School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences
Student Safety & Study Skills
Handbook 11/12

• Absences
• Assessment of work
• Mitigating circumstances
• Appeals Process

Mitigating Circumstances

Important information

Examples of acceptable mitigating circumstances

Examples of acceptable evidence

Filling in the form

Important information

• If there are any circumstances beyond your control which have affected your assessed work or examination you should submit a 'Mitigating Circumstances Form' - Form D. Examples of such circumstances include absence from an assignment, failure to submit or undertake work, failure to submit work by the deadline or poor academic performance. This form, which generates two carbon copies i.e. three copies in total, can be obtained from the school office (Room H608). You should ensure that all copies are legible. You will be required to attach to the form independent documentary evidence in support of your claim e.g. a doctor's certificate or counsellor's letter and not from a member of your family or a close friend or partner. The form will not be accepted without supporting evidence.

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Examples of acceptable mitigating circumstances

It is impossible to produce complete lists of acceptable and unacceptable mitigating circumstances, so the following lists must be seen only as a guideline. They do, however, show the types of issues involved.

Acceptable

• personal illness
• illness of close family
• death of family member or close friend
• personal/psychological problems
• severe family problems
• some legal issues

Unacceptable

• paid employment
• other university deadlines
• car breakdown
• late lift to university
• overslept, missed train, bus etc
• computer failure
• misunderstood timetable
• did not know there was a test
• job interview

Borderline

Some issues would generally be viewed as unacceptable but, under certain circumstances of severity and/or timing, might be viewed sympathetically. Particular examples might include accommodation or finance. Again, however, you must provide acceptable evidence of your situation.

Evidence for mitigating circumstances

Acceptable

• death certificate
• medical certificate
• GP letter, hospital letter
• counsellor's letter
• solicitor's letter

Unacceptable

• self-certificate
• unsupported letter from family or friend
• personal statement
• rail fare or tyre receipt
• nothing, anything undated or without your name

Filling in the form

It is essential that the form is completed correctly and accurately. Failure to do so may result in the automatic rejection of your application. Please ensure that your name, course and stage (year of study) are completed.

i) Under "Component title and code"

Please give the correct title of the module affected together with the correct code e.g. BY104: Human Physiology 1.

ii) Under "Assignment or examination affected"

Give details of the assignment or examination affected. For example, 'test' or 'assignment' is not sufficient - please state which test/exam or coursework/assignment is affected and give the date on which it would have taken place or should have been handed in e.g. Phase Test 02/11/11 or Exam 2/2/12.

If a number of components are affected then these must all be shown separately. It is not acceptable to write, for example, 'all modules affected'. Remember to indicate clearly if you have used additional sheets or forms.

iii) Nature of circumstances

It is essential that you clearly explain how your performance was affected by your circumstances and the period of time affected.

N.B. Frivolous submission of trivial mitigating circumstances is simply a waste of everyone's time and will be treated accordingly.