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Regulations for the Conduct of University Examinations: Part 13 Mitigating Circumstances: Notices to Examiners

Application of Part 13

  • 13.1. This Part is concerned with candidates whose performance in a University Examination may be significantly affected by acute illness or some other urgent cause that is unforeseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable, which the candidate wishes to be brought to the attention of the examiners.

  • 13.2. Candidates with long-term issues, chronic conditions or disabilities may still submit an MCE in relation to their circumstances where:
    • (1) There has been a significant change of exacerbation of the circumstances during the assessment period; 
    • (2) A late diagnosis has meant that it was not possible to implement assessment adjustments;
    • (3) Examination adjustments implemented were not sufficient to fully mitigate against the candidate's circumstances. 
  • 13.3. Where the chair of examiners has decided that a matter can be considered by the board as poor academic practice, then the board can take candidate circumstances into account when considering a penalty, including choosing to reduce a penalty or deciding not to impost a penalty. 

13.4. This Part cannot take into consideration aspects of assessment that are covered by other regulations and processes and/or that do not relate to performance in assessment including:

(1) Removal of penalties relating to late submission of submitted work or exam response, non-attendance at an examination, incorrect submission/exam responses that are covered by 14.21 and 14.22, below. 

(2) Penalties relating to overlength work

(3) Penalties relating to academic misconduct

(4) Complaints about the conduct of examinations.

Mitigating Circumstances: Notices to Examiners

  • 13.5. If a candidate considers that their performance in any part of a University Examination is likely to be or has been affected by circumstances of which the examiners have no knowledge, the candidate shall through Student Self Service inform the Registrar of these mitigating circumstances. Where this information is received not later than noon on the day prior to the final meeting of the examiners for the relevant University Examination (where the overall outcome will be finalised) the Registrar shall pass this information on to the chair of the examiners.

  • 13.6.

    • (1) Notices under this part received later than that time and date will only be passed to examiners by the Proctors if they are received within one month of the final meeting of the examiners for the relevant University Examination (where the overall outcome has been finalised) and if one of the following applies:

      • (a) The candidate’s condition is such as to have prevented them from making an earlier submission;

      • (b) The candidate’s condition is not known or diagnosed until after the final meeting of the examiners;

      • (c) There has been a procedural error that has prevented the candidate’s information from being submitted.

    • (2) If the Proctors decide not to pass the information on they shall give reasons for their decision.

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Appeals under this Part

  • 13.7. A candidate or their college who is dissatisfied with any decision made by the Proctors or by the examiners under this Part, may appeal against that decision in accordance with the provisions of regulations 18.1. or 18.2. below.