done by someone on your behalf.
Extensions to coursework deadlines
Requests for extensions to coursework deadlines should be submitted within three working days of the original deadline, or the School notified as above. The
form can be submitted with the coursework, if within this timescale – but you must complete the coursework and submit it as soon as possible regardless of whether you have been informed of an approved extension or not.
Further information
Full details regarding Regulations can be found in the appropriate University Calendar. If you wish to discuss your circumstances with a member of staff you can contact your Advisor of Studies, Personal Tutor or the module lecturer (requests to extend coursework deadlines should be discussed with the appropriate lecturer).
