► Mitigating Circumstances

If you have a genuine reason for not being able to perform well in an exam or assignment you might be able to claim Mitigating Circumstances. Reasons for claims might include illness, bereavement or other serious crisis affecting your performance.

Please click here to check the Registry Services webpages for more information about Mitigating Circumstances.

There are strict deadlines for claims (see your SOLE page) and evidence is required to support all claims, such as a doctor’s letter. A successful claim may allow you to retake an examination or resubmit an assessment without penalty.

How to Write a Good Mitigating Circumstances Claim

It is important to understand that you will not be able to present your case for consideration of mitigating circumstances in person. The Committee will base their decision solely on the written claim form and any accompanying evidence.

Tips for making your claim:

• Ensure that any additional evidence is specific and backs up what you have witten in the claim, often doctor's letters aren't very useful because they are very vague
• Remember that if your claim is due to illness or a personal crisis no matter how bad it is, you will need to also explain the effect of the situation on your ability to study and complete your work
• Don't assume that the Committee have any medical knowledge, if you have an illness make sure you explain the details of it and it's effect on your work

If you need any helping writing your Mitigating Circumstances claim please get in touch with the Student Advisor.

Guide on Completing a Mitigating Circumstances Claim Form

See our annotated guide on how to fill out a claim form.

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)

The OIA operates an independent student complaints scheme for Higher Education.

If for any reason you are unhappy with the outcome of your mitigating circumstances decision you can take the matter to the OIA. However, you can only do this if you have exhausted the internal procedure of the University.

To make a complaint to the OIA you must first have received a university Completion of Procedures letter. Once this has been received there is a strict three month deadline to take your complaint to the OIA.

The SAS can support any student in the process of making a complaint to the OIA.

For more information click here